March 18, 2022
Chesapeake Academy's mission: to inspire each student to approach learning with 
curiosity and creativity, 
pursue excellence in all endeavors, 
and act with integrity--
so each can make our community and world a better place. 
Head's Heads UP

One of the hallmarks of Chesapeake Academy's work with children is to purposefully build social and emotional skills through a variety of avenues: our social/ethical curriculum, middle school advisory program, responsive classroom techniques, class meetings, conflict resolution, and partnership with parents to help students meet social and emotional goals.

Growth and maturation in in these areas is rarely a smooth trajectory. Most students experience fits and starts in their ability to navigate peer relationships, handle emotions, and respond to challenges. Every day is not rainbows and sunshine for any of us. But our goal is for our students to feel confident in their ability to handle themselves and their relationships with others...to feel respected and give respect to others in our community (at age appropriate levels!). 

With anxiety and stress levels as high as they've been over the last two years of a global pandemic, it's normal for parents to have a heightened concern about their child's social and emotional health. As school people, we are worried about those issues, too. 

Here's how you can help your child and the school as we work together to support your child.

Listen: to your child's experience with peers and understand that they are expressing their perception of their experience.

Affirm and ask: If your child is relating negative emotions or experiences, you can say:
  • “That sounds tough. How did you handle it?”
  • “Wow – you have a lot on your mind. How can I help you?”
  • “It sounds like a challenge. What do you think should happen next?”

You can provide a framework for your child's reflection on the day and help your child be more optimistic as well by redirecting to talk about successes. Know that you can't solve every problem for your child, but your child knows you are a safe place to unload emotions for the day. 

Recognize that your child's experience with peers is filtered through his/her world view and is not the whole story or dynamic. Children learn so much through relationships with others, whether in a classroom, in a family, on a team, or on the playground. Relationships can be framed and reframed in a positive or negative dynamic considering multiple participants' behaviors, including the child reporting others' behavior.

Any situation is likely to have a variety of elements (if you have multiple children at home, you know that sibling dynamics are not always sunny or simple). This does not negate your child's experience, but is a really helpful attitude for the adults to have as we support your child navigating with confidence.

Resist: the temptation to identify your child as a victim or another child as a bully. You do not want your child's power and confidence to be hindered by victimhood. At school, we see each child as a whole, developing kiddo, each one needing coaching, support, and discipline at times to be a positive community member. 

Communicate: if your child is reporting a continued struggle (instead of a “one-off bad day”) with a group or an individual, please let the classroom teacher or advisor know. If your child is comfortable sharing with the teacher, help him/her find a voice to tell the teacher or advisor so that we can help problem solve at school. It's important that your child know that there are always caring adults at school to support him or her.

Listen: to the feedback from the teacher or advisor. Understand that there is likely a more nuanced dynamic to understand and unravel. Support a plan that works on your child's developmental growth and their ability to trust the adults at school to help.

Remember: that follow up at school with discipline consequences or other behavioral modification strategies are not always publicly known by others. That does not mean that the issues are not being addressed. Public flogging is not part of our strategic discipline plan!

Partner: continue to communicate with us to ensure we are partnering together to help your child. Growing good people is our work!
CA Summer Camps are top rated by Virginia Living Magazine each year, and spots are limited. Don’t wait! Many weeks have waiting lists already! In some cases, a new section may open if the waiting list is sufficient.

