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May 20, 2016
Volume 4 / Issue 35
 
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Note from Dr. Beekley
- Warriors in the Community
- Buddy Friendship Project
- Screen Free Week
- Cultural Arts Program
- Last Day of Homework Club
- CES Spirit Wear Items
- May Fitness Calendars
- CES Lunch Accounts
- Social Development News
- Social Development Books From CES Library
- PTO News
- Community News 


Tuesday, May 24th
- Grade 1 Field Trip to Theaterworks

Thursday, May 26th
- Grades 5 & 6 Cultural Arts Program with High Tech High Touch
- Chester Board of Education Meeting
(7:00 pm - Location TBD)

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

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

Tuesday, May 31st
- No School (Snowflake Day)

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

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

Tuesday, June 7th
- Grade 3 Field Trip to British Art Museum & Yale Art Gallery
- Grade 6 Field Trip to Puerto Vallarta Restaurant
- PTO Meeting
(7:00 pm - CES Library)

Wednesday, June 8th
- Kindergarten Field Trip to Imagine Nation
- Grade 4 Field Trip to State Capitol
- Grade 2 (McKenna) Field Trip to Chester Historical Society & Public Library

Thursday, June 9th
- Grade 1 Field Trip to The Children's Museum
-
Talent Show
(2:00 pm & 6:30 pm - Gym)

Friday, June 10th
- Grade 2 Hobby Show
(8:45-10:00 am - Gym)

Monday, June 13th
- Field Day

Tuesday, June 14th
- Sixth Grade Night

Wednesday, June 15th
- Early Dismissal (Last Day of School - depending on number of weather/ emergency days used)
A NOTE FROM DR. BEEKLEY     
 
There are many field trips planned for the last weeks of school. We are fortunate to have the resources in our school budget, monetary contributions from parents in the class, and the PTO to make these trips possible.

A recent study found that, regardless of gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic status, youth who take educational trips have better grades (59 percent), higher graduation rates from high school (95 percent) and college (63 percent), and greater income (12 percent higher annually). In fact, 89 percent said educational trips had a positive, lasting impact on their education and career because the trips made them more engaged, and intellectually curious in and out of school.

The trips that students take add a new dimension to the learning experience that happens in the classroom. Thank you to the parents who help us by chaperoning the trips. We couldn't do it without you!

Joanne D. Beekley, Ed.D. 
Principal        
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
WARRIORS IN THE COMMUNITY DAY
 
On May 19th, a group of students from Valley Regional High School came to Chester Elementary for the morning to engage in projects with our students. The main project for the day related to our positive behavior support system here at school, which is "Like pieces in a puzzle, we all fit together." Each grade put their thumbprint on a large puzzle piece, which will be displayed at various organizations around Chester.
 
Students were also engaged in various activities related to our theme-of-the-month, "Friendship," throughout the morning. Warriors in the Community Day was a very positive and fun day for everyone.
 
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KINDERGARTEN AND THIRD GRADE BUDDY FRIENDSHIP PROJECT
 
Chester Elementary School's third grade students brainstormed words and illustrations that reflect our social development theme-of-the-month for May, "Friendship." Our kindergarten buddy classes helped finish this Friendship Chain project.
    
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SCREEN FREE WEEK
 
Congratulations to the 53 students, who returned their Screen Free Week 2016 Log, and earned a free ice cream cone from the Pattaconk Creamery! The after-school programs of Mystery Readers, Board Games and Yoga Fun were highly attended, which was wonderful, as well. Thank you for making a family commitment to providing alternate, interactive and memory-making activities to screen technology!   

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SPECIAL WORKSHOPS ANNOUNCEMENT! 
UPCOMING CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM AT CES
  
Thursday, May 26:  High Touch High Tech's Science Made FUN!
5th and 6th Grade Classes

High Touch High Tech delivers quality science activities for kids, and we are excited to welcome their workshops back to CES! These educational and enriching programs ignite a child's natural curiosity about science, and help build problem-solving skills, self-esteem and the confidence to try something new. These programs also meet all state standards and enhance success on standardized tests. Our 5th and 6th grade classes will enjoy non-stop, hands-on science fun in one of two workshops, including Weather or Not or Power of Light. In Weather or Not, children learn about weather, as we take an up close and hands-on look at a real tornado. Watch as we make clouds and rain indoors. Discover all the amazing properties of air and air pressure. Touch lightning! Make the conditions change as we lift ice cubes with a string. Children find out just how amazing light is during Power of Light. Bounce it, bend it and split it up. Find out where ROY G. BIV is in the electromagnetic spectrum. Build a pinhole camera to see how our eyes work. Seeing is not always believing, when it comes to light. Curriculum links: Science, Problem Solving

