The Brickton Weekly, November 16, 2012

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

Beth Peachey, Middle School Assistant Teacher and Children’s House/Lower Elementary Spanish Teacher

I enjoy working in a Montessori environment because of the emphasis placed on the learning community.  My own most exciting, challenging and joyful educational experiences have always been ones where I've been part of a vibrant community that values each individual member.  My inspiration to teach comes from my desire to help facilitate those types of experiences with students.  I am grateful for the way that Montessori education allows students and teachers to collaborate in creating communities that learn and grow together.

School Photo Up-Date

The photographers from Interstate Studios completed picture retakes on November 5^th.

Individual proofs from the original picture day in September were received and distributed in mid-October.  Proofs from Re-Take Day and the sibling shots which were taken in September should be delivered to school around November 26^th.  If you have returned your order from the first Picture Day, either by mail or by ordering on the internet, you should be receiving the final copies of your photos by about November 24^th.

The fastest way to get pictures processed is to order on the internet, but you can also send in your order via the US mail.  The finished pictures can be delivered to school, or directly to your home for an additional fee.  Please let the office know if you are having any problems ordering your photos.

A Big Thank You to the DeGand Family!

Brickton would like to give a special thank you to the Degand family for their generous donation of PE equipment. They donated a variety of balls, baseball bats, tennis racquets, and much more.  The students will have a lot of fun using the equipment which will enhance our PE curriculum.

Sports Club Rescheduled

Reminder that Sports Club for this Friday, November 16, 2012 has been rescheduled for November 30, 2012.  Our PE teacher, Kerry Santefort, will be attending the yearly state PE convention for two days for professional development. At the convention she will be able to collaborate with other PE instructors from around the state and learn exciting ideas to incorporate into our PE program here at Brickton.

Middle School Babysitting Fundraiser! (A Note From the Middle School Students)

Hop on down to the Brickton Pond Pals with your "Lil' Hoppers" to join the Middle School for a day of fun!

November 17th, between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM at Brickton Montessori School

Ages 3-12 are welcome at a cost of $10.  Don’t want to pack a lunch?  For an additional $5, your child can have pizza, carrots, ranch dip, and milk , or they can choose to bring their own lunch.  Forms are available in the lobby.

Kindergarten and Lower Elementary Field Trip

Students will travel via school bus to Chicago International Children’s Film Festival to see "Step It Up".  This is a great opportunity to see an extended showing of short films for children.  This cinematic trip should be an eye-opening experience.

Upcoming Events

9-12 Transition Breakfast (for parents of rising 4th Graders) Thursday, November 20^th

8:30 – 10:30 am.  (Rescheduled from November 8^th).  Explore global questions about the Montessori philosophy and Montessori education.  Meet and talk with parents currently in the next program and visit the classroom in action.

Club Day: November 21^st.

School Closed: November 22^nd and 23^rd for Thanksgiving.

Breakfast With Santa

Saturday December 1st 10:00-12:30

Hanging Gardens, 8301 W. Belmont, River Grove

Join us for a continental breakfast and a visit with Santa Claus! Tickets are $10 each, and children under 2 are free.  Stop by the main office to pick up your tickets today! And, if you would like to help out, sign up sheets are on bulletin board for:

-          Bakers for the bake sale

-          Santa's Helpers (middle school aged or older)

-          Kid's craft table helpers

-          Bake sale table helpers

-          Set up and clean up helpers

The Brickton Weekly, November 8, 2012

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

Selena Brosnan, Lower Elementary Intern

After eight years in the corporate arena, I wanted the opportunity to become an educator. The Montessori environment appealed to me because it allows the child to be inspired by real experience and knowledge through their own explorations. Being part of the Montessori community has allowed me to become the change I want to see in the world.

Day of the Dead Kite Flying Celebration

On November 1^st the Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and Middle School Spanish classes celebrated El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, or All Souls Day). Our celebration was modeled on a 100 year old tradition from the town of Santiago, Sacatepéquez in Guatemala.  In Santiago, teams of young people make beautiful, giant kites to fly and display in the town cemetery every November 1^st.  Citizens of Santiago and visitors from all over the country and the world fill the cemetery each year to view the beautiful kites.  The tradition is a way to honor family members who have passed away, and is a source of pride for the community.  Brickton students enjoyed learning about the traditions of Guatemala, making their own kite designs and flying them on a beautiful fall morning at the Forest Preserve.

