Chesterbrook Academy Newsletter

October 12, 1989, President George Bush signed Proclamation 6045 designating the month of October as Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month.

His Proclamation can be found below:

"This month, we celebrate the rich ethnic heritage of Italian-Americans and the many contributions they have made to American culture. Throughout our Nation's history, men and women of Italian descent have made outstanding contributions in business and the arts, education, and government, as well as in athletics and military service. Virtually every aspect of our life as a Nation has been enriched by their unique talents and hard work.

Italian-Americans share with us not only the colorful traditions of their ancestral homeland, but also its proud history. It was a brave son of Genoa, Christopher Columbus, who first discovered the New World nearly half a millennium ago and, in so doing, forged the path that millions of immigrants have since followed to the United States. Italy has also given the world the great works of Dante, the breathtaking art of Giotto and Michelangelo, and the inspirational music of Antonio Vivaldi and Domenico Scarlatti. Italian-Americans enjoy a rich cultural heritage, indeed.

Many outstanding men and women of Italian descent have enriched our Nation's own history. All Americans take great pride in the accomplishments of individuals such as Fiorello La Guardia, the beloved Mayor of New York City; Enrico Fermi, who won the 1938 Nobel Prize in Physics; Paolo Soleri, the celebrated architect; and baseball hero Joe DiMaggio. They and other Italian-Americans throughout the United States have made extraordinary contributions to our life as a Nation.

Whether defending freedom on the front lines of battle or participating in the daily workings of our democracy, Italian-Americans have clearly demonstrated their love of freedom and self-government and their profound respect for the rights and dignity of every individual. Their patriotism -- coupled with their deep faith and devotion to family life -- has truly strengthened the fabric of our society.

In recognition of the many contributions Italian-Americans have made and continue to make to our Nation, the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 392, has designated the month of October 1989 as "Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this month.

Now, Therefore, I, George Bush, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of October 1989 "Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month." I urge all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourteenth."

Samuel J. Porcello was an American food scientist who worked at Nabisco for 34 years. He is particularly noted for his work on the modern Oreo cookie. Samuel held five patents directly related to the Oreo. In particular, Samuel was the inventor of one version of the white Oreo cookie creme-filling. He was credited as the inventor of the current recipe in his obituary, but the recipe changed twice in 1997, to become kosher, and 2006 to become trans-fat free. His work earned him the nickname, "Mr. Oreo."

When he was hired, Nabisco promised that he could eventually earn a salary of up to $12,000 per year if he was successful. He began his Nabisco career at the company's plant in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. He later worked at Nabisco's corporate headquarters in East Hanover, New Jersey.

Samuel joined Nabisco's research and development department, which develops new lines of snacks. He was considered one of the world's leading experts on cocoa, which is used to make chocolate. He was given the title, "principal scientist," during his career at Nabisco.

The Oreo cookie has been sold since 1912, but it was Samuel who invented the modern creme-filling (excluding the kosher and trans-fat changes) for Oreos and Double Stuffed Oreos, which have extra filling.

In total, Samuel held five patents related to his work on the Oreo. He also developed a product line of Oreos enrobed in white chocolate and dark chocolate. Samuel found the particular type of chocolate which he used for chocolate-covered Oreos while attending a food industry trade show in Europe. His position required him to travel extensively in search of new potential products and ingredients.

Aside from his work with the Oreo, Samuel developed other Nabisco snack products, including SnackWells. According to his son, Curtis, Samuel often brought new snacks home with him to see how his family liked or disliked the potential new products. Samuel was not a huge eater of Oreo cookies, preferring to eat the cookie without dunking it in milk.

Samuel was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, and later relocated to Toms River, where he and his family resided for the remainder of his life.

Polish American Heritage Month is an annual event celebrated in October by Polish American communities. It was first celebrated in 1981 after organization by Michael Blichasz, President of the Polish American Cultural Center in Philadelphia. Originally, it was celebrated in August at various gatherings, travel events, and culturally significant locations in Pennsylvania. The Polish American Cultural Center and the Polish American Congress lobbied politicians at the state and national level to make August the month for Polish heritage. In 1984, House Joint Resolution 577 passed, making the month of August, Polish American Heritage Month. President Ronald Reagan urged all Americans to join in the celebration honoring Polish heritage in the United States. The month was changed to October in 1986 to aid participating schools in organization during the school year. October also holds significance as the month when the first Polish settlers came to Jamestown, Virginia.

