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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The Head's Heads Up!
I
t's been weeks and felt like years since we had “normal” school life. We sent our students home with a quick announcement on March 13, which seems like forever ago. We have all been trying to move quickly to respond to the pandemic circumstances and to each other's needs. The balance of work, parenting, school, socialization, emotional care taking–it's exhausting for each of us. Yet, the safety and well-being of our staff, our students, and our families is paramount.
I share with you a framework for understanding where we've been as a school and where we're headed as we move into the summer. The terms and framework come from Greg Bamford, a school consultant and administrator at an independent school. I found them particularly helpful!
Triage
- we quickly went into triage mode, focused primarily on how we could meet immediate needs, how we could maintain community, and how we could engage students (and families) in the educational process. Adrenaline kicked in: we surveyed parents, we set up Weebly, we Zoomed, we called, we emailed, we put together materials and resources, and we Zoomed some more. The faculty worked 'round the clock to figure out how to deliver instruction that was enough, but not too much; to set expectations that were structured, but infinitely flexible.
Adaptation
– this is our current state. We settled into a more routine existence, still tiring, but not frenetically so. We are making adjustments within the structures we put in place, and we are asking ourselves what we need to sustain us through the end of the school year. Stamina is required, and we know that each of us – parents, students, and faculty – finds days when we just don't want to keep doing it this way. That makes us focus ahead with a lot of “what if” questions.
This summer, we will fully move into the next phase in the framework:
Resilience
– this is when we have the opportunity to reflect on successes and challenges as well as develop effective plans for different scenarios that face us. We have begun to think about contingency planning with all the variables that impact the calendar, activities, instructional settings, strategic planning, staffing, and finances.
As I've said to a few folks, the questions have become clearer (and are numerous), but the answers cannot yet be clear. Much will shift on the national, state, and local front in the coming weeks. Planning for uncertainty puts us all in an anxious place. However, it also helps us to clarify our values, priorities, purpose, and mission.
Now, more than ever, we rely upon our close relationships to help us help you. We are in each other's homes! Our foundation of good communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking is being utilized like never before. These “4Cs” that form the backbone of both our community and our program will continue to guide us in the weeks and months ahead as we work to meet our mission every day.
Julie
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Class Acts...
Chesapeake Academy 2.0: Distance Learning
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Watch Out, City Planners! K is Coming for Your Jobs!
This assignment touched on s
ocial studies, math, language arts, and learning to read a map with cardinal directions as well as creating a map grid.
Ms. Vanderpool's kindergarten class took up the challenge to create a real model of Smithville. Kindergarteners created the buildings out of empty grocery boxes. The streets were drawn on paper, and the details were rendered in construction paper. If students needed to make changes to their town, they tried their hands at drawing a grid map of their own. Challenge accepted!
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I Scream! You Scream! We All Scream for Ice Cream!
Emerging readers love read-alouds! First grade is starting a new read aloud,
The Silver Balloon
by Susan Bonners. You can hear a pin drop in this class when Ms. Antonio starts to read, especially if you mute the zoom.
First grade language arts will be all about ice cream this week: reading about it, tasting it, and writing about it. The class will be reading a Scholastic News periodical about making ice cream and an ice cream factory. The weekly poem is titled "Ice Cream," and each student is writing either an ice cream experience, a recipe for homemade ice cream, or making up a fictional story that involves ice cream.
What is your flavor of the month?
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Second Grade Detectives are On The Case!
Everyone loves a good mystery! This month, Ms. Benson's second grade will be reading
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Carnival Crime
. Students will follow the young detective Encyclopedia Brown as he solves mysteries at a carnival. Each chapter in this book provides a new mystery for second graders to use context clues and observation skills to solve. This text serves as a springboard for activities to further develop reading comprehension, identify parts of speech, and review contractions and compound words.
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CA Shines at Historic Christ Church History Fair
The judges have issued their verdict and announced awards for this year's Historic Christ Church History Fair! Congratulations to third grade scholars!
- 1st place: Charley Manetz ($100 cash prize)
- 2nd place: Lily Lewis (NES student, $75 cash prize)
- 3rd place: Nathan Rafael and Henry Clair ($50.00 cash prize)
- Honorable Mention prizes: Richard Beane, Lucas Clair, and Ethan Wills ($25 cash prizes)
Richard Beane won the drawing for the Busch Gardens pass.
