Looking Ahead to Clash of the Cans!

There is a chill in the air, which soon enough will be joined by the smell of peppermint--and amid these seasonal delights, a ferocious competition is coming soon at Chesapeake Academy! The Clash of Cans, an annual fundraiser that takes place during the weeks following Thanksgiving break, is a favorite holiday tradition. Students from every grade collect coins in a feverish class competition filled with strategy and subterfuge. 

In Chesapeake Academy's Clash of the Cans, students add change to their own uniquely decorated class bins, with each cent being worth one point. To keep the competition lively, students may sabotage other classes by adding bills to adversaries' bins to subtract points (one dollar bill is worth 100 negative points). Middle School volunteers will tally the results, determine a class winner, and total the school's donation.

All proceeds from this collection go to the Northern Neck Food Bank.

The Clash of the Coins collection will start on December 1 and end on December 14 when a winning class will be named. The real winners, though, will be the local youngsters who will be supported by the Northern Neck Food Bank this holiday season and beyond!

Don't Miss This:

CAPPA is Sponsoring A Parent Program on Social Cognition

On November 17, CAPPA will host a lunch-time zoom session with Kat Blandford who is a specialist in social cognition and behavioral coaching of children. Kat has been working with the CA faculty on supporting students' abilitiy to navigate social expectations and skills. She will describe her work at CA as well as provide coaching for parents in working with their own students. 

This will be the first of several parent programs. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for the zoom information!

PALS Presents Bright Star Theater's, "Cherokee Tales"

On Wednesday, October 26, Chesapeake Academy's Seth Ware Ahlborn Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS)  presented  Bright Star Theater's "Cherokee Tales."  Developed in partnership with the Cherokee Historical Association, the program explored the Cherokee people's rich history of myths, legends, and folktales explaining everything from the creation of the world to how the plants and animals around us came to look and behave the way they do today. PALS programming is funded by the Wiley Foundation with support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

PALS Presents The Richmond Ballet

On Wednesday, November 2, Chesapeake Academy's Seth Ware Ahlborn Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS) presented The Richmond Ballet's "Don Quixote" for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the school's gymnasium. Magically,  dancers from The Richmond Ballet drew students into Cervantes’s classic tale, illustrating as they twirled and leapt, the passion for honor that guided the unlikely hero. The success of this program was evident across the CA playground as students inspired by the athleticism and grace of the dancers tried their own moves.

PALS programs are made possible through the generosity of the Wiley Foundation with support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Growth Mindset Blooms in Pre-Kindergarten

Growing a can-do outlook begins when students consistently reflect on their progress, noting that things that once seemed difficult are now much easier! Pre-kindergarten 3&4 students practice this sort of reflection daily, steadily working to identify the factors that bring about the change in mastery: Did I practice? Was I patient with the process? Did I welcome coaching? Did I grow?

Comparing handwritten names from the beginning of the year to those they can make now proves the answer is, "Yes, We can do hard things! We are growing!"

Matter Matters, Whatever its State!

First graders have been exploring the three states of matter. Budding scientists tried out different strategies to melt ice as fast as possible, from using hands or breath or even your head! Students then used water and alka-seltzer tablets to blow up a ziplock bag and a balloon with a gas. Students also observed ice melting and then the water evaporating over a week, making predictions about what would happen and how long it would take. Curious learners discovered how molecules behave differently in solids, liquids, and gases and used Cheerios to diagram the structures. Students love to explore the matter that is all around us!

Third Grade Builds Bone Bridge!

Third graders worked in pairs to build a "bone" bridge using only Q-tips, pipe cleaners, and craft sticks. The challenge was to see which group could build the longest bridge. The criteria dictated the bridge had to hover one inch above the surface, while being as long as possible. The constraints were to use only materials provided, build the structure in 30 minutes, and ensure the gaps between the bridge planks must be small enough to prevent a penny laying flat from falling through.

Rocks, Minerals, and Gems

Chesapeake Academy  fifth graders went to local business, From Rocks to Gems, after they learned about different methods to identify minerals. Students loved gettting their hands into their learning as they all mined their individual bags of soil and found many minerals! Students found what they had learned in class useful as they identified their finds! 

