The Brickton Weekly, March 14, 2013

Manna Orders Due

Manna is a program that allows you to receive a discount off your tuition and while supporting the Middle School Program. You can use them for gas, groceries, clothes and gifts!  If you pay $25.00 for a gift card, you get the full $25.00 value of the card  - the Middle School makes a profit, and you get a discount on your tuition. Everybody wins!!! Just pick up your order forms from Dotty’s office and return them by Friday March 15^th. 

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

Dotty Schweitzer, Bookkeeper

When I left Corporate Management Training and Consulting I wanted to return to accounting and be in a new environment that I would enjoy going to everyday. Montessori had always interested me and being around children all day was something new to me.  A few of my friends have had children in a Montessori school and the conversations with their children were always engaging and fascinating. I felt that I could hear their thought process.  I have learned something new every day that I have been at Brickton.  I truly love what I do, and this is where I want to be!

Brickton's Annual Bowling Bash

Join the Brickton community for a fun-filled afternoon of Cosmic Bowling!

Brunswick Zone - 7333 Milwaukee Avenue in Niles

Saturday, April 13^th, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

$15 per person - includes bowling, shoe rental and lunch.

Tickets can be purchased in the main office.

World’s Finest Chocolate

Only a few days left to gather up orders for World's Finest Chocolate. Orders and payments must be turned into the office by Friday, March 15^th, so that the chocolate can be delivered before Spring Break.  Stock up - chocolate always makes it a better day!

Enroll Now For Summer Camp

Brickton offers exciting summer camp programs for children from 2 years old to 8^th grade.  Click here to find out more and to access registration forms.  To learn more about the age specific programs see below and follow the links! 

Our Summertime Wonder Camp for Toddlers and Children’s House Students (aged 2-6), is led by our Montessori certified Directresses, exploring the Montessori materials in the classroom. Each week features a different theme, supplemented with plenty of outside playtime and splashing in wading pools. 

Elementary and Middle School campers (entering 1st grade through completing 8th grade) participate in our Enrichment Camp, offering themed weeks designed to stimulate their interest.  Classes are taught by expert instructors in science, sports, art, circus performing and clowning, drama, music and dance - for boys and girls.  Afternoons are filled with fun activities related to the weekly theme, including games, sports, art projects, cooking and other activities inspired by the campers.  Click here for more info.

Our Discover Chicago program is a unique opportunity for campers from 6th through 8th grade to plan trips to  explore downtown Chicago or anywhere public transportation can take them.  Past trips have included museums, Navy Pier, Millenium Park, Sears Tower, Hancock Building, North Beach, and Wrigley Field.  Find out more here.

Our Junior Counselor Program is offered for 6th - 12th graders that are current, future and past students of our Middle School Program.  This program is designed to offer leadership training and the opportunity to complete community service requirements for Middle School and High School.  More info?  Click here.

Manna Orders Due, Friday, March 15^th

Trinity Irish Dancers Live at Brickton, Friday, March 15^th, 8:30 am

Parent Alliance Meeting, Monday, March 18^th, 5:45 pm – Care and dinner provided.  Please RSVP to Sara in the office so we can plan accordingly.

Benefit Meeting, Monday, March 18^th, approximately 7:00 pm.  Will begin immediately after the Parent Alliance meeting. 

Club Day, Friday, March 22^nd - Parent/Teacher Conferences       

Spring Break: Club Days, Monday, March 25^th – Thursday, March 28^th

                        School Closed, Friday, March 29^th

Pizza Lunch, Friday, April 5^th

Board Meeting, Wednesday April 10^th, 7:00 pm

In-School Celebration, Room 103, April 12^th, 8:30 am

Bowling Bash, Saturday, April 13^th 11:30am – 2:00 p.m., Brunswick Zone, 7333 Milwaukee Ave, Niles

Middle School to Nature’s Classroom, April 15^th – 19^th

Information Coffee, Thursday, April 18^th, 9:00 – 10:00 am 

Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, April 19^th

Open House, Sunday, April 21^st, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm. 

The Brickton Weekly, March 7, 2013

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.

Thanks for a GREAT Big Leap!

