It is time to get back to the routine! I say this with great excitement for as much as I love the holiday season there is much to be said for consistency. I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful gifts given over the holidays, it is always nice to be remembered.

There are many events coming up in the next few weeks so be sure to read the entire newsletter carefully. This one is packed with information.

We are all looking forward to a happy and productive new year. As always if there are ever any questions please be sure to stop by the office. My door is always open.

Karen`

I would like to take this opportunity to formally welcome Miss Jacki to our Chesterbrook family. Miss Jacki is our new Assistant Principal, she comes to us with a wealth of experience in this field and will be a great asset to our team. Please join me in welcoming her!

We will hold our annual Kindergarten Information Night on Tuesday January, 26th at 6:15. This is the perfect time to learn all about Kindergarten options for next year. We will give you an in depth look at our Kindergarten Program as well as have information available as to what your options are for next year and how to tell if your child is ready. This is a very informative night that you do not want to miss. There wil be more detailed information coming home next week.

Sam Sandler is coming to Open House! Our favorite magician will be at our Open House to help us celebrate our 7th year! We hope that everyone can come and join in the fun as we host a birthday party for ourselves! There will be Food, crafts and entertainment for the whole family. Invitations are on the way so save the date. Saturday, January 23rd from 10 to 1.

The Reading Olympics will start on Wednesday, January 13th and run through Wednesday January 27th. During this time please keep track of all the books that your child reads or the books that you read to your child. We will put up a piece of the caterpillar for each book read. Our goal is to read 5000 books. Please keep an eye out for more information.

Outside/Winter Clothes – The children will continue to go out side as long as weather permits. If it is cold they may only stay out for a few minutes. Please be sure that they have heavy coats, hats and gloves each day.

Chap Stick – Please do not send lip balm to school with your child in their pockets. If they have severely chapped lips and require lip balm please be sure to notify a teacher so that we can handle it properly.

Snow – In the event of snow/inclement weather, please tune to channel 6ABC for school closing information. We will also e-mail parents as well. In addition we are currently setting up a text alert system that will go directly to your phone.

PAR – The Parents surveys have been sent. Please take a few moments to fill out your survey. If you have not received a survey please let me know.

12th – Beginner Snowperson project due

13th Reading Olympics Begin

19th – Beginners – Winnie the Pooh Day

23rd – Open House – Birthday Bash

26th – Bookmobile

27th – Reading Olympics End

29th – Reading Olympics Awards

The Value of Visual Art Activities for Your Preschooler

Visual art experiences help children develop skills such as critical thinking, self-expression, problem-solving, communication and collaboration. Our teachers focus on process-based art education, in which the experience of creating art is valued over the end product.

In our classrooms, teachers integrate art into many aspects of our Links to Learning curriculum. After reading a book about polar bears, teachers might ask students to create their own polar bears using sponges, paint, markers and paper. They encourage students to talk about their art, providing a great opportunity to learn new vocabulary, particularly words related to colors, shapes,textures, and emotions.

Our students are also exposed to and inspired by famous artwork. In order to cultivate that fascination, we discuss famous artists and art works and ask students to create replicas of well-known paintings and sculptures. For example, after learning about Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, teachers mimic the activity in the classroom. They tape paper underneath tables, and students practice painting a masterpiece while lying down.

Below are visual art activities you and your child can do at home, as well as recommended reading.

At Home:

· Provide your child with finger paint, a large piece of paper and a smock. Let him create a masterpiece. Talk about how the paint feels and what colors and shapes he creates on the paper.

· Start a journal with your child. Have him draw a picture of something that happened during the day. Avoid giving direction. Instead of saying “Draw a picture of your teacher and classmates,” encourage him to experiment using different colored markers or crayons. If age appropriate, ask your child to write a few words to describe the picture.

· Give your child a piece of paper and a box of crayons or markers. Show him how to use the materials to make dots, lines and swirls on the paper. Let him take over and have fun. Encourage conversation about your child’s art by saying, “Tell me about what you made” or “I see you used a lot of blue in your picture. Why did you choose that color?”

· Ask your child to decorate a sign for his bedroom door using various art materials. Have him write his name on the sign.

Recommended Reading:

· The Dot by Peter Reynolds

· Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg

· Art by Patrick McDonnell

· Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

· Mix It Up by Herve Tullet

It is wonderful to share the joy that children naturally take in using art materials. Giving children extra opportunities to connect art to the world around them, contributes to happiness and future success in elementary school and beyond.

– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education