The Chesterbrook Chronicle

Chesterbrook PTA
IN THIS ISSUE
President's Remarks
Diary of a Wimpy KId
Reflections
Community Outreach
Staff Profile
Tips on Chinese
Upcoming Events
Advertising
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PTA Monthly NewsletterSeptember 2010 
PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Thanks to everyone who attended the PTA portion of Back to School Night. It was nice to see so many familiar and new faces in the audience. I've had a few questions about why we use Back to School Night for the adoption of our audit report and approval of the budget. Aside from being a requirement of PTA By-Laws, the voting highlights the idea that the PTA is comprised of parents who, along with teacher and administrator support, are working to do the best for our school. General Membership Meetings like the one at Back to School Night and several others throughout the year remind parents that they are part of this group and have a voice in what the PTA does.  Your concurrence, financial and volunteer support is important to the success we have in enriching the school environment for our children!
 

Please know that members are always welcome at our meetings. We are not a closed group of moms (and a few dads) plotting in the back corner of the library! I welcome your attendance.  It is a great chance to learn more about the PTA and the school as Mr. Fuqua provides always informative reports. Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 12th at 8:30 am in the library.  Come check out the beautiful new timeline mural!

Thanks again to our members and committee chairs who worked so hard throughout the summer and start of the year, and I hope everyone has a great fall!

Laurie Plishker,  President Chesterbrook PTA
FUNDRAISING
 
Wimpy Kid  
Order Diary of a Wimpy Kid #5, The Ugly Truth
For those of you with Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans, you'll be happy to hear that the fifth book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid #5: The Ugly Truth, will be releasing on November 9.  But you won't need to race around town to track down a copy.  All you have to do is pre-order your copy now, and it will be hand-delivered to your child at school on November 9.  Proceeds from the sale will provide needed funds to enhance our school library.

If you would like to place a pre-order, please fill out the form and return it with a check made out to Chesterbrook PTA to your child's teacher by October 14, 2010.   All the previous Wimpy Kid titles will be available at Chesterbrook's Book Fair October 25 - November 1. 
Chesterbrook Book Fair is Coming
October 25 - November 1
Mark your calendars for this fun event!!
 

Bookworm CentralWhy should you support Chesterbrook's Book Fair?  It is an exciting week long event, open to the students first for preview and then for purchase during the school day, as well as several afternoons and two evenings!  It encourages reading, and the money we raise will be used to supplement the library budget from Fairfax County, which has been cut each of the past several years.  Money will be used to purchase books, audio materials, and hopefully several laptops to supplement the computers already in the library, so that a whole class can use the computers in the library at the same time.

 

Stay tuned for more Book Fair details in the Friday Digests!!

Save The Date!
Fun Fair is Saturday, March 12th
 
 Fancy Moon Bounce
PTA PROGRAMS
Reflections logo

Designed to enhance a quality arts education, the PTA Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves and to receive positive recognition for their artistic efforts. This year's  Reflections Program Theme is  "Together We Can" and  offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition.

Students are encouraged to create and submit works of art in six areas:  dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which includes art forms such as drawing, painting, print making, and collage). For nearly 40 years, the program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to create works of art.
 
How can your child participate? 
Review the purple flyer which came home through your child's Thursday folder a few weeks ago.  Information on the flyer included category descriptions, general rules , category rules which can also be found by clicking here and viewing the left hand navigation bar, and  a Student Entry Form. The deadline to submit entries is October 15th.   
 
All Chesterbrook ES students who submit a Reflections Program entry will receive recognition for their work. For more information, contact Kristin Cabral.

NOTE: If your child is planning to submit an entry, please email [email protected] with the child's name, grade, and category of entry. This is just to help us plan for processing and judging and does not commit your child to an entry, nor does it prohibit last minute entries without notifying us.
 
Volunteers are needed to help with this program!!  No art background necessary.  Please email [email protected] if you are interested in helping with the Reflections Program (judging, displaying entries, help with Reflections Reception, etc.)
COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Our Fall Collection is Underway!   

 

This year, in addition to supporting Carlin Springs Elementary, we're launching an exciting new partnership with an elementary school in our pyramid.

