CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY NEWSLETTER MAY 2015 Christopher Academy...fosters a love of learning.

MAY & JUNE CALENDARS: Scheduled events are listed below according to grade level. Whole school events are posted on ​ ​ each grade level calendar as well. Please refer to the notices section for more details.

PRESCHOOL CALENDAR PRE­KINDERGARTEN CALENDAR

MAY MAY 4­8 Teacher Appreciation Week 4­8 Teacher Appreciation Week 5­6 Give Local 757, Noon to Noon 5­6 Give Local 757, Noon to Noon 15 Box Tops Day 13 Calendar of Songs Program, 10:45 a.m. ​ 22 Field Day, early dismissal 11:45 15 Box Tops Day 25 Memorial Day, School Closed 22 Field Day, early dismissal 11:45 29 “My Parents & Me” Tea, 10:30 a.m. 25 Memorial Day, School Closed 27 Book Buddy Picnic, 10:45 a.m. JUNE 3 Last Day for Preschool JUNE 13 CA Tides Night, 7:05 p.m. 5 Stuffed Animal Parade & Summer Birthday Celebration 12 Last day of School 13 CA Tides Night, 7:05 p.m.

KINDERGARTEN & K­CUBS CALENDAR

MAY JUNE 1 Animal Classification, 9 a.m. 1 Picnic, Western Branch Park 4­8 Teacher Appreciation Week 10 Early Dismissal, 11:45 a.m 5­6 Give Local 757, Noon to Noon 11 Early Dismissal, 11:45 a.m. 5 VA Zoo Field Trip 12 Elementary Musical ​ 15 Pet Parade 12 Early Dismissal, 11:45 a.m. 15 Box Tops Day 12 Last Day of School 22 Field Day, early dismissal 11:45 13 CA Tides Night, 7:05 p.m. 25 Memorial Day, School Closed Note: Parent Conferences will be scheduled during the last week of school.

FIRST ­ FIFTH GRADE CALENDAR

MAY 1 2nd Grade Ancestor Food Project, 11:45 JUNE ​ 1­6 IOWA Testing Continues, 3rd ­ 5th 2 5th Grade Canoe Trip, 9.a.m. ­ 3p.m. ​ 4­8 Teacher Appreciation Week 8 3rd Grade Puppet Play, 9 a.m. 5­6 Give Local 757, Noon to Noon 9 4th Grade Talent Show/Graduation 5 Elementary Lunch Assembly, Noon 10 Early Dismissal, 11:45 a.m ​ 7 1st Grade VA Zoo Field Trip 11 Early Dismissal, 11:45 8 1st Grade Math Store, 12:45­1:45 12 Elementary Musical 8 2nd Grade “Moms and Muffins”, 9 a.m. 12 Early Dismissal, 11:45 a.m. 8 5th Grade Richmond Trip, 8 a.m. 12 Last Day of School 12 2nd Grade Virginia Aquarium, 9 a.m. 13 CA Tides Night, 7:05 p.m. 12 3rd Grade Air & Space Museum, 9 a.m. 13 5th Grade Food Lion Trip, 1:30 p.m. 13 CARES CLUB, 3­ 4:15 p.m. Note: Parent Conferences will be scheduled 14 5th Grade Elementary Lunch Project during the last week of school. 15 Pet Parade­ K 15 Box Tops Day 22 2nd Grade “Dads and Doughnuts”, 8:45 22 Field Day, early dismissal 11:45 25 Memorial Day, School Closed 26 1st Grade Puppet Play & Reception, 1:30 27 2nd Grade Book Buddy Picnic 29­30 3rd Grade Zoo Snooze

GENERAL NOTICES

2014/1015 CALENDAR ADJUSTMENTS: Please note the following changes to the ​ 2014/2015 school calendar due to the days missed for snow: ● June 8 and 9 will be full school days for elementary; we will NOT have early dismissal on those dates. ● June 10, 11 and 12 will be EARLY DISMISSAL days; 11:45 a.m. ● June 12 will be the last day of school for Pre­K ­ 5th Grade Students.

PLEASE NOTE THESE DATES: May 22 Field Day, early dismissal at 11:45 a.m. May 25 Memorial Day, school closed June 9 4th Grade Talent Show; 5th Grade Graduation June 12 Musical, Last day of School, 11:45 a.m. dismissal THANK YOU TO OUR PLAYGROUND MULCH RAKERS ­ SPRING SCHEDULE: Thank you to our volunteers who help maintain our playground. The spring schedule is: May 4 Bobbie & Mike McGuire May 11 Toby Stambaugh May 18 Jason Hicks

ATTENTION ALL PARENTS: The Adventure Kids Program is looking for someone to fill ​ our football and cheerleading coaches for next year. If you are interested please contact Mrs. Penland at tammy.penland@christopher­academy.org for more details. If ​ ​ any parents have ideas for the adventure kids program feel free to contact Mrs. Penland. We are always looking for new classes for our program.

