Principal's Message
This week we adjust to daylight savings time and welcome warmer temperatures and sunshine. It is wonderful to transition to warmer days of outdoor recess as our students continue to dive into learning this quarter.
Our next PTA meeting is Thursday at 9:15. I'm hoping that many of you will join us as we share updates for many upcoming spring events in our school community as well as take time to focus on the safety across our school community. See more information below on important topics. We need your support and partnership in this work.
We had many Chesterbrook artists showcase their work last Thursday evening at the McLean Pyramid art show opening. Thank you for Mrs. Lopez for supporting our student creations and helping to set up the show at the community center. The Emerson Gallery at the McLean Community Center will be open for visitors Mondays through Saturdays until March 15th from 10am-4pm. For more information: https://mpaart.org/
For our next early release on 3/17, it will help us greatly if parents make their decision this week if your children will stay after or be released at 12:35. It is critical that any changes go through pick up patrol. Last time we had many parents emailing or sending talking points to teachers, which creates many end of the day issues. Students may not ride different buses home with other children but may be picked up by the parent supervising in the afternoon. We ask that parents ONLY use pick up patrol for any last minute changes by 11AM. This will allow us to ensure the safety of each child in our care.
Sincerely,
Stacy Kirkpatrick, Principal
Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday, March 13th - PTA Meeting 9:15 AM with a Principal Coffee Focus on Safety; Book Fair daily from 3/13 to 3/18
Friday, March 14th - PTA Pi Night 6pm-8pm
Monday, March 17th - 3 hour early release
Friday, March 21st - World Down's Syndrome Day - Show your support by Wearing Odd Socks to Raise Awareness
Monday, March 31st - No School
SAVE THE DATE
Tuesday, April 1 - Rising Kindergarten Orientation 10AM - 12PM
*Spread the word for our new kinder families!
6th Grade Promotion - Monday June 9th 5PM
FCPS 2024-25 School Year Calendar
PTA Meeting Thursday Including Safety Focus with Principal Kirkpatrick - 3/13 9:15 AM
Please join us for our PTA Meeting on Thursday which will also include a safety focus. Mrs. Kirkpatrick will share updates on building safety such as cameras and vestibule requests and go over response protocol for threat assessments and how we can work together to support our school community.
March in the Library
We are excited to celebrate Read Across America this month in the library with some fun events.
Book Fair
Thursday, March 13 - Tuesday, March 18.
Join us on Saturday, March 15th from 9-noon and grab some breakfast along with a new book or two.
Tuesday, March 18th we will be hosting a craft night. Come and try out some of the craft activities from the books offered at this year’s book fair and stop by Captain Cookie and the Milkman food truck for a delicious ice cream sandwich.
Battle of the Books
We will also be hosting a Battle of the Books competition where classes will vote for their favorite picture book. Ask your child if they have a favorite Virginia Readers’ Choice picture book? Finally, we will be offering a Bingo Board Challenge this month that can be picked up in the library. Students can complete different reading challenges and turn in their boards at the end of the month to receive a prize. We hope everyone finds something fun to do in the library this month!
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3HR Early Release Monday 3/17
Remember that Monday, March 17th is a three hour early release. Our students will be dismissed at 12:35 p.m. On the 3 hr early release we will have 30 minute specials for all grades. We will have Strings but no Band class that day.
This week you will receive an email confirming the plan for your child(ren) based on the plan for the last 3 hour early release. If you need to make a change, please submit the change via the Google Form by Thursday, March 13th. Any last minute, day of changes can be submitted via PUP until 11am. If you need to pick up your child, please allow us to get the groups settled and then you may come to school and pick them up from the front office at 1PM.
World Down Syndrome Day - March 21st
In 2013, the theme of Wearing Odd Socks was initiated to raise awareness. The date being the 21st day of the 3rd month was chosen to represent the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
- Chromosomes are shaped “like socks” and people with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome.
- People all over the world wear colorful, attractive, crazy socks on WDSD to get noticed.
- From the USA to Australia, the unique talents and abilities of people with Down syndrome are celebrated.
- Students and Staff are encouraged to wear brightly colored socks, mismatched socks, long socks, printed socks, one sock. Maybe even three socks, one for each chromosome
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It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Kindergarten Orientation will be held April 1st at 10AM! Registering your child early helps us prepare and ensure we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. Families should prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms on the FCPS kindergarten registration webpage.
Additional Chesterbrook specific information can be found on our webpage.
Preschool Peer Model Enrollment Interest
We are in the process of registering students to be peer models in Early Childhood Class Based Preschool for next school year. Our program will invite a limited number of community preschoolers, who are age 4-5 years (must be at least 4 years old by September, 30 of school year), to participate in our daily preschool activities. The children from the community will have the opportunity to make new friends and share experiences with current early childhood special education students. Our students will, in turn, benefit from being with community peers who can model appropriate language, motor, and social skills.
The goal of this program is to encourage active learning and promote social interaction and acceptance through shared experiences between the community children and our preschoolers with special needs.
Our Preschool hours for this year are Monday - Friday as follows:
AM Preschool 9:20 am - 12:40 pm
PM Preschool 12:45 pm – 4:05 pm
If you are interested in expressing interest in Chesterbrook’s Community Peers Program, please complete this google form.
Please reach out to Assistant Principal, Lara Macdonald (LHMacdonald@fcps.edu) with any questions and also to indicate your interest in the program for your preschool aged child.
 Webinar: Click here to Register for Dr. Jonathan Dalton's Parent Series
FCPS News In Case You Missed It
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A Strong Academic Foundation | 70th Annual Regional Science Fair |
New Breakfast Options
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