Churchill Chatter - Issue 23, February 20, 2019
In This Week's Issue
- Upcoming FCPS surveys for parents/guardians
- Getting to Know Churchill: Sara Queen, Music Specialist
- Smiles for Miles Toothbrush drive thank you
- Celebrating Dr. Seuss -- Read Across America Day
- Community flier distribution the week of March 4
- CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
- CRS PTA News - Bingo Night moving, Parade of Cuisines and Family Heritage Night March 1, Churchill Challenge Poster Contest, Spring ASA registration begins 2/28 for PTA members and request for Box Tops.
Upcoming FCPS Family/Parent Surveys
Dear Churchill Road Parents and Guardians,
Below, please find information on three surveys that FCPS is asking us to share with our families. Your participation in each of these surveys will provide FCPS with valuable feedback on key programs and in the development of the school system's strategic plan.
Thank you for your assistance in helping FCPS gather responses that can be used to develop the most effective strategies to serve FCPS students and their families.
Sincerely,
Don Hutzel, Principal
FCPS Family Engagement Survey
Fairfax County Public Schools will be conducting a survey to gather information about family engagement in our schools. Relationships are important to us, and your opinion is critical to help us support your engagement in your child’s education. Your feedback will also help us determine how well we are reaching the goals for Caring Culture we have set in our Strategic Plan. Survey translations will be made available, and the survey can be taken on electronic devices, including smartphones.
Survey administration is scheduled for March 24-April 12, 2019, and you will receive more information about how to take the survey in the near future.
School Health Services Survey
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD. The survey will take less than five minutes to complete and will provide the FCHD with valuable information. Parents/guardians who interact with the school health rooms are asked to complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/85QGH7C
FCPS School Environment Survey
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is studying how school environments relate to discipline practices in the Division. As part of the study, you will receive a survey from FCPS’ Office of Research and Strategic Improvement (ORSI). The surveys are designed to help FCPS understand you and your child’s thoughts about the school environment and how discipline is approached in their school.
Surveys to parents will be translated into multiple languages and come via eNotify (FCPS's mass email communications system). Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be anonymous.
Getting to Know Churchill: Sara Queen,
Music Specialist
Ms. Queen reading a story that will be put to music.
Did you know that one of our teachers is an expert Zip Liner? Prior to her career with FCPS, music specialist Sara Queen was fortunate enough to work as a Zip Line tour guide for four years, where she got to fly through the trees, talk about nature, and meet interesting people all day!
Mrs. Queen joined CRS this fall as part of the music team, along with Ms. Karen Judkins. Before coming to Churchill, she worked at Hybla Valley ES in FCPS for two years, and at two schools in Arlington before that. She is happy to be at Churchill and comments, “I love how welcoming everyone is and the awesome traditions like Colonial Day.” Mrs. Queen graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and French Horn Performance, and is currently working on her Masters in Music Education through Anderson University.
Growing up in Fairfax City, Mrs. Queen attended FCPS schools from start to finish, graduating from Fairfax High School. She got her “musical start” from her parents; when, in preschool, her mom signed her up for piano lessons. Piano wasn’t the only instrument she was interested in. At age three, she asked her parents for a piccolo, but instead of a piccolo she got a recorder! This happy accident turned into a lifelong love of the recorder and a whole collection of her own, including a Bass recorder, which is by far one of the most fun instruments she plays.
Mrs. Queen is the proud parent of a beautiful 14-month old kiddo, whom she and her spouse are positively obsessed with. The family loves camping and hiking, as well as backpacking. Mrs. Queen has backpacked all the C&O and Cumberland Gap trails (starting in DC and hiking to Pittsburgh) and large chunks of the Appalachian Trail, too. She looks forward to the day that her “kiddo” is old enough to join in on the fun. Mrs. Queen is also a Girl Scout leader and serves on the board for a Girl Scout summer camp, allowing her yet another opportunity to enjoy being outside.
If you ever want to see how the recorder is really played or the best way to Zip Line, you know who to ask.
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Smiles for Miles Thanks You!
Smiles for Miles just finished our toothbrush drive at Churchill Road Elementary. Thank you very much to everyone who donated. We raised 420 toothbrushes which will be sent to Central America and help hundreds of kids. Everything starts with a smile!
100th Day of School!
First graders showcase their 100th day necklaces.
Friday, February 15 was the 100th day of school. Mrs. Williams' first graders celebrated this benchmark by making necklaces out of 100 pieces of cereal with their sixth grade buddies in Mr. Kilpatrick's class. The students utilized their math skills and showed their creativity in the process. As you can see, they are very proud of the finished product.
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Wellness: Benefits of Daily Exercise
Students learn the basic running techniques during Mr. Varhol and Ms. Gift's PE classes.
