December 2,  2016
The Head's Heads Up:   My heart is full of the spirit of generosity at Chesapeake Academy!  Embrace the season!
Eighth grade contribution to the Festival of the Trees

Our new license plate...by popular demand...is 
CA SOARS!  
Thanks to the Abbott family for their submission!
Class Acts ....What's Happening on the Halls?
Kindergarten adds color to holiday figurines for their contribution to the Festival of the Trees.
Kids Help Kids...by Supporting YMCA's Guardian Program

The YMCA's Festival of the Trees serves the Northern Neck community by funding the YMCA's Guardian Program. This vital program makes participation possible for all local children who want to be involved. Every child! Just imagine! Who wouldn't want to get behind that! Chesapeake Academy has a long history of supporting this effort, and this year we will be sending seven trees and one wreath!  This is what the holidays are all about.
Chesapeake Academy students' artwork will be on display at the Rappahannock Art League in Kilmarnock during the month of December. Please stop in to see the work from some of our middle school students. There is work on display from the entire eighth grade class--a collaborative piece. And there is work on display from Larkin Denton, Ryleigh Hornsmith, Rebecca Meberg, Jack Porter, Jarett Platsis, Adair Stanley, Elizabeth Stanley, Duke Wolfson, and Mani Webster. You are sure to enjoy their work and please be sure to thank RAL members for hosting our work as they are generous friends of our school! We will be displaying student work again in March.

Come, butter, come! Kindergarten is churning butter to learn about the states of matter.   The children had a pilgrim snack of butter bread and counted their shakes...well past 100!
KG2B Classroom in Dubai Participates in Cultural Exchange with First Grade

Cultural Exchange Broadens Horizons
First grade teacher Kelly Antonio believes that learning about the world is a vital part of a good education! She opened a dialogue with a school in Dubai early last month and led her class to capture in photographs what they felt best described Chesapeake Academy from their perspective. This week they recieived this letter back:

Dear First Grade Ospreys!
Thank you so much for your email, we loved looking as a class at the photos of you and your school!
As a class we came up with some information to share with you about our school and we also came up with some questions!
  • Adam - What are your favorite lessons?
  • Urvi - Do you like going to school?
  • Liliya - Why do you have the Osprey statue in your courtyard?
  • Jayden - We have a small, medium and big playground at our school for the different grades
  • Ferdinando - We have 22 children in our class. How many do you have?
  • Ella - We have a brand new sports center with a basketball court and a gym with an Olympic sized swimming pool.
  • Hugo - There are 750 children in our school - how many are in your school?
  • Delilah - Why do your mummies and daddies take you to school when we go on the bus?
  • Elliot - Our school is only two years old! We are very new. 
Miss Tamara  - We are a bilingual school which means that every day, half of the day is in French and half is in English! As we live in Dubai, the children also have a lesson of Arabic each day. We speak 3 languages in KG2B!!
 
We hope you enjoy the photos attached and look forward to the answers to our questions.
 
Regards,
 
Miss Tamara, Miss Christine, and KG2B students.

First graders are busily crafting their response!  Small School...HUGE classroom!



Real cultural diversity results from the interchange of ideas, products, and influences, not from the insular development of a single national style
 Tyler Cowen


Thanks to room parent manpower, first grade's Festival of Trees project had interesting curricular connections.  Students measured water and Borax, discussed molecules in the three states of matter, mixed water and Borax together, and waited 12+ hours to find the "solid" snow crystals to use as decorations!  Last week students discussed the viscosity of different liquids when pouring nail polish into water, dipped wooden crabs into the liquids, resulting in marbleized crabs!  Much fun and learning has gone into our FOT donation.  

Thank you to amazing room parents Lara Brown and Christina Hubbard for taking the lead, planning and organizing for the class!    
Lower School Structures Lab
Lower School is doing monthly challenges with structures throughout the year.  The most recent challenge was to build a bridge with paper clips and straws given specific dimensions before beginning the design process.  

Reading Tip:  The Value of Preschool!
Read the article here: The Value of Preschool
The Play's the Thing at  "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving"
The sixth grade performance class warmed hearts and inspired chuckles with its performance of "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving."  Coached by drama coach Robin Blake, the cast brought this holiday classic to life! Costumes were spot on, voices clear and loud, and everyone hit their marks!  What a team effort.  Two thumbs up for this wonderful gift to the school community!  Take a minute to congratulate the cast!  
Narrator:  Jarett Platsis
Charlie Brown:  Landon Reihs
Snoopy Spencer Cammarata
Linus:  Joness LaSalle-Bryant
Peppermint Patty:  Ryleigh Hornsmith
Sally:  Callie Souders
Woodstock: Stewart Hollingsworth
Marcie: Calista Nelson
Franklin:  Andrew Fulmer
Pig Pen:  Ignacio Carranza

