Churchill Chatter - Issue 13, November 20, 2019
In This Week's Issue
- FCPS Inclement Weather Policies
- Getting to Know Churchill: Sue Lackey, Fifth Grade Teacher
- Holiday Reminder: School is closed November 27-29 for Thanksgiving; report any additional days' absences via attendance line or email
- AAP Parent Information meeting on December 5, 9 AM
- CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
- CRS PTA News - Dogwood Holiday Drive 12/2-12/6
Inclement Weather and Emergency Closing Plans; Make Arrangements Now in Case of an Unforeseen Schedule Change
Cold and wintry weather will soon be here! Due to inclement weather or other emergency situations, it may be necessary to close schools for the entire day, to open schools late, or to close early.
Parents are urged to make arrangements now for the care of their children when schedule changes are made (and to provide for the rare situation when it is necessary to close an individual school because of a power failure or other circumstances). Children should know where to go if a parent will not be home.
FCPS has several schedules set up to deal with inclement weather; these are put into effect when conditions threaten the safety of students and staff members:
- Keep schools closed.
- Open two hours late.
- Close two hours early.
When Fairfax County Public Schools has a schedule change (closing or delay) due to inclement weather or other emergencies, the information is communicated in several ways as soon as the decision is made.
Note: The official @FCPSnews Twitter account (with blue checkmark) is generally the first and fastest mode of communication during emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be updated as quickly as possible including email, text, website, other social media, and news stations.
Please be aware, due to the large volume of emails sent, there will likely be a lag between the time a FCPS Twitter alert is posted and receipt of an email in your inbox.
Getting to Know Churchill: Sue Lackey,
Fifth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Lackey and daughter Abby, a frequent substitute at Churchill, celebrating the Nats!.
Churchill Road is extremely fortunate that fifth grade teacher Sue Lackey’s many travels across the United States landed her in Northern Virginia. Raised in an Air Force family, Mrs. Lackey went to five different schools from 7th to 12th grade, calling Texas home as that is where she finished high school. Her travels did not end when she left home. Mrs. Lackey has moved a whopping 12 times in her life with her parents and then her husband, Kevin, who was also in the Air Force (AF). Her husband still works at the Pentagon for the AF: as an AF wife, she raised 4 kids in Montana, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Hawaii, Alabama, and Virginia. Her kids have all graduated from high school or more: Aaron (24) lives in Boston, Abigail (22) subs for FCPS but is going to AF basic training in December, Andrew (21) is a mechanical engineering major at UNC, and Anna (19) attends NOVA.
Although Mrs. Lackey did not come from a family of educators, she has known that she wanted to be a teacher since she was in fifth grade. In her own words, ”I always played “school” in my neighborhood and gave “homework” to my friends. I want to inspire and encourage other kids like my teachers did for me.” After graduating from Texas State University (go Bobcats!), Mrs. Lackey taught everything from first grade to high school calculus in settings ranging from a one-room schoolhouse, private schools, homeschooling, public schools to a Girl Scout camp.
This is Mrs. Lackey’s seventh year at Churchill. Her first year was as a long-term sub in fifth and second grades, and she has taught fifth grade for the last six years.“I love the team work and collaboration with everyone. This school gives me the freedom to be creative with colleagues and my students. I love trying new ideas and my fifth graders are at a wonderful age where they like trying new things, too.”
|
When not at school, Mrs. Lackey can be found taking nature walks, listening to music, making photo albums and books and singing in her church choir. An avid reader, she finds it hard to put down a book to pursue another activity. Her love of all things Texas has made her a western boot aficionado; buying her first pair her senior year in high school because she wanted to fit in, then continuing to buy them because they were both comfortable and came in lots of fun colors and styles.
Mrs. Lackey loves living in the Washington area as it is so central to lots of things. She can be at the beach, the mountains, or NYC in under four hours, and can visit a variety of historical sites nearby. In Texas it takes forever to drive anywhere. She also loves the four seasons, much preferring summer to the cold, but finds that nothing beats a beautiful autumn or spring here.
