The Brickton Weekly, October 27, 2011

Featured BlogEach month we will feature a couple of blogs so that you can see what’s going on in other parts of the school.  This week, we are featuring the Children’s House Room 101 Blog.
childrenshouse101.posterous.com  (password: brickton)
 
A Special Message from Brickton’s Board of Directors

Drop off a Quarter!This year’s Annual Fund is extra special because we’re celebrating our 25th school year. The theme is 25 More for Brickton. We’re getting the students involved with a “Quarter Drive.” Donate your quarters to celebrate Brickton’s quarter of century! The quarter deposit jar will be in the lobby.
25 cents for Brickton makes good sense!
Sign our Annual Fund BoardWe want you to tell the Brickton Community why YOU give to Brickton’s Annual Fund. Please stop by and leave us a short note on Brickton’s bulletin board to let us know why you think it is important to give to the school.
Trunker Treating!Do you want to participate in Brickton’s Annual Halloween Parade? You can! Decorate your trunk and pass out (nut-free) candy to the goblins and ghouls just like you would at home. It’s a lot of fun! Trunker Treating begins immediately after the parade, so if you plan to participate, please have your trunk and treats ready to go shortly after 9:00 AM. All parents NOT Trunker Treating should clear the parking lot by 8:30 AM.
If you would like to participate in Trunker Treating, please call the main office (773-714-0646) and let Sara Gregory know.
Lower Elementary Transition BreakfastParents of 2nd and 3rd year Children’s House students are cordially invited to attend Brickton’s Transition to Lower Elementary Breakfast. An invitation was sent to your home address.
When: Thursday, November 3, 2011 from 8:30 – 10:30 AMWhere: Great Room
Who: Parents of 2nd and 3rd year Children’s House students (or any parent who is interested in learning about what we have to offer!)
Light breakfast and beverages will be provided.
Interviewed Our principal, Debbie Kelley, was interviewed by Ben Calhoun, a producer of This American Life on NPR. The story highlights the Middle School experience and Debbie gave the Montessori perspective. Stay tuned for the full story!
Move-a-Thon Wrap UpThe Move-a-Thon has officially come to a close. Please continue to turn in your pledge money to the main office. Thank you to all who participated!
Scholastic Book OrdersThe deadline for November Scholastic Book Club orders is here!  Online orders must be placed today, Thursday, October 27th, by midnight.  Paper orders can be be returned to Sara in the office by Friday at 3:00.
Flyers can be found in your parent folders. Teachers will earn a free book pick for every order placed online plus bonus points to order classroom materials.
Scholastic Book Clubs are a convenient and affordable way to strengthen your child’s love for reading while supporting Brickton. Every catalog has an exciting $1 book pick along with numerous books priced under $3.  For September, Brickton received 125 new books as a result of parent ordering!
Thank you for your support!
Manna Orders Due TomorrowYour chance to place a Manna order is tomorrow, Friday, October 27.  Order online at mannaorders.net or get a paper form from the business office and order through Dotty.
Cards will be delivered next Wednesday, November 2.  Remember, Manna supports Middle School away trips, and Manna helps pay your tuition.

The Brickton Weekly, October 20, 2011

An Interview with one of Brickton’s Founding Members
25 years ago, when Brickton first opened its doors, it did so with the help and guidance of some very important people, the Founding Members.  Each month, we’d like to highlight a Founding Member as someone who made a significant impact on our school.  To them, we say thank you with appreciation for their courage and spirit.

Halloween Celebrations – All you need to know!
Halloween celebrations at Brickton will be held on Halloween: Monday, October 31st. All children in Children’s House and up are invited to dress up, but no masks are allowed!

Parade: The children and teachers participate in a Halloween parade through the school and then through the neighboring Red Mane office. The parade starts promptly at 9:00 AM.

6-9 and 9-12 students should wear their costumes to school and bring a change of clothes for recess and lunch. The Lower Elementary party will be held in the afternoon, along with the Upper Elementary haunted house.

Children’s House students should wear their costumes over their clothes. Their party will be held immediately following the parade. They will wear their regular clothes for the remainder of the day.

More information will be coming to you from your child’s directress.

