The Chatham Chat

Conferences

A reminder that this Thursday March 22nd and Friday March 23rd students get out at 11:30. PM kindergarten will attend Thursday morning and AM Kindergarten will attend Friday morning.

Chatham’s Science Fair makes the Newspaper

Chatham Park’s 11^th Annual Science Fair was featured in articles in the the Delaware County News Network and the HavertownPatch!  Click here to read the article written by parent and Science Fair committee member Katrine Fatini and see pictures of the winners.

Young Writers Day

Young Writers Day comes to Chatham Park on Friday, March 30. Seventeen professional authors, poets, songwriters and artists will present workshops in each classroom to engage students’ creativity and give them a window into careers in the arts. The day also features an afternoon assembly for all students with a guest speaker. Remember to ask your student about the workshop they attended on March 30! Special thanks to Mary Beth Lauer, Chatham Park HASA and the many volunteers who make this event possible!

Upcoming Dates

• March 28^th HASA Meeting
• March 30^th Young Writers Day
• April 2^nd-9^th Spring Break
• April 25^th Recorder Concert

Make-A-Plate

Chatham Park’s Make-A-Plate Project for 2012 is getting under way! Your child has an opportunity to create a custom plate from an original drawing. The finished product will be a 10-inch melamine plate, suitable for everyday use, dishwasher – but not microwave – safe. Cost is $6.

During the next month, the drawings will be completed in school some students have already completed their plates. Every child will create a drawing for the plate, but there is no obligation to purchase the plate.

After the drawings are done in school, a form will be sent home asking you to send in payment of $6 in cash or check (payable to Chatham Park Home & School Association).  Or you can click here access the form.

If you have any questions, would like to help or are in need of a scholarship, please contact Jen Reimer, jreimer@comcast.net or 610-316-9292.

11th Annual Science Fair

Congratulations on a job well done to all of the 4th and 5th graders who participated in the 11th Annual Chatham Park Science Fair last Friday night. Thirty-three research projects and experiments were presented by fifty Chatham students to a packed house of friends, parents and siblings.  It was a great night of learning and discovery for both the student participants and all who attended.

Upcoming Events

• March 28^th  HASA Meeting
• March 30^th  Young Writers Day
• April 2^nd – 9^th  Spring Break
• April 25^th  Recorder Concert

Reminder

Don’t forget to check out the Community Links page for new and upcoming Spring Events in the area!

Science Fair

Please join us for the 11^th Annual Chatham Park Science Fair on Friday, March 9, 2012 from 7pm to 9pm. The fair is a great way to explore science in a fun and interesting way and learn how to think like a real scientist!

Grant Approved

The Empowerment Grant that was submitted for $10,000 to the Haverford Township Education Foundation was approved.  The funds will be used to cover program expenses for “Chat Live!” a student led news show which will be broadcast to all classrooms. Initially on a weekly basis the broadcast will cover information similar to morning announcements; however, the program has the potential to expand into features reporting, investigative reporting and remote reporting on sports and other activities. We envision the program as a fun, exciting way for children of all grades to improve their verbal and written communication skills and technology skills as well as building teamwork and confidence.

Upcoming Dates

• March 9^th  Science Fair

• March 28^th  HASA Meeting
• March 30^th  Young Writers Day

Mad Science Returns

Mad Science and NASA are bringing Outer Space to Chatham Park’s 3^rd-5^th grade students Monday afternoons starting March 5^th.  Enrolled students will learn about space travel, living in space, rocket science and more! To register for this session of Mad Science click here, fill out the attached form and mail it with  your payment directly to Mad Science.  Registration forms need to be postmarked by Friday February 24.  If you have any questions please contact Robin Naser at hazelii61@verizon.net.

Game for Recess

The teachers have put in a request asking for games to use during indoor recess. If you have any gently used games with all of the pieces they could be put to great use at the school. Please have your son or daughter bring them into their homeroom teacher.

Box Tops for Education

The deadline for our last Box Tops collection is this Friday, February 24. Please gather up all of the Box Tops and Labels for Education you have been collecting and send them to school in an envelope marked BOX TOPS. You can either drop them at the office or your child can give them to their homeroom teacher. Keep collecting them and sending them into school even after this month; any that do not make it in by the February deadline will be included in the next submission in the fall. Thank you to everyone for continuing to collect Box Tops and Labels for Education!

