PRESS RELEASE ARCHIVES, 2006-2007
March 5, 2007
Excitement Builds for Annual Auction at Chesapeake Academy
The Auction Committee is working on the final preparations for Chesapeake Academy’s annual silent and live dinner auction to be held Saturday, May 5 at Dymer Hall, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Bryant, II.
Auction chairs Diana Neal, Spencer Kirkmyer and Bonnie Bryant report, “We have already had a wonderful year in terms of the generous support from businesses and individuals in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula who loyally support this major fund raiser for the Academy.” Included among innumerable household items and special events are two swivel rockers by Lee Furniture Co. as well as a Dash and Albert cotton weave rug from Chesapeake & Crescent (pictured above), a Wine Tasting at the White Stone Wine & Cheese, gift certificates for dinners, wine, piano lessons, and a helicopter ride with the 2006 Country Doctor of the Year David Nichols, gift baskets from Arbonne and artists, garden items including Clock Weather Gauges from The Earth Store and a Garden Planter from Curry & Curry, hand knitted baby items, a bright new smile from local orthodontist Beth Faber, and beautiful porcelain musical dolls by award winning artist Bette Ball Ebeling. Also received are framed giclees and prints from artists including Franklin A. Saye, P. Buckley Moss, Ralph Higgins, Judy Dixon, Bill Prillaman, and John MacLeod.
Vacation destinations include stays in condos or houses as far away as Colorado, North Carolina, and Florida, and trips planned by Meridian Yacht Charters. Cruise the rivers in Virginia on your new 13’ Boston Whaler from Bobby’s Marine in Burgess, win a boat trip with Captain Billy Pipkin, or a clam bake Irvington style on the shores of Carter Creek. Back by popular demand are tickets to a William & Mary Football Game, progressive dinner parties, and new this year are tickets to two Baltimore Ravens football games. Featured this year is a 15” Otter bronze sculpture from Turner Sculpture. This list is just a small sampling of the wonderful and tantalizing items which will be up for bid at “Derby Day at Dymer Hall!”
All proceeds from the Live and Silent items benefit the academic, co-curricular and scholarship assistance programs at Chesapeake Academy, a preschool through grade 8 independent school for 166 students from five counties and 19 communities. For more information on auction tickets which include all your refreshments with special Mint Juleps, hors d’oeuvres, delicious dinner, dessert and coffee bar, and taking part in the auction, please call Catherine in the development office at 804-438-6490.
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February 28, 2007
Donations to Auction Create Excitement!
Students at Chesapeake Academy are working hard to create unique items to donate to the school’s annual Auction, the largest fundraiser, which will be held May 5, 2007 at Dymer Hall, home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Bryant, II, celebrating the Kentucky Derby. Students and parents have met with their teachers and are excited to present various items to be auctioned to the highest bidder, offering keepsake and memories of students and their times at Chesapeake Academy. According to Kindergarten teacher Sandy Johnson, “A hardcover book with the seventh grade students authoring the book and Kindergarten creating the illustrations will be published. The book will be based on world studies taking place in both classes. This book will surely be one of the items that will be highly sought after by many bidders at the Auction. The collaborative effort from these two classes promises to be an irreplaceable treasure to win”.
David Turner, of Turner Sculpture, Onley, Virginia, has once again donated two sculptures, one titled “Otter Curiosity”, a limited edition (100), and the second, a tool-free sculpture titled “Resting Rabbit”. Otters are one of David's favorite subjects and this one exudes personality! David’s work will also be featured at the Rappahannock Waterfowl Show in White Stone, Virginia March 16 – 18..
If you would like to be an Auction sponsor, Auction volunteer, donate an item or would like to purchase your tickets early, please contact Diana Neal at 804-761-6372 or Catherine Emry in the Chesapeake Academy Development Office at 804-438-6490.
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February 22, 2007
Career Day at Chesapeake Academy
Middle School students at Chesapeake Academy were treated to a glimpse of "life beyond school" this past Friday during the Academy's 2nd Annual Career Day. Alumni, parents and community friends spoke to the students, gathered in small groups of 20, about a variety of future opportunities in the local and national workforce.
With advise on the value of volunteering, internships, visits to businesses, factories and offices, exploration and courses of study, Career Day guest speakers discussed what inspired them personally, the path they took to achieve their careers, and what they recommend young people think about and do to consider various careers. A variety of potential careers and local businesses were represented, including the military, graphic design, technology, banking, golf, real estate, farming, acting and insurance.
Representing the insurance industry President of Hubbard Insurance Agency, Mark Clark, a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and Episcopal High School. Clark has maintained his Certified Insurance Counselor designation since 1985 and has been representing and helping to protect families in the Northern Neck ever since. His wife, Beth, is a kindergarten team-teacher at Chesapeake Academy and two of his children, Olivia and Landon, are graduates and another, Carter, is a current student.
Representing technology was Lancaster High School 1995 graduate and National Honor Society member Chris Emry, founder and CEO of GeekLab, which offers on-site computer repair and guidance to clients throughout the Northern Neck. With a 2000 degree in Anthropology from Longwood College and work experience as an archaeologist in the southeastern United States, it was Emry's longtime hobby of experimenting with computers that landed him his current career.
Representing a career in agriculture was White Fences Vineyard General Manager, Mark Hollingsworth, a 1986 graduate of Chesapeake Academy. Earning a degree in Historic Preservation from Mary Washington College, Hollingsworth ran the dock at The Tides Inn, restored a 1930's classic Elco motorboat, worked as a manager at Rappahannock Yachts and ran boat cruises before turning his talents agriculture. Hollingsworth claims it was his creativity and love of soil and water conservation that led him to his current career as vineyard manager for White Fences. Hollingsworth and his wife, Phoebe, have two children attending Chesapeake Academy, Hunter in kindergarten and Ashton in preschool.
Representing a career in the sports industry as a golf professional was Michael Mayer, a graduate of the University of Virginia with a BA in Economics. Mayer honed his career in the world of golf at Wintergreen Resort as the Golf Operations Manager and Head Golf Professional. He left after 21 years to become the Head Golf Professional of King Carter Golf Club here in Irvington which was just named Best New Public Course in America with fees under $75. He and his wife, Brenda, also a PGA Class A member, have two daughters, Megan and Andi, a 6th grader at Chesapeake Academy.
Representing a career as a graphic designer was Susan McFadden, whose advertising agency in White Stone, McFadden Clay Marketing Group, designed Chesapeake Academy's CA logo. McFadden traded a successful sought-after job at Richmond's prestigious Martin Agency for the uncertainty of freelance work in the Northern Neck. A brave and successful move, McFadden Clay Marketing Group recently beat out a host of big city advertising agencies to land a contract with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. McFadden's need to be creative and love of art and writing was what brought her to her current career.