The Cultural Arts Programs at Chester Elementary School are funded and organized by the Chester Elementary PTO, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It is because of the combined efforts of our community of parents, teachers and administration, that we are able to provide our students with bi-disciplinary programs that enhance the classroom curriculum, offering memorable, enriching experiences, as a student body and at different grade levels. Cultural arts programs may include, but are not limited to, music, dance, drama, theater, creative writing, literature, architecture, painting, sculpture, folk arts, photography, crafts, public media, history, as well as archaeological and natural science.    
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LAST DAY OF HOMEWORK CLUB
 
Please note that Thursday, May 26, 2016 will be the last day of Homework Club.   
 
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MAY FITNESS CALENDARS 
 
At Chester Elementary School, we encourage our students to be physically active both inside and outside of the school setting.

Our May Fitness Calendars offer you and your child simple ideas for how to integrate physical activities throughout a busy day. Check them out for ways to get your whole family moving! 

Please click here for the May 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 UPDATE

Service-Learning Project 
Our spring service-learning project is entitled, "Change for Change." This initiative began on Monday, May 9th and runs through the entire month of May. We will have our student leaders collecting change at drop-off three mornings per week. They will also be collecting change a few afternoons per week during pick-up time. In addition, each classroom has a bucket for the students to drop their change into. This initiative will support Yadalam Government School in Bangalore, India. The school has about 60 students and is a very poor government school. Vasante Venkatraman, a teacher at the school, and also a relative of the Gopalakrishnan family, came into our classrooms on May 20, 2016 to talk to our students about the project and the school itself. Thank you, in advance, for supporting this very important initiative. Please call Amy Lippincott or Diana Amara if you have any questions.  
  
 
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THEMES

The Social Development Theme for the month of May/June is Friendship. The Social Development Book of the Month is Enemy Pie by Derek Munson. Please enjoy a description of the book below.

It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie. But part of the secret recipe is spending an entire day playing with the enemy! In this funny yet endearing story, one little boy learns an effective recipe for turning your best enemy into your best friend. Accompanied by charming illustrations, Enemy Pie serves up a sweet lesson in the difficulties and ultimate rewards of making new friends.                                             
  

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 May is Friendship. There are many excellent books in our library about friendship. A few will be featured during May, and any may be borrowed from the library to be shared with your family. Just email Mrs. Moshier at [email protected] to request the book, and she will send it home with your child.
     
Best Friends for Frances by Russell Hoban

When Albert and his buddies have a "no girls" baseball game, Frances and her sister organize a "Best Friends Outing -- No Boys."
  
My New Friend is So Fun by Mo Willems
   
Gerald the elephant and Snake fear that Piggie and Brian Bat will have so much fun together they will no longer need their best friends.   
 
The Secret Language of Girls by Frances O'Roark Dowell     
   
Marylin and Kate have been friends since nursery school, but when Marylin becomes a middle school cheerleader and Kate begins to develop other interests, their relationship is put to the test.  
 
Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventure by Kate DiCamillo 
 
A girl named Flora and a squirrel named Ulysses, whose life was saved by Flora after he was involved in an incident with a vacuum cleaner, team up to use Ulysses' superpowers to conquer villains and protect the weak.

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PTO NEWS
 
IMPORTANT:  CHANGES TO PTO'S JUNE MEETING
 
The PTO's June meeting was moved due to conflicts with the original date. Our next PTO meeting will be Tuesday, June 7th. This will be our last meeting for 2015/2016. Please join us to vote on next year's budget and new officers. We hope to see you there!

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PTO OFFICERS FOR 2016/2017
 
Officer positions are open! Interested or have questions? Please speak with any PTO Officer, email us at [email protected] or call Co-President Kim Stack at (860) 526-9260. There are openings for committee chair & co-chair positions, too!

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Spring Clothing Drive: June 1st-3rd 

Doing some spring cleaning? Save Your Clothes, Blankets, Coats, Linens, etc. for our Spring Clothing Drive - it's next month, and we get paid by the pound - so the more the better! We will gladly accept leftovers from the Town-wide Tag Sale.

