From the Principal’s Office:
Happy August!
Our classrooms are starting to take on new looks as we prepare this month to get ready for “Back to School” mode. We are getting ready for the 2015-2016 School year and class lists are being finalized! There are some classroom teacher changes and room changes; this will be communicated to each family closer to the end of August. Transition week is the week of August 24th. A transition schedule will be sent out along with the notices. Our new academic year will begin on August 31st, 2015.
Mid-August we will be welcoming back many of our children who were on hiatus for the summer. The school will be very busy. Just a reminder about the security of our building; do not share the door code with your children or allow them to punch in the numbers. The code is for the protection of your child and others. If you do not know the person walking in behind you, do not let them in; allow them to punch in the code themselves.
The sign in and out binder on the front desk is another way we keep your children safe. Noting the times your children arrive and leave helps us track which adult brought or picked up the child. Our teachers also keep records of attendance in the classrooms, so please make sure your child’s teacher acknowledges you at drop off or pick up; especially when picking your children up from the playground areas. Thank you for helping to keep our children safe.
For Parents:
When is Chesterbrook Academy Closed? Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day and 4th of July (We will be closed July 3rd)
We will also close early on Christmas Eve 3:00 pm.
Withdraw Policy: In order to withdraw your child from school, four weeks notice must be given (per the tuition policy). If you are withdrawing for any period beyond 3 weeks, your spot may be secured by paying the registration fee ($80). If the registration fee is not paid prior to your withdraw, your child’s spot is not guaranteed upon your return. All withdraws must be made in writing.
Vacation Credits: Families are allotted one week’s worth of vacation credit per fiscal year (July 1-June 30). This credit is used for a Monday-Friday week when your child will not be in the building. Your family must be enrolled for 6 months prior to being eligible for the vacation credit! Please remember: 2 Weeks notice must given in order to take advantage of this credit.
Wellness Policy: According to the parent handbook we will send children home for the following reasons. We also reserve the right to send a child home for any signs of communicable diseases:
Fever 100.5 or higher
Vomiting
Diarrhea (reoccurring)
Cough/Sore Throat
Fussy, cranky, excessive crying
Head lice
Unknown rash
A child must be 24 hour symptom and medicine free in order to return to school.
Parking Lot Safety: Please maintain a safe driving speed through the parking lot at all times. Please do not leave your car running in the parking lot. Please do not sit in the parking lot on your cell phones, as space is extremely limited. Please do not allow your child to be unattended in the parking lot at any time.
From the Education Department
Reestablishing Routines for Your Preschooler
Maintaining Order & Staying on Track
As we reach the end of summer, now is a great time to reestablish comforting routines for your preschooler. Routines help children build self-confidence and independence, cope with transitions, and gain a better understanding of the world around them.
Our Links to Learning curriculum promotes students’ social and emotional development, which is necessary for following directions and demonstrating self-control. Our teachers focus on the importance of healthy living and safety routines in the Wellness component of our curriculum.
Here are some examples of ways we establish routines in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Naptime gives children an opportunity to recharge and reboot. Our toddlers transition from napping in cribs to napping in cots. Teachers schedule naps at the same time and in the same area of the classroom every day. Soothing music is played to help toddlers wind down.
At home: Talk with your child’s teacher about the naptime routine at school. Minimize naptime battles by attempting to maintain the same routine at home.
Recommended reading: Naptime by Elizabeth Verdick
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to learn basic self-help skills such as dressing themselves. Our Beginner students practice snaps and zippers, and are encouraged to complete basic sequences like putting on socks before shoes.
At home: Offer your child a choice during routines in order to increase his interest in the activity. For example, lay out two outfit options for him to wear. Allow him to choose the outfit he prefers. Give him ample time to dress himself before offering assistance. Praise every attempt.
Recommended reading: Let’s Get Dressed by Caroline Church
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Teachers focus on the importance of sleep in the Wellness component of our curriculum. Students read and act out We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen. They discuss why the bear was sleeping, and why sleep is important.
At home: Create a bedtime routine for your child. For example, bathe, brush teeth, read a story, go to sleep. Follow the same sequence of events at the same time and in the same order every night.
Recommended reading: The Going-to-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older students follow an arrival routine at the start of every school day. They sign themselves in, say goodbye to their parents, and put away their belongings. Students learn rhymes and songs to help remind themselves what to do when they enter the classroom.
At home: Mornings are critical for setting the tone for a successful and positive day. Establish a morning routine for your child with a maximum of four steps. For example, get dressed, brush hair, brush teeth, eat breakfast.
Recommended reading: Waking Up is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka & Howard Greenfield
Following routines helps children develop the habits of responsibility that will be crucial for their future success and well-being. Kindergarten students are expected to follow instructions, listen to their teacher and complete specific tasks. By setting routines in the preschool years, your child will be better prepared as he enters elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
August News
From the Principal’s Office:
Happy August!
