Calling ALL Parents.......Join!  Everyone Welcome!

By: Maryam Redjaee, Vice President Membership

A parent asked me last spring how I got so involved with the PTA. I simply replied that I signed up on-line to be a member and showed up to a meeting. The website stated that "everyone is welcome!" That statement is really true here at Chesterbrook Elementary.

What I didn't share with that parent is that our family was brand new to the school and I did not know a single person before attending my first meeting. We have such an amazing PTA community that warmly opens the door and welcomes everyone!  

Currently we have a 78% participation rate with 328 families that have joined. Our goal is always an ambitious 100%, so if you haven't done so, please consider joining today by clicking here for the PTA membership form.  Memberships are $20 per family or $10 for an individual membership.  Please be sure to click on the final 'place order' button to be sure the transaction goes through.
 
By joining the Chesterbrook PTA, you become part of an organization dedicated to maintaining quality educational and enrichment programs in your child's school. PTA dues help fund computer lab purchases, cultural events, field trips, classroom materials, staff development and many other worthwhile projects. PTA members receive a free copy of the Family Directory. Non-members may purchase a copy of the Directory for $8.00.

Questions?  Please contact me at membership@chesterbrookpta.org

McLean Youth Basketball Joins PTA and Chesterbrook Staff at Friends of Gym Signing Ceremony August 2011

By: Elizabeth Ende, Co-Editor, PTA Digest PLUS

Exciting news from our summer vacation! In August, the Chesterbrook PTA teamed up with McLean Youth Basketball (MYB) to replace Chesterbrook Elementary's gym floor. The new floor is made from a vinyl/composite material which resembles hardwood flooring in appearance, but has a surface texture that provides traction and a slight spongy composition that provides cushioning. 

Says Beth Mahood, Chesterbrook PTA President, "The new gym floor is beautiful! Perhaps the best part is that we did it together. We had volunteers research & coordinate the plan and then work to see it through. We also had McLean Youth Basketball generously split the costs, and finally we had the school administration which coordinated & oversaw the work. All before school started in September! We are greater than the sum of our parts."

Michael McEnearney Chairman, McLean Youth Basketball said "McLean Youth Basketball was proud to contribute almost $20,000 for the renovation of the gym floor at Chesterbrook Elementary.   A major goal of our program is to help schools that provide us with space to practice and play basketball in maintaining and improving their athletic facilities. It was a pleasure working with both the PTA and the school administration at Chesterbrook to coordinate raising the money and scheduling the renovation. It really was a pleasure working with everyone at Chesterbrook and I think it was a great example for how community and school organizations can work together for the benefit of everyone."

Fitness Warriors Enjoying New Gym Floor

Chesterbrook's PE instructors, Miss Brooks and Mr. Levesque, said, "We are so excited to have a premier gym floor installed at Chesterbrook. We are hoping that this flooring leads to increased traction while playing games which will lead to improved game play during PE. It honestly looks great and we have already received tons of compliments from students and teachers alike. We would like to thank the PTA, administration and the McLean community for putting fitness first and making our school even better."

Know the difference between a net asset and a cash balance? The PTA needs you! Longtime Treasurer, Laura Przypyszny, is at her last year at Chesterbrook and we are looking for not just one, but two financially savvy souls to shadow Laura this year and take over the Treasurer position next year. If you have an accounting background and good attention to detail (CPAs welcome!), we'd love your help with bookkeeping, financial statements, payments processing, check writing, and other tasks. Knowledge of Excel is useful; QuickBooks can be learned. Bonus: much of the work can be done at home in off-hours at your convenience. Extra bonus: you will be playing a vital role in helping the PTA manage its money, which helps our school and children in so many ways. For more information please contact Laura at treasurer@chesterbrookpta.org

Glorious Gardens at Chesterbrook

 

By: Gina Manning, Co-Editor, PTA Digest PLUS
  

Under sunny skies on Sunday, September 11, over 50 Chesterbrook students, parents, teachers and staff plus about 25 college students from George Washington University helped pull weeds and lay new mulch all over the school. The school's inner "art courtyard," outdoor side gardens, raised beds in back and other areas received some TLC in preparation for winter.  

Now in its second year, the garden clean-up activity is part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance activity, designed to foster a spirit of community in the aftermath of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. 
Organized by Chesterbrook's Health and Gardens Committee, the garden clean-up was spearheaded by Jennifer Ellis, with Rick Barnard and Candace Stromberg-Soberman, and was well represented by students from all grade levels. Students in 6th grade and up gained valuable community service credit for their participation, but all grade levels enjoyed a satisfying day of dirt-digging.

Check out the beautiful (weed-free!) courtyards, yards and garden spaces the next time you're at school and stay tuned for more family-friendly garden volunteer activities this spring.  Also, the FCPS news Channel 21 will begin airing a segment on this volunteer project on October 3rd. For more information, visit www.fcps.edu/mediapub/cable-tv/schoolscene/index.htm. 

