Chesterbrook News 3_22_2021

Upcoming Dates to Note

March 26 - Early Release - Dismissal at 1:30 p.m.; End of 3rd Quarter

March 29 - April 2 - Spring Break

April 5 - Teacher Workday - No school for students

April 6 - FLE Parent Preview Virtual Session, 4th - 6th Grades, 4:30 PM


Principal's Message

Last week we were thrilled to bring in our final group of students after one year of distance. It could not feel better to be a school principal of a building with children and staff! The past year has had its share of hurdles, requiring flexibility along the way. We will continue to require that flexibility as we move forward in returning to face to face instruction of all students.

Through our mutli-tiered system of supports, administration, teachers and specialists have identified English Language Learners and special education students that need access to specialized instruction four days a week. We wish I could provide this option to all of our families, but we can't do so yet. The constraints of distancing reduced to 3 feet allow us to make some of these changes to invite a few more students into the classroom.

FCPS school board and leadership team will be reviewing the new recommendations from the CDC and provide further directives for schools. 

I have recently sent summer school information out for our S.O.A.R. program for rising 2nd - 6th grades. Summer Olympians Aspire & Reach (S.O.A.R) will be held for three weeks during the summer from July 12 - July 30th. We will also offer a Bridge to K and Bridge to 1st and reach out to parents seperately about that opportunity.  S.O.A.R. is limited in seating and offered to students based on academic need in reading and math. All students will receive a summer workbook to work on skills over the summer regardless of participation in this program. If you did not receive an invite and are concerned about your child's academic growth, please contact your child's teacher for consideration. All students are eligible for our Summer Quest program camps and we offer many academic opportunities as well as other fun camps for all elementary ages. Check out Summer Quest Camps here.

As we approach Spring Break next week, I do so with great optimism for our strong return and entering a spring that provides us a path back to a better sense of togetherness. I understand how rough this year has been for some of our families and I welcome you to share any needs as we consider how to help you make it through the end of a very difficult school year. As parents, you have worked tirelessly to support your children's education and hold down jobs, some while getting ill and losing loved ones. Our Chesterbrook staff cares deeply about the social/emotional and academic growth of all our students and we will work with you to support them as we finish this year on the strongest possible footing.

With appreciation for all your support,

Stacy Kirkpatrick, Principal

 


GS

Online Green Slips

Online Green Slips are used for early dismissal and transportation changes.  Transportation changes are not permitted to ride another bus.  Changes are only for kiss-and-ride and meeting a parent out front.

Link to access Online Green Slips (also on website):

This form is Password Protected.  E-notify sent with password on March, 22, 2021.


Student Intent Form

If you are NOT returning to Chesterbrook next year, please fill out this form.


ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP)

SCREENING FOR SCHOOL-BASED (LEVEL II-III) SERVICES

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in grades K-8.  Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extensions of the Program of Studies (POS).  Teachers, administrators, and advanced academic resource teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of school-based services in each elementary school:

  • Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 (Level I)           All students in kindergarten through grade six receive level I services which consist of model lessons that are designed to teach critical and creative thinking skills.  The lessons are modeled in all classrooms by AARTs and the thinking strategies are then used throughout the year by classroom teachers and other teachers who work with students. Student responses to these model lessons are used as part of the identification process for AAP services.  Parents may also practice the thinking strategies during family conversations and activities.  A description of the nine critical and creative thinking strategies can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics/critical-and-creative-thinking.  
  • Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II) The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenge through lessons and resources that extend and enrich the POS.  Level II services are part of a talent development pool.  Students are rescreened annually to make decisions about the need for this level of service.
  • Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III) Students identified by a local school screening committee for part-time advanced academic services are challenged through models and strategies designed to extend and enrich the POS in the four core subject areas.  Students receive direct instruction from the AART at the local school using curriculum from the AAP Curriculum and Resources to Support the Differentiated Framework.  Students identified for Level III services continue to receive level III services through grade 6.

Screening for school-based services can happen at any time during the school year but is done schoolwide in spring to determine services for the next school year.  Parents or guardians may initiate the screening for school-based (level II and III) services by electronically submitting the AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form (available at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/elementary-school/current-fcps at the bottom of the page in Forms) to the AART at Chesterbrook Elementary prior to spring screening by April 16, 2021. Multiple criteria are used to screen students for all levels of AAP services.  Parents or guardians who submit a referral will be notified by Chesterbrook of their student’s eligibility status by June 1, 2021. 

If a parent or guardian wishes to appeal an ineligible decision, they may submit an appeal with new data for consideration by the local school screening committee.  This new information should be submitted to Amy Vallath. 

If you have any questions, please contact Chesterbrook’s AART, Amy Vallath, ajvallath@fcps.edu.


PTA Safety Committee

Mask Wearing and Cleaning Suggestions

Our students have done a wonderful job wearing their masks. Thank you for ensuring your child(ren) have masks that fit appropriately.

  1. Parents please send extra masks per day with your child in a clean, labeled bag.
  2. Parents please send a ziplock bag that children can place dirty masks should they be soiled during the day. Please plan to replace or launder (whichever is appropriate) on a very regular basis this dirty bag. Please consider putting this bag in a different, otherwise unused pocket of your child's backpack.
  3. Please wash any used mask nightly, and return the child to school the following day with a completely new/laundered mask.
  4. Please review with your kids the appropriate way to put on and take off their masks. Children should sanitize hands before and after touching their mask and should touch only the ear loops when putting it on, or taking it off.
  5. Please review the masks you have available for your child before you send them to school

- Is it the proper size?

- Does it cover the child's mouth and nose completely?

- Does it have at least 2 layers per CDC guidelines?

- Is it in good repair? 

  1. Please plan to launder lunch bags and backpacks weekly after their two days in the classroom. 

General mask guidelines:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Guidelines for washing and storing masks:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wash-cloth-face-coverings.html

Good one pager from Mayo:

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/-/media/national-files/documents/covid19/how-to-wear-and-care-for-your-cloth-mask.pdf