The Brickton Weekly, February 21, 2013

The Big Leap – A Commercial by the Middle School Students

The Middle School Students made an informative commercial to let you know about The Big Leap, Brickton’s Annual Benefit Auction.  It answers your questions and spreads the excitement about this important and fun night! Take a look here.

The online silent auction is already up.  Simply click here to get started - this link will take you directly to Brickton's BiddingForGood webpage www.biddingforgood.com/brickton.

The online Auction will be open until Thursday, February 28^th, two days before The Big Leap!  Hope to see you then! (When placing a bid, the site will prompt you to enter a credit card number.  This is just to hold your bid and will not charge your card unless you win the bid, once it is finalized.)  

Volunteer Spotlight A huge thank you to the Room Parents and other parent volunteers that have assisted the classrooms with their art projects for the Big Leap.  The students look forward to working together each year to create these works of art. 

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

Karen Glab, Children’s House Assistant

My first experience with Montessori was doing volunteer work with developmentally challenged children and adults. I fell in love with the method, and decided that if I ever had children of my own, that is what I would want for them.  After a poor experience at another Montessori school, I joined a group of teachers and parents to establish a new Montessori school, and Brickton was the result.

Upcoming Events:

Tomorrow:  Montessori Night Out – Chicago, Friday, February 22^nd

Montessori Education Week

Next week is Montessori Education Week! We will be doing some fun and exciting things here at school to celebrate.  There will be a scavenger hunt in the hallways and trivia for all levels!  The week culminates in our Parent Appreciation Breakfast when you are invited to come and spend time in the classroom with your child.  This is a great opportunity to observe your child in the environment and engage them in conversation about their work and favorite activities.

Parent Appreciation Breakfast

Friday, March 1^st, 7:30a.m. – 9:30a.m.

Only a minute to spare?  Grab something to go!

Got a little more time? Sit down for a relaxing meal, a snack, or just coffee, and then come play in your child’s classroom.

You do whatever it takes to help make Brickton great and we couldn’t do our jobs without you!

Please join us in the Great Room!

Parent Development Night

Thursday, March 7th, 5:30-7:00 p.m.  Acclaimed licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Felix Casados, will discuss anxiety and provide tips and strategies for parents to help their child deal with anxiety. Care and pizza will be available for students at no cost.  Please RSVP to Sara so we may plan accordingly.

Hot Dog Lunch – February, 22 & March 15^th

Pizza Lunch – March 1st

Middle School Mid Cycle Meeting – March 14^th, 5:30-7:00 pm

Club Days, Friday, March 8^th  - Records Day

                    Friday, March 22^nd   - Parent/Teacher Conferences       

Spring Break: Club Days, Monday, March 25^th – Thursday, March28^th

                        School Closed, Friday, March 29^th

The Brickton Weekly, February, 4, 2013

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Brickton Community

Volunteer Spotlight and Thank Yous!

Thank you to Joe Somers, father of Owen (Room 105) and Evelyn (Room 101), who created all of the artwork for this year’s Annual Benefit!

Thank you to David DeGand, father of James (Room 101) and Sarah (Room 105) for visiting our classrooms during Fire Safety Week!

Thanks very much to the Leinenweber Family (Jack, Simone and Cora) for their donation of several boxes of books for the classrooms and to the family of Gloria Litwinczuk for the toys for the Toddler classroom and the After School program.  We appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity.

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

Liz Skrodzki, Reading Specialist

For twenty five years, our daughters’ educations were the center of our lives.  My husband and I carefully researched and finally selected schools -many times. To date that has meant 15 different institutions, all (but one) with hefty tuitions. The very first schools were Montessori.  We chose them because of the “valuable skills” that many are just beginning to recognize.  Montessori values were foundational as we selected where and with whom our children would “spend” so much of their early lives.  Rigorous academics were important, but so were the “valuable skills” that are Montessori’s genius and signature.   It has taken more than 100 years for some to recognize that the mission Montessori pioneered and implemented  is the most critical kind of schooling.  I have always appreciated the Montessori experiences that were an anchor and a beacon to me and my children.  I am so happy to be working in such an environment.