We continue our long time support of sister school, Carlin Springs Elementary.  Carlin Springs is an Arlington County model "community school."  The school facility is used a base to support students and their families (a large percentage of whom qualify for free and reduced-price lunches) by addressing social, emotional and health needs in addition to academic needs through linkages to community partners like Chesterbrook Elementary.  Your support has been a valuable component in the dramatic success of this community school model.
 
This year, Chesterbrook is launching a similar program of community support with an elementary school within our own school pyramid.  This school's families are experiencing increased needs as they transition from a year-round calendar to a traditional school calendar.  While we prefer not to publish the school's name to protect the privacy of the children we are assisting, interested parents are welcome to contact Shawna Saaty or Emily Ludwikowski for additional information.
 
Please consider a donation of the following items this Fall.  Your donations can make a world of difference to kids without warm clothing and out-of-work parents who are struggling to feed their families.

  • Grocery gift cards in any denomination
  • New or gently used pants, coats, hats and mittens for boys and girls in sizes 4 - 16
  • New boys and girls underwear in sizes 4-16
  • Small gifts, toys and treats to fill grab bags at Carlin Springs' Fall Festival

Please place clothing items in the bin marked School Outreach outside the Media Center by Friday, October 22.  Please place grocery gift cards in an envelope marked Shawna Saaty/PTA School Outreach and send through backpack mail.

Sorting or delivering donated items to our schools is wonderful service-learning opportunity to share with your child or student club.  Contact Shawna Saaty at [email protected] or Emily Ludwikowski at [email protected] with any questions or if you and your child would like to volunteer.  Thank you for remembering to assist our friends and neighbors in need.
Thanks Chesterbrook Families, Staff and GW Students for your work on Discovery Gardens on September 11th!

Mrs. Paper, Mr. Fuqua and Ms. Ellis were instrumental in the beautiful cleanup!

Check out how beautiful the downstairs courtyard looks now!
 
 
 
Make a Difference Day
Location:
0ld Ebbitt Grill-Washington D.C.
Date: Saturday, October 23, 2010
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Registration Opens at 8:30 a.m.
 
Get Ready! Come with your commitment on how you will make your world a better place. Take a guided tour and service learning walk around the Extra Mile with hundreds of kids of all ages. Join a community service project. Celebrate service with food, special guests, entertainment and festivities.
 
generationOn, supported by Hasbro Children's Fund, will engage hundreds of kids in an on-the-ground, service walk and community project at the Extra Mile: Points of Light Volunteer Pathway, a national monument honoring service leaders in the heart of Washington, D.C.   As the new youth division of Points of Light Institute, its mission is to inspire, equip, and mobilize youth to take action that changes the world and themselves through service. By partnering with teachers, parents, schools, community organizations and businesses, generationOn gives kids the opportunity to see firsthand the issues in their communities and the tools and resources they need to respond and become part of the solution.  
 
 
Attendance is limited so Click here to register or to get more information.  Questions?  Contact Julie Murphy at [email protected] or 202-729-8172.
STAFF PROFILE

Meet Jay Levesque and Bethany Brooks

                                        Chesterbrook's PE Teachers
 


This is Jay Levesque's second year as the full-time PE teacher at Chesterbrook. He has great experience from his previous years as a PE teacher at Marshall Road Elementary.  In addition to the PE program, Mr. Levesque also manages the school and bus patrols (fifth and sixth grade students who help ensure safety for students as they arrive and depart from Chesterbrook), Jump Rope for Heart (a fun school day event which educates students about heart disease and raises money for the American Heart Association) and Field Day (a fun day of outdoor activities for Chesterbrook students).  Joining Mr. Levesque on staff this year, is Bethany Brooks, Chesterbrook's new part-time PE teacher who teaches PE classes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  Ms. Brooks also works as a PE teacher at Stenwood Elementary. Mr. Levesque and Ms. Brooks are great role models who show students how important and fun physical fitness can be.  Please read on to learn more about Mr. Levesque and Ms. Brooks and physical fitness at Chesterbrook.

What activities do Chesterbrook students work on during their PE classes?

"We work on a variety of different activities throughout the year depending on the season.  When the weather is nice we try to get the kids outside to work on sports like flag football, Australian rules football, field evasion games, etc.  When the weather is a little colder we can be found in the gym working on team handball, gymnastics, basketball, bowling, etc.

