Churchill Chatter - Issue 29, April 4, 2018
In This Week’s Issue:
- Mr. Hutzel's Message about Class Placements for 2018-2019
- April is Autism Awareness Month
- Lockdown Drill scheduled for April 5
- Kindergarten Orientation Monday, April 16
- Upcoming Speakers on Digital Parenting (April 25) and the Art and Science of Talking with Your Kids (May 2)
- Cinco de Derby tickets and student yearbooks on sale now
 Principal's Podium
Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope your family was able to enjoy fun and relaxation. Spring Break is a milestone in the school calendar. It’s an indication we are already heading towards the final months of the school year. Although there are many big plans and much that still needs to be learned between now and June, the PTA, teachers, and I are also making plans for the 2018-2019 school year.
One of our important tasks is determining class placements for the next school year. Throughout the Spring, the school staff will work collaboratively to begin planning teacher and student assignments for next year. It is the task of the grade level teachers, specialists, and me to determine distribution of teachers and students to optimally organize classroom assignments for next year. A variety of factors such as student personalities, friendships, and academic abilities are also considered as we create our new classes. Other factors impacting the decision-making process of student class assignments are new student enrollment and teachers moving to a new assignment.
Churchill Road families can assist us in determining class placement by sharing their insights about their child with the classroom teacher and/or me. Please note the following restrictions:
I will not accept requests for specific teachers for the upcoming grade placement. This includes hints that reference specific teachers.
We’ll strive to make sure that each child has at least one friend in their class and you are welcome to share the names of your children’s friends. That said, I do not guarantee that every student will be placed with their favorite peer.
The deadline for any correspondence regarding the upcoming school year is Friday, April 27th.
Although we have much more to accomplish this academic year, it is very exciting to prepare for the new school year! We look forward to another successful and collaborative effort between the CRS staff, students and community.
Don Hutzel, Principal
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 April is Autism Awareness Month
Did you know April is Autism Awareness Month? Autism, or Autism spectrum disorder, impacts the nervous system and includes a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, nonverbal communication, speech, and other unique strengths or differences. Autism is prevalent in 1 out of 68 children born in the United States and 1 out of 42 boys.
At Churchill Road, we will be celebrating Autism Awareness Month with various activities. The Autism Awareness Committee is selling blue bracelets in the front lobby and by the main staircase before school for $1 all this week and throughout this month. All proceeds go towards Autism Speaks, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals and their families impacted by Autism. We will also hold a spirit day this Friday, April 6th, to “Light It Up Blue” which is an Autism Speaks initiative to increase understanding and awareness of Autism throughout the world.
For more information, go to https://www.autismspeaks.org/.
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Kindergarten Orientation – Monday, April 16
If your child will be 5 years old by
September 30, 2018, it’s time to register for Kindergarten! Parents and children eligible for kindergarten
are invited to an overview of the school’s kindergarten program on Monday,
April 16, 2018 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in our school cafeteria.
Rising kindergarten students will meet our
kindergarten teachers in the classroom for a special welcome and
activities. Parents will meet in the cafeteria to receive an overview of
Churchill Road and the kindergarten program. This is an excellent
opportunity for parents unsure of whether or not their child is ready for
kindergarten to come, listen, and make an informed decision.
Registration materials are available on the
FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration (please print single sided only), or you may contact CRS Registrar, Chris Spencer Redding, at 703-288-8400, for additional information or to
pick up a registration packet.
Wellness: Benefits of Making Time for Activities We Enjoy
Mr. Bellinger's band students enjoyed the opportunity to play their instruments and provide the office staff with an impomptu serenade
Welcome back from Spring Break! We often think we need to take a break or to get away to reenergize, but vitality is something we can find in each day, no matter where we are. We can rejuvenate by making time to incorporate the things we are passionate about into our daily lives. Our lives are full, but, by making activities that excite us a priority, we ultimately gain more energy. Whether it is ten minutes of shooting hoops, practicing an instrument, studying constellations, or connecting with friends, we feel renewed after doing something we care about and we gain energy for the other things we need to take care of during our day. Just scheduling and anticipating doing something you enjoy can help energize you to power through more mundane tasks. Consider your passion an energy supplement and enjoy it daily with gusto!