Camp Irvington Ages 4 through rising first grade; $250/week except where noted; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Campers explore each week’s theme through age-appropriate field trips and activities. All activities and entrance fees are included. 
Is it fictional? June 20 – June 24--Full
Is it a book character? Can I do it, too? Campers will try out adventures found in some of our favorite books. Whether it’s bike riding, making snacks, or exploring, this week is full of fun that should not be missed!
Is it aquatic? June 27- July 1 $250--Full
Is it a fish? Does it have bones? Welcome to CA’s own shark week! Campers will learn about these fascinating creatures and some fictional friends like Clark the Shark in the Shark Zone. 
Is it on a picnic? July 5 - July 8 $200--Full
Is it on picnics? Does it fit in a picnic basket? Campers will spend the morning preparing for their picnic by creating a picnic basket with special snacks and activities based on clues. Each afternoon they will picnic and play at a fun mystery location. Of course, this week includes splashes of red, white, and blue! 
Is it on a farm? July 11 - July 15 $250--Full
Is it on a farm? Is there a barn? Campers will explore life around the Northern Neck, learning what is grown in our area and what animals live on a farm. Look for fictional farm fun, too! A visit to a teaching farm will add to the excitement! 
Is it buoyant? July 18 - July 22 $250--Full
Is it buoyant? Does it sink? Young scientists will explore their environment to find out what floats. They will make predictions, conduct experiments, and record results. All that time around water will also keep campers cool. Some experiences will occur in different locations around the Northern Neck. 
Is it colorful? July 25 - July 29 $250--Full
Is it colorful? Is it multicolored? Colors reflect our feelings and help us to express ourselves. Color allows us to stand out or blend in. Campers will learn about rainbows, mixing colors, expressing emotion with color, camouflages, and their habitat colors. Campers will use their heightened color senses when exploring the animals at the zoo. 
Is it green? August 1 - 5 $250--Full
Is it green? Can I help? Become a planeteer at CA Camp! Campers will explore the beautiful environment of the Northern Neck and learn ways to keep it clean and green. So much positive power will have everyone enthusiastically green!
Camp Chesapeake Rising second through eighth grade; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except where noted; fees for each week are listed below.

Campers will explore each week’s theme through age-appropriate field trips and activities. All activities and entrance fees are included. 
Girls, Gizmos, and Gadgets (GGG) June 20 - June 24, 8:30 a.m. to noon, $125
Specialty camp for girls in rising 4th grade through rising 8th grade.
Chesapeake Academy is going big again with our STEM-focused GGG! Making full use of CA’s Arts & Innovation Hub, campers will design and code robots to perform a variety of tasks, create their own pieces using the 3D printer and laser cutter, and compete in fun challenges! This is a week that will inspire and energize your young inventor! 
Art Exploration? June 20 - June 24 1:00 p.m to noon, $125
Afternoon camp for students in rising 4th grade through rising 8th grade.
Not to leave it at STEM, Chesapeake Academy is excited to put the “A” in STEAM! Students will discover their inner artist through exploring different mediums, art challenges, and more! This is sure to be a week full of artistic growth and creativity!
Northern Neck Explorers June 27 - July 1, $250--Full
Find adventure in and around the water! This favorite camp is back with new activities and destinations. Campers will love exploring parks, swimming, and having new adventures--a perfect way to see all the exciting things the Northern Neck has to offer! 
Fun Day Sundae July 5 - 8, $250--Full
Nothing is more patriotic than a cool ice cream after a hot summer day of adventure! Campers will participate in daily trips and activities such as bowling and beach time. Each day will include a cool treat at local ice cream destinations. We’ll try our hand at making homemade ice cream, too! Of course, expect splashes of red, white, and blue celebrations all week long! 
Farm to Table July 11 - 15, $250
This exciting and delicious week is back! Campers will travel around the Northern Neck learning about local foods as well as harvesting and growing techniques. We will also seek the expertise of local chefs to learn more about how our food is prepared and try our own hands in the kitchen. New cooking experiences combine with old favorites to make this a can’t miss week of delicious meals! 
Mystery Tour July 18 - 22, $300
Chesapeake Academy’s famous mystery tour is back again! New destinations and surprises make for a thrilling week where no two days will be the same. There is something for everyone at this camp. Mystery Tour will keep campers guessing what fun is to come each day! 
Mad Science July 25 - 29, $250--Full
Through experiments and activities both on and off campus we will explore the exciting world of science! Fun filled, hands on experiences make this a dynamite week! Embrace your inner scientist and join the fun! 
Animal Adventures August 1 - 5, $300--Full
Calling all animal lovers! Campers will travel to local zoos and farms to see regional and exotic animals. Each day is sure to be a unique adventure as we see awesome animals up close. Campers will discover critters and creatures of all stripes, spots, and colors! All entrance fees are included. 
PALS Presents The Richmond Ballet's "Coppelia"

Chesapeake Academy's Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS) presented "Coppelia" virtually to the entire student body on Wednesday, March 2 in the Osprey Dome. The performance of the Polish tale of Swanhilda and Coppelia was presented in a lecture/demonstration format that highlighted and explained the language of dance for students through a combination of storytelling and dance. The virtual performance was complete with music, a narrator, and a small cast of professional dancers.  