We hope that Mrs. Lackey and her family stay in the Washington area for many years to come. Be sure to check out Mrs. Lackey’s Texas footwear the next time you see her at school.
|
Wellness: Benefits of Reenergizing
Some of our fourth graders reenergized by getting some exercise at recess.
Holidays may bring fun gatherings and wonderful time with family and friends, but, at times, you may find the break from your normal routine exhausting. Take time now to think about what helps you to reenergize and feel your best. Maybe an invigorating workout helps to boost your energy or, perhaps, you feel better equipped for the day if you have some quiet time, an opportunity to read, or a hearty laugh enjoying a favorite comedy. Carve out time to refill your energy well—you will be better for you and for those around you. In fact, encourage your family members to reflect on what helps to revitalize their energy. Strive to make energy boosters a priority so you can fully enjoy upcoming festivities.
Cheer Winners of the Week
Congratulations to our Churchill Cheer winners for the week of November 11. Cheers are given to students who follow the four R’s. This week’s winners are: Cameron Oxfeld (K); Miu Matsui (Grade 1); Lucia Bradbury (Grade 2), Jordan Jackson (Grade 3) and Keegan Davenport (Grade 4). Our winner for Music is: Claire Foster (K-2). 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.
School Closed November 27-29
for Thanksgiving Break
School will be closed November 27-29 for Thanksgiving break. Please note that Wednesday, November 27, is a holiday. Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. If your student will be absent additional days surrounding these dates, please call the CRS 24-hour attendance line, 703-288-8484, or email the school at churchillattendance@fcps.edu. See the complete 2019-20 school year calendar.
AAP Parent Workshop:
Level IV Identification and Application
If you are interested in learning more about the identification and application for Level IV, full-time AAP services, please attend a parent workshop on Thursday, December 5, 9-10 a.m. in the Exploratory Arts Room. If you would like to view the PowerPoint presentation in advance for the December parent workshop, please visit: AAP Screening & Identification Presentation. Please note that the deadline for Spring referrals is January 9, 2020. Please contact Esther Lee, AART, at eclee1@fcps.edu for more information.
CRS Calendar of Upcoming Events
Wednesday, November 27-Friday, November 29
Thanksgiving Holiday - School Closed
Wednesday, December 11
4th Grade Strings Concert, Gym, 6 PM
6th/5th/4th Grade ADV Strings Concert, Gym, 7 PM
Thursday, December 12
6th/5th/4th Grade ADV Strings Concert for K,1,3,6, Gym, 9:15 AM
6th/5th/4th Grade ADV Strings Concert for 2,4,5, Gym, 10 AM
Tuesday, December 17
Chorus Concert for Students, Gym, 9 AM
Chorus Concert for Parents/Community, Gym, 7 PM
Wednesday, December 18
Band Concert for Parents/Community, Gym, 7 PM
Thursday, December 19
Band Concert for K,1,3,6, Gym, 9:15 AM
Band Concert for 2,4,5, Gym, 10 AM
Friday, December 20
SCA Holiday Party Wear Spirit Day
December 23 - January 3
Winter Break - School Closed
Monday, January 6, 2020
Classes resume at 8:35 AM
Holiday Toy Drive for Dogwood, 12/2-12/6
For the last 16 years, CRS has helped our sister school Dogwood Elementary in Reston, VA – where the poverty rate is approximately 80%. To help parents who may not be able to afford to buy holidays gifts, parent liaisons at Dogwood host a “holiday shop,” which is made possible by generous gift contributions from the CRS community. In the past, this holiday toy drive has helped nearly 400 students receive gifts when otherwise they might have had nothing at all.
This annual toy drive kicks off right after the Thanksgiving break—on Monday, December 2nd and runs through Friday, December 6th. Collection bins will be placed in the front hall, MOD, and near the PTA room.
Check our website (http://bit.ly/2PJAOji) for more information on the gift drive, as well as shopping guidelines and suggestions, and to sign up to help collect and deliver gifts.
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.
|
