Churchill Chatter - Issue 21, January 31, 2018
In This Week’s Issue:
- Mr. Hutzel’s update on the second semester
- Churchill Chess Team’s tournament win
- Neighborhood Parking and Driving Concerns
- A Parent’s Guide to the Flu
- Magnet School Application Process
- Thank you for the Staff Appreciation Chili Bar
- New Family Coffee with Mr. Hutzel on February 14
- Calendar of Upcoming Events
 Principal's Podium
It’s hard to believe that our 2nd semester of the school year will soon be underway. Second quarter report cards will go home in the February 7 VIP folders. During last Friday’s teacher workday, the staff met to collaboratively complete the progress reports and plan for the upcoming school weeks. Also, our staff participated in several staff development in-services, both here and at other sites in the school system. We are fortunate to have an extraordinary amount of expertise in our school system; our motivated teachers spend many hours attending classes to further their own knowledge.
Since we have reached the halfway mark of the year, I encourage all families to take some time to talk with your child about school. This is a great opportunity to set some academic and behavioral goals for the next two quarters based on the data that comes home in the report card. The Churchill Road teachers have many strategies and ideas that can be shared with families to optimize learning opportunities.
We are lucky to have an extensive cadre of specialists that are available to support students, as well. In addition to the classroom teachers’ Blackboard sites and newsletters, many resources are posted on the CRS Specials and School Information Blackboard site. Advanced Academic Resource teacher Becky Timm, literacy specialist Cindy Haines, librarian Sari Warren, and technology teacher Jordan Craig-Kuhn all have many ideas, resources and strategies that can be used with students at home.
Finally, I hope that all CRS families consult their classroom teachers. The Churchill Road teachers work hard to establish partnerships with CRS families. We count on parents to let us know if something seems amiss, or to let us know if something happening at home may be affecting academic achievement or behavior at school.
Under our teachers’ excellent guidance and with family support, our students can look forward to an exciting and productive 2nd semester!
Don Hutzel, Principal
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Churchill Chess Champions
Churchill
Road claimed the first place trophy in the second Free Pizza tournament we
hosted. CRS students also brought home three of the nine individual trophies. Congratulations
to the students playing on the CRS team: Jayden
L., Evan K., Roberto D., Rishika and Amrit S., Grace and Justin Y., Sarah and
Samuel L., James W., Francis S., Armaan S., Arianne A., Max B., Karan S., Lang
X., Zachary S., Colin W., Kirin S., Ayaan R., Caden S., Alexandra E., Keith R. and Alan T.
Parking and Driving Concerns
FCPS’s Office of Safety and Security (OSS) and the Fairfax County Police Department have received ongoing complaints from our neighbors about unsafe parking and driving practices around our school. OSS’s investigation found that some parents and staff are parking in violation of various Fairfax County codes in front of and on the side streets of Churchill Road and have reached out to the Virginia Department of Transportation for a review of the current sign placement around our school. In the meantime, OSS will be reaching out to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCFD) requesting for periodic driving/traffic enforcement.
Some of the most common violations occurring in the community surrounding CRS are listed below. All of these offenses are subject to ticketing should FCPD feel inclined to do so.
- Parking within 10 feet of driveways – Parking is not allowed within 10’ of any driveway (Fairfax County 82-5-1(a)(2))
- Parking adjacent to a fire hydrant – Parking is not allowed within 15’ of a fire hydrant (Fairfax County 82-5-1(a)(4))
- Parking adjacent to a stop sign – Parking is not allowed within 30’ of a stop sign (Fairfax County 82-5-1(a)(7))
- Parking at intersections – Parking is not allowed in or within 20’ of an intersection (Fairfax County 82-5-1(a)(3))
- Parking is not allowed within 20’ of a designated crosswalk (Fairfax County 82-5-1(a)(5))
- Parking prohibited by official sign. Parking is allowed in designated areas only. (Fairfax County 82-5-1(A)(14))
We are all encouraged to be mindful of traffic laws.
Thank you,
Don Hutzel, Principal
A Parent's Guide to the Flu and the Importance of Hand Washing in Breaking the Cold and Influenza Cycle
"The Cold and Flu Season is here" is a commonly heard phrase this time of year that expresses resignation to the inevitable. After all, the flu travels through families and decimates classroom and office attendance. What information is available to help us deal with colds and flu?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a guide for families with information and tips for dealing with the flu. We've
posted this guide on our school web site. The document includes information about
what the flu is, its symptoms, how serious it can be, and how it spreads. It
also includes tips for protecting your child against the flu and steps to take
if your child gets sick. The document is available at: http://www2.fcps.edu/ChurchillRoadES/docs/a-flu-guide-for-parents.pdf.
Indirect exposure to colds and flu often results from the "hand-to-mucous membrane route of transmission". As an example, this would occur as a teacher rubs her eyes or nose after tending to a child's runny nose or through handling of tissues or other objects soiled with mucous. Hand washing is a critical deterrent to the transmission of infectious organisms. At school, children are taught to frequently wash their hands, especially before eating and after coughing, sneezing and using the restroom. We encourage you to stress the importance of hand washing at home, as well.