GIVE LOCAL 757: On May 5th & 6th from noon to noon, the Peninsula, Southeast Virginia ​ ​ and Suffolk Community Foundations will host the second annual Give Local 757! For 24 ​ ​ hours, you can give to Give Local 757 nonprofits, including Christopher Academy. There are several contests, prizes and matching donations for participating nonprofits. The minimum donation is $10 and can be made online at www.givelocal757.org. Choose Christopher ​ ​ Academy, give great and keep it local! More information to come.

THANK YOU FROM YEARBOOK STAFF: Thank you to all who shared photos for use in the ​ 2014/2015 yearbook! Yearbooks will come home in bookbags in late May. There are extra yearbooks for sale if you missed ordering one. Cost: $22.00

CA FAMILY NIGHT AT HARBOR PARK: Save the Date ­ June 13th, 7:05 p.m. ​ Christopher Academy is having its 2nd Annual Family Night at Harbor Park. More information to come.

PHOTOCOPY VOLUNTEER: Thank you to Mrs. Smith for spending each Tuesday morning ​ all year to do all the photocopying. We really appreciate your help!

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4­8. Christopher ​ Academy is fortunate to have a very dedicated and hardworking faculty. This is a great time for you and your child to let teachers know that you appreciate their efforts with a kind word or note.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR ~ END OF YEAR MUSICAL! EVERYONE is invited to attend this ​ ​ ​ year’s musical, Three of a KInd!, performed by our 1st, 2nd &3rd grade students on June ​ ​ 12, at 10:00 a.m. We all look forward to having this opportunity to enjoy and celebrate our last day of school with our students.

MS. PAULA’S SUMMER ART CAMP: Looking for a great summer camp? Ms. Paula’s art ​ ​ camp will be June 22­26 from 9:00­noon at Christopher Academy. Come explore art by using different media such as paint, markers, glue and canvases. Plan to get a little messy and learn about different artists and their styles. The cost is $70 per camper. A form was sent home with your child and is available online or in the office. FIELD DAY: On May 22, we will have a great time playing games, throwing water balloons ​ ​ ​ and having our always competitive tug of war. The event will need many volunteers. We will need help on May 21 to set up equipment for our activities and on May 22, the day of the event. Volunteers will help run play stations, hand out snacks, move groups around, etc. Some games will use a lot of water balloons! We need volunteers to make these the day before. We will furnish balloons and spouts to help fill them. Please fill out the form at the end of the newsletter if you can help. As of the printing of this newsletter we only have 8 volunteers!! We need 30­35 volunteers to make this fabulous day a success! We also need 14 volunteers to fill 50 water balloons. We go through 700 balloons!!! To add extra team spirit each class/group will be asked to wear the same color shirts that day: Pre­K 3’s MWF Bees – White Kindergarten Blues – Royal Blue Pre­K 3’s T/TH Frogs – Green Kindergarten Reds – Red Pre­K 4’s Bears – Brown/Tan First Grade – Light Green Pre­K 4’s Ducks – Yellow Second Grade – Light Blue Pre­K 4’s Fish ­ Teal blue Third Grade – Orange Fourth ­ Yellow Fifth Grade – Red

2014/2015 TUITION INFORMATION: If you are paying tuition on the 10 month payment ​ ​ plan, your last ACH debit is in May, 2015. If you are on the 12 month payment plan, your last ACH debit will be in July, 2015. 2015/2016 Tuition payments & debits begin in ​ August 2015.

TRANSFER STUDENTS: Records for students who may be transferring to a different school ​ ​ next year are mailed directly to the new school. Parents need to sign a release form at the ​ new school in order to have the records sent. We do not give the records to parents to ​ ​ ​ hand carry as they are not considered official transcripts Also, we do not send records to another school until all tuition payments have been made. We urge you to sign the release form at your child’s new school as soon as the school year ends so records can be mailed early in the summer. Please do not wait until September to request them as we want your child’s transition to a new school to go smoothly.

