The Brickton Weekly, May 26th, 2011

Graduation and Promotion Ceremony
Congratulations to all of our 2011 Graduates and 3rd year students in each program!  Here are a few reminders about this year's ceremony:

Date and Time:  Wednesday, June 1, 7 p.m.

Location: The Irish American Heritage Center (lots of free parking available).
                    4626 N. Knox Chicago, 60630
                    The Erin Room on the 3rd Floor

If you are looking for a place to celebrate after the ceremony, The Fifth Province on the 1st floor of The Heritage Center will be open.  This traditional Irish Pub serves a variety of food, including: Fish and Chips, burgers, and Irish Stew.

Scholastic Book Club
Thank you to the families who ordered books from the Scholastic Book Club this school year. As a result of your orders, Brickton earned 491 free books this year for  classrooms, the after-school program, and the lending library.

Thank you for your support and enjoy your summer reading!

Brickton’s 2011 Move-a-Thon
SAVE THE DATE:  Brickton's Annual Move-a-Thon is coming!!

We’re asking families to run, walk, bike, hike, or skate 25 miles in 25 days to celebrate Brickton’s 25th Anniversary!  The Kick-Off is Friday, September 9th, at 3:15 pm (just before the Brickton Block Party!).

New this year: We will be having a Forest Preserve TREASURE HUNT on our second group walk day (Sept 23rd).  Find 25 hidden items on your walk.

Extracurricular Classes for Fall 2011
NEW AND IMPROVED AFTER SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULARS AT BRICKTON!

Running Club for 4th-8th Graders
This club will meet once a week for a group run.  Don’t worry!  We’ll start slow and all are welcome to participate: newbies to experts!

Lego Club for 1st-3rd Graders
Build, create, and use your imagination!  This club will meet once a week, but we’re in need of Parent Leader.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact:
             Alice Rowland: arowland@sbcglobal.net   OR
             Georgia Ferguson: georgia.ferguson@gmail.com

Stay tuned for "Gym" and "Art" Clubs in Spring 2012!

The Brickton Weekly, May 19th, 2011

The Graduates Edition
This year, five exemplary students will be graduating Brickton Montessori School as the Class of 2011.  Clare Czolgosz, Mary Clare Frawley, Lily Goodman, Aidan Hardy, and Susanne Wiecek shared some of their memories and hopes in a recent interview.

Clare Czolgosz is headed to Roycemore where she plans to participate in photography, tumbling, and dance.  She will miss friends and teachers at Brickton and also “the environment [she] grew up knowing.”  She advises incoming Middle School students to stay on top of their work “no matter what.”  She can’t wait to meet new people at Roycemore, and she’s excited for the change of pace.  The greatest lesson she learned at Brickton was to “be who you are and not what other people want you to be.”  We’re glad you could be yourself at Brickton, Clare!
Mary Clare Frawley is going to Loyola Academy this fall and plans to join the dance program.  She will be taking Honors English, Honors History, Honors Spanish, and Algebra.  She says she’s excited about “EVERYTHING” for high school.  Brickton has taught her about “hard work, respect, and determination.”  She is going to miss all her friends whom she has “come to know in her twelve years” of school here.  Her advice to new Middle Schoolers?  “Be prepared for a huge change and a large amount of work.  It helps to stay focused and on top of your work.”  We can’t wait to see what your huge change brings to you.
Lily Goodman will be attending Roycemore with Clare next year and plans to participate in photography, sewing, and soccer.  She will miss her friends, “the homey environment,” and Judy.  She warns new Middle School students to focus on school work “even though there may be something good on TV!”  She’s excited to meet new friends and build new experiences in high school.  Brickton taught Lily to be herself “no matter what.”  We’re glad you found a place where you can be yourself.  Good luck next year!
Aidan Hardy is excited about the new friends he will make at Taft High School next year.  He will be part of the AVID program and plans to participate in Art and the anime club.  His schedule will be filled with classes like Honors Literature, Algebra, History, Science, and Intro to Computers.  He will miss the many friends he’s made at Brickton over the past three years.  He warns the incoming Middle Schoolers not to be “slackers” because “you will regret it one day.”  Sound advice from a student whose greatest lesson learned at Brickton was “not to slack.”  We’re glad you’ve found your rhythm and we wish you success in high school.
Susanne Wiecek will be attending Loyola Academy next year and intends to participate in the dance program there.  She will also be taking Honors English, Honors History, Honors Spanish, and Algebra.  Susanne says she has learned to have faith in herself and “to always have determination.”  She advises new Middle School students be determined and “never give up.”  She is really excited about attending a bigger school, meeting new people, and the new experiences she will have, but she will miss the friends she’s made, “the experiences that [she] had, and the only school [she has] known for the past 11 years.”  We’re going to miss you, too, Susanne!
The Last Manna Order is Due by 5-27-11
Please turn in your order for Manna by Friday, May 27th.
This summer, we will have a limited amount of gift cards on hand that will be available in the accounting office:
CVS Pharmacy $25
Dominick’s $100 & $25
Dunkin Donuts $10
Jewel $100 & $25
Lettuce Entertain You $24
Panera $25
Shell $25
Starbucks $25
Walgreens $25
Walmart $50 & $25
We will also be placing Manna Gift Card orders during the summer. Orders will be submitted on the first of each month. If you have forgotten your Participant Code or Pass Code, you can complete the paper order form (available on the bulletin board outside Dotty’s office), give the form and your check to Dotty, and she will place your order.
Remember that you get a percentage of the profits as a credit towards your tuition!
Parent Alliance Meeting Notes
Recently, a survey about volunteering was sent out by the Parent Alliance to your home.  The Parents Alliance wants to coordinate volunteer efforts for the many events that take place each year.  They plan to form committees over the summer and begin work next year.  Please complete the form and return it to the main office – there is a box outside the office labeled “Volunteer Forms.”
Two or three parent volunteers are needed to implement a new after school club next year, the Lego Club.  It is tentatively scheduled for Tuesdays from 3-4 pm in the fall.  Interested people should contact Alice Rowland Weisz at arowland@sbcglobal.net or Molly Arnoldt at molly.arnoldt@brickton.org.

