Chesterbrook PTA Friday Digest

The Friday Digest National PTA Logo

Pertinent Points for the Week Ahead
from the Chesterbrook PTA

Vol.2, No.3

September 10, 2010

Welcome Back to School!

One of the PTA's first tasks in the fall is to get the Family Directory underway. To this end, we ask every family to open or update their website accounts. These accounts for the basis form the directory. Accurate information now saves a ton of time for the committee later. Even if your contact information hasn't changed, we need your child(ren)'s teacher assignment updated. Please help Dana Renz, Nancy Stuckwisch, and Beth Mahood prepare the database and directory by doing this as soon as possible. Visit www.chesterbrook.org to do so: click on My Account on the left, then Edit along the top, the click on Child 1, etc., for each child. Don't forget to click Save!

There is lots to do at the beginning of the year -- read below for other important news and to-dos.

Hope to see many of you in the Discovery Gardens on Saturday and at the PTA meeting on Tuesday at 7:30 pm in the library,
Laurie Plishker
PTA President

To Do This Week

Help in the Discovery Gardens

This Saturday, September 11, from 10 am to 2 pm, faculty and parents will be cleaning up, weeding, and mulching the Discovery Gardens at school. We will be preparing sites for the installation of the Quick Response Code stands in the gardens. This work is part of our multi-generational partnership with Vinson Hall and George Washington University students. Please join us in our fall clean-up!

Register for Website Account and Join PTA

Please log-in to our and update your account with any contact information changes and your new teachers. If you do not have an account yet, visit the PTA website to create one. Profile information forms the basis of the paper directory as well, and having it accurate now means the directory can be produced and distributed even earlier!

Then go to Chipmunk Avenue on the PTA website to pay your dues (you can do this in the same order as when you buy school supply kits). Why? Members get a free Family Directory (nonmember price is $8) and are already supporting our many enrichment programs the PTA delivers! Last year we achieved 100% percent membership -- let's try to match it.

Register for After School Programs

The PTA offers after school art, chess, drama, Girls on the Run (GOTR), and yoga. Art, drama, chess, and yoga registration begins next Thursday, September 16 at 6 pm. For more information on each program, please visit our website. There are links to the flyers that were included in the Back to School Folders.

GOTR registration is run through the GOTR organization and will begin Saturday, September 18 at www.gotrnova.org. Information FLEX foreign language classes will be available in the coming weeks.

(Re)Designate Grocery Cards

We must associate grocery loyalty rewards cards annually. These programs give money directly to Chesterbrook -- without going through the PTA -- based on the amount of revenue generated from customers who have redesignated their rewards card to Chesterbrook ES. There are a number of September bonuses for early sign-ups, so follow the link to redesignate your Giant, Safeway, and Harris Teeter cards HERE.

In addition, Chesterbrook recently received a check from Target for over $500 due to just 18 families' use of Target cards. Thanks to those familes! Since its inception we've received nearly $5000! Click here to learn more about Target's program and to sign up for a Visa or check card with Target.

Work on Reflections Entry Reflections logo

A flyer went out in this week's Thursday Envelope about the PTA Reflections Program, a student competition in the areas of photography, literature, visual arts, musical composition, dance choreography and film/video production. All Chesterbrook ES students who submit a Reflections Program entry will receive recognition for their work. For more information, contact Kristin Cabral. Thanks Kristin for organizing our Reflections program this year!

Re-Load MyLunchMoney.com

Have you ever seen this sticker? When your child comes home with one, it means his or her lunch account is running low. You can avoid this by signing up with mylunchmoney.com and setting an automatic reload point. For a small fee, they will reload the lunch account in any amount. Through the website, you can also review what your child has purchased in the past week. You can sign up even if you have already paid in the cafeteria--it will just get added to your child's account. Note: if a student forgets a lunch and has no money in his or her account, the cafeteria staff put the lunch on the PTA account and the family is notified to reimburse the PTA.

Get Ready for Great American!

The PTA has an exciting new catalog fundraiser this fall, Great American. The catalog features a wide variety of great and unique items, including beautiful jewelry, stationery, home products, gift wrapping, eco-friendly items, and so much more. Want a sneak peek? Visit the Great American website (School ID: 1874999). Thanks to Judy Williams for getting us started!

Order Your School Kits

Online sales of school kits are continuing. Please visit

Chipmunk Avenue on the PTA website for ordering information (you can join the PTA in the same order too). You can also still purchase supplies at the School Store (check or cash only) through next week. Thanks Lisa Richter and Eleanor Gollob! Contact Lisa and Eleanor with questions.

Donate Gently Used School Supplies for the Needy

And since you've bought new school supplies, perhaps you have some gently used (or even new) supplies you don't need. Once again, Ann-Marie Turnage is collecting supplies to be sent to needy families in Nicaragua through the Peaceworks Foundation. Please tear out any used notebook pages and place school all supplies in the marked box outside the library. Contact Ann-Marie with questions.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the First Lady Michelle Obama has sponsored a national campaign called Let's Move to end childhood obesity in a generation? Earlier this year, the campaign published a Childhood Obesity Task Force report and has setup a USDA-sponsored program to connect local chefs with schools in order to educate and excite children about healthy foods.

Good nutrition and active lifestyles are not just about obesity, but also extend to overall health and well-being for children and adults. Today, the food we eat is highly processed and contains significant amounts of chemicals and preservatives. The food is loaded with synthetic additives and processed food that make it hard for children (and adults) to focus and behave.

There are simple, inexpensive options available to provide real, natural food for kids. The result will not only be healthier children, but it has been demonstrated that test scores will rise, discipline problems will decrease, and the cost of educating children will be reduced.

In the coming months the PTA's newly expanded Health, Safety, Wellness, and Nutrition Committee will be adding new focus to these issues in our school.

Looking Ahead

September 11, 10 am-2 pm September 14, 7:30 pm	Gardening Day PTA Meeting
September 16	Great American sales materials distributed
September 16, 6 pm	Online registration for after school activities
September 21, 7 pm	Back to School Night