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.
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Head's Heads UP
Two of my favorite times of the week are Saturday morning and Tuesday night.
Saturday morning sees Ellis Rose and me as the first ones up and in the kitchen, and we've come to use that time to make our famous (in our own minds) banana pancakes. On Tuesday nights, Ellis Rose is off to soccer practice, leaving Oliver and me alone in the kitchen for our famous (in our own minds) spaghetti bolognese. I absolutely cherish this one-on-one time with my kids, and since they're busy working with their hands, their mouths often stay just as active. All the questions I can't get answered when posed directly suddenly come flooding out as we chop, stir, and flip. It's great.
Being that I'm far from a gourmet chef, the pancake batter typically starts with a store-bought mix, just as the beginnings of the spaghetti sauce fall out of a jar. But I have to say, the final products are pretty darn good. What I've come to learn is that it doesn't have anything to do with the base ingredients - it's the little extras that make all the difference.
I've tried Krusteaz, Pearl Milling Company, Bisquik, and plenty of other pancake starters, as well as at least five tomato sauces, from Michael's of Brooklyn to Carbone and beyond (admittedly, they must have San Marzano tomatoes - I'm not a caveman.) If I took a blind taste test, there's no chance I could identify one from the next. They're all "fine". Good enough. In order to make them better than "good enough," we put in a little bit extra--time and ingredients.
The pancake mix gets Ellie Rose's special "cinnamon touch," which you might think is just two shakes of cinnamon into the bowl, but I can assure you it's not the same unless it's done with her particular flare. Then there's a dash of vanilla--just a hint, as well as a super secret ingredient that I can't share for fear that Ellis Rose will ban me from returning home. Finally, the bananas, sliced thin and divided into fourths so that they incorporate and cook through each pancake just right.
For the sauce, the meat must first be browned with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire and then set aside. At that point, we're on to Oliver's finely chopped onions, garlic, and orange bell pepper that are tossed together in the pan with butter, more salt and pepper, and we're on our way. Meat goes back in, and the sauce comes next along with oregano, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil out of the garden. Before you know it, we're sim-simmering our way to something good.
There's nothing particularly incredible or unique about either of these processes or recipes. It's just an "extra 5%". But just as I was taught from a very early age, while the first 95% has some value, the last 5% of effort holds the gold. Plenty of people are willing to go most of the way. To put in the "required" time and effort. To toil right up to the point of discomfort.
But the little bit extra? Much, much rarer. And just like everything else in life, the more limited the quantity, the more exponential the value.
Every day on this campus, I'm witness to examples of the extra 5%. Teachers giving away their lunch break to spend a little extra time with a struggling student. Staff showing up on the weekend for the minor classroom repair that makes all the difference. Students pausing to pick up a single piece of trash that wasn't even their own.
And over the last few weeks, we've also seen dozens of parents, grandparents, and friends of the school giving their extra 5% through rainy Saturday campus clean-ups, countless contributions to classroom projects, and the dozens and dozens of volunteers that went above and beyond to make this year's Oyster Roast one of the best ever.
Each and every one of these acts, often unseen and uncelebrated, elevates the community and the experience for all of us. We all have responsibilities, the things we must do as part of our jobs or the positions we hold in our family or church. The basics. Some we enjoy, some we don't, but regardless, those tasks are just the dry mix out of the box. The sauce out of the jar. But when we get in our "kitchens" and throw in a new ingredient, oftentimes collaborating and connecting with fellow chefs in genuine, sincere ways, the results are magic. Not just for our students, but for ourselves, because there's pride and joy in going above and beyond, in doing things that most people are unwilling to do. It's a hallmark of this community and one of the many reasons I'm so proud to be part of this team. Through our example, every young Osprey will leave this nest with not only the critical foundations to accomplish the basics of life, but a clear understanding of the success and joy a little bit extra will bring to their lives, ensuring each can make our community and world a better place.
May you all enjoy an early fall of extras--rest and relaxation, joy and celebration for jobs well done, and your very own version of a cinnamon touch.
My best always,
Trip
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Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
Volunteers are angels in disguise...and we heard the flutter of much-appreciated wings as we prepared for, hosted, and cleared up the Community Oyster Roast! This year, we had an amazing group of parents, alumni parents, faculty and staff, community members and students rally to make this the most wonderful fall event ever! Trip Cogburn, Catherine Emry and chairs Kelly Antonio, Kara Patterson, Beth Somers, and Alice Riviere want to say “THANK YOU” to everyone who helped.