In-School Celebration

This Friday, November 9, will be the first In-School Celebration of the 2012-13 school year with the Lower Elementary program hosting.  We hope parents of Lower Elementary students can join us in the Great Room at 8:30 am for 15 minutes of skits and all school sing-along accompanied by John Huber on guitar and Beth Peachey on piano.

Volunteer Spotlight

Thank you, Louise Borre for doing so much to benefit the Brickton community.  Louise oversees the Free Money Fundraising program which includes, Box Tops for Education, Labels for Education, Ink Cartridge Recycling and more!

Also, thank you, Mike Messina for spearheading the Viridian Energy Campaign and Fundraiser.  If you haven’t already switched to Viridian, talk to Mike about saving money on your electric bill while raising money for Brickton.

Upcoming Events

Manna Orders Due: November 9

Manna orders are due tomorrow.  This great gift card program gives you the opportunity to buy gift cards for everyday expenses such as groceries, gas, dining and department store purchases, and split the fundraising revenue with Brickton's Middle School as a credit towards next year’s Brickton tuition!  Ordering is easy, online or drop off your form at the business office.  When you order gift cards through Manna, everybody wins!

Open House: Sunday, November 11, 12:30pm – 3:00pm. An Open House for prospective parents to learn more about the Montessori philosophy, tour the school and ask lots of questions.

Guest Speaker: Monday, November 12, 6:30pm – 8:00pm.  Nutritionist, Melissa Graham, from Purple Asparagus, will speak about healthy eating for kids!

Middle School Transition Breakfast: Thursday, November 15, 8:30am – 10:30am

Explore global questions about the Montessori philosophy and Montessori education.

Meet and talk with parents currently in the next program and visit the classroom in action.

Club Day: November 21.

School Closed: November 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving.

Breakfast With Santa: Saturday, December 1, 10:00am – 12:30pm at Hanging Gardens Restaurant.

The Brickton Weekly, November 1, 2012

Halloween Celebrations

Yesterday, we celebrated Halloween with a fun filled day.  The Halloween Parade was so much fun, with students decked out in their costumes, followed by festive Trunker Treating and classroom celebrations.  The day was wrapped up with a “terrifyingly successful” Haunted House experience for elementary students.  The Haunted House is designed entirely by the upper elementary students each year.  Way to go 9-12 students!  Thanks to all the families that participated and volunteered to help on this fun-filled day.

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

 

Jen Cozad, Children’s House Directress

Even as a young child I knew I wanted to be a teacher.  I would play school for hours, lining up all of my stuffed animals and teaching them lessons on a chalk board in my room.  My father is an educator, and I greatly admired the passion and creativity he brought to his work.  When I learned about Montessori philosophy, I felt an immediate connection.  I knew that was the kind of teacher and person I wanted to be.  I am particularly inspired by Maria Montessori’s quote from Nurturing the Spirit, “Let us give the child a vision of the whole universe…for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other.”

Upcoming Events:
School Picture Re-take Day, Monday, November 5 
If your child was absent on the first Picture Day or if you did not like the original photo and want a re-take, let the office know.  In addition to re-takes, the class photos for Rooms 103 and 101 will be taken as will photos of the 8th grade graduates in their caps and gowns.
Transition Breakfast 8:30-10:30 am

Explore global questions about the Montessori philosophy and Montessori education.

Meet and talk with parents currently in the next program and visit the classroom in action.

6-9 Transition Breakfast (for parents of rising 1st Graders) Tuesday, November 6th

9-12 Transition Breakfast (for parents of rising 4th Graders) Thursday, November 8th

Middle School Transition Breakfast (for parent of rising 7th Graders) Thursday, November 15^th

Guest Speaker: Monday, November 12, 6:30pm – 8:00pm.  Nutritionist, Melissa Graham, from Purple Asparagus, will speak about healthy eating for kids!