What kind of background is needed to be a PE teacher

Mr. Levesque: "Most people go to college to become a certified PE teacher, although that is not the only way.  You can become endorsed as a PE teacher if you are a certified classroom teacher by taking a test called the Praxis II.  More importantly, you should not only be a good athlete but also a clear communicator.  It is important to be able to break down what is second nature for you so anybody can be successful at that given task."

Ms. Brooks: "Growing up playing sports and being athletic might make someone a natural at performing skills.  However, with physical education an interest in people and health is just as important.  Teaching and coaching are so different, so having an arsenal of teaching skills, models, and ideas is crucial.  I think a PE teacher is someone who not only loves being active but also strives to share that interest with others."

How did you get interested in becoming a PE teacher?

Mr. Levesque: "Growing up with many learning disabilities I always felt that the gym was where I thrived.  I still worked hard to overcome many of those disabilities and graduated with a BS in economics from Frostburg State University.  After that I received my master's in teaching students with severe emotional and behavioral disabilities from GW.  During my internship my principal saw in me what I saw in myself when I was younger; I thrived while in the gym.  I was hired on a provisional license, took my course work and now have the greatest job in the world!!!"

Ms. Brooks: "I had a PE teacher in 4th grade named Mrs. Lewis.  I thought she was amazing, fun and wonderful; and that if I was ever going to be a teacher I would like to be like her.  I grew up playing softball and basketball and I played rugby for UNC in college.  I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do after I graduated with a degree in Exercise Science, but I knew I loved to work with kids and I loved sports.  My two interests kind of met in the middle with Physical Education.  After my first year of teaching I knew it was for me. I just finished my Master's Degree in Physical Education and Sports Studies with a concentration in Adapted Physical Education in Georgia at UGA.  I'm really happy to be at Chesterbrook and I agree with Mr. Levesque: I have the greatest job in the world." 

Do you have suggestions about physical fitness for Chesterbrook students?

Mr. Levesque:  "Get out and play every day.  I live by the self-made motto: Earn your shower daily!  This is not to advise you to not take showers rather to get outside, work up a sweat and earn it!

Ms. Brooks:  "Find activities you love and be active.  Don't be afraid to try new things."

What makes sports/physical activity fun for you?

Mr. Levesque:  "The creativity is what makes physical activity fun for me.  Pedro, my old soccer coach would say, 'A painter gets paid minimum wages for painting a whole house, but Picasso made art priceless on small canvases.  They both start with the same tools but Picasso used his creativity to make beautiful masterpieces.'  I view the field as my canvas while playing and a game as my opportunity to express myself."

Ms. Brooks: "The competition.  I love the feeling you get when you are up to bat or about to shoot a free-throw, especially when the game is really close and the seconds are running down.  I also love team sports because everyone is a vital part of a moving machine.  Some of my best friends are people I have played on teams with." 

Why does Chesterbrook Elementary School participate in Jump Rope for Heart (JRFH)? 

Mr. Levesque:  "Chesterbrook participates in the JRFH program because it is important, fun, challenging, gets the kids heart rates up and in one way or another heart disease has effected all in our community and county.  It is important to get behind a great program and give it your all."

Tell us about yourself!

Mr. Levesque:  "The year I was born I was the biggest baby born at Fairfax Hospital weighing in at 11 lbs 2 oz.  After being overweight at birth, I made a decision on day one to live a healthy and active lifestyle.  I love to play all types of sports and try to get out on a daily basis to play Aussie Rules football, soccer, swim, workout or play pickup basketball.  My favorite foods are lobster and pizza.  I do want to end by saying I absolutely love it here and picture myself being Chesterbrook's PE teacher for MANY years to come.  The kids are great, parents are supportive, administration knows how to lead, and the staff are very knowledgeable.  What more could a guy want!"

Ms. Brooks: "I grew up a military brat.  My family moved 16 times by the time I started my freshman year of college.  I have three younger sisters and one brother-in-law.  My family is now in Centreville.  I love to draw, paint, sculpt, decorate, doodle, cook, etc.  I have always thought of myself as right brained.  I also love to run, hula hoop, box and I will try any sport.  I was so happy to find that there was an opening at Chesterbrook.  I had always heard great things.  The staff, administration and parents have been amazing.  I am so happy to be here and feel really fortunate to have found such a great fit."       
THE INSIDERS GUIDE TO THE CHINESE FLES PROGRAM
First through fourth grade Chesterbrook students are participating in the Chinese FLES Program.  Are you new to the school and wondering about this program?  Please read on for more information.

