The Brickton Weekly, January 24, 2013

The Big Leap - Brickton's Annual Benefit 2013

What's new this year?

The Silent Auction will be Online via BiddingForGood.  Brickton will have its very own auction page loaded with amazing items! Sharing the love of Brickton will be so easy with this exciting change - simply share the link with family and friends and voila, they can support Brickton and find fabulous deals.   Stay tuned for more details.  The Live Auction items, including the Classroom Art Projects and Teacher Outings, will only be available the night of the event.

Volunteer Spotlight

Thanks to Mark Treppa for making the lovely frame to enclose our Mission and Vision statement on the wall in the front entryway.  We appreciate his effort and great craftsmanship to help beautify the school.

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

John Huber, Upper Elementary and Children’s House Assistant Teacher

After graduating from Knox College with a degree in Elementary Education, I lived in New, Delhi, India, for 14 months and taught at Vasant Valley School.  I taught reading and music to students ranging from 2 to 12 years old.  It was a tremendously educational and rewarding experience.  When I moved back to the United States, and settled in Chicago,  I wanted to continue working as a teacher, but in a unique environment that would allow me to share my many interests with a wide range of students.  I was unfamiliar with Montessori Education when I applied for a job here at Brickton.  However, as I learned more, I realized how so many of my pedagogical and philosophical tenants align with Montessori.  Self-directed learning and emphasizing whole child development are some of the most crucially important outcomes of a great education.  The community that surrounds Brickton and supports the learning of our students is another reason that I feel very lucky to have found this wonderful school.

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.

9-12 for parents of rising 4th graders: Tuesday, January 29th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Middle School for parents of rising 7th graders: Tuesday, February 5th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Dr. Betsy Coe Visits Brickton

Thursday, January 31^st, 6pm – 7pm

Please join us for a wonderful parent development opportunity. AMS Living Legacy, Dr. Betsy Coe, will talk with parents about Adolescent Development - tips and strategies for raising your teenage child. Care for students and dinner will be provided at no cost - please RSVP to Sara so we can plan accordingly.  We strongly encourage parents of current middle school and upper elementary students to join us.

Manna Orders

Manna is a great gift card program and 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!

February 1st & 14th

March 1st & 15th

April 5th & 19th

May 3rd, 17th & 31st

The Brickton Weekly, January 18, 2013

Parent Development Nights

The Montessori Approach: Developing the Mathematical Mind

Tuesday, January 22^nd , 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Designed for parents of Children's House and Toddler students

Please join us as we explore such ideas as why we call the materials "works", what a cycle of activity looks like in Children's House and how a 3,4 or 5 year old might use the same material differently.

Dr. Betsy Coe Visits Brickton
Thursday, January 31^st, 6pm – 7pm

Please join us for a wonderful parent development opportunity. AMS Living Legacy, Dr. Betsy Coe, will talk with parents about Adolescent Development - tips and strategies for raising your teenage child. Care for students and dinner will be provided at no cost - please RSVP to Sara so we can plan accordingly.  We strongly encourage parents of current middle school and upper elementary students to join us.

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

Pat Moran, Children’s House Assistant

Twelve years ago I was looking for a job when I came across an ad for a classroom assistant. It caught my eye because I had been a stay at home mom with my children and my girlfriends’ children.  When I got the job at Brickton and learned about the different works and their philosophy, I knew I found what I was looking for.  Everyday I learn something new from the children and still love what I do.

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.

9-12 for parents of rising 4^th graders: Tuesday, January 29^th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Middle School for parents of rising 7^th graders: Tuesday, February 5^th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Club Day on Monday

Monday, January 21st is Martin Luther King Day and a Club Day at Brickton. All full day students and those pre-registered and pre-paid in the amount of $50 are welcome to attend.  If your child needs care on that day and is not pre-registered, please stop in the office and let us know, or contact Kelly.

Volunteer Spotlight

The Brickton Community thrives with the help of volunteers.  This week, we would like extend a thank you to all of the Brickton room parents.  Thank you for supporting the teachers, helping with the benefit art projects, and assisting with classrooms parties.  All that you do is greatly appreciated.

Toddler Room 104:  Marian Pucci

Children's House Room 101:  Tara Leinenweber

Children's House Room 103:  Louise Borre and Susan Urbanski

Children's House Room 107:  Chris and Liz Muniz

Lower Elementary Room 105:  Kristen Mull

Upper Elementary Room 100/102:  Diane Grassi and John Barrett

Middle School Room 105:  Janet Contursi, Paul Wrezel, and Lisa Spragia

Understanding the Manna gift card program - a video by the Middle School students.