SUMMER MAILING: The summer mailing for all returning and new students will be mailed in ​ early August. Be on the lookout for important dates and information concerning 2015/2016 school year! 2015­2016 CALENDAR is posted at on website. ​ ​

+++++++++++++++GRADE GROUP NOTICES++++++++++++++++

PRESCHOOL MY PARENTS AND ME TEA: Mark your calendar for a tea with your child on Friday, May ​ ​ 29 at 10:30. The children will sing songs and share some fun facts about their parents! ​ Parents are to go to the church sanctuary. Refreshments will follow.

PRESCHOOL CONTINUED: FIELD DAY: Parents are needed to help volunteer with the class for Field Day. If you are ​ able to help, please let us know.

END OF YEAR CONFERENCE: Preschool conferences are not regularly scheduled. ​ ​ However, should you desire a conference, please let us know. Progress reports will go home with each child.

OUTSIDE DRESS: A reminder that children must wear footwear that fits their feet and has ​ ​ ​ a back (flip flops are not acceptable) for safety. We do not permit children to climb if they are wearing shoes without a back or secure strap. Also sandals and crocs get mulch and sand in them. This bothers most children. We suggest that they wear socks.

THANK YOU: Thank you to all the parents that helped with the Easter Celebration. The ​ children enjoyed the special surprises the Easter Bunny left.

A BIG HUG to Mrs. Lee (Cooper’s mother) for the artificial flowers. The children have really ​ ​ enjoyed playing in the Flower Shop Center. We also would like to thank her for the craft supplies and toy donation to the classroom. The children are having a wonderful time playing with everything.

Thank you, parents, for all of your help and cooperation during the school year. We couldn’t have done it without you!

PRE­KINDERGARTEN:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Mrs. Vetter needs a volunteer to put up the pre­made ​ decorations during the week of May 4­8 for the “Calendar of Songs” program being presented on Wednesday, May 13th. Please send a note in to school with your child if you are able to help. **Mrs. Davenport needs several volunteers on May 20th immediately following carpool to help the children make stepping stones. If you can help, please send in a note to Mrs. Davenport or email at donna.davenport @christopher­academy.org.

A SPRING BOUQUET: Thanks to all the parents who sent in goodies and who stuffed eggs ​ ​ ​ for our Easter celebration. Thank you to the volunteers who will put up the decorations for our “Calendar of Songs” program. Thank you, parents, for all of your help and cooperation during the school year. We really count on your support!

CONFERENCES: June conferences are not regularly scheduled by the Pre­K teachers. ​ However, should you desire a conference, please call the school office at 484­6776 by Friday, May 15th.

SHOW & TELL: The last day for sharing will be Thursday June 11th. Look for the themes ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ in your child`s bookbag. PRE­KINDERGARTEN CONTINUED

FIELD DAY: We need a few volunteers to make some concoctions for Field Day (bubbles, ​ cloud dough…). If you are willing to help, please email Mrs. Davenport at donna.davenport@christopher­academy.org.

CALENDAR OF SONGS: Don’t miss our Pre­K Calendar of Songs on Wednesday, May ​ ​ 13th at 10:45a.m.

STUFFED ANIMAL PARADE: We will be having our own Stuffed Pet Parade on Friday, ​ ​ ​ June 5th. Each child may bring his/her favorite stuffed animal to show the group. Special ​ certificates will be given to each animal. (The kindergarten students bring in their real pets ​ ​ for a parade on May 15th.) ​ ​

SUMMER BIRTHDAY BASH: In past years, the parents of children who have summer ​ birthdays have gotten together to provide a special snack for their classmates. If you would be willing to participate, please return the form at the end of the newsletter. We will celebrate summer birthdays on Friday, June 5th around 10:15 a.m. ​

IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES: May 13 Calendar of Songs, May 15 Kindergarten Pet Parade, 10:30 May 20 Stepping stones May 22 Field Day 9:30 May 27 Book Buddy Picnic June 5 Stuffed Animal Pet Parade June 5 Summer Birthday Party June 12 Last Day of School

LIBRARY: Tuesday, May 26th, will be the last day to take home library books. All books ​ should be returned by Tuesday, June 2nd.

NEEDS: Eight 8­10in beach balls and sidewalk chalk are needed for Field Day. We also ​ need three small bags of Quikcrete, 30 aluminum tins (round or square),shells, glass stones, colored rocks, etc. to make stepping stones. We will also need several gourmet chefs available to cook hot dogs for our Book Buddy Picnic on May 27th. Please send a note if you can help.

************************************************************************************* KINDERGARTEN:

Thank you in advance to all our zoo drivers. ​

LIBRARY: Tuesday May 26 will be our last day for checking out library books. All books ​ ​ ​ ​ are due by June 2. KINDERGARTEN CONTINUED:

CALENDAR DATES TO NOTE: Animal Classification Friday, May 1­ 9:00a.m. Norfolk Zoo Tuesday, May 5, leaving at 9:30a.m. Pet Parade Thursday, May 15 ­ gather outside 10:15, show begins 10:30 Picnic Monday, June 1, 9:15 a.m.

