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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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Spring is in the air, and with it comes one of my favorite nights of the year: our 49th annual auction. This year, we're turning back the clock with Prom Night: A Retro Rendezvous on Friday, May 2, and I can promise you an evening full of fun, community, and meaning. If you've never attended, this is the year to come. If you're a regular, you already know how special this night is.
Our auction is more than a party. It is one of the most important investments our community makes in Chesapeake Academy each year. The funds raised directly support the dynamic academic and co-curricular programs that make CA the place we love, help us maintain and improve our facilities, and ensure that the educational experiences we offer continue to be rich, hands-on, and rooted in our mission. Simply put, the auction makes so much of what we do possible.
This year, I'm especially excited to share our Fund-A-Cause: The Faculty Fund. If you've spent any time in our classrooms or on our campus, you know that our teachers are special. They are knowledgeable, deeply caring, and wholly committed to knowing and growing each child in their care. They go above and beyond, not because they have to, but because that is simply who they are. The Faculty Fund is our way of honoring that dedication in the most meaningful way we can: through compensation that reflects their worth.
We established the Faculty Fund in 2023, and the impact was real and lasting. Over three years, we worked to increase salaries to be in the 50th percentile among our peer schools (Virginia independent pre-k through grade 8 grade schools, under 200 students).
This year, our goal is to raise $120,000 to maintain competitive faculty compensation and continue working toward that goal. Attracting and keeping the best teachers is not just a staffing goal; it is a commitment to our students and to the long-term strength of CA. I cannot think of a better cause to support than our educators–both present and future!
You can support the auction by volunteering to set up or clean up, purchasing tickets to attend, encouraging friends and family to attend or bid online, or buying a raffle ticket!I hope you'll join us on May 2, dressed in your best prom finery, to celebrate our community, support our faculty, and have a wonderful time doing it. Save the date and know that your presence and your support make all the difference.
With gratitude,
Catherine
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Get ready to step back in time for
Chesapeake Academy’s 49th Annual Auction--Prom Night: A Retro Rendezvous
on May 2, 2026,
from 5:30-10:30 p.m.!
It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable evening, and we are so grateful to our generous sponsors and donors who have already contributed incredible items and experiences: Specials Wine Seller is providing the wine, Kelly & Alice and Cobblestone Realty, Inc. is sponsoring the bar, and Jennifer Miller of IsaBell K. Horsley Real Estate is sponsoring the DJ.
Get ready to hit the dance floor with DJ Dreux Elliott, and enjoy the energy of the live auction led by Brad Smith of Big Red Auctions. And of course, fantastic food and drinks will be flowing all night thanks to Willaby’s Catering and Bayside Bartenders!
Grab your tickets today and make plans to join the fun!
Feeling lucky? Don’t miss our 100x100 raffle--just 100 tickets will be sold at $100 each for a chance to win $1,500. You do not need to be present to win, and the winner will be drawn before the LIVE auction kicks off. Get your raffle tickets today!
It’s not too late to be part of the excitement--we’re still accepting donations! If you’re interested in contributing an item or experience, please contact Jane Allen (jallen@chesapeakeacademy.org or 804.438.5575).
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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.
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March Madness comes to Kindergarten
Kindergarteners celebrated March Madness with a book bracket! The first round started with 16 fantastic picture books that the students read and voted for in head-to-head matchups. After narrowing them down to a final four (They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel, Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, Do Not Open This Book by Andy Lee, and Knight Owl by Christopher Denise) students made posters supporting their favorite book and got a chance to deliver a speech to their classmates advocating for their book.
In a unanimous final vote, Do Not Open This Book was declared the champion. If you have not read this modern classic yet, check it out!
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Osprey About Town:
Wilder James Tackles Oystering
Possibly the youngest of Chesapeake Academy fishermen but mighty nonetheless, Wilder James spent his spring break oystering in Colonial Beach with his mom. HIs first-hand experience of the world of commercial fishing featured some remarkable highlights! Wilder got to see the big splash from the test cannon fired at Dahlgren, caught a baby eel, and he saw mallards, swans, and a family of Ospreys building an nest!
