The Brickton Weekly, November 1, 2013

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

Heather Wilcek, Lower Elementary Directress

I love music and I always have!  Whether I'm doing chores around the house, driving in the car, doing work for school or reading a book, you will probably hear music playing in the background.  I enjoy opportunities to go see live shows of all kinds.  In high school, I sang in the chorus and played the clarinet in the marching band.  If you ever need a playlist put together, I'm your girl!

Volunteer Corner

Thank you to all of our Room Parents - your help and support is much appreciated!  Click here for a list of current Room Parents. 

A big thank you to all of the parents who make indoor Trunker Treating so much fun!

Happy Halloween! Enjoy the Slideshow

Brickton Pond Pals – Middle School Babysitting

This coming Saturday, November 2nd, is the first Middle School Pond Pals babysitting day of the school-year!Bring your child (ages 3-12) to Brickton on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and it's a win-win for everyone!  They will play outside (weather permitting), bake some yummy treats, do arts and crafts, have lunch and much, much more - all while you get your Saturday errands completed, kid free!This is one of the ways the Middle School students raise money to pay for their field trips.

When:  Saturday, Novemeber 2nd

Time: Anytime between 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Cost: $20 per child (includes lunch!)

** The Middle School students will be assisted by two staff members**

Out-And-About: Film Festival

On Friday, October 25^th, the Lower Elementary and Kindergarten students attended a field trip at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival to see a compilation of shorts with a "Friendship" theme.The students viewed six short films from around the world including Paper Bag Boy – Taiwan, Colosse – USA, Once I Dreamt: “A Nightmare” – Mexico; Marrs – Singapore, Room on the Broom – England, Mia and Me: “The Blossom Tree” – Germany.  It was an inspiring and enlightening trip for our young students. 

Trick-or-Treat With UNICEF

In addition to all of the traditional Halloween fun, this year, the children are being asked to trick or treat for UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.  For 60 years UNICEF has provided money for improved nutrition, clean water, medications, vaccines, sanitation and educational supplies for children.  The students viewed a short video about UNICEF on Monday.  The “trick-or-treat” campaign is often a child’s first philanthropic experience and we are happy to take part in this endeavor. In your parent folder you will find an orange UNICEF box.  The children may bring these boxes with them when trick or treating and say, “trick or treat for UNICEF.”  Please return the boxes to your child’s Director/ess by November 6.  Thank you.

The Big Leap 2014!

Get in on the fun!  Here's your chance to win two FREE tickets to the event! 

Do you know anyone who would love to help your kids' school by donating an auction item or checking out our online silent auction??

Click here for your chance to win!  Turn in your completed form to the office today - drawing will take place on November 4th!

Thank you for participating!

Fall Spirit Wear Sale! 

 ***NEW*** Nylon Hooded Cotton Lined Jacket - available in youth and adult sizes.

Click here for your order form.

Upcoming Events

Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, October 25^th

Halloween Celebration, Thursday, October 31^st

Pizza Lunch, Friday, October 8^th

Open House, Sunday, November 10^th, 10:00am – 12:30pm

Room 101 In-School Celebration, Friday, November 15^th, 8:30am

Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, November 22^nd

Club Day, Wednesday, November 27^th

Thanksgiving – School Closed, Thursday, November 28^th and Friday, November 29^th

Middle School to Nature’s Classroom, Monday, December 2^nd – Friday, December 6^th

Club Day – Conferences, Friday, December 6^th

Breakfast With Santa, Saturday, December 7^th, 10:00am

Scholastic Book Fair, Monday, December 9^th – Friday, December 12^th

Pizza Lunch, Friday, December 13^th

Board Meeting, Wednesday, December 18^th, 7:00pm

Mix-It-Up Day, Kindergarten – 8^th Grade, Thursday, December 19^th, 9:00am

Geography Bee, Upper Elementary and Middle School, Friday, December 20^th, 9:00am

Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, December 20^th

Winter Break, Monday, December 23^rd – Monday, January 6^th

The Brickton Weekly, October 25, 2013

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

Liz Skrodzki, Reading Specialist

"I'm surrounded by thousands of words – maybe millions! Words have always swirled around me like snowflakes; each one is delicate and different. Cathedral.Mayonnaise.Pomegranate.Silky.Terrifying.Iridescent. Tickle. Sneeze. Wish. Worry." 

In Out of My Mind, eleven year old Melody, a mute wordsmith, expresses her creative view of the world.  Just as Melody feels surrounded by words, I feel surrounded by millions of expressions of creativity.  My background in theater arts exposed me to music, literature, and graphic arts. I express creativity as a writer, scrap-booker, public speaker, and curriculum creator. But, I believe that every act and aspect of life can be suffused with creativity.  I experience the creativity of everyone I work with at Brickton. Heather usesShutterfly.  Sarah creates floral masterpieces.  Have you seen how Kathleen wears colors?  It is experiencing and expressing creativity that allows us to go through, above and beyond our daily lives.  

