CA Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King's Legacy

Chesapeake Academy faculty and students gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Head of School Julianne Duvall led the gathering by reading Martin's Big Words, which outlines Kings efforts for non-violent social change. Duvall also drew attention to the civil rights leader's focus on civic service as a good way to strengthen relationships and communities.

Outward Bound Promotes Service

Outward Bound is a new initiative for Chesapeake Academy Middle School students and faculty members. No, it does not involve a ropes course! The day is designed for students to reconnect as advisory groups, grade levels, and as a larger Middle School community as well as to engage with the larger community through community service projects. It complements the Inward Bound Advisory Outing held each fall which focuses on building constructive relationships in the school community and deepening perspectives on the school's annual character theme. In tandem, these events support the social emotional growth of middle school students and provide the cornerstone for a positive learning environment.

Dean of Students Catherine Emery explains, "The day is designed around the 2022-2023 school year theme, ‘Act with Integrity’ and tied in nicely with the school's celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Giving students the opportunity to flex their power to impact the world in positive ways develops character, and working alongside each other helps to develop strong relationships in a collaborative community."

The morning portion of CA's Outward Bound took place on campus at Chesapeake Academy. Students participated in group problem-solving activities, games, and reflections throughout the morning. Service groups gathered in the classroom to learn more about their service projects. After lunch, students ventured off in all directions to volunteer at the Lancaster Community Library, Historic Christ Church, The Town of Kilmarnock, the Little Free Library at St. Andrews, and Fountain Greene Farm. "I felt great helping out with trash pick up in Kilmarnock because we all want a clean and safe town," Nathan Rafael explains. Veronica Edmonds sums it up, "I believe I benefited from this service because doing good things makes you feel really good."

Parent Teacher Conferences Are Around the Corner! 

It is nearly time to discuss our favorite subject! Parent/Teacher Conferences are coming up February 6 through 10. Grab your calendar and contact your child's teacher to schedule a progress check! A strong partnership between school and home can help you make the most of your child's education. Every family meets a minimum of twice a year with their child's teachers to hear what is working, what strategies will address needed growth, and what to celebrate! (Most teachers will share a GoogleDoc sign-up sheet to make this easy for you.) If you need a hand scheduling convenient conferences with multiple teachers, Ms. Amy is happy to help! 

Since Middle School students run their own conferences, please make sure to sign up for a time when your child is available.

Chesapeake Academy Announces 2023 Summer Camp Lineup

CA Summer Camps 2023 will be here before we know it and it is never too early to plan for a summer of fun, exploration, and discovery at CA! CA Summer Camps are top rated by Virginia Living Magazine each year, and spots are limited. Don’t wait! Many weeks had waiting lists last summer! Camp Registration begins on February 1, 2023.

CAMP IRVINGTON and CAMP IRVINGTON JR

Camp Irvington (designed for rising first through third grade students) and Camp Irvington Jr. (perfect for age 4 to rising K) explore each week’s theme through age-appropriate field trips and activities. All activities and entrance fees are included. Camp runs Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Camp Irvington Jr. costs $250 per week, and Camp Irvington costs $300 per week. 

I spy…treasure!--June 20-23, CI JR $200/CI $250

Ahoy! Treasure hunts, pirate stories, and outdoor play are on the horizon this week. Campers should be ready for adventure! 

I spy…gardens!--June 26-30, CI JR $250/CI $300

Calling all green thumbs! Campers will discover how things grow through trips to local farms and gardens, tasting yummy foods that come from the earth along the way! 

I spy…red, white, and blue!--July 3-7, CI JR $250/CI $300

*Please note that camp will only be a half day on July 4 (8:30 a.m. to noon).

Our youngest patriots will enjoy picnicking and play with splashes of red, white, and blue. Crafts and books will foster plenty of patriotic spirit! 

