Feel the Joy at CA!

March 13, 2026

Chesapeake Academy Website!

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.

The Head's Heads Up: Gifts of Time

The photo above was taken on an unusually warm March afternoon when my sons were young. I was planting peas, enjoying the first hints of spring, when I heard squealing in the distance. It sounded mostly playful, but the pitch was just high enough to make me curious.

I followed their voices and found them at the top of a small hill in our backyard, taking turns running full speed and sliding face-first into an enormous muddy puddle left from the previous night’s rain. They were soaked, covered head to toe in mud, and had traded the ruckus of giggly delight for calmer voices. They were negotiating--with tremendous patience--whose turn it was to dive into the muddy filth. They were 3 and 5.

If you asked either of them to recall a story they’ve heard most about their childhood, they’d probably roll their eyes and say this one. And they’re right - it’s an overtold family favorite, one that gets better with age. Raising young children is joyful, exhausting work. If you’re lucky enough to get a glimpse of the friends your children will become, the independence they’ll one day embody, or the slightest notion that you’re doing something right, you don’t soon forget it.

Mostly, however, I love that story for them. As parents, we made and will continue to make plenty of mistakes, but embracing the muddy joy of that day wasn’t one of them.

One of the quiet challenges of modern life is not a lack of opportunity, but an overabundance of it. Sports teams, lessons, clubs, tutoring, and enrichment programs all offer worthwhile experiences. As parents and educators, we naturally want to open doors for children and help them discover their strengths and interests.

But in the midst of all these opportunities, children need time to be children.

If you’ve engaged with our strategic planning process, you know that we’re working to integrate place-based learning intentionally throughout our academic curriculum. Pursuing academic excellence alongside opportunities to explore the world are core components of a Chesapeake Academy education. That might mean tending oyster reefs in Carter’s Creek, exploring the Rappahanock shoreline, journaling about seasonal changes in the woods, or tending our community garden.

Those experiences, combined with time for unstructured play, allow children to practice collaboration, creativity, resilience, and independence. They learn how to solve problems, how to include others, how to recover when things don’t go their way, and how to try again. They learn that if you lower your voice and speak calmly to your little brother, he might happily let you have back to back turns diving in the puddle. These are not extras in childhood. They are the foundation.

We see the impact of this balance every day at school. Children who have time for play, rest, and connection to their world and their adults often arrive more ready to engage in learning. They tend to be more flexible in their thinking, more connected to their peers, and more willing to take healthy academic risks. They bring ideas, questions, and energy to their days.

This doesn’t mean activities are not valuable. They absolutely are. But childhood does not need to be optimized; it needs to be experienced. Protecting it sometimes means resisting the urge to fill every open space on the calendar.

Perhaps the most important thing we can put on a child’s schedule is nothing at all.

PALS Presents The Richmond Ballet's "Sleeping Beauty"

On Monday, March 9, Chesapeake Academy's Seth Ware Ahlborn Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS) presented the Richmond Ballet's "Sleeping Beauty" to pre-k through fourth grade students at 9:30 a.m. in the Osprey Dome.

Choreographed by Marius Petipa and staged by Malcolm Burn with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, this enchanting family-friendly ballet brought something for everyone. A young girl, Aurora, pricks her finger on her 16th birthday after being cursed by the evil fairy, Carabosse, and appears doomed. The kind and good Fairy of the Lilacs uses her power to save the stricken girl and, instead of death, Aurora now will sleep for 100 years, only to be awakened by true love’s kiss. As the story unfolded, we were introduced to fairies, nymphs, Puss ‘N Boots, and Bluebird, while being treated to some of the most universally famous pieces of choreography including the Rose Adagio and the wedding’s final grand pas de deux.

Audience Participation at the Ballet!

Summer Camp Lineup

CA is excited to offer two summer camp options for 2026 that align with the school's mission, provide safe, affordable child care for families, and offer local summer fun rooted in our region.

The Summer Nest provides reliable, safe child care and summer fun for children ages 4 through rising third grade. Children will enjoy a consistent schedule that includes games, books, outdoor fun, daily rest and quiet time, and weekly trips to local sites. Each week's activities will focus on a different aspect of living and playing in the Rappahannock River watershed. Camp runs June 15 through August 7 from 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. daily, and the cost is $325/week.

The Rappahannock Field School is for rising fourth through rising eighth grade students. Campers will learn about and experience the Rappahannock River watershed through recreational activities, scientific explorations, and good old fashioned summer fun with options for morning and afternoon programs (sign up separately). Camp runs June 22 through July 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, and it costs $375/week.