The Middle School students made a video commercial to inform us all about Manna Orders. 

Manna orders are due on the dates below - delivery is the Wednesday following the order date.

January 18th

February 1st & 14th

March 1st & 15th

April 5th & 19th

May 3rd, 17th & 31st

The Brickton Weekly, January 10, 2013

Welcome back and best wishes for a happy new year.  We hope you had a relaxing winter break.

A BIG THANK YOU to all of our Annual Fund donors!  With your generous support, we are well on the way to meeting our goal.  If you have yet to make a donation to the Annual Fund Campaign, please do so by January 18th and still receive the 2012 tax deduction.  Questions?  Contact Molly.

Volunteer Spotlight

The Brickton faculty and Staff wish to extend a very big thank you to the Parent Alliance – Dora Messina, Ivana Drazic-Cunningham, Tara Leinenweber, and Susan Urbanski – and the room parents for collecting and distributing the generous faculty and staff holiday gifts.  Thank you!

A special thank you to Louise Borre and Olina Dolly for helping with Operation Child Find, the early childhood screening for our Toddler and Children’s House students.  We greatly appreciate your help to provide this valuable opportunity for our children.

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

Megan White, Children’s House Intern

I stumbled upon Montessori by accident when looking for a summer job in 2004, and began working with Brickton's Summer Camp that year.  I ended up returning for a few summers and realized this was exactly the kind of education I wanted to be a part of.  I was lucky enough to assist with Lower Elementary before working with Children's House.  Working with various age groups, I was able to see the wonderful ways Montessori education worked at all levels.  Last April, I started the training to become certified in the 3-6 program.  This year I am interning and learning so much each and every day!

Open House

Sunday, January 13^th, 12:30pm – 3:00pm.  Tell your friends, family, and neighbors. Brickton will be hosting an Open House for prospective families. It’s a chance to meet faculty, tour the school, and learn more about the Montessori philosophy.

Parent Alliance Meeting: Monday, January 14^th, 5:45pm – 7:15pm

Annual Benefit Meeting: Monday, January 14^th, 7:15pm – 8:15pm

Join us for the Parent Alliance Meeting followed by the Annual Benefit Meeting.  Care and pizza are available.  Please RSVP with Kelly.

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 parents to hear their perspective on the transition to the next program.

6-9 for parents of rising 1^st graders: Thursday, January 17^th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

9-12 for parents of rising 4^th graders: Tuesday, January 29^th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Middle School for parents of rising 7^th graders: Tuesday, February 5^th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

In-School Celebration

Friday, January 18^th, the Upper Elementary classroom will host an In-School Celebration.  We hope parents of Upper Elementary students can join us in the Great Room at 8:30 am for 15 minutes of skits and an all school sing-along accompanied by John Huber on guitar and Beth Peachey on piano.

Club Day

Monday, January 21^st is Martin Luther King Day and a Club Day at Brickton. All full day students and those pre-registered and pre-paid in the amount of $50 are welcome to attend.  If your child needs care on that day and is not pre-registered, please stop in the office and let us know, or contact Kelly.

Parent Development Nights

Tuesday, January 22^nd, 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Please join us as we explore such ideas as why we call the materials “work”, what a cycle of activity looks like in the Children’s House, and how a 3, 4, or 5 year old might use the same material differently.  The program is targeted for parents of Toddler and Children’s House students, though anyone is welcome to attend.  Care is available.  Please RSVP to Kelly.

Thursday, January 31^st, 6:00pm – 7:00pm in Room 106

Please join us for a wonderful parent development opportunity.  AMS Living Legacy, Dr. Betsy Coe, will talk with parents about Adolescent Development highlighting tips and strategies for raising your teenage child.  Care for students and dinner for all will be provided at no cost.  Please RSVP to Sara so we can plan accordingly.

Save The Date!

The Annual Brickton Benefit is just around the corner.  Do not forget to RSVP for 2013’s Big Leap, Saturday, March 2^nd.  Dinner, drinks, fabulous auction items, and new this year…TEAM TRIVIA!

