top   
January 15, 2016
Volume 4 / Issue 18
 
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Note from Dr. Beekley
- Safe Grad Basketball Fundraiser Game
- January Fitness Calendar
- CES Lunch Accounts
- Social Development News
- PTO News
- Community News 


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

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

Wednesday, January 20th
- Information Night for Parents of Current Sixth Graders
(6:30 pm - JW Middle School)

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

Monday, January 25th
- 6th Grade Parent Meeting
(6:30 pm - CES Research Room #202)

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

Thursday, February 4th
- JW Musical Preview for Sixth Grade Students (JW Middle School)

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

Wednesday, February 10th
- Grade 2C LEARN Field Trip to Eli Whitney Museum

Thursday, February 11th
- Grade 2M LEARN Field Trip to Eli Whitney Museum

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

Monday, March 7th
- Grade 2C LEARN Field Trip to Bushy Hill Nature Center

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

Wednesday, March 16th
- Grade 2M LEARN Field Trip to Bushy Hill Nature Center

Thursday, March 17th
- Student Banking & Box Tops Due
- Grade 2 Field Trip to Charlotte's Web Play

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)

Wednesday, June 8th
- Grade 4 Field Trip to State Capitol

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

 
At Chester Elementary School, we believe that children are attracted to schools that are learner centered and equipped so that they can explore and achieve high levels of success. As we start the new calendar year, we will continue to strive to create a school that stimulates all of our students to say "yes" when asked the question, "Do you want to come back tomorrow?" In the book, Preparing Schools for the 21st Century, a council of educational advisors, chaired by former Senator John Glenn, described the following characteristics of environmentally responsive infrastructures and facilities for 21st century schools.  
  • A place of security and well-being - a safe haven for students and teachers. 
  • A safe place of joy and passion where children can explore and learn in a change-friendly culture that promotes innovation, healthy relationships, and success. 
  • A system with secure and adequate fiscal, material, and human resources. 
  • Information systems and structures that are continually updated to keep pace with rapid changes in technology. 
  • Constant, open access to information and resources that guide learning. 
  • Flexibility that enables teachers to create different learning environments for students who learn in different ways. 
  • Schools as true community centers. 
  • A setting of academic excellence where exciting ideas fly from, to, and through bright teachers. 
  • Modern, clean, and appropriate physical plants. 
  • A place where children want to be. 
These characteristics of a responsive school are guides that help us stay the course when providing our students with a quality education.

Joanne D. Beekley, Ed.D. 
Principal        
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
CES TEACHERS MAKE POINTS! 
 
On January 13, CES teachers (and good sports!) Diana Amara, Elise Johnson, Leanne McKenna and Kathy Raymond, played on the home team at the Harlem Wizards vs. Region 4 basketball game! This fun family event benefited Valley Regional High School's Safe Grad 2016. 

Back to Top 
 
JANUARY FITNESS CALENDAR  
 
At Chester Elementary School, we encourage our students to be physically active both inside and outside of the school setting.

Our January Fitness Calendar offers you and your child simple ideas for how to integrate physical activities throughout a busy day. Check it out for ways to get your whole family moving! 
Please click here for the January Fitness Calendars.

 
CES LUNCH ACCOUNTS
 
Many cafeteria accounts are not up-to-date, and we ask that all accounts be brought current. If you receive a letter with a lunch deficit, please be sure to include all of the information on the check or the front of the envelope if payment is sent to school. You may also pay on-line at any time. Your assistance with this is greatly appreciated by all of us.
 
 
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS 
 
CAS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
 
On January 13, the CES Student Leaders attended the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) Leadership Conference at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich.  The students were involved in workshops throughout the day that focused on productive thinking, communication, and decision-making.  








 
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THEMES

The Social Development Theme for the month of January is Diversity.  The Social Development Books of the Month are Only One You (K-2) and Martin's Big Words (3-6). Please enjoy a description of the books below.
                                              
There's only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place. Adri's mama and papa share some of the wisdom they have gained through the years with their eager son. Their words, simple and powerful, are meant to comfort and guide him as he goes about exploring the world. This exquisitely illustrated book explodes with color and honest insights. Kranz's uniquely painted rockfish, set against vibrant blue seas, make an unforgettable and truly special impression. Only One You will inspire parents and children of all ages as they swim through the sea of life.

In this elegant pictorial biography of Martin Luther King Jr., author Doreen Rappaport combines her spare, lyrical text with King's own words for an effective, age-appropriate portrayal of one of the world's greatest civil rights leaders. From King's youth, when he looked up to his preacher father and vowed one day to "get big words, too," to his death at a garbage workers' strike ("On his second day there, he was shot. He died."), Rappaport imbues the story with reverence.
Acclaimed artist Bryan Collier depicts his subject with stunning watercolor and collage illustrations, balancing glorious recreations of stained glass windows with some of the more somber images of peace marchers and the famous bus that pitched Rosa Parks into the civil rights movement. A brief chronology and bibliography provide additional resources for readers. Here is an exquisite tribute to a world hero. 

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.

Teaching and talking to your children about diversity: 
1. Watch movies that introduce new places and diverse people.

2. Spend time volunteering with an organization that serves a group of people with different struggles than you.

3.  Discuss the importance of embracing differences and treating others with respect.

4.  Acknowledge differences - discuss the many ways that people are different.

5.  Reinforce that the way someone looks on the outside has nothing to do with what is on the inside.

6. Encourage open discussion of many different topics. 

Back to Top
 
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT BOOKS AVAILABLE FROM CES LIBRARY 
 
Our Social Development theme of the month for January is Diversity. There are many excellent books in our library about diversity. A few will be featured during January and any may be borrowed from the library to be shared with your family.  Just email Mrs. Moshier at bmoshier@reg4.k12.ct.us to request the book and she will send it home with your child.

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Although a classmate says that she cannot play Peter Pan in  the school play because she is black, Grace discovers that she can do anything she sets her mind to do.

Ling & Ting Share a Birthday by Grace Lin
 
Identical twins Ling and Ting celebrate their birthday by sharing gifts and making wishes.

The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by
Brenda Woods 

A biracial girl finally gets the chance to meet the African American side of her family.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of  wealth in Mexico fpr the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression.
 
 
PTO NEWS
 
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION SUGGESTIONS FROM THE CES PTO:

1) Cut out & turn in Box Tops & Labels for Education

2) Re-register your Adams Card for the 2015-2016 School Year

3) Attend a PTO Meeting

4) Volunteer at an upcoming PTO Event

5) Donate an item to your child's class for the Basket Raffle (assigned basket topics coming soon!)

Feel free to contact the CES PTO at cespto@reg4.k12.ct.us for more information on fulfilling these resolutions! 
 
Back to Top
 
COMMUNITY NEWS 
 
CHESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENT 
  Chester Historical
The Chester Historical Society is hosting a free family event on Sunday, January 24 in Chester Center. Please see the Chalk Talk Digital Backpack to view the event poster. 
 
GIRL SCOUTS FLYER  
 
Please see the Chalk Talk Digital Backpack for the Girl Scouts of Connecticut registration flyer.
 
 
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