3^rd Grade Service Club

The Third Grade Service Club will be meeting on Wednesday, February 22^nd. We will meet in the cafeteria from 3:30-4:30. This month we will be collecting gently used children’s books for Carson Long Military Academy in New Bloomfield, PA. Carson Long is a school full of spirit and dedication, but they have little in the way of supplies. The school population is 40% international students, most of whom arrive with little English, so children’s books would be especially welcome for their ESL work.

We would like each child to bring in several new or gently used books to donate. The children will sort the books by theme and box them to ship to Carson Long Military Academy. Chapter and picture books would be greatly appreciated.

We will also begin discussion on our end of the year project. Our final project will be a multi-month endeavor. We are awaiting approval on a few ideas.

Upcoming Dates

• March 1^st HASA Board Meeting
• March 9^th Science Fair
• March 28^th HASA Meeting
• March 30^th Young Writers Day
• April 2^nd-9^th Spring Break
• April 25^th Recorder Concert

Reminder

Please check our community links page for upcoming spring events!

Adult Social a Success!

Thank you to all the families, friends, and neighbors who came out to support Chatham Park last night. About 160 people braved the weather to enjoy the evening out. We would like to thank all of the families and local businesses who helped to make the night a huge success by donating items, buying raffles tickets, making Silent Auction bids and participating in the 50/50.

HASA would also like to say a special thanks to Ryan DeVitis, Adult Social Chairperson, for her tremendous effort and all of her hard work in making the Adult Social a success.

Mad Science Returns

Mad Science and NASA are bringing Outer Space to Chatham Park’s 3^rd-5^th grade students Monday afternoons starting March 5^th.  Enrolled students will learn about space travel, living in space, rocket science and more! To register for this session of Mad Science click here, fill out the attached form and mail it with  your payment directly to Mad Science.  Registration forms need to be postmarked by Friday February 24.  If you have any questions please contact Robin Naser at hazelii61@verizon.net.

Teacher Request

The teachers are in need of games for their classrooms to use during indoor recess. If you have any gently used games with all of the pieces they could be put to great use at the school. Please have your son or daughter bring them into their homeroom teacher.

Box Tops for Education

Our last box tops collection for the year is coming up at the end of this month. Please gather up all of the Box Tops and Labels for Education you have been collecting and send them to school in an envelope marked BOX TOPS. You can either drop in the office or your child can give them to their homeroom teacher. Keep collecting them and sending them into school even after this month; any that do not make it in by the February deadline will be included in the next submission in the fall. Thank you to everyone for continuing to collect Box Tops and Labels for Education!

Save the Date

The Annual Art Show has been scheduled for May 9^th from 6:00-8:00pm. Art in the Classroom will display creations together with Ms. Cohan’s art class creations. Mark your calendars to can come out and see all of Chatham Park’s talented kids creative artwork.

Last Call for Pictures!

Last call for pictures for the 5^th Grade Yearbook.  We are finalizing the pages for K-4. Please submit any pictures this week.  You can either email them to yearbookchatham@verizon.net or drop them in the office in the file marked HASA Yearbook.

Upcoming Dates

• March 1^st  HASA Board Meeting
• March 28^th  HASA Meeting

• March 9^th  Science Fair

• March 30^th  Young Writers Day
• April 2^nd-9^th  Spring Break
• April 25^th  Recorder Concert

Reminder

Please check out our community links page for new additions.

If you have not already gotten your tickets for the Adult Social this Saturday night it is not too late. Tickets will be available at the door so please join us at J.D. McGillicuddy’s on the Boulevard from 7:00-10:00pm and support the Chatham Park Home and School Association. Tickets are $30 for an individual ticket and $50 per couple, your ticket includes a three hour open bar and a buffet dinner.

If you have any questions contact Ryan Devitis at ryandevitis@gmail.com.

Fundraising

Many of you may ask yourself “What is HASA using all this money for and how is it helping my child?”.  The funds that HASA raises help to enhance the wonderful learning environment already provided to our students. Some of the items HASA has provided for the school this year are a new speaker system for the gym, cork strips for student work to be easily displayed in the hallways and a new rug for one of the kindergarten classrooms.  These were all requests from teachers for items that the school district’s budget cannot accommodate.

HASA is also responsible for maintaining the playground equipment.  Last year we had to replace one of the sliding boards that was broken and this year we will more than likely have to replace the tunnel. We also try to provide sport equipment that the students can take outside with them and last year our beautification committee repainted the map, the four-square board and a hopscotch game on the playground.

