Churchill Chatter - Issue 5, September 26, 2018
In
This Week's Issue
- PTA Go Home Note program begins Monday, October 1
- Getting to Know Churchill: Lesley Breddy, Health Room Aide
- New TB screening requirements for students traveling overseas
- Advanced Academic Parent Information Meeting on Thursday, October 4
- New family coffee on Wednesday, October 10
- CRS Calendar
of Upcoming Events
- CRS PTA News - New Family Coffee, ASAs begin October 1, Shopping to benefit CRS, Clip Box Tops to raise $ for CRS
Go Home Notes Start Monday, 10/1
The Go Home Note System is run by CRS PTA and allows families
to submit a request for their child to go home with a friend, or bring one
friend home, via a link on the PTA website (only available once you have logged
into your PTA account). In addition to scheduling a play date, you can use Go
Home Notes to schedule an early pick up (i.e. for a doctor's appointment) or
transportation change (i.e. your walker needs to be picked up at Kiss and
Ride). You must join the PTA to use the Go Home Note System. New users then
need to create a Go Home Note user ID and password, or for those who have used
the system, please update your child's grade, teacher, and mode of
transportation. For playdates, both the host and guest child must have a Go
Home Note submitted by each child's family.
The Go Home Note System is designed to make sure your child's
teacher, the school staff, and bus drivers are informed of transportation
changes, so your child is dismissed correctly and safely. It is necessary to
use the Go Home Note system rather than contacting your child's teacher
directly.
A written handout
is in your child's VIP folder today (9/26) with further details about this
volunteer-run program. If you have any questions, please contact the
chairperson for Go Home Notes, Elaine Kelley, via email: elainekelleydvm@yahoo.com. Thank you!
Getting to Know Churchill:
Lesley Breddy, Health Room Aide
If you have ever received a
call from the CRS health room, you probably have heard the calm and
compassionate voice of Lesley Breddy. Ms. Breddy is skilled at providing key
details to quickly bring parents up to speed on the reason for the call. Ms.
Breddy joined CRS in the spring of 2017 as a substitute and began full-time
last school year.
Ms.
Breddy was born in Zambia, Africa, and emigrated to Perth, Australia. She spent
twenty years in Australia; then she spent eighteen years in the United Kingdom
before moving to the United States in 2008. She served over twenty years as a
commissioned officer in the Air Force - both in the RAAF, Australia, and the
RAF, UK (dual nationality!). In her previous career, Ms. Breddy was a military
Air Traffic Controller. She served on numerous
detachments, including in Iraq as the Senior Air Traffic Controller at Basra
Air Station, before retiring and moving to the United States.
Ms.
Breddy met her husband, Phil, while both were on detachment to the Falkland
Islands; he was a Chinook pilot in the RAF at the time. They have two
children: Jack is a sixth grader at Forestville ES and Georgia is a junior
at Langley HS. The family’s plan was to spend two years in the United
States on the way to Australia, but her family has now been here over ten
years! Ms. Breddy loves to travel and enjoys reading to relax. She is fond of
the quality of life in the United States and the long, warm summers, which make
it easier to plan outdoor activities.
Ms.
Breddy’s husband thinks her experience as an air traffic controller is
well-suited for her role in the CRS health clinic as she skillfully marshalls
kids into a holding pattern, keeping some in the hold and diverting others. We
hope Ms. Breddy has a wonderful year of clear skies and smooth departures in
the clinic this year; we feel lucky to have her as part of our team!
NEW TB SCREENING REQUIREMENTS for Students Traveling Outside of the United States
In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD), Regulation 2101 ‘Physical Examinations, Immunization of Students, and Tuberculosis Screening Requirements’ has been revised to reflect tuberculosis screening requirements recommended by the FCHD.
Please note the following important information regarding tuberculosis screening for FCPS students:
- The time period for residence in a foreign country has changed. The consecutive time period is now four weeks. Refer to the High TB Burden Country List for 2018 located at: https://www.fcps.edu/index.php/registration/general-registration-requirements.
