March 2016 Newsletter
Hello CBA Families!
We have so many activities planned for the month of March; it is going to be a busy month for our students and for you. Please keep track of all the important dates.
New Information
Dr. Seuss Week is the first week of March. On Wednesday March 2nd students can bring in their favorite Dr. Seuss book in honor of his birthday. Also the first week of March is out last week for Read Across America. Keep submitting your reading lists. Friday March 4th is our final tally of books read through the school and at home among our families.
Early bird- We have begun our priority registration process. We are offering families the opportunity to pre-register and secure your child’s spot for next 2016/2017 school year.
Summertime is also fast approaching and it is important for planning purposes for CBA to understand how many students will be with us for our summer program as well.
Here are some important facts:
- Early Bird Registration -$50.00 off of $100.00 for one child. $20.00 off of $70.00 for the second child.
- Early Bird Registration is until March 11, 2016.
Please fill out your registration the paper with a yes or a no. In addition we need everyone to complete the new application forms and tuition agreement page. We need to know what everyone is doing. The first class to have everyone respond will get a prize. Please return all forms to Ms. Adrienne or Ms. Dana.
Important Dates:
March 2- Bring your favorite Dr. Seuss book to school
March 4- Dress like you favorite Dr. Seuss character
March 8- Dress like a Prince or Princess
March 11- Opposite Day: wear your clothes inside out
March 13- Daylight Saving: Spring your clocks ahead one hour
March 14- Pi Day
March 17- St. Patrick’s Day: Wear Green Today
March 18- Wear your favorite Spring Outfit Today
March 21-25- Scholastics Books Fair –Checks only please made out to Scholastics (6% Tax)
March 25- Pajama and Cookie Friday
March 30-Internatioal Dress up Day: wear something that represents another country
Parent Reminders:
*Reminder that payment is due the Friday before the following week! If payment is received after noon on Monday, a late payment fee of $25 will be assessed. Thank you
It has come to my attention that parents and authorized representatives are forgetting to use the sign in and sign out book when dropping off and picking up from school. Please remember every morning and every evening we need you to initial in the book, located on the front desk, to indicate that you have dropped off and picked up your child.
**If you are planning to take a vacation and would like to use your one week vacation credit, please make sure to fill out a form in the front lobby. Just a reminder, we ask for a two week notice if you are planning to use your vacation credit!
**Sick Policy: To ensure the health and safety of all of our children and staff, please remember to adhere to our sick policy which states: “a child must be free of all symptoms without medication for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school. Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that the illness is not contagious. (A doctor’s clearance may be requested).” All of us truly appreciate your support with this matter!
**Parent Referral Program: Refer a family and after 6 months of enrollment, receive a free week of tuition just for spreading the word! Thank you to all the families who have already referred families to us!
It is my commitment to support the needs of your children, your families, and the school. It is my passion to see your children succeed and thrive in their educational environment. If you have any questions or concerns, my door is always open and you can email me at adrienne.nwude@nlcinc.com.
Again, thank you for the continued support.
Ms. Adrienne
Ms. Dana
A note from our Education Department:
Introducing Your Preschooler
to the Fascinating World of Non-Fiction
When you think about children’s books, you might envision princesses in castles, talking animals or a flying magic school bus. Although it’s fun to read these types of stories with your child, it’s important to also introduce him to non-fiction books. You may be surprised to learn that he’s fascinated with exploring real people, places and things!
Non-fiction is not only interesting to children, but it also creates an important foundation for learning. It helps children build new vocabulary, develop critical thinking skills, fuel their curiosity and gain a better understanding about the world around them.
Below are ways we integrate non-fiction in the classroom, as well as activities you can try at home.
INFANTS:
In the classroom: Infants love to look at faces, so our teachers choose non-fiction books that include photographs of people, such as Global Babies by Global Fund for Children. Afterward, they show the baby a photo of his own family and talk about the people in the photo. For example, “Look, Ben. Here’s your mom. Who’s she holding? That’s you.”
At home: Read multi-sensory picture books with your child. Choose non-fiction books with different textures and bright colors to help stimulate his growing sensory awareness.
Recommended reading: Families by Rena D. Grossman, Bathtime (Baby Touch & Feel) by DK Publishing
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Toddlers learn the names of different animals and vehicles and the sounds they make. While singing songs with students, our teachers ask, “What does a pig say?” or “What sound does a fire truck make?”
At home: Point out photographs of familiar animals and vehicles in magazines or books. Ask your child to mimic the noise that each item makes. This can also be done in the car as you’re driving around your neighborhood.