Use the online form on the Chesapeake Academy website (www.chesapeakeacademy.org) to sign up and receive an email confirming your enrollment in desired weeks. A $100 non-refundable fee is required at that time.

PALS Presents Alice in Wonderland

On Wednesday, February 25, Chesapeake Academy's Seth Ware Ahlborn Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS) presented Barter Theatre's, "Alice in Wonderland" to pre-k through fourth grade students from around the Osprey Dome, and what a delight it was!

When Alice chased the White Rabbit down a rabbit hole, she tumbled into a curious world with a zany cast of characters, including the Mad Hatter, a grinning Cheshire Cat, a mischievous Caterpillar, and the imperious Queen of Hearts. With great music, costumes, and tempo, this fantastic musical adaptation of the timeless classic celebrated the wonder of imagination and delighted young and old!

PALS programming is funded by the Wiley Foundation with support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts to make the arts more readily available to young children in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Local schools, pre-schools, and homeschooling families are invited to attend PALS performances. Middlesex and Northumberland Elementary Schools joined Bethel Preschool as guests for this show, and some students even arrived dressed as Alice!

Prom Night: A Retro Rendezvous — Join the Fun!

Our 49th Annual Auction is coming soon, and we need YOU to make it unforgettable! As you know, this is our largest fundraiser, directly supporting our students, teachers, and programs--and the magic only happens with community involvement.

Even though the official donation deadline has passed, it’s not too late! We’re still looking for fun, unique items and experiences to include! Here’s how you can help:

Donate an item or experience--share a talent, a favorite business connection, or something special.
Secure a sponsor or family sponsorship--every gift matters.
Sell an ad in our auction catalog--help spread the word to businesses you know.
Volunteer your time--behind-the-scenes support is always needed.
Join us for the celebration--join in on the silent bidding; and better yet, come enjoy the evening with family and friends!

Every bit counts. Whether you make one call, donate one item, volunteer an hour, or attend the event--your participation adds up to a huge impact for our students. We can’t do it without you!

Mark your calendars and reach out to Jane Allen at jallen@chesapeakeacademy.org to get involved or learn more.

Dust off your dancing shoes, rewind the clock, and join us for a night to remember - we can’t wait to celebrate together!

Pre-K and K Present "Over in the Meadow"

Proving you are never too young to find or create joy in theatre (particularly with Robin Blake as director), Chesapeake Academy's youngest students presented the famous nursery folk tale "Over in the Meadow" to parents, friends and students in a small school assembly. Andrew Ridgely and Izzy Spore kicked off the fun by declaring the power of one turtle! "I dig," the duo cried!

Hot on their heels, in the second position, Emilia Roman, Harper Somers, and Atticus Salatino represented the world of ducks, by enthusing, "We quack!" Third to the party were the owls (Bruce Evans-Cassidy, Mariana Roman, and Finn Roberts) who proudly squawked, "We hoot" and they did!

Stella Myers and her kindergarten partner joined the chorus line of animals in the meadow as they squeaked their lines as wee mice; and Andrew Ridgely and Brynn Burgess were perfect bees buzzing! Scampering squirrels Chrissy Rittenhouse and Elias Jones brought the sixth group to the meadow, declaring, "We jump!" Grant Evans-Cassidy accompanied by Chloe Rittenhouse composed the seventh party to arrive as they hopped into the meadow as frogs.

In some inspired casting Andrew Ridgely, Grant Evans-Cassidy, and Wilder James as scampering lizards howled, "We run!" as the eighth party joined the meadow mayhem; and the ninth posse to arrive were three adorable piglets (Virginia Dollar, Ayla Meredith, and Liam Moore), and you probably can guess what they said. Rounding out this classic folk tale as the tenth party to arrive were foxes Violet Demirkan, Lulu Dollar, and James Kelley who capably demonstrated foxes frolicking as they declared, "We play."

Birthday Books Ignite Culture of Reading!

After a banner year with birthday book additions last year, this year's contributions once again honored Osprey birthdays in a special, but slightly different way. Beyond purchasing Ospreys one birthday book, the remaining funds will support digital books and subscriptions to broaden access for all learners and much-needed library items, such as new bookshelves and flexible, comfortable seating, to make the library an even more inviting and inspiring space! Thanks to all birthday book donors: Your Ospreys are loving the birthday books and will benefit from the library enrichments!