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How Parents Can Best Support Students
During Standardized Testing
Chesapeake Academy students will be involved in standardized testing
beginning April 27. Students in kindergarten will
be taking the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT), and students in
third through eighth grade will be taking the ERB test. Classroom
teachers will organize the testing modules to best suit the daily flow
of school life, ensuring that no more than two tests are given on a
single day. An email will be sent to families erly next week with the testing dates for each class.
The OLSAT is a multiple-choice K-12 assessment that measures reasoning
skills with several different types of verbal, non-verbal, figural,
and quantitative reasoning questions. It is designed to assess a
child's performance across a wide variety of reasoning skillsets. The
multiple-choice ERB test is designed to provide information about a
student's performance in several key areas (depending on grade level):
listening comprehension, verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning,
reading comprehension, word analysis, writing mechanics, and
mathematics. The ERB tests provide a snapshot of current student
learning that can highlight trends in achievement. They can provide
information that helps guide instruction based on an individual
student's strengths and areas for future growth. As with any
standardized test, general test-taking skills, nerves, and familiarity
with testing routines can affect student scores.
Parents play a key role in helping students prepare for standardized
tests. Your partnership is critical in helping your kiddo enter each
test with a calm presence and confidence in their abilities. With this
in mind, make sure that your learner gets a good night's sleep so that
focus and energy levels are steady throughout the week. Take time to
provide a healthy breakfast that has filling protein and fiber so that
brain function is optimal. Be sure to talk about the tests in simple
terms so that OLSATs and ERBs don't lead to unnecessary stress. After
all, though these evaluations provide a data point for assessment and
planning, they are only one aspect of a student’s academic profile.
Finally, consider setting your alarm clock a few minutes earlier so
that mornings are fluid and don't feel rushed. Organized morning calm
is always the best medicine for a healthy, happy school day!
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Ospreys of all Sizes Embrace the Grand Old Game!
In a cuteness overload at Dreamfields, eleven wee Ospreys took the field in TBall. Another six are playing Coach Pitch Baseball, and five Junior Baseball Ospreys are ringing in the spring season! Thanks to the Osprey families who are volunteering their time as coaches in this great American pastime!
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Second Grade Loves Lunar Cycles!
Second grade students recently enjoyed a hands-on science activity that made learning about the phases of the moon both fun and delicious. Using Oreo cookies, students carefully observed and recreated each phase by scraping the cream filling to match what each lunar phase. This creative approach helped them better understand how the moon changes shape throughout the month. The classroom was filled with excitement as students compared their cookie models and discussed each phase together. Activities like this not only strengthen science concepts but also encourage creativity and engagement.
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Are You Wondering How the Garden Grows?
Students at CA welcomed the spring season with hands-on learning in the garden, where science concepts come to life in meaningful and engaging ways. Elbow deep in the garden, students will deepen their understanding of the characteristics of living things, biodiversity, and natural selection. The garden will provide a living laboratory where students will see firsthand how organisms grow, adapt, and depend on one another within an ecosystem.
Pre-kindergarten is planting seeds in the classroom to go in their garden beds. With Mother Nature's cooperation, the class plans spinach, lettuce, radishes and scarlet runner beans to fuel a garden lunch!
Kindergarten collected sunflower seeds from last year's plants and plans to include them in their planting along with some leafy greens and herbs to join the feast.
Third grade students began with experimentation with light and germination, and then they planted things that have roots, tubers, and bulbs. This is part of their exploration of how plants propagate.
And all of this is possible thanks to the fifth grade who worked to clear the soil and garden prep for the season, filling the new center bed and adding mushroom compost to fertilize and mulch all the beds. Their work outdoors also connected directly to their study of energy—how it flows through systems and enables organisms (including humans) to do work. Through physical activity in the garden and thoughtful reflection, students explored the idea that energy is constantly being transferred and transformed, whether in growing plants, moving soil, or sustaining life.
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Final Activity Period Selections are Top Drawer!
Third through seventh grade students are participating in the following activity offerings in the final marking period.
