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February 5, 2016
Volume 4 / Issue 21
 
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Note from Dr. Beekley
- CES S.T.E.A.M. Fair
- Grade 2 Cultural Arts Program
- Internet Safety Program at CES
- 100th Day of School
- Region 4 Community Dinner
- Chester Enumeration
- February Fitness Calendar
- CES Lunch Accounts
- Social Development News
- PTO Bingo & Basket Raffle
- PTO Meeting
- Community News 


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

Saturday, April 9th
- PTO Fun Run (Rain Date April 10th)

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   

 
Math games for kids and families are the perfect way to reinforce and extend the skills children learn at school. They are one of the most effective ways that parents can develop their child's math skills without lecturing or applying pressure. When studying math, there's an element of repetition that's an important part of learning new concepts and developing automatic recall of math facts. Number facts (remember those times tables?) can be boring and tedious to learn and practice. A game can generate an enormous amount of practice - practice that does not have kids complaining about how much work they have to do. What better way can there be than an interesting game as a way of mastering them?
Games are fun and create a context for developing children's mathematical reasoning. Through playing and analyzing games, children also gain computational fluency by describing more efficient strategies and discussing relationships among numbers.
Games offer a pleasant way for you, as parents, to get involved in your child's mathematics education. You don't have to be a math genius to play a game. You don't have to worry about pushing or pressuring your child. All that you have to do is propose a game to your child and start to play. Look for game ideas next week.
Joanne D. Beekley, Ed.D. 
Principal        
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
S.T.E.A.M. FAIR 
 
Chester Elementary School is once again charging full STEAM ahead, introducing students to important 21st Century skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design and Math, through our S.T.EA.M. Fair.
 
The ways in which students can participate are outlined below:
Grades K, 1, 2 & 3 = Invention (optional)
Grade 4 = Science Experiments (mandatory)
Grades 5 & 6 = Invention or Engineering Design (mandatory)
 
Mrs. Lenz has introduced the invention opportunity, as well as the importance of considering art and design elements as you invent, engineer, or experiment, to all CES students.
 
Mrs. Clark will be working with all fourth grade students on the scientific method. Each student will be participating by researching and completing an experiment as part of a class assignment.
 
Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Kalkreuth and Dr. Beekley have introduced fifth and sixth graders to the engineering options. Students in fifth and sixth grades have the opportunity to invent something or participate in one of three engineering challenges:
Engineering Challenge 1 = Catapult
Engineering Challenge 2 = Rube Goldberg Machine
Engineering Challenge 3 = Buoyant Vessel
 
Our S.T.E.A.M. Fair Open House will be held on March 29th. The judging of student inventions will take place in the morning on March 30th. Competitions for the three engineering challenges will take place in the afternoon on March 30th and March 31st. Full STEAM ahead!
 
More details have been sent under separate cover with your child.
 
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CULTURAL ARTS READING ADVENTURE WORKSHOP RECAP!
 
On Wednesday, February 3 our Second Graders enjoyed a lively performance by visiting musician, T-Bone, who took them on an exploratory journey from the CES gym to Tahiti!

The workshop emphasized just how far reading can take someone through inspiration and imagination. T-Bone focused on the literary themes of "Tropics and Travel" as the children sang, danced, learned, laughed and played along to the ukulele and guitar with beach balls, hula hoops and leis.
 
Thank you to the combined efforts of our community of parents, teachers and administration for making this PTO Cultural Arts Workshop possible! 
 
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INTERNET SAFETY PROGRAM AT CES  
 
On February 2, 2016, Trooper Dawn Taylor met with Chester Elementary School's fifth and sixth graders for an informative presentation on internet usage and safety.

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KINDERGARTNERS ARE 100 DAYS SMARTER!
 
In Kindergarten, we celebrated the 100th day of school by making silly hats and counting to 100 by 10's and 1's. It was a fun day at school!
 
 
1ST GRADE CELEBRATES THE 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL! 
 