CA Celebrates Read Across America

Read Across America is a nationwide literacy celebration sponsored by the National Education Association that encourages children to develop a love of reading. Celebrated each year around the birthday of Dr. Seuss (March 2), the program promotes reading through special events, guest readers, and engaging book activities.

For first grader readers, Read Across America builds excitement about books at a critical stage in learning to read. It strengthens fluency, comprehension, and confidence while fostering a lifelong love of stories and learning.

First grade students are also connecting this celebration to geography. Students are learning about authors from different regions of America and mapping the regions, states, and authors’ names as they read. This meaningful integration helps children see how literature connects to place, culture, and community across our country.

Collaboration is Key in First Grade

In our classroom, collaboration is more than just a buzzword; it's a way of life. Through collaborative activities and group projects, first grade students learn the value of teamwork, cooperation, and respect for diverse perspectives. Whether it's solving a math problem together or working on a creative art project, collaboration allows our students to harness the collective wisdom of their peers, sparking creativity and innovation in the process.

By working collaboratively, children develop essential social skills such as listening, compromising, and empathizing with others. These skills are not only crucial for success in the classroom but also lay the groundwork for future success in their personal and professional lives.

Here, students are practicing reading fluency by working together and taking turns reading short sentences aloud. This activity encourages careful listening, cooperation, and confidence as each child has an opportunity to read and support their classmates. By working collaboratively, students build stronger reading skills while learning the importance of patience, encouragement, and teamwork.

Don't Miss Out On a Chance to Grow!

Isabella Cardona, from Faces and Our Cultures, is looking for Chesapeake families that may be interested in hosting a cultural ambassador from Guatemala in the fall for 8 weeks. The students would arrive in mid October and stay until mid December. A wonderful experience for our middle school families. Please contact Sonja Smith if you would like more information on the program.

Third Grade Roundup

Within our third-grade room the daylight gleams,

Where curious minds begin their daily quest.

Through poems, maps, and numbers, thoughts and dreams

Awake as eager learners do their best.

We start with clouds that drift through Rossetti’s sky,

Soft shapes that wander slowly overhead.

A castle forms, a mountain floating by—

Bright pictures rising from the words we read.

Then Stevenson presents a puzzling sight:

Bed in Summer tells of bedtime in the sun,

And waking when the stars fade from the night—

A curious day for children having fun.

In Land of Nod we journey while we sleep,

Where quiet dreams unfold in shadowed lands.

The rhythm of the lines runs calm and deep,

Like gentle waves that wash upon the sands.

We search for rhymes that meet at every line,

And map the scheme the poets chose to make:

A, B, A, B—the patterns intertwine,

A pleasing path our growing minds can take.

Two lines that rhyme and stand in matched array—

A couplet strong—complete a poet’s thought.

They close a verse in balanced, careful way,

A tidy pair the young poets have sought.

Beyond our poems, Virginia’s past appears:

We learn how Native people lived with care,

Their villages and homes across the years,

And how the land and rivers shaped life there.

With patient hands we build a village small—

Long homes and fires arranged in careful place.

A model rising from pieces so small

That helps us see their world with thought and grace.

In math we measure shapes along the page:

Perimeter walks slowly round each side,

While area counts the squares we can engage,

The space that waits for numbers to reside.

And Hickson’s call rings bright for all to hear:

“Try, try again,” the steady lesson true.

With patient hearts and courage year by year,

We learn how much determined minds can do.

So poems, history, numbers, craft, and song

All meet within our busy learning day;

And step by step, as young minds grow more strong,

New paths of thought and wonder lead the way.

Tidewater Foundation Funds a CA Scholarship

Thanks to the generosity of the Tidewater Foundation, CA will once again offer a $1,500.00 scholarship to a returning student, selected by the faculty, in Chesapeake Academy's Middle School whose scholarship, citizenship, and community spirit consistently benefit Chesapeake Academy. The recipient is announced at graduation.

The Tidewater Foundation, based in Irvington, VA, is a charitable organization focused on supporting local and regional initiatives, including educational, charitable, and youth activities. The Holly Ball, the primary fundraising arm of the Tidewater Foundation, is an invitational local holiday tradition that should not be missed!

Fifth Grade Quarterbacks Recycling Efforts

Fifth grade Ospreys are making our world a better place by leading the school recycling program! Visiting the Lancaster County Convenience Center helps students see what really happens to the trash and recycling from their homes. Kids learn how to sort materials like cardboard, plastic, glass, and metal, and why recycling helps protect the environment. The visit also teaches the importance of reducing waste, reusing items when possible, and properly disposing of trash to keep the community and nearby waterways clean. Experiences like this help students understand that everyone plays a role in taking care of the Earth. 🌎♻️

"Goldilocks on Trial:" Social Commentary or Courtroom Caper?