The PTA School Outreach Committee's fall collection is underway. Please consider donating your gently used childrens winter clothing to students at neighboring schools in Arlington and Fairfax counties. While we will gladly accept any childrens winter clothing in good condition, we received specific requests for the following clothing items:
 

- Girls sweaters sizes 5/6, 8/10, 12/14, and 14/16;

- Girls jackets sizes 5/6, 8/10, and 12/14;

- Boys sweaters sizes 5/6 and 12; and

- Boys jackets sizes 5/6 and 12/14.

On Sunday, October 2, MPAartfest will transform      McLean Central Park into a lively landscape of mini art galleries showcasing and offering for sale the work of a diverse group of 46 juried artists. MPAartfest includes activities to captivate art-lovers of all ages.

• Stroll along the Children's ArtWalk and experience the work of budding young artists from McLean area schools, including Chesterbrook. (The 15 Chesterbrook students whose artwork will be displayed in the show were sent home a certificate in their September 22nd Thursday envelope).
• Check out the mini-galleries in McLean Central Park filled with paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, photography and fine crafts by more than 40 regional artists, offered for sale.
• Visit Innovation Station, the children's art tent so your own little Picasso can create a work to take home.
• Keep the beat with live musical performances by local professional musicians and community groups at the Gazebo all day long.
• Treat yourself to delicious snacks from Lebanese Taverna, J. Gilbert's, Greenberry's, Old Fashioned Kettle Korn, Nourish Market, Armand's Pizza and more!
• Enjoy a great day with your family outdoors!

For more information, please visit www.mpaart.org/artfest.php

By: Raquel Willerman
 

Take a minute to get to know the new people at Chesterbrook, and the old people who are doing new things!
 

Staff New to Chesterbrook:
 

Ms. Carinda Pursley is Chesterbrook's new Kindergarten teacher. She comes to us from Richmond, VA where she worked in several elementary Title 1 schools.   Originally from Arlington, VA, Ms. Pursley is really excited to be back in Northern Virginia and part of Chesterbrook's transition to full day Kindergarten. Don't forget to ask Ms. Pursely about Elly-May, her new kitten who is getting into lots of trouble. Did you know that Ms. Pursley's favorite book is Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag? It was her mother's favorite book too.

Ms. Janine Somers is a new first grade teacher at Chesterbrook, but she isn't new to Chesterbrook or to teaching. Ms. Somers is an alumnus of Chesterbrook Elementary herself as well as being a Chesterbrook parent! She has a child in the 5th, 4th, and 3rd grades. Ms. Somers taught sixth grade at Haycock Elementary for 10 years and keyboarding at Longfellow Middle School for three years. After eight years of substitute teaching so she could spend more time with her kids, she loves being with the first graders! She says it is a joy to watch them discover and learn.

Ms. Lauren Miller is very excited to be working with the best third graders ever! Coming to the area from Virginia Tech, she is thrilled to be getting to know the wonderful community of Northern Virginia. She has two younger sisters and they are all Virginia Tech Hokies. She loves animals and has three cats. Ms. Miller is really looking forward to GRECO day at Chesterbrook because one of her favorite memories about being in the third grade herself was when they learned about ancient civilizations and got to dress up in costumes and try foods from the different cultures.

Ms. Peggy Leung is Chesterbrook's new Chinese teacher. She comes to us from Minnesota where she taught Chinese for four years. She majored in elementary education because she loves children so much. Ms. Leung is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach her native language and culture to children here at Chesterbrook.

Ms. Lauren Cross is a new art teacher at Chesterbrook. She's originally from Northern Virginia but spent the last several years in Rochester, NY studying art education. She loves both making art and teaching art. Recently, Ms. Cross finished a series of paper art works that were inspired by children's stories. Her favorite mediums are papermaking, bookmaking and printmaking. She is excited to be part of such a great school and help all her students get excited about art!

Ms. Sarah Saferstein is a new speech therapist at Chesterbrook. She earned her Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Toledo in Ohio and is so excited to be working in Northern Virginia. Don't be surprised if you see Ms. Saferstein tap dancing down the halls because she has studied tap dance for most of her life. She also loves to travel.

Ms. Kristina Martell is Chesterbrook's new school psychologist. She had been a psychologist with Fairfax County schools for five years before taking last year off to stay home with her first baby, Lillie. She finds the Chesterbrook community warm and welcoming and looks forward to helping the kids succeed in school. Ever since Ms. Martell was a child, she has loved science and participating in science fairs. She is proud of receiving 3rd place for a science project on tulips when she was in the 4th grade. When she's not working at Chesterbrook, you might find her and little Lillie taking Sheba, their big dog, on a walk. 

Ms. Jennifer Strong has been a special education teacher at Chesterbrook for the past six years. She is excited to be one of the four full day Kindergarten teachers this year so she can share her love of reading, art and other fun topics with the children!

Ms. Mary Jo Market has been an Intervention Specialist at Chesterbrook long before the county created the REACH program. She loved working with K-6 students, but is excited to have taken the job of Instructional Aide to the Kindergartners this year.   She loves watching them grow as they move through the year.

Ms. Mary Johnson was a first grade teacher at Chesterbrook last year. This year she is part of the second grade team. She can't wait for some of the upcoming units and projects such as, comparing fairy tales from around the world, performing the Second Grade Showcase, writing to class pen pals, and sending Flat