- Persons returning from temporary (greater than four weeks) trips outside the United States will be required to be screened for the purpose of reenrollment in FCPS.
NASA Astronaut Visits CRS Second Graders
Churchill Road second graders were treated to a visit from James M. Kelly (Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Ret.), a former NASA astronaut. Astronaut Kelly was the pilot on the Space Shuttle Discovery on two separate missions to the International Space Station. He shared his experiences in space with the students and showed pictures of the earth, including the eyewall of Hurricane Florence, taken from the Space Station. The students had a blast learning about how traveling and living in space differs from that on earth. Thank you to second grade parent Mary Eblan for arranging this visit.
When There's A 3-Hour Early Dismissal...
Members of the CRS language arts curriculum committee met to plan teaching stratgies on last week's early dismissal day.
When the students leave three hours early, teachers and staff keep busy. Curriculum committees meet to discuss quarterly and annual plans for math, science, social studies and language arts, and the custodial staff works on grounds maintenance that cannot be done while the students are here.
CRS custodian Khang Van Huynh takes the opportunity to mow the lawn behind the kindergarten classrooms on the recent early dismissal day.
Wellness: Benefits of Apples
Fall has arrived! Dig out the sweaters, enjoy the beautiful mums,
and cue the incredible, colorful leaf transformations! In Virginia, October
also marks prime time for picking and enjoying an abundant array of nutritious
apples. Apples are a sweet and filling treat that provide a healthy dose of
soluble fiber and a vitamin C boost. Research supports the adage that “An apple
a day keeps the doctor away.” Apple consumption has been demonstrated to
reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, to lower cholesterol levels, inhibit
inflammation, lower the threat of a stroke, and reduce the risk for diabetes.
Plus, apples are perfectly packaged by nature; simply wash and enjoy! In
addition to being delicious, during the 1700s, baskets of apples were often
offered to teachers by families as payment for educating their children.
If you are interested in picking your own apples, a quick internet
search will lead you to many wonderful orchards within easy driving distance
from Churchill Road. Orchards can allow you and your family to try a variety of
flavors and to choose which apples best suit your taste. Orchards also
provide the adventure of picking your own apples to enjoy and to share.
Churchill Students Enjoy BBQ
The weather cooperated and the skies were sunny for the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services' annual barbecue lunch at Churchill Road. Students, parents and cafeteria staff all enjoyed the opportunity to dine al fresco. Thank you to our cafeteria manager, Yan Cheung, and his staff for supporting this fun event.
Churchill Spirit Day this Friday, September 28
Churchill Road will host the first Spirit Day of the year this Friday, September 28 to celebrate the induction of our new SCA members. Students are asked to dress in blue and white or wear their favorite Churchill Road apparel to celebrate this event. Go Churchill!
FCPS
Mental Health and Wellness Conference This Saturday
Registration
is open for the fifth annual FCPS Mental
Health and Wellness Conference that, for the first time, will also
include an Our Minds Matter Teen Summit for middle and high school students,
sponsored by the Josh Anderson Foundation. The conference will be held
from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Fairfax High School on Saturday, September 29,
2018. Dr. Scott Brabrand, FCPS Superintendent, will open the conference,
and Dr. Amy Przeworski, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological
Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, will present the keynote message:
Using Stress to Your Advantage in Achieving Academic Success and
Emotional Well Being. Participants in this conference, which is free to
staff, parents, and community members, will be able to choose from 35 breakout
options (many offered more than once). Additionally, there will be more
than 50 resource tables available, representing public and private agencies
providing wellness-related services within our schools and in our community.
Advanced Academic Program Details and
Parent Information Meeting
A parent information meeting will be held at Churchill Road E.S. on Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 7:00-8:00 PM in the Exploratory Arts Room. Esther Lee, Churchill Road’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, will provide information about levels of service and examples at Churchill Road E.S., as well as explain and answer questions about the screening process for full-time Level IV services. The meeting is open to all K-6 parents.