Cross Country Wrap-Up

Through the guidance of the coaches and the dedication of the team members, Brickton’s Cross Country Team just finished its first season – and what a season it was!  With a pizza party on Friday, the team wrapped up with a celebration of a season of personal bests and hard work.  Many runners received medals: Most valuable - BaitoSarkiss; Most Improved - Josh Plier; Best Sportsmanship - Mica Barrett; Most Perseverance - LiadanSarkiss.  A big thank you is due to the cross country coaches for their support and dedication: Kerry Santefort, Cheryl LaCost, and Agnes Guerra.  Thank you to MirvetteBadal for helping with the end-of-season celebration on Friday.

Guest Speaker at Drummond Montessori

Susan Tracy McDaniel, Director of Learning Together Educationpresenting:"Montessori in the Home"October 29^th, 2013, 5:30-7 p.m.Susan’s talk will cover:

• Learn how best to support your child's independence at home at every stage in their lives.
• Visual presentation on what you need to beautifully prepare each room in the home environment the Montessori way.
• Find out where to find resources to do "Montessori at Home" for any budget.
• What chores and activities at home are recommended for ages toddler through teens?
• How to best support and complement what your child's learns at school.
• And much more!

Click here for more information.  Click here to REGISTER.

Thank You Corner

Thank you to the Steering Committee and our Subcommittee members for your support with the work for the accreditation visit.  Thad Falkner, the Team Leader, visited the school on Monday and said the committees and faculty were well prepared for our full team accreditation visit scheduled for April 6-9, 2014.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the Give with Target Campaign - we just received a check for $298!

Halloween Celebration

On Thursday, October 31^st, our Halloween Celebration activities will begin at 9:00 am with an ALL SCHOOL PARADE through the classrooms and then through the offices of Red Mane, located at the east end of the parking lot. Parents are invited to watch the parade. After the parade, we will have Trunker Treating in the parking lot. If you would like to participate in Trunker Treating, please let Sara Gregory, in the main office know.  Check your email for details regarding your child’s classroom activities, costume guidelines, and treat suggestions. 

Upcoming Events

Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, October 25^th

Halloween Celebration, Thursday, October 31^st

Pizza Lunch, Friday, October 8^th

Open House, Sunday, November 10^th, 10:00am – 12:30pm

Room 101 In-School Celebration, Friday, November 15^th, 8:30am

Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, November 22^nd

Club Day, Wednesday, November 27^th

Thanksgiving – School Closed, Thursday, November 28^th and Friday, November 29^th

Middle School to Nature’s Classroom, Monday, December 2^nd – Friday, December 6^th

Club Day – Conferences, Friday, December 6^th

Scholastic Book Fair, Monday, December 9^th – Friday, December 12^th

Pizza Lunch, Friday, December 13^th

Board Meeting, Wednesday, December 18^th, 7:00pm

Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, December 20^th

Winter Break, Monday, December 23^rd – Monday, January 6^th

The Brickton Weekly, October 19, 2013

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

Selena Brosnan, Lower Elementary Intern

My most creative moments come when I need to solve a problem or am entertaining my son, nieces and nephews. Creating stories with illustrations has always been part of my life; I now spend that same energy honing my writing skills using creative non-fiction and poetry. When words escape me I turn to drawing, sculpting and sewing. It is wonderful thing to experience an idea becoming a reality.

Volunteer Spotlight

Have you noticed our sparkling clean windows? Thanks go to Marusia Calderon, Aisuram’s mother (Room 106), for keeping them that way.

Thank You….

Many thanks to the Chau Family (Hanna - Room 102 and Nolan – Room 101) for donating the beautiful sign honoring our Cross Country Team!  And thanks to Chhunnary Ou (mother of Toddler, Evelyn Lai), who generously donated lots of office supplies.

Accreditation Pre-Visit

This coming Monday, October 21st, our accreditation Team Leader, Thad Falkner will make a "pre-visit" to Brickton.  Thad is the Head of School at the Wilson School in Missouri. This visit provides an opportunity for the team leader to meet with the Head of School, the Steering Committee and all others responsible for the upcoming Accreditation team visit in April.  If you see Thad around school, please extend him a warm welcome.

Special Manna Deal – Free Chili’s Kids           

With every purchase of 2 Chili's (Brinker) $25 gift cards ($50 total), receive a FREE Kids' Meal Award! This certificate is good for one FREE meal from the Chili's Kids' Meal Menu when an Adult meal is purchased! This offer is for kids 12 and under and is good until October 27^th.  The next Manna order is due Friday, October 25^th at 5 pm.