Funds from the Oyster Roast directly support each and every student at Chesapeake Academy by annually providing a portion of the revenue needed to meet our instructional needs. Since tuition does not cover operational expenses for our small non-profit organization, we rely on the Community Oyster Roast, the Annual Auction, repeatable and renewable gifts to the Bell Tower Annual Giving Fund, and foundation grants to ensure that our students have current technology, classroom materials, opportunities for field trips, athletic equipment, and art supplies.
In addition, the Community Oyster Roast also connects folks in our area to Chesapeake Academy so that more and more people know about the successes and opportunities for students in our area. After all, CA is a vital economic entity in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula and an organization interwoven into the fabric of our community.
Our heartfelt thanks to all who have sold raffle tickets, purchased tickets, sponsored, or volunteered. We all enjoyed a festive evening of camaraderie, delicious food, and the rocking music of Soul Grind. This was an amazing CA team, and TOGETHER, we can do great things!
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CA is hosting an Admissions Open House: Spread the Word!
The admissions office will be hosting an open house on Tuesday, October 24 at 9 a.m. It will be a chance for families and anyone who is interested in getting to know more about CA to tour school and attend a Q&A session. Parents, if you know a family who you think would make great Ospreys please bring them, and join us. We would love to have you!
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PALS Presents Virginia Repertory Theatre's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, Chesapeake Academy's Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS) presented Virginia Repertory Theatre's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to pre-kindergarten through grade eight students and visitors from Northumberland Primary School at 9:30 a.m. in the Osprey Dome. Based on the legend immortalized by Washington Irving, students joined Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, the lovely Katrina Van Tassel, the residents of TarryTown, and, of course, the Headless Horseman in a spell-binding twist on this ghostly tale!
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Kids Helping Kids Learn to Organize Information!
Kindergarten got a little help from fifth grade recently as they explored apples, graphing, and quantities. Students tasted red, yellow, and green apples to determine their personal favorite. Fifth graders helped kindergarteners complete a graph as each student announced their pick to cheers and boos from their classmates. They then analyzed the data to determine that the green apple beat out the red by a few votes to win the title of most popular color. A delicious and nutritious way to learn together!
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PALS Presents Sheila Arnold, Master Storyteller!
On Wednesday October 11, 2023, acclaimed storyteller Sheila Arnold held Chesapeake Academy students in thrall with the simple power of her voice. Her stories fingered chords of a common humanity, plucked funny bones, and inspired enthusiastic audience participation! Sheila Arnold is phenomenal! Through her company, History's Alive!, Sheila Arnold has provided storytelling, character interpretation, and professional development programs at schools, churches, libraries, professional organizations, museums and churches in 41 states since 2003. She was privileged to be a George Washington's Mount Vernon Research Fellow where she deepened her knowledge of many of the historical characters she portrays.
PALS programming is funded by the Wiley Foundation with support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
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Second Graders Visit Lewis Ginter
Second graders started off the school year studying butterflies and their life cycle. They raised and cared for caterpillars then freed them soon after they turned into butterflies. Each day students observed changes that were occuring with ther butterflies. They researched all they could about butterflies, and even shared their knowledge with their kindergarten friends. As a capstone for their unit of study, they visited Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, where they interacted with a variety of butterfly species.
| Pro Tip: Cooler days are closing in! As temperatures drop, please be mindful of the dress code. Students are permitted to wear navy blue sweatshirts with the CA logo, black or navy leggings under kilts or skirts, plain red, white, or blue long-sleeve shirts under polos, and an outerwear jacket and/or hat for recess and break. If you have questions about the dress code, please refer to the family handbook or reach out to Catherine Emery at clemery@chesapeakeacademy.org. |  | |
Ospreys About Town Support Pets
If you checked the Southside Sentinel this week, you would have seen three entrepreneural--and philanthropic--Ospreys! Thomas and Shannon Wilson and Evan Cunningham sold lemonade to raise money for their favorite charity: Middlesex Pet Friends for Life! These Ospreys know how to make their community and world a better place!
The Wilsons have hosted a stand for three years running! The first year they raised $60 dollars for the Middlesex Pet Friends for Life. In their second year, they were able to donate about $125 to the Middlesex Rescue Squad. And this year, the trio donated $250 to Middlesex Pet Friends for Life!