On February 4th, Chester Elementary School's first graders celebrated the 100th day of school. As a grade level, we counted our collections of 100 by 2's, 5's and 10's. We completed activities that focused on the 100 days of school. It was great day in first grade!  
 
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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FEBRUARY FITNESS CALENDAR  
 
At Chester Elementary School, we encourage our students to be physically active both inside and outside of the school setting.

Our February 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 February 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 February is Cooperation.  The Social Development Book of the Month is  Stone Soup. Please enjoy a description of the book below.
                                              
Clever soldiers outwit greedy townspeople with the creation of a special soup in this cherished classic, a Caldecott Honor book. First published in 1947, this picture book classic has  remained one of Marcia Brown's most popular and enduring books. This story, about three hungry soldiers who outwit the greedy inhabitants of a village into providing them with a feast, is based on an old French tale.

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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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT BOOKS AVAILABLE FROM CES LIBRARY 
 
Our Social Development theme of the month for February is Cooperation. There are many excellent books in our library about cooperation. A few will be featured during February 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.

Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett

Mac fires Adam over their artistic differences about Chloe,  the main character of their book, until Mac realizes both of their talents are needed and they must work together or their story about Chloe will never be finished.

Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell

Tired of having to do all the work for a lazy farmer, Farmer Duck collapses from exhaustion, but the farmyard animals  come up with an ingenious rescue scheme designed to teach the slothful farmer a much-needed lesson.

A New Coat for Anna by Harriet Ziefert
 
Even though there is no money, Anna's mother finds a way to make Anna a badly needed winter coat.

50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth by The Earth Works Group

Explains how specific things in the environment are connected to the rest of the world and provides simple suggestions for keeping the environment clean.

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford

A Siamese cat, an old bull terrier, and a young Labrador retriever travel together 250 miles through the Canadian wilderness to find their family.
 
 
PTO NEWS
 
CALLING ALL FAMILIES - WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Bingo & Basket Raffle Collection 
 
Every class has now been assigned a theme and we are asking families to donate new items to help fill the baskets according to their class theme.  All donations are greatly appreciated.  Every little bit helps.  Collection boxes will be provided in each classroom.  Items can be sent to school with your child up until Friday February 19, 2016. We also accept Cash Donations, which will be used to supplement your class's basket.

Conashevick   Gr. K  Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe Basket

Mantie            Gr. K  Summer & Beach Fun Basket

MacKinnel     Gr. 1   Sports Basket

Sciuto             Gr. 1   Legos/Playmobile/MegaBlock/KRE-O

Cadley            Gr. 2   Arts & Crafts Basket

McKenna        Gr. 2   Family Game Night Basket 

Waz                Gr. 3    Rainy/Sick Day at Home Fun Basket

Raymond       Gr. 3    Minecraft Basket 

Clark              Gr. 4    Emoji Basket 

DeBlasio        Gr. 4    Music & Movies Basket

Lippincott      Gr. 5    Star Wars Basket 

O'Brien          Gr. 5    We Love Dogs Basket 

Kalkreuth       Gr. 6    Camping & Outdoor Adventure Basket

Evans             Gr. 6    Fun with Science Basket 

Need ideas related to your theme? Please feel free to email any of the chairs of the Basket Raffle: Lindsey Goergen, lgoergen7911@gmail.com, John Ropiak, jropiak@yahoo.com, Diane Connell, diconnell@hotmail.com

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PTO MEETING THIS COMING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH AT 7:00 PM 

Location: Chester Elementary School Library
  CES PTO logo
Come and learn about the planning for the Bingo & Basket Raffle, the Spring Book Fair, the "exciting revisions" to this year's Fun Run, and the other activities of the CES PTO! 
Free childcare is available from the VRHS Honor Society during the meeting.

PS: REMEMBER TO LOOK FOR & CUT OUT BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION --  The Third Thursday of Every Month is the PTO's Collection Day for Box Tops - Every little bit helps, so spot'em, cut'em and send'em in!

 
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 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