Promethean Board Delights Kindergarten!

Thanks to a generous grant from the Wiley Foundation, the kindergarten classroom was able to upgrade to an interactive Promethean board this year. Not only can students practice writing their numbers and letters like a traditional white board, the interactive touch screen allows them to sort, order, select and highlight images and words. The creative possibilities for learning and skills practice are endless!



Lost and Found Erupting!

Fleeces, blazers, khakis, lunch boxes, sweaters, shoes: the variety of misplaced possessions is astounding! Items are piling up to towering heights; and we’re running out of space to store them! If your child is missing items, please encourage a visit to the lost and found. Items not claimed by Dec. 19 will be donated or added to the CAPPA clothing swap items. 

Riddle Me This!

If you have had a child in Wiley, Ms. Struse's jokes have started your day off with a chuckle! For those who have missed this joy, try your hand at some of these winners!

• Riddle: What kind of bow can't be tied?

Answer: A rainbow.

• Riddle: How do mountains stay warm in the winter?

Answer: They wear snow caps.

• Riddle: What kind of shoes do ninjas wear?

Answer: Sneakers.

• Riddle: What has hands but doesn’t clap?

Answer: A clock!

• Riddle: What kind of keys do kids prefer? 

Answer: Cookies!

• Riddle: Why did the chicken cross the playground?

Answer: To get to the other slide!

• Riddle: What does Frosty the Snowman like on his cupcakes? Answer: Icing!
• Knock, knock. Who's there? Banana. Banana who? Knock, knock. Who's there? Banana. Banana who? Knock, knock. Who's there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad I didn't say banana again?

The admissions office is now accepting applications for next year!

So...enrolled families who have siblings who will be applying, please contact Sonja Smith to begin the process!

Also, if you know families who might be interested in joining the CA community, please encourage them to come tour to learn more about our program.

CA's Garden is Expanding!

The CA School garden will be seeing some upgrades thanks to a grant from Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom, the same group that supported the garden installation. On tap at this point is a central bed and some weatherproof materials for classes to use as they research, work, document, and observe in the garden. On the dream list for down the road is a pea gravel substrate around the beds to keep wee gardeners dry and clean while they explore.

One hundred percent participation in the Bell Tower Annual Giving Fund sends a strong message of community support for CA that increases our chances of program upgrades and enhancements for our students. Your contribution speaks volumes! Thank you!

Multi-Modal Activities Build Mastery and Retention!

Second graders have fun while learning by using shaving cream to practice their spelling words. As they spread the foam across their desks, students write each word with their fingers, engaging multiple senses at once. This tactile experience helps students stay focused and makes spelling practice feel more like play than work.

The activity also supports the Orton-Gillingham approach, which emphasizes multisensory techniques to strengthen phonics skills. By seeing, saying, and feeling each letter formation, students build stronger connections between sounds and symbols. Many children who benefit from hands-on learning find this method especially effective.

Third Grade Production of "A Wolf's Christmas Carol" Has Plenty of Pork!

Chesapeake Academy's third grade production of "A Wolf's Christmas Carol" brought students and families together in CA's Ospreydome for some holiday fun. Based on a readers' theater production from Teachers Pay Teachers, the show draws on the classic fairy tale about the three pigs with a hearty dollop of Dickens magic thrown in for good measure. 

Guided by a capable cadre of narrators (Connor Brooks, Cayden Miller, Lillie Grace Ruddock, Penn Charlton, Camdyn Rittenour, and Beau Lacy), the show outlined the moral arc of its main character, Bada, the wolf, brilliantly played by Thomas Wilson. Bada has been socialized to believe that eating pigs is his life's mission. (His potential victims were Pig One played by Pearl Burke; and Pig Two played by Isla Kelley.)  Fortunately, the visitations of three Christmas spirit pigs (Pig of the Past, Taylor Rittenhouse; Pic of the Present, HailyRae George; and Pig of the Future, Avery Spore) help him embrace kindness as a better way of life!