What is Chesterbrook's Chinese FLES Program?
 
FLES is an acronym that stands for Foreign Language in the Elementary School.  It is an approach to language learning that allows students to develop basic communicative skills in a language while reinforcing and enriching content in other disciplines. Through a special Congressional Grant, Chesterbrook 1st through 4th grade students are enrolled in Mandarin Chinese FLES classes, taught by Mrs. Annie Chou.  Fairfax County Public Schools offer the FLES program because research studies have indicated that the early study of a second language results in cognitive benefits, gains in academic achievement, and increases in self-esteem, creativity, and positive attitudes toward diversity.
 
What does the FCPS FLES model look like?

The FCPS FLES model develops students' language proficiency by providing language instruction that supports the concepts taught in the subject areas at the respective grade level. The FLES (Foreign Language in Elementary School) is organized by the department of foreign language. Mrs. Chou meets with students twice a week for thirty minutes. The teaching is all done in Chinese. Students start to appreciate learning Chinese and try to understand my instructions.  She incorporates math skills and concepts, plans to incorporate Language Arts and social studies vocabulary. 

With increasing awareness of language importance and Mandarin being the number one most spoken language in the world, many schools in big cities are starting to offer Mandarin classes. Mrs. Chou loves working at Chesterbrook, a place where parents and students know the importance of learning languages.

What advice does Mrs. Chou have to help students with the Chinese program?

In class: 
  • Watch carefully what the teacher is doing and showing
  • Listen to students who might are helping telling the class what have been said
  • Participate  
Outside of the class:
  • Make copies of last year's folder if you can, I will always review what we've learned and then build on to that. Students can always refer to what they have learned by looking back at the pages for reminders.
  • Check your Blackboard Account for new postings and monthly news on what we've learned in Chinese class.  
How can you access materials to help your child with their Chinese studies?

Mrs. Chou uses www.betterchinese.com for her lessons and materials for the second, third and fourth grade students.  Parents can sign up for a free trial account to access online lessons and to view and purchase books and other learning materials.  The Chesterbrook Book Fair will also be selling some Chinese learning materials. Interested in getting more involved, check out this article written last year, by Chesterbrook Parent Susan Garrahan. 
 
If you have questions about the Chinese FLES program or the  Better Chinese site please email Mrs. Chou at [email protected].
UPCOMING EVENTS
Oct 5                           Community Engagement Forum
 

Oct 7                           Fall Picture Day

Oct 10 - 15                 Nat'l School Lunch Week & Custodian Appreciation Week

Oct 11                         Columbus Day Holiday -- no school

Oct 12                         PTA meeting 8:30 am (Media Center)

Oct 12                         Principal's Coffee 1-2 pm

Oct 14                         Wimpy Kid orders due

Oct 15                         Reflections submissions due

Oct 22                         School Outreach donations due

Oct 23                         Community Engagement Forum 

Oct 23                         Make a Difference Day
 

Oct 25 - Nov 1            Chesterbrook Book Fair

Oct 26                         Magic Show Assemblies 8:40 & 9:50 
                                    
PM-K invited to attend either show with parent or caretaker

Volunteers Needed for the Health Room

 

The Chesterbrook Elementary School Health Room is seeking parent volunteers for assistance when the school is conducting vision/hearing screenings, for occasional help if Mrs. Matammu, the Chesterbrook School Health Aide, is scheduled to be out (e.g., for a doctor's appointment), and to help with administrative duties.  In order to participate, volunteers must go through free training conducted by the Fairfax County Health Department.   