Friday, March 2^nd, we came out to support Brickton Montessori School at the Big Leap benefit dinner and auction.  We had a ton of fun, and it was a very successful night.  Thanks again to the parents, teachers, and students that worked hard to make the night such a success and to Deb DeYoung and Maggie Bauer, co-chairs of the event.  A big thank you is due to Marie Rodriguez and Mark Treppa for taking pictures at the event.  You can view and download pictures here.

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 Menczyski, After School/Office Assistant

I joined Brickton back in 1991 as a volunteer.  Then, sometime afterward, I expressed interest in a part-time position.  I worked from 1992 to 1998 as an assistant in Children’s House.  I left for about ten years and then came back to Chicago in 2007.  I came back to Brickton in 2008, and am very happy to be back.

Oberweiss Fundraising Coupon

Louise Borre has shared a great fundraising opportunity for Brickton.  On Saturday, March 9^th, take this coupon to the Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store location 101 S. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, IL 60068, and Brickton will get up to 30% back on everything you buy!  Copies of the coupon will be available in the office or just click the link to download and print the coupon.  

World's Finest Chocolate Flash Sale

Quick as a bunny, in just a FLASH, Brickton will be selling World's Finest Chocolate. The always popular Chocolate Rabbits will be available, as well as other spring candy favorites.  The sale will begin on Monday, March 11^th; orders must be returned to the office by Friday, March 15^th, so that they can be delivered before Spring Break. Order forms should be in parent folders on Friday.

Upcoming Events and Reminders

Re-Enrollment Forms Due, Monday, March 11^th

Club Day, Friday, March 8^th

Information Coffee, Thursday, March 14^th, 9:00 – 10:00 am  Let people know that this is a great time to come learn more about Brickton.

Manna Orders Due, Friday, March 15^th

Trinity Irish Dancers Live at Brickton, Friday, March 15^th, 8:30 am

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, March 28^th

                        School Closed, Friday, March 29^th

Board Meeting, Wednesday April 10^th, 7:00 pm

In-School Celebration, Room 103, April 12^th, 8:30 am

Information Coffee, Thursday, April 18^th, 9:00 – 10:00 am 

Open House, Sunday April 21^st, 10:00 am -12:30 pm.

The Brickton Weekly, March 1, 2013

The Big Leap is Saturday

  

      







      Brickton’s annual benefit dinner and auction is this Saturday! The staff, students, and room parents have been working very hard to pull everything together for this special night.  We hope to see you out in support of our great school! Tickets are on sale in the office and will be available at the door the night of the event.  Don’t miss out on this fun-filled night, and look out for these exciting auction items:

   ·         Terrific teacher outings for the students

   ·         Beautiful classroom art projects

   ·         Principal For A Day

   ·         VIP parking spot

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

Heather Wilcek, Lower Elementary Directress

Ever since I was a child myself, I knew I loved kids and wanted to work with them when I grew up.  During high school I worked for many years at Chicago Park District summer camps and had a blast. When it was time for college, it was easy for me to decide on my major (Early Childhood - Birth to Grade 3) and I was off.  The general education classes quickly passed and as I got into the core classes that would help me earn my Bachelor's degree, it was more evident that I had made the right choice.  I was (and still am) fascinated by how children learn.  I was working my way through college and I was interested in finding a part-time job at a school.  I saw an ad for an after school position at Brickton, interviewed for the position and have been here ever since.  At first, I thought it was a little different to ask children to "use slow feet" rather than shouting at them to "stop running".  I was used to using my big day camp voice to quiet the campers down with a big shout of "close your mouths" but at Brickton we were supposed to suggest the students "use inside voices".  I realized that I was entering into something that was unlike anything I was familiar with and I liked it.  After working in different positions around the school while I finished my degree, I decided to take the Lower Elementary Directress training.  Hearing about the philosophy in training made me feel very at home and it was easy for me to do what was required because that was how I lived my life anyway.  I fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and I still feel that way today.  Having two children who are working their way through the ranks at Brickton has been an amazing experience.  It has helped me grow as a professional, as well as a person, and I feel very lucky that we all have such a special, supportive place to spend our days.

Parent Appreciation Breakfast Tomorrow

Friday, March 1st, 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 for breakfast!

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.

Upcoming Events

Manna Orders Due – March 1^st

Pizza Lunch – March 1^st

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 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

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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