Churchill Chatter - Issue 16, December 19, 2018
In This Week's Issue
-
Principal Hutzel's holiday message
- 60th anniversary brick walkway dedication
- Winter Break from December 24, 2018 to January 4, 2019
-
AAP Referrals due by January 10
- Save the date for Rise Against Hunger on February 9
- CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
- CRS PTA News - Secret Snowman Thank You, Holiday pop-up shop and Register for the CRS Spelling Bee.
Happy Holidays!
Dear Churchill Road families,
Every winter holiday season I reflect on the tremendous outpouring of giving that has occurred over my years at Churchill Road. I regret that over the years we have not kept more precise records of all that has been donated, not just in contributions but in time, energy, positive thoughts and feelings of good will.
Our PTA, comprised of hard-working volunteers, has been extremely generous. Just a few PTA highlights include: financial support of technology, school supplies, and teacher training, the sponsorship of After-School Activities, Artist Workshop, Book Fair, Box Tops, Go Home Notes, School Supplies program, Staff Appreciation, and the coordination of numerous drives for various causes.
 The entire staff and I would like to extend a very special thank you to the PTA’s Staff Appreciation Committee, chaired by Shelli Bushman, for orchestrating the warmly received Secret Snowman presentation last week. Everyone was inspired by the box of healthy fruits and vegetables from the Green Grocer to make a variety of healthy dishes, including vegetable stew (pictured at left) and roasted vegetables.
This month, we have coordinated two different drives – the Holiday Toy Drive for Dogwood Elementary School and a Winter Coat Drive to support Covenant House. Thank you for your generous support! And, mark your calendars for our annual Rise Against Hunger event, which will be held on Saturday, February 9.
We hope that you will take the next two weeks to rest and rejuvenate and enjoy spending time with family and friends.
The Churchill Road staff and I wish you a very happy holiday season.
Don Hutzel, Principal
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CRS Celebrates 60th Anniversary Brick Walkway with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Students buried items for the 60th anniversary time capsule in conjunction with the ribbon cutting ceremony for the brick walkway.
Last fall, community members had the opportunity to purchase bricks inscribed with family names and captions to commemorate Churchill Road’s 60-year anniversary. Despite back orders of bricks and setbacks caused by weather, the walkway was finally completed. Located in the Mary Vesely Bird and Butterfly Garden, the curving brick path has bricks engraved with the names of nearly 200 CRS teachers and families.
On Monday, December 10, Ms. Jody Sterling and select students from each class cut the ribbon for the ceremonial first stroll across our new brick walkway. Our 60th anniversary time capsule was buried near the new walkway, as well. Ms. Sterling was asked to participate because of her extensive work with planning the installation of the brick walkway and the students were selected by their classmates for this honor.
The opening of the walkway was our last celebration of Churchill Road’s 60th anniversary. To see a short video of the installation of the walkway and ribbon cutting ceremony, please visit the CRS website: https://churchillroades.fcps.edu/videos.
*Churchill Road trivia: the path is named after Mary Vesely, a beloved CRS teacher that taught at Churchill Road for more than 35 years. Mrs. Vesely retired in 2005 and now lives in Virginia Beach with her husband.
The Halls Were Alive with the Sounds of Band, Strings and Chorus...
Ms. Gutjahr and Mr. Bellinger brought out the best in their band students at the recent holiday concert.
Fifth and sixth grade chorus students regaled students and parents with three holiday concerts under the direction of Ms. Judkins and Mrs. Queen.
Mrs. Robertson's strings students gave three well-received performances at the school this holiday season.
Cooperation and Problem-Solving in PE
In the spirit of the holidays, during the week leading up to winter break, students worked on problem solving skills and cooperation in PE classes to create their own holiday-inspired masterpieces using a variety of equipment. Among the many holiday designs were snowmen, gingerbread men, gingerbread houses, wreaths, a skating rink, snowboarder, elf, Christmas tree, menorah, and a dragon for Chinese new year.
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Cheer Winners of the Week
Congratulations to our Churchill Cheer winners for the week of December 10. 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: Justin Grant (Mrs. Zemke); Jake Kelley (Mr. Ericson); Alyson Lee (Mrs. Dierman) and Richard Park (Mrs. Alvarez). 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.