Breakfast With Santa

Saturday, December 1, 10:00am – 12:30pm at Hanging Gardens Restaurant.

Halloween Candy Buy Back

Today, November 1, 2012, Dr. Sal’s Dental Office at 8524 W Lawrence, Norridge 60706, is paying $1 per pound of candy for up to five pounds from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

November Scholastic Book Club Orders are due on Monday, November 5^th!

During September, Scholastic Book Clubs earned 84 free books for the school!  With your support, we hope we can earn even more this month.

Remember, online ordering is the best option.

v     Directors/Directresses earn $3.00 to spend every time a parent orders online!

v     You earn a free book coupon (up to $5.00) to use on a future order!

Simply log onto www.scholastic.com/bookclubs and place your order using the information below and a credit card by midnight on 11/5/12. 

Directress	Class Activation Code
Marie	GQFRH
Agnes	GQFRJ
Jen	HL9FY
Kathleen	GQFV4
Heather	GQFV7
Erica	GQFV8
Charles	GQFVB

If you prefer, paper order forms are still available and can be found in your parent folder.  Please turn in your order forms to the main office by 11/5/12 with your payment by check (payable to Scholastic Book Clubs) or cash.  Please remember to include your child’s name on each form.

Move-a-Thon Money Due

The miles are logged.  They money is collected.  The bikes, running shoes, skates, scooters, and paddle boats(?) are all put away for the season.  That means it is time to turn in the funds you have raised for the Move-a-Thon.  Please stop by the office with your tracking sheets or email Kelly with any questions.  

The Brickton Weekly, October 25, 2012

Congratulations to  Midwest Area Talent Search (MATS) Honorees

Brickton extends congratulations to those students identified to participate in the 2013 Midwest Academic Talent Search (MATS) sponsored by the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University.  These students scored 90% or higher on selected subtests of the Terra Nova-CAT test administered in the Spring of 2012 or in prior years. The MATS program offers above-grade-level tests (EXPLORE, ACT and SAT) to qualified students in grades 4-9.  Congratulations to these students for their academic achievements.

Brickton can claim some of its very own as Midwest Talent Search Honorees.
Class of 2013: Sean Arnoldt, Kira Barrett, Joe Ergastolo, Tyler Flechs
Class of 2014: Alex Contursi, Tayler Sain, Morgan Wolfe
Class of 2015: Mica Barrett, Julia Deane, Simone Leinenweber
Class of 2016: Ellie Arnoldt, Zach Contursi, Lucas Hansen

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

Agnes Guerra, Children’s House Directress

My inspiration came from the 3-6 environment.  I was very fortunate to stumble into a beautiful classroom filled with children who loved their work.  This classroom was for the children and for the most part was run by the children.  The third year students taught me how to properly work with the materials, how to care for the classroom, and how to properly form letters. The younger children taught me how to resolve conflicts and what it means to be truly engaged in an activity.  I am forever grateful to those children. 

Montessori Taking Hold in Public Schools
The popularity of Montessori education continues to grow in the US, with public education looking to Montessori to  help educate the whole child, understanding that is a key component to fostering engaged, lifelong learners. The Chicago Public School system has just launched a new Montessori program in the Englewood neighborhood.  Read about it here.

$25 + $25 = $62.50: A special note from Children’s House Directress Kathleen Kasser

Dear Brickton Community,

One day in the checkout line at Walgreen’s I overheard a customer who bought two Visa gift cards for $25 each.  Perfectly fine, of course, until purchasing each card involved a $6.25 fee.  Suddenly that $50 sale cost $62.50!  Manna gift cards attract no service fees; in fact, you get a tuition credit every time you purchase Manna cards!  Ordering is easy, whether you choose the online option or complete and return your order form to Dotty in the business office.  Unlike that Walgreen’s customer, you’d pay only $50 for a $50 Visa card, and you’d receive money back on your Brickton tuition.  Manna orders are due tomorrow, Friday, October 26.  Card pick up will be Wednesday, October 31.  The sale of Manna cards supports the Middle School’s overnight trips, and Manna helps pay your tuition.  Everybody wins!  Questions?  Please email me. 

