Dear Parents, Students and Friends,
With the month of December and the holiday season upon us, the next few weeks until Winter Recess will fly by. In addition to the special holiday activities celebrated by many students, families and within the Chester-Andover community, these next weeks also remain a time of learning at school. You can support your child’s education during this busy month by ensuring regular attendance, consistent attention to homework, and a regular bedtime.
At CAES we strive to provide a balance between school as a place dedicated to learning and providing an opportunity for social celebration, and recognition of our rich cultural traditions. The legal guidelines for public schools allow us to objectively teach religious aspects of holidays (if connected to the classroom’s curriculum) and to celebrate the secular aspects of a holiday.
In order to limit the disruption of valuable educational time, we limit our classroom seasonal celebrations to the afternoon before the Winter Recess (this year it will be 12/22/05). Classroom celebrations may include reading a seasonal story or book, viewing a video, and having a special snack.
We do not have student to student gift exchanges at school.
Small gift exchanges from staff members to students may occur.
Small gifts from students and families to CAES staff will be graciously appreciated .
The school will plan an alternative with parents who do not wish to have their child participate in holiday celebrations. Please let you child’s classroom teacher know.
We also hope, despite the busy schedules, you and your children may take advantage of the learning opportunities presented during the time you have together over Winter Recess. Reading seasonal stories together, playing games that involve strategies and high level thinking (such as chess), writing thank-you notes for gifts received, and appreciating the unique music and art of the season, are all ways for a child’s learning to be reinforced at home.
From all of us at Chester-Andover Elementary School, we wish you a joyous and peaceful holiday season.
Sincerely,
Penny L. Kraft
CAES Principal
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