 
Upcoming training opportunities include:
 
Friday, October 8th
Mount Vernon District Office, Rm 220
8350 Richmond HIghway
Alexandria, VA
9am - 11am
          or
Oakton Library
Meeting Room 1&2
10304 Lynnhaven Place
Oakton, VA
10 am - 12 pm

 
Thursday, October 21st
Springfield District Office
Wing A Conference Room
8136 Old Keene Mill Road
Springfield, VA
9:30 am - 12 pm
 
Wednesday, November 17th
Herndon-Reston District Office
Multipurpose Room 1st Floor
1850 Cameron Glen Drive
Reston, VA
12 - 2 pm
 
Once you've completed training, let Chesterbrook's front office know by emailing [email protected].  If you've already completed training in a prior year, you do not need to take additional training.   This job is a small time commitment, but is a great help to the school and to our children!  

What Do Our Kids Need to Succeed in the World After High School?

The Fairfax Education Summit will tackle this topic on Saturday, October 16, at Robinson Secondary School from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.  Hosted by the Fairfax County School Board, the event will feature a keynote presentation by Ken Kay, a nationally known leader in bringing 21st century skills into education and preparing every child to succeed in the new global economy.

In this lively summit, all participants--parents, teachers, principals, students, business leaders, civic leaders, PTA leaders, and college and university leaders--will be discussing how FCPS can better prepare our students for the future. 

For more details, including registration logistics, please visit http://www.fcps.edu/news/summit.htm

 Community Engagement Forums
Board of Supervisor Chairman Sharon Bulova and School Board Chairman Kathy Smith will co-host two Community Engagment Forums in October:  Tuesday, October 5 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Fairfax County Government Center; and Saturday, October 23 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Hayfield Secondary School.
ADVERTISING GUIDELINES
If you would like to include an ad in the Chronicle, please email [email protected]. In keeping with our goal to support the Chesterbrook community, classified ads must be relevant and fit within these guidelines.    
  • Ads will be placed on a space available, first come first served basis. We reserve the right to edit or refuse any classified ad. 
  • Ads are offered free of charge to Chesterbrook students, staff, parents, or alumni. 
  • For businesses not associated with Chesterbrook students, staff, parents, or alumni, we only consider ads that have an educational value or would be of benefit to our member community.  A $10 donation to the PTA is requested with each ad.
Disclaimer:  The posting of advertising on this site does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the Chesterbrook PTA of the advertiser.  The content of all advertisements is that of the advertiser alone and the Chesterbrook PTA does not assume responsibility for such content nor does it verify the accuracy of or exert editorial control over such content. The decision to view and/or act upon any advertising is that of the viewer and the Chesterbrook PTA shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused by or associated in any way with such advertising or any action taken in connection therewith.

LOCAL ARTISANS, WRITERS AND VENDORS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MCLEAN HS BAZAAR  

 

MHS Bazaar Logo

The McLean HS Bazaar, to be held on Saturday, December 9th, is a community event sponsored by the McLean HS Boosters.  Last year, over 65 vendors participated and hundreds of local families attended this remarkable event!  The Band Fruit Sale will be occurring on the same festive day. 
 
Don't delay, reserve your space today! Click here to get more information or to print out the reservation form.  Contact Linda Ristig  for more information. 
 
 Child Care Available
 

Former Chesterbrook family in Franklin Park employs a terrific care-giver part-time in the afternoons from 2-6.  She is looking for work - child care, cleaning, or running errands - in the mornings.  If interested, call Theresa Williams at 240-432-6086.  For a reference, please call Karen Solomon at 703-538-7131.

Chesterbrook Chronicle Newsletter Disclaimer
 
The Chesterbrook PTA Chronicle Newsletter may contain external links to non-Chesterbrook ES PTA web sites and access to certain third-party services, which may include, without limitation, social bookmarking services. These external links and services are provided as a convenience, and the Chesterbrook ES PTA is not responsible for the content of any linked web site or use of any third-service service. Any external link to a non-Chesterbrook ES PTA web site or service accessed from the Chesterbrook PTA Chronicle Newsletter is independent from the Chesterbrook ES PTA, and the Chesterbrook ES PTA has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, privacy policy, terms of use and practices of such web site or service.  Any such web site or service has terms of use and a privacy policy different from the Chesterbrook ES PTA's privacy policy.  In addition, an external link to any non-Chesterbrook ES PTA web site or access to a third-party service does not imply that the Chesterbrook ES PTA endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content or use of such web site or service. By using any such web site or service, you expressly release the Chesterbrook ES PTA from any liability arising from your use of such third-party web site and service and any related content