Welcome, Lucas Chase Wilhite

It's a baby boy for the Wilhite family.  Lucas Chase Wilhite was born on February 12, at 5:10 a.m., weighing in at 8.75 lbs.  His big sister, Emily Rose, is in the Toddler classroom.  Congratulations Anna, Kevin and Emily!

Get Ready for the Big Leap – Brickton’s Annual Benefit, Saturday, March 2^nd

Parents, teachers, staff, and students are scurrying around the school getting ready for Brickton’s biggest event of the year, The Big Leap. We’re finishing up classroom art projects, and tracking RSVPs.  For more information on Brickton’s Fun-filled Annual Benefit event, ask any of our staff members

What's new this year?

The Silent Auction will be Online via Bidding For Good. Simply click here to get started and this link will take you directly to Brickton’s BiddingFor Good web page http://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?vhost=brickton You will find amazing items such as tickets to upcoming events SOLD OUT New Kids on the Block concert, The Indy 500 and Bears/Packer for next season. Sharing the love of Brickton is so easy with this exciting change - simply share the link with family and friends and voila, they can support Brickton and find fabulous deals. The Live Auction items, including the Classroom Art Projects and Teacher Outings, will only be available the night of the event.

Montessori Night Out – Chicago, Friday, February 22^nd

Upcoming Events

School Closings: In-Service Day, Friday February 15th

                            President’s Day, Monday, February 18^th

Board of Directors Meeting, Wednesday, February 20^th, 7:00 p.m. in Room 106

Montessori Education Week, Monday, February 25th through Friday, March 1st

Parent Appreciation Breakfast, Friday March 1^st

Pond Pals, February 16, March 2nd & 16th.  Middle School Babysitting for Toddler through Upper Elementary.  Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: $20 per child (includes lunch).  Arts and crafts, story time, outside time (weather permitting), and activities in the gym.  Funds raised will go towards Middle School trips and classroom improvements.  Please stop by the office to sign up!

Parent Development Night, Thursday, March 7th, 5:30-7:00 p.m.  Acclaimed licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Felix Casados, will discuss anxiety and provide tips and strategies for parents to help their child deal with anxiety. Care and pizza will be available for students at no cost.  Please RSVP to Sara so we may plan accordingly.

Brickton in the News

WTTW’s Chicago Tonight came to the school last week to film our students practicing earthquake safety drills for the Great Central Shakeout.  Here is a video of the segment.  It was very exciting, and an excellent opportunity to highlight our great school.

The Brickton Weekly, February 7, 2013

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

Kathleen Kasser, Children’s House Directress

One hundred thirty years ago when Maria Montessori had the (at the time) outrageous notion that she wanted to attend college, it was assumed that she would naturally want to work with children, and so   would go into education.  Her rebuff to all such suggestions:  “Anything but a teacher!”    I am proud to be a second generation Montessorian!  What many people don’t know is that I come from many generations of educators and what is more, I myself never wanted to become one.  Long before I ever heard of Dr. Montessori, I echoed her insistent “Anything but a teacher!”  Then, in 1974, I began working as a classroom assistant for my mom, and very quickly, everything changed:  as a young adult - and in spite of myself - I discovered my passion, and I’ve never looked back!Away from the Montessori classroom, I love animals, Shakespeare, and musical/romantic comedies, most particularly the work of Fred Astaire.  

Parent Development Night

Thursday, March 7^th, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Acclaimed licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Felix Casados, will discuss anxiety and provide tips and strategies for parents to help their child deal with anxiety.

Care and pizza will be available for students at no cost.  Please RSVP to sara.gregory@brickton.org  so we may plan accordingly.

Last Valentine’s Day Gifts!

Forgot to buy a gift? Need a gift card ASAP? Forgot to place your MANNA Gift Card order?

Dotty has a list of gift cards available for last minute purchase posted on her office door.

