The Brickton Weekly, January 31, 2014

Parent Education Events:

Raising Autonomous and Competent Children

Mark your calendars for a wonderful opportunity to hear author Jessica Lahey discuss "The Gift of Failure: Raising Autonomous and Competent Children".  The event is an affordable $15 and parking is only $10 at the Crown Plaza, in the heart of Greek Town.  The event is sponsored by the Association of Illinois Montessori Schools (AIMS) as part of their annual conference.  AIMS has also arranged for a group rate at the Crown Plaza for those that would like to make it an overnight event.  You can leave your car at the hotel for the evening and enjoy Greek Town after the event.   Reservations must be made by 2/6 on the web site. 

Parenting with Choices, Consequences, and Limits

Would you like for your student to develop responsibility and self-reliance?  Would you like to encourage mutual respect and cooperation with your child while enhancing your relationship? In this seminar, we’ll discuss different strategies to set effective limits, improve motivation, offer choices, and utilize natural consequences for any age child. In addition, we’ll explore opportunities to boost parent-child relationships, how to diffuse conflict, and how to use strategies for reducing tension at home and at school.

Please join our guest speaker at Brickton, Dr. Felix Casados, for this parent enhancement seminar on February 26, 2014, 6:00-7:00 pm. Care will be provided, and dinner is available for all. Please RSVP to kelly.mcdermott@brickton.org or in the office.

The Big Leap

The Big Leap is right around the corner - hopefully you have received your invitation
and are planning to join us!
WE HAVE BEARS TICKETS, AND THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN THEM!!
Two tickets to the home game of your choice **Saints Excluded** 
ONLY 100 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD!! These are great odds with $20 per ticket. Get your ticket today in the office!
Thank you for supporting Brickton and The Big Leap!

Getting to Know You: Each week this section will highlight one staff member and their answer to the question: How do you express your creativity?

Dotty Schweitzer, Bookkeeper

Being creative is a way of life for me. I seldom think that I can’t make or create something I envision.  I’m just as comfortable with a reciprocal saw as I am with a delicate crochet hook.  Machine embroidering a Chinese dragon on a jacket I’ve made or reupholstering my sofa are weekend projects.  Painting a wall mural or twisting wire to make a fantasy steam punk jewelry piece will keep me occupied for a while.  Being surrounded by the children inspires me every day!

Brickton Reads!

The Book Club is entranced with A Wrinkle in Time. Katie Rose is juggling Nation, by Terry Prachett, Anne of Avonlea, by L. M. Montgomery, and On Writing, by Stephen King.

Sara Gregory completes The New York Times daily. John Huber is reading Cahokia: Ancient America’s Great City on the Mississippi by Timothy R. Pauketat. In Upper Elementary, Sam Anthony, Lucas Hansen and Ephraim Guerra are reading Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Big Bad Iron Clad, Donner Dinner Party, One Dead Spy. The Upper Elementary Literature Circle Books are PIE, by Sarah Weeks, Dear Mr. Henshaw, by Beverly Cleary, The Guide: For Guys, by Rosalind Wiseman, and Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo.

A New Baby in the Brickton Family

It's a boy for the Gantulga family. Baby AZ arrived on January 21. He has two big sisters, Amina and Amingoo.  Amina is a student in Room 101 and Amingoo is a member of the Toddler classroom. Congratulations to all!

Thank You Corner  

Thank you to the parent volunteers who helped make the Big Leap classroom art projects a success.  Mary Disse, Jessica Casteel, Mirvette Badal, Marjan Nikrah, Victoria Osius, and Marina Althueser, thank you very much for dedicating your time and energy.

Transition Nights

Meet the teachers and parents of current students.  Learn about the curriculum, assessment, goals and what a typical day looks like.  Meet alumni and parents to hear their perspective on the transition to the next program.

Transition Night to Lower Elementary (2^nd yr & Kindergarten parents), Wednesday, February 5^th, 6:00 – 8:00pm

Manna Orders

Manna is a great way to support Brickton.  Here’s why:

1) It helps to fund the Middle School’s overnight trips.

2) It helps you pay your Brickton tuition.

Manna Gift Cards are perfect for every occasion: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and Manna’s large selection of gift card vendors, including grocers, restaurants, stores, and gas stations, means these benefits can easily be earned on money you are already spending. It’s a win for everyone. Click here for the Manna Order Form.Manna orders are due the following dates: January 31^st, February 7^th, February 21^st, March 7^th, March 21^st, April 4^th, April 18^th, May 2^nd, May 16^th, May 30^th.

Upcoming Events

Manna Orders Due, Friday, January 31^st

Transition Night – Lower Elementary, Wednesday, February 5^th, 6:00 – 8:00pm

Annual Benefit, Saturday, February 15^th, 6:00pm

Board Meeting, Wednesday, February 19^th, 7:00 pm

Room 103 In-School Celebration, Friday, February 21^st, 8:30am

Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, February 21^st

Manna Orders Due, Friday, February 21^st

Raising Autonomous and Competent, Children, Friday, February 21^st, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

AIMS Conference, for teachers, Saturday, February 22^nd

Parent Education Night With Dr. Felix, Wednesday, February 26^th, 6:00 – 7:00pm

Pizza Lunch, Friday, February 28^th