CRS Students Compete at Longfellow LATTE Quiz Bowl
Eight CRS students participated in the Longfellow LATTE Quiz
Bowl Competition on March 17. They answered a range of questions on
literature, history, science, math, fine arts, and current events, winning six
of their matches. Congratulations to Alina C., Emily J., Abigail L.,
Samuel L., Arav M. Jean-Paul S., Clara S., and Anthony X. for their hard
work and strong sportsmanship!!
Cheer
Winners of the Week
Congratulations to our Churchill Cheer winners for the week of March 19. Cheers are given to students who follow the four R’s. Churchill Cheer
winners are: Sophie Robertson (K); Kellan Phillips-Robertson (1st); Michaella Park (2nd); Robert Devoto (3rd); and Davanee Li (4th). Our good citizenship winners are Andrew Choi (5th)
and Kiran Donnelly (6th).
Our teacher winner is Mrs. Dierman! 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.
Lockdown Drill Scheduled for April 5
Tomorrow, Thursday, April 5, at 2:00 p.m., our students and staff will take part in the fourth and final annual “Lockdown Drills” for this school year. During the drill, signs will be posted on the entrance doors indicating the school is in lockdown. No one will be allowed into the school at this time. Please take this into consideration if your child is arriving late or has an appointment scheduled for Thursday, April 5.
Principal's Coffee and PTA Meeting on April 11
Join Mr. Hutzel for his April Principal’s Coffee from
8:00-8:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 11 in the CRS exploratory arts
room. Take this opportunity to speak with Mr. Hutzel about topics of
interest. Stay for the April PTA meeting, which begins at 8:45 a.m.
Mark your calendar for the remaining Principal’s Coffees and PTA
Meetings (all Wednesdays): May 9, and June 13. These events are
informal gatherings that provide a forum for discussions about school and
school system news and events.
13th Annual Special Education Conference
Mark your calendars now for the 13th annual FCPS Special Education Conference, which will be held on Saturday, April 21, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School. Go to the Special Education Conference website for further information and to register for conference workshop sessions.
iParent 101: Tips for Digital Parenting
Wednesday, April 25, 8:45 AM
CRS Exploratory Arts Room
The PTA Parent Education Committee is excited to welcome local child psychologist Dr. Adam Pletter. Join us for a discussion on preparing and managing your family in the age of smart phones and social media, including what to have in place before you give your child a smart phone, getting screen time under control, and setting firm boundaries to safely navigate digital parenting. Dr. Pletter is in his 17th year specializing in the treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults, and he is in his 13th year as a digital parent. For more information, contact Cece Hallisey (creyhallisey@gmail.com) or Jamie Meyers (jlmeyers@fcps.edu).
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
Thursday, April 5
Lockdown Drill #4, 2:00 PM, Entire School
Friday, April 6
"Light it up Blue" Autism Awareness Spirit Day
Wednesday, April 11
Principal’s Coffee, 8:00 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
PTA Meeting, 8:45-9:45 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
Friday, April 13
End of Quarter, 2-Hour Early Dismissal at 1:20 PM
Monday, April 16
Teacher Workday – No School for Students
Kindergarten Orientation -- 2:00-3:30 PM, Cafeteria
Friday, April 20
Earth Day Spirit Day
Family Fitness Day, 8:00-8:20 AM, Playground
Tuesday, April 24
AAP Orientation Night, 7:00 PM, Gym
Friday, April 27
International Parade of Cuisines & Fashion Show, 6:00-8:00 PM, Gym/Stage
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/.
Cinco de Derby Tickets on Sale!
Take advantage of our early bird pricing – tickets are $50 per adult for
a fabulous evening of derby races, derby games and tastings. Learn more and order your tickets at http://www.churchillroadpta.org/crs-60th-anniversary-celebration. Plus you can contribute to a fund for staff tickets, too! Early bird pricing ends April 13.
Order Your 2017-2018 Yearbooks!
Want to order a yearbook
for your student? Order at https://cresp.memberclicks.net/yearbook-sales-2018. Price is $29. Can’t remember if you pre-ordered a
yearbook? Check our list on the order form or go to https://bit.ly/2Ec9sIM.
International Parade of Cuisines and Multicultural
Fashion Show
Be a part of the Multicultural Fashion Show! Sign up by Friday, 4/20 at http://www.churchillroadpta.org/international-parade-of-cuisines. The rehearsal will be on
Wednesday, 4/25.
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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