I spy…community helpers!--July 10-14, CI JR $250/ CI $300

Fire and rescue personnel, police officers, doctors, oh my! These community members help keep us safe and healthy. Our youngest community members will learn about these jobs through local field trips where plenty of questions and play are on the agenda! 

I spy…animals!--July 17-21, CI JR $250/CI $300

Is it furry? Scaly? Fast? Slow? Campers will explore animals and their habitats near and far. We will discover local and exotic animals up close while reading some of our favorite animal adventure stories along the way. 

I spy…wetlands!--July 24-28, CI JR $250/CI $300

Our environment is the best playground! Come see local wetlands in action through observation, experiments, and plenty of exploration. 

I spy…fossils!--July 31- Aug 4, CI JR $250/CI $300

What did the dinosaurs look like? What did they eat? Where did they get their crazy names? Campers will learn about fossils and the fascinating creatures that left them behind. 

CAMP CHESAPEAKE (designed for rising fourth through eighth grade students) also runs Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost per week is $300 except where noted. Campers will explore each week’s theme through age-appropriate field trips and activities. All activities and entrance fees are included. 

Arts & Innovation--June 20-23, $300

Let your creativity flow during this week while we make full use of CA’s Arts & Innovation Hub and Art Room! 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! Students will also discover their inner artist through exploring different mediums, art challenges, and more! This is a week that will inspire and energize your young creator! 

Northern Neck Explorers--June 26- June 30, $300

Find adventure in and around the water! This favorite camp is back with new activities and destinations. Campers will explore parks, swim, and go on adventures--a perfect way to see all the exciting things the Northern Neck has to offer! 

Fun Day Sundae--July 3-7, $300

*Please note that camp will only be a half day on July 4 (8:30 a.m. to noon).

Nothing is more refreshing (and quintessentially American) 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 10-14, $300

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 fun! 

Animal Adventures--July 17-21 $350

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. 

Mystery Tour--July 24-28 $350

Chesapeake Academy’s famous mystery tour is back! 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! All entrance fees are included.

Mad Science--July 31- Aug 4 $300

Through experiments and activities both on and off campus, campers 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! 

Information on Camp registration can be found on the Chesapeake Academy website.

Pre-K Talks "Fit"!

"Fit" is modern slang for an ensemble of clothing. Pre-K Spanish is tackling the Spanish vocabulary for clothing--and what better way to use the words than to design just the perfect outfit for any situation! Students worked together in groups to select and describe practical style--in Spanish! Pre-K loves Spanish with Senora Duncan!

"I Have a Little Shadow Who Goes Everywhere with Me!"

First graders are diving into the shadows! As the first phase in a science unit about the patterns and movement of the sun, students are observing and experimenting with shadows. Students began by constructing an object out of common classroom materials and placing it outside. The class visited regularly throughout the day to trace the shadow of their object, make predictions, and notice how it changed over time. Students also experimented with flashlights and paper gnomes in an attempt to recreate shadows of different shapes and sizes. In the process, they made lots of observations and began to form some ideas about how to move their flashlights to affect the shadow in different ways. In the coming weeks, they will begin tracking the sun and testing out their theories about why shadows move and shift throughout the day.

Roald Dahl Captivates Third Grade Readers!



Third grade writers are celebrating Roald Dahl with a comparative novel study. Students are working in small groups reading one of the following novels: James and the Giant Peach, the BFG, The Witches, George's Marvelous Medicine, and Matilda. As they finish, groups will do a presentation for the class about the novel they read, and the whole class gets an in-depth look at an iconic author.

Geography and Identity?

Consciously or unconsciously, we are all shaped by our surroundings. This fundamental understanding drives the study of places and cultures in Geography. Chesapeake Academy's fifth grade geography students created a poster that identifies some of the personal and cultural traits that have shaped them. Students learned how their local geography shapes who they are and how their culture is influenced.