Book, Blanket, and a Beverage: Students will get to enjoy some quiet reading time while having a different beverage (tea, juice, hot chocolate) each week. They are welcome to bring a blanket from home to cozy up and enjoy their book!
Tie It, Cast It, Catch It: All things fishing (lure making, casting, etc!)
All Things Slime: Students will make different kinds of slime, and discuss the science behind why it works!
Lego Building Challenge: Students will complete a different lego building challenge each week.
Fun With Finances-Financial Literacy: Students will have fun learning about money/coins, responsible spending, and how to make good financial choices!
Eighth grade students are using activity period time to work with Ms. Novak on launching a "Giving Back Before You Graduate!" initiative. Each week, eighth grade students will use this time to complete various tasks on campus that give back to the community. These will include campus clean-up, small maintenance projects, helping out in lower school classrooms, creating stage backdrops for Artstravaganza, and helping to prepare for the auction. What a way to spread leadership and joy!
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Fourth Grade Presents "The Country Bunny and the
Little Gold Shoes"
Chesapeake Academy's fourth grade students presented the seasonal classic, "The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes" to family and friends in a whole school assembly on Wednesday, April 1, and it was, "No Joke" a wonderful show. Adapted from the book by the same name by Dubose Heyward, the production told the story of a brave, wise, fast, and capable country bunny who aspires to be one of the five great Easter Bunnies who deliver eggs to all the children. When she meets with preconceptions regarding her gender and demographic, she patiently proves her worthiness and is given the most challenging delivery of all!
Guided by a well-schooled posse of narrators (Brackton Grass, Alana Rafael, Eli Messinger, Emma Campbell, and Caroline Wagner), the story unfolds as the the little country bunny (Nora Smith) faces ridicule from the Easter Bunnies (Carmen Cornwell, Kai Spore, Madison Campbell ), Jack Rabbits (Kai Spore), Fancy Rabbits (Madison Campbell) and cottontail (Carmen Cornwell) and is counselled by the kindly old grandfather rabbit (capably played by Hazel Mayhew).
Preschool and prekindergarten students were delighted to join the fun in the roles of the Country Bunny's 21 lapine offspring and they performed a hoppity line dance with their usual aplomb. Even first grade bunnies got into the act, joining director Robin Blake in a rabbity train.
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Head of School List for Third Marking Peiord.
Fifth Grade
Alec Sterrett
Rio Elam
August Goodrich
Neil Webre
Noah Campbell
Violet Edmonds
Tillie Rowe
Berkley Grass
June Nichols
Sixth Grade
Violet Lacy
Daniella McLaughlin
Kenzie Ruddock
Shannon Wilson
Seventh Grade
Orla Watts
Benton Miller
Annabel Clair
Easton Minor
Addy Parsley
Eighth Grade
Callum Watts
Veronica Edmonds
Fin Burke
Louisa Goodrich
Sophia Kunkle
Nolan Pittman
Kelsey Liner
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Sixth Grade Visits Science Museum
When the fates align and exhibits at Virginia's Science Museum align with a constellation of units of study in progress or recently completed, it's time for Chesapeake Academy students to hit the road! CA sixth grade students trekked to the Science Museum of Virginia on Thursday, March 12 to celebrate the culmination of a chemistry unit and the kickoff for a study of cells and body systems with a viewing of the IMAX film, "Superhuman Body: World of Medical Marvels." The film also tied into the sixth grade''s Arts & Innovation unit on biomechanics. Other areas of study (Latin and world history) were highlighted in The Power of Poison exhibit. The class wrapped it up with a viewing of Rat Basketball!
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Trailblazing American Woman Provide Topics for Sixth Grade Research Projects
Sixth grade ELA students recently explored the impact of trailblazing African American women in the arts through a collaborative project. In small groups, students first analyzed a photograph of their assigned figure, making inferences based on visual evidence. Afterwards, they conducted research to confirm or revise their ideas and learn more about each woman’s contributions. To showcase their learning, students created informative posters and wrote individual essays highlighting their subject’s legacy. Students practiced critical thinking, research, and writing skills while deepening their appreciation for influential figures in the art world.