Great Shake Out

Today, Brickton participated in The Great Shake Out. This earthquake awareness and safety drill informed the students in each classroom what to do in case of an earthquake.  The students were informed to stay calm, listen for instructions, and take shelter under a table while covering their heads.  The students had the opportunity to practice these skills before a school-wide drill.  An exciting twist on the event occurred when WTTW asked to have a cameraman for Chicago Tonight stopped by to film some of the Brickton Students practicing Earthquake safety.  The segment will air tonight on Channel 11, WTTW, at 7:00p.m. In other news, our Interim Head of School, Cheryl LaCost, was quoted in this Chicago Tribune article on the event saying, “It's not something to make the kids fearful as much as it's just some more practice."

Upcoming Events and Reminders

School Closings: In-Service Day, Friday February 15th

                            President’s Day, Monday, February 18th

Montessori Education Week, Monday, February 25th through Friday, March 1st

Parent Appreciation Breakfast, Friday March 1^st

The Big Leap - Brickton's Annual Benefit 2013

Saturday, March 2nd

Parents, teachers, staff, and students are scurrying around the school getting ready for Brickton’s biggest event of the year, The Big Leap. We’re finishing up classroom art projects, collecting items for the silent auction, and tracking RSVPs.  For more information on Brickton’s Fun-filled Annual Benefit event, stop by the Development Office and talk to Molly.

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.

The Brickton Weekly, January 31, 2013

-->

An Alumni Visits Birckton

"Brickton is an incredible life changing place where life training and education meet to form a confident unique person who is ready to tackle the world." -Monika Chojnacka, Brickton Alum 2008. 

Monika is a Senior at Elk Grove High School.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and an ISAC Scholar as well as a member of the Varsity Water Polo and Swim Team.  When asked to describe her days at Brickton, here is what she said:

"Wow, where do I begin. Brickton taught me how to be a functional human being. I learned how to manage time, how to be efficient, how to interact with people kindly, how to be considerate, how to be responsible, how to ask for help, but most importantly it taught me to think outside the box. I do not know how to explain this, but I could see the efficiency of a Brickton classroom when I visited. The kids are not only taught the essentials, like geography and english, but they are learning how to be responsible open minded individuals. I value my Brickton education very much."

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

Molly Arnoldt, Director of Advancement

When my husband Rob and I began to research school options for our eldest child, Sean, we knew we wanted something different from Traditional Education.  A dear friend of mine had her children in a Montessori school and highly recommended it, so we found Brickton!  As soon as we walked into Agnes' classroom we knew it was the perfect place for our children to learn and grow - it felt so right to us!  Brickton became so much of a second home to us over the years that Sean was in Children's House, when the position became available, it seemed natural for me to apply!  I had spent the prior five years in the world of non-profit development, so I joined the Brickton staff and soon after that our daughter Ellie began in Children's House.  Like I always tell prospective families - Brickton is a good place for children and adults alike!

The Fun is Coming Soon!

The Big Leap - Brickton's Annual Benefit 2013

Saturday, March 2^nd,

Parents, teachers, staff, and students are scurrying around the school getting ready for Brickton’s biggest event of the year, The Big Leap. We’re finishing up classroom art projects, collecting items for the silent auction, and tracking RSVPs.  For more information on Brickton’s Fun-filled Annual Benefit event, stop by the Development Office and talk to Molly. 

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

We'd like to extend a big thank you to Skip Starmann for volunteering to clean our front sidewalk on our first snowy day in 336 days.

Elementary Ice Skating

Each year the Elementary program seeks to augment its physical education curriculum with special activities.  In the fall, the students take swimming instruction for eight weeks at the Lattoff YMCA.  This winter, both the Lower and Upper Elementary students will go for six weeks of ice skating lessons at the Skokie Skatium Ice Arena.  The students greatly enjoy this activity and are afforded time for lessons and free skating.  The first of six sessions is February 6^th. 

Upcoming Events and Reminders

Manna Orders Due Tomorrow, Friday, February 1^st

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

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.

School Closings: In-Service Day, Friday February 15^th

                             President’s Day, Monday, February 18^th

Montessori Education Week, Monday, February 25^th through Friday, March 1^st

Parent Appreciation Breakfast, Friday March 1^st

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!