The Brickton Weekly, December 20, 2012

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year From Brickton Montessori School

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

Erica Lane, Upper Elementary Directress and Educational Coordinator

Montessori has been a part of my life since I was very young.  I had the pleasure of starting my Montessori journey at the tender age of three, when my parents sent me to Beverly Montessori School on the southwest side of Chicago.  I still fondly remember doing the trinomial cube, matching color tiles, scrubbing tables and tracing sandpaper letters.  I was able to attend Montessori schools until the end of third grade.  When I was in junior high school, my mom helped to start Council Oak Montessori school in our neighborhood, becoming a Lower Elementary teacher there.  Montessori was becoming a family affair with more and more of my younger siblings reaping the benefits of Montessori philosophy all the way through eighth grade.  By the time I started college, I knew my goal would be to get my teaching certificate and work in a Montessori environment.  With each class I took, I realized more and more benefits of this educational philosophy.  Many of the new "innovations" and teaching strategies I was learning about in my classes were rooted in Maria Montessori's child development philosophy from so many years ago.  It only affirmed my commitment to this method of education.  I have been at Brickton Montessori since the fall of 1997, and I still love and believe in what we do!

Holiday Cookie Exchange

Spread some delicious holiday cheer and join us for the Brickton Cookie Exchange.  On the last day of school before Winter Break, December 21st, at 8:30 am, bring around 3 dozen cookies and exchange with other parents and Brickton staff members.  This is a great way to feed your holiday sweet tooth with a wonderful variety of holiday treats.  Don’t forget your empty container to store your cookies!

Winter Break Monday, December 24^th – Monday, January 7^th.

The last day of school before winter break is tomorrow, December 21^st.  School will be closed from Saturday, December 22^nd – Monday, January 7^th.  Students resume school on Tuesday, January 8, 2013.

Volunteer Spotlight: Thank You for Your Donations

The Brickton staff held a hat and glove drive for the students at the Montessori School of Englewood.  Thank you to everyone who donated.  You can see the beautiful thank you card from the students posted on the office bulletin board.

Operation ChildFind

Operation ChildFind will come to Brickton right after the winter holiday, on Wednesday and Thursday, January 9 and 10.  Operation ChildFind is a team of early childhood experts that perform vision and hearing screening, check large and small motor development, assess speech and language use, and perform school readiness screening for children aged 2 through 6 years old, for our Toddler and Children's House students.  A part of the Chicago Public School system, Operation ChildFind has been visiting Brickton each year since 1999.  Their free service is optional, and parent/guardian permission is required for each child to participate; permission forms can be downloaded here.  If you have not filled yours out, please complete and return it to your directress.

Operation Woodchips was a Success

A school wide effort to lay new wood chips on the playground was wrapped up today.  The Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School students used buckets, wheel barrows, shovels, rakes, and bare hands to move a dump-truck full of wood chips onto the playground.  It was inspirational watching the students work vigorously and with enthusiasm to complete a project that benefits the entire Brickton community.  Thank you students.  Your work really paid off! 

The Brickton Weekly, December 13, 2012

Happy Hanukkah from the Brickton Community!

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

Marie Rodriguez, Toddler Teacher

When I was in grammar school, I had an amazing teacher who helped us enjoy all she taught, especially geography, which I still LOVE, because of her teaching.

Montessori strives to help the children enjoy their learning intrinsically. My first Montessori experience was in a Children’s House class. A six-year old boy quietly worked alone on the continent map of Africa and could locate and name all of the countries. A six-year old! I was hooked.

Volunteer Spotlight: The Book Fair and Food Drive Edition

The Scholastic Book Fair was a huge success again this year.  It would not have been possible with out the generous assistance of our many volunteers.  Thank you to Diane Grassi, Georgia Ferguson, Shashona Chau, Lori Plier, Tara Leinenweber, Kelly McDermott, Molly Arnoldt, Cheryl LaCost, and Agnes Guerra.  Your help is very appreciated!

Many thanks to the entire community for your participation in the annual food drive for the Salvation Army.  We were able to provide a generous supply of nourishing food for the holiday season and as always, the Salvation Army was thankful for the donations.

Winter Extracurricular Activities

The Winter Extracurricular session begins Monday, January 14^th.  We have an all-new class this year: The Runaway Circus, which promotes self-confidence, teamwork, and lifelong physical activity through the joy of Circus! Please open this link to download the registration form with descriptions of all the great classes.  Please submit the form and your payment to the office.  If you have any questions, please contact Kelly.