Recommended reading: Baby Animals by National Geographic Kids, Noisy Trucks by Tiger Tales
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Teachers and students read non-fiction books by going on picture walks. A picture walk motivates children to rely on pictorial clues to decipher the story’s plot and make predictions. Before reading the story, they flip through the book, and the child is encouraged to make predictions about the characters and plot. The teacher then reads the book aloud to the student. When finished, the teacher asks questions to start a conversation about the text.
At home: Visit a library with your child, and let him choose a book. Take a picture walk through the book with him. When you’re finished, ask the librarian to recommend a non-fiction book about the same topic. For example, if you read Clifford the Big Red Dog, your child might also be interested in Puppies, Puppies, Puppies, a non-fiction book by Susan Meyers.
Recommended reading: My First Baseball Book by Sterling Children’s, Everything Spring by Jill Esbaum
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Our Intermediate teachers combine non-fiction reading with dramatic play. After reading a book about farm life, children create their own farm in the dramatic play center and pretend to be farmers. Children gain a better understanding of the book, practice problem solving skills, and use new vocabulary.
At home: Select a book with large photographs or illustrations. Flip through the book, and let your child stop on pages that interest him. Don’t worry about reading every page. Ask him to tell you what is going on in the pictures, and encourage him to make comparisons to experiences he’s had in real life. For example, if you pick a book about weather, you might ask, “Where do we go in the summertime when it’s hot?” or “Why do we use an umbrella in the springtime?”
Recommended reading: Watching the Seasons by Edana Eckart, Wings by Melanie Mitchell
PRE-K/PRE-K2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older preschoolers read a non-fiction book paired with a fiction book, and compare and contrast the two stories. After reading Stella Luna and Bat Loves the Night, the teacher might ask, “In Stella Luna, the bat slept upright. Is that how a real bat sleeps?” Students may also create a Venn diagram that shows similarities and differences in the two books.
At home: Read various forms of non-fiction with your child, including books, brochures and flyers. Challenge him to find sight words in the text. Afterward, ask him to write in his journal what he would like to learn about next. Use that information when choosing another piece of non-fiction.
Recommended reading: Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin (fiction), Wonderful Worms by Linda Glaser (non-fiction)
By introducing children to both fiction and non-fiction texts in the preschool years, they become comfortable with a wide range of subjects and acquire the skills needed to comprehend important information in kindergarten and beyond. They are better able to tap into their interests and enjoy learning about real world people, places and things.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
A Message From the Principal
March 2016 Newsletter
Hello CBA Families!
We have so many activities planned for the month of March; it is going to be a busy month for our students and for you. Please keep track of all the important dates.
New Information
Dr. Seuss Week is the first week of March. On Wednesday March 2nd students can bring in their favorite Dr. Seuss book in honor of his birthday. Also the first week of March is out last week for Read Across America. Keep submitting your reading lists. Friday March 4th is our final tally of books read through the school and at home among our families.
Early bird- We have begun our priority registration process. We are offering families the opportunity to pre-register and secure your child’s spot for next 2016/2017 school year.
Summertime is also fast approaching and it is important for planning purposes for CBA to understand how many students will be with us for our summer program as well.
Here are some important facts:
Please fill out your registration the paper with a yes or a no. In addition we need everyone to complete the new application forms and tuition agreement page. We need to know what everyone is doing. The first class to have everyone respond will get a prize. Please return all forms to Ms. Adrienne or Ms. Dana.
Important Dates:
March 2- Bring your favorite Dr. Seuss book to school
March 4- Dress like you favorite Dr. Seuss character
March 8- Dress like a Prince or Princess
March 11- Opposite Day: wear your clothes inside out
March 13- Daylight Saving: Spring your clocks ahead one hour
March 14- Pi Day
March 17- St. Patrick’s Day: Wear Green Today
March 18- Wear your favorite Spring Outfit Today
March 21-25- Scholastics Books Fair –Checks only please made out to Scholastics (6% Tax)
March 25- Pajama and Cookie Friday
March 30-Internatioal Dress up Day: wear something that represents another country
Parent Reminders:
*Reminder that payment is due the Friday before the following week! If payment is received after noon on Monday, a late payment fee of $25 will be assessed. Thank you
It has come to my attention that parents and authorized representatives are forgetting to use the sign in and sign out book when dropping off and picking up from school. Please remember every morning and every evening we need you to initial in the book, located on the front desk, to indicate that you have dropped off and picked up your child.
**If you are planning to take a vacation and would like to use your one week vacation credit, please make sure to fill out a form in the front lobby. Just a reminder, we ask for a two week notice if you are planning to use your vacation credit!
**Sick Policy: To ensure the health and safety of all of our children and staff, please remember to adhere to our sick policy which states: “a child must be free of all symptoms without medication for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school. Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that the illness is not contagious. (A doctor’s clearance may be requested).” All of us truly appreciate your support with this matter!
**Parent Referral Program: Refer a family and after 6 months of enrollment, receive a free week of tuition just for spreading the word! Thank you to all the families who have already referred families to us!
It is my commitment to support the needs of your children, your families, and the school. It is my passion to see your children succeed and thrive in their educational environment. If you have any questions or concerns, my door is always open and you can email me at adrienne.nwude@nlcinc.com.
Again, thank you for the continued support.
Ms. Adrienne
Ms. Dana
A note from our Education Department:
Introducing Your Preschooler
to the Fascinating World of Non-Fiction
When you think about children’s books, you might envision princesses in castles, talking animals or a flying magic school bus. Although it’s fun to read these types of stories with your child, it’s important to also introduce him to non-fiction books. You may be surprised to learn that he’s fascinated with exploring real people, places and things!
Non-fiction is not only interesting to children, but it also creates an important foundation for learning. It helps children build new vocabulary, develop critical thinking skills, fuel their curiosity and gain a better understanding about the world around them.
Below are ways we integrate non-fiction in the classroom, as well as activities you can try at home.
INFANTS:
In the classroom: Infants love to look at faces, so our teachers choose non-fiction books that include photographs of people, such as Global Babies by Global Fund for Children. Afterward, they show the baby a photo of his own family and talk about the people in the photo. For example, “Look, Ben. Here’s your mom. Who’s she holding? That’s you.”
At home: Read multi-sensory picture books with your child. Choose non-fiction books with different textures and bright colors to help stimulate his growing sensory awareness.
Recommended reading: Families by Rena D. Grossman, Bathtime (Baby Touch & Feel) by DK Publishing
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Toddlers learn the names of different animals and vehicles and the sounds they make. While singing songs with students, our teachers ask, “What does a pig say?” or “What sound does a fire truck make?”
At home: Point out photographs of familiar animals and vehicles in magazines or books. Ask your child to mimic the noise that each item makes. This can also be done in the car as you’re driving around your neighborhood.
Recommended reading: Baby Animals by National Geographic Kids, Noisy Trucks by Tiger Tales
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Teachers and students read non-fiction books by going on picture walks. A picture walk motivates children to rely on pictorial clues to decipher the story’s plot and make predictions. Before reading the story, they flip through the book, and the child is encouraged to make predictions about the characters and plot. The teacher then reads the book aloud to the student. When finished, the teacher asks questions to start a conversation about the text.
At home: Visit a library with your child, and let him choose a book. Take a picture walk through the book with him. When you’re finished, ask the librarian to recommend a non-fiction book about the same topic. For example, if you read Clifford the Big Red Dog, your child might also be interested in Puppies, Puppies, Puppies, a non-fiction book by Susan Meyers.
Recommended reading: My First Baseball Book by Sterling Children’s, Everything Spring by Jill Esbaum
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Our Intermediate teachers combine non-fiction reading with dramatic play. After reading a book about farm life, children create their own farm in the dramatic play center and pretend to be farmers. Children gain a better understanding of the book, practice problem solving skills, and use new vocabulary.
At home: Select a book with large photographs or illustrations. Flip through the book, and let your child stop on pages that interest him. Don’t worry about reading every page. Ask him to tell you what is going on in the pictures, and encourage him to make comparisons to experiences he’s had in real life. For example, if you pick a book about weather, you might ask, “Where do we go in the summertime when it’s hot?” or “Why do we use an umbrella in the springtime?”
Recommended reading: Watching the Seasons by Edana Eckart, Wings by Melanie Mitchell
PRE-K/PRE-K2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older preschoolers read a non-fiction book paired with a fiction book, and compare and contrast the two stories. After reading Stella Luna and Bat Loves the Night, the teacher might ask, “In Stella Luna, the bat slept upright. Is that how a real bat sleeps?” Students may also create a Venn diagram that shows similarities and differences in the two books.
At home: Read various forms of non-fiction with your child, including books, brochures and flyers. Challenge him to find sight words in the text. Afterward, ask him to write in his journal what he would like to learn about next. Use that information when choosing another piece of non-fiction.
Recommended reading: Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin (fiction), Wonderful Worms by Linda Glaser (non-fiction)
By introducing children to both fiction and non-fiction texts in the preschool years, they become comfortable with a wide range of subjects and acquire the skills needed to comprehend important information in kindergarten and beyond. They are better able to tap into their interests and enjoy learning about real world people, places and things.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education