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October 23, 2015
Volume 4 / Issue 9
 
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Note from Dr. Beekley 
- Anti-Bullying Rally
- TumbleBook Library
- Social Development News
- Health Office News
- Square 1 Art Fundraiser
- Internet Safety Workshop
- PTO Clothing Drive
- Chester's Halloween Carnival
- Chester Land Trust 


Monday, October 26th 
- Internet Safety Presentation for Parents
(6:30-8:00 - Valley Regional High School)

Friday, October 30  
- Grade 2 Field Trip to Chester Village West
- Grade 4 Field Trip to Mashantucket Pequot Museum
- Grade 5 Field Trip to Mystic Seaport
- Grade 6 Field Trip to Sturbridge Village
- Halloween Parade for grades K-3
(1:45 pm)
- PTO Halloween Carnival
(6:00-8:00 pm)

Friday, November 6th
- Early Dismissal (Professional Development for Staff)

Tuesday, November 10th - PTO Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

Wednesday, November 11th - Veterans Day Program

Thursday, November 19th - Student Banking & Box Tops Due

Monday, November 23rd - Chester Board of Education Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

November 25th-27th
- Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday, December 1st
- PTO Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

Tuesday, December 8th
- Winter Concert

Friday, December 11th
- PTO Holiday Craft Night

Thursday, December 17th
- Student Banking & Box Tops Due

Tuesday, December 22nd
- Snow Day Play

December 23rd-January 1st
- Holiday Break

Tuesday, January 12th
- PTO Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

Friday, January 15th
- Early Dismissal
(Professional Development for Staff)

Monday, January 18th
- Martin Luther King's Birthday (No School)

Thursday, January 21st
- Student Banking & Box Tops Due

Thursday, January 28th
- Chester Board of Education Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

Tuesday, February 9th
- PTO Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

Friday, February 12th
- Early Dismissal (Professional Development for Staff)

Monday, February 15th
- Presidents Day (No School)

Tuesday, February 16th
- Professional Development Day (No School for Students)

Wednesday, February 17th
- Possible Snow Make-up Day

Thursday, February 18th
- Possible Snow Make-up Day
- Student Banking & Box Tops Due

Friday, February 26th
- PTO Bingo & Basket Raffle Night

Tuesday, March 8th
- PTO Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

Thursday, March 17th
- Student Banking & Box Tops Due

Tuesday, March 22nd
- PTO Book Fair

Wednesday, March 23rd
- PTO Book Fair
- Early Dismissal (Parent/ Teacher Conferences)

Thursday, March 24th
- PTO Book Fair
- Early Dismissal (Parent/ Teacher Conferences)
- Chester Board of Education Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

Friday, March 25th
- Good Friday (No School)

Tuesday, March 29th
- S.T.E.A.M. Fair Open House

Wednesday, March 30th
- S.T.E.A.M. Fair Judging

Tuesday, April 12th
- PTO Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

Thursday, April 14th
- Student Banking & Box Tops Due

Friday, April 15th
- Early Dismissal (Professional Development for Staff)

April 18th-April 22nd
- Spring Recess

Monday, April 25th
- Possible Snow Make-up Day

Tuesday, April 26th
- Possible Snow Make-up Day

Friday, April 29th
- Arbor Day

Friday, April 30th
- State Invention Convention

Tuesday, May 3rd
- PTO Teachers' Appreciation  Lunch

Wednesday, May 4th
- ACES Day
- Spring Arts Festival

Tuesday, May 10th
- PTO Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

Tuesday, May 17th
- Grade 3 Field Trip to Trash Museum

Thursday, May 19th
- Student Banking & Box Tops Due

Thursday, May 26th
- Chester Board of Education Meeting
(7:00 pm - Location TBD)

Friday, May 27th
- Early Dismissal (Professional Development for Staff)
- Memorial Day Program

Monday, May 30th
- Memorial Day (No School)
- Memorial Day Parade

Tuesday, May 31st
- Possible Snow Make-up Day
- PTO Spring Clothing Drive

Wednesday, June 1st- Friday, June 3rd
- PTO Spring Clothing Drive

Thursday, June 2nd
- Grade 6 Unity Day (JWMS)

Monday, June 13th
- Field Day

Tuesday, June 14th
- PTO Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

Wednesday, June 15th
- Early Dismissal (Last Day of School - depending on number of weather/ emergency days used)
A NOTE FROM DR. BEEKLEY

For many of us, computers are exciting, but puzzling.  Our children know more than we do!  How can we guide our children to use the Internet for productive work and help prepare them for the age of information they will encounter as workers in the 21st century?

