The Chapin Check-In
The Chapin Check-In is your source for upcoming events, important information, and resources. Visit The Chapin Check-In regularly to learn about the happenings on campus!
Upcoming Events
- All-School Valentine's Day Treats Buffet
- Loaves & Fishes Community Service Event
- Curriculum Fair
- Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day
All-School Valentine's Day Treats Buffet
February 4, 2025
Dear Chapin Families,
Valentine's Day is fast approaching! Class parties will be held for Pre-K - 4th grade students - look out for class specific details from class parents and/or grade specific teachers. In addition, the Parents’ Association will have our All-School Treats Buffet during morning snack/Snacktivity for the students! This year’s celebrations will take place on Thursday, February 13, because Chapin is closed from Friday, February 14, through Monday, February 17, for Presidents’ Day weekend.
If you would like to purchase a treat for this buffet and/or volunteer your time, please sign up: All-School Valentine's Treat Buffet Sign-Up.
All treats should be dropped off in the morning when you drop off your children by 8:00 a.m. Members of the PA Board and parent volunteers will be outside at both the main entrance and the Wilby entrance to collect treats.
Allergy-Friendly and Gluten-Free treats will be provided by the Parents' Association.
Please email any questions to Melissa Scott, Volunteer Coordinator, at PAvolunteers@chapinschool.org.
Loaves & Fishes Community Service Event
February 4, 2025
Greetings Chapin Community,
The Parents' Association is honored to once again partner with the entire Chapin Community to support Loaves & Fishes, our school-wide community service project.
One of the cornerstones of a Chapin education is the development of strong character in our students. In support of those efforts, the school community will participate in our annual community service project, Loaves and Fishes. For over 20 years, Chapin School has come together as a community to help some of our neighbors in need. On Friday, February 21, 2025, we will deliver 250 prepared lunches, hygiene bags, toilet paper, feminine products and clothing donations to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Trenton.
During the family group meeting on January 31, students decorated placemats to be used by St. Mary’s patrons while enjoying our donated items. Students in the lower school will also make festive centerpieces to be used. Grades 5 through 8 will make the sandwiches and assemble the lunch bags on the morning of Friday, February 21, from 10-12pm as an advisory project.
Proceeds from Ice Cream Bingo are being used to provide sandwich items (sunbutter and jelly, turkey and cheese) for the bagged lunches. The Parents’ Association is partnering with the entire Chapin community to support this effort. Community members are invited to participate by:
- Donating the goods for making bagged lunches, toiletry bags, toilet paper, feminine products, and clothing to be dropped off February 10 thru February 18
- Donating sheet cakes to be dropped off February 21
- Assisting in the delivery of donated items on February 21 starting at 3:45pm
- Joining students in preparation of bagged lunches on February 21 from 10-12pm
- Note: Additional information regarding the time 5th - 8th grade students will participate will be shared the week of February 17
Please click below to sign up for donation items or to deliver goods:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49AFA92AA4FBC70-42888416-chapin
Note: Donations of clothing items of any kind do not require a Sign-Up Genius notation and can be dropped off at Chapin’s red doors Monday, February 10, thru Thursday, February 20.
Bagged lunches and donated items will be distributed to the community on Saturday, February 22, 8:30-10am and 12-2pm. Members of the Chapin community are invited to volunteer during that time and can contact Ms. Freeman at bfreeman@chapinschool.org for additional information. Please note that this volunteer opportunity is best suited for students in grades 4 and above.
Thank you for supporting Chapin and the PA in these efforts, particularly Loaves and Fishes, as this project shines a bright light on who we are and our continued commitment to our greater community. Please feel free to contact us at chapinpa@chapinschool.org if you have any questions.
With much gratitude,
Brienn Freeman, Character Ed Committee, and The Chapin Parents’ Association
Curriculum Fair
February 5, 2025
Dear Grades Four through Eight Families,
The Chapin Curriculum Fair celebrates our students' interests and showcases their ability to synthesize information. Students in grades five through eight focus on different areas of our curriculum. Fifth graders are working on a project in their World Language class; sixth graders research an historical figure, write a research paper, and deliver an oral presentation in Humanities class; seventh grade students will present the results of an experiment that they designed and conducted; and eighth graders have the freedom to explore any question they desire.
We are so excited about the Curriculum Fair this year! Our students have been working very hard to get ready. This year's Curriculum Fair will be Thursday, February 20, from 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
We are inviting fourth grade students and their families to attend if they would like, so they may get a glimpse of the engaging curricular experience that awaits them in fifth grade and beyond.
Students in grades 5-8 should arrive at school by 6:25 p.m., which will give them time to get to their table and be ready to start on time. Please do not drop your child off before this time. All students should eat dinner before arriving so they have the energy to make it through the evening. Additionally, this is a Dress Code Plus event, which means, no jeans, no t-shirts and no sweatshirts. Pants, skirts, dresses, blouses, and collared shirts (polos or button downs) are all appropriate.
We are looking forward to a great evening! Please reach out anytime if you have any questions.
Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day
Grandparents’ and Special Friends' Day is Friday, April 11, from 1:30 -3:00 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity for your children to bring their grandparents or special friends (aunt, uncle, close neighbor) to school for a part of their day. We will send out more details on this special event in the coming weeks.
We would like to send invitations in the mail to your children's grandparents/special friends. Please complete this form with their contact information no later than February 15. We will mail out the invitations then.
We are excited to welcome our special friends to Chapin this Spring!
Reminders
Winter Recess
During the winter months, If we are able to go outside and you would like your child to play in the snow, please remember to send in snow boots and pants. Please note, we will only take children outside if the weather is warm enough for safe play. Students without snow gear will still be able to enjoy outdoor time but will remain on the blacktop.
Upper School Independent Reading
February 4, 2025
Dear Chapin Families:
At the beginning of the year, I sent a letter about our Independent Reading Book Program, and we thought this would be a great time to update our plan. Chapin wants to emphasize reading for enjoyment in the same way we emphasize reading for learning. With this in mind, we want to ensure that all students have a book they can pull out of their backpack or locker before reaching for their iPads. Humanities classes have been managing this in different ways and will continue to do so, but we will put added emphasis on IRB reading in all classes and free time.
Here is an article about the benefits of Independent Reading.
As part of this initiative, we would like to give students access to our high-quality collection of books in the Learning Commons and Humanities classrooms. While this is a small library, it has a vast and age-appropriate collection of fiction and nonfiction books. We will have a checkout system for the students, but it will be important that they show responsibility for managing their borrowed books and respect for Chapin’s collection so the books remain in good condition. Of course, students can still bring in books from their local library or any book you have purchased.
Please remember that books should be appropriate for school and each student’s reading ability. While we encourage students to read books above their level, please have them check in with their Humanities teacher for guidance about their selections.
Here are some book lists, but students should consult with their Humanities teachers about other book ideas. Non-fiction, fiction, poetry, and plays are all acceptable. Graphic novels are great as long as the images are appropriate for school.