More information on FCPS's Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) elementary continuum of services is available on the Churchill Road website: https://churchillroades.fcps.edu/announcements/advanced-academic-programs-aap-elementary-continuum-services.
Please direct any questions to Esther Lee, Churchill Road's Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at eclee1@fcps.edu.
CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
Monday, October 1 – Wednesday, October 3
CogAT Testing – All Grade 2 Students
Thursday, October 4
AAP Parent Information Night, Exploratory Arts Room, 7:00 PM
Monday, October 8
Columbus Day – Student Holiday
Wednesday, October 10
New Family Coffee, 8:00-8:45 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
PTA Meeting 8:45-9:45 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
Friday, October 12
Family Movie Night, School Grounds, 6:00-9:00 PM
Wednesday, October 24
FLE Parent Viewing Night, 7:00-8:00 PM, Library
Friday, October 26
Parade of Cuisines, Multicultural Fashion Show and Family Heritage Celebration, 6:00-8:00 PM, Gym/Stage
Join Mr. Hutzel for our New
Family Coffee
Come join Mr. Hutzel and learn more about Churchill Road and the many exciting events that will be occurring this year! Coffee, muffins, & other yummy treats will be served!
Date: Wednesday, 10/10
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: Exploratory Arts Room
Questions? Please email faizahks@gmail.com or cebuschmann@gmail.com. Childcare will be provided in the cafeteria.
After School Activities Start 10/1
The After School Activities program starts its Fall session
next week – please remind your student about their ASA schedule and review the
dismissal procedures at http://www.churchillroadpta.org/after-school-activities-asa (same as last school year). For clubs
& classes through Enrichment Matters, if you need to reach the On-Site
Coordinator please email asa-attendance@churchillroadpta.org. Note:
Pick-ups more than 10 minutes late will incur a $25 late pick-up fee.
Other Clubs:
Dismissal procedures for Bobcat Theater, Drumline, Math Enrichment, KLQ, and
Science Olympiad A & B will be provided by the leaders for those clubs and
any attendance or pick-up related matters should be communicated directly with
the club leaders.
Science Olympiad B Openings
Calling all 6th and 5th grade students with a curious mind! Students who enjoy science and are available on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:45 are invited to apply for Science Olympiad B. Several additional spots may become available in the club, which is currently establishing a waitlist for interested candidates. Please complete an interest form on https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IOgI4yBLHhCIiGp2A5V-E2wrdcwyryQ1zzXznCLanEo and we will contact you with more information.
Family Heritage Night at Parade of Cuisines
Did you know this year is the 25th
anniversary of our Parade of International Cuisines? To celebrate, we’re
launching a Family Heritage Celebration program! You can learn all about the 5
exciting activities planned on our website at https://bit.ly/2DvpEcT.
Look for the art craft template in today’s VIP to participate in our “Heritage
in Me” Art Craft & Raffle. Students are encouraged to decorate the template
with any materials in order to represent their family heritage. All artwork must be turned in by students
to their homeroom teachers by Thursday, October 11. All submitted work will
be showcased at the event on October 26. Students have to be present to win the
prize!
Shop Online & Help CRS!
Like to shop online? Here are some more easy ways to donate someone else’s money to help CRS.
AmazonSmile: Go to Amazon Smile and note Churchill Road Elementary PTA as your beneficiary. You simply shop from https://smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com and 0.5% of your purchase price will be donated by Amazon. This also works for those with Amazon Prime memberships.
Escrip Online Mall: Click on http://www.escrip.com to get started. Our school ID is 6488346. Hundreds of merchants participate – just start your shopping here and click through to your favorite merchant. Escrip even offers coupons from the participating merchants so you can save while shopping.
Shutterfly & Tiny Prints: Shop via our storefront and 13% of your purchase will be donated. http://churchillroadpta.shutterflystorefront.com/.
Links
to PTA News
Link to the CRS PTA homepage:
http://www.churchillroadpta.org/
Link to the PTA Week-at-a-Glance:
https://www.churchillroadpta.org/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 2018-2019 school year are the
weeks of September 24, December 3, March 4 and May 13. 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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