Chesterbrook PTA Friday Digest

The Friday Digest National PTA Logo

Pertinent Points for the Week Ahead
from the Chesterbrook PTA

Vol.2, No.27

May 20, 2011

We hope everyone enjoyed Movie Night last Friday. Thanks to Melissa House for all her research and preparations for the outdoor aspect, even though we had to move inside, and for all her planning and popping. Let's hope for better weather next year!

We are pleased to announce that McLean Youth Basketball has agreed to share in the costs of replacing our gym floor. Our general membership will vote on a budget amendment at our June 14 meeting to fund our portion. We hope to get the renovation completed by early fall. We will also be voting on a budget amendment to allocate funds to install an outdoor volleyball court adjacent to the soccer fields, as well as our new slate of officers. Please review the attached Budget Amendment Proposal for both amendments and let Laurie Plishker know if you have any questions or concerns.

On another note, due to a labor-intensive system, ongoing collection problems, and technical problems, the PTA will no longer be accepting personal checks on orders placed through the website. PayPal will allow you to use your bank account to pay for online orders using an E-check system. We will still accept checks at onsite events such as the Book Fair and Open House (for school supply kits and PTA memberships). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Don't forget Spirit Day next Friday, May 27 -- Decades Day -- and the 2-hour early release at 1:20 pm for the Memorial Day holiday.

To Do This Week

Register for Summer Quest

There are still of camps with space available. Don't miss out on the fun (and some learning too!). All classes with low enrollment have been cancelled, so if you haven't heard that yours was cancelled, you're safe! Please send in to the school office your emergency form if you haven't already. And if you did receive notice about a cancellation, please contact summerquest@chesterbrookpta.org as soon as possible so we can place you in another camp. We don't want to lose anyone! Please visit the Chesterbrook PTA website at www.chesterbrookpta.org for more information and register now.

Donate New School Supplies and Gently Used Books--Deadline Extended

Please help us collect items needed by the students of Carlin Springs Elementary School in Arlington and by needy students in our own school pyramid. You can donate new school supplies or gently used chapter books. Please place items in the bin marked School Outreach outside the Media Center by May 25.

Want to help? Delivering donated items our schools is wonderful service-learning opportunity to share with your child. Contact Shawna Saaty or Emily Ludwikowski 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.

Get Ready for the Spring Book Fair

Thanks to everyone who submitted presale orders for the Spring Book Fair. Orders may be picked up at the Fair, May 31-June 2, while you are doing other shopping for summer reading, gifts, travel games, and more! We will not have time to do a reorder on popular titles, so shop early for the best selection.

And you will be helping support the library with materials that support curriculum and operating expenses for the year ahead!

We have a few open volunteer spots. Sign up here! We appreciate your help! Questions? Contact Marsha Camp.

Donate Used School Supplies

Again this year we are collecting gently and slightly used school supplies to send to needy children in Nicaragua. Items can be placed in the box marked "Nicaragua" outside the Media Center through the first 2 weeks of summer. Please tear out used pages of notebooks. Contact Ann-Marie Turnage for more information.

Dispose of Prescriptions

The Safe Community Coalition, of which the PTA is a member, is conducting a Medicine Collection Project in partnership with a number of community-wide agencies. Did you know that improper disposal of expired and unused prescription medicine can lead to: adolescent drug misuse and abuse, accidental intake and poisoning, and environmental damage? Help our community by safely disposing unused or expired medications and participate in our prescription medicine safety awareness campaign. Drop off unused medications at the McLean Community Center (a satellite parking location) on McLean Day, Saturday May 21st, 2011. Please Note: Only medications in liquid or pill form may be dropped off. No needles or pressurized canisters will be accepted.

Other upcoming SCC events include:

Weekend of Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Fairfax Presbyterian Church, May 20-22, various times
Success and the Student Athlete, McLean HS, June 2, 7 pm

Looking Ahead

May 27 Spirit Day: Dress for Decades

May 27, 1:20 pm 2-Hour early release for Memorial Day Weekend

May 30 Memorial Day Holiday

May 31-June 3 Spring Book Fair (volunteer event)

June 2 Cultural Arts assemblies

June 2 6th Grade Science Fair

June 6-10 SCA Canned Food Drive

June 8, 2 & 7 pm Strings concerts

June 9 5th Grade Renaissance Fair

June 9, 2 pm 3rd Grade Concert

June 10, 2:20 pm Band Concert