SCA Holiday Spirit and PTA Family Fitness Day This Friday
This Friday is CRS's final SCA Spirit Day and PTA Family Fitness Spirit Day for 2018! We know it is a busy week. It is hard to believe it is December, let alone the last week before winter break. But, if you want to eke out a little extra fun the last day of school before the winter break, please join us on Friday for the final Family Fitness Spirit Day for 2018. Just arrive at school at 8:00 a.m. to enjoy 20 minutes playing in the gym. It is a holiday spirit day so be sure to don your favorite holiday gear!
Don't miss out on future spirit days. Mark your calendars now for the remaining Spirit/Family Fitness Days of the school year.
- Friday, December 21 -- Holiday Wear Spirit Day
- Friday, January 18 – Pajama Day Spirit Day
- Friday, February 1 – Sports Team/Jersey Spirit Day
- Friday, March 1 -- Cultural Day
- Friday, April 20 -- Earth Day Spirit Day
- Friday, June 7 – Field Day Spirit Day
Calendar Reminder: Winter Break Is December 24, 2018 through January 4, 2019
As a reminder, this year’s winter break starts on Monday, December 24, 2018 and ends on January 4, 2019. The Churchill Front Office will be closed during break. Classes will resume on Monday, January 7, 2019. Please note that the last day of classes before break, December 21, is a full day. See the complete 2018-19 school year calendar.
If your student will be absent any additional days surrounding winter break, please call the CRS 24-hour attendance line at 703-288-8484 or email ChurchillRoadElem.Attendance@fcps.edu.
Advanced Academic Program Referrals
The deadline for Level IV referrals is January 10, 2019. For more information, please go to: FCPS AAP Identification and Placement Information (download referral Level IV form and please follow guidelines for work samples). Please turn in the referral form and work samples to the main office, Attention: Mrs. Lee, AART. For more questions, contact Mrs. Lee at eclee1@fcps.edu.
 Save the Date!
Rise Against Hunger Event @ Colvin Run ES
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Fundraising Goal: $29,000
Registration information will be sent out the first week in January.
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CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
Friday, December 21
Family Fitness Day, 8:00-8:20 AM, Playground (Gym in case of inclement weather)
Holiday Spirit Day - All Day
Monday, December 24 - Friday, January 4
Winter Break - School and Front Office Closed
Monday, January 7, 2019
Classes resume after winter break
Wednesday, January 16
Principal’s Coffee, 8:00-8:45 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
PTA Meeting, 8:45-9:45 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
Friday, January 18
3-Hour early Dismissal at 12:20 PM
Monday, January 21
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Holiday
A Snowman Thank You from Staff Appreciation
Thanks to all the "Secret Snowmen" who helped brighten the holdays for CRS staff.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Secret Snowman 2018 such a success. Your generosity was amazing and each staff member received a delicious fruit box from Washington’s Green Grocer! A special thank you to the volunteers (and their families) who made cards and delivered gifts. Thank you to all who contributed to help us show our CRS staff how much we appreciate them during this holiday season.
Holiday Pop-up Shop
Stop by our Spirit Wear shop TOMORROW (12/20) from 8:15-8:45 a.m. and grab a pom-pom beanie, sweatshirt and/or other spirit wear for your favorite Churchillian! Get them while supplies and sizes last. Note: Sales are cash or check only. See options at http://bit.ly/CRSspirit.
Register for the CRS Spelling Bee
Know someone in grades 3-6 who likes to spell? Register your student for the CRS Spelling Bee! The Bee will be held in two rounds - a written test (February TBA), and an oral spelling bee (February TBA) for the students with the top 20 scores on the written test. The winner of the oral spelling bee will represent CRS at the Fairfax County Spelling Bee on March 17, 2019.
This year registration and payment are both online! Once you register your student for the Bee on the CRS PTA website, a link to the study materials will be emailed to you with your registration confirmation. The registration fee is $6 per student. Go to http://bit.ly/CRSBee.
Winter After School Activities!
The winter session of classes and clubs starts when students return to CRS the week of January 7 – don’t forget to mark your calendars! Find all the details about our After School Activities program at https://bit.ly/2BGAo7x
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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