Dear Parents and Guardians,

Congratulations go to Riley Sisk and Laura Piffaretti for being honored at the 14th Annual Chamber Stars Program on Friday, April 20. Each year the Tysons Chamber Stars program honors two students from each area school who deserve recognition for their personal accomplishments or improvements. Both students attended a breakfast awards ceremony with Dr. Scott Brabrand, FCPS Superintendent as the welcoming speaker.  We are proud of their achievements.

As the VA State Standards of Learning (SOL’s) are upon us, it is important to keep a few reminders in mind.  You received an SOL calendar that lists the dates when your child will be tested in each subject area.  Please avoid making appointments that removes the students from the testing time frame.  Of course, if a child is ill and needs to stay home that is understandable.  Please make sure students get a good night sleep prior to their assessments and have a healthy breakfast before coming to school.  I am confident that our teachers have prepared the students for their State assessments and Chesterbrook will maintain their high achievement levels.

Reminders: The week of April 23 is Office Staff Recognition week.  Pat Pence, Dave Troskey, Holly Remer, and Doreen Langesen, are essential support staff that go above and beyond to make the school run efficiently, support the teachers in their work, handle parents requests, placed in the front lines of handling emergencies, and most important, make your children feel loved and cared for each day.  Please take time to thank them during this week of recognition with a greeting or email.  In all honesty, they are the best office team I had the pleasure of working with.

The week of April 23 is also School Volunteer Appreciation week.  Yesterday I was in the library helping parents set up for the upcoming Book Fair.  I was amazed at how detailed and dedicated this group of parents were in assembling the stacks of books.  They considered everything down to the last detail including the flow of the students as they entered the library.  This is just one example of how our parents support Chesterbrook’s programs.  Parents have given of their time as PTA members, room parents, REACH volunteers, event planning/organizing/implementation, teacher appreciation activities, field trip chaperones, etc.  It is clear that these volunteers are essential in making Chesterbrook successful in supporting its children in the community.  Your work does not go unnoticed and the school staff would like to thank you for your time and support.

The week of May 7 is teacher appreciation week.  The teachers at Chesterbrook are second to none.  I have not met a group of professionals that are so willing to do whatever it takes to make each individual child achieve at a high level of success.  Twice each week they meet as a team to discuss individual children and brainstorm how they can better meet their needs.  They also take time to improve on their instruction to ensure their lessons are engaging and motivating.  Many hone their craft over the summer months to build on their repertoire of skill or take classes at local universities or FCPS offerings at the end of their teaching day.  Please take time during the week of May 7th to recognize their efforts.  As you know in the current budget climate, they are asked to do more for less.  Class sizes are higher and their monetary salary is less.  It is no secret why parents opt to stay at Chesterbrook – it’s the teachers.

Sincerely,

Augie and Connie

Fitness Focus

In PE we will be wrapping up Jump Rope for Heart on April 20th.

-So far students have raised just over $23,000.

-Thank you for helping Chesterbrook with such a great cause!

We are excited to announce that our physical education department was awarded a grant from Innovation Health & Aetna through safe routes to school.  The grant includes a full class set of bicycles and helmets.  We will be teaching students how to ride, safety rules, and bicycle maintenance all on our school grounds.

Due to the size of the bikes we will be offering the unit to 4th and 5th grade students.  This year, bike safety will be a part of the outdoor persuits unit in the 4th quarter.  Next year we hope to incorporate them throughout the year.  Students who have not learned to ride before will be accommodated.  We understand there are different skill levels and are happy to help students learn this important skill.  More info to come!

Yours in fitness,

Mrs. Sink and Mr. Levesque

Heart Health

The human heart is a vital organ that pumps blood and delivers nutrients and oxygen to the brain and body.

Good heart health is achieved through proper nutrition, regular physical activity, sufficient hydration and adequate sleep.

Cardiovascular activities like walking, jogging, biking, and swimming, increase the heart rate to strengthen the heart muscle and increase lung capacity.