In addition to the tangible items purchased to enhance classes and recess, HASA also funds fun and educational experiences for our students.  Thanks to the funds raised, HASA is able to provide our students with wonderful assemblies. This year the students have learned about healthy eating, the science of light and last Friday they enjoyed a story through ballet.  HASA also sponsors the Science Fair, Art in the Classroom, the Golden Apple Reading Program, Keanu for the Kindergartners, Artist in Residence, and Young Writers Day.

There is a long list a family and community activities that HASA organizes such as the Back to School Picnic, Pumpkin Decorating Contest, the Winter Festival/Pancake Breakfast, Bingo Night, the Talent Show, Maniac Magee and the May Fair.  All of these events help to make the Chatham community stronger and grow friendships for our children and with other families.

So now that you can see why fundraising is so important, please consider coming out to support Chatham Park this weekend at HASA’s second and final fundraiser this year!

Chatham Park Adult Social!

Date: February 11, 2012

Time: 7:00-10:00pm

Place: McGillicuddy’s on the Boulevard

Cost: $30 for individual tickets and $50 per couple, your ticket includes a three hour open bar and a buffet dinner.

To get your tickets simply click here and fill out the form, then place the form and your payment in an envelope marked Adult Social and have your child hand them in to their homeroom teacher. Forms are due by Tuesday, February 7^th and tickets will be sent home with your child on Thursday, February 9th.

If you have any questions contact Ryan Devitis at ryandevitis@gmail.com.

Come enjoy this evening out and support Chatham Park!

6^th Annual Talent Show

Wow!  What a great afternoon of singing, dancing, gymnastics, instrument playing, joke telling, magic and even Rubik’s Cube solving!  Congratulations to all of the participants in this year’s Talent Show on a job well done!

Upcoming Dates

• February 11^th  Adult Social

• March 1^st  HASA Board Meeting

• March 9^th  Science Fair

• March 28^th  HASA Meeting

• March 30^th  Young Writers Day

HASA Meeting This Week

The next Home & School Association meeting will be this Wednesday February 1st at 7pm in the school library.  Agenda items will include Mr. Marsella’s update on possible enrollment increases for 2012-13, HASA Event/Activity updates from committee leaders, and information about ongoing and upcoming public school budget issues.  The tentative agenda can be found here.  If you would like to have something added to the agenda, please click here to submit your topic or question.

Meetings typically last about an hour.  Attending is a great way to get involved and have an impact on all that is going on at Chatham Park.

Get your Tickets for the Adult Social!

Date: February 11, 2012

Time: 7:00-10:00pm

Place: McGillicuddy’s on the Boulevard

Cost: $30 for individual tickets and $50 per couple, your ticket includes a three hour open bar and a buffet dinner.

To get your tickets simply click here and fill out the form, then place the form and your payment in an envelope marked Adult Social and have your child hand them in to their homeroom teacher. Forms are due by Tuesday, February 7^th and tickets will be sent home with your child on Thursday, February 9th.

If you have any questions contact Ryan Devitis at ryandevitis@gmail.com.

Come enjoy this evening out and support Chatham Park!

Cinderella Comes to Chatham

Chatham Park is scheduled to have the next cultural assembly on Friday, Feb 3rd at 1:00pm (K, 1 & 2) and 2:00pm (3, 4 & 5). This assembly will be presented by Pages to Pirouettes. They will be preforming ’Cinderella’ the ballet, the classic fairy tale performed with humor and elegance. All morning kindergarten students are welcome to attend the 1:00pm assembly with a parent or caregiver. This assembly is sponsored by the Chatham Park Home and School Association.

The Golden Apple

The Golden Apple Tree is now up in the hallway next to the library for the kids to see their names posted with their progress toward the Golden Apple award.  We are excited about the participation of the kids, especially in the younger classes.  If you need more information on the Golden Apple program, or need to print out the forms, click here. Encourage your kids to read & hand in their forms in the library!

The 6^th Annual Talent Show

This Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 1:00pm Chatham will be putting on their 6^th talent show. The 50 acts include things such as singing, dancing, guitar, violin, piano, joke telling, magic, hula hoop, pogo stick, gymnastics and the choreographed 5^th Grade Finale. The show will be held in the Haverford High School Auditorium and admission is free. Come out an support all these daring kids and enjoy this great afternoon of entertainment.

Bake or Buy treats to support our talented kids!

If you’d like to contribute something for the intermission bake sale, please contact Julie Brown at jleedybrown@comcast.net or 610.924.9010. Contributions can be dropped off at the Talent Show or at Julie’s house the morning of the show. All goodies should be bagged or wrapped as a $1.00 item. Thank you in advance for all of your support!