ANIMAL CLASSIFICATION: If you have an animal that may be used for classification on May ​ 1 please sign the form at the end of the newsletter.

PET PARADE: On Friday, May 15, all Kindergarten children will present a pet (owned or ​ ​ ​ borrowed) to culminate their study of animals. Pets should arrive at school by 10:15 a.m. in ​ ​ an appropriate cage or be restrained. School will be dismissed for morning Kindergarten students at the end of the show. K­Cubs will remain for the afternoon. Parents and siblings are welcome to attend! Please return the form at the end of the newsletter informing us what pet your child plans to bring. More information will follow.

KINDERGARTEN PICNIC: We will have our Kindergarten picnic brunch on June 1. You will ​ ​ ​ be hearing from the chair in a few weeks. Families will gather at Western Branch Park around 9:15. If your child needs a ride please let us know. More info will follow.

CONFERENCE: If you need an early conference, please let Mrs. Perkins know. Thanks. ​

ELEMENTARY GRADES:

TUTORING TRAIN: Mrs. Diorio and Mrs. Sexton will offer the “Tutoring Train” this summer ​ for rising first through fifth grade students who would benefit from tutoring. They will soon begin scheduling students for this summer. If you are interested please be certain to contact them and fill out the form at the end of the newsletter. If you would like more information or another registration form, please contact Mrs. Diorio at 757­681­6244 or the office.

FIRST GRADE: Thank you to all the parents who drove on the first grade Courthouse ​ Gallery Field Trip.

FIRST GRADE NORFOLK ZOO TRIP: Ms.Shiembob is taking the first grade on a science ​ field trip to the Virginia Norfolk Zoo in Norfolk on Thursday, May 7, leaving school at 11:30 ​ ​ a.m. We will return by carpool time at 3:00 p.m. Please return the form at the end of the newsletter if you can drive and help supervise students on this trip.

FIRST GRADE SCHOOL STORE: _____Yes, I can help the student cashiers at the school store on Friday, May 8 from 12:45­1:45. Name______Phone______

FIRST GRADE PUPPET PLAYS AND RECEPTION: Parents are invited to attend first grade ​ puppet plays and a reception on Tuesday, May 26 at 1:30 p.m. The plays will be presented ​ ​ in Mrs. Wilson's and Ms. Shiembob’s room. Please return the form at the end of the newsletter if you are willing to send in small bottles of water or cookies for the reception following the puppet plays. Please remember food allergies include: tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, sesame seeds and coconut. Please label food to state that it is free of ingredients above.

SECOND GRADE GENERAL NOTICES ­ Thank you to all the awesome families that ​ have volunteered to help this year with our second grade activities. We could not do all that we do without you!

SECOND GRADE CLASSROOM LIBRARY: Please return all classroom library books. If ​ you have any books you would like to donate that are age appropriate for second grade, Mrs. Diorio would love to add those to her classroom library.

SECOND GRADE ~ MOTHER’S DAY and FATHER'S DAY CELEBRATIONS: The second ​ grade students will be hosting a celebration to honor their mothers on Friday, May 8 at 9:00 ​ ​ ​ a.m. in the Big Room Please plan on attending this event with your child. On May 22th at 8:45, we would like to celebrate our second grade Dads. Please join us in ​ ​ ​ ​ the second grade classroom immediately following carpool, and then if you can, join us for Field Day! We have something special planned for you too!

BOOK BUDDY PICNIC: We will be enjoying lunch with our book buddies on Wednesday, ​ May 27th. The second grade students will be presenting their book buddy friends the book ​ buddy book they have created for them. Mrs. Diorio will be asking students to bring in hot dogs or hot dog buns in the next few weeks to be enjoyed at the picnic.

SECOND GRADE ~ VIRGINIA AQUARIUM/MARINE SCIENCE MUSEUM: As stated in last ​ month’s newsletter, the second grade science class (Mrs. Davenport) will be going to the VIRGINIA AQUARIUM on Tuesday, May12th. We will be learning about sea turtles and marine life and how actions of people have impacted them. We have enough drivers but there is no limit on how many parents may go. We will leave school by 9:00a.m. and return by 3:00 p.m. If you can help supervise a group of students, please send in the form below. All drivers please park on the Centennary side of the building to leave and park on the office side when we return. You will also need to bring a bag lunch. Thank you!