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.  Check the list below to Save the Date for your child’s Taste of Montessori.  Sign-up sheets for each classroom are posted outside the classroom. 

Room 103, Thursday, October 24^th, 5:00 – 7:00pm

Halloween Celebration

On Thursday, October 31^st, our Halloween Celebration activities will begin at 9:00 am with an ALL SCHOOL PARADE through the classrooms and then through the offices of Red Mane, located at the east end of the parking lot.  Parents are invited to watch the parade. After the parade, we will have Trunker Treating in the parking lot. If you would like to participate in Trunker Treating, please let Sara Gregory, in the main office know.  Check your email for details regarding your child’s classroom activities, costume guidelines, and treat suggestions. 

Upcoming Events

Lower Elementary In-School Celebration, Friday, October 18^th, 8:30am

Room 103 Taste of Montessori, Thursday, October 24^th, 5:00 – 7:00pm

Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, October 25^th

Halloween Celebration, Thursday, October 31^st

Pizza Lunch, Friday, October 8^th

Open House, Sunday, November 10^th, 10:00am – 12:30pm

Room 101 In-School Celebration, Friday, November 15^th, 8:30am

Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, November 22^nd

Club Day, Wednesday, November 27^th

Thanksgiving – School Closed, Thursday, November 28^th and Friday, November 29^th

Middle School to Nature’s Classroom, Monday, December 2^nd – Friday, December 6^th

Club Day – Conferences, Friday, December 6^th

Scholastic Book Fair, Monday, December 9^th – Friday,  December 13^th

The Brickton Weekly, October 11, 2013

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

Kathy Hummel, Music Teacher

I am fortunate to be in a creative field and have many opportunities to express my creativity. As a performer I interpret the music of a variety of composers while playing solo, in a flute quartet, woodwind quintet, and in an orchestra. I express my creativity when I leave the notes on the written page and improvise.  As a music teacher using the Orff Schulwerk approach to music education I express my creativity through the movement and music activities I provide my students to help them reach their potential as musicians. I also express my creativity when I work with a group of colleagues at an Orff workshop developing a movement piece or a composition using the Orff Instrumentarium.

Birth Announcment

Sean Patrick McPartlin7 lbs, 13 oz,brother of RJ McPartlin in room 101 wasborn on October 7^th.  Welcome to the world Sean Patrick.

Cross Country Update!

Come out and cheer them on at the IESA Sectional competition, this coming Saturday, October 12th, 9:00 a.m. at Westmont High School: 909 Oakwood Drive in Westmont.  Best of luck to Brickton'sCross Country Team!

Spotlight on Volunteering

Many thanks to Kristen Olson, Julia Clifton’s mom, who has volunteered to buy crickets and worms for the school’s pets, which they gratefully devour each week.

Big Thank You

The extracurricular Art Club sends thanks to Tayler Sain’s family, Mary Disse, and Pat Moran for the donation of art supplies.  If you have any art supplies at home you no longer want, please drop them at the office and our young artists will put them to good use.

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.

Upper Elementary, Tuesday, October 15^th, 5:00 – 7:00pm

Room 101, Thursday, October 17^th, 5:00 – 7:00pm

Room 103, Thursday, October 24^th, 5:00 – 7:00pm

Save the date! Transition Night 2014

For parents of 2nd and 3rd year students in Children's House, Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary, join us for an important information session about the next step in your child's educational journey here at Brickton.  The evening will provide an opportunity to learn about the curriculum, speak to the Director(s)/Directress(es) for the program and meet parents whose children have already made the transition.

Transition to Upper Elementary - for parents of current 2^nd and 3^rdgrade students

Wednesday, January 22^nd 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Transition to Middle School - for parents of current 5^th and 6^thgrade students

Wednesday, January 29^th 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Transition to Lower Elementary - for parents of current Children's House 2^nd and 3^rdyear (Kindergarten) students - Wednesday, February 5^th 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Upcoming Events

School Closed – Columbus Day, Monday, October 14^th

Upper Elementary Taste of Montessori, Tuesday, October 15^th, 5:00 – 7:00pm

Board Meeting, Wednesday, October 16^th, 7:00pm

The Great American Shake Out, Thursday, October 17^th

Room 101 Taste of Montessori, Thursday, October 17^th, 5:00 – 7:00pm

Lower Elementary In-School Celebration, Friday, October 18^th, 8:30am

Room 103 Taste of Montessori, Thursday, October 24^th, 5:00 – 7:00pm

Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, October 25^th

HalloweenCelebration, Thursday, October 31^st

Pizza Lunch, Friday, October 8^th

Open House, Sunday, November 10^th, 10:00am – 12:30pm

Room 101 In-School Celebration, Friday, November 15^th, 8:30am