Wednesday, February 28 Churchill Chatter School Newsletter

Churchill Chatter - Issue 25, February 28, 2018


In This Week’s Issue:

  • New CRS website operational
  • Congratulations to Science Olympiad teams
  • Celebrating Dr. Seuss this week, with Read Across America festivities Friday, March 2
  • Parade of Cuisines Friday, March 2 from 6-8 PM
  • Celebrating our custodial team for Custodian Appreciation Week
  • Spring ASA registration begins March 1 for PTA members; March 5 for non-members
  • Martha’s Table sandwich-making for K, 2nd, 4th and 6th grade students on March 14

New CRS Website Online

Our newly redesigned, mobile-friendly website is now operational.  This new website has been designed by FCPS to provide our community with a consistent online format.  Schools throughout FCPS will have the same website design by the end of the school year. 

Remember, if you are not able to find the information you need on our home page, you can use any of the following:

  • Search Function, similar to the way you would look for information on Google;
  • Top Menu, which links to main topics including About, Academics, Activities, Resources, and Contact Us; and
  • Full Menu, in the upper left hand corner of the home page, which shows all the items under the main topics.

If you have bookmarked our old website, be sure to update that with our new website address, https://churchillroades.fcps.edu

While FCPS has tried to include all of the information that you have come to rely on, there may be something that we have forgotten. If that is the case, feel free to contact Jordan Craig Kuhn (JLCraigKuhn@fcps.edu) or Kim Moran (KMoran2@fcps.edu). 


Congratulations CRS Science Olympiad Teams!

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Congratulations to the Churchill Road Science Olympiad Division B teams for bringing home the fourth-place trophy from the Regional Science Olympiad Tournament. The tournament was attended by 26 teams, representing 12 middle schools and 4 elementary schools.  Our school’s performance resulted in VASO extending Churchill Road the invitation to compete in the State Science Olympiad Tournament (April 14th at UVA).

Churchill was represented at the Regional Tournament by two 15-member teams that competed in 21 science and technology events designed to challenge middle school students. Individual medals were awarded for the six highest ranked teams in each event. The Churchill teams earned medals in 14 events, including 1st place in Thermodynamics and Battery Buggy and 3rd place in Towers, Herpetology, Hovercraft and Wright Stuff.

Congratulations to all participating students for their outstanding commitment, resiliency, drive to succeed, and science knowledge!  A special thank you goes to Ms. Robosky and Ms. Brown for supervising one of the tournament events. And many thanks to the parent mentors and volunteers who supported this club and contributed to our teams’ success.


CRS Students on Top Robotics Team

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Congratulations to Churchill Road fifth grader Daniel W. and third grader Samantha K. for competing at the VA States VEX IQ Robotics Competition in the middle school division on Feb 17th in Doswell, VA.  Their team, which also includes five seventh graders, won the top two awards (Teamwork Champions and Excellence).  The team is now slated to attend the VEX IQ Worlds competition in Louisville, KY in April. This will be the third VEX IQ Worlds they will be attending. Kudos to the students for their hard work as a team.  Good luck at the World Championships!


Dr. Seuss Bookmark Contest Winners

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We received so many great Dr. Seuss bookmarks that it was hard to choose our winners.  Come and check out the many entries in the hallway near the reading room the next time you are at the school. Congratulations to the following student winners whose bookmarks will be distributed during library times:

Kindergarten:  Andrea E., Benjamin G. and Finley S.; 1st grade: Sophie B., Connor S. and Iida T.; 2nd grade: Emily F., Anna N. and Audrey T.; 3rd grade: Sophie C., Caden P. and Ava Z.; 4th grade: Julie D., Isabella L-T. and Mia T.; 5th grade:  Gavin K., Anthony X. and Vivian X.; 6th grade: Riley B., Cleia J. and Peter T.


Wellness: Channeling Dr. Seuss

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Mrs. Clark's kindergarteners are already in the Seussical spirit!

Friday is Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Dr. Seuss transformed the way children’s books were written and motivated generations of readers. Dr. Seuss shared wisdom in a whimsical way. He reminded us that learning does not have to be dull and stressful, but should be an exciting gateway to exploring and understanding our world: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr. Seuss shared his sage advice for living in catchy, silly verse: “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” He had a fun way of reminding all of us that no one else can live our life for us; it is all up to us to share our unique gifts. He was honest that it would not always be easy, but encouraged us to maintain a good attitude even when conditions weren’t perfect. “I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny, but we can have lots of good fun that is funny.”

Through his books, Dr. Seuss repeatedly buoys our expectations and prompts us that there is no time like the present to start making our mark: “Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.” Of course, he also emphasized a healthy dose of creativity: “Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living; it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope.” His books allow us to escape into a zany world of fascinating characters who look different, speak different, and engage in the most unpredictable and delightful adventures. Enjoy celebrating with your family by reading some Dr. Seuss favorites, creating your own fanciful verses or characters, inventing a Dr. Seuss-inspired obstacle course in the yard, or engaging in an unpredictable and delightful adventure that “is youer than you.”


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Dr. Seuss’s Birthday is March 2

We are celebrating Dr. Seuss’s Birthday this Friday, March 2 by dressing in red, black and white and participating in many Seussical activities.


