Churchill Chatter - Issue 9, October 24, 2018
In This Week's Issue
- Federal Impact Aid forms due now
- Getting to Know Churchill: Dave Ericson, 4th Grade Teacher
- FLE Parent Preview Night Tonight, Wednesday, October 24
- Upcoming Spirit Days
- CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
- CRS PTA News - Martha's Table and integrated arts assembly recaps, Book Fair coming soon, make-up Picture Day on October 25 and Reflections entries due October 26.
Student-Parent Survey Forms Due Now
Federal Impact Aid survey forms were sent home with your child last week and were due on Friday, October 19. Thank you to the many families who have already completed this important survey. If we do not yet have a completed, signed and dated form for your child, a new form will be sent home this week. Please complete this form and send it back with your child the next day.
Thank you for supporting this important survey.
Getting to Know Churchill:
Dave Ericson, 4th Grade Teacher
This week’s spotlight shines on Dave Ericson, CRS fourth grade teacher. Originally from the Pittsburgh area, Mr. Ericson graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in education and serendipitously ended up at a FCPS job fair on campus. He came to Churchill for an interview in August 2010 and the rest is history.
Mr. Ericson is now in his 9th year at CRS. He has taught two years in 3rd grade, five years in 6th grade, and is now in his second year in 4th grade. He doesn’t have a favorite grade level. Each has its own positives. In his own words: “One of my favorite things about being here so long is that I have gotten to know many families teaching two, or even three of their children.”
While at Churchill, Mr. Ericson has had the opportunity to pursue his love for musical theater. He has always had a passion for music, especially vocals, and considers himself lucky to pass that on to the students through his after school musical theater club. He still performs with his alumni choir around the US and overseas, most recently touring South Africa in 2016. Plans for a 2020 tour to Italy and a 2022 tour through Scandinavia are in the works. In addition to singing and working with the theater program at CRS, he includes music into classroom lessons when he can. Mr. Ericson comments: “Many of my former students have enjoyed learning in new ways and I hope that is what they can remember from me. There are many avenues to open the minds of students and inspire them. It is our job to find our own way. Churchill provides a truly great environment to do that.”
Mr. Ericson stays active, pursuing snowboarding, waterskiing, and doing touristy things in DC. A true Pittsburgh native, he is a diehard Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins (when they play the Caps) fan. He has a younger brother and sister and is proud to share a fun fact about his family. His grandfather's cousin played a munchkin in the “Wizard of Oz” (the third trumpeter for the mayor of the munchkin city). And, Mr. Ericson has a claim to fame on his own: he was in the Guinness Book of World Records for playing triangle in the World's Largest Orchestra!
Kindergarteners Hold a Book Parade
Kindergarteners held a book parade for upper grade students through the first and second floor hallways last week, showcasing the books that they are reading, all while wearing name necklaces they created as part of their first phonics unit.
Wellness: Benefits of Pumpkins
First graders are learning all about pumpkins.
Now that we are deep into October, you may have noticed the emergence of pumpkins on front porches, lining farm stands, and grocery store entrances. Pumpkins play a central role in fall holidays and also pack powerful health benefits. Pumpkins are loaded with antioxidants and vitamins. The beta-carotene that gives pumpkins a bright orange hue aids vision and helps prevent heart disease. The carotenoids found in pumpkin have been shown to reduce cancer risks. Pumpkins also offer the nutrient potassium, a great way to keep muscles functioning at their best. Pumpkin's many benefits are not just limited to the pulp; pumpkin seeds are known to improve mood, lower the risks of bladder stones, and reduce cholesterol. Maybe you already have a favorite pumpkin recipe, but now is a great time to be adventurous and try out a new pumpkin recipe from creamy pumpkin soup to pumpkin oat pancakes, or even experimenting with tasty pumpkin breads or pasta options.
Several Churchill Road classrooms are studying pumpkins to learn more about this ubiquitous fall squash and its amazing attributes.
Cheer Winners of the Week
Congratulations to our Churchill Cheer winners for the week of October 15. Cheers are given to students who follow the four R’s. This week’s winners (and the staff member who gave each a Cheer) are: Lulu Al Dosariy (Mrs. Williams); Greta Coleman (Ms. Tran); Alexandra Eggers (Ms. Tran); Jack Koetzle (Miss Gordon); and Miu Matsui (Mrs. Lozano). 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.
REMINDER: FLE Information Night TONIGHT
7:00 PM, Churchill Road Library
You are invited to attend an evening opportunity to preview the Family Life Education media and lessons. Ms. Niccolls, CRS Assistant Principal, and teachers from various grade levels, will be available to answer questions about the lessons tonight, Wednesday, October 24 at 7:00 PM in the Churchill Road library. All program materials and media for all grade levels will be available for your review at this time.
More information about the FCPS Family Life Education program, including detailed grade-level program descriptions, is available at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-family-life-education-fle.