Representing a career in the military and the airline industry was Albert Nunn, who attended the Air Force Academy in Colorado and served in the United States Marine Corp for 7 years achieving the rank of Captain. Nunn flew the A-4C Skyhawk on 85 combat missions in Vietnam and was an instructor of the F-9 Cougar jet in the Advanced Training Command in Texas before leaving the Marine Corp to fly as a commercial pilot for American Airlines. While living in White Stone in the early 1980's with his wife, Rebecca, Nunn was owner of Nunn Realty and operated a construction company specializing in single-family homes.
Representing a career in the acting industry was Rebecca Nunn, who life long acting career began when she was cast as a dwarf in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 2nd grade with the Barter Theatre. Nunn graduated from Mary Washington College with a BA in Dramatic Arts and Speech, taught creative writing, English, and drama at Walt Whitman High School in NY, acted with the Helen Hayes Repertory Theatre on Broadway and has appeared in over 30 major productions in a variety of professional dinner theaters. Her career as an actress included radio and television commercials and branched into directing, in New York, Maryland and Washington, as well as for our local Lancaster Players.
Representing a career in banking was Tom Richardson, who is the Assistant Vice President in the Commercial Lending Division of Chesapeake Bank. Richardson earned his undergraduate in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and subsequently served in the US Navy as an aviator. He later attended The College of William & Mary’s Business School where he earned a Masters in Business Administration with a focus in financial analyses. His former work as with an international engineering and technology firm in Williamsburg and as a residential and commercial loan officer in the Northern Neck helped prepare him for his current career with Chesapeake Bank.
Representing a career in real estate was Colleen Shaut Riley, an award-winning licensed realtor since 1983 and currently an Associate Broker with Select Properties of Virginia in Irvington. Her success as a realtor is tied into her commitment to the community. Riley serves on the Finance Committee for Historic Christ Church, the Tourism Committee of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, is the Past President of the Northern Neck Tourism Council, the past chair of the Lancaster County Virginia Tourism Accreditation Program, a former member of the Lancaster County Task Force for Economic Development and the Past President of the Irvington Chamber of Commerce. She is the proud parent of two Chesapeake Academy graduates, Staci '94 and Kati '96.
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February 14, 2007
Chesapeake Academy Eighth Graders to Sea Camp in the Florida Keys
Chesapeake Academy eighth grade students are gearing up for their much anticipated six night field trip to the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park for a comparative study of the south Florida marine estuary eco-system and Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay. This is the Academy’s 16th consecutive year in Florida, and the sixth to the Newfound Harbor Marine Institute’s Sea Camp program on Big Pine Key.
The unique marine science educational adventure includes a schedule packed with snorkeling, lab work, specimen collecting, hiking, wading, and discussions in classrooms made up of the coral reefs, mangrove islands, mixed algae and seagrass communities, sponge flats and the tidal shallows of the Florida Keys. Twelve Chesapeake Academy students along with Head of School Seth Ahlborn and teachers Amy Hemingway and Julia Zimmerman will fly directly to Fort Lauderdale before heading by van to Everglades National Park for mangrove exploration and a hike along the Anhinga Trail, renowned for its array of alligators and exotic birds. From there, the students and chaperones will journey to Seacamp, an ideal site for exploring the subtropical marine and terrestrial habitats of the Lower Keys.
Among the anticipated highlights of the eco-trip will be snorkeling among angel and parrot fish over part of the only living coral reef in North America, the sea kayaking expedition across the Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve, and the hands-on labs involving the collection of sea urchins, sea cucumbers, spiny lobsters, and giant hermit crabs for study (before returning them overboard to their natural environment). “Kids who see and interact with aquatic animals in their natural habitats should develop a greater awareness of the interdependence of all living things,” said middle school science teacher Linda “Doc” Hunter.
The Newfound Harbor Marine Institute is located within the boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve and the Great White Heron National Wildlife Sanctuary, and contains some of the most extraordinary sea and shore wildlife in the world. While immersed in a hands-on educational adventure, the students use specimen collecting gear, microscopes and reference books to learn more about the subtropical marine and land-based habitats surrounding them. “They are able to witness for themselves the difference between an unprotected and a protected reef,” noted Hunter. The Chesapeake Academy 8th graders will be able to take knowledge gained from their experience in Florida and make comparisons with their previous classroom study of the Chesapeake Bay.
“The Seacamp program is designed to develop a healthy curiosity in the students and the critical thinking skills to answer ecological questions,” stated Head of School Ahlborn. “It gives our students the chance to put theory and book study into practice,” he added. The field trip also includes an afternoon in Key West for a visit to The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, The Key West Aquarium and Mallory Square for its sunset-inspired Sundown Festival entertainment.
Prior to departing for the trip, each 8th grade student will be assigned an area of expertise such as annelids, tunicates, crustaceans, or sea grasses, then instructed to gather research for a presentation on his or her specialty for parents and interested guests later in the Spring. Throughout the field study, students are required to keep journals which later provide the source material for articles in the School Gazette and future science projects.
Students and their parents spend a year and a half raising money to offset the costs of Seacamp. Chesapeake Academy eighth graders Jamie Ahlborn, Kasey Ashburn, Austin Brown, Alexander Crittenden, Alec Faulkner, Emma Hollowell, Ford Kirkmyer, Charles Mangano, Nikki Massaro, Jackson Neal, Whitney Spence and Xander Stephens would like to thank the community for all the fundraising support they have received over the past year and a half helping them achieve this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
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January 25, 2007
Chesapeake Academy’s Extended Day Program
Afternoons for children attending Chesapeake Academy’s Extended Day program have been a time of magic— literally! Program Leader Molly Vanderpool designed this year’s afternoon childcare program for four to six year olds around the theme of Mary Pope Osborne’s enchanting series—The Magic Tree House, which chronicles the lives of two children as they journey through different time periods in history and to a variety of civilizations throughout the world.
“Working within a theme is so much more fun for the kids,” noted Vanderpool. “From rainforests to Ancient Rome, Africa to Antarctica, the series has really sparked our students’ imaginations as well as their interest in problem solving and geography,” she added. Vanderpool, assisted by her aide, Taylor Swank, begins each week by reading a selected volume of the series, such as Twilight on the Titanic, Viking Ships at Sunrise or Vacation Under the Volcano, and follow this with a lively discussion in which students are encouraged to recall details about the characters, setting and plot, retell the story in sequence, and engage in an often silly “what if” question and answer session. Vanderpool and Swank then implement a series of creative arts and craft projects designed to supplement a major theme or particular interest for the children in the book.