CA's Fourth Grade Presents "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving"

Chesapeake Academy's fourth grade class presented an exciting rendition of the popular classic "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving" to the school community and assembled parents to celebrate this fun family holiday. "Projection, clarity, timing, delivery…. find your mark and make it!" Students are accustomed to these sorts of directions from theatre director Ms. Robin Blake who pours her talents into the dramatic portion of Chesapeake Academy's Fine and Performing Arts Program.  

"Theatre is not a curricular filler! The play is the thing! The thing that inspires confidence, rehearses collaboration, encourages problem solving....the thing that creates community and provides a vehicle for all manners of growth. I am so excited to be able to share this passion with students from across the grades at Chesapeake Academy!" explains a proud Robin Blake on the heels of another dramatic success.

And it was a success! As the drama unfolded, narrators Carmen Cornwell and Brackton Grass ably guided the audience through this seasonal drama. Charlie Brown (played by Nora Smith) is coerced by Marcie (Madison Campbell) and goaded by Peppermint Patty (Caroline Wagner) to host the Thanksgiving meal for friends even though he is planning to share the holiday with his grandmother. Assisted by Snoopy (Kai Spore) and Woodstock (Eli Messinger), Charlie Brown gathers a haphazard accumulation of snacks to feed the crowd. Lucy (Hazel Mayhew), Sally, (Alana Rafael), Linus (Emma Campbell) are all delighted to share the feast, and the holiday is a success as all the characters pile into the car and head off to grandmother's house for round two, singing a rollicking chorus of "Over the Meadow and Through the Wood."

Smiling faces all dressed in colorful homemade costumes completed the tableau and set the stage for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Learning by Doing!

Fourth grade scientists explored freezing point depression by making their own ice cream. After following each step of the process, student scientists enjoyed the delicious results! And for a bonus, students also discussed how the brain processes sensory information and how the stomach breaks down food—all while savoring the fruits of their hard work. Science has never been sweeter!

Hub Happenings: Developing Student Mentors

Sixth grade students each chose a device in the HUB that interests them and they are busily becoming an expert on it by exploring its functionality, learning how it operates, and then creating a proof of concept using the device.

Students created step by step slideshows on their devices to share the knowledge with each other for future HUB projects. Devices like the loom, the computerized sewing machine, and newly found crafting skills will be put into play as students design and create parts of their holiday performance costumes.

Head of School List for First Marking Period

Fifth Grade

Noah Campbell

Rio Elam

Alec Sterrett

Neil Webre

June Nichols

August Goodrich

Joelle Blizzard

Violet Edmonds

Sixth Grade

Violet Lacy

Daniella McLaughlin

Shannon Wilson

Kenzie Ruddock

Seventh Grade

Orla Watts

Annabel Clair

Addy Parsley

Meera Crotty

Easton Minor

Eighth Grade

Callum Watts

Fin Burke

Sophia Kunkle

Kelsey Liner

Veronica Edmonds

Merritt Kelley

Nolan Pittman

Emory Simmons

Louisa Goodrich

Scholar Spotlight!



Chrissy Rittenhouse is kindergarten's first Reading Rock Star of the year. This is an honor periodically bestowed upon students who have shown dedication to their reading practice and worked hard to incorporate the new sounds they've been learning. Chrissy has shown steady growth and persistent focus during reading instruction lately. Way to be a rockstar, Chrissy!

Literature + History = Humanities

Sixth grade Humanities students are exploring themes of privilege, justice, and empathy as they read the Les Miserables-influenced fantasy novel, A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat. The book tells the story of Pong, a young boy who escapes prison and starts a new life as a monk, only to be tracked down by the prison warden’s daughter in a quest to prove her worth. Students are applying prior knowledge from their world history studies of ancient Asian cultures to better understand the setting of the novel, the Thai-inspired city of Chattana, as well as the Buddhist monastery in which Pong lives. Sixth graders have been enthusiastic participants in classroom discussions about societal expectations, freedom, and kindness, as well as enjoying making predictions about what happens in each upcoming chapter.