The History Fair is open to local Virginia history students. Students selected topics and created projects that deal with some element of Virginia history from 1607 to 1789. Projects included models, dioramas, or displays created by the student individually or with a partner. "Since Virginia history falls in the fourth grade curriculum in Lancaster and Northumberland Middle Schools and in third grade at Chesapeake Academy, our students really step up to compete. It is a good reach for them," explains third grade teacher Niki Allen.
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Hola, Chicos y Chicas!
Señora Ebner dropped in on fifth grade's homeroom Zoom on May 5 for Cinco de Mayo. Students had the opportunity to speak in Spanish and learn about Mexico's victory over
France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.
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Sixth Grade Takes a Deep Dive in Mathematical Thinking
Sixth grade mathematicians are tackling integers and properties! Even from a distance, the class is contextualizing concepts in problem-solving tasks. How could you explain your idea in words? How could you add a story behind the numbers? This practice of thinking of concepts in real-world scenarios develops real understanding.
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Sixth grade Literature Explores Global Water Issues
A Long Walk to Water
begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about a girl in Sudan in 2008 and a boy in Sudan in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is two hours' walk from her home: she makes two trips to the pond every day. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the "lost boys" of Sudan, refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya's in an astonishing and moving way.
This novel plays an important role in our curriculum as the quest for water security runs throughout our curriculum as students learn about water quality and conservation in science, the importance of water sources in geography and throughout history, and the impact of water availability on humanity.
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Latin May Be Alive, But Pompeii is Not so Lucky!
Last week, sixth grade Latin students learned more about Pompeii and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius through a virtual walking tour and digital walking tour of the city's ruins. They also had the opportunity to get a more immersive look at the day of the eruption through watching a reconstructed time lapse.
To demonstrate their knowledge, students got to choose from three social media based projects. Students then imagined what it would have been like before and during the eruption, and what they would have posted to social media if it had been available back then.
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Textural Analysis Drives Comprehension Deeper
Seventh grade literature students are using Paul Fleischman's
Seedfolks
to transition from poetry to prose that is not plot-driven. This series of vignettes challenges students to craft a timeline and understanding of characters from small, subtle stories. It is a close reading challenge these readers are ready to tackle!
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How Do You Justify a Mathematical Solution?
Seventh grade students recently experimented on a 4x4 grid to determine how many unique quadrilaterals could be formed. Day by day, they worked through prompts and questions to challenge preexisting notions and help them push their thinking forward. This kind of exploration is critical to mathematical thinking.
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Integrated Studies Class Welcomes Collaboration!
In "live" classes on Wednesday, eighth graders still get to collaborate. Recently, the students worked in small groups face-to-digital-face to decide how they would represent World War II in 5 photos. They discussed what aspects of the global conflict they wanted to represent, the details of the photos they selected from the National World War II Museum, and how to caption them. It is so lovely to be together even when we are apart!
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Music Zooms!
Music teacher Barbara Hays is lifting spirits and sharing the gift of music throughout CA--even long distance! She meets with each class weekly. This week she was pleased to have Emory Simmons, Veronica Edmonds, Keegan Casey, Kaylyn and Brynleigh Allen join for 2nd grade Music class. They started out with the Alma Mater and Mission rap. Then they tapped rhythm patterns on pots with the song "We Are Making Music" and then had fun with several dances including the Macarena, YMCA, Chicken Dance and the Bunny Hop. They ended with singing "Skidamarink" and singing a new song "Prints of Peace." The class is every Monday at 2:00. Join us next week!!
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Welcome to an art challenge: These are daily art prompts that kids can use to get them creating each day.
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We Are Still Planning Wonderful Summer Camps!
CAMP IRVINGTON
Ages 4-rising 1st grade, June 22 -- August 14
Who doesn't love a game of I Spy? Campers will explore weekly themes through field trips around the Northern Neck and beyond, books, snacks, crafts, and games. Learning through play and discovery makes for a fun and enriching summer! Camps begin at 8:15 a.m. and run through 5:30 p.m, Monday through Friday for a cost of $275 per week. There is a one-time registration fee of $30 per camper, which is waived if campers are registered by April 30.
In the case of a cancellation of a camp session, full refunds are provided for campers registered for that session.
