Churchill Chatter - Issue 9, October 23, 2019
In This Week's Issue
- Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid in this week's VIP
- Getting to Know Churchill: Devon Rook, 4th Grade Teacher
- FLE Parent Preview Night October 28
- Third Grade Teacher Patina Betchar honored with FCPS Individual Excellence Award
- NATs World Series Spirit Day
- CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
- CRS PTA News - Fall Picture Makeup Day 10/24, Book Fair Poster contest and call for volunteers and join the PTA
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid In Today's VIP Folders
Please look for the Federal Impact Aid survey form in your child’s VIP folder today (October 23). The completed, signed and dated form is due back to your child’s teacher no later than this Friday, October 25, 2019. Please note that we need one completed form for EACH child in your family; not just one per family.
Filling out the form is very straightforward. For each child attending Churchill Road, please complete Section 1, 2 or 3 (as appropriate), sign, date, and return the survey to your child's homeroom teacher. All results are CONFIDENTIAL.
Thank you in advance for supporting this important survey.
Getting to Know Churchill: Devon Rook,
Fourth Grade Teacher
Ms. Rook at the Grand Canyon.
Fourth grade teacher Ms. Devon Rook is thoroughly enjoying her sixth year at CRS! She appreciates the CRS community and truly values the challenges and excitement each day brings. Ms. Rook is grateful for the opportunity to share her enthusiasm of learning with others, to instill a sense of curiosity and wonder in the classroom, and to learn new things from her students each day.
When Ms. Rook was young, she moved around quite a bit. She was born in Washington, D.C., then moved to Massachusetts. She later moved to Great Falls, Virginia, and attended Forestville Elementary for second, third, and fourth grades, then moved to Colorado, New Jersey, and returned to Great Falls for eighth grade through high school. Ms. Rook completed her undergraduate work at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, and earned her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
In addition to her passion for teaching, Ms. Rook has a love of travel. Just during her time at CRS she has traveled to eleven countries over school breaks or during the summers; her adventures have included trips to Peru, Thailand, Croatia, Slovenia, Belize, and Iceland. She even went scuba diving! Next summer, she is planning a trip to London! |
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Even though Ms. Rook’s explorations have taken her to many exotic and beautiful locations she stills adores this area and believes it offers so many possibilities. She loves going into Washington, D.C. to visit museums, to attend sporting events, and to try new restaurants. Ms. Rook is grateful for the abundance of nature trails in the area, where she can often be found hiking with her fabulous dog Finley, a six-year-old Goldendoodle.
CRS is so thankful for Ms. Rook’s genuine enthusiasm and sincere kindness. Ms. Rook has helped to create a supportive and compassionate environment to help students to learn and develop so they can be their best. Thank you, Ms. Rook; we appreciate your delight in students’ successes and your dedication to our school!
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Children's Author Visits Churchill
On Friday, October 11, New York Times Best Selling author, Stuart Gibbs, visited Churchill Road. Stuart Gibbs' books are filled with mystery and adventure and are a favorite here at Churchill Road. He is the author of the Funjungle Series, Space Case series, Spy School series, and the newest series – Charlie Thorne. He met with all of our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students and a few students were even lucky enough to join him for lunch. He told the kids how he uses his knowledge from the world around him when writing his books. Thank you to the PTA for supporting author visits!
Congratulations Ms. Betchar
 We featured third grade teacher Patina Betchar in our September 19 Churchill Chatter and mentioned that she would be receiving an Excellence Award from FCPS. Last week, Ms. Betchar was one of only 14 teachers recognized as an individual excellence award winner. We are so proud of Ms. Betchar and hope that she stays at Churchill Road for many years to come. The following statement was read at Ms. Betchar's Awards ceremony:
Patina, a first year teacher last year, makes sure that every student in her classroom has a voice. She is known for the masterful way she guides seven year olds through a series of Socratic seminars in which all children participate in the conversation. The discussion is polite, nurturing, and intellectual, and everyone believes that they are valued members of a learning community. Churchill Road’s literacy coach noted, “I was in awe by the depth of the students’ thinking and feelings.” This is just one of hundreds of activities – visual, auditory, hands-on, and collaborative - that Patina incorporates into her instructional routine. Patina’s work ethic and desire to be the best she can be for all students represents education at its very finest.
CRS Shows their NATs Spirit
Churchill Road was a sea of red in support of the NATs World Series berth.
CRS students and staff showed their support for the Washington Nationals in their first World Series. Go NATs!
Wellness: Benefits of Layering
Last week, McLean experienced temperatures in the high seventies, as well as lows in the forties. Big swings in the temperature are the norm for fall; a cool autumn morning can easily transition to a hot, sunny afternoon. To keep students comfortable and healthy at the bus stop, at recess, and in the classroom, remember to dress in layers. Layers allow students to be more flexible to changing weather conditions and activities. Layers insulate the body by creating an air space between the skin and the cold. Layers also allow for better blood circulation, which helps to maintain body temperature. Students can easily pack a hat, a scarf, or gloves in their backpack to help stay warm on colder days.
Cheer Winners of the Week
Congratulations to our Churchill Cheer winners for the week of October 14. Cheers are given to students who follow the four R’s. This week’s winners are: Sam Koetzle (K); Madeline Memoli (Grade 1); Clark Stein (Grade 2); Rory Marino (Grade 3); and Georgia Dougherty (Grade 4). Our winners for Library are: Chloe Hao (K-2) and Andrew Gillespie (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.
FLE Information Night Next Monday, October 28 at 7:00 PM, Churchill Road Library
Preview the Family Life Education media and lessons on Monday, October 28 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. Ms. Niccolls, CRS Assistant Principal, and teachers from various grade levels will be available to answer questions about the lessons.
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.
Some other helpful links:
Program questions may be addressed to Ms. Niccolls, jniccolls@fcps.edu, CRS Assistant Principal.
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Lost and Found is Getting Bigger
Check out the lost and found located by the gym to find your child's missing sweatshirt or lunchbox. All items not claimed by Friday, November 1, will be donated to charity.
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CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
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, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 13
Principal's Coffee, EA Room, 8:00 a.m.
PTA Meeting, EA Room, 8:45 a.m.
Book Fair Poster Contest
All entries for our Book Fair poster contest are due this Friday, October 25! A winner will be selected from each grade and receive a $10 Book Fair gift certificate – plus each student will be entered into a gift certificate raffle for their grade! Find all the contest details at http://www.churchillroadpta.org/book-fair and get ready for our annual Book Fair, November 11-15!
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 Volunteers Needed!
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. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a4daaaf2aa20-crsbook4
Join the PTA
Did you know that the CRS PTA sponsors programs (curriculum support, field trips, assemblies, & more! ), activities, events, technology and more every year to enrich our students' educational experience? This support is only possible with your help!
Please join the PTA! The class in each grade with the highest percentage of PTA family memberships by 10/31 wins a class treat in November. Join at http://www.churchillroadpta.org/membership.
Help support our CRS Bobcats and the dedicated staff at Churchill Road with a donation to The Bobcat Fund. The CRS PTA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law. Plus your donation might be eligible for corporate matching! Learn more at http://www.churchillroadpta.org/bobcat-fund.
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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