Cultural Exchange Enriches Middle School

Esteban Saenz has been a delightful addition to the middle school hall! Pictured here with an informative display of Guatemalen culture, Esteban also presented a wonderful slideshow about Guatemala's climate, cities, and landscapes to middle school students.

Student Council Leads Clash of Coins for CancerLINC

There is a chill in the air, carols are wafting down the halls and students are aflutter with thoughts of the holidays--and amid these December delights, a ferocious competition took place at Chesapeake Academy! The Clash of Coins, a beloved school tradition, unfolded during the week following Thanksgiving break at the Irvington independent school. Students from every grade at Chesapeake Academy collected coins in a feverish class competition filled with strategy and subterfuge whose end goal was to fulfill the Christmas wishes of children with a parent who is enduring cancer treatment by donating to CancerLINC.

Led by former Head of School Julianne Duvall, CancerLINC is a Central Virginia based non-profit that connects cancer patients and their families with legal assistance, financial advising, and community resources. CancerLINC also serves patients in the Northern Neck if they are in treatment through VCU or Bon Secours.  

Chesapeake Academy's Student Council, along with support from an anonymous donor and a generous donation from Alice Riviere and Kelly Antonio with Cobblestone Realty, were able to support over 50 children with Christmas gifts last year, and hopes are high to repeat that success. Alice and Kelly have stepped up again to help!

In Chesapeake Academy's Clash of Coins, 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 tallied the results, determined a class winner, and totalled the school's donation. Student council officers personally shopped for the wish list items, and the entire middle school student body will participate in wrapping the items.

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Polish Your Parenting

Student Anxiety in Schools

Advisory Update

During the second marking period, middle school advisory groups begin each advisory period with a mini health lesson. This ensures that students get exposure to important topics in the middle school health curriculum such as time management, friendships and pro-social behaviors, the importance of sleep, and nutrition.

These important lessons will also feature plenty of conversations, activities, and games. Advisory period also includes study hall time and time for conversation and collaboration among grade levels. It is a great opportunity to put many of these health skills to good use! 

CAPPA Update!

Chesapeake Academy Parents and Patrons Association's primary purpose is to support the school program, identifying program needs through close communication with the Head of School and providing support by mobilizing volunteers for key programs, annual support of the Bell Tower Annual Giving Fund as well as hosting other fund raisers. Most importantly, CAPPA members are the school's biggest cheerleaders. Along the way, parents develop a strong connection to the school and to one another: A win/win! There is a way to contribute for every Osprey family! 

Thanks to your incredible generosity and participation, our recent fundraising efforts have been a great success. Here’s what we’ve accomplished together:  

• Black Duck at Yankee Point brunch: $174.82
• Apple sales: Over $4,100!
• Dear Neighbor shopping event: $220
• Bookshelf on Church shopping event: $320

Funds raised through these and other CAPPA initiatives directly support a variety of programs that enrich our school community, including:

• Hospitality at CA’s big events (e.g. Grandparents’ Day, Holiday Program)
• Santa visit with hot chocolate & cookies
• Middle school ice cream social
• Field Day bounce house & Kona ice truck
• Teacher Appreciation Week treats & activities
• Teacher back-to-school luncheon
• Annual leadership gift to the annual fund
• And more!

We also want to extend a HUGE thank you to every family who helped us reach 100% parent participation in the CA Annual Fund! Your dedication, teamwork, and school spirit truly warm our hearts and exemplify the unity that makes our community so special.

As always, all parents are invited to our monthly CAPPA meetings. Our next meeting will be on Friday, January 16. We encourage you to come out and see what we're all about. If you can't make it to the meetings but would still like to get involved, please contact Becca Sterrett at becca.sterrett@gmail.com or (804) 436-4643.

We are SO thankful for all of our wonderful CA families! 



Cue Up Your Calendars!

12/15 Hanukkah Begins

12/15 Interims Home

12/16 Breakfast for Lunch for all students, free!

