Churchill Chatter - Issue 19, May 2, 2023


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Churchill Chatter - Issue 19, May 2, 2023


Dear Churchill Road Families,  

We have had an exciting couple of weeks.  Our first ever salad bar opened on April 19 and our students not only learned about heart health, but raised an impressive $23,444.32 making Churchill the 2nd highest fundraising school in Fairfax County and the 11th highest fundraising school in the Commonwealth of Virginia! We are focused on keeping ourselves healthy here at Churchill Rood!

Thank you to the PTA for sponsoring the  “Keeping Kids Safe Online” this evening.  Parents can access the presentation on the link below.

Looking forward, students begin SOL testing next week.  As much as possible, we would appreciate students being at school on the days of their grade level testing, and trying to avoid trips or appointments.  Thank you to our teachers and testing coordinator, Mr. Kilpatrick, for the organization of, and support of students during this time.

We are a couple of weeks away from the “Churchill Road Community BBQ” sponsored by the PTA on Friday, May 19th!  It is bound to be a wonderful time with our entire school community.

Sincerely,

Ms. Jen Niccolls and Mrs. Cherith Pierson-Barr


In This Week's Issue

  • Reminder:  PTA Presentation on Keeping Your Child Safe Online, Tonight at 7 PM
  • Kid's Heart Challenge
  • Salad Bar Opening
  • Spotlight on Advanced Academics: Creative and Critical Thinking about our New Salad Bar
  • Solo & Ensemble Festival Strings Performance
  • Portrait of a Graduate: Reflection and Connection
  • Counselor's Corner: Tips for Dealing with Testing Anxiety
  • Chess Club Excels at Elementary Team Chess League Tournament
  • Elementary Institute for the Arts
  • FCPS News: In Case You Missed It
  • FCPS Cares Program
  • Important Dates

safety

Parent Education Night:
Keeping Kids Safe Online,
Tonight - May 2, 7 PM

Please join the PTA for a Parent Education Night, Keeping Kids Safe Online, tonight, Tuesday, May 2 at 7 p.m., for an important presentation from a member of the US Secret Service about the dangers our students face online. Join us on Google Meet:

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/gya-zvdm-ftk 

Or dial: (US) +1 304-402-6315 PIN: 600 330 597

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/gya-zvdm-ftk?pin=7744764648870  

This presentation, developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, will cover a number of risks that come with internet use: Inappropriate Content, Online Privacy, Online Enticement, Sexting, Sextortion, and Cyberbullying. 


Kid's Heart Challenge a Huge Success!

heart team

Congratulations to our top fundraisers for being heart heroes: Layan Z, Lyla S., Caelan O.-C. , and Lilah M.

winner

The Physical Education department would like to give a big thank you to all the students and families that participated in the American Heart Association’s Kid’s Heart Challenge  Fundraiser! Due to your efforts Churchill Road raised an impressive $23,444.32 .  Churchill is currently the 2nd highest fundraising school in Fairfax County and the 11th highest fundraising school in the Commonwealth of Virginia!  In the 22 years Churchill Road has participated in Jump Rope for Heart and now Kid’s Heart Challenge, Churchill has raised $367,945.93

We had 138 students participate in the fundraising side.  All students enjoyed different activities related to the Kid’s Heart Challenge as part of their warm up in P.E. class. They also learned different ways to be a heart hero.

Our top fundraiser this year was Lyla S. (5th Grade) with a whopping $2,644.81 raised. Other top fundraisers included Caelan O.-C. (1st  Grade) $1,403.14 raised, Layan Z.(3rd Grade) $1,391.48 raised, and Lilah M. (Kindergarten) $1,039.65 raised. It was a total team effort this year!

Most impressive was the enthusiasm displayed by our students to further the cause and awareness of heart disease. The money raised will be used to fund groundbreaking research that helps kids and adults survive and thrive with serious heart diseases and conditions. It also helps fund programs that trains people how to perform lifesaving CPR.  All of you are Heart Heroes!  Thank you again for all your support and effort the last couple of weeks! 