On March 10, 2025, Chesapeake Academy's fifth and sixth grades presented "Goldilocks on Trial" by Ed Monk, a comedic one-act play that reimagines the classic fairy tale as a courtroom drama where Goldilocks is prosecuted for breaking and entering.

As this reader's theater production directed by Ms. Robin Blake unfolds, the primary officers of the court, Melvin, the Bailiff (Daniella McLaughlin), Judge Wallaby (Kenzie Ruddock), District Attorney Muffinhead (Shannon Wilson), and Attorney Wombat (Millie Mayhew) guide the action as the defendant, Golden Wynn Locks (August Goodrich) looks on.

The play features testimony from a dysfunctional family of bears (Gavin McLaughlin, June Nichols, and Violet Lacy), the Big Bad Wolf (Rio Elam), a doughnut loving detective (Neil Webre), and the only surviving pig from the famous three (Noah Campbell). Expert testimony from Dr. Cantaloupe (Zoe Plakas) helps to turn the tide, but it's the jury that seals the deal (Violet Edmonds, Tillie Rowe, Courtney Rittenhouse, Berkeley Grass, Aria Russell, Alec Sterrett, and Isaac Charlton).

A fresh, humorous perspective on justice and innocence filled with witty one-liners resonated with the audience all on its own, but just in case the plot got lost in the adorable costumes and enthusiastically articulated dialog, key jokes were punctuated with an exuberant drum to signal the punch had been delivered (Thanks to Merritt Kelley).

ARTStravaganza On the Way!

Plans are underway for the spring art celebration, ARTStravaganza! Students are painting backdrops, creating artwork for the art displays, and practicing songs and skits! Mark your calendar for this fun-filled whole-school celebration on Thursday, May 14.

Shipbuilding Design Competition Update

Chesapeake Academy's Osprey Nest Nautical Repair Team is honing their idea for the Virginia Ship Repair Association's Digital Innovation Competition. Coached by Robin Blake, this team's goal is to identify an issue related to ship design and use the design loop to craft and sell their solution to a panel of maritime judges.

The team's paper has been submitted; and designers are working on their slide show presentation and the 3D printing of their invention for the competition on March 19.

Students are designing a drone that detects leaks in containers on ships while at sea. This will enable ships to find and repair leaks while still out at sea without having to come in to shore to dry dock which costs quite a bit of time and money!

Proportions Matter!

Pre-Algebra students are working on a proportional reasoning unit. The goals of this unit include writing ratios and rates in various ways, solving proportions, determining proportionality, and examining similar and congruent figures. Students use these skills and this type of thinking across the curriculum. For example, students had to determine and use scale factor when completing a recent bridge engineering project in A&I! Mathematicians also delighted in home/real world connections when many discovered that their parents (architects, landscape designers, welders) used these skills often in their jobs!

In the photo, Nora is setting up a proportion to solve for a missing side length in similar figures.

Hub Happenings: Hot Off the Runway!

Middle school students have been joyfully busy at work in the HUB preparing for their upcoming event, CA Fashion Week and Runway Show.

Designers began the unit exploring sustainability and human environmental impact through the lens of the fashion industry. They examined the realities of fast fashion, including its environmental consequences, labor practices, and social implications. Through documentary discussion and Socratic Seminar, sixth to eighth grade students analyzed issues such as pollution, waste, overproduction, wages, and ethical concerns. Some made meaningful connections to our local Chesapeake Bay watershed and our place in the global community.

Since then, the HUB has transformed into a makerspace. Students are in the final design and creation phase of a wearable or functional art piece inspired by their lessons. Through use of upcycled, reused, recycled, or repurposed materials from the HUB, home, recycling, trash, and other discarded sources, student designs creatively respond to environmental or social impacts. Skills like hand sewing, knitting, braiding, sewing using a machine, and paper mâché are being applied.

Fifth grade focused specifically on recycled material as it relates to their job responsibilities at school. Sixth grade lovingly dubbed their pieces as "Trashion" and ran with it. Seventh and eighth graders have been enjoying the freedom of using repurposed materials married with recycled and reused ones to create their sustainable statement pieces. The final looks walked the runway on Friday, 3/13.

Upcycled Fashion Week at CA!