Wacky Tacky Spirit Day

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Churchill Road students and staff got in the spirit of the SCA's Wacky Tacky Day, going all out with their craziest hair, clothing and socks.

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It's hard to tell who was having more fun -- the students or the teachers!

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Cheer Winners of the Week

Congratulations to our Churchill Cheer winners for the week of February 19. Cheers are given to students who follow the four R’s. Churchill Cheer winners are: Oliver Sood (K); Evie Cunningham (1st); Adam Richmond (2nd); Addison Thomas (3rd); and Timothy Sedaca (4th). Our good citizenship winners are Jaydon Sun (5th) and Savion Grante (6th).  Our teacher winner is Ms. Boyd! 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.


The Art and Science of Talking with Your Kids, featuring Dr. Wendy Mogel

Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at 7 p.m. at Temple Rodef Shalom in McLean

Buy your tickets here (https://voicelessons.brownpapertickets.com) for this essential guide to the art of talking with children of all ages. Learn how to cultivate the art of conversation – from infancy to adulthood – in an age of hurry, worry, and digital distraction. Presented by the Safe Community Coalition, Dr. Mogel is known for combining cutting-edge psychological research with timeless wisdom in guiding parents through the rough waters of child rearing in today’s competitive world.

In her new book, Voice Lessons for Parents: What to Say, How to Say it, and When to Listen, Dr. Mogel shows us how a change in voice can transform communication and ease the relationship between parents and children. Her research-based guidelines help parents communicate with more warmth, respect, and sincerity, as well as foster open parent-child relationships that will help ensure our children’s success in the classroom and in life. Find more information at the Safe Community Coalition website (http://mcleanscc.org/).


CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events

Friday, March 2
Read Across America Day – Wear red, black and white
International Parade of Cuisines and Fashion Show, 6:00-8:00 PM, Gym/Stage

Wednesday, March 14
Principal’s Family Coffee, 8 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
PTA Meeting, 8:45-9:45 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
Martha’s Table Sandwich-Making, 3:30-4:15 p.m., Cafe

Friday, March 16
Spring Individual and Group Picture Day

Friday, March 23
Vacation Spirit Day
Family Fitness Day, 8:00-8:20 AM, Playground

Monday, March 26 – Friday, March 30
Spring Break

Monday, April 2
Teacher Workday – No School for students

Scroll down to "Upcoming Events at Churchill Road Elementary School" on the CRS homepage for event dates later in the school year:  https://churchillroades.fcps.edu/.


Churchill Chatter Archives

To view the latest issue of the Churchill Chatter, as well as older newsletters, please go to: https://churchillroades.fcps.edu/announcements/churchill-chatter-newsletter.  To see the newsletter with images and full formatting, please choose the "View as Web Page" option.  Please note that you will need to scroll down to find older newsletters. 


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Custodian Appreciation Week

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Building manager Laura Torres, custodian Kang Van Huynh and assistant building manager Selina Agbei Yeboah enjoy a special luncheon courtesy of the PTA. (Not pictured, Willian Alonzo Lopez).

The CRS PTA would like to thank all of the students and staff that worked together this week to show appreciation for our outstanding CRS Custodial Team.  Wow! The hallways, bulletin boards and Custodian office are decorated with beautiful student artwork, class collaborations, and hundreds of thoughtful cards, notes and more.  We would also like to thank the teachers who supported celebrating Custodian Appreciation Week, especially Mr. Baumgardner who coordinated with grade level Team Leads, Room Parents and the Student Council.  The PTA also provided a specially delivered lunch on behalf of the CRS Community to thank the Custodians for their dedicated service to our school.


PTA Survey Ends Today!

Last day to share your feedback and ideas in our long range planning survey! The survey closes tonight 2/28. http://bit.ly/2nZCV2B.


Fashion Show Rehearsal

Don't forget - the rehearsal for the Multicultural Fashion show is tonight from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the CRS Gym.


International Parade of Cuisines

Join us this Friday from 6-8 p.m. in the CRS gym for an evening that not only has delicious food & fun, but celebrates the cultural diversity here at CRS. Recommended portion sizes: Snacks: 8-10 families; Main Course: 4-5 families; Dessert: 8-10 families. Find all the event details here: http://www.churchillroadpta.org/international-parade-of-cuisines.


Martha’s Table

It’s almost time for our epic sandwich making event with Martha’s Table! Students in grades K, 2, 4, and 6 are invited to participate in this community service event after school (3:30-4:00) on Wednesday, March 14. Look for permission slips in next week’s VIP or on the PTA website. http://www.churchillroadpta.org/community-service.


Spring After School Activities

Priority registration for PTA members opens tomorrow, March 1, at 9 a.m. General registration opens at 7 p.m. on March 5. Learn more: http://www.churchillroadpta.org/after-school-activities-asa-.


FY2019 County Budget and Funding for FCPS

Next Monday, March 5, join Fairfax County Board Supervisor John Foust and Fairfax County CFO Joe Mondoro for a presentation on the proposed FY2019 County Budget. A Q&A session will follow the presentation. The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. at McLean High School.


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.