Mr. Varhol


Salad Bar Opening

salad bar

We are so excited to have our first ever salad bar.  We celebrated our grand opening with a visit from our PTA board, as well as so many families.  A big “Thank you” to Real Food for Kids organization, who sent the carrot and the pea characters to engage our students, as well as, parent Ryan McElveen, who was instrumental in making this happen. Additionally, we had a visit from Region Assistant Superintendent, Douglas Tyson, who stopped by to join in the celebration. We will continue to use this hands-on experience to explicitly teach and model the impact of healthy food choices!

salad bar

Spotlight on Advanced Academics: Creative and Critical Thinking about our New Salad Bar

spotlight

strings

Solo & Ensemble Strings Performance

On April 28, 19 student performers represented the Churchill Road Elementary Strings program in the District XII Solo & Ensemble Festival at Rocky Run Middle School. In order to participate, each student committed themselves to preparing a solo or duet that they would perform in front of a judge for a rating and feedback. All 19 of the students representing CRS received a rating of “I” or “Superior” for their performances! Congratulations to our ambitious young strings players! 


Portrait of a Graduate - Reflection and Connection

pog

This month’s theme involves all the POG attributes. As students end the year, we want to celebrate all of their accomplishments and hard work.


Counselor's Corner - Dealing with Text Anxiety

Standardized testing season is upon us! SOL testing is scheduled to take place starting next week - from May 10 through May 24 (see calendar of important events). Now is a good time to be looking out for signs of test anxiety in your children. Symptoms of test anxiety range from physiological symptoms, such as fast heartbeat, sweating, stomach aches, or headaches, to mental health symptoms such as low motivation, negative self-talk, and school avoidance.

Below are some tips for dealing with test anxiety:

Focus on things you/your child can control:

  • Going to bed on time and waking up on time
  • Eating a nutritious breakfast and having adequate snacks/lunch options
  • Getting organized and prepared the night before

Combat physiological symptoms:

  • Practice deep breathing strategies to calm stomach aches and a rapid heartbeat
  • Drink plenty of water and don’t skip meals/snacks
  • Get enough sleep
  • Trouble falling asleep? Utilize a medication app, such as Headspace or Calm, play calming music, or practice calming strategies before bed

Have open conversations as a family:

  • Talk openly about your child’s feelings as testing approaches
  • Practice affirmations and positive self-talk statements for your child to say before taking the test
  • Encourage good study habits and school performance without placing excessive pressure on the student

Want more information? Check out this article from the Child Mind Institute. If you are concerned about your child’s test anxiety, please reach out to their school counselor. We are here to support you!

Sammie Amatucci (Grades K, 1, 4, 6) & Leina Lunghi (Grades 2, 5)

text anxiety

CRS Chess Club Excels

chess

Congratulations to the Churchill Road Chess Tteam who finished in second place (out of 12 teams) in the Elementary Team Chess League this year.

Way to go Churchill Road!


Elementary Institute for The Arts

Students in all FCPS schools can enroll in the Elementary Institute for the Arts (EIFTA). EIFTA is a weekly arts enrichment program for students in rising 3rd through 6th grades and will be held during the month of July.  Students take classes in art, music, theatre, and dance every day.   Transportation is provided from around the county. Tuition assistance is available for students who qualify. Check out the website for more information or email eifta@fcps.edu.


FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • School Safety Conversation
  • Student Awards
  • Teacher and Bus Driver Career Fairs

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.  


FCPS Cares Program

Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Churchill Road employees.


Important Dates

  • Tuesday, May 2 - PTA Virtual Internet Safety Presentation, 7 PM
  • Wednesday, May 10 - Grades 3 and 4 Reading SOL
  • Thursday, May 11 - Grades 5 and 6 Reading SOL
  • Wednesday, May 17 - Grades 5 and 6 Math SOL
  • Thursday, May 18 - Grades 3 and 4 Math SOL
  • Wednesday, May 24 - Grade 5 Science SOL
  • Friday, May 19 - PTA Backyard BBQ - Save the Date
  • Monday, May 29 - Memorial Day Holiday
  • Friday, June 16 - Last Day of School, Dismissal @ 1:20 PM

Please visit the FCPS School Year Calendar for more information

 


mental health