Wellness: Pursue Your Passions
Mrs. Ojeda's kindergarteners are passionate about lots of things, from elphants and pythons to martial arts and things that go chomp!
Tomorrow marks the start of February and you are sure to see hearts decorating the hallways and classrooms. A month filled with sweet sentiments and hearts aplenty is a great reminder to reflect on what you are truly passionate about pursuing. Incorporating more of what excites you does not require dramatic changes: you can pick up books at the library on the subject, connect with others in the field, take lessons, or visit locations that will further your knowledge. Doing what you love encourages creativity, ideas, energy, and happiness. It also allows you to be true to who you are. So chase with zeal whatever lights you up . It benefits your emotional and physical wellbeing and, ultimately, our community. Put your heart in it!
Spirit Day Fun!
Teachers and students sported their favorite team gear and colors on last week's Jersey Day Spirit Day!
Magnet School Application and Lottery Information
The Magnet Program registration window will be open from Thursday, March 1, 2018 through Monday, April 2, 2018. The following link provides additional information: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/elementary-magnet-school-lottery. Magnet Program information will be disseminated in the community through FCPS communication avenues.
This link includes updated information about changes to the lottery application process, to include the need to register at a base school for students currently not registered within FCPS prior to submitting a lottery application and a one-time $100 pupil placement application fee for students accepting invitations to lottery programs.
To learn more about the programs and the registration process, families are encouraged to attend one of the Parent Informational Nights:
Hunters Woods Elementary, Cafeteria - February 6, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
• Snow date: February 13, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
Bailey’s Primary, Cafeteria - February 5, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
• Snow date: February 12, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
Bailey’s Upper, Cafeteria - February 8, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
• Snow date: February 15, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
Cheer
Winners of the Week
Congratulations to our Churchill Cheer winners for the week of
January 22. Cheers are given to students who follow the four R’s. Churchill
Cheer winners are: Nate Lee Truesdell (K); Anika Long (1st); Brooke Chopra (2nd); Jisu
Lee (3rd); and Jooyon Lee (4th). Our good citizenship winners are Devon Barnes (5th) and Avni Damani (6th). Our teacher winner is Mrs. Khan. Remember, at
CRS we follow the four R’s. We respect ourselves, we respect others, we respect
property, we respect the Earth, and we are responsible.
CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
Wednesday, February 14
New Family Coffee, 8 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
PTA Meeting, 8:45-9:45 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
Valentine’s Exchange
Monday, February 19
President’s Day Holiday – School Closed
Friday, February 23
Wacky Tacky/Crazy Sock and Hair Spirit Day
Family Fitness Day, 8:00-8:20 AM
Check the Google calendar on the CRS website for event dates later in the school year: http://www2.fcps.edu/ChurchillRoadES/.
A Chili-tastic Feast!
Thanks to the Kindergarten and 1st grade families for
the amazing Chili Bar - always a staff favorite! CRS staff loved all the tasty
chili options at last week's staff appreciation lunch. Special thanks to
co-hosts Amanda Clarke and Desiree Koetzle!
Spelling Bee
Registration for this year's Spelling Bee closes this
Friday 2/2 (open to grades 3-6). Learn more at http://www.churchillroadpta.org/spelling-bee.
Save
the Date for a
New Family Coffee with Mr. Hutzel!
Join Mr. Hutzel to learn more about Churchill Road and the many
exciting events that will be occurring this year! (Children are welcome to attend the coffee with their parents.)
When: Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 at 8:00 a.m.
Where: CRS
Exploratory Arts Room
Who: All
CRS Parents with a Special Welcome to families NEW to CRS!
You are also invited to stay for the General PTA Membership
Meeting at 8:45 a.m. (immediately following the coffee). Let us know how the
year is going and discuss upcoming events.
PTA
Long Range Planning Survey
Share
your input and shape the direction of your CRS PTA - watch for the survey in
February!
Links
to PTA News
Link to the CRS PTA homepage:
http://www.churchillroadpta.org/
Link to the PTA Week-at-a-Glance:
https://cresp.memberclicks.net/crs-pta-week-a-glance
As
outlined by FCPS Regulation 1367.2, school principals shall offer options to
nonprofit organizations that want to make their materials available to students
and parents. At Churchill Road, non-profit organizations will be permitted to
send home flyers in the take home folder 4 times during the year. The dates for
the 2017-2018 school year are the
weeks of October 2, December 4, March 5 and May 14. These
fliers must be related to the school’s educational mission and be age-appropriate.
Community organizations must submit their materials in advance to the school’s
principal and must include the disclaimer “These materials are neither
sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent,
or this School.” Once approved, the organization will be required to make
the copies necessary for distribution. Any questions can be directed to Kim
Moran, Churchill Road's Public Relations Liaison.
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