Following the reading of Day of the Dragon King, student made zodiac calendars, Chinese paper tissue lanterns and good luck dragons. After listening to Afternoon on the Amazon, students created flyable feathered birds and butterfly puppets. Upon completion of Night of the Ninjas, students created miniature pretend clay and paper Japanese gardens and flying fish kites. “My personal favorite was Mummies in the Morning and the week we spent making every kind of pyramid imaginable out of every type of material we could think of—blocks, legos, sugar cubes, boxes, stones and recycled cans” said Swank.
Chesapeake Academy’s Extended Day Program in the Nettie Lokey Wiley Early Childhood Center has been successfully providing afternoon childcare for its early childhood students for the past four years. Licensed by the State Department of Social Services, the program begins at noon with a chaperoned lunch in which students are guided in their nutritional choices, encouraged to make conversation and practice good dining manners. Lunch is often followed by time on the playground and a mandatory nap before students gather on the carpet for story time and the next installment of The Magic Tree House series. Students complete their art projects, some free play time and gather for a song or finger play or two before dismissal with the rest of the student body at 3:00 p.m.
Vanderpool is already looking forward to next year as she continues with the weekly literature-base themes, this time using the Berenstain Bears chapter book series. For more information on Chesapeake Academy’s Early Childhood program or Extended Day program, please call the school at 804 438-5575 or go to: www.chesapeakeacademy.org.
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January 22, 2007
SAVE THE DATE!
“Excitement is building for the Auction which is just about 4 months away; May 5 at Dymer Hall, home of Mr. & Mrs. Arthur H. Bryant, II. Derby Day at Dymer Hall will pay tribute to the tradition of the annual Kentucky Derby,” quotes Diana Neal, one of the Auction Chairs. “We are grateful to have so many parents, grandparents, faculty and community friends volunteer to help us with this incredible event. My co-chairs Bonnie Bryant and Spencer Kirkmyer are delighted that we decided to revisit the Derby Day theme and we look forward to seeing you there!”
The Kentucky Derby has been referred to as "the most exciting two minutes in sports.” It has been run since 1875 at Churchill Downs and is the first jewel in the coveted Triple Crown of Thoroughbred racing, which has been won by only eleven horses since 1919. Triple Crown winners include memorable names such as Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Whirlaway and Affirmed. The Kentucky Derby will be shown live during the Auction. In addition, a specialty bar will be available with Mint Juleps, the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.
Each year the auction is Chesapeake’s largest and most festive fundraiser. Early sponsors include Neal & Nickel Wealth Management; David Stinson, Realtor; Tri-Star Supermarket; Lamberth Building Materials, Inc.; John Paul Cornwell Hanbury FAIA; and Works in Progress, Inc. The proceeds of the auction directly benefit the educational experiences of the 165 students from the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, the 32 faculty and staff, and the entire community. Recent initiatives supported by the Auction include technological enhancements, faculty professional development, and improvements to the physical education, athletic and library programs at the Academy.
f you would like to be a sponsor, volunteer, donate an item, or would like to purchase your tickets early, please contact Diana Neal at 804-761-6372 or Catherine Emry in the Chesapeake Academy Development Office at 804-438-6490.
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1/16/07
Chesapeake Academy Basketball Tournament Won by Northumberland Middle School
On January 13 five area schools came to the campus of Chesapeake Academy in Irvington for the 5th Annual Osprey Invitational Classic Basketball Tournament. Hosted by Chesapeake Academy and sponsored by Chesapeake Investment Group, the Tournament was started in 2003 by Chesapeake Academy. “We wanted an opportunity for area young student/athletes to enjoy basketball, sportsmanship, and healthy competition”, said Seth W. Ahlborn, Head of School. “We had a particularly good turn out this year. We had lots of support from all of the parents, coaches, players, and referees. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Chesapeake 5th grader, Lauren James of White Stone, for singing the Star Spangled Banner and to all the volunteers who kept the books, ran the scoreboard and managed the concessions stand.” The 2007 Tournament included teams from Chesapeake Academy, Lancaster Middle School, Northumberland Middle School, Christchurch School, and St. Margaret’s School.
Northumberland Middle School was the overall winner, as they won the Boys Championship, the Girls Championship, and both male and female Most Valuable Player Awards (Chris Waller and DaRelle Long). Other winners included: Christchurch School (Boys Second Place), St. Margaret’s School (Girls Second Place), Lancaster Middle School (Boys Third Place and Girls Fourth Place), and Chesapeake Academy (Girls Third Place and Boys Fourth Place).
Each year the coaches elect five girls and five boys to be recognized as members of the All-Tournament Teams for their outstanding contributions to the games. The Girls All-Tournament Team included: Jamie Ahlborn from Chesapeake Academy, Sarah Taylor from Lancaster Middle School, Sarah McClellan from St. Margaret’s School, and DaRelle Long and Artazia Palmer from Northumberland Middle School. The Boys All-Tournament Team included: Alexander Crittenden from Chesapeake Academy, Leland James from Christchurch School, Brandon Morris from Lancaster Middle School, and Chris Waller and Jalen Lonaway from Northumberland Middle School.
Chesapeake Investment Group, tournament sponsor for five years, understands the importance of a strong education in and out of the classroom. As J. Mark Monroe, Managing Director, says, “We commend the Academy for its service to our community and we are pleased to support this ‘classroom on the court’.”
Chesapeake Academy Athletic Director, Cynthia Walker, coordinated the tournament. “It was a wonderful day for the families in our community,” quoted Walker. “The level of play on the basketball court was impressive but more importantly, a very high level of sportsmanship was demonstrated by all the players and spectators. The day went very smoothly and everyone had a good time and gained valuable experience at the Osprey Classic.”
Three members of the Chesapeake Academy Osprey Basketball Girls All-Tournament team included from left to right Artazia Palmer and DaRelle Long from Northumberland Middle School and Jamie Ahlborn from Chesapeake Academy. Long also won the Girls MVP Award.
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12/7/06
Chesapeake Academy’s Brown Bag Lunch Program
While school lunch is typically a time to unwind and refuel, students participating in Chesapeake Academy’s Brown Bag Lunch Program have the twice-monthly option of dining with educational, interactive live entertainment. Designed as a learning opportunity to stimulate student interests outside the school’s classroom curriculum, the Academy’s Brown Bag Lunch Program invites volunteers from the local community as lunch time guest presenters on subjects ranging from farming, small business management, airplane piloting and golf.
Now in its second successful year, the Brown Bag Lunch Program is full of surprises. “Spud Parker’s very knowledgeable presentation on log canoes was a huge hit. He not only brought in tons of hands on items like models and tools for students to examine, including an authentic 16 foot log canoe from Honduras, but also made it relatable in terms of our shared Chesapeake Bay history,” noted Brown Bag Lunch coordinator Sandy Johnson.
