Churchill Chatter - Issue 8, October 16, 2019
In This Week's Issue
- Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid Coming Next Week
- Getting to Know Churchill: Wes Smith, Social Worker
- AAP Parent Information Night October 22
- Toothbrush drive October 21-25
- SCA Spirit Days/Family Fitness Days for the remainder of the school year
- CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
- CRS PTA News - Reflections entries due 10/18, Fall Picture Makeup Day 10/24, Book Fair Poster contest, CRS online spirit wear store open
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid Coming Next Week
Next week, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an anticipated $3 million dollars in grant funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If Sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by October 30. All results are CONFIDENTIAL.
Video link - https://youtu.be/uPqC3BLf3Ow
Getting to Know Churchill: Wes Smith,
School Social Worker
Mr. Smith during one of his in-school yoga sessions.
With all the distractions and demands of everyday life, it’s important to practice being mindful. School social worker Wes Smith helps Churchill Road teachers and students focus with regular yoga sessions and mindfulness training.
Mr. Smith has been with FCPS for 22 years and this is his eighth year at Churchill Road. He loves being able to go into different classrooms and teach yoga or read to students. In his own words, “It gives me an opportunity to meet almost everybody and it makes me feel good being able to give students tools that they can use to manage their emotional well-being.” He always looks forward to coming back to Churchill Road after the summer breaks. The students, staff, and teachers are awesome and inspiring, and he enjoys practicing yoga with the students.
Originally from the Philadelphia area, Mr. Smith’s family moved to Northern Virginia when he was six. He’s an FCPS alum, having attended both Hayfield and Clermont Elementaries, before moving to Prince William County where he was a member of the first graduating class from Potomac Senior High School in Woodbridge. It was during high school that Mr. Smith developed healthy habits, riding crew and playing soccer. He then went on to earn a B.S. in Psychology from George Mason University and an MSW from Catholic University. Before working for FCPS he served in the US Marine Corps Reserve for six years and had many different jobs including working at JC Penney when Lady Di and Prince Charles came to his store for a visit. Mr. Smith is the only educator in his family; of his three siblings, one brother is an attorney, the other is a Major in the USMC, and his sister is an artist.
Outside of school, Mr. Smith and his wife enjoy reading and going for long walks with their dog Layla. He teaches yoga at Circle Yoga in D.C. and finds that the Washington area is a great place to explore art, music and history, as well as providing the opportunity to run, bike, swim, and hike. Mr. Smith has a musical side; he plays guitar and mandolin and enjoys creating music with his friends. He has recorded three CDs with his musical duo, the VooDoo Penguins, and has played a few local gigs. Unfortunately, the band has broken up, but he still plays music with friends.
Thank you, Mr. Smith, for your enthusiasm for all things Churchill and for keeping all of us focused and mindful. We hope that you are here for many years to come.
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Kindergarten 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
Even 6th graders love their pumpkins!
In addition to leaves changing colors and sweater weather, October also brings 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. Pumpkins' 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 dish, 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.
Toothbrush Drive October 21-25
Hi! I am a Churchill Road alum, now attending Cooper Middle School. For the second year in a row, I am coordinating a collection drive for tooth brushes. Everything starts with a smile! Our organization was founded by kids, is run by kids, and benefits kids. Through philanthropy in schools, we collect toothbrushes locally and provide them to kids globally. We created a process to unlock donations in schools using technology, marketing, and fun. In partnership with Medico (www.medico.org), Smiles for Miles distributes the toothbrushes to Central America and provides pictures for the donating school. Last year our drive at Churchill collected over 400 toothbrushes. This year the drive starts on Monday October 21st until Friday October 25th. Let's top that number!
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Cheer Winners of the Week
Congratulations to our Churchill Cheer winners for the week of October 7. Cheers are given to students who follow the four R’s. This week’s winners are: Layan Zaghal (K); Charlotte Gavenman (Grade 1); Erik Eggers (Grade 2); William Conde (Grade 3); and Yazan Abutaa (Grade 4). Our winners for Music are: Lillian Thomas (K-2) and Libby Lehnert (3-4). 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.
Advanced Academic Program Details and Parent Information Meeting on October 22
A parent information meeting will be held at Churchill Road E.S. on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 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/academics/advanced-academic-programs .
Please direct any questions to Esther Lee, Churchill Road's Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at eclee1@fcps.edu.
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.
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Thursday, October 31 -- Halloween Spirit Day (NO Family Fitness Day)
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Tuesday, November 12 – “Literary Character Day” – It's book fair week; dress like your favorite character
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Friday, December 20 -- Holiday Wear Spirit Day - wear your holiday favorite
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Friday, January 24 -- Throwback Day -- "Dress like a prior decade."
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Monday, March 2 -- Dr. Seuss' Birthday -- Wear black, red and white
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Friday, March 27 -- PTA Faculty-Parent Basketball Game -- Wear your favorite sports jersey
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Friday, April 24 -- Crazy Hair Day
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Friday, May 29 -- Field Day -- Stay tuned for this year's theme
CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
Tuesday, October 22
AAP Parent Information Night, Exploratory Arts Room, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 24
Make-ups for Fall Picture Day
Monday, October 28
FLE Preview Night, CRS Library, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 31
Spooky Halloween Concert and Parade (K-2), Track, 9:00 a.m.
Monday and Tuesday, November 4 and 5
Teacher Workdays - No School for Students
Monday, November 11
Thanksgiving Luncheon, during student lunch time
Monday, November 11-Friday, November 15
Book Fair, Library, 8:45-4:00 PM
Tuesday, November 12
Book Fair Late Night & Pizza Party, Library/Café, 5:00 p.m.
Reflections Entries Due Friday
Last chance for students to submit their amazing original artwork for the National PTA's Reflections contest - all entries are due this Friday, 10/18. Don't forget to include the entry form! Entries can be dropped off in the school's front office through Friday. Find all the details you need on our website at http://www.churchillroadpta.org/reflections
Fall Picture Makeup Day
For any students that missed the individual picture day last month, makeup pictures will be taken next week on October 24. If you are sending your student in for a retake please bring in the original photo package. For questions, contact yearbook@churchillroadpta.org.
Book Fair Poster Contest
The Book Fair is coming November 11-15! Students are invited to create a poster promoting the Book Fair – a winning poster will be selected for each grade. Each winner receives a $10 Book Fair gift certificate. Plus, every student that enters a poster will be entered into a raffle - 1 per grade will also win a $10 Book Fair gift certificate. Entries must be submitted by Friday, October 25. Find all the details at http://www.churchillroadpta.org/book-fair.
Show Your Churchill Spirit!
Shop our online Spirit Wear store! We have Churchill t-shirts, bags, magnets, blankets, and more! Your orders will be delivered to your student's homeroom. Online store at http://www.churchillroadpta.org/spirit.
Links to PTA News
Link to the CRS PTA homepage:
http://www.churchillroadpta.org/
Link to the PTA Week-at-a-Glance:
https://churchillroadpta.membershiptoolkit.com/newsletters
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 2019-2020 school year are the weeks of September 16, December 2, March 2 and May 4. 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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