The Art of Writing

Seventh graders spent the first semester tackling the Art of Writing, which consisted of 12 techniques to make their writing shine. For their exam, students are tackling a longer creative writing piece that showcases their understanding of those techniques. Students picked a person (someone they know, a historical figure, or a celebrity) to be the star of their story. That person has been "captured" in the wild and transported to a specially designed zoo exhibit. In a humorous newspaper article, students are showing how the person was captured, why they were captured, what their enclosure looks like. Writers will also describe how the person has reacted to their capture or how they behave in captivity, and why the public should come visit this new exhibit. Students have taken this piece through the writing process, including planning, drafting, peer review, revising, and editing.

Exam Prep

Seventh and eighth grade students have spent this week preparing for exams. Exams give students the chance to demonstrate their understanding of key essential questions and learning objectives from the first semester and are worth 20% of their semester grade. During their week of preparation, students learned how to use study guides to break down studying into efficient, more manageable chunks and practiced using different methods to prepare and retain information. As students enter exam week, they should get plenty of sleep, eat a good breakfast and lunch, and continue to follow their study plans! Teachers will not release exam results until students have completed all of their exams. 

CAPPA News

CAPPA's busy year ended with the following successful events made possible with dedicated parent volunteers:

• December 8, Santa's Visit--Thank you to Eileen Serafin, Jennifer Beuchelt, Lisa McLaughlin, Lisa Minor, Seda Ince-Demirkan, and Sarah Caisse for serving hot chocolate and cookies to the students as they visited with the big guy himself.
• December 9, Christmas Float Kilmarnock Parade--Thank you to Rob and Sarah Beth Pittman and Michelle Grass for organizing this big project (CA was so proud of their float), and thank you to all the volunteers that participated.
• December 16, Holiday Program--Thank you to the owners of the many hands that made light work of the set up, food preparation, and clean up. It takes a village, and we have a village!

Mark your calendars for upcoming opportunities to get involved in CAPPA events that support Chesapeake Academy:

• Friday January 20, CAPPA Meeting 8:30 a.m.
• January 27, CAPPA treats the middle school to a post-exam treat

Polish Your Parenting

• How to Deal with Toddler Temper Tantrums
• Resilient Kids Come from Parents Who Do These 8 Things
• 10 Things Children of Divorced Parents Want You To Know

Cue UP Your Calendars!

1/23 Seventh and eighth grade exams/half day

1/23 Open gym

1/24-3/1 CA's Mock Ezra Jack Keats Competition Begins

1/25 Faculty professional day, 3:30 p.m.

1/25 Hot lunch

1/25 Tag day

1/27 End of second marking period, noon dismissal

1/31 PALS Presents "Ben Franklin and His Kite," 9:30 a.m.

2/1 Dress uniform

2/1 Summer camp registration opens

2/1 JV Basketball vs Ware at CA, 4:00; Varsity Boys vs Ware @ CA, 5:00 p.m.; Varsity Girls vs. Ware @ Ware, 4:00 p.m

2/3 Report cards go home

2/8 PALS Presents Bright Star Theatrer's "Black History Heroes, Soldiers and Spies," 9:30 a.m.

2/14 Varsity boys and girls basketball, ISAC Semifinals

2/16 Varsity boys and girls basketball, ISAC Finals

2/17 - 2/20 Winter break, no school

2/22 Faculty professional development, 3:30 p.m.

2/22 Tag day

Attitude of Gratitude



• It is a gift to work in a place where kindness is more the rule than the exception.
• Thanks to Becca Sterrett for the donation of several series of early readers!
• Thanks to the donors of the new playground trash can! This will help keep our spaces beautiful.
• Thanks to the Mason and Lula Cole Trust for a grant that will refurbish a multi-use learning space behind the gym.
• The new bus...the new bus....the new bus...is on the way!
• Thanks to all who have already cast their votes for Chesapeake Academy in the Virginia Living Best of Virginia, Easter Region, Contest.
• Thank you CAPPA for all the ways you support and uplift the school's program!