Another well received presentation was from former Chesapeake Academy English teacher Danielle Grinnen on her rug design company, Deliante Designs. Grinnen photographs details of paintings she’s created and sends them to a wool and silk rug manufacturer in the Middle East for production. “Students were fascinated by seeing art transferred into something that is beautiful, useful and profitable,” said Johnson.
One of the major goals of the Brown Bag Lunch Program, keeping in line with the Academy’s dedication to differentiated instruction, is to enhance student learning through exploration. “It’s not surprising that students learn better when their interest is sparked,” said Johnson. Brown Bag Lunch attendees are encouraged to expand upon the presentations by using what they’ve been exposed to or learned as topics for classroom writing assignments, reports and oral presentations.
To create a compelling schedule of Brown Bag Lunch presentations, Johnson has each student complete an “interest inventory” at the beginning of the year that lists dozens of topics, covering familiar subjects like architecture, boat building, photography and military history to less common topics such as mountain climbing, pottery, viticulture and interior design. Simultaneously, parents fill out a similar form, listing professional expertise, talents, hobbies and experiences they would be comfortable demonstrating or speaking about to the students as a future Brown Bag Lunch presentation. Friends, neighbors and colleagues are encouraged to present as well.
“Golf Pro Brenda Mayer’s Brown Bag Lunch interactive presentation ranged from putting techniques and proper club grip to golf trivia and job opportunities,” noted Johnson, adding, “Students just loved it.” One of the presentations that generated the most participation in the question and answer session was from international airline pilot Jamie Ferguson. “The idea of crossing the Atlantic Ocean repeatedly just fascinated the students,” noted Johnson. “They wanted to know everything—if pilots were ever scared, what training they have for crash landings or what happens during medical emergencies during flight.”
Upcoming Brown Bag Lunch Programs include presentations by Dr. Talha Siddiqui’s family on traditions, holidays, special heirlooms and their country of Pakistan, and Joan and Allen Marple on their professional association with ballet and the history of The Nutcracker.
Chesapeake Academy welcomes presenters from the community. If interested, please contact Sandy Johnson at 438-5575 or sjohnson@cheapeakeacademy.org.
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12/4/06
Chesapeake Academy Auction 2007
Saturday, May 5, 2007 at Dymer Hall, home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bryant. Pictured are Auction Chairs (L to R) Diana Neal, Bonnie Bryant and Spencer Kirkmyer. Mark your calendar now to attend this annual event! Further information will be mailed in early winter. Call early to reserve your tickets at 804-438-6490.
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12/1/06
Chesapeake Academy Christmas Party and Art Show
Wanda Reese (left) of Newark, DE, and Chesapeake Academy Trustee Marilyn Creager (right) of Kilmarnock, enjoy the Art Show Sale, presented by Broadway Gallery of Alexandria at Chesapeake Academy's Christmas Party on campus on December 1. Proceeds from the Art Show benefit the Performing Arts and Lecture Series at the Academy and the Chesapeake Endowment.
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11/30/06
Chesapeake Academy Celebrates First Settlers’ Day
Chesapeake Academy’s Early Childhood division recently celebrated First Settlers’ Day, an annual interactive history festival that features the first contact between English settlers and Algonquin Indians. The festivities joined students from Chesapeake Academy pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, their parents and teachers, and children from community preschools in a morning filled with learning centers, traditional feasting and period dances.
The festivities began under the sprawling branches of the large willow oak tree on the campus in Irvington. Pre-kindergartners wore Indian vests and headbands hand-decorated with Native American motifs while kindergartners donned handmade vests, tri-cornered hats, aprons, and mob caps. Once attired, the children visited a variety of fun and educational hands-on learning centers designed to foster a life-long love of history and reinforce areas of the early childhood curriculum, such as patterning, labeling, counting, cooperation, creativity and journal writing.
The young “Indians” and “settlers” enjoyed meeting Ms. Mei Li Beane and her daughter Eleanor costumed as settlers. They shared with the children colonial skills such as butter making, using the yolk and bucket to carry water and other practical facets of colonial life. The children also enjoyed some messy fun with Director of Education Robert Teagle of Historic Christ Church who taught them to make bricks from scratch.
Working in log carrying teams under the guidance of parent Craig Vanderpool, pre-kindergarten and kindergartners alike were able to learn first hand how the settlers relied on cooperation and ingenuity to build the structures necessary to help them survive their first years in the wilderness. The children were treated to a wonderful display of Native American tools and artifacts from Pastor Karen Sandoval of Rohobeth Parish Church, while parent Dawn Biddlecomb helped them plant corn in a manner traditional to the 1600’s. Costumed parents guided the students through various centers, including colonial games, beading, pictograph writing and teepee decorating.
After the pre-kindergarten Indians erected their hand-painted teepee and the settler kindergartners made their last attempts at hauling corn and water with the yolk and bucket contraption used by early settlers, all came together for exchange of gifts with the Algonquin pre-kindergartners receiving beaded wristbands in return for their gifts of corn husk dolls for the kindergarten settlers. Sharing and working together remain as important in 2006 as it was in the 1600’s! In keeping with historical tradition, all enjoyed a welcoming fall feast of corn bread, apples, cider and popcorn. The venison donated by John O’Shaughnessy and prepared by Kevin Maguire of The Tides Inn was a huge hit kids and parent volunteers alike. Following the much anticipated feast, the pre-kindergarten Indians assembled to present to the settlers their delightful rendition of an Native American traditional song. The kindergarten settlers responded with a hand-clapping, knee-slapping presentation of the Virginia Reel.
Chesapeake Academy early childhood teachers Beth Clark, Sandy Johnson, Molly Vanderpool and Karen Baker thank the parents and friends for volunteering their time and expertise and for making the festival such as success.
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11/23/06
Chesapeake Academy Student is Pre-Teen Virginia Finalist
Alexis English, a seventh grader at Chesapeake Academy, daughter of Eric and Joan Charnick of Weems, was selected as a finalist in the Pre-Teen Virginia Scholarship and Recognition Program held in late September in Williamsburg.
Pre-Teen Virginia is a by-invitation only Scholarship and Recognition event involving young ladies 7 to 12 years of age based on their school academic records, awards and honors won and/or their participation in outside activities. Additionally, young ladies are invited who have been recognized publicly for their outstanding personal achievement, volunteer services, school involvement, leadership abilities or creative talents.
Ms. English was very grateful to the following sponsors who enabled her to attend this very prestigious state event: Select Properties of Irvington; Robert Westbrook DDS; Owen’s Market, Inc.; Mr. and Mrs. Pete Commarata of Ophelia; The Dandelion of Irvington; Ross’ Rings and Things; and Bear Mountain Ophelia.