Coat Drive for Mother’s Home – It’s not too late!

There are just two more days to get your donations in. The 5^th grade Service Club is hosting a coat drive for the most needed items during winter. Donations can be placed in box located outside the main office Monday and Tuesday of this week. A full list of items needed can be found at http://www.mothershome.org/donate/in-kind-items/. Most important are coats, hats, gloves, and boots.

Thank you for helping with our 5th grade Service Club Winter Project.

Upcoming Dates

• February 1^st HASA Meeting
• February 3^rd Pages to Pirouettes Assembly
• February 5^th Talent Show
• February 11^th Adult Social

• March 1^st HASA Board Meeting

• March 9^th Science Fair

Anti-Bullying Presentation

Tonight in Chatham Park’s Auditorium  at 7:00pm Chestnutwold’s PTO will be hosting  a presentation “Teaching Anti-Bullying K-8″.  The presenter is Dr. Claudio V. Cerullo.  It will last approximately one hour with a Q & A at the end.  For more information contact Daniela Redpath at dfe@comcast.net or visit Dr. Cerullo’s website at www.teachantibullying.com.

Support Our Second Fundraiser!

Chatham Park will be having an Adult Social on February 11^th from 7:00-10:00pm at McGillicuddy’s on the Boulevard. Invite your friends and family. This event is not just for Chatham families, it is open to all adults. The cost will be $30 for individual tickets and $50 per couple, they include an open bar for three hour and a buffet dinner. There will also be a silent auction, 50/50 and there may even be a few door prizes. Some of our silent auction items include tickets to sporting events as well as donations from local artists and businesses.

The money we raise form the Adult Social will help HASA fund things such as Cultural Assemblies, Young Writers Day, the Science Fair and community building events. These are things enjoyed by EVERY child in the school. Come enjoy this evening out and support Chatham Park!

To get your ticket click here. If you have any questions contact Ryan Devitis at ryandevitis@gmail.com.

The 6^th Annual Talent Show

Will be taking place Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 1:00pm. The show will be held in the Haverford High School Auditorium. Admission is Free so come out an support all these daring kids. The 50 Acts include things such as singing, dancing, guitar, violin, piano, joke telling, magic, hula hoop, pogo stick, gymnastics and the choreographed 5^th Grade Finale. Come and enjoy this great afternoon of entertainment.

Bake or Buy treats to support our talented kids!

During intermission of the Talent Show will be having a bake sale. If you’d like to contribute something for the sale, please contact Julie Brown at jleedybrown@comcast.net or 610.924.9010. Contributions can be dropped off at the Talent Show or at Julie’s house the morning of the show.  All goodies should be bagged or wrapped as a $1.00 item. Thank you in advance for all of your support!

Grant Update

The Empowerment Grant committee submitted the application for $10,000 to the Haverford Township Education Foundation the last week of December.  The funds will be used to cover program expenses for “Chat Live!” a student led news show which will be broadcast to all classrooms. Initially on a weekly basis the broadcast will cover information similar to morning announcements; however, the program has the potential to expand into features reporting, investigative reporting and remote reporting on sports and other activities. We envision the program as a fun, exciting way for children of all grades to improve their verbal and written communication skills and technology skills as well as building teamwork and confidence. We have asked the grant committee for the funds to start and maintain this program as well as make some technology improvements in classrooms to make it easier to broadcast the weekly show. Thank you to everyone who assisted in the application process.  We are awaiting a response from the district on funding approvals.

Coat Drive for Mother’s Home – 1/17 – 1/31

The 5^th grade Service Club is hosting a coat drive for the most needed items during winter at the Mother’s. Donations can be placed in box located outside the main office between January 17^th – 31^st. The Mother’s Home needs many items to take care of the new families while they are in transition. A full list of items needed can be found at http://www.mothershome.org/donate/in-kind-items/. Most importantly are coats, hats, gloves, and boots. Other items we will take are gently used diaper bags, alarm clocks, 3 month baby clothing, and twin bedding.

Thank you for helping with our 5th grade Service Club Winter Project.

Upcoming Dates

• January 27^th  Beautification Project
• February 1^st HASA Meeting
• February 3^rd Pages to Pirouettes Assembly
• February 5^th Talent Show
• February 11^th Adult Social

• March 1^st HASA Board Meeting

• March 9^th Science Fair

Reminder

Check the lost an found. The collections of items is growing and growing. It can be found across from the gym down the hall from the main office.