Program questions may be addressed to Ms. Niccolls, jniccolls@fcps.edu, CRS Assistant Principal.
Mark Your Calendars Now for Upcoming CRS Spirit Days
Each month, the Churchill Road SCA sponsors a school wide Spirit Day. On each of these spirit days, the PTA also holds a Family Fitness Day from 8:00-8:20 a.m. on the CRS playground (or gym, in case of inclement weather). Mark your calendars now for the remaining Spirit/Family Fitness Days of the calendar year.
- Wednesday, October 31 -- Halloween Spirit Day (NO Family Fitness Day)
- Friday, November 30 – “Bobcat Day” – wear bobcat apparel or white and blue
- Friday, December 21 -- Holiday Wear Spirit Day
CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
Wednesday, October 24
FLE Parent Viewing Night, 7:00-8:00 PM, Library
Thursday, October 25
Fall Picture Make-up Day
Wednesday, October 31
Halloween Spirit Day
Monday, November 5 – Tuesday, November 6
Student Holidays
Wednesday, November 7 – Tuesday, November 13
Book Fair
Thursday, November 8
Late Night Book Fair and SCA Pizza Party, 6:00-8:00 PM, Library and Café
Monday, November 12
Thanksgiving Luncheon, Café during regular lunch time
Wednesday, November 14
Principal’s Coffee, 8:00-8:45 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
PTA Meeting, 8:45-9:45 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
Wednesday, November 21 – Friday, November 23
Thanksgiving Break – School Closed
Wednesday, November 28
Beginning Strings Concert, 6:00 PM, Gym
Advanced Strings Concert, 7:00 PM, Gym
Martha's Table - Thank You!
Thanks to the over 100 1st, 3rd, and 5th graders for their generous spirits and fabulous sandwich making efforts! They made 1731 meat and cheese sandwiches, which were delivered to Martha’s Table to help feed those who don’t always know where their next meal is coming from.
Thanks also to all the families who donated sandwich-making supplies, We truly appreciate your generosity.
And finally, thanks to the amazing team of parents who volunteered their time and energy to pull off this wonderful tradition: Christie Stute, Chelsea Lake, Kristi West, Catherine Paschkewitz, Tahaniyat Lalani, Julie Broad, Stefanie Stayin, Luz Panduro, Kat Newell, Elly Calis, Diana Mayer, Juliann Bonovolanta, Barbara Zamora-Appel, Brenda Spevak, Laura Velez, Gisela Cid, Chelsea Lake, Elizabe Smith, Sara Koenig, Lindsay Bovenzi, Marci Love Thomas, and Jae Han. A huge thank you to our Martha’s Table chair, Heather Capps, who organized everything!
Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres!
Churchill Road students and staff enjoyed Latin Grammy Winner and performer Uno, Dos, Trés con Andrés during last Wednesday’s Integrated Arts assembly. Andrés and Cristina sang and danced with the children while reinforcing kindness towards others and respecting differences. Students traveled around the Americas learning about Latin American countries, dance styles and the Spanish Language! The students were on their feet dancing, jumping and singing. Ask your student how to say "jump" en espanol! Gracias Andrés, Cristina and Juana la Rana for visiting CRS!
Get Ready for the Book Fair!
The annual CRS Book Fair is just two weeks away! This is a great way to build your family library, buy gifts for the holidays and make contributions to the classroom libraries. Teachers' classroom wish lists will be posted and gift certificates will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the Fair help support our school library and reading programs.
Class browsing days will be Wednesday and Thursday, November 7-8. Class buying days will be Friday 11/9, Monday 11/12 and Tuesday 11/13. The evening event will be THURSDAY, November 8, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the SCA Pizza party and Captain Cookie!!
Have a few hours to spare? The Book Fair committee would love your help! We need volunteers to help with set-up, browsing and buying days to help the kids, buying night, and take-down. You can even volunteer during your student’s browsing or buying time.
Find all the Book Fair details at http://bit.ly/CRSPTABookFair.
Fall Picture Makeup Day
For any students that missed the individual picture day last month, pictures will be taken tomorrow, Thursday, October 25. If you are sending your student in for a retake please bring in the original photo package. For questions, contact yearbook@churchillroadpta.org.
Reflections Entries Due Friday!
Last chance to submit entries for our Reflections contest – entry forms are on our website. All entries should be turned in by this Friday, October 26, to the front office. Find all the details you need on our website at http://bit.ly/CRSPTAReflections.
Speaker John Halligan - Presented by the Cooper Middle School PTO and Longfellow Middle School PTA
- October 29 at 7:00 p.m. - McLean High School
- Mr. Halligan is an important thought leader on the subjects of teen depression, suicide, bullying, and parenting in the age of social media. The story he shares is riveting and powerful and reminds everyone that there is a face, a person, and a heart on the other side of the technology screen.
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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