Churchill Chatter - Issue 11, November 7, 2018
In This Week's Issue
- Nominate a Churchill Road staff member for an FCPS Outstanding Employee Award
- Getting to Know Churchill: Asta-Dianne Clark, Kindergarten teacher
- November 12 Thanksgiving Luncheon schedule and request for volunteers
- CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
- CRS PTA News - Book Fair open, Book Fair evening shopping tomorrow, Spirit Wear pop-up shop, Share your classroom photos and shop for holiday cards and more to raise $ for CRS.
Nominate CRS Staff for FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards
Members of our community have the opportunity to nominate Churchill Road staff for FCPS’s Outstanding Employee Awards! To learn more about the categories or to submit a nomination for a Churchill Road Elementary Outstanding Employee, please submit your nomination by visiting the Churchill Road website and filling out the appropriate Google employee nomination form. You may nominate an employee in one or more categories. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The Google form link has more information regarding the eligibility requirements and criteria for each of the award categories.
Churchill Road staff that are nominated will be recognized later this year and will have a chance to be acknowledged at the county level.
Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, December 3rd. If you have any questions, please contact Rachael Dierman (3rd grade teacher/ rkdierman@fcsp.edu) or Sara DeLuca (6th grade teacher/ssdeluca@fcps.edu).
 Thanksgiving Luncheon on November 12
Join Us and Volunteer
Monday, November 12th is the CRS Thanksgiving Day Luncheon! Please join your child and their class in celebrating Thanksgiving Lunch. Check out the Thanksgiving Lunch Schedule to see when your child will be in the cafeteria.
Volunteers are needed to help out in the cafeteria and to serve food. We would be very THANKFUL for your help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4ca9a72aa7fa7-thanksgiving.
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Getting to Know Churchill:
Asta-Dianne Clark, Kindergarten Teacher
In honor of Veteran’s Day, this week’s spotlight is Asta-Dianne Clark, kindergarten teacher. Teaching is Ms. Clark’s second career, after 15 years in the U.S. Navy, where she served as an Aviation Electronics Technician, working on EA6-B Prowlers, F-14 Tomcats, F/A-18 A-D Hornets and F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets. She has been stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, WA and NAS Oceana Virginia Beach, VA, and has been deployed onboard USS Dwight D Eisenhower and USS Theodore Roosevelt. Ms. Clark joined the Navy at the age of 18, an aspiration she had since she was 11 years old.
While going from a Naval Aviation Electronics Technician to teacher is not immediately intuitive, Ms. Clark’s last job in the Navy was as a Naval Instructor. As much as she loved working on airplanes, she discovered that she loved teaching more. Being dual military -- where both Ms. Clark and her husband were on active duty at the same time -- was very challenging for their family and young sons, so Ms. Clark decided to pursue her second dream and become a teacher.
Ms. Clark obtained her Education BS in Psychology from Old Dominion University, and her teaching certification from Teacher Ready Program at the University of West Florida. Prior to coming to CRS, she taught kindergarten for two years in Milton, Florida. Ms. Clark likens the atmosphere at Churchill Road to that of a very large family. From the first moment she stepped through the door to interview, she felt at home, and continues to feel so every day when she walks into the building. In her own words: “My favorite part of teaching is seeing the "A-ha" moment. When students go from learning letters and sounds to being able to read is such a magical moment, I love being a part of that.”
Born and raised in Miami, Ms. Clark is a first generation American; her mom is Bahamian and her dad is from Norway. Happily married to her husband Tony, she is the proud mother of six sons. Brendan (20) and John (19) live in Florida and attend the University of North Florida. Triston (16), Aiden (6), Evan (4), and Sebastian (2) keep Ms. Clark and her husband very busy. They spend lots of time exploring outside, riding bikes, going for trail walks where they enjoy finding lots of bugs and animals in nature. When not outdoors, the family spends time in the kitchen; the boys have developed a love of baking and often look for recipes for the family to try.
Be sure to check out the bulletin board outside Ms. Clark’s room the next time you’re in the building. Thank you, Ms. Clark, for your service, and for choosing Churchill Road to pursue your love of teaching.
Halloween Happenings!
Kindergarteners Enjoy Cox Farms
After postponing their field trip to Cox Farms due to inclement weather, the kindergarten classes had a beautiful day to enjoy the fall festivities at the farm. They were even able to bring back some pumpkins for their pumpkin math and other classroom projects.
Wellness: Benefits of Gratitude
Every morning CRS safety patrols hold the door open for students at arrival.
One of the simplest ways to improve quality of life is by cultivating an attitude of gratitude, by acknowledging the kind ways friends, colleagues, teachers, or family help to make our day, week, or life better. Expressing gratitude not only makes the recipient feel appreciated, but also improves our own health. Gratitude reduces stress and toxic emotions, such as frustration or regret, while also increasing happiness, empathy, and self-esteem. Grateful individuals exercise more, are more likely to schedule regular check-ups, sleep better, and report fewer aches and pains. CRS has tapped into the benefits of gratitude with gusto. Each month there are special events to thank our amazing staff and teachers. Veterans Day is a perfect time to thank those who have served in the military. Monday, November 12, there will be opportunities to reflect on what we are grateful for at an early CRS Thanksgiving lunch celebration. Of course, you do not need to wait for a special event or holiday to practice gratitude, you can start today by thanking a stranger who holds the door for you, sending an appreciative email or card, and thanking those who you interact with regularly, or those you do not see as often who have made an impact.