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COMMUNITY NEWS 
 
SUMMER CAMP OFFERINGS

Summer Camps at the Arts Center in Killingworth and Spectrum Art Gallery in Centerbrook

Register early to save your child's spot for our popular Summer Camps on the grounds of the Arts Center Killingworth, 276 North Parker Hill Road, Killingworth, CT. Please call (860)663-5593 or email [email protected] to check availability in Summer Camps prior to sending in your registration.

Fashion Design Summer Camps. Week One July 11 to 15, 2016 and Week Two July 18 to 22, 2016. Mornings focus on fashion and illustration, afternoons on sewing and clothing design. On the last day, participants put on a runway fashion show for parents and relatives with professional styling and a photo shoot. Week Two focuses on the different styles of two fashion designers: Gianni Versace and Jeanne Paquin. Advance registration is recommended. (9am-5:30pm) For ages 11-15 $360 with Deposit of $180. Download Registration Form & Brochure Here:  <http://www.artscenterkillingworth.org/Camps/2016-Fashion-Weeks-Brochure.pdf>

Nature Art Camp. July 25 to 29, 2016 for ages 7-10 in the morning (9am-12:30pm) and afternoon (1:30-5pm) and ages 11-14 in the afternoon (1:30-5pm), will take place on the beautiful grounds of the Arts Center and include one day at the Spectrum Gallery, which showcases emerging and established, regional, and national artists and artisans. For Ages 7-10 is $185 with a $95 Deposit; Ages 11-14 $200 with a $100 Deposit. Download Registration Form & Brochure Here:  <http://www.artscenterkillingworth.org/Camps/2016-Nature-Art-Week-Brochure.pdf>

http://www.artscenterkillingworth.org/summer-camps/

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MAY TOWN WIDE LITTER CLEAN UP

The CES Green Team invites all Chester families to participate in a town wide spring cleaning! We are partnering with The Rozalia Project (http://rozaliaproject.org/) and Chester Cares (https://www.facebook.com/ChesterCares2016) to add some science to the effort. The Rozalia Project has shared a tally sheet that kids can use to document what they find, and Chester Cares will be collecting all data sheets by June 5th and sharing results with us and an EPA representative, who will use our findings to plan awareness campaigns. Sheets can be picked up at the town hall, or via email: [email protected]. Completed tally sheets can be brought back to Town Hall, emailed to [email protected], or brought downtown on June 5th, 12-2, outside of Maple and Main Gallery. 

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CHESTER PARKS AND RECREATION
 
Chester Parks and Recreation
Celebrating Community through People, Parks and Programs! 

Please call 860-526-0013, x223 or email [email protected] for availability before submitting registration.

MAKE A SPLASH THIS SUMMER!   

We are an outdoor program specializing in waterfront activities! Our Camp Counselors are Certified Lifeguards.  

Our SUMMER CAMP rivals any camp in the area!
We offer swimming, sports, science & nature, arts & crafts, team building, and more, but unlike many camps, children choose most of what they wish to participate in throughout the day from a variety of programmed activities. It is open to children entering grades 1 through 7, and the hours are from 8:15am until 3:45pm, the weeks of June 27, July 5, July 11, July 18, July 25, August 1, August 8, and August 15, at Chester Elementary School on Mondays, Fridays and severe weather days, and Cedar Lake on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The children take field trips on Fridays. The fee is $115 per child, per week, and payable at the time of registration. The weeks of July 5 (SEE INTRODUCTION TO CAMP BELOW) and August 15 are 4-day weeks without a field trip, for $80 each. The weeks of July 5, July 25, August 1 and August 15 are open to children entering Kindergarten, too!

INTRODUCTION TO CAMP for children ages 4 and 5 meets from 8:15am until 3:45pm, Tuesday and Friday at Chester Elementary School and Wednesday and Thursday at Cedar Lake, July 5th through 8th with staff and programming designed specifically to meet the needs of younger children. Activities include games, sports, crafts, nature, teacher led swimming and story time. The children have their own teachers, lunch time, and activities in their group of 8 to 12 campers, running concurrently with our grades 1 through 7 camp, at the same location. The cost is $80 for the 4-day week.

SWIMMING LESSONS are included in the Introduction to Camp program and by request, for all ages, the weeks of July 25 and August 1.

 
YMCA SUMMER CAMP

For information on the Valley Shore YMCA Summer Camp, 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