Proclamations were made by Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, but beginning with Bill Clinton, U.S. Presidents have since made proclamations for General Pulaski, Memorial Day, and official messages noting Polish American Heritage month.

Stephanie Kwolek was a Polish American chemist best known for inventing Kevlar. Her career at the DuPont Company spanned more than 40 years.

Stephanie intended to work for DuPont temporarily, in order to raise money for further study. At DuPont, the polymer research she worked on was so interesting and challenging that she decided to drop her plans for medical school and make chemistry a lifetime career. Her research group moved to Wilmington, Delaware, in 1950.

In 1959, she won a publication award from the American Chemical Society, the first of many awards. The paper, The Nylon Rope Trick, demonstrated a way of producing nylon in a beaker at room temperature.

In 1985, Stephanie and coworkers patented a method for preparing PBO and PBT polymers. Because Dupont was at the cutting edge of polymer technology and innovation, Stephanie never outgrew the position and spent her whole career doing research at Dupont. Over her 40-year career, Stephanie would file 28 patents.

In addition to Kevlar, she contributed to products such as Spandex (Lycra), Nomex, and Kapton. She continued as a consultant to Dupont after her retirement in 1986 and became the first woman to earn the company’s Lavoisier medal for research in 1995.

Starting school or returning to school can be such a great experience and fun time for our youngest learners. For others, it can be scary as they adjust to their new routine. Ensuring our students attend school daily and on time assists them in their transition to school and provides them with the best learning opportunity possible. By our students attending school daily and on time, they are exposed to the entirety of the curriculum for the day as well as social opportunities with their peers and can establish their new daily routine.

As part of the NJDOE's efforts to combat chronic absenteeism, all student absences will be tracked. NJDOE defines chronic absenteeism as being absent for more than 10% of the school year. In accordance with the Cherry Hill Attendance Policy, attendance letters will be sent home at intervals of 4, 7, and 10 consecutive days absent from the program.

Please be reminded any preschool students absent for 10 or more consecutive days will be at risk of losing their spot in the preschool program.

Please click the button below to view the NJDOE guidelines for chronic absenteeism.

We understand importance of capturing the achievements and special moments of your children via photograph or video and memorializing the special event on social media or sharing with other loved ones and encourage you to do so as you see fit for your child.

We would like to stress the importance of ensuring if you are posting a photo or video of your child outside of school, at the bus stop or a school event that there are no other students in the photo or video that is being shared publicly. This is a major privacy concern for our students and their families who have not expressed their approval for a photo or video of their child to be publicly shared.

All Cherry Hill Public Preschool locations are completely nut free.

Nut products such as peanut butter, cashew butter, almond butter, hazelnut spread (Nutella), and whole nuts are not permitted.

Please do not send your child to school with nut products as it poses health and safety risks for students and staff and they will not be permitted to be consumed while at school.

Please use the QR codes above or the buttons below to RSVP or sign up to be a volunteer!

Please use the QR code on the flyer or click the button below titled "Site Liaison Sign-Up" to sign-up today!

Please use the QR code on the flyer or click the button below titled "Room Parent Sign-Up" to sign-up today!

IMPORTANT FLU SHOT INFORMATION!

The State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has mandated that all children in childcare and all preschool students must receive a flu vaccine by November 30, 2026. Please schedule an appointment with your doctor early so that they will still have the vaccine.

AFTER YOUR CHILD RECEIVES THE IMMUNIZATION, PLEASE SEND IN A DOCTOR’S NOTE WITH THE DATE YOUR CHILD RECEIVED THE FLU SHOT TO SCHOOL NURSE.

STUDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE AN IMMUNIZATION CANNOT COME TO SCHOOL BEGINNING December 1, 2026.

The Department of Health will not grant extensions.

Site Nurse: Ms. Kaitlyn Bernard, kbernard@chclc.org

No birthdays this week.

Hello Families!

Our teachers and staff have been so hard at work since the beginning of the school year, and this is just a small way to acknowledge all they do. This form will be available throughout the year so please feel free to submit this anytime and as many times as you would like.

Each completed form will be printed out and given to the identified teacher/staff member.

Please click the button below to access the form.