September 11, 2015
Head's Heads Up
The first week of school is chocked full of so much--new classmates, new teachers, new school supplies, new uniforms, and procedures. This year, the Ospreys were welcomed back to freshly painted classrooms, new whiteboards, beautiful new storage cabinets in grades four through eight, special water fountains, new laptops and iPads, and--causing special excitement--new larger lockers and cubbies. The school looks "fresh at fifty" thanks to the generous donors at last year's auction. The excitement at Chesapeake Academy is palpable. We anticipate a banner year.

The kids jumped into the school year celebrating CA's 50th Anniversary at Convocation. The founders joined us as we thanked them for their vision to create a school that has outstanding teachers, parents who believe in an excellent education for their children, an innovative curriculum, and students who are motivated to learn--all of this bundled into a kind and nurturing environment. Throughout the school year, the community will join the celebration, marking how far our gem of a school has come.

I invite you to get involved. Participate in the school life of your child(ren) Let them know that you believe in a Chesapeake Academy education and that their education is important. Volunteer for any of the myriad of activities, and participate with CAPPA. Get to know the other parents. Have fun together as you plan and implement special events for our students and faculty. Show your children by your example that one person can make a difference to the success of an organization. Together, we will make this a memorable year of learning and celebration.
 



Community Oyster Roast and The Phun Doctors Band!
Parent Chair Grover Branson announces Chesapeake Academy's 14th Annual Community Oyster Roast will be held on the Rowe Campus in Irvington, VA on October 17  from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This annual event was voted the top Charity Event in 2014 by Virginia Living Magazine.

The Fall Festival Community Oyster Roast is based on the popular roll-up-your-sleeves southern tradition, which features sacks of fresh, local oysters in the shell roasted over outdoor grills until juice starts to bubble out of the shells, then delivered to the tables where they need a nudge from an oyster knife to release the top shell and seductive aromas. Attendees are urged to bring a favorite oyster knife.

The menu includes all of the roasted local oysters you can eat, fried oysters, clam chowder, french fried sweet potatoes, hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixings and dessert. Beer, wine and soft drinks are included. You must be 21 to attend. Tickets are $50 per person, $60 at the door--if available.

Ticket holders will also enjoy dancing from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. to the music of the popular band, the Phun Doctors, a premier classic rock and oldies band from Chesapeake, VA. Sponsorships are still available which will offer great regional advertising and recognition. Raffle tickets can be purchased for a chance to win first  prize, a $750 gift certificate to Tri-Star Supermarket; seco nd prize, $300; or thi rd prize, a $125 gift certificate for Northern Neck Burger Company. Please sign up with Grover Branson to help sell raffle tickets at various times at Tri-Star Supermarket. Contact Grover via cell at 276.365.0440.

Every CA family is expected to buy or sell a minimum of two Oyster Roast event tickets and 18 raffle tickets. Raffle tickets were sent home this week via your child/youngest child. The raffle ticket stubs and payment are due back in the Development Office by October 5. Only 450 event tickets are available so buy or sell yours quickly before they sell out (as they did last year three weeks in advance of the Oyster Roast). Fifty percent of event tickets have already been sold to date. See Catherine Emry in the Development Office to obtain your tickets at [email protected] or 804.438.5575.

Volunteers are also need to help set up for the Oyster Roast on Friday, October 16 after Grandparent's Day, Saturday morning, October 17 as well as clean up on Sunday, October 18. Ticket holders are asked to volunteer for one hour during the event. It takes many people to make this event successful and your help is needed. Let Catherine Emry know how you can help!

Proceeds benefit Chesapeake Academy's Financial Assistance program offering students enrollment who would not otherwise be able to attend and enhances the school's academic programs.  


Class Acts ....What's Happening on the Halls?
STEAM Rolling!
Eighth grade scientists are beginning the year with a review of simple machines. Challenged to create a mini catapult that would send a bead into a bowl, teams of students created strategies, evaluated and improved them and adapted their designs to make them more efficient!  Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics at work!

Impressed? Spread the Good Word!  
Don't let CA be the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula's best kept secret! Tell a friend....refer a student!  Earn a $500 tuition discount--Contact Mrs. Scott at 804.438.5575 or [email protected].
Learning with Laughter, Ole!
Eighth grade Spanish students started the year by putting random Spanish words and phrases on slips of paper, pulling them out of a sombrero, and using them to write a silly story on the board. It was a fun way to start Spanish IB! The faces say it all!  Well done,  Señora Ebner! This is shaping up to be a great year in Spanish!
For the First Time Ever ... .In recorded history ... .
In a pilot program, Chesapeake Academy students will be the first students to be on board the Godspeed when it is under sail!  Fifth and Sixth graders have been selected for a trial program that would offer authentic experiences on board the Godspeed...away from the dock! 

Ethan Marsh and Allie Davenport try out every challenge on the playground as Pre-K 3 & 4 students learn the ropes at Chesapeake Academy!
Bookmark these Links:  Stay Connected Through Class Blogs!
Class blogs in grades K through 4 have proven to be a wonderful way to stay tuned into what is happening in your child's class and even to share wonderful activities or opportunities that come up for children with other parents.  

Check out these interactive pages for insight into Math Labs (every Friday) and Structures in September (which happens each Thursday).  Math Labs feature multi-grade groups of young mathematicians participating in activities that rotate on a different mathematical theme each month.  Each activity starts off simply and gets more and more complex as individual students are able to tackle bigger concepts. Activities are hands-on and/or game related--and soooo well received!

Structures in September features design teams made up of first, second, third, and fourth graders who complete a building challenge.  Fifth graders will work with kindergarten students on similar challenges as students develop teamwork and discover principles of physics and design.
 
Be sure to bookmark your child's site and visit it often to get info on all the exciting things going on!

Adventures are Bruin in Kindergarten!
Fun and Adventures in First Grade
Seventh Grade Oyster Gardening!
Seventh graders, Rock Wolfson and Orie Bullard, transferred growing oysters to larger cages to continue to filter Carters Creek while they grow! Science teacher, Robin Blake, is planning a field trip for this group to watch oyster tumbling for edible oysters at a local oyster farm on Windmill Point at the end of September. Placed-based education at its best!
All of Middle School to Read Wonder, by R. J. Palacio...Want to read along?
Dear Parents of Middle School students,

As we build camaraderie, acceptance, trust, and community among our fabulous Middle School students, we will be embarking on an "All MS Read" of the book  Wonder by R. J. Palacio.  We will be using our advisory lunch time to discuss the major themes and conflicts in the book.  In doing so, our multi-age advisory groups can lend different perspectives to the discussion, even if some students have read the book before.  BLTs (as Mrs. Macaulay calls them -- Books + Lunch Together) are a wonderful way to share ideas in a casual setting with some guided questions and prompts.  Students will have reading assignments in the book to stay with the group, but these readings will replace Literature class assignments as necessary.   Each advisory group will create a response to the story to present at Inward Bound on October  8 and 9.  

We are fortunate to be able to borrow the hardback copies from a school in North Carolina.  A copy has been checked out to your child.  Any books not returned by  October 23 will result in a charge of $25 for replacement.

We will launch our All MS Read on  Friday, September 11 and finish up in early October.  We look forward to interesting discussion and insight as we go through the process!  

For more information on the book, here is a summary:   August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting fifth grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid--but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. 

"Wonder is the best kids' book of the year," said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel "a meditation on kindness"...indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out. 

Julie Keesee


Like what you see? 
You can support it!
Your gift benefits today's students and everyone's future. Give to the Chesapeake Academy Annual Fund! 
Coach York is excited about the Fall Sports line-up!
 "If you play your heart out for what your jersey says on the front, everyone will remember what the jersey says on the back." -  Miracle
Coach's Corner
The Golf season is off to a great start after successful tryouts this week.  Coaches Ted Cook, Molly Vanderpool and their team will begin playing competitively this month. With a very young team, the focus this season will be on learning the game and polishing skills.

After some preseason skill and drill, both varsity and junior varsity soccer players are developing teamwork and learning strategies with coaches Ian York and Caleb and Hillary Smith.  Their first match will be September 16 at Ware Academy.

Cross Country practice began last week with coaches Kelly Antonio and Katie Parker. The team's first meet is September 29 at home. Coach Antonio explains, " Our cross country team is generally a young team with lots of enthusiasm.  This year the soccer teams will be conditioning and competing with cross country at meets.  With all of the athletes, we hope for improved conditioning from our start in September, a better understanding of how distance running helps in all sports outside of cross country, and a desire for a healthy lifestyle for years to come.  Cross country training helps them think about their breathing, stretching, and pacing so that they can 'go the distance' and make it across the finish line every time."

Volleyball under Martha Rogers' and Coach Somers' able direction is building on the foundational skills developed last year while bringing along a few new team members. "It is going to be a great season," comments Coach Rogers.  The players will begin their competitive season on September 23 vs Aylett Country Day School.

Interested in Preparing for the SSAT?
The Secondary School Ability Test (SSAT) will be offered at Chesapeake Academy on November 14 for seventh and eighth graders who are interested in applying to independent schools for high school.  Register online at  www.ssat.org .  If students are interested in participating in a prep class taught by Ms. Dynia and Mrs. Keesee, please let Mrs. Keesee know by September 25.  The cost for the class is $120 and includes the materials.  Scheduled dates for the class are  October 18 ,  October 25 ,  November 1 , and  November 8  from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  A total of seven students is necessary to hold the class. 


Student Council Squawk!
Meet our Student Council!  Pictured left to right are Ben Antonio, Treasurer; Chas Faulkner, Secretary; Lily Reihs, President; and Colette Haynie, Vice President.

In Student Council News....Student Council held their first Blue/White competition game during Middle School  Friday  morning meeting. While the limbo competition was fierce, Ben Antonio won first place, scoring a point for the White Team. Rock Wolfson, a new member to the Blue Team, came in a close second, keeping competition rigorous!
 
During Student Council's leadership retreat on September 2, the executive committee met with local realtor, Glen Cockrell, the organizer of the "Walk for Water" in Kilmarnock, to discuss how Chesapeake Academy could support Water Missions' initiative to supply inhabitants of disaster areas and developing countries with water purification systems. Student Council is supporting the Walk for Water initiative.  There will be a presentation at a special assembly on  September 16  to inform students about the need for access to clean water in underserved communities and to see how the water filtration system works.  Student Council is setting a goal for CA participation in the Walk for Water, held on  October 10 . Stay tuned for more details on how you can join CA's team! 


  "Working together, each giving a little bit when you can, has great results."


"Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty."
~Doris Day

An Attitude of Gratitude! 
There is so much joy in the renovated faculty study!  Many thanks to CAPPA for the snazzy die cut machine, new paint and countertops!  

Setting an example of service, Christchurch students and faculty volunteered to help with some groundskeeping chores to get our campus looking spiffy!  We loved seeing some of our alums (Jaylyn Kreimes, Trevor Revere and Nash Carrington) and meeting some great new friends!

Chris Cammarata donated her time to train the Extended Day and Pre-Kindergarten 3 & 4 faculty on the finer points of Daily Health Observations of Children!  We so appreciate her generous spirit!

Thanks to Student Council for helping new families learn the ropes at the New Family Orientation.

Artists Johanna Carrington and Wende Szyperski have shared their gifts with CA!  Check out the two new paintings in the front lobby!  We have such a talented community! 



How about that Board of Trustees welcome back to school!  Board members Jeff Szyperski (Chairman), Lance Franke, Julie Keesee and the Osprey, Kay Vose, and Margaret Nost greeted students as they returned for the 2015-16 School year!  We feel the love!

CAPPA Countdown
Dear Parents and Patrons,

Welcome Back! Over the next couple of weeks as everyone settles into a routine, I hope some of you might find that you indeed do have some extra hours to get involved at our school.Thank you to everyone that filled in a volunteer interest sheet--and to those who have not, it is not too late! Please let me or any CAPPA officer know if you would like to volunteer. If at this time you cannot squeeze anything else into your schedule, there are other ways you can give back.  One is Box Tops for Education! Each box top is worth 10 cents which is donated directly back to Chesapeake Academy. Another way to make a difference is to assign CA as your charity of choice on Amazonsmiles.com and a portion of your order price comes right back to our school! Easy, right?  And lastly, if you are looking for environmentally friendly items  for home, a unique gift, or reusable containers for your children's lunchbox, go to  mightynest.com and 15% of your purchase total will be donated to Chesapeake Academy.

Please note, our first Final  Friday collection will be  Friday, September 25. Please send in all those box tops and inject cartridges you have collected over the summer, and let's see which class will win this month!

Everyone is invited to kick-off the school year at the Back to School Picnic on  Sunday, September 13 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Food + fun games + friends + 50 years=  a good time!

Michelle Ritter
CAPPA President

"Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a nation." -Nelson Mandela




KARATE CLASS - CHESAPEAKE ACADEMY
Sponsored by CAPPA
Classes starting September 14, 2015

Time: 3:15 p.m. To 4:15 p.m.
Location: CA Art Room

Grades: 1 - 5

Cost: $130 for the Semester
($10 per class)

Dates: September 14, 21, 28
    October 5, 19, 26
                  November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
 December 7, 14

We are excited to once again offer Karate Classes at Chesapeake Academy. Glenn Fallin, an accomplished Black Belt instructor of 20 + years will be the teacher. Parent chaperones will accompany your child directly after school to the Art Room and will remain with the children for the duration of class. This is a great form of exercise, discipline, and esteem building.

You may place an order for a "Gi" for your child during the first class. Please contact Janet Smith  (804-580-4507) or email [email protected] to sign your child up for classes, to be a parent volunteer, or to ask questions.

We are Glad You are Here!
Hilary Scott extends A VERY WARM WELCOME to our new students and their parents! "We are delighted that you joined Chesapeake Academy! If you are  a seasoned Osprey, please be sure to introduce yourself to anyone you're not familiar with, and help us make these new families feel adjusted, included, and part of the Chesapeake family."

Pre-Kindergarten 3&4:
  • Angus Angstrom, son of Andrew and Margot Angstrom
  • Brooke Angstrom, daughter of Andrew and Margot Angstrom
  • Richard Beane, son of Hunter and Amy Beane
  • Allie Davenport, daughter of Bill and Lauren Davenport
  • Ashlin Kenyon, son of Blair Kenyon and Suzanne Shepherd
  • Kelsey Liner, daughter of Donald and Devon Liner
  • Ethan Marsh, son of Randall and Alison Marsh
  • Sam Parker, son of Chris and Katie Parker
  • Malcolm Sanders, son of Cedrick and Marie Sanders
  • Elise Sterrett, daughter of Nick and Becca Sterrett
Kindergarten:
  • Logan Brent, son of Ty and Stacey Brent
  • Matthew Bryant, son of Steve and Glenda Bryant
  • Liam Hubbard, son of Will and Christina Hubbard
  • Ryann Kenner, daughter of Jason and Gentry Kenner
  • Baylen Miller, son of Bryan and Jennifer Miller
  • Lyla Porter, daughter of John and Amanda Porter
Second Grade:
  • Joel Patton, son of Curtis and Vivian Patton
Third Grade:
  • Hannah Ditch, daughter of Brian and Susan Ditch
  • Lucas Edwards, son of Simon and Marie Edwards
  • Lydia Engleman, daughter of Jason Pall and Anne Engleman
  • Jules LaSalle, grandson of Michael and Alice Bryant
  • Joey Porter, son of John and Amanda Porter
Fourth Grade:
  • Julius LaSalle, grandson of Michael and Alice Bryant
  • Stella Patton, daughter of Curtis and Vivian Patton
  • Jackson Pyles, son of Donny Pyles and Kim Olsen
Fifth Grade:
  • Joness LaSalle, grandson of Michael and Alice Bryant
Sixth Grade:
  • Ian Patton, son of Curtis and Vivian Patton
  • Duke Wolfson, son of Jay and Diana Wolfson
Seventh Grade:
  • Rock Wolfson, son of Jay and Diana Wolfson
Eighth Grade:
  • Jonathan Bryant, son of Steve and Glenda Bryant
Dates to Remember
9/11 Kick off the "All MS Read" of Wonder
9/13 CAPPA's back to School Picnic 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
9/14 Karate Class Begins 3:15 p.m. 
         Golf Home at King Carter vs. Ware and Aylett 3:30 p.m.
         JV Soccer at Aylett 4:00 p.m.
9/16 Water Missions Assembly, 10:05 a.m.
         JV Soccer at Ware 3:30 p.m., Varsity at 4:30 p.m.
9/17 EC/LS Back to School Night, 6:30 p.m.
9/21 Golf at Piankatank
        Varsity Soccer at Northumberland 4:00 p.m.
9/22 MS Back to School Night 6:15 p.m.
9/23 Varsity Soccer at Lancaster Middle School 4:00 p.m.
         Volleyball vs. Aylett 4:00 p.m.
9/24 Varsity Soccer at St. Claire Walker Middle School 4:00 p.m.
9/25 Seacamp Chick Fil A, Final Friday
        Volleyball at Lancaster Middle School 4:00 p.m.
9/28 Golf at Hobbs Hole, 3:30 p.m.
         Varsity Soccer at Northumberland Middle School, 4:00 p.m.
9/29 Cross Country at home, 4:00 p.m.
9/30 PALS, Tales as Tall as the Sky, 9:30 a.m.
         JV Soccer vs. Aylett, 4:00 p.m.
         Volleyball at Ware, 4:00 p.m.
10/2 Godspeed at the Tides Inn, Fifth and Sixth Grades 
10/8-9 MS Inward Bound at Camp Keyoka

Chesapeake Academy | | [email protected] | 
 Post Office Box 8   107 Steamboat Road    Irvington, VA 22480