Winter Athletics Awards

Junior Varsity Basketball

Most Improved Player - Rio Elam

Most Valuable Player - Lucas Rafael

Coach's Award - Eli Hamrick

Varsity Basketball

Most Improved Player - Sam Parker

Most Valuable Player - Brendan Beuchelt and Nolan Pittman

Coach's Award - Malcolm Sanders

Girls Basketball

Most Improved Player - Quinn Stewart, Millie Mayhew, and Violet Lacy

Most Valuable Player - Kelsey Liner

Coach's Award - Hazel Mayhew and Addy Parsley

Perseverance and Dedication Award

Cam Kiland

Student Council Update!

Student Council warmed the winter months by planning fun activities for the CA student body. As our basketball team headed to the ISAC tournament, student leaders organized a spirit week with fun theme days to support our athletes. Most recently, Student Council hosted a dinner and dance party for middle school students. After enjoying a meal from Chick-Fil-A, students donned glow lights and danced to tunes provided by Ms. Novak. These events helped bring students together, create lasting memories, and build a strong school community.

Coach's Corner

What a winter season it has been for Chesapeake Academy athletics! Our cheerleaders and basketball teams brought energy, determination, and Osprey pride to every practice and game, making this season one full of growth, resilience, and memorable moments.

From the first tip-off to the final buzzer, our JV Boys, Girls, and Varsity Boys basketball teams competed with heart while continuing to develop their skills and teamwork throughout the season. Our cheerleaders kept the crowd energized all winter long, supporting our teams and representing CA with spirit and enthusiasm. Each program showed tremendous dedication and improvement, and our athletes consistently demonstrated the sportsmanship and effort that make Chesapeake Academy athletics so special. And, there's no better way to end the 2025-2026 athletic year with another ISAC Championship, this time for our Varsity Boys!

Individual awards recognized the commitment, leadership, and growth of our student-athletes throughout the season:

We also proudly recognized our 8th grade student-athletes for their leadership and lasting impact on our athletic program. Their dedication, teamwork, and competitive spirit helped set the tone for our younger Ospreys and will leave a legacy that extends far beyond this season.

As always, a huge thank you goes out to our coaches, families, faculty and staff, and Athletic Boosters whose support makes Chesapeake Academy athletics possible. Congratulations to all of our winter athletes for an outstanding season!

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!

As always, all parents are invited to our monthly CAPPA meetings. We meet in the art room just after morning drop-off on the third Friday of every month. Our next meeting will be on Friday, April 17. We encourage you to come out and see what we're all about.

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

Cue Up Your Calendars!

3/17 St. Patrick's Day

3/18 Seventh and eighth grades present "Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit," 10:05 a.m.

3/18 Faculty Professional Development

3/18 Butter Braid Pickup, 3:15 p.m.

3/19 Shipbuilding Digital Innovation Competition

3/20 CAPPA Meeting, 8:30 a.m.

3/20 End of 3MP, half day

3/23 through 3/29 Spring Break

4/1 April Fools Day

4/1 Fourth grade presents "The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes," 10:05 a.m.

4/6 School Closed, Easter Monday

4/15 Second grade presents "Little Red Riding Hood, A Mini-Musical," 10:05 a.m.

4/20 CAPPA Meeting, 8:30 a.m.

4/29 Faculty Professional Development

4/29 Tag Day

5/2 Auction

5/6 Dress Uniform

5/13 SRSD Whole School Share, Informative Writing

5/14 ARTStravaganza

5/15 CAPPA Meeting, 8:30 a.m.

5/19 PALS Presents "The Pout Pout Fish," 10:00 a.m., pre-k through grade two

5/22 Field Day

5/25 School Closed

5/26-29 Seventh and eighth grade EXAMS

5/27 Tag Day

5/29 Last Day, half day

6/1 Eighth Grade Dinner

6/2 Graduation

6/8 Report Cards Go Home

Attitude of Gratitude!

Thanks to eighth grade girls who spent their activity periods to create a backdrop for the upcoming ARTStravaganza.
Thanks to CAPPA officers for the many ways they have supported CA. And thanks to the next flight for stepping up!
Thanks to the extended staff for giving students a taste of the satisfaction that comes from making a difference to someone else! Good Stuff!
Thanks to fifth grade students who added sweat equity and screened topsoil to the new bed in the school garden, and thanks to Virginia Agricluture in the Classroom for funding it! And thanks to Richard Moncure for quarterbacking all this goodness.
Thanks to the kind Carter's Creek residents who allow CA students to farm oysters from their dock!
Gratitude to the cheer squad for bringing the joy and an exponential cute factor.
Hat tip to CA's Transportation Director for keeping Ospreys on the road!