FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Chesterbrook Parents,
Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and New Year! I don’t think we could have asked for better weather during this time! And now, bring in the cold! This new year is going to be filled with so much fun and learning! Please make sure you are checking your child’s folders/cubbies for important information regarding upcoming events etc….
Starting the first week of January our annual Parent Survey will be emailed to you all. If your family has provided more than one email, you will receive more than one. Both parents are welcome to participate! We are looking for 100% participation this year! These surveys are anonymous, however the comments are shared with us. And we take these very seriously! We want our school to be the best place for your child and family. So please take just a few moments of time to complete this for us!
We also have our Annual Spaghetti Dinner coming up on Friday January 29th! This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to get together, share a meal, and get to know each other a little better. We will send out invitations when it gets a little closer. We hope to see you all there!
This is a far out reminder, and we will remind you when it gets closer, however we will be CLOSED on Monday February 15th in observance of President’s Day. We will not be open to our students, however our teachers will be participating in our Professional Development Day. We will be open as usual on Tuesday 2/16/2016.
We are hoping for the best weather this winter, but please remember to check our website, check our voicemail and look out for emails from us in case of inclement weather. Let us know if you have questions! As always, thank you for your support for Chesterbrook Academy! Here’s to another wonderful month!
Sincerely,
Lindsey Soban, principal
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Fun Recipe
Frosted Devil Donettes Snowman
What you’ll need:
- 3 Hostess Frosted Devils
- White pearl cookie decorations
- 1 chocolate wafer
- 1 large marshmallow
How to make it:
- Stack the donuts.
- Decorate the top one with the pearl decorations, making it look like a snowman face.
- Place the wafer and marshmallow on top!
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January 1st- CLOSED for New Year’s Day
January 15th- Little Caesars’s Pizza Kit Fundraiser goes home!
January 23rd- Open House 10am – 1pm
January 29th- Little Caesar’s orders due
January 29th- End of the Month Folders go home!
January 29th- Annual Spaghetti dinner 7pm
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ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Why spend your evenings and weekends driving to and from practices and programs when your child can participate in there right here at school? Please see the front desk for more information on any of these wonderful programs!
MONDAYS: MUSIC FOR LITTLE ONES @ 10am
Weekly music classes with Music For Little Ones will be lots of fun!! Each week the children will participate in different songs, and activities with music. They will even get to try different musical instruments. They will receive a CD of all songs learned that session. It is a wonderful, musical experience!
TUESDAYS: Soccer Shots @ 10am
Soccer Shots has three rules: Score a goal, be a team player, and HAVE FUN! This is a great way to get some extra physical fitness in and have a blast doing it! Spaces are still available so sign up today!!
THURSDAYS: JUMP BUNCH @ 10am
Jump Bunch introduces sports and fitness to your child in a hands-on setting. It builds coordination and interest in sports, teaches through constant praise and encouragement, offers a safe, non-competitive environment, and promotes healthy fitness and nutrition!
THURSDAYS: MusIQ @ 10am
Is a piano based music program for children ages 3 and up. Classical music and keyboard skills are taught. Please see us for more details.
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FROM THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
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
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January News Letter
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Chesterbrook Parents,
Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and New Year! I don’t think we could have asked for better weather during this time! And now, bring in the cold! This new year is going to be filled with so much fun and learning! Please make sure you are checking your child’s folders/cubbies for important information regarding upcoming events etc….
Starting the first week of January our annual Parent Survey will be emailed to you all. If your family has provided more than one email, you will receive more than one. Both parents are welcome to participate! We are looking for 100% participation this year! These surveys are anonymous, however the comments are shared with us. And we take these very seriously! We want our school to be the best place for your child and family. So please take just a few moments of time to complete this for us!
We also have our Annual Spaghetti Dinner coming up on Friday January 29th! This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to get together, share a meal, and get to know each other a little better. We will send out invitations when it gets a little closer. We hope to see you all there!
This is a far out reminder, and we will remind you when it gets closer, however we will be CLOSED on Monday February 15th in observance of President’s Day. We will not be open to our students, however our teachers will be participating in our Professional Development Day. We will be open as usual on Tuesday 2/16/2016.
We are hoping for the best weather this winter, but please remember to check our website, check our voicemail and look out for emails from us in case of inclement weather. Let us know if you have questions! As always, thank you for your support for Chesterbrook Academy! Here’s to another wonderful month!
Sincerely,
Lindsey Soban, principal
——————————————————————————————————————————-
Fun Recipe
Frosted Devil Donettes Snowman
What you’ll need:
How to make it:
January 1st- CLOSED for New Year’s Day
January 15th- Little Caesars’s Pizza Kit Fundraiser goes home!
January 23rd- Open House 10am – 1pm
January 29th- Little Caesar’s orders due
January 29th- End of the Month Folders go home!
January 29th- Annual Spaghetti dinner 7pm
Why spend your evenings and weekends driving to and from practices and programs when your child can participate in there right here at school? Please see the front desk for more information on any of these wonderful programs!
Soccer Shots has three rules: Score a goal, be a team player, and HAVE FUN! This is a great way to get some extra physical fitness in and have a blast doing it! Spaces are still available so sign up today!!
Jump Bunch introduces sports and fitness to your child in a hands-on setting. It builds coordination and interest in sports, teaches through constant praise and encouragement, offers a safe, non-competitive environment, and promotes healthy fitness and nutrition!
——————————————————————————–——————————————————
FROM THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
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:
Recommended Reading:
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