And Another Thing....The Grinch Stole Christmas!
The performance thread of Chesapeake Academy's Arts curriculum is shining this month! In the second play of the holiday season, the third grade presented Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," directed by Robin Blake!
Who 1: Lucie Johnson
Who 2:  Davis Bugg
Who 3:  Trevor Haynie
Who 4:  Tyler Brent
Who 5:  Milly Branflick
Who 6:  Harrison Hinton
Who 7:  Ty Makulowich
Who 8:  Porter Pittman
Who 9: Timmy Kirby
Who 10:  Marcus Sanders
The Grinch: Sam Antonio
Narrator 1: Thomas Emery
Narrator 2: Miles Hollingsworth
Narrator 3:  Brennan Williams
Cindy Lou Who:  Brennan Williams
Chesapeake Academy 
 is a wonderful place to grow!
Do you know a child from the local community who you want seated beside your child next year?

Contact Hilary Scott at 804.438.5575 or  hscott@chesapeakeacademy.org

Sometimes words fail.
Social Justice and Leadership Themes Drive Chesapeake Academy Students' Investigation into the Holocaust

Sometimes the most important things are quite simple. "It's not a good idea to spend time thinking of people as groups. If we label people or start to think anyone is superior to anyone else, we'll have problems" was Chesapeake Academy eighth grader Orie Bullard's response to a unit of study on WWII's holocaust in his literature and history classes. Reese Bragg, also an eighth grade student, summed it up, "I suppose no human is inhuman. As in, no human is more or less human than any other."

The collaborative unit that focused on social justice and leadership through literature and developed an historical context in U. S. Government, Economic, and Global Relations class culminated with a trip to the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond. Through historical research and literary works, students examined the precursors and events of the Holocaust as well as the responses of those designated as Righteous Among the Nations. "A powerful experience, the museum helps students reflect on the best and worst in humans: activism and indifference, perpetrators and helpers, good and evil" comments Assistant Head of School, Julie Keesee. "Literature teacher Hillary Smith attended the Teacher Institute at the Virginia Holocaust Museum last summer, providing her with additional resources and approaches to working through these difficult topics with middle school students."

With the VHM experience fresh in their minds, students led a Socratic Seminar to work with the affective components of their studies, connecting their vast body of knowledge to its social/emotional impact. In Socratic Seminars, students lead their own conversation with a set of discussion questions; they operate as a team, listening actively and helping everyone to enter the conversation. For example, In answer to the question "What should our society learn from the Holocaust?" Rock Wolfson posits, "People -- all people -- come before society. Society is important, but people have to come first." Sadie Hassman adds, "If as time goes on, we don't share the most painful things, each generation will know less and less... we need to keep moving in the right direction." And Ben Antonio pulls historical context in to his answer. "After World War I, the economy was terrible. Germany was really at a low point. Instead of recognizing where they were and where it could lead and changing their course, they grew hate from that pain." When asked about the importance of sharing the stories of Holocaust survivors, Ashton Hollingsworth revealed, "Until I heard people actually tell their stories, I didn't realize the emotion of it all, that the stories are people, not just words."

"In the coming weeks, students will address Elie Wiesel's powerful memoir, Night. Because the Holocaust is now a topic on which students have substantial knowledge," Hillary Smith explains, "Night creates opportunity for us to discuss other genocides, past and present. "Knowledge is power, and the theme of our literature course is Leadership and Society, so we use literature as a launching point for both literary discourse and understanding the world around us." Hillary Smith teaches sixth grade literature and math, seventh grade literature and pre-algebra and eighth grade literature at Chesapeake Academy.

Pre-K 3&4 captured all our classroom's pesky elves and put them on a tree for the Festival of the Trees.  We have had much less mischief!
Eighth graders spent the afternoon at Randall Kipp Architecture with Randall Kipp and Keith Meberg to get ideas and thoughts on their Algebra house building project. Students asked a lot of questions regarding satisfying client wants, thinking about rooflines and stairs, design principles, unique ideas, and challenges. Connecting with professionals in the community is such a huge part of the experience for our students.
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Algebraic Antics: Measure Twice, Cut Once!
We know that authentic learning sticks best! And what is more authentic than the nuts and bolts of mortgages and housebuilding. To pit their math skills against a real life scenario, eighth grade students are paired with fourth grade clients, who drew  a job, a location, a family, and a downpayment amount out of a hat.  

To begin the process of homebuilding for these "clients," Algebra students researched salaries for those jobs in those locations and calculated how much the client would qualify for in a mortgage.  From there, Algebra students had to find out the average price per square foot of housing in their client's location, as well as the style of housing most common in the location.  