12/17 Tag Day

12/19 Holiday Program, 10:30 a.m. dismissal

1/5 Teacher Workday

1/6 Classes Resume

1/7 Dress Uniform Cancelled! Free Tag Day to Celebrate 100 percent participation in Bell Tower Annual Giving Fund! Ms. Emery and Ms. Allen in formal dress.

1/8 Basketball Scrimages with ACDS (home)

1/14 Lunch and Learn

1/15 JV Boys Basketball vs. Ware, 4:00 p.m.; Girls Basketball vs Ware, 5:00 p.m.; V Boys vs Ware, 5:00 p.m.

1/16 CAPPA Meeting, 8:30 a.m., art room

1/19 MLK Day, School Closed

1/20 Exams, seventh and eighth grades

1/21 SRSD, Whole School Share

1/23 End of 2MP, 1/2 day

1/27 JV Boys Basketball @ Ware, 4:00 p.m.; Girls Basketbal @ Ware 5:00; V Boys Basketball @ Ware, 6:00 p.m.

1/28 Tag Day

1/28 Faculty Professional Development, 3:30 p.m.

1/29 PALS Presents "The Lua Project," 9:30 a.m., pre-k through grade eight

1/29 JV Basketball vs Ware, 4:00 p.m.; Girls Basketball vs. Ware 5:00 p.m.; V Basketball vs Ware, 6:00 p.m.

2/2-2/6 Parent Partnership Conferences

2/2 Report Cards Home

2/4 Dress Uniform

2/5 JV Scrimmage 4:00 p.m.; girls scrimage 5:00 p.m.; V Boys scimmage 6:00 p.m.

2/10 ISAC Girls Basketball Semifinals at CCS 4:30 p.m.; ISAC Boys Semifinals 5:30 p.m.

2/12 Basketball Finals Girls 4:30 p.m.; Boys 5:30 p.m.

2/13 and 2/16 Winter Break, No School

2/20 CAPPA Meeting

2/23 Interims Home

2/25 Tag Day

2/25 PALS Presents "Alice in Wonderland"

2/26 CA Hosts Chamber of Commerce

3/9 PALS Presents The Richmond Ballet's "Sleeping Beauty," 9:30 a.m, pre-kindergarten through grade four

Attitude of Gratitude!

• Thanks to all who made an early gift to the Bell Tower Annual Giving Fund or did your part on Giving Tuesday! Your timeliness helps to build momentum!
• Alice Riviere and Kellly Antonio from Cobblestone Realty funded math materials making teachers giddy with excitement! Thanks for making a plan come to fruition faster than expected!
• That guy who quietly supports the school program in so many ways may not always know how huge his impact is! Thanks to Brendan Roberts for putting up Harkla swing in pre-k's play yard, and a million other things.
• Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom's grant to Chesapeake Academy will bring welcome upgrades to CA's garden!
• Thanks to the Development Office for ensuring that leftovers from the oyster roast made it to food pantries. It may take additional time, but it matters so much to people who need it.
• Thanks to Student Council for their support of CancerLINC with the proceeds from their annual holiday fundraiser, Clash of the Coins.
• Thanks to Cathy Guy for her generous gift of time and talent in helping faculty produce learning materials for the classroom. What a welcome time saver!
• Thanks to the Mason and Lula Cole Foundation for their support for playground repairs! Students give the upgrades two thumbs up!
• Seventh grade parent Sarah Parsley and Jennifer Beuchelt generously offered to prepare a special holiday "Breakfast for Lunch" lunch for all students on Tuesday, Dec. 16. The Parsleys organized this lunch for students last year, and it was a huge hit! There will be no charge to families.
• Beloved Ms. Hazel Farmer treated students to a trip to The Local to celebrate the season! Many chocolate smiles thanked her warmly!
• Thanks to the Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts and to the Wiley Foundation for bringing theatre and arts programming to students in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.
• Santa and his elves made spirits bright with a jolly, treat-filled visit! Thanks to the CAPPA cookie donors who helped a busy old elf out!