Greeting Cards for the Troops

This month Brickton students sent 100 hand-made greeting cards to Governor Quinn to distribute during his annual visit to Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany.  The cards contained holiday greetings and well-wishes for armed forces members recovering from illness and injury, as well as medical and support personnel stationed there.  The children’s greetings are meant to affirm these heroes and let them know we are mindful of their sacrifices, and that our thoughts are with them during these holidays when they are serving us so far away from home.

Operation ChildFind

Operation ChildFind will come to Brickton right after the winter holiday, on Wednesday and Thursday, January 9 and 10.  Operation ChildFind is a team of early childhood experts that perform vision and hearing screening, check large and small motor development, assess speech and language use, and perform school readiness screening for children aged 2 through 6 years old, for our Toddler and Children's House students.  A part of the Chicago Public School system, Operation Childfind has been visiting Brickton each year since 1999.  Their free service is optional, and parent/guardian permission is required for each child to participate; permission forms have been placed in parent folders, so please complete and return yours to your directress.

Reminders:

Winter Break: The last day of school before Winter Break is Friday, December 21^st.  School will resume Tuesday, January 8^th.

Manna Orders Due.  Friday, December 14^th, is the final Manna order date before the winter break.  Simplify holiday frenzy with Manna cards, and get help paying your Brickton tuition!  Card pick up will be Wednesday, December 19^th.  The next Manna date will be Friday, January 11, 2013.

Middle School Holiday Babysitters: The Middle School Students are available at Brickton from 9am to 1 pm, Saturday, December 15^th to babysit for $20 per child - including lunch. Children ages 3-12 are welcome.

Operation: Woodchips

We received a new supply of woodchips for our playground.  If you are free on Saturday from 9:00am – 12:00pm, please stop by to help spread the woodchips on the playground.  They are necessary for our children’s safety while playing at recess.  If you can volunteer some time, it will go a long way to helping the Brickton community.  Bring a shovel and some work gloves, we will provide the woodchips!

Donation to Open Books
If you have books laying around the house, you can donate them to Open Books.  It is writing and literacy building program as well as a book store.  The Elementary and Middle School classes here at Brickton have taken field trips to develop writing and literacy building skills.  If you would like to help the program by donating books for their literacy programs and book store, bring them to school, and our reading specialist, Liz, will get them to Open Books.

I

The Brickton Weekly, December 6, 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.

Kathy Hummel, Music, Band, and Chorus Teacher
I learned about Montessori in one of my psychology classes in college and knew that I wanted my children to learn that way. I began teaching in a Montessori school when the principal of the school my children attended asked me if I was familiar with Orff Schulwerk and if I would be willing to start a music program at the school. The philosophies of Carl Orff and Maria Montessori are very similar and the two methods work well together. I enjoy working in a Montessori school because the children are involved in their own learning and the focus is on helping them develop into independent, life-long learners.

Dr. Betsy Coe at Brickton
Thursday, December 13^th, 5:30-6:30p.m. Room 106

Please join us for a wonderful parent development opportunity.  AMS Living Legacy, Dr. Betsy Coe, will talk with parents about Adolescent Development with tips and strategies for raising your teenage child.  Care and dinner for students will be provided at no cost, but please RSVP with Sara in the front office so we can plan accordingly.

Volunteer Spotlight: Breakfast With Santa Edition

Breakfast With Santa was so much fun and a very successful event for the Brickton community.  We would like to extend a gracious thank you to all those that volunteered their time to help ensure the event’s success.  First, thank you to all of you who baked for the bake sale.  The goodies were delicious and sold out fast!  Thanks to Elisa Sarkiss, Deb DeYoung, Deb Schmidt, Diane Grassi, Susan and Jon Urbanski, Rachel Means, Elizabeth Vasquez, LaDonna Taylor and many staff members for all your help during the event.  A special thanks are due to Joe Somers for setting up and letting us use his camera equipment.  The photos with Santa have a professional quality that would not have been otherwise attainable.  Finally, special thanks to Anna Olech for her donation of the beautiful table arrangements which added a lovely ambiance to Breakfast with Santa.  Anna is the mother of Lower Elementary student, Natalie Olech; she is the owner of Krystyna's Flowers, located at 5209 W. Belmont, phone 773-286-8699 

Reminders:

Parent/Teacher Conferences and Club Day, Tomorrow, Friday, December 7th

Bring In Your Boxtops!

We are sending in a batch of Box Tops, please submit them by December 17th to be included in this round.