Using that information, Algebra students had to evaluate their budget with the price per square foot to determine how big a house their client could reasonably afford.  Students are now busy working on finalizing floor plans, knowing that they will need to do a CAD model and eventually a cardboard model of their plan.  

As they work with their budget, students also need to price out flooring, appliances, and any "extras" like swimming pools that their clients want.  The students are using a wide variety of math skills:  measurement, area, interest rates, and proportion.  In addition, they are learning to separate wants from needs in the decision making process and how following design principles can make smaller houses "live large."

Ms. Kaitlin Benson, Four/Five Bridge Teacher
Why did I choose to work at Chesapeake Academy?

" I just knew when I arrived at this school I had discovered a very special place!

When I was searching for a job in the summer of 2015, I was looking for something specific. I wanted to find a school with a community of learners and educators that cared for and supported each other, and I found it at Chesapeake Academy. 

It is truly an amazing school that welcomes you immediately as you walk through its doors. Our motto of "Small School, Huge Classroom" speaks volumes for dedication to learning through exploring and getting the students out of the classrooms for hands-on experiences. CA has a commitment to focus not only on improving students' knowledge of the curriculum but also to build strong character and leadership skills. 

Another aspect of Chesapeake Academy that I love is that the arts are not just taught in a dedicated class. They are  woven throughout all subject areas. Students at our school are excited to arrive each morning to see what new fun and exciting topic they are going to be learning about that day. Chesapeake Academy is the epitome of the school I would have wanted to go to when I was a student. Why would I want to teach anywhere else?"
Here is a picture of the fourth grade tree for the Festival of Trees which was themed, " curling up with a good book during the winter season." The ornaments on the three are all book marks made by students. If you look closely on many of the book marks you will find the phrase "Keep Calm, Read On." which Joey Porter thought of as we were creating the various bookmarks. Under the tree there are wrapped books donated by families. 

First graders took advantage of the wonderful weather to hunt for leaves in the Spanish colors they know: rojo (red), amarillo (yellow), anaranjada (orange), and café (brown). They then came inside and made books in Spanish "Las Hojas de Irvington" and decorated them with their own drawings.

Nacho explains Guatemala!
Ignacio Solis presented a short program on his homeland, Guatemala, for the Chesapeake Academy student body. Ignacio is in Virginia as an exchange student through Faces and Our Culture, an organization that pairs host families and exchange students for a cultural exchange program. Chesapeake Academy has been delighted to host three previous students from Guatemala.   While in Virginia, Ignacio Solis is fully participating in American life, attending classes and participating on sports teams at Chesapeake Academy.


"We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over." 
Fireman for the Department of Defence at the Norfolk Naval Base, Travis Abbott (father of Lane Abbott in PreK 3&4) demonstrates pulleys and frictions (and their actual applications) for eighth grade science.
Make your Dollars Work for 
Chesapeake Academy! 
With the holidays approaching, this is a perfect time to remember how you can  support your favorite little school and shop at the same time! Organizations like AmazonSmile.com and MightyNest.com pay a percentage of your purchases to the school!  And Box Tops are worth ten cents a piece!  Go, team!

Mr. Ian York, CA Athletics Director
Coaches' Corner
The Chesapeake Academy basketball season got underway on  Friday December 2 . The girls played Peasley Middle School at  4:30 p.m.  with the boys game following at  5:30 p.m . Our student athletes have been practicing hard, and they are excited for another great season of Osprey basketball! 

Please come out and support our teams throughout the season!





Varsity Boys Basketball Roster
Ben Antonio
Ashton Hollingsworth
Oliver McAninch
Michael Branson
Orie Bullard
Rock Wolfson
Larkin Denton
Jack Porter
Duke Wolfson
Mani Webster

JV Boys Basketball Roster
Joness LaSalle-Bryant
Jarett Platsis
Andrew Fulmer
Spencer Camaratta
Landon Reihs
Stewart Hollingsworth
Ap Pollard
Leyton Dew
Julius LaSalle-Bryant
Jackson Pyles
Martin Smith

Girls Basketball Roster
Callie Souders
Abby Souders
Emma Smith
Calista Nelson
Rebecca Meberg
Elizabeth Stanley
 Adair Stanley
Maddie Ritter
Rya Struse
Faith Hattersley 
Alvina Moon

Glorious wreath from the second grade!
Ben Antonio'17, Student Council President

Student Council Squawk 
DON'T FORGET ABOUT CLASH OF THE COINS!
Bring in those coins to fill your buckets! Bring in those dollar bills to sabotage your fellow students!

So far, we are off to a great start! Remember, if we bring in more money and encourage more people to participate, we can do more good throughout our community.  Let's make a difference!

ALSO, bring in your gently used winter clothes for the GIVING TREE! Once again, more participation means more good in our community! We are providing Christmas for eight children between the ages of eight months and fourteen years old.

Important Financial Aid Notice: Families wishing to be considered for financial assistance for the upcoming 2017-18 school year should notify Hilary Scott, Director of Admission, by email no later than  January 9, 2017 . Please visit www.chesapeakeacademy.org/adm_FA.html  to access all information related to financial assistance. All documentation is due on or before March 6, 2017. This includes: 
  • 2016 1040 
  • 2016 W-2 
  • CAFAA, PFS
  • 2016 business tax documents, if applicable
If you have any questions, please contact Hilary Scott  or Richard Abbott.

Important Notice from the Admission Office:  Not long ago, your family received a copy of the 2017-18 Referral Form along with talking points and a CA trifold. As you read the information, you learned that your family could earn a $1000.00 tuition credit! 

Wait! WHAT? Did you catch that? 

Yes, you did! $1000.00 tuition credit will be applied to your account should the family enroll at CA! Now, who wouldn't want to participate in the Referral Program? It is a super great way to grow Chesapeake Academy with students you want seated next to your own child! So....have you thought about a family that may be a great fit for our community? Yes? Just complete the 2017-18 Referral Form and submit to Hilary Scott, Director of Admission, to begin the process! 

Once the form is received, you will work with Hilary to provide the prospective family with a brochure packet and you are on your way! Questions? Contact Hilary at  hscott@chesapeakeacademy.org or 804.438.5575.  
 

An Attitude of Gratitude!  
  • Abundant thanks to Kim Dynia and Student Council for leading the Clash of the Coins Competition and the Giving Tree! We are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.
  • There is nothing like time with families and friends over the holiday. For the gifts of time and family we are grateful.
  • For spontaneous laughter from classrooms that lifts hearts...thank you!
  • The Staff at the Virginia Holocaust Museum for tailor-making a tour for our students.
  • Chris Cammarata for making the versatile burlap wreaths on the front doors!
  • Thanks to all those who have been donating bottle tops to Ms. May. She does the most amazing things with them.
  • Thanks to Santa Claus who was sighted on campus at the play...in disguise as a grandparent.
  • For little voices being courteous and kind....Lovely!
  • Grover Branson struck another blow for a tidy campus!  Mother Nature will not get the last word on leaves!
  • Thanks to all the faculty and parents who guided the contributions to the YMCA Guardian Program. There are children out there that will love Y programs because of us.
  • Thanks to Cedrick Sanders and Wanda Harding for helping with crowd control for CAPPA's after school karate class.
  • A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Aline Gawlik (Andrew and Alex Fulmer's grandmother) for sharing her passion for reading with Chesapeke Academy.
  • Thanks to the room parents, teachers, and students who dove into the Festival of Trees projects and took on so much of the time intensive parts! Teamwork!
  • Thanks to Mr. and Mrs Dean Dort for sharing their connection with the Swiss School in Dubai with Chesapeake Academy's first graders!  This is shaping up as a wonderful cultural exchange!
Dates to Remember

12/2   Girls Bball hosts Peasley, 4:30 p.m.
          Varsity Boys Bball hosts Peasley 5:30 p.m.
12/7  "A Christmas Carol," grades 5 - 8 @ LMS, 9:30 a.m.
         Dress Uniform
         PALS "Twas the Night Before Christmas," 9:30 a.m. (ages three through grade four)
12/8  Basketball hosts ACDS:  JV Boys at 4:00 p.m., Girls at 5:00 p.m., and V Boys at 6:00 p.m.
12/9 Interims Home via Renweb
        Kilmarnock Christmas Parade
12/14 Tag Day
12/15 BBall @ SCW: Girls at 4:00 p.m., Varsity Boys at  5:00 p.m.
12/16 Holiday Breakfast in Classrooms
          Holiday Program, Dismissal afterward (shortened school day)
12/19 - 1/2 Christmas Break
1/2 Faculty Professional Development
1/3 Classes Resume
1/4 Dress Uniform
      Bball hosts SCW: Girls at 4:00 p.m., Varsity Boys at 5:00 p.m.
1/11 PALS, Reptiles Alive, 9:30 a.m. (ages three through grade three); 10:30 a.m. (grades four through        eight)
1/12 Bball @ Ware: JV Boys at 4:00 p.m.;Girls at  5:00 p.m., and V boys at 6:00 p.m.
1/16 Head of School Day/No School


Chesapeake Academy | | chesapeakeacademy@chesapeakeacademy.org
 Post Office Box 8   107 Steamboat Road    Irvington, VA 22480