Chesterbrook PTA Friday Digest

The Friday Digest National PTA Logo

Pertinent Points for the Week Ahead
from the Chesterbrook PTA

Vol.2, No.16

January 21, 2011

And the big THANK YOUs this week go to:

Joy Molony and Rick Barnard for working with Whole Foods to set up our demonstration last night. We all learned that making a lunch isn't so bad and can be fun and nutritious for the kids.
Our web editor, Julie Hay, for managing the online signups and database work for before- and after-school programs and Fitness Warriors manager, Eleanor Gollob, for taking on a program without realizing the exponential growth that was coming.
Jennifer Barrett and Nancy Trainer for taking the lead in the efforts to push for full day kindergarten.

In other big news, Chesterbrook has again qualified for the Governor's Award for Educational Excellence. To qualify "schools and school divisions must meet all state and federal achievement benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and achieve applicable excellence goals for elementary reading [and a number of non-elementary goals]. Schools and school divisions also earn bonus points for other performance measures, including the Governor's Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard." We are among only 110 schools in Virginia to achieve this highest level of the Virginia Index of Performance awards. The only other school in our pyramid that qualified is Longfellow; Churchill Road, Haycock, Kent Gardens, Lemon Road, and McLean High earned Board of Education Excellence Awards. Congratulations to Mr. Fuqua and his entire team!

Finally, please plan to come to the February 8 general membership PTA meeting at 7:30 pm. After some quick PTA business, we will have a presentation by Julia Seroskie and Rachel Shutt of MassMutual on financial planning for college. See below for more information.

To Do This Week

Sign Up for Before- and After-School Activities

Please note that Beginning Drama is at risk of cancellation. We need 2-3 more students to keep the class running. Tell your friends if you've already signed up and encourage them to do so too! As of today, we have only 5 boys and girls enrolled, so sign up soon!

The following classes are still available for registration on the PTA website afterschool activities page:

Art Outreach, grades K-6, Mondays, 2:05 pm, 1/24 - 5/2, $190.
Beginning Drama, grades 3-6, Mondays, 1 - 2 pm, 1/24 - 5/2, $83.
Yoga, grades 3-6, Thursdays, 3:25 - 4:25 pm, 1/13 - 3/17, $110.

We have changed our Emergency Form procedures. Please complete this Emergency Form and submit to the school office prior to the first day of class. Submission of the form does not constitute enrollment.

Support Full Day Kindergarten

Over the last 2 months a groundswell of support has grown for implementing full day kindergarten in the remaining 37 schools (of 139 elementary schools) in Fairfax County. Fairfax for Full Day Kindergarten--comprising parents, administrators, and teachers--has a website, Facebook page, has met with School Board members and County Supervisors, has secured major press coverage for an informational summit next week, and has even ensured a bill will be introduced in the Virginia legislature. These people mean business!

And at the informational summit meeting Tuesday evening School Board members, who all support the implementation of FDK, said it is critical that the public come to the Budget Hearing next Monday evening at Luther Jackson Middle School to show support. They need to hear and see support from not just parents of preschoolers but other parents and citizens who don't have children in public schools. Please contact Jennifer Barrett or Nancy Trainer for more information or to get involved.

You can also sign the petition -- they had been gathering signatures at a rate of over 100 per day, and took in 1,000 yesterday alone!

Go International

International Night on Friday, February 4 is shaping up to be an exciting event!
Join us as we sample food and have fun with an amazing array of countries, including Finland, Taiwan, South Africa and Cuba, and 10 more! We almost have every (inhabited) continent represented. Mark your calendars for some family fun. There is still time to volunteer -- contact Nancy Stuckwisch.

Help with Online Auction

In case you missed the email or flyer, 2011 Chesterbrook PTA Online Auction opens in 3 weeks on February 13th!

We have over 120 items, but we need hundreds more. If you aren't able to solicit new donations, we have would love some assistance with former auction donors who have not yet donated this year. We have a list but there aren't enough hours in the day for our small committee to get to all of them.

If you can help solicit new donations, all you need is a Donor Form to donate an item or request a donation. Please visit the PTA's auction website for more details. Or you can request a contribution - If a business would prefer to make a donation, they can be a Business Friend of Chesterbrook. All you need is a Friends Agreement. For more information visit the Friend's website.

Thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to your participation in the fundraiser. If you have questions, please contact us at auctions@chesterbrook.org. Julia Nelson (703-534-2611) and the Auction Team--Delia Swigart, Solicitations, andLori Boerner, Marketing

Plan for College...Now

One financial goal that most parents share is a college education for their children. With college costs increasing at a faster rate than general inflation, saving for college can be a daunting task. You can, however, pursue this important financial goal by establishing a plan and taking action today. Join us for a special educational workshop where you'll learn about:

Current and Future College costs
Sources of college funds
Financial aid, scholarships, and loans
529 plans and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
Investment options for college savings

Sponsored by Julia Seroskie and Rachel Shutt of MassMutual Financial Group on February 8, 7:30 pm in the Media Center. Feel free to bring any guests who might be interested.

Help with Fun Fair

Time to upgrade your Wii system, cleaning house or just feeling generous this holiday season? The Fun Fair Co-Chairs are looking for a new or used Wii system to use at Fun Fair and would like to avoid having to buy one. Contact Trisha Downey or Kim Johnson if you have one available to donate.

We're also looking for a Volunteer Lunch Coordinator, Kindergarten Corner Coordinator (new area just for our younger kids), and Balloon Raffle Co-Chair (along with Kim Osborne, who's been doing it for years!).

Looking for a different way to contribute to Fun Fair? We are looking for vendors to sell their goods/products at our Fun Fair Boutique, as well as a Boutique Alley Supervisor. Space is limited so contact the committee today if you are interested in having a table or know of someone who would like to vend at our Fun Fair.

Attend "Race to Nowhere" Screening, Round 2