Students learned the meaning of special movements in classical ballet, why ballet dancers wear special shoes and costumes, what the rhythm, tempo, and style is of the music they are hearing, and some of the traditions of the time period and place. 
PALS programming is funded by the Wiley Foundation with support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
American Heart Association Encourages Health and Fitness

Chesapeake Academy students are participating in the American Heart Association Challenge that promotes physical and emotional health using activities that teach how hearts work and how to stay healthy as well as hearing from kids with special hearts. This challenge also raises lifesaving donations to support heart health.

In addition, the American Heart Association is supporting the health of our students by giving back to our school by funding gift certificates for new PE equipment!
Kindergarten Builds Leprechan Traps!

After reading many literary choices about those crafty little leprechauns we know are hiding all around during the month of March, kindergarteners tried building leprechaun traps. Each student was provided limited recyclables, reusables, and 4 pieces of 4 inch painters' tape; and the class reviewed the design loop to prime the pump! Designers set to work to first design, then build their lephrechan trap. Next, students revisited their design, tweaking as needed to optimize their design. And finally, klindergarteners demonstrated their sneaky traps for the class.
Fuzzy Problems Build Deep Math Thinking

Second graders are practicing working with "fuzzy problems" in math to develop more sophisticated mathematical thinking. A fuzzy problem is a word problem that gives limited information and poses a question, encouraging students to work collaboratively to determine a solution. For example, consider this problem: a gold balloon is given to every fourth customer at a restaurant. If there are 39 customers, how many gold balloons are given out? 

Teachers sit back and watch as students examine the information, using manipulatives to organize their thinking. There are many opportunities for deepening learning as students work together and communicate. 

Mistakes provided opportunities to gain understanding; and students were able to determine that 9 customers received balloons. Finally, students transferred their concrete learning to an abstract representation on their worksheets using diagrams, tally marks, pictures, etc. Fuzzy problems enable children to blend strands of mathematical learning, and grant opportunities for mathematical discourse.
Snail Mail Grows Writing Prowess!

Fourth graders are participating in the USPS Pen Pal Program! Chesapeake Academy's fourth grade class was linked with a class of 20 fourth grade students at Beacon Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Writing letters is one way fourth graders practice writing fundamentals for an authentic audience. So far the students have written and received two letters from their new friends!
Building a Wall to Understand a Wall

Chesapeake Academy fourth grade social studies students worked in teams to construct their very own Great Wall of China. Students were given limited materials and a mere 30 minutes to construct a wall that was at least 6 inches high and 10 inches long.

When the projects were finished, students conducted silent peer reviews, practicing constructive criticism and effective praise. The final test was whether the projects could hold a 2 lb bag of rice for at least 60 seconds! A deep appreciation for the architectural challenges builders of the Great Wall of China developed!
Sixth Grade Loves Gods and Goddesses!

Mythology captures the imagination of middle schoolers. Roman gods and goddesses were anthropomorphic, exhibiting human faults and emotions, and the stories highlighted traits that ancient Romans aspired to possess, such as valor and honor, and helped explain the nature of good and evil and the afterlife. Each sixth grade Latin student was assigned a Roman god or goddess, and they will be responsible for teaching their peers about that god.

Already students are beginning to take on the personas of their gods, getting excited as they find out who they are related to and what kinds of shenanigans they get up to! But it isn't all fun and games; students practice research and presentation skills, as well as drawing connections between various texts.

On the Hunt for Pre-Algebra!

Pre-algebra skills such as writing and solving equations and writing and evaluating expressions are the order of the day for sixth grade math students. Sound like a tall order? Have no fear, this was a lot of fun!