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The Godspeed Docked in Irvington!
When historic ships grace our waters, Ospreys cannot stay at home! CA third and fourth grade students made the dash to The Tides Inn to learn from interpreters and tour the vessels. The Godspeed tour included a demonstration on navigation and sailing, a presentation on personal items that would have been needed in the New World, and a presentation of goods that were exchanged between continents in later years. The Luna, a 1768 replica of a freight vessel joined The Goodspeed in Carters Creek. The Luna presentation was particularly on point for fourth graders who are studying US geography. Students discovered how non-native crops and livestock were introduced to the Americas from other countries through the Columbian Exchange.
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation Hosts CA!
Fourth and seventh grade students from Chesapeake Academy learned about biodiversity in the Urbanna Creek and the Rappahannock River. They caught fish, raked for oysters and observed many specimens as they boated!
Students also fished five crab pots and learned about the crabs and how to hold one. They identified the fish that they caught, and each group gave a brief explanation about one of the species in their bucket.
Students learned about how oysters grow, and counted live oysters from those scooped off the bottom. A great day for hands-on experiences on the water. Thanks to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation!
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Birthday Book Campaign In Full Swing!
Each year, grandparents have the opportunity to make a donation to fund a book in their grandchild's honor, to join the collection in the James Library. This year, parents and friends are also invited to join the book buzz! Librarian Stacey Kelley wants to ensure that every child has a book donated in their honor! So contact Catherine Emry at cemry@chesapeakeacademy.org to honor a specific child or to donate a spare to make sure all are included in the fun! Once the book is funded, Ms. Kelley will pick just the right book for each child.
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Leaping Literature! This Book is Great!
Sixth-graders love learning about language as they explore the fantasy read, A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat. Class time is spent enjoying selections of the novel while focusing on the literary elements that make it so engaging. Students have been coached to identify character traits with greater specificity and delighted in creating a graffiti wall detailing the main character, Pong. Time has also been spent learning about elements of figurative language as small groups crafted posters teaching classmates the key differences. All the while, a keen eye is focused on the deeper meaning of the book while navigating the rich plot structure. Learning is alive in sixth-grade lit!
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Crash , Bang, Smash!
After learning about Newton’s Laws of Motion, especially Law number 3,
eighth grade science students were interested in seeing what would happen to a stationary car when hit by a moving car. Students set up ramps of different heights to simulate faster speeds, then put a weighted cup at the end of the ramp to simulate a stopped car. Different heights and different mass on the
cars all became data points that the students will graph to determine which
speed will create the most damage a parked car!
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Building Leaders: Student Council Update
Student Council's executive committee has announced that spirit week will be October 23 through 26 during the girls' volleyball ISAC tournament.
The line up is as follows:
Monday, October 23: Pajama Day
Tuesday, October 24: Blue and White Day, volleyball and soccer wear jerseys
Wednesday, October 25: Country/Camo Day
Thursday, October 26: Pink Day, bring $1 for breast cancer research.
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Coach's Corner
As the fall athletic season draws to a close, I am reminded of how lucky we are to be a part of an amazing Osprey community. Our stands are full of fans for every game, our student-athletes are supported in the classroom and around school by their teachers and peers, and our teams just love practicing and playing with one another!
This year upon hearing about a Ware soccer player's recent leukemia diagnosis, our community jumped into action to show the Waves just how much we care. Osprey teams wore orange to honor the student in our games against Ware, and our families participated in their raffle. We also had two incredibly successful fundraisers on campus, where Ospreys raised over $1,300 to donate to the family in two days!
I am blown away by the continuous generosity of CA families and students. Ospreys are always ready to answer the call for help,
Our Ospreys have really learned that sometimes things are just bigger than the game, and it can mean so much to people when competitors are able to support one another in tough times. As coaches, we always stress sportsmanship, but to see our student-athletes truly embody it is so incredibly impactful, and such a great life lesson.
I'm always proud to be an Osprey, but I will say after our games and events on campus on October 5 and 6, I would not want to be a part of any other community.
Thank you, and Go Ospreys!
Coach
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CAPPA Countdown!
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, and most importantly being the school's biggest cheerleaders. Along they way, parents develop a strong connection to the school and to one another: A win/win! There is a way to help for every Osprey!
CAPPA has a newsletter that went out by email to families on September 30. It can also be found on the Chesapeake Academy Facebook page. Thank you Lisa McLaughlin for communicating information to our community.
