Specialists

In an environment of open exchange and critical discussion, artist Mrs. Choi uses the methods she employs in her own work to teach students how articulate an idea as an art form, teaching her students how to connect a conceptual idea with its physical manifestation. Students learn to use tools correctly, explore and experiment with varied media to create imaginative projects in two and three dimensions. Art history is introduced by way of studying artists and art movements, and specific curriculum-appropriate subjects are often used as motivation for assignments. Each year, Mrs. Choi stages a school-wide art show to provide an opportunity for our students to celebrate their hard work.

CS Specialist, Mrs. Reiner collaborates with teachers to plan technology-enriched activities relevant to their curriculum. She also teaches coding, keyboarding, and age appropriate Microsoft 365 modules. Students learn to navigate technology safely and responsibly, maintaining a balance of emotional, mental, and physical aspects. Lessons are taught in compliance with the Washington State K-12 Computer Science standards and ISTE Standards. Students can enjoy a lot of the activities we use at school, as well as some other useful resources, by visiting our Clever SSO site.

The library ensures that students and staff are effective, independent users of ideas and information for lifelong learning by providing access to a wide variety of materials that support and enrich the school’s curriculum, encourage critical thinking, extend students’ knowledge and understanding of the world around them and promote a love of reading and literature. 

Ms. Whalen aims to develop a love of reading by exposing students to age-appropriate books, both fiction and non-fiction. We share ideas about plot and characters, recommend books to one another, and browse books, magazines, and other types of text. I believe that the Library is a resource for the entire school and it is important to have the most current, Award-winning books in our collection.

Whether it is helping students research for a biography project, find information on rain forests, or just help them locate a book about their favorite breed of dog, I feel as a librarian I need to make sure that they have the right skills and materials to do so.

Students attend Library classes for an hour a week and share stories, study authors, and discuss book care. They learn about how libraries are organized and practice library skills such as alphabetizing and learning about reference materials. All students are given the opportunity to check out books once a week.

The CHA music program delivers an active music curriculum and a variety of experiences that will lead students to develop musical skills, understanding, and most importantly a lifelong joy and appreciation for music. The curriculum follows state and national standards, is organized by grade level, and focuses on building on students’ natural abilities to improvise and compose.

CHA has a wonderful and inviting music room! There’s a large and varied collection of instruments and other resources with plenty of room to play. We are fortunate to have a full set of Orff mallet instruments, hand drums, and ukuleles for every student. Students are consistently composing, improvising, moving, and performing. At CHA, students learn that music is a powerful tool to use to express one's artistic voice.

The PE curriculum at Chestnut Hill Academy is designed to promote health and encourage lifelong physical activity. Many activities taught in PE require children to work in small groups or teams in order to initiate creative thinking and promote problem-solving. These opportunities are excellent for developing leadership, cooperation, and social skills, which can be applied to all aspects of the students’ lives.

The resources at CHA are fantastic, giving students the opportunity to try a variety of different games and activities throughout the school year. Such variety enables all of our students to find their niche in PE and begin to grow a love for exercise. Some examples include a monthly ½ mile run or jog, fundamental movement-based activities, a climbing wall, and core strength, as well as more traditional sports like soccer, baseball, and basketball. Each class enjoys one hour of PE every week, taking place either in the gym or on the large field. Lessons are taught in compliance with the OSPI standards.

We are proud of the variety that we can offer at CHA, however, some aspects of PE will remain constant. Our respect for others, our willingness to learn, and our can-do mindset will guide our approach to every PE lesson.

Our PE Coach also organizes our annual CHA Ski Program - a unique and exciting opportunity for all our students to experience the joy of skiing! For six weeks at the beginning of the school year, students head to Alpental once a week to learn and grow on the slopes.

This beloved tradition blends outdoor adventure with skill-building, confidence, and fun. Whether it's a student's first time on skis or they're already carving turns, the Ski Program is designed to support every child in a safe, encouraging environment.

When a student’s time at CHA has concluded, our objective is for them to understand that exercise can take many forms and provide a wide array of benefits. It is our hope at CHA that each student can utilize the skills, attitudes, and self-awareness taught in PE and apply them to many aspects of their lives beyond their time here. 

¡Bienvenidos! The Spanish program at Chestnut Hill Academy uses the Realidades Spanish program to meet national foreign language standards. The goals of this Specialist class is to inspire students to learn Spanish, give confidence to move toward fluency, and create awareness of cultural diversity and respect, while providing a solid basic knowledge of the Spanish language.

Our goal is to awaken an interest for Spanish through a fun, interactive, and engaging environment. Students will learn to communicate in Spanish through the spoken and written language. They will gain knowledge and understanding of Spanish culture, as well as develop insight into the nature of language by comparing Spanish and English. Most importantly, students will be able to use Spanish at home, throughout their community, and around the world.

Students begin visiting the Spanish classroom in kindergarten. By offering continuous exposure to Spanish, that mirrors the children’s language development in English, students gradually move from novice Spanish speakers in the lower grades, to basic-intermediate Spanish speakers in the upper grades. Kindergarten students through third grade focus on thematic units such as: colors, numbers, weather, shapes, animals, classroom objects, family, body parts, clothes, food, house, bedroom, etc. Fourth and fifth graders work with the Realidades Spanish Program and complete oral, written, and conversational activities. All grade levels learn new vocabulary through songs, chants, books, games, projects, and/or worksheets.