Many thanks and take care.

Kathleen                                                                               

Kinderdance Rescheduled
The Kinderdance class scheduled for Wednesday, November 7 has been rescheduled for the following day, Thursday, November 8.  Please mark your calendars.

Nature’s Classroom Institute
Every school year Brickton sends the Upper Elementary and Middle School classrooms to Nature’s Classroom Institute in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, for five day educational retreats.  These trips are an integral part of our curriculum, and they help us achieve vital curricular goals in environmental science, botany, zoology, and history.  From the NCI website: “At Nature's Classroom Institute we work to have students come away from their experience with a greater awareness of environment, each other, and themselves. During our five-day residential program, students study environmental processes and resources, human impact on the world around them, and their role in preserving natural resources. This, in its simplest form, can be broken down to a matter of respect. Our teachers strive to nurture a sense of strong self-respect in every student. This carries through logically to a respect for each other, and from that a sense of concern for every living thing around them, from the smallest beetle to their peers and teachers. Through this respect, students gain confidence, cooperate with others, and develop wonder and love for the environment.”

Free Money Fundraisers!
Click this link to download a flyer to find out ways you can help raise money for Brickton.  They are easy and help us get FREE MONEY!
Quick Reminders:
Kindergarten and Lower Elementary Field Trip
Tuesday, October 30, 9:00am – 12:30pm
The Kindergarten and Lower Elementary students will travel via school bus to see "Duck for President" at Lifeline Theatre.  Lunch will be upon return to school.

Halloween and Trunker Treating
Wednesday, October 31, 9:00am – 10:00am 
Parents are invited to watch the all school parade and participate in Trunker Treating. Classroom parties for students will take place after the parade.

The Brickton Weekly, October 18, 2012

Featured Blog

Each month we will feature a blog so that you can see Montessori education in action at Brickton. Discover all the opportunities our students have to develop independence and self-confidence. At our school, students take ownership of their learning with joy. This week, we are featuring the Children’s House Blog, Room 101.

http://childrenshouse101.posterous.com (password: partnership)

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

Cheryl LaCost, Interim Head of School

My inspiration to work in Montessori came from my children.  I always knew that I wanted a Montessori education for them based on the effect Montessori had on my nieces and nephew to pursue their goals and seek out knowledge for the pure sake of understanding the why and how of something.  When I saw that beginning to take root in my own children, I knew I wanted to be a part of making that happen every day. See Cheryl's bio on the website by clicking here.

Spotlight on Volunteers
We would like to thank two volunteers that run our Free Money Fundraisers.  Louise Borre manages the Box Tops for Education, Campbell's Soup Labels and Ink Cartridge Recycling program.  If you have any of these items, please put them in the appropriately labeled drawers in the main lobby or drop them off at the office.  Mike Messina has been our point person on the Viridian energy partnership where Brickton receives a contribution for every 25 families that convert and choose Brickton as the recipient and then we receive a residual of $2/month for each family.  Many thanks to both Louise and Mike for their pursuit of these Free Money opportunities for the school.

Taste of Montessori - Date Reminders

Please join us to get a taste of what it’s like in your child’s classroom and to meet other families.  The families will meet in the Great Room for a potluck dinner from 5-6pm, then move into the classroom to join the students to work until 7pm. Toddler families will meet in the classroom for an hour of work and snack time with their child.  Check the list below to Save the Date for your child’s Taste of Montessori.  Sign-up sheets for each classroom will come from their Directress/Director, closer to the date.

Lower Elementary    Tue, October 23, 5pm – Great Room, 6pm – classroom

Toddler                      Thu, October 25, 5pm – classroom

Box Tops for Education

Box Tops for Educaton is a Free Money fundraiser where you can help Brickton earn cash by clipping Box Tops coupons from hundreds of participating products. The Box Tops program also offer ways to earn even more cash for Brickton online. Just visit BOX TOPS for more information.  Last year we earned $101.30 through this program and our goal this year is $150.  We are submitting the first round of Box Tops on October 23rd, so start clipping and bring put them in the labeled drawer by the front door, drop them off in the office, or have your child bring them to his/her teacher.  Just look for the logo on your favorite products and snip one for Brickton.