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11/16/06
Chesapeake Academy Osprey Win Tournament
Chesapeake Academy’s A Team finished their season on top, winning the annual Independent School Athletic Conference (ISAC) soccer classic tournament last week with a high drama double overtime win against rival Ware Academy. Led by captains Alec Faulkner and Jamie Ahlborn, the Osprey A Team finished their season with a record of 5-1.
The Ospreys advanced to the final round of the tournament with a 10-0 victory over Woodland Academy. Scoring the first two goals in the final round against the Waves of Ware, the Osprey looked poised for another win when Ware rallied with two goals of their own to tie the game. Goals on both ends of the field left the score 4-3 in the Osprey’s favor with just seven minutes remaining in the second half. Ware Academy scored late in the game resulting in a 4-4 tie score at the time of the final buzzer. The game went into double overtime with no goals, and then into a tie-breaking shoot out. In the end, with the sun low on the horizon and drama high, the Ospreys put three balls into the goal versus the Waves’ two and won the tournament. “They never gave up,” noted Chesapeake Academy Coach Cynthia Walker. “Throughout the entire season, this team was willing to do whatever was required to take home the win,” she noted, adding that she was most impressed with the continued outstanding sportsmanship of the players. “They always gave praise to the other team as they saw fit,” Coach explained.
The Chesapeake Academy Osprey’s A Team played well together, showing a great deal of improvement throughout the season. “As a coach, one of the things I want to accomplish is creating a strong sense of team and the shared responsibility everyone has to the overall success of that team,” said Walker. Although the Academy does not acknowledge “MVPs” for each game or the season, Coach Walker and her highly valued Assistant Coach Jenna Frank did want to recognize the seniors on the team for their hard work, leadership and team spirit: Jamie Ahlborn, Austin Brown, Alexander Crittenden, Alec Faulkner, Ford Kirkmyer, Charles Mangano, Jackson Neal and Xander Stephens. Seventh and sixth grade members of the championship A Team include: Alexander Anderson, Ricky Callis, Griffin Campbell, Carter Clark, Thomas Euler, Alexis Hayden, Cyrus Jett, William Perkins, Samuel Somers and Teddy Szyperski.
Chesapeake Academy’s B Team, captained by Emily Moore and Nickolas Neal, finished their undefeated season 6-0. “This team passed better than any team that we played,” noted Walker. “From the first game on they really knew how to play as a team,” she added. Members of the undefeated B Team include: Carter Sutton Aines, Nathan Altaffer, Christopher Brown, Dustin Crenshaw, Andrew Dozier, Nelson Drake, Colton Hayden, Elizabeth Hudnall, Starke Jett, Christian Johnson, Tyler Lewis, Mariana Mangano, Ben May, Andi Mayer, Emily Moore, Sydney Moss, Nick Neal, Liz Rogers and Nikki Stump.
Chesapeake Academy soccer program also includes a 4th and 5th grade team with Play Day’s that are designed for learning, teamwork and fun. “On the whole, this group never cared what the score was, but was more concerned with learning, improving upon and demonstrating new skills,” noted Walker. Member of the 4th and 5th grade team include: Brent Altaffer, Ryan Campbell, Connor Donahue, Haley Dull, Dia Ferguson, Kyndall James, Lauren James, Rachel Jayne, Mariah Jayne, Noah Johnson, Hannah Kellum, Anna Moore, Billy Pipkin, Jennifer Radcliffe, Reese Rogers, Weston Schomer, Madison Scott, Graham Shivers, Emily Szyperski, Shelby Townes, David Treakle and Maddie Williams.
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11/16/06
Chesapeake Academy First Grade Publishing Company
Following on the heels of Dog Dreams, the first stories released by Chesapeake Academy’s newly formed First Grade Publishing Company, the vibe in Mrs. Antonio’s class is one of pure excitement. With the help of parents who volunteer their time and talent as editors, students are guided through all stages of the writing process to produce bound and illustrated books to add to their classroom libraries.
Starting with pre-writing tasks using brainstorming tools like “word webs”, parent editors help students evolve their main subject ideas into stories. First grader Shannon Baker, writing about race horses, used her word web to add details about the race track, trophies, uniforms and horse feed to her story. “The horse in my story loves to run around, eat leaves and be petted on his mane. He wins the race against all the other little horses and gets a trophy,” she explains. “This is a pretend story but I do live near a horse that’s been in races. That’s what made me think of it,” she adds.
Parent editors help translate students’ dictated stories onto paper, creating a draft that is read together before revisions. Editors also help students think about the setting of their story, the characters, the sequence of events, and what verbs and adjectives to use to make their story more appealing to the reader. First grader Charlie Gaenzle’s book is about a red-shirted soccer team called The Fire who compete against a “very-skilled” Blue Team. “In my story, I’m Charlie. I kick a goal, win the soccer game and get a trophy. Then everybody goes to Pizza Hut,” he says. “It’s a real story,” he adds.
Dogs are a very popular subject with both Mrs. Antonio and Mrs. Marple’s first grade classes. First grader Wilson Throckmorton’s story features a mischievous dog that likes to hide socks. “Mine, my mom’s, my dad’s, and my brother’s,” she explains. “At first I had him hiding bones but hiding socks was more funny,” she says. Classmate Sally Johnson’s dog story is modeled after a former pet with poor balance. “She bites people’s shirts in order to stand up. That’s so she can lick their faces,” she explains.
Once the book jacket and text pages are printed, students are responsible for illustrations, choosing a medium that best reflects the story. First Grader Eric DeMario’s story is based on a character he finds very fun to draw. “My story’s about Snoodle. He’s blue, has a little ball on the top of his head and has wings in his backpack so he can fly. He’s always trying to get better at doing things,” he explains.
The First Grade Publishing Company, a name chosen and voted on by the students, is an extension of Chesapeake Academy’s kindergarten Old Grey Mare Publishing Company. In both programs, students gain the satisfaction of becoming published authors. Kindergartners focus on telling the story whereas first graders concentrate on learning the formal writing process. “Students go home and beg their parents to be editors,” notes Mrs. Antonio. “Likewise, they’re very eager to have their turn in class with the guest editor of the day,” she adds. Once the classroom libraries are overflowing with bound and illustrated books by the children, Antonio plans to invite Academy eighth graders into first grade to select and read featured stories to her eager, assembled class of authors.