Students tackled an "evaluating expressions scavenger hunt" to develop and secure component skills such as order of operations, exponent rules, and the meaning of variables. These types of scavenger hunts are very popular with students because they are self-checking. If students can’t find the next answer, they know they need to go back and seek guidance to fix any mistakes.
On the Move with Conduction, Convection, Radiation

Do you remember learning about conduction, convection, and radiation? Most of us read a text or took notes from a sage on a stage. Chesapeake Academy's eighth grade science students internalized these concepts by getting their hands on the concepts as they tackled a lab designed to illustrate each transfer.

Students determined which type of heat would heat a marshmallow the best.
Rotating through three stations, learners compared a heat
lamp for radiation, steam from water for convection, and foil on a
burner for conduction.
Coach's Corner

While it's been just over a month since we held our Academic Awards Assembly, I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize the academic efforts of our student-athletes. As many of us know, between practices, games, and travel, our Ospreys have to work hard to develop their time management skills in addition to improving their athletic skills. This growth, while not always easy, is one of the benefits that participating in school sports brings to our students as it helps them to grow and prepare for the next level of competition. 

The following information provides a breakdown of academic achievements earned by our Osprey Athletes during the first semester:
  • Two Most Improved Student Award winners
  • One Teachers' Award winner
  • Twelve on the First Term Head of School list
  • Three on the Second Term Head of School list 
  • One on the First Semester Head of School list
  • Eleven on the Second Term and First Semester Head of School lists
In education-based athletics, the "student" part of student-athlete comes first, and I am proud to say that these academic achievements were earned by members of each of our teams. The dedication our student-athletes put into their pursuits of academic and athletic success, and the grit, perseverance, sportsmanship, and respect they develop while playing sports all set them up for future success. 

The future looks bright for our athletic program, and we are excited to see our student-athletes continue to excel on both the field/court and in the classroom!

Go Ospreys!
Coach Allen
CAPPA Roundup
Answering the call for more opportunities for Osprey families to get to know one another, CAPPA planned a gathering at Compass Entertainment Complex on March 14. Many families seized the chance to gather and play, connect with old and new friends! Be on the lookout for another opportunity to gather socially as a school community later this spring. 
Attitude of Gratitude

  • Thanks to Craig Minton of Minton Media for the fantastic promo video he created to showcase CA's mission at work in the day to day life of the school.
  • Thanks to Sonja Smith and Jane Allen, along with the seventh and eighth grade classes, for unpacking the new baffles for the gym.
  • Thanks to Parker Daley for sweeping up the gym after the grand unpacking of baffles.
  • Thanks to Julie Duvall and the executive committee for outlining CA's strategic vision in a zoom video! Busy parents appreciate the accessibility!
  • Thanks to enthusiastic early sponsors, donors and volunteers for CA's upcoming auction.
  • Thanks to CAPPA for finding fun ways to connect families! The Compass event was perfect!
  • Thanks to all who supported the Butter Braid Fundraiser for the Athletic Boosters.
  • Fourth grade researchers illuminated the life and times of Ezra Jack Keats for the whole school and readers across the school voted on new books for the school's Mock Ezra Jack Keats award.
  • Thanks to Julia Putney-Brandt, Jane Atlas, and Kayla Oren who helped run the polls for the Ezra Jack Keats Award voting.
  • A white tornado of teachers (Duncan and Allen) gave the A&I Hub a lick and a polish that everyone appreciated!
  • It has been said that comfort food is the best boost available on a cold day! Thanks to Dr. Sissy Crowther for donating her Willaby's gift certificate to CA for a lasagne feast for the faculty!
Save the Date

3/24 Pizza Lunch
3/25 End of Third Marking Period, half day for students
3/30 Tag Day
4/1 Report Cards
4/6 Dress Uniforms
4/8 Pizza Lunch
4/11 through 4/18 Spring Break
4/21 PALS, "Little Pigs," pre-k through fourth, 9:30 a.m.
4/22 Earth Day
4/22 Pizza Lunch
4/27 Tag Day
4/27 Faculty Professional Development
4/29 Pizza Lunch
5/4 Dress Uniform
5/8 Mother's Day
5/13 Pizza Lunch
5/16 Interims
5/20 Artstravaganza
5/20 Pizza Lunch
5/25 Tag Day
5/27 Pizza Lunch
5/31 Exams, seventh and eighth grades
6/3 End of 4th Marking Period
6/6 Faculty Workday
6/7 Graduation