Middle School Trip to New York City

The Middle School students are headed to New York City to participate in the Global Citizens Action Project Annual Conference (GCAP).  This is a unique learning experience designed specifically for Montessori middle school students, to inspire them to learn what they can do to become better informed and more productive global citizens.  You can read about past conferences and the work of GCAP here and here.

Trunker Treating
Back by popular demand - Trunker Treating! This fun event is a way for parents to get in on the Halloween festivities.  The students from Children's House through Middle School will participate in our traditional parade through the classrooms to pick up additional participants, then the Great Room for spectators finishing with the Toddlers.  The revelers scoot out the east door and through Red Mane, entering the parking lot from the east side, to end the parade with Trunker Treating.  Part of the fun of Trunker Treating is decorating your car and perhaps wearing a costume, to aid to the festive atmosphere.  To sign up for Trunker Treating, download the form here.  After the parade, the students will return to their classrooms.  Watch for your student's Halloween letter from their teacher for details of classroom specific activities. 

The Brickton Weekly, October 11, 2012

Manna Orders Due Tomorrow

Manna orders are due tomorrow, Friday, October 12.  This great gift card program gives you the opportunity to buy gift cards for everyday expenses such as groceries, gas, dining and department store purchases, and split the fundraising revenue with Brickton's Middle School as a credit towards next year’s Brickton tuition!  Ordering is easy, online or drop off your form at the business office.  When you order gift cards through Manna, everybody wins!

Go Green & Help Brickton Raise $1,000!

Raise funds without even reaching into your pocket! Brickton only needs a few more families to convert to Viridian customers for electric service to reach a total of 50, thus earning a $500 bonus if obtained by the end of November! And, if we push this total to 75 customers we will earn another $500…That’s $1,000 of support for Brickton! Beyond that, Brickton will earn $150 residually month after month ($2 per customer).

How can you participate?  Enroll for free with Viridian at www.Viridian.com/Brickton to save money on your ComEd bill and support cleaner sources of energy! Please let us know if you prefer to complete a paper agreement and the necessary forms will be provided.  Mike Messina will be available in the lobby a couple afternoons next week, so bring your electric bill with you, and he can walk you through the process.

If you want more information, see the links below:

Research Viridian here and here.

Research the industry at the Illinois Commerce Commission website and the Citizens Utility Board website.

Taste of Montessori

Please join us to get a taste of what it’s like in your child’s classroom and to meet other families.  The families will meet in the Great Room for a potluck dinner from 5-6pm, then move into the classroom to join the students to work until 7pm. Toddler families will meet in the classroom for an hour of work and snack time with their child.  Check the list below to Save the Date for your child’s Taste of Montessori.  Sign-up sheets for each classroom will come from their Directress/Director, closer to the date.

Room 107                  Tue, October 16, 5pm – Great Room, 6pm – classroom

Room 101                  Thu, October 18, 5pm – Great Room, 6pm – classroom

Lower Elementary    Tue, October 23, 5pm – Great Room, 6pm – classroom

Toddler                      Thu, October 25, 5pm - classroom 

Art Club Session 2 Begins

Join Art Club for its second session – Extreme Crafting – for a hands-on art class for students in 1st - 8th grade. For registration information email Kelly.

Starts Tuesday, October 16.

Middle School Drumming Performance

Monday, October 15, 8:45am in the Great Room

Come join the Brickton Middle School class in celebrating the magic of rhythm.  They will perform a 15 minute drumming concert based on skills they have been honing in music class with the Middle School assistant, Beth Peachey.  Using hand drums, the students will display a variety of rhythms and skills – including rhythms from Egypt.  This is an exciting cultural learning event not to be missed. 

Quick Reminders

Move-a-Thon ends tomorrow.  So, if you have any last minute running, walking, biking, skipping, jogging, rollerblading, or skateboarding to do, it is time to hop to it.  Turn your tracking sheets into the office by Monday!