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11/16/06
Chesapeake Academy Accounces First Term Honor Roll and Headmaster's List Recipients
Chesapeake Academy, a Preschool through Grade Eight independent school in Irvington, is pleased to announce and congratulate the following students in grades four through eight who have achieved either the Honor Role or Headmaster’s List for the first marking period of the 2006-07 academic year:
Honor Roll:
4th Grade
Haley Dull, Mariah Jayne, Matthew Moss, Madison Owens, Billy Pipkin,
Manaal Siddiqui, David Treakle, Maddie Williams
5th Grade
Ryan Campbell, Carter Drake, Reese Rogers, Madison Scott, Weston Schomer,
Emily Szyperski
6th Grade
Christopher Brown, Griffin Campbell, Thomas Euler, Elizabeth Hudnall, Starke Jett, Max Massaro, Ben May, Christine Naulty, Nikki Stump
7th Grade
Carter Sutton Aines, William Chapman, Carter Clark, Nelson Drake, Alexis English, Cyrus Jett, Emily Moore
8th Grade
Jamie Ahlborn, Austin Brown, Emma Hollowell, Ford Kirkmyer, Nikki Massaro, Jackson Neal, Whitney Spence, Xander Stephens
Headmasters List
4th Grade
Brent Altaffer, Noah Johnson, Anna Moore
5th Grade
Dia Ferguson, Jennifer Radcliffe
6th Grade
Sam Keesee, Andi Mayer, Nickolas Neal
7th Grade
William Perkins, Teddy Szyperski
8th Grade
Kasey Ashburn
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11/2/06
Chesapeake Academy Teacher at VAIS Conference
Chesapeake Academy Pre-Kindergarten teacher Molly Vanderpool will be a presenter at the 2006 Annual Virginia Association of Independent School’s Conference on November 6, 2006 in Richmond. Vanderpool will lead a one hour session for early childhood educators on “Teaching the Same Old Things in an Exciting New Way,” using the philosophies of Understanding by Design, a framework for designing curriculum units and addressing student learning style differences adopted by the Academy in 2004.
“Teaching with the end in mind is our primary focus,” explained Vanderpool. “The session I’m presenting explains our philosophy and offers complete lesson plans to help teachers meet curricular objectives in a more fun and creative way,” she added. Vanderpool and her co-teacher Karen Baker at Chesapeake Academy use a multi-sensory approach to meet learning objectives and cross-curricular themes that merge language arts, science, math, geography and art to engage and excite a four-year old mentality.
“After many years in the classroom, even teachers with the best intentions can get set in their ways, boggled down by changing theories and educational philosophies. While approaches do change, most basic early childhood learning objectives stay the same. In the end, we still have a posse of hungry little brains to feed,” explained Vanderpool. Her VAIS presentation reminds teachers to design projects with the end in mind, present materials in a variety of ways to reach children with visual, auditory, tactile learning-style differences, to teach across the curriculum using a variety of themes, and to engage children’s senses. “Whatever your teaching, kids need to see it, touch it, taste it, hear it, and smell it to enrich their understandings,” she added.
Vanderpool is providing each session attendee with packets representing complete lesson plans, including learning objectives, newsletter communication to the parents, templates and reproduceables, songs, fingerplays and projects for fine and gross motor development. “One of the main things to keep in mind as an early childhood educator is that of celebration— get your students excited, keep yourself excited, and relish in the astonishing growth that happens in a year,” she said.
“We’re pleased for Molly to have the chance to share her cutting-edge talent in Early Childhood education with colleagues from across Virginia at the Virginia Association of Independent School’s professional day,” noted Beth Clark, Head of Chesapeake Academy’s Early Childhood Division. Faculty from the Academy as well as 83 member schools will be attending the VAIS conference. In addition to sessions curriculum development, classics, foreign language, gender, guidance, drama, diversity, and development, with classes such as “motivating the accelerated learner,” origins of aggression in boys and girls,” “systematic English vocabulary acquisition,” ““the digitally re-shifted school”, and “building better brains through movement” among many others, the conference features a keynote address by Dr. Richard Evans on “Navigating Change Successfully” on the pressures schools face in and out of the classroom in an increasingly stressful, frenetic world.
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10/26/06
Chesapeake Academy Student Council and Class Representatives
Chesapeake Academy recently held its annual election for class representatives to Student Council. Joining Student Council President Ford Kirkmyer, Vice President, Austin Brown, Secretary Alexis English and Treasurer Kasey Ashburn is Madison Scott, representing 5th grade, Dustin Crenshaw, representing 6th grade, Teddy Szyperski representing 7th grade, and Charles Mangano representing 8th grade.
Student Council officers and class representatives act as positive role models for their peers, represent student issues to the faculty, plan and implement student social events and represent the school within the community at large. Key to their role is helping to foster a school environment that promotes honor, respect, integrity, kindness and discipline. Student Council is guided by Chesapeake Academy math teacher Phil Williams, serving his third consecutive year as faculty advisor. Officers are voted on by students in grade 4 through 7 in the spring and class representatives by each grade in the fall.
Additional activities sponsored by Student Council include Tag Day, middle school dances, concessions at athletic events and a field day for lower school students in late spring. Tag Days are non-uniform days held once a month. Proceeds from these events are collected by Student Council members and used to purchase a gift for the school, fund rain forest acreage protection in South America and support local charities.
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10/19/06
Children’s Author Book Signing at Chesapeake Academy
Priscilla Cummings, the celebrated author of Chadwick the Crab fame, will be in the James Library of Chesapeake Academy in Irvington between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2006, for a book signing. Sponsored by PALS, Chesapeake Academy’s Performing Arts and Lecture Series, the book signing is open to the public.
Cummings, a published author who specializes is children’s literature and a member of the Children’s Book Guild of Washington, D.C., is coming to Chesapeake Academy to share her expertise on storytelling and present age-appropriate book talks with Early Childhood, Lower and Middle School students. Although she is best known to students in grades 1 through 4 for her Chesapeake Bay animal series featuring titles such as: Chadwick and the Garplegrungen; Chadwick's Wedding; Oswald and the Timberdoodles; The Story of a Canada Goose; and Meet Chadwick and his Chesapeake Friends, Cummings has also written five novels for children ages 9 and up. Among these are A Face First, one of Chesapeake Academy’s 6th grade summer reading requirements, and Red Kayak, an 8th grade summer reading requirement. Both students and teachers alike are looking forward to discussing these novels with the author in special sessions.
Cummings grew up on a dairy farm in western Massachusetts, far from the water, surrounded by animals and always in touch with nature. A horse lover, she had a palomino horse named Goldenboy, which she galloped up and down the pastures after school. To this day her most treasured book is CHARLOTTE’S WEB by E.B. White.
After graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in English literature, Cummings became a newspaper reporter, working over the next ten years for four different newspapers. In 1981, she moved to Maryland and became a magazine writer and editor for three years. It was in Maryland that she saw her first blue crab. “I couldn't believe people actually steamed and ate blue crabs! I began reading about those interesting critters and when I learned that in winter, crabs burrow into the mud at the bottom of the Bay to sleep until spring, I began to wonder: what if there was a crab who didn't want to sleep all winter? What if there was a crab who had Big Dreams? Who wanted to be a star at the aquarium in Baltimore so he wouldn't have to sleep all winter? It was just a silly idea, but that's how it all started,” noted Cummings in a press interview. Her first book, Chadwick the Crab, was published in 1986.