Incorporating exercise in your daily routine is as easy as putting one foot in front of the other. Walking can increase energy, reduce stress, boost the immune system, and improve the quality of sleep. Walking nourishes the brain and has been demonstrated to improve memory. A brisk walk can strengthen legs, tone abs, and add definition to calves, quads, hamstrings and glutes. Engaging in regular, moderate-intensity exercise, like a good walk, is also a great way to elevate mood. A walk also provides an opportunity to think through problems, get outside and explore new areas, and talk with friends. A brisk walk can also be a great start to training for CRS's upcoming Churchill Challenge 5K and Fun Run/Walk fundraiser on March 30. You can opt for the 8:00 a.m. one-mile run/walk or the 8:30 a.m. 5K. Your participation will allow you to focus on your health while also contributing to improving our school. https://potomac.enmotive.com/events/register/2019-churchill-challenge-5k
Cheer Winners of the Week
Congratulations to our Churchill Cheer winners for the week of February 11. Cheers are given to students who follow the four R’s. This week’s winners are: Jack Moran (K); Erik Eggers (1st); Ha-Eun Kim (2nd); Evelyn Volovar (3rd); and Bobby Barnes (4th). 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.
Celebrate Dr. Seuss's
Birthday Monday, March 4
We are celebrating Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss's birthday on Monday, March 4. To celebrate, we would like everyone to wear red, black, and white to school that day. If you have a “Seussical” hat, wear that, too! Below are two websites to visit for more “Seussical” fun:
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
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Distribution of Community Fliers the Week of March 4
The week of March 4 has been designated for the distribution of fliers and newsletters to CRS students by non-profit organizations. The final distribution date for community fliers this school year will be the week of May 13, 2019.
Please note that all fliers must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance for the principal to review and contain the following disclaimer: "These materials are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or this School."
For complete information on regulations governing their distribution, please go to: http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/8K8J7H4BC99C/$file/R1367.pdf.
CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
Wednesday, February 20
Bingo Night - TO BE RESCHEDULED - STAY TUNED FOR A NEW DATE
Friday, March 1
Cultural Spirit Day
International Parade of Cuisines, 6:00-8:00 PM, Gym
Monday, March 4
Dr. Seuss' Birthday -- Wear Red, White, and Black
Monday, March 11
3-Hour Early Release at 12:20 PM
Wednesday, March 13
Principal’s Coffee, 8:00-8:45 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
PTA Meeting, 8:45-9:45 AM, Exploratory Arts Room
Saturday, March 30
Churchill Challenge 5K
Bingo Night Date Change!
Someone must have cast a weather-modifying charm! Hold onto your wands - our magical evening of Bingo is being rescheduled due to Wednesday's inclement weather. Stay tuned for the new date!
Parade of Cuisines and Family Heritage Night!
Come celebrate the cultural roots of all our Bobcats at the 25th International Parade of Cuisines and Family Heritage Night! On Friday, March 1, you’ll experience amazing food, cultural booths, performances, and a fashion & flag show. To participate, all you need to do is bring a food dish (portion recommendations and more details on our website) and join us in the CRS gym from 6-8 p.m.
Plus we have even more ways to celebrate this year with our Family Heritage Night:
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Heritage in Me Art Craft & Raffle: Students can decorate the template (available at https://bit.ly/2DvpEcT) with any materials to represent their family’s heritage. Artwork should be turned in to homeroom teachers by 2/27. All art will be displayed and a raffle held on Family Heritage Night.
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Fashion and Flag Show: Showcase on the stage the traditional clothes of a culture or the flag of a country (flags will be provided) at Family Heritage Night. Sign up by THIS FRIDAY 2/22 at http://bit.ly/2BqckD6.
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Cultural Performances: Share a performance representing the culture of your choosing – singing, dancing, kung fu, and more! Sign up by 2/22 at http://bit.ly/2BqckD6.
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Cultural Booths: Host a booth and share your culture! Sign up at http://bit.ly/2BqckD6.
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International Parade of Cuisines: We’ll provide the plates, cutlery, and water – you bring a cultural (or any dish) to share. Details on our website at https://bit.ly/2DvpEcT.
Rehearsal for the Fashion & Flag Show and Cultural Performances will be on Thursday, February 28, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the CRS gym.
Find all the details for the 25th International Parade of Cuisines and Family Heritage Night at https://bit.ly/2DvpEcT
Churchill Challenge Poster Contest
All entries for our fun poster contest are due by this Friday, February 22 (drop off in the box by the library). Don’t forget – all artists who submit a poster will receive a fun new piece of Bobcat spirit wear commissioned for our Churchill Challenge.
Early bird registration is open until February 28th for the Churchill Challenge 5K race and 1 mile fun run. Join us for this fun and beloved event on Saturday, March 30th! Learn more and register at http://bit.ly/2MQQa1H. Want to help? You can volunteer at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4caeaa29a5f49-churchill.
Interested in being a sponsor for the event? Learn more at http://bit.ly/2BD2rlT.
Spring After School Activities
Our catalog of spring offerings is available for browsing at https://em-churchillroad.jumbula.com/#/spring-2019.
Priority registration for CRS PTA members will be 2/28-3/1, followed by general registration from March 4 (at 7 p.m.) through March 11.
Turn in those Box Tops!
Thanks to everyone who has clipped and turned in Box Tops this year to help CRS! Our next collection of clippings will be sent in at the end of the month, so please be sure to turn in your Box Tops by February 28! Learn more about Box Tops at https://bit.ly/2wIcnao
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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