First Annual Healthy Chili Cook-Off
 Thanks to the efforts of Wellness liaison and PE teacher Molly Gift, CRS teachers cooked their favorite chili for the first annual CRS chili cook-off, held on Monday's teacher workday. The cook-off, featuring healthy recipes, coincided with the start of a staff fitness challenge. Congratulations to the champion -- 3rd grade teacher Christine Alvarez -- who just happens to be trained as a professional chef! Congratulations also to counselor Jamie Meyers (2nd), 1st grade teacher Morgan Isom and 6th grade teacher Megan Brown (tied for 3rd) and PE teacher Bryn Varhol (honorable mention).
Girls with HDHD: Parent Event on Thursday, November 8 at 6:15 PM
You are invited to Girls with ADHD: it's not what you think! Complete information available at: Girls with ADHD.
WHEN: Thursday, November 8 from 6:15-8:00 PM
WHERE: Formed Families Forward at Mason Enterprise Center, 4031 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD) can present very differently in girls than it does in boys. Join Catherine Adams of the ADHD Resource Group of Northern Virginia and Dr. Kelly Henderson, Ph.D, Executive Director of Formed Families Forward for a free evening workshop. The session will address unique characteristics that impact identification, delivery of services and parenting of girls with the condition. Time will be provided for questions and discussion.
CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
Wednesday, November 7 – Tuesday, November 13
Book Fair
Thursday, November 8
Late Night Book Fair and SCA Pizza Sale, 6:00-8:00 PM, Library and Café
Monday, November 12
Thanksgiving Luncheon, Café, for class times check Thanksgiving Luncheon Schedule
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
Friday, November 30
Family Fitness Day, 8:00-8:20 AM, Playground (Gym in case of inclement weather)
Churchill Spirit Day - All Day
Our Book Fair is Open!
Thanks to the fast work by volunteers, the Book Fair was set up in time for teachers to get in some browsing time on the teacher workdays.
Classes started browsing our annual Book Fair today (and browsing continues tomorrow) so students can write down some book titles they are interested in. They will bring home the list so you can discuss any purchases your student may make during their class buying days. The book sale hours are:
Thursday 5 - 8 p.m.
Friday 8:45 - 4 p.m.
Monday 8:45 - 4 p.m.
Tuesday 8:45 - 4 p.m.
If you're interested in donating to teachers’ class libraries, the teacher wish lists will be posted at the Book Fair. We will have gift certificates available to purchase for teachers to make their wish list shopping even easier! You can purchase them from Thursday, November 8th through Monday, November 12th. All gift certificates must be redeemed at the CRS Book Fair by Tuesday, November 13th at 4:00 p.m. See all the details at http://bit.ly/CRSPTABookFair.
While you're shopping for your kids, please consider making a purchase for our sister school, Dogwood Elementary, a Title 1 school located in Reston, Virginia. Donations are easy. Simply drop your book donations in the specially marked bin as you leave the Book Fair. We'll deliver the new books to the students of Dogwood Elementary School on behalf of the parents of CRS.
Book Fair Evening Shopping Tomorrow!
At our always popular night time event, the CRS SCA will be selling pizza and drinks in the cafeteria. Captain Cookie and The Milk Man Food Truck will be back again this year selling homemade cookies and ice cream (in the parking lot).
Note: Parents must accompany their students to this evening event.
Spirit Wear Pop-up Shop
Spirit Wear will be on sale at Book Fair night - t-shirts, sweatshirts, pajama pants, blankets and more! See more options online at http://bit.ly/CRSspirit. Note - sales are cash or check only.
Share Your Classroom Photos
Have photos from class parties, artist workshop, field trips, or other class activities? Share them with the Yearbook Committee! It takes just two clicks to share photos to our Dropboxes – just click on your pic and drag to the Dropbox. Learn more on our site at http://bit.ly/CRSyearbook.
Shop for Holiday Cards & More
and Raise Money for CRS
Like Shutterfly or Tiny Prints? Shop through our storefront and the CRS PTA will earn 13% of your purchase through December 31. Order cards, photos, photo books, gifts, and more – everything is included. Our storefront is also open to family and friends. Just click on our link and begin shopping – that’s all there is to it! http://churchillroadpta.shutterflystorefront.com/
Our special holiday offer from Minted.com is back for 2018! You save 15% and Minted donates 15% to the CRS PTA! Get cards, stationary, gifts, art, and more! This special offer is also open to family and friends. Just use our special code FUNDRAISECHURCHILL. https://www.minted.com
How it Works: Choose your products on Minted.com and then proceed to checkout. You must register with Minted and create an account if you don't already have a Minted account before you can use our discount code. During checkout, enter our CRS PTA promo code FUNDRAISECHURCHILL. Orders must be placed between 12:01 a.m. PT on 11/1/2018 and 11:59 p.m. PT on 11/30/2018.
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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