Download the registration packet at
www.chesapeakeacademy.org
or call 804.438.5575. Chesapeake Academy will offer full refunds for any camps that are cancelled due to the health crisis.
I Spy…Treasure, June 22-26
Ahoy! Treasure hunts, pirate stories, and outdoor play are on the horizon this week. Campers should be ready for adventure!
I Spy…Red, White, and Blue, June 29-July 3
Our youngest patriots will enjoy picnicking and play with splashes of red, white and blue. Expect plenty of crafts and books that foster patriotic spirit!
I Spy…Gardens, July 6-10
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...Animals, July 13-17
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 favorite animal adventure stories along the way.
I Spy…Trains, July 20-24
All aboard! Come learn about locomotives through songs, stories, and crafts. A real train ride is even in store...budding conductors are sure to love this week.
I Spy...Wetlands, July 27-31
Our environment is the best playground! Come see local wetlands in action through observation, experiments, and plenty of exploration.
I Spy…Fossils, August 3-7
What did 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.
I Spy...Community Helpers, August 10-14
Firemen, 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!
CAMP CHESAPEAKE
Ages 7-13 (rising second -- eighth grade)
These exciting camps are for adventure lovers! Download the registration packet at
www.chesapeakeacademy.org
or call 804.438.5575. Camp begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. (Challenger Soccer Camp is 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a full day and there are half day options.) There is a one-time registration fee of $30 which is waived for campers who register by April 30. In the case of a cancellation of a camp session, full refunds are provided for campers registered for that session.
Northern Neck Explorers--Make a Splash! June 22-26, $275
Find adventure in and around the water! This favorite camp is back with new activities and destinations. Campers will swim, paddleboard, and explore parks. A perfect way to see the beautiful waterways the Northern Neck has to offer!
Fun Day Sundae, June 29-July 3, $275
Nothing is more patriotic than a cool ice cream after a hot summer day of adventure! Campers will participate in daily activities such as bowling and beach time. Each day will include a cool treat at new, local ice cream destinations. Of course, expect splashes of red, white, and blue celebrations all week long!
Farm to Table, July 6-10, $275
This exciting and delicious week is back! Campers will travel around the Northern Neck learning about local foods and 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!
Animal Adventures, July 13-17, $300
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. Don’t miss this new offering-it is sure to be an exciting week!
Mystery Tour, July 20-24, $350
Camp Chesapeake’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!
Mad Science, July 27-31, $275
Come experience the fascinating world of science at this brand new Camp Chesapeake offering. We will explore meteorology, astrology, and more through experiments on and off campus. Completely new destinations and activities make this camp unlike anything offered before. Embrace your inner scientist and join the fun!
Challenger Soccer, August 3-7
Half Day: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. $165
Full Day: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. $225
Chesapeake Academy is excited to host the Challenger Soccer Camp for an exciting week of world class soccer coaching. Challenger Soccer offers an innovative and fully integrated program that accelerates the learning process of the players. The camp features a groundbreaking technology partner that provides players with an app-based platform to help them learn skills quickly and efficiently. The combination of on and off-field development engages and entertains players so that they push the boundaries of their talents. Registration forms are separate from CA camp forms and can also be accessed at
www.chesapeakeacademy.org
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Student Council News
Student Council would like to thank everyone who answered Maddie Ritter's call to bring nonperishable food items during the last material pickup. The food bank is going to be thankful to receive all of this!
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An Attitude of Gratitude
Thanks to...
... Bartlett Trees for the gift of oak trees! Our families were able to plant a little bit of Chesapeake Academy in their yards.
...Spring's treasures unfoldng daily lift spirits and remind us that change is constant.
... The folks who work daily to provision our lives, those who work to keep us healthy, and those who work to keep us safe are real heroes.
...Parents and teachers who are working together to make school work for Chesapeake Academy's students.
...The priceless gift of time and the safety of home for our children.
The Gift of Time and Talent is a Treasure!
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Things to Look Forward To!
- Hugs and handshakes
- Playdates
- Live music
- Dinner out
- A vaccine to end Covid 19
- All school picnic (in person)
- Summer camps
- Eighth grade graduation
Things We Can Enjoy Now
- Moonlit walks with family
- Zoom parties with Teachers
- Morning meetings at the Bell Tower
- Acts of Kindness and Patience
- Puzzles
- Each other
- Cooking
- The beautiful Northern Neck
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