SECOND GRADE: Mrs. Davenport would like to thank all the parents/volunteers who have ​ driven to York River State Park, Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, and the VA Aquarium this year. Our second grade students are able to experience hands­on activities that enhance their science curriculum because we have such wonderful parents who are willing to drive and chaperone these great trips.

SECOND AND THIRD GRADE ART: Look for second and third grade artwork at the Russell ​ Memorial Library on Taylor Road during the month of May. FOURTH GRADE ~ THANK YOU TO OUR DRIVERS: Mrs. Terry would like to thank all the ​ parents who drove or visited Hoffler Creek this year and participated in our oyster restoration project as well as those who joined us on the boat trip to transplant them: Mrs Smith, Mrs. Jackson, Mr./Mrs. Allard, Mr. Parker, Dr. Stambaugh, Mrs. Piro, Mrs. Russo, Mr Britt, Mr. Mann, Mrs. Lutz, Mr. Cary, Mrs. Jolley, and Mrs. Shiembob.

FOURTH GRADE: Four fourth grade artists will have their artwork displayed at Mario’s ​ Restaurant for the month of May. Visit Mario’s and have a great meal while you view our students’ artwork.

FIFTH GRADE ELEMENTARY LUNCH PROJECT: Fifth grade students are busy planning ​ ​ and preparing to make and serve all elementary students and faculty members lunch on Thursday, May 14, 2015. We still need parent volunteers to supervise students as they ​ cook, serve, and clean up during this project. Volunteers can sign up for a one hour shift or stay for the day.

****************************DETACH AND RETURN**********************************

FIELD DAY ~ MAY 22 ​ VOLUNTEER SIGN­UP ______Yes, I can help organize equipment for field day on Thursday, May 21. ______Yes, I can help on field day, May 22, 8:45 – 11:45 a.m. ______Yes, I can prepare approximately 50 water balloons. (Balloons will be provided.) Name______Grade group______Phone______

*******************************DETACH AND RETURN******************************* PRESCHOOL

PRESCHOOL ~MY PARENTS AND ME TEA: _____Yes, I will be able to attend the tea with my child. _____No, I will not be able to attend the tea with my child.

Name______

****************************DETACH AND RETURN*************************** PRE­KINDERGARTEN

PRE­K ~ SUMMER BIRTHDAY: My child has a summer birthday and I am interested in a group celebration on Friday, June 5th. Name______Phone______******************************DETACH AND RETURN****************************** KINDERGARTEN:

KINDERGARTEN PET PARADE: My child will bring a ______to the Pet Parade on Friday, May 15. Name______Phone______

******************************DETACH AND RETURN******************************** 1ST TO 5TH GRADES

FIRST GRADE PUPPET PLAY RECEPTION: ​ _____Yes, I can send the following to school for Puppet play reception on May 27. _____12 small size bottled water _____2 dozen cookies ( Please label that cookies are free of tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, sesame seeds, and coconut) Name______Phone______

FIRST GRADE ~ VIRGINIA NORFOLK ZOO: ____Yes, I can drive and help supervise a group of students on Thursday, May 7 ​ departing school at 11:30 a.m. Name______Phone______# of seat belts_____ Please note that students may not be placed in front passenger seats with airbags. My signature verifies that I am on the approved driver list and that there has been no change in the information submitted on that application. Signed______​

SECOND GRADE ~ VIRGINIA AQUARIUM: ​ ____Yes, I can help supervise a group of students on Tuesday, May 12th departing school at 9:00a.m. and returning by 3:00. Name______Phone______My signature verifies that I am on the approved driver list and that there has been no change in the information submitted on that application. Signed______​

FIFTH GRADE ELEMENTARY LUNCH VOLUNTEERS: ______Yes, I can help students prepare, serve and clean up the Elementary Lunch on Thursday, May 15th. Please check the times you are available to help:

______9:00 – 10:00 a.m. _____10:00 – 11:00 a.m. ______11:00 – 12 noon ______Noon – 1:00 p.m. _____1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Signed______“Stay on Track” with the Tutoring Train this summer

● Mrs. Diorio and Mrs. Sexton will team teach one­hour tutoring sessions open to rising Christopher Academy K­5 graders ● Held on Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings at Christopher Academy from July 7th ­ August 12 ​ ● Fee will be $25.00 per hour ● Tailored to meet the needs of your child

“ALL ABOARD!” ​ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ____ I would like my child to board the Tutoring Train.

Child’s Name:______2015/2016 Grade:______Parent’s Name: ______Phone:______Email:______

PLEASE RETURN BY MAY 15