Apple Sales are underway, and forms have been sent by email and sent home with students. Please contact Autumn Gaskins if you need a copy of the apple sale form. Order until October 31 using the order form. Checks are to be made out to CAPPA. Forms and payment must be returned to the school office not later than Wednesday, November 1. Apple pick-up will be from school on Sunday November 12 or during drop off and pick up Monday November 13 and Tuesday November 14. Please contact Ainslie Hodges at ainsliehodges@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
Parents Night Out was a fun night for parents to socialize on September 28. Thank you Becca Sterrett, and Jason and Loraine Trollip for organizing this event! And thank you to Trip Cogburn and Martha Rogers for providing childcare. Stay tuned…. CAPPA plans to do more of these events during the year.
Grandparents' and Grandfriends' Day is scheduled for the morning of October 27. Thank you for signing up to volunteer, and /or bring food or drinks. A sign up genius was emailed to families last week. If you have any questions please contact Gleason Hollingsworth at gleasonhollingsworth@gmail.com.
The book fair will be starting the last week of October 30 through November 8. There will be a special preview event for Grandparents to shop with students and reserve books to be picked up after the Book Fair begins in earnest. Katie Wilson (CA parent) will be canvassing for parent volunteers to help ring up sales for the book fair! It takes many hands on deck to accomplish this huge bonus to the Library budget.
Next CAPPA meeting:
November 10 at 8:30 a.m.
All are welcome at the meetings, and we look forward to seeing you.
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Book Fair Coming Soon
Mark your calendars, CA's Book Fair will run for two weeks from10/30 to 11/8 Keep your eyes peeled for more information and answer the call to volunteer!
There will be a special preview event for Grandparents (10/27) to shop with students and reserve books to be picked up after the Book Fair begins in earnest.
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Cue UP Your Calendars!
10/16 Volleyball vs. Lancaster, 4:30 p.m.
10/17 ISAC Soccer Semifinals, @ Christchchurch School
10/17 Swift Creek Mill Theater Trip, "Alma Latina," seventh and eighth grade, departs at 8:00 a.m.
10/18 CCS PEAC Trip to Dragon Run, seventh grade
10/19 CCS Visits, 11:55 p.m., seventh and eighth grade students
10/19 ISAC Soccer Finals @ Christchurch School
10/24 ISAC Volleyball Semifinals @ Christchurch School
10/24 Admissions Open House
10/25 Tag Day
10/26 ISAC Volleyball Semifinals @Christchurch School
10/27 End of MP1, Grandparents' and Grandfriends' Day, dismissal at 11:00 a.m
10/30-11/8 Scholastic Book Fair
10/31 LS Halloween Parties, 2:20 p.m.
11/1 Dress Uniform with Shoes
11/1 Picture Make-up Day
11/1 PALS, Barter Theater's "Jack and the Beanstalk," 9:30 a.m.
11/2 Urbanna Oyster Festival Oyster Education Day, seventh grade 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; fourth grade, noon to 3:00 p.m.
11/3 Report Cards Home
11/8 Athletics Awards Assembly, 10:05 a.m.
11/15 Academic Awards Assembly, 10:05 a.m.
11/22, 23, 24 Thanksgiving Holiday
11/28 Giving Tuesday
11/28 Tag Day
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Attitude of Gratitude
- Be sure to give David Dew a high five for agreeing to add coaching basketball to his busy schedule!
- If you see Richard Abbott, Shawn and Sarah Parsley, Mark Hollingsworth, Trip Cogburn, Angela Cunningham and Lena Okun, please share your gratitude for the work they put into Campus Cleanup! The Rowe Campus looked company ready for Oyster Roast!
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Oyster Roast volunteers did their part to fund the gap for every enrolled student at CA! CA's two fundraisers close the gap between the actual cost of a CA education and tuition income. So supporting these big events supports every single family and student. If you see these volunteers, hug their necks!
- Out of the Oven Bakery made this week a little sweeter with some delicious ginger snaps! Marie can bake!
- Kara Patterson, Beth Somers, Alice Riviera and Kelly Antonio get a round of applause for chairing the Oyster Roast and leading by example and donating their time and talent.
- Thanks to Grace Church for loaning chairs for the Chesapeake Academy Community Oyster Roast!
- Thanks to Carol Throckmorton at Main Street Pharmacy for bringing flu shots for the faculty.
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