Following its release, Cummings wrote many other picture books about animals in the Chesapeake Bay, completing her first novel for older children, Autumn Journey, in 1997. Since then, four other novels have been published: A Face First, Saving Grace, Red Kayak and her newest, What Mr. Mattero Did. Today, Cummings lives in Annapolis, Maryland, with her family, two cats named Sammy and Shoogie, and a chocolate Labrador named Sophie Waffles.
For additional information on the book signing, please contact Chesapeake Academy Jenna Frank at 804 435-5575.
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10/19/06
Chesapeake Academy Middle School Murals
Working diligently since the beginning of school, Chesapeake Academy middle school art students have completed four murals for presentation at assembly on Grandparent’s Day, Friday, October 20, 2006. Designed, drawn and painted to be visual statements of the Academy’s 2006-2007 character theme of “acceptance”, the murals will be hung in the middle school hallway as daily reminders of the students’ interpretations.
Prior to designing the murals, students were instructed by art teacher Nancy O’Shaughnessy to think of the four facets of their education—academic, moral, social and physical—as four pillars that support the roof of their school. Each middle school class was assigned to choose one of these facets, combine it with their thoughts on tolerance, and create a mural with a specific style of art in mind. Students chose the following artistic styles to replicate in their murals: cubism; surrealism; realism, and pop.
Fifth grade students chose to interpret the physical facet of their education with the character theme of acceptance by borrowing from artist Georgia O’Keefe, well known for her large and colorful paintings of flowers. “Being accepting means you’re accepting of all people no matter what they look like, or if they can’t walk right, or if they’re weird,” said 5th grader Reese Rogers. After doing individual sketches, as well as their own O’Keefe paintings, students chose to illustrate their mural with four large flowers with very different characteristics. Inside each flower is a symbol that represents specific physical differences such as skin color or physical disabilities.
Sixth grade worked in cubism, a style considered radical in the beginnings of the 20th century. To the students, cubism represented the acceptance of new ideas, which coincided with the pillar of academics that they were assigned to interpret. “Mrs. O’Shaughnessy teaches us that we have to be open to new ideas in order to learn, even when it’s hard or we don’t understand,” explained 6th grader Starke Jett. The focal point of 6th grade’s mural is a large hand holding a book with water streaming through the fingers. This represents a pouring forth of knowledge from what some students have interpreted as the hand of God. Academic symbols of learning rendered in the geometric, cubist style make up the remainder of the mural.
Using surrealism to combine the social aspect of their education and the moral character of acceptance, seventh graders chose to emulate the work of Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte. They represented the notion of being tolerant of social differences and individual personalities by creating in their mural a crowd of very distinct individuals, some standing, some floating, and some almost unreal, co-existing in spite of their differences. Each student had the responsibility of creating at least one figure to add to the crowd.
Eighth graders worked in the style of pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, famous for his comic book-like paintings, to create a mural interpreting the theme of moral acceptance. Lichtenstein produced paintings with painstakingly precision, although they appear factory produced. Recognizing the irony in his style, the students used Lichtenstein’s cartoon style, with accompanying slightly humorous caption, to illustrate that individuals have a choice to do or say the right thing. “Part of being a moral person is having your actions be consistent with your words,” explained Mrs. O’Shaughnessy. “You mean not being a hypocrite, right?” replied eighth grader Jamie Ahlborn.
In the eight grade students’ mural, a girl is gossiping on the phone with a friend. The caption below her contradicts the thoughts in the bubble above her head. Classmates used bold primary colors and “dots”, just as Lichtenstein did in his paintings.
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10/12/06
Chesapeake Academy Kindergarten Visits Belle Isle State Park
The Kindergarten class at Chesapeake Academy enjoyed their annual field trip to Belle Isle State Park last week, hiking on trails through woodlands, wetlands and meadows. The children learned about different ecosystems and the animals that live in them with an emphasis on understanding the concepts of “interdependence” and “food chains”.
Kindergarten teachers Elizabeth Clark and Sandy Johnson, assisted by parents serving as “sherpas” carrying guidebooks and equipment and “sheep dogs” herding children, led their budding naturalists along a woodlands path, turning over decaying logs in search of bug life below the surface. The explorers pointed out various types of moss, spider webs, mushrooms, acorns and pinecones along the trail and recorded their findings with pictures and words in their bug journals. “We collected gumballs. They were wild and spiky,” noted kindergartner Amelia Brown. “I bet some creatures could eat them and it doesn’t hurt their throat,” added classmate Walker Antonio.
Following on down the trail towards marshland, the kindergartners observed a flock of butterflies feeding on wildflowers and listened for birds overhead. The trail ended at the shore of the Corrotoman River, near an abandoned eagle’s nest, where the class used seine nets and sample collecting bottles to capture specimens. Three attempts with the seine net netted just two jellyfish, some periwinkle and fish. “I liked seeing the fish that swims on its side,” noted classmate Thomas Wilson. “Near the water we found a little hole that had tons of shells in it. I thought they were really pretty,” said kindergartner Sophie Scott, who chose to draw the blue and purple interiors of the shells in her bug journal.
Ms. Clark and Ms. Johnson intend for their students to come away from the field trip with a fun outdoor educational experience and an enhanced appreciation of the need to protect wildlife and habitats. Their goal is to channel this enthusiasm for the outdoors to fuel the kindergartner’s foray into written expression. The students record their observations by drawing in their journals at several stations then expand on this by using letters and words to describe their pictures. “Miss Courtney found a snapping turtle, a baby one. I’m glad it didn’t hurt anyone,” said Alice Johnson. “And someone found a toad!” added classmate Caroline Summers.
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10/5/06
Chesapeake Academy 7th Grade Nature Trail Maintenance
As hands-on field work for life science, Chesapeake Academy seventh graders began maintenance work on the school’s nature trail this week, carrying on a decade-old tradition of service to the school community. Toting pruners, lobbers and handsaws, students gathered at the forested head of the trail behind the gymnasium, working their way downhill to the serpentine creek that flows into Carter’s Creek.
Trail maintenance goals for the class are threefold: clearing the overgrowth for easy hiking; terracing the path to prevent erosion; and, reducing the stronghold of evasive plants such as Chinese wisteria and privet. Seventh graders learned quickly the detrimental effects of exotics, working diligently to wrestle, cut and disentangle them from the native species. “It’s a battle not easily won!” declares 7th grader Sam Somers.
