The Brickton Weekly, April 26, 2013

We would like to extend a big Thank You to the entire Brickton community for the patienceand flexibility shown in response to the flooding last week.  Thank you for your many kind offers to help.  

Getting to Know You: Each week this section will highlight one staff member and what inspired them to pursue working in a Montessori environment.

Melonie Arroyo, Toddler Assistant

I walked into Brickton for the first time 12 years ago.  At the time the Montessori theory was unfamiliar territory to me, but it did not take long to figure out the outstanding educational experience it delivers.  Now 12 years later, I have had the pleasure of receiving my Montessori birth to three training, and am currently directing the Parent-Infant course.  As a part of the Brickton staff I feel I am part of a greater purpose.  Personally, the most important part of our purpose is to help the children find their love for learning.  I look forward to seeing what the years ahead of us will bring.

After School Cooking! (A Special Post From Upper Elementary Students Mica Barrett and Lucas Hansen)

In afterschool, once a month, we do food preparation. Food prep is when we all come together, and, as a group, we make one big meal or dish.  We vote on what food to make, and then we decide what ingredients we need.  We have a sign-up sheet to figure out who will bring them in. Last time we had tacos, but this week we had breakfast.  We made omelets, French toast and pancakes.  Each person chose two things to make.  We chopped, mixed, measured, and cooked all on our own.  We had chocolate chips for the pancakes.  There was bacon, sausage, and cheese for the omelets.  We had two kinds of bread for the French toast.  Then, we made them and ate them.  It was a lot of fun and we like doing it! Thanks to Megan for directing us while we cooked.  Also, thanks to our parents for helping us get the ingredients.

Totally Revamped Brickton Summer Camp!  Check out our new and improved Enrichment Program with expert instructors. You can register by-the-week, or for the whole summer.  Some of our highlights for the elementary program include:

The RunawayCircus

Mad Science

Clowning with Oliver!

Click here for a description of classes by week for Children’s House and Elementary.

Middle School and alums can join us for DiscoverChicago and the Junior Counselor program. 

Volunteer Spotlight

Lisa Spragia, mother of Middle School student Celeste Wrezel, does a great service for our community every week by providing the classroom animals with the yummy bugs and worms they need.  Thank you, Lisa, for your care of our special friends.

Thanks to Joe Somers, who valiantly tried to fix the pencil sharpener in Lower Elementary and Mike Messina who installed the replacement sharpener.   

The morning of our flooding, Phil Moran and John Barrett were able to spare a couple hours and provided manpower and wet/dry vacs to help with the clean-up.  Many thanks for your  help getting the school cleaned up..

Upcoming Events

Manna Orders Due, Friday, May 3^rd

Pizza Lunch, Friday, May 3^rd

Parent Alliance Meeting, Monday, May 6^th, 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm; Care and dinner provided

Board Meeting, Wednesday, May 8^th, 7:00 pm

Oberweiss, Thursday, May 9^th, 101 S. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, IL 60068.  Here’s the coupon.

Band/Choral Concert, Thursday, May 9^th, Salvation Army Headquarters, 8354 W. Foster Ave

Friends of Brickton Day, Friday, May 10^th

Art Expo, Saturday, May 11^th, 10:00 – 12:00.

Celebration Honoring Debbie Kelley & Judy Beyer, Saturday, May 11^th, 11:00 am

Staff Appreciation Day, Thursday, May 16^th

Cultural Fair, Friday, May 17^th

Club Day, Friday, May 24^th

Memorial Day, School Closed, Monday, May 27^th

Peace Picnic, Friday, May 31^st

Last Day of School, Thursday, June 6^th

Graduation and Promotion Ceremony, Thursday, June 6^th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Irish American Heritage Center, Erin Room