The Brickton Weekly, May 12, 2011

Thank you for the lovely breakfast this morning for Staff Appreciation Day!

Playdate in the Park
The Community Committee is sponsoring our last "Playdate in the Park" this Friday, May 13th.  Weather permitting, please come out and join other families at 3:15 p.m.

Centennial Park
100 S. Western
Park Ridge, IL 60068

Brickton’s Talent Show
You are invited to attend Brickton’s Talent Show Tuesday, May 31st, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm.  Students from 1st through 8th grade will be participating.  You will get a chance to see our Brickton’s talent shine through singing, dancing, poetry reading, and more. 

If you have any questions, please contact Jackie Toro at jackie.toro@brickton.org.

Thank you for coming!
Last week was full of fun events: Friends of Brickton Day, the Band and Choir  Concert, and the Art Expo.  Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make these events possible!  It’s great to bring our community together and celebrate the students at Brickton.  Thank you.

Friends of Brickton Pictures on our Family Site (user name: family@brickton.org, password: stronger) and more on Photobucket (password: brickton).

Please join us for our year-end Celebration!
Brickton’s Annual Peace Picnic
When:  Friday, May 20th, at 5:30 pm
Where:  Catherine Chevalier Woods – Grove 1
              East River Rd. and Gregory

Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket.  Jump houses and special treats will be provided by the Parent Alliance.  See you there!

Graduation and Promotion Ceremony
Please join us for 8th grade graduation and promotion of our Kindergarteners, 3rd graders, and 6th graders.  This year’s graduation and promotion ceremony will be taking place in a new venue.  Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 1st, at 7:00 pm, and mark your maps for The Irish American Heritage Center:

Irish American Heritage Center
3rd Floor (Erin Room)
4626 N. Knox Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630

Please note:  BRICKTON WILL CLOSE AT 5:00 PM ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1ST

Honor Roll for Brickton Alumni
The following Brickton Montessori School Alumi were named to the honor roll for the third block of the 2010-2011 academic year:

Ruby Daly (Class of 2012)
Monica Garcia (Class of 2012)
Claire McDonald (Class of 2013)
Hannah McDonald (Class of 2011)

Congratulations, ladies!

The Brickton Weekly, May 5, 2011

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

Parent Alliance Meeting
Please join us for the last Parent Alliance meeting of the year.

Topics include: 
New and expanded Extracurriculars
Events and Volunteer opportunities for next year

When:  Wednesday, May 18th at 7 p.m.
Where:  The home of Maggie Bauer (6670 Octavia, Chicago, 60631)

Food and drinks will be provided.  Hope to see you there!

Thank you, volunteers!
Thank you to all of the hard working volunteers who came out for Spring Playground Clean-Up.  All of the students are really enjoying the fresh layer of wood chips and the spruced up look!

 

Upcoming Events
Check out the Brickton Family Calendar
THURSDAY, MAY 5TH (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm):  Band and Choir Concert Rehearsal FRIDAY, MAY 6TH: Friends of Brickton Day
FRIDAY, MAY 6TH (7:00 pm – 8:00 pm): Band and Choir Concert
SATURDAY, MAY 7TH (10:00 am – 12:00 pm):  Art Expo
FRIDAY, MAY 13TH:  9-12 Cultural Fair
FRIDAY, MAY 20TH (5:30 pm – 7:30 pm):  Peace Picnic
MONDAY, MAY 30TH:  Memorial Day – No School
TUESDAY, MAY 31ST (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm):  Talent Show
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1ST (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm):  Graduation and Promotion Ceremony
THURSDAY, JUNE 2ND:  Last Day of School!