Scholastic Book Fair, Monday, December 10^th – Thursday December 13^th

Our Scholastic Book Fair is next week.  In preparation for this Book Fair, we are asking for volunteers to help set up on Sunday, December 9, at 11:00 AM.  It is not a huge job but requires as much help as possible.  With enough help, the work is over in about 45 minutes.  This is such a successful fund raiser for our Upper Elementary students, and it all begins with an setting up an inviting display up of books.  If you would like to volunteer, please email John (john.huber@brickton.org) in the 9-12 classroom. 

Holiday Cookie Exchange

Spread some delicious holiday cheer and join us for the Brickton Cookie Exchange.  On the last day of school before Winter Break, December 21^st, at 8:30 am, bring around 3 dozen cookies and exchange with other parents and Brickton staff members.  This is a great way to feed your holiday sweet tooth with a wonderful variety of holiday treats.  Don’t forget your empty container to store your cookies!

Featured Blog: Middle School from Nature’s Classroom
The Middle School Class is up in Mukwanago, Wisconsin, at Nature’s Classroom Institute.  As a way of checking in with the students and introducing some of you to the NCI program, we are featuring a blog entry from the Middle School sent out yesterday.  To access the blog, you will need to enter the password ‘partnership’. (http://middleschoolprogram.posterous.com/engineering-and-other-highlights)

The Brickton Weekly, November 29, 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.

Kerry Santefort, Physical Education Teacher

I enjoy working in a Montessori Environment because I learn something new each day I am there with the students. I see them enjoy freedom within limits in a Physical Environment and then observe the positive outcomes in their interactions and sportsmanship.  What inspires me is seeing that when independence is fostered, it motivates the students to work to their fullest potential.  It is truly an honor to work within a Montessori environment.

Inclement Weather/ Emergency Closing Notification
In case of bad weather or other emergency which might necessitate closing school, there are several ways for you to be informed.  First, an email will be sent to all our school families and staff members and the closing will be posted on the www.brickton.org website.  Second, teachers and assistants will attempt to contact all families via phone.  Third, you can go to the Emergency Closing Center website, www.emergencyclosingcenter.com, click on "Status Search" and put in "Brickton Montessori", "Chicago", or use the Phone number search "773-714-0646".  There is also a tab marked "E-mail Notification" which allows you to register and request an email notification if there is a change in Brickton's open/closed status.  If you do not have internet access, the phone number for the Emergency Closing Center is 847-238-1234.  You will be asked for Brickton's phone number, 773-714-0646.   The decision about closing school will be made by 6:00 am.  

Operation Childfind Rescheduled

Operation Childfind, the preschool screening team, was scheduled to come to Brickton next Tuesday, December 4.  A conflict on their end makes them unable to keep their appointment with us, so there will be no screenings done next week. We are working with them to establish a new date, and will advise as soon as there is news. 

Manna Orders

Manna's usual order deadline of this Friday, 11/30 has been extended to the morning of Monday, 12/3.  Card pick up will be Wednesday 12/5.  In addition to making terrific holiday gifts, Manna cards can help ease the stress of holiday travel -- stock up on gas cards and family restaurant cards (or fast food cards!) for upcoming road trips.  Need a hostess gift?  Check out Fannie May or the Hallmark Store.  Upcoming Manna due dates are Friday, 12/7 and Friday, 12/14.

Quick Reference Section

^·          Parent/Teacher Conferences and Club Day, Friday, December 7^th

·         Upper Elementary Book Fair Raffle starts next week.  During drop off and pick up times, Monday through Thursday, The Upper Elementary students will host a raffle contest.  On Friday they will draw two winners to receive $25 towards free books from the Scholastic Book Fair which begins Monday, December 10^th.

·         Innisbrook fundraising sales have been extended to this coming Monday, December 3^rd.

·         We are sending in a batch of Box Tops, please submit them by December 17^th to be included in this round.

·         Thank you to everyone who participated in the Move-a-Thon! Your support of our community is greatly valued.  Remember, it's not too late to turn in your sponsor money!

·         Middle School is going to Nature’s Classroom next week.  Have a wonderful time, and enjoy your time learning in nature. 

Breakfast With Santa is this Saturday

Saturday, December 1^st, 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 volunteer, it’s not too late to sign up!  Check out the sign-up sheets on the 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

Salvation Army Food Drive
Brickton will again be participating in the Salvation Army Holiday Food Drive, gathering non-perishable food.   This is a wonderful opportunity to have your children participate in charitable giving by bringing the food to school and placing in the community giving boxes located in the main entryway from November 26^th through the morning of December 11^th.