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ARTStravaganza On the Way!
Plans are underway for Chesapeake Academy's community spring arts 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. You will not regret it: CA has talent!
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CA Takes Third in Shipbuilding Design Competition
In a competitive field of middle school teams, Chesapeake Academy's Osprey Nest Nautical Repair team distinguished themselves by earning a third place at the Virginia Ship Repair Association's Digital Innovation Competition. Coached by Robin Blake and Parham Neal-Pishko, this team's goal was 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: a challenge that draws on critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and communication skills.
Chesapeake Academy's team presented a design for a drone outfitted with a thermal imaging camera and contact temperature sensors that detects leaks inside containers to enable ships to find and repair problems while still out at sea. "The idea is to be able to look through gas, oil, or any other viscous liquids to be able to identify leaks," the students explained in their presentation. "This innovation can save quite a bit of time and money and could mitigate dangers and even ecological damage caused by leaks."
As their design evolved, the team sought input from industry experts. Coast Guard Commander Bryan Watts discussed drydocking, UWILDs (underwater inspections in lieu of drydocking) and fuel tanks. And Woody Stephens, a Port Engineer, explained various leaks, their inherent dangers on naval ships, and how they can be repaired.
Team coach Robin Blake explains, "After brainstorming several design initiatives, CA students implemented their research in a solid prototype, and they were prepared to answer questions from the panel of judges in a format that many would find intimidating!"
By the time the team presented their design, students had designed and redesigned their prototype many times, implementing improvements and feedback. "One of our challenges in designing our drone was that we kept adding features to the design which increased its size so we needed to make some critical choices to keep it small and maneuverable," the team explained.
A proud coach, Robin Blake reflects on the process, "This sort of success fuels more and more engaging innovation! But it only becomes possible when students tackle innovation, design, problem solving and presentation skills from the early grades consistently, building the critical thinking and collaborative team skills required to bring a concept to reality. A focus on design thinking and innovation throughout the curriculum prepares students for rigorous thinking, and the kids proved that in this competition!"
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Seventh and Eighth Grades Present Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit
As usual, the wolf got a bad rap when CA's seventh and eighth grade students presented Jonathan Rand's "Law & Order: Fairy Tale Unit," a comedic play adapted for a reader's theater, to family and friends in the Osprey Dome. Proving that the practice of profiling extends into the world of fairy tales, B.B Wolf (played by Callum Watts) stands accused of mischief and mayhem. The Law & Order franchise, placing fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters in a modern criminal justice system, springs into action to put the furry miscreant behind bars with a narrative frequently punctuated by the iconic chiming bongs the world has come to expect from Law and Order (provided by Malcolm Sanders).
The play follows the fairy tale police (Fin Burke as Detective Humpty Dumpty and Sophia Kunkle as Detective Cindy) and fairy tale district attorneys (Easton Minor as ADA Stiltskin and Annabel Clair as ADA Merm) as they investigate and prosecute crimes like the Three Little Pigs' (Nolan Pittman, Sam Parker, and Keegan Casey) property damage or Jack's (Cam Kiland) fall from the beanstalk, with a focus on the absurdity of applying legal procedures to classic stories. Highlights include the seven dwarves (Merritt Kelley, Louisa Goodrich, Mead Smith, Veronica Edmonds, Cooper Lamb, Kelsey Liner, and Elise Sterrett) who rapid fired humorous one liners at the audience, and Captain Hook who stole the show and created gasps with his booming voice (Ashlin Kenyon). The three blind mice (Mason Jones, Quinn Stewart, and Brendan Beuchelt) were charming; and even Little Red (Quinn Stewart) put in an appearance.
Jack and Jillian (Cam Kiland and Kelsey Liner) clarified common misconceptions regarding their fall, and Hansel and Gretel (Benton Miller and Addy Parsley) kept the audience chuckling as they trotted out their best German accents. The talented cast obviously relished delivering the laughs and the Muffin Man (Jamie Lang), Officer Gold (Nora Charlton), Pinocchio (Orla Watts), Zelle (Kailyn Allen), Sleeping Beauty, Bo Peep (Emory Simmons) and Jack Sprat (Lucas Rafael) rounded out the humor.