Kindergarten and Lower Elementary to the Pumpkin Farm

Fri, October 12, 9:00am – 12:45pm  Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm

Kindergarteners and Lower Elementary students will take a school bus to Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm in Barrington, IL.  Please wear your Brickton t-shirt!  The students will have pizza lunch upon return to school.

Upper Elementary to Nature’s Classroom  On Monday, the Upper Elementary classroom is headed to Wisconsin for their yearly visit to Nature’s Classroom.  They leave at 9:00am on Monday and return Friday afternoon.  Have fun!

The Brickton Weekly, October 4, 2012

School Closed for Teacher In-Service Day

Fri, October 5

No Care Available

Club Day - Columbus Day

Mon, October 8

RSVP for care in the office or with Kelly

Taste of Montessori Events This Month

Please join us to get a taste of what it’s like in your child’s classroom and to meet other families.  With the exception of the Toddler community, the families will meet in the Great Room for a potluck dinner from 5-6pm, then move into the classroom to join the students to work until 7pm.  Toddler families will meet in the classroom for an hour of work and snack time with their child.  Check the list below to Save the Date for your child’s Taste of Montessori.  Sign-up sheets for each classroom will come from their Directress/Director, closer to the date. 

Upper Elementary    Tue, October 9, 5pm – Great Room, 6pm – classroom

Room 103                  Thu, October 11, 5pm – Great Room, 6pm – classroom

Room 107                  Tue, October 16, 5pm – Great Room, 6pm – classroom

Room 101                  Thu, October 18, 5pm – Great Room, 6pm – classroom

Lower Elementary    Tue, October 23, 5pm – Great Room, 6pm – classroom

Toddler                      Thu, October 25, 5pm - classroom

Pumpkin Farm Field Trip

Fri, October 12, 9:00am – 12:45pm  Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm

Kindergarteners and Lower Elementary students will take a school bus to Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm in Barrington, IL.  Please wear your Brickton t-shirt!  The students will have pizza lunch upon return to school.

Sports Club Cancelled This Week

Sports Club is cancelled on Friday, November 16.  A make up day has been scheduled for November 30.  Kerry will be attending the State PE Conference to get more great ideas for our physical education classes and sports club.

Move-A-Thon Update!

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Treasure Hunt!  It was a beautiful day for a trek through the woods - we logged some miles, searched and found hidden treasure and had a blast with our friends! A HUGE thank you to parent volunteer, Olina Dolly who championed the event and made it fun for all!

Only 8 days left to finish up your 26 miles and get some sponsors - the Move-A-Thon officially ends on Friday, October 12th. If every family gets 5 sponsors we can meet our goal of $5,000!  Thank you for your support!

A big thanks to the Treppa family, for hosting Move-a-thon bike ride on the Chicago North Branch Trail to the Chicago Botanic Garden.  They ordered up a beautiful day for a ride and a good time was had by all.

Parent Development Event - Modern Parenting : Tips, Tricks, and Traps

When: Thursday, October 25, 2012, 7:00pm

Where: JRC, 303 Dodge Ave, Evanston, IL

Cost: Free!  

We have been graciously invited by our friends at Chiaravalle Montessori and Rogers Park Montessori, who are co-sponsoring the event.

Join Dr. Steven Hughes for a discussion on ways to best raise happy, successful children. What are the consequences of current trends in parenting behavior? We all want our children to be happy, successful, and to possess good self-esteem.  What are the best ways to achieve these goals? Are parents erring on the side of being too strict or too permissive? What do we know about what works? With the experience born of 15 years of clinical practice, Dr. Hughes reviews some of the surprising (and relieving) results of research examining modern parenting practices. He closes with a set of practical recommendation on how to “stay out of his clinic” by following sensible, research-proven strategies to raise happy, helpful children with authentic self-esteem.

Dr. Hughes, PhD, ABPdn, is Director of The Center of Research on Development Education and current president of the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology.  His research interests are in the areas of attention and executive functioning, and in the role of early childhood education in promoting the development of these capabilities.  He is an advocate for activity-based, developmental approaches to education, and is a frequent speaker and consultant to Montessori education organization around the world.