Established with a Virginia Environmental Endowment grant in 1992 and with the hard work of science teacher Linda Hunter and alumni parents Bill and Cynthia Thompsen and son Craig ‘93, the Academy’s nature trail begins in a mature forest of loblolly pines, tulip and black walnut trees. Winding down among an under-story of young magnolia, red bud and red maple trees, the trails concludes in an intermittent tidal or wetlands area at the headwaters of Sam’s Cove. Prone to stream surges from summer storms and Nor’easters, the marshy area serves as a protecting filter for pollutants and sediment and road run-off.
Students use the trail and the wetlands area primarily for observation and the gathering of plant and animal species to study in the classroom, as well as to fill the various brackish water aquariums in Hunter’s science classroom. Short-term maintenance plans for the headwaters area include the trimming of overhanging branches from mature trees to encourage the growth of beneficial grasses. Long-term plans for the nature trail include extending waterfront access for the students.
Partnering with the clean-up work begun by the seventh graders is Chesapeake Academy’s preschool class, who have adopted a short spur of the trail connecting main campus to The Residence. Maintenance for this group of budding environmentalists includes branch clean-up (from Ernesto) and pine cone clearing.
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9/28/06
Chesapeake Academy Middle School Honor Code
As part of initiation to middle school, Jennifer Radcliffe, a 5th grade student at Chesapeake Academy, is guided through the signing of the honor code by Student Council Treasurer Kasey Ashburn, a current 8th grader. By signing the official Honor Code, a large document displayed prominently outside 8th grade's homeroom, students are acknowledging their understanding of the principles guiding the pledge as well their commitment to upholding its promise. "The student run honor system provides valuable guidelines for self-discipline among students, and nurtures an atmosphere of trust between students and faculty," explained Student Council Advisor, Phil Williams. In addition, middle school students write the honor code pledge at the conclusion of each test confirming that they have neither given nor received unauthorized aid.
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9/28/06
Chesapeake Academy Announced New Faculty and Staff
Chesapeake Academy welcomed four new teachers and two new staff members for the 2006-2007 year. “I am very excited about our outstanding Faculty, and we are blessed this year to bring even more talent to our academic and administrative teams,” said Seth Ahlborn, Head of School. “The dedication of the entire organization to nurture connection with each child and family is extraordinary!”
The four new teachers are Marc Andrulot, Jenna Frank, Taylor Swank and Cynthia Walker.
Andrulot, a long-term substitute at the Academy, earned a BA in communications at Marist College and is currently teaching 5th grade math, 7th grade language arts and 8th grade English at the Academy.
Jenna Frank is teaching library arts, technology and keyboarding at the Academy. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College with a BA in education and Simmons College with a MA in Children’s Literature.
Taylor Swank will work in the Early Childhood Division as an aide in Preschool as well as in the Extended Day Program for children ages four to six. She is continuing her early childhood education through Rappahannock Community College’s teleconnect division.
Cynthia Walker is the health and physical education teacher and Athletic Director coaching ISAC team soccer, basketball and track. Walker earned a BS in sociology at Longwood University and has served recently as the Youth and Family Services Director of the Northern Neck Family YMCA.
The two new staff members are Catherine Emry and Jan Brown.
Catherine Emry joined the Academy’s Development Office as an associate. Her duties include fund raising and the coordination of events. Prior to coming to the Academy, Emry served as Assistant Manager for the Tides Lodge Resort and Country Club for 25 years.
Jan Brown is the Academy’s Business Manager, joining the team in the spring of 2006. Brown attended New Canaan Norwalk Community College and has worked previously as Financial Director for various YMCA’s, including the Northern Neck Family YMCA.
Chesapeake Academy is an independent pre-preparatory elementary and middle school offering three day preschool, a half day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten five mornings a week and full day instruction in grades one through eight. There are openings in some classes and mid-year enrollment inquiries are welcome. The Academy dedicates its resources to preparing students for their future academic, moral, social and physical endeavors in an intellectually challenging environment. It is an accredited member of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and currently serves students of Gloucester, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex and Northumberland counties. For information, please call Director of Admissions, Charles Britton, at (804) 438-5575.
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9/28/06
Chesapeake Academy Middle School Honor Code
As part of initiation to middle school, Jennifer Radcliffe, a 5th grade student at Chesapeake Academy, is guided through the signing of the honor code by Student Council Treasurer Kasey Ashburn, a current 8th grader. By signing the official Honor Code, a large document displayed prominently outside 8th grade's homeroom, students are acknowledging their understanding of the principles guiding the pledge as well their commitment to upholding its promise. "The student run honor system provides valuable guidelines for self-discipline among students, and nurtures an atmosphere of trust between students and faculty," explained Student Council Advisor, Phil Williams. In addition, middle school students write the honor code pledge at the conclusion of each test confirming that they have neither given nor received unauthorized aid.
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9/14/06
Chesapeake Academy Opens
Chesapeake Academy opened for its 42nd year on Tuesday, September 5, with Convocation, an orientation program for students, parents and faculty designed to celebrate the beginning of school and promote involvement in all aspects of school life. Head of School, Seth W. Ahlborn, led the program by welcoming 167 students in preschool through grade eight for the 2006-2007 academic year, encouraging each to plan for personal and academic successes while keeping this year’s social moral theme of “Acceptance” in the forefront of their actions. Students and their families spent the remainder of the morning meeting their teachers and fellow classmates, exploring their new classrooms and examining the bulletin board presentations promoting good character and school spirit.
Prior to the official opening of the Academy, the twenty-six member faculty attended a two-day workshop led by John Brown, Ph.D., of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, on Differentiated Instruction and Understanding by Design. Elaborating on the framework for designing curriculum units, performance assessments and instruction implemented by the Academy several years ago, Brown reviewed with the faculty teaching techniques that lead to “enduring understandings” of curriculum content, integrated with instructional approaches that address student learning style differences.
Continuing the tradition of a family atmosphere, CAPPA, Chesapeake Academy’s Parent and Patron Association, provided luncheon for the faculty during planning days prior to the start of school and the Head of School’s family hosted a dinner for the staff, faculty, and Board of Trustees and Foundation Board members as well as spouses at the residence for educational and social exchange.
Chesapeake Academy is an independent pre-preparatory elementary and middle school offering three day preschool, a half day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten five mornings a week and full day instruction in grades one through eight. There are openings in some classes and mid-year enrollment inquiries are welcome. The Academy dedicates its resources to preparing students for their future academic, moral, social and physical endeavors in an intellectually challenging environment. It is an accredited member of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and currently serves students of Gloucester, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex and Northumberland counties. For information, please call Director of Admissions, Charles Britton, at (804) 438-5575.
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