Our classrooms are starting to take on new looks as we prepare this month to get ready for “Back to School” mode. We are getting ready for the 2015-2016 School year and class lists are being finalized! There are some classroom teacher changes and room changes; this will be communicated to each family closer to the end of August. Transition week is the week of August 24th. A transition schedule will be sent out along with the notices. Our new academic year will begin on August 31st, 2015.
Mid-August we will be welcoming back many of our children who were on hiatus for the summer. The school will be very busy. Just a reminder about the security of our building; do not share the door code with your children or allow them to punch in the numbers. The code is for the protection of your child and others. If you do not know the person walking in behind you, do not let them in; allow them to punch in the code themselves.
The sign in and out binder on the front desk is another way we keep your children safe. Noting the times your children arrive and leave helps us track which adult brought or picked up the child. Our teachers also keep records of attendance in the classrooms, so please make sure your child’s teacher acknowledges you at drop off or pick up; especially when picking your children up from the playground areas. Thank you for helping to keep our children safe.
For Parents:
When is Chesterbrook Academy Closed? Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day and 4th of July (We will be closed July 3rd)
We will also close early on Christmas Eve 3:00 pm.
Withdraw Policy: In order to withdraw your child from school, four weeks notice must be given (per the tuition policy). If you are withdrawing for any period beyond 3 weeks, your spot may be secured by paying the registration fee ($80). If the registration fee is not paid prior to your withdraw, your child’s spot is not guaranteed upon your return. All withdraws must be made in writing.
Vacation Credits: Families are allotted one week’s worth of vacation credit per fiscal year (July 1-June 30). This credit is used for a Monday-Friday week when your child will not be in the building. Your family must be enrolled for 6 months prior to being eligible for the vacation credit! Please remember: 2 Weeks notice must given in order to take advantage of this credit.
Wellness Policy: According to the parent handbook we will send children home for the following reasons. We also reserve the right to send a child home for any signs of communicable diseases:
Fever 100.5 or higher
Vomiting
Diarrhea (reoccurring)
Cough/Sore Throat
Fussy, cranky, excessive crying
Head lice
Unknown rash
A child must be 24 hour symptom and medicine free in order to return to school.
Parking Lot Safety: Please maintain a safe driving speed through the parking lot at all times. Please do not leave your car running in the parking lot. Please do not sit in the parking lot on your cell phones, as space is extremely limited. Please do not allow your child to be unattended in the parking lot at any time.
From the Education Department
Reestablishing Routines for Your Preschooler
Maintaining Order & Staying on Track
As we reach the end of summer, now is a great time to reestablish comforting routines for your preschooler. Routines help children build self-confidence and independence, cope with transitions, and gain a better understanding of the world around them.
Our Links to Learning curriculum promotes students’ social and emotional development, which is necessary for following directions and demonstrating self-control. Our teachers focus on the importance of healthy living and safety routines in the Wellness component of our curriculum.
Here are some examples of ways we establish routines in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Naptime gives children an opportunity to recharge and reboot. Our toddlers transition from napping in cribs to napping in cots. Teachers schedule naps at the same time and in the same area of the classroom every day. Soothing music is played to help toddlers wind down.
At home: Talk with your child’s teacher about the naptime routine at school. Minimize naptime battles by attempting to maintain the same routine at home.
Recommended reading: Naptime by Elizabeth Verdick
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to learn basic self-help skills such as dressing themselves. Our Beginner students practice snaps and zippers, and are encouraged to complete basic sequences like putting on socks before shoes.
At home: Offer your child a choice during routines in order to increase his interest in the activity. For example, lay out two outfit options for him to wear. Allow him to choose the outfit he prefers. Give him ample time to dress himself before offering assistance. Praise every attempt.
Recommended reading: Let’s Get Dressed by Caroline Church
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Teachers focus on the importance of sleep in the Wellness component of our curriculum. Students read and act out We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen. They discuss why the bear was sleeping, and why sleep is important.
At home: Create a bedtime routine for your child. For example, bathe, brush teeth, read a story, go to sleep. Follow the same sequence of events at the same time and in the same order every night.
Recommended reading: The Going-to-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older students follow an arrival routine at the start of every school day. They sign themselves in, say goodbye to their parents, and put away their belongings. Students learn rhymes and songs to help remind themselves what to do when they enter the classroom.
At home: Mornings are critical for setting the tone for a successful and positive day. Establish a morning routine for your child with a maximum of four steps. For example, get dressed, brush hair, brush teeth, eat breakfast.
Recommended reading: Waking Up is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka & Howard Greenfield
Following routines helps children develop the habits of responsibility that will be crucial for their future success and well-being. Kindergarten students are expected to follow instructions, listen to their teacher and complete specific tasks. By setting routines in the preschool years, your child will be better prepared as he enters elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education