There are ways that using the Internet can benefit students.  A computer that is connected to the Internet provides unlimited information and communication.  It can be an excellent way for your child to work on school projects.  Here are some ways to use the Internet:

*    Find information, including up-to-the-minute news, copies of important documents and photos, and collections of research on topics ranging from medicine and health to weather conditions to population statistics.

*    Get help with homework through online encyclopedias and other reference materials and access to experts.

*    Increase reading skills by accessing interesting material and suggestions for additional reading.

*    Connect with places around the world, practice a second language, and learn about other cultures.

Keeping students safe as they navigate the internet is another topic. Please join us for an INTERNET SAFETY WORKSHOP with Scott Driscoll on Monday, October 26th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the Valley Regional High School Auditorium.  This is a program for parents of students of all ages.
    
Joanne D. Beekley, Ed.D.
Principal
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
CES RECEIVES SPOTLIGHT AWARD AT ANTI-BULLYING RALLY   
 
The Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC) and its Council of Business Partners invited us to participate in the ongoing Campaign for Bully-Free Communities at the second annual Rally For Bully-Free Communities. The coalition is rallying everyone who lives and works in Middlesex County to stand together for change and take a pledge to stand up to bullying and all mean-spirited behavior. The ultimate goal is to make every town in Middlesex County a bully-free community by promoting positive behavior in our schools, businesses and neighborhoods. Five CES students represented us at the Rally on October 21st.  Our students participated as a team in "empowering" activities. Our students are busy planning ways they can "bring it back" to our school and share the message.  As a surprise that day, CES received the Spotlight Award. The Bully-Free Communities Spotlight Award is given to Middlesex County schools that encourage students, faculty and staff to stand together for change and stand up to mean-spirited behavior.   We are very honored to receive the award.
 
 
TUMBLEBOOK LIBRARY

 
Our school library media center has subscribed to a new database, TumbleBook Library.  TumbleBook Library is an online collection offering ebooks, including animated talking picture books, chapter books, books in French and Spanish, graphic novels, and nonfiction books. There are also videos, Tumble Tunes, and math stories.  This database is accessible to students at both school and home.  You must log in with a username and password to access this database.  This information will be distributed during Parent Teacher Conferences. You may also get the access information by emailing bmoshier@reg4.k12.ct.us.  

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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS
 
SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT TO BENEFIT CHESTER FOOD PANTRY
 
The Chester Food Pantry, located in the Town Hall, provides non-perishable food and personal items to those in need in our community.  Their supply is running low, and they are in need of many supplies.  Please help us re-stock the food pantry by donating items from the list below: 

Kindergarten - Toothpaste and Toothbrushes
1st Grade - Canned Tuna
2nd Grade - Boxed Macaroni & Cheese / Canned Pasta (ravioli, spaghettios, etc...)
3rd Grade - Cereal
4th Grade - Peanut Butter & Jelly
5th Grade - Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressing) 
6th Grade - Hearty Soups / Toilet Paper / Kleenex / Dish Soap 

Our collection began on Monday, October 5th and ends on Friday, October 30th.  Collection baskets are located in the main hallway. Thank you for supporting our school-wide fall service-learning project.  
 
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
October is National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month.  Your children will be engaged in Social Development Lessons throughout the month, dealing with how to be a friend, being an upstander vs. a bystander, mean-spirited behavior vs. bullying, etc.

MISSION SMILEY   
Members of the Mission Smiley Group held a bake sale on September 21st, proceeds benefiting Smilow Cancer Hospital.  Some of the students were able to deliver the proceeds directly to the hospital on Monday, October 12th, Columbus Day.  A few of the other members were unable to attend due to prior commitments.
Members in the picture above include Jack Guthrie, Noa Kleinberg, Emi Bisson, Lindsey Valentino, Lauren Valentino and Brooke Lavigne.  Members who were unable to attend are Campbell Toth, Margaret Gessner and Anthony Saglimbeni.  The group meets every Tuesday to develop and implement programs that benefit the entire school community and beyond.  Thanks for all your hard work.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THEMES
The Social Development Theme for the month of October is Self-Esteem. The Social Development Books of the Month are Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon (K-2) and Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun (3-6). Please enjoy a description of the books below.

Be yourself like Molly Lou Melon no matter what a bully may do.

Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy, has buck teeth, and has a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She doesn't mind. Her grandmother has always  told her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes that advice to heart.

But then Molly Lou has to start in a new school. A horrible bully picks on her on the very first day, but Molly Lou Melon knows just what to do about that.

How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy's defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and be proud of themselves, even when they are faced with someone as challenging as Ralph.