Trunker Treating: Trunker Treating is a great way for parents to get involved! You will park in the main parking lot, decorate your trunk for Halloween fun, and pass out candy like you would at home. It’s a lot of fun! Trunker Treating begins immediately after the parade, so if you plan to participate, please have your trunk and treats ready to go shortly after 9:00 AM. All parents NOT Trunker Treating should clear the parking lot by 8:30 AM.

If you would like to participate in Trunker Treating, please call the main office (773-714-0646) and let Sara Gregory know.

Birth Announcement!
We missed Kerry, our gym teacher, while she was on maternity leave and we are so pleased to have her back! Her son, Jake Tyler Santefort, was born July 18, 2011. He weighed in at 7 lbs., 14oz., and was 20 inches long. Congratulations to the Santefort family: Mark, Kerry, Kayla, and Isabella.

The Brickton Weekly, October 13, 2011

Featured Blog
Each month we will feature a couple of blogs so that you can see what’s going on in other parts of the school.  This week, we are featuring the Upper Elementary Program Blog.

upperelementaryprogram.posterous.com  (password: brickton)

Save the Date for Brickton’s Annual Benefit
Join us for Brickton’s 25th anniversary Annual Benefit. There will be dinner, dancing, and a silent and live auction.

When: Satuday, March 3rd, evening
Where: Victoria Rosemont

Check your parent folder for your official Save the Date Keepsake.

9-12 Students Headed to Nature’s Classroom
9-12 students will be gone next week. They are off to Mukwonago, WI, for a week at Nature’s Classroom Institute, a residential environmental education facility. Students participate in a variety of activities along with students from other Montessori schools across the Midwest. It is a an exciting opportunity for Brickton Montessori School students who attend Nature’s Classroom for one week each year in the 9-12 program and 2 weeks each year in the Middle School Program.

Middle School Students Headed to Sue’s Farm
The school is going to be pretty empty with both the 9-12 and Middle School students away for the week. Middle School students are participating in their annual trip to Bob and Sue Volenec’s Dairy Farm in Wisconsin. Sue Volenec, a former Brickton teacher, runs a dairy farm with her husband, which Brickton students have been visiting every year since 1997. She has a wall of fame along her steps to the basement with a “class photo” of each group of Brickton visitors. This experience is unique to Brickton. Students work on the farm, helping to milk cows and feed the calves while 8th grade students participate in “internships” at local farms for part of the day and all students enjoy daily field trips to various sites where they learn more about the farming lifestyle in Wisconsin.

The Brickton Weekly, October 6, 2011

IT’S THE 25TH DAY OF SCHOOL!
We’re celebrating with a spirit day.  Did you wear your Brickton gear?



25 People Answer 1 Important Question
Each month, Brickton will ask 25 people the same question and show you their answers here in the Weekly.  It’s one of the great ways we are celebrating our 25th school year.  This month’s question:
What is something people should know about Brickton?
  Move-a-Thon
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Move-a-Thon!  Pledges are due this Tuesday, October 11th, but you’re welcome to turn them in early and get your family’s name on the participation board!  Please turn in your pledge sheets and donations to the main office.


Snack Attack is back!
Starting Tuesday, October 11, the Middle School Program will be selling snacks that include chips, animal crackers, string cheese, pretzels, fruit snacks, and more!
They will also have beverages, like juice boxes, vitamin water, chocolate milk, and many others! All profits go toward the Middle School Program for overnight trips.
So, buy a snack for lunch or after a long day of school!
Days: Monday through Friday
Times: 8-8:30 am, 11:45 am – 12:00 pm, 3-4pm


Interested in using your artistic skills?
Do you have a special skill or interest in art?  Would you like to work with Elementary through Middle School students (6-14 years old) on specific art projects?  Take this survey to let us know how you’d like to get involved!


Help our friends, the Brickton Art Center
Vote for the Brickton Art Center in the Chicago Sun Times Sun Shine Project!


Information Coffee
Alert your interested friends, neighbors, and family members of our upcoming Information Coffee Thursday, October 13th, from 9-10:30 am.  This is a great opportunity for prospective families to learn more about the Montessori philosophy, tour the school, and get answers to their questions.  RSVP to molly.arnoldt@brickton.org