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Eighth Grade Writers Become Critical Thinkers
After studying school integration and reading the memoir This Promise of Change, students in the eighth grade Integrated Humanities course selected other activists, artists, or pioneers to research. They then crafted an informative essay showcasing how that person is more than the singular best-known part of his or her legacy. Topics ranged from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s background outside of civil rights activism to Madam C.J. Walker's influence beyond her millionaire status to Daisy Bates' work before and after leading The Little Rock Nine. The assignment carried Black history beyond Black History Month and helped students to understand the development of important ideas in informative essays. Reporting and repeating facts is easy; synthesizing them to represent key ideas is harder and more important than ever in the age of instant information! Good work, thinkers and writers!
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Hub Happenings: Balloon Tower Engineering
As a fun and engaging STEM challenge to bridge the gap between units, students took on a Balloon Tower Engineering Challenge. Acting as design engineers, students worked in teams to brainstorm and discuss their ideas, carefully considering stability, structure, and materials as part of the engineering design process. After agreeing on a plan, teams entered a silent build phase where they had to rely on their preparation, non-verbal collaboration, and problem-solving skills to bring their designs to life. With only 10 minutes to work, students were challenged to build the tallest freestanding tower possible using only balloons and masking tape, with no support from desks, walls, or other structures. This activity provided a fun brain break while reinforcing important STEM skills like planning, teamwork, perseverance, and creative design thinking.
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Student Council Update!
This spring, Student Council is planting the seeds for future leaders! Student Council officers recently turned over their duties to classroom representatives, who planned a middle school assembly before spring break. During their planning session, classroom representatives from fifth through eighth grades worked together to create an entrance survey and design a fun activity for the rest of the middle school to enjoy. The entrance survey invited students to share their spring break plans, helping build excitement across the school. For the activity, representatives created an “8th Grade Trivia” game, where fifth, sixth, and seventh grade students guessed which member of the Class of 2026 matched each interesting fact.
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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!
CAPPA is excited to welcome new members to our Executive Committee for the 2026-27 school year. Sarah Evans, mom to Bruce (kindergarten) and Grant (pre-k),will serve as CAPPA President. Adele Moore, mom to Liam (pre-k), will serve as CAPPA Secretary. They are replacing outgoing officers Becca Sterrett (President) and Jennifer Beuchelt (Secretary). Sarah and Adele will join current officers Amy Poole (Vice President) and Ainslie Hodges (Treasurer) as your new CAPPA Executive Committee. We are excited to work together to continue the work of supporting the school and its families!
Closing out the current school year, CAPPA has been busy making plans for the upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8). Look for additional information from your class room parents on how you can help us show the teachers at CA how much we appreciate all that they do!
Our next CAPPA meeting will take place on Friday, April 17 at 8:30 a.m. in the art room. All are welcome to join us!
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!
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Cue Up Your Calendars!
4/15 Second grade presents "Little Red Riding Hood, A Mini-Musical," 10:05 a.m.
4/20 CAPPA Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
4/27 through 5/8 ERB and OLSAT Testing
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
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Attitude of Gratitude!
- A hearty thank you to Chesapeake Bank and Sarah Parsley for giving all Out of the Oven Bakery cookies to the school to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
- Thanks to Chesapeake Doughnuts for keeping us sweet with their tasty treats!
- Joy! Sophia Kunkle was admitted to Mercersburg Academy for high school! Well-deserved!
- Shout out to the marvelous crew of Old Grey mare editors that help to engage a passion for writing in the littlest Ospreys: If you see Wendy Charlton, Sandy Johnson, Donna McGrath, and Susan Evans, hug their necks! They are marvelous.
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In Memorium...With gratitude for her enthusiasm for and service to Chesapeake Academy, we celebrate the life of former trustee Peggy Stalnaker. She was one of a kind. Margaret Peters Stalnaker Obituary
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