The goal of our Social Development Book-of-the-Month is to integrate literature and concomitant language arts objectives with themes and ideas that support our social development program.
 
The Chester Public Library is graciously partnering with us on our social development Book-of-the-Month initiative.  Our Book-of-the-Month is displayed at the library and there are multiple copies available for families to borrow, so that the discussion begun at school can be shared and extended at home.

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HEALTH OFFICE NEWS 
 
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DRESSING FOR THE WEATHER

With temperatures varying each day, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately. Layers are suggested for this time of year as it is cold in the morning and much warmer in the afternoon. We will continue to go out for both morning and afternoon recess if the temperature is above 20 degrees and not raining. Thank you for your cooperation!
 
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PTO NEWS
 
SQUARE 1 ART FUNDRAISER

Order forms are in! Order deadline is Nov. 2nd

The Square 1 Art order forms were sent home with students on Monday, Oct. 19th. Ordering can be completed via the paper order form or you can order online at https://shop.square1art.com/shop and enter your child's Online Art Access Code, found on the back of the paper order form or the bottom of the sticker sheet. Orders are due by Monday, November 2. Questions? Contact Amy Lippincott at alippincott@reg4.k12.ct.us. Thank you to Amy Lippincott and Lori Lenz for their hard work and dedication in helping all of the students feel like an accomplished artist. We hope you enjoy your child's artwork! 
 
 
INTERNET SAFETY WORKSHOP WITH SCOTT DRISCOLL

Monday, October 26th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the VRHS Auditorium 

Information every parent needs to know: 
* Apps & programs children are using 
* Cyberbullying, Sexting and Social Networking 
* Creating a "digital footprint" (positives and negatives) 
* Current online trends and potential dangers 
* Tips on how to use technology in the safest way 
* Strategies on keeping families safe

This is a free workshop for parents only (parents of students of all ages). 

 

PTO FALL CLOTHING DRIVE
OCTOBER 21 - OCTOBER 23
This coming week between October 21 to October 23, we will be offering curbside clothing drop off from 8:00 - 8:30 AM. You can also drop off during your student conferences or at pick-up.  

We are looking for bagged up donations of useable and wearable men's, ladies, and kids clothing. We also accept donations of Shoes, Gloves, Ties, Handbags, Hats, Scarfs, Briefcases, Backpacks, Pocketbooks, Belts, Blankets, Tablecloths, Bed Sheets, Drapery, Curtains, Towels, Small Rugs, Quilts, Comforters, and Stuffed Animals.

Any questions? Contact the Fall Clothing Drive Chairs: Amy Gordon-Pullin at amygordonpullin@hotmail.com; Dawn Saunders at dawnsaunders91@yahoo.com; or Sarah Winkley at sarahwinkley@mac.com.  
 
 
CHESTER'S ANNUAL HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL


 
Friday, October 30 (6-8pm) Main St. Chester

Come One, Come All! This year's Halloween Carnival in downtown Chester is sure to be the best one yet. Bring your lively spirit and best costumes for an evening of fun and games.

Free activities include the Children's Costume Parade, led by Chester's Fife and Drum Corp, Costume Contest, Trick-or-Treating at the Merchants, Maple and Main Gallery Festive Craft, Chester Library Photo Bookmark Craft, Music by DJ Gary Torello and Dancing with Rayna, as well as Scary Stories performed by Miss Judy.

Plus tickets will be sold for Games, Cider, Popcorn, and Cupcakes - WIN PRIZES!

Accompanied children are welcome to meet at Chesterfields for free TREAT BAG DECORATING & HALLOWEEN FUN at 5pm. To walk in the parade, meet at Chesterfields, 132 Main Street, by 5:45pm. Chester center will be closed to all vehicles from 5-9pm, but parking is available in several public lots.

This event is sponsored by the Chester Elementary School PTO, Chester Rotary and Chester Merchants. Many of the Merchants will remain open during the Carnival to pass out treats and be open for business. Admission is free, with tickets sold for games and food. Carnival proceeds help fund the school's community cultural arts program, educational field trips, enhancements to the school grounds and other on premise programs. The Chester Elementary PTO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

 
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS 
 
CHESTER LAND TRUST PROGRAMS
The Chester Land Trust is holding their Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 4:00 pm at the Chester Meeting House. Come and enjoy two programs on the Osprey and Bee-keeping.
 
 
Chester Elementary School
"It Takes a World of Differences to Make a Difference in this World"
23 Ridge Road / Chester, CT  06412 / 860-526-5797
www.ces.reg4.k12.ct.us