These three year olds never cease to amaze us. We are having a great year. A trip to the Fire Station in November was during our unit on community helpers. In January we studied penguins and arctic animals and did science projects on thawing ice and making frost. In February we had a unit on the healthy heart and had a medical center set up in our room. We spent time on our pet unit and set up a pet wash center in our classroom. We continue to have our weekly yoga class and have been working on many new poses. The children love this because it is so easy for them. Now our room is full of dinosaurs which every 3 year old loves.  

The children have been busy reviewing their numbers, shapes, colors, opposites and rhyming words. They can draw and tell a story and have been writing their names. As the Spring comes we will be busy planting seeds in our classroom and will be going outdoors with Ms Sarah for our outdoor classroom activities. Spring will also bring a unit on farm animals and more science projects. As the year ends we will have our annual Spring Fling and will invite families to come for some musical entertainment.  We hope to see you there!   

Primary #15 is "Hands-On" animals. We kicked-off our Animal Unit focusing on mammals with a trip to Feeder Supply and the Kentucky Humane Society. We made them doggy biscuits and learned how to responsibly care for a pet. We loved petting the cats and dogs. Mrs. Cummins came to our classroom and shared her experiences working directly with primates in Africa. Mrs. Rucker shared about the zebra born to a surrogate mare on her farm from the Louisville Zoo. We also had MANY dogs visit our room.

Then we moved onto birds. The Raptor Rehab of Kentucky came and shared an owl, a turkey vulture, a red tailed hawk and a pair of kestrels. We learned about their diet, habitats and unique characteristics. We observed a bird blind and went for a snowy walk through the woods at the Louisville Nature Center. Centers proved to be exciting when we dissected owl pellets and chickens. We also made our own bird feeders and bluebird houses. The highlight of our study of birds is hatching our own eggs in the classroom. We turned the eggs twice a day for 21 days in hopes a baby chick will emerge. We'll let you know!

We look forward as our Animal Unit continues having new 'Hands-On" experiences with fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

Parent Education

The school is extending an invitation to you, to continue learning as a Chance parent. Mark your calendar now and gain a greater understanding about early childhood development and the school's commitment to excellence in education. You and your child will benefit!  

Please RSVP for adult attendance (and child care when offered) at 502 425-6904 or office@chanceschool.org.  

Friday, March 16, CANCELED - The Blessing of a B Minus  

Our book discussion leader, Lisa Howie, is not available for this session as she has committed to being a permanent sub in the Primary 2/3 classroom at Chance (while one of our teachers is on maternity leave). And her work with the children takes priority over her work with parents! But she and I would like to encourage you to keep reading!

Tuesday, March 27, from 9 - 11:00am  
Meet with the Head - The Race to Nowhere  

Chance School is once again hosting a screening of the highly acclaimed film, The Race to Nowhere.
The film courageously examines "the dark side of America's achievement culture" and powerfully extends a "call to mobilize families, educators and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare our youth to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens."    

The film takes the stand that the school system, with its focus on test results has dramatically changed the curriculum and the way that children are taught. Something is unequivocally wrong with this formula and it is the children who are paying the ultimate price.    

Come Discover How Summer was Meant to be!  
by Kim Tabler, Extended Program Coordinator      

As hard as it is to believe, summer is right around the corner. This is the time to start thinking about what your children would like to do after the school year ends. Summer Under the Trees - summer camp at Chance School - is a great option if you are looking for outdoor experiences, good friends and the Chance School philosophy. This year camp will run for four weeks, June 18 - July 13 (no camp on July 4), and campers may register for one or more weeks. Programs are available for ages 2 years through 5th grade, and will run from 9:00am - 12:00pm. Campers three years old through fifth grade also have the option to extend the day until 3:00pm for one or more days per week.

Each week will offer art, games, music and discovery around various outdoor themes, including "I Love Dirt!" and "Here Comes the Sun". Specialty camps, including a tennis camp and a Lego's camp, will also be available for elementary children.

Camp registration packets, with all the details, will go home in early March.

See you at camp!