Urbanna Oyster Education Days

Knowing all about the wonderful place we live is one of the perks of Chesapeake Academy's science program, and one of the ways students uncover a deep knowledge of the Bay and its surrounds is Urbanna Oyster Education Days. Chesapeake Academy fourth and seventh grade students partipated in Urbanna Oyster Education Days this year visiting exhibitors from around coastal Virginia. Students had access to three historic boats replicated from different time periods: The Godspeed, a Jamestown boat from 1609, The Explorer, a boat sailed by Captain John Smith, and The Luna, a vessel from 1815.

Debra Pratt showed students expert oyster shucking. CCS students demonstrated fly fishing, oyster tumbling, and measuring the turbidity of saltwater. Virginia Seafood AREC explained the ages and stages of oysters. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Friends of the Rappahannock collaborated to discuss the impact of pollution on our waterways. The Institute of Coastal Resilience team brought wave tables and an undewater drone. The Museum of Middlesex discussed the use of shells in bricklaying. The Fairfield Foundation gave students bricks and other materials to clean from their job site at Historic Christ Church. The Waterman's Museum outlined boatbuilding and historic tools, and the Chesapeake Bay Governor's School offered a touch tank and taught the value of algae to Bay ecosystems.

Hard to beat that amount of hands-on learning in a day!

Where in the World is Stick Man Heading?

Fifth grade has learned all about the five themes of geography: location, movement, region, place, and human/environment interactions. Now, using the five themes, students made a mosaic display for Stick Man so he can choose which city and country to visit. Students are eager to present their digital version to the class as we travel around the world deciding which destination is the best!

Wanted: Symbiotic Relationship!

Seventh grade science students wrapped up their unit on ecology with a project on symbiotic relationships. Presented with two organisms, students created a want ad for one of the organisms, while taking on the role of the organism that benefits the most in the relationship. 

In order to pull this off, students researched and found pictures of the two organisms and then explained the symbiotic relationship between them, noting what each gets/gives the other. Students enjoyed hearing classmates' presentations.



• Kenner, Wanted Crocodile!
• Casey, "I want Bioluminescent Bacteria!"
• Dew, "Pygmy Seahorses Want Ad"
• Miller, "Wanted: Barnacles!"

Student Council Roundup!

Finding the power to impact the world around them, Student Council held a popsicle fundraiser in October to raise money for hurricane relief in Florida following Hurricane Ian. The group raised $180 and added to the funds from their savings, enabling them to send $300 to the Volunteer Florida Foundation. #makingourworldabetterplace!

On October 28, Student Council hosted the middle school for pizza and a movie. Students played outdoor games, enjoyed pizza, and watched The Nightmare Before Christmas. What a fun, pre-Halloween treat!

CA Celebrates Athletic Awards 



Varsity Soccer - Coach Hillary Smith

Most Valuable Player: Jimmy Lewis

Coach’s Award: Parker Daley

Most Improved Player: Brendan Beuchelt

JV Volleyball - Coach Robin Blake

Most Valuable Player: Anna Bugg

Coach’s Award: Avery Caisse

Most Improved Player: Sophia Kunkle

Varsity Volleyball - Coach Jane Allen

Most Valuable Player: Brynleigh Allen

Coach’s Award: Yvelisse Cabocel

Most Improved Player: Stella Mayhew

Coach's Corner



The last two weeks of the fall athletic season brought a lot of excitement, and all of our Ospreys finished on a high note! 

Our JV Volleyball team helped to kick off the excitement of these two weeks by picking up a great win against Ware in their final game of the season! With solid play and great serving by several players, athletes really showed just how much growth and progress they made throughout the season! It has been fun watching these young ladies in action, and they have worked hard to build a solid foundation for their volleyball futures! 

Our Varsity Soccer team went into the ISAC tournament undefeated and outscoring our opponents significantly; however, it's hard to beat the same team three times in a season. Coach Smith and the team, however, did not have any trouble in the ISAC Championship game! The team scored within the first minute of the match and never looked back! While Aylett Country Day School (ACDS) gave our team everything they had, our Ospreys were determined to not be outdone! From their talented coach to their strong eighth-grade leadership to solid performances by our fifth graders, the team took everything they had learned throughout the season and applied it, thereby bringing home our third championship in three seasons (2019, 2021, 2022). Congrats to Coach Smith and the Varsity Soccer team! 

The Varsity Volleyball team entered the ISAC tournament tied with ACDS having split with them during the regular season. They were challenged to give it all they had as the team had a goal to make it to the championship game, and they were determined to get there. After dropping a close first set (22-25), the team rallied and came back with a vengeance in sets two and three. With smart play and great serving, the team won the second and third sets handily (25-2, 15-5). With the semifinal win, the team was set to play a talented Ware team in the championship game. Despite good play and working together, our Ospreys lost a tough match in two sets (14-25, 24-26). While the team may have lost, there were lots to be celebrated this year; the team was ISAC runners-up, they raised their level of play, and truly enjoyed every minute they spent on the court!

As you can see, the fall season was a great one for CA, and we're looking forward to an exciting winter basketball season!

Go Ospreys!

Coach Allen

CAPPA News!

• November 16: CAPPA is hosting Parent Night at The Tides Inn! Please come out anytime between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. to enjoy getting to know other CA parents. CAPPA will provide a selection of appetizers, and wine will be available for purchase. We look forward to seeing everyone there. CA is offering extended day until 6pm that night. Please let the school know if your child will be staying.
• November 17: Lunch time on Zoom Session with Kat Blandford, who is a specialist in social cognition and behavioral coaching of children. This will be the first of several parent programs. Stay tuned for the Zoom information.
• November 18: CAPPA meeting for all parents at 8:30 in Academy Hall
• November 29: Bell Tower Annual Giving Fund- CAPPA will have a table outside at drop off and will be offering coffee and doughnuts. The doughnuts are donated from The Chesapeake Doughnut Company. Please support the 100% participation goal for the annual fund this year. When all families participate in the Bell Tower Annual Giving Fund, it demonstrates a strong commitment from the school community for grant proposal submissions. Tuition only covers about 80% of educating costs. Raising funds throughout the year, including the annual fund, helps us all.  

Polish Your Parenting

• Ten Activities to Improve your Toddler's Development
• The Bedtime Hoops: Important questions to Ask Your Child At Bedtime
• 19 Good Manners to Teach Your Children
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Cue UP Your Calendars!

11/11 Report Cards Home

11/14-17 Basketball Tryouts

11/16 Academic Awards Assembly, 10:05 a.m.

11/16 Tag Day

11/17 CAPPA Presents Parent Zoom with Kat Blandford, 11:45 a.m.

11/22 No Athletics

11/23-25 Thanksgiving Break

11/29 DON'T MISS GIVING TUESDAY!

11/30 Faculty Professional Development, 3:30 p.m.

12/7 Dress Uniform and Shoes

12/8 PALS Presents, Frosty, the Snowman, 9:30 a.m.

12/9 Interims Mailed

12/9 Student Council Event

12/14 Tag Day

12/16 Holiday Program, half day, no extended day

Attitude of Gratitude

• Thanks to the teams of volunteers who preprared food, decorated, served or coordinated for the recent Head of School candidate visits and Grandparents' and Grandfriends' Day! We hope you know how deeply you are appreciated.
• Thanks to the parents and teachers who stepped up to make the Scholastic Bookfair a success! You really made a difference! A special thanks to Katie Wilson for coordinating volunteers!
• Faculty would love to thank all those who donated books to classroom libraries! You rock!
• For all the joy you brought to Chesapeake Academy, thanks to our Grandparents and Grandfriends!
• Grandparents' and Grandfriends' Day was a success! The whole school community and CAPPA in particular send a big thank you to everyone who contributed tasty treats and volunteered to roll out a warm welcome mat and make things run smoothly. It was teamwork at its best.
• Good sound makes everyone better! Thanks to Demir Demirkan for sharing his soundboard talents with CA!
• CAPPA wants to thank Kara, Todd, and Zach Patterson for picking up the apples! More thanks to Arthur Lang, Demir Demirkan, and Todd Patterson for unloading the apples.
• Mary Rowe, Rupan Gill, Shaun Gill, Ainslie Hodges, and Ivana Nichols have our gratitude for helping sort apples. And Marsha Paulson and Jennifer Miller have our gratitude for helping with order pick-ups.
• Thanks go out to Coach Allen and Rosetta Struse for graciously accomodating CAPPA's Apple Sale; and thanks to Whitney Lang for organizing the CAPPA's Apple Sale!
• Parker Daley's ears may be ringing because teachers have noticed all the ways he is diving in to help out!
• Thanks to Clark Laster for organizing Urbanna Oyster Education Days and hosting CA students!