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January 22, 2016
Volume 4 / Issue 19
 
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Note from Dr. Beekley
- Region 4 Community Dinner
- Chester Enumeration
- January Fitness Calendar
- CES Lunch Accounts
- Social Development News
- PTO Box Tops
- Upcoming PTO Events
- PTO Bingo & Basket Raffle
- Community News 


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)

Monday, February 8th
- Region 4 Community Dinner and Presentation
(6:00 pm - 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   

 
It is hard to believe that the first month of 2016 is almost over! It is the perfect time to assess our goals for the future. In order to achieve our goal, we must believe in common values. At Chester Elementary School:
 
*    We believe in high academic standards in an environment where all students are challenged, supported, and engaged.

*    We believe that all students can learn at high levels. Our attitudes, expectations, and effort directly impact student achievement and life-long learning.

*    We believe that effective leadership exhibits all aspects of our mission and beliefs, and creates an environment of trust, cooperation, and understanding, where all members of the school community strive for continuous district-wide improvement.

*    We believe that a safe and supportive learning environment requires a culture of collaboration, trust, open communication, tolerance, and respect for and among all stakeholders.

*    We value every child and believe that it is the shared responsibility of the entire community to educate, support, and nurture each child.

The focus for the future is on excellence. Education is the key to success and reaching goals in life. Providing the best for all students is the challenge we accept at Chester Elementary School. The commitment of the staff makes our goal reachable. We welcome all members of the Chester Elementary School community to join us as we strive for excellence for all in 2016 and always.

Joanne D. Beekley, Ed.D. 
Principal        
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
COMMUNITY DINNER ON FEBRUARY 8TH  
 
On February 8, 2016, Regional School District 4 will hold a Community Dinner and Presentation, "Coherence in Strategic Planning," with guest speaker Jonathan Costa.

To view the event poster, and for information on how to RSVP, please click here. 

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CHILD ENUMERATION FOR CHESTER 
 
For an accurate kindergarten count this year and for predicting the future count, an enumeration of children is done every year. If you know of any families who have moved to Chester and who have children ages five and under (birth dates 2011-2016), please ask them to call Pam Graham at Chester Elementary School (860-526-5797). Thank you!

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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 
 
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. 

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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.

Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say 

A Japanese-American man recounts his grandfather's journey to America, which he later also undertakes, and the feelings of being torn by a love for two different countries.

Round is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes by Roseanne Thong

As a little girl discovers things round, square, and rectangular in her urban neighborhood, she is reminded of her Chinese American culture.

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

When Ms. Albert teaches a lesson on kindness, Chloe realizes that she and her friends have been wrong in making fun of new student Maya's shabby clothes and refusing to play with her.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities, goes from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan, which entails enduring the taunting and fear of his classmates.
 
 
PTO NEWS
 
REMEMBER:  BOX TOPS - EVERY ONE COUNTS!
 
The CES PTO would like to remind you that every month we collect Box Tops! Each Box Top earns 10 cents for the CES PTO. While that may not seem a lot - Each One Counts and when the whole school helps it really adds up! Remember: trim the edges neatly and put in an envelope or baggie labeled: CES PTO Box Tops. 
 
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS - SOME FUN & GREAT EVENTS ARE COMING:
CES PTO logo 
*    Feb. 26 - Bingo & Basket Raffle Night
*    March 22-24 - Book Fair
*    April 9 (rain date = 4/10) - Fun Run
 
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BINGO & BASKET RAFFLE - DONATION KICK-OFF FEBRUARY 1ST 
 
The Basket Raffle is one of the CES students' favorite activities and it's almost here. For anyone not familiar with this event, each classroom is assigned a "theme." From the families in that classroom, the PTO requests donations related to that "theme." Those donations will be collected and organized into a Basket. All of the Baskets are displayed between Feb. 22 to Feb. 26 in the front hallway of the school. Students, and families, have the ability during that time to purchase tickets for a chance to win a basket. Additionally, tickets are sold the night of the Basket Raffle and Bingo Night on February 26th from 6-8pm.  During the course of the event on Feb. 26th, the Baskets are raffled off. Last year, the Minecraft Basket garnered over 800 tickets - but it only takes one to win!

This year, the Kick-Off for Donations based on your classroom's assigned theme will take place Feb. 1, 2016. Stay tuned for next week's Chalk Talk when the Basket themes will be announced.

 
COMMUNITY NEWS 
 
SAILING CAMP 
 
The Pettipaug Sailing Academy is offering a Junior Sailing Program in Essex, CT for ages 8-16. For more information, please see the Chalk Talk Digital Backpack, or click here.
 
CHESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENT 
  Chester Historical
The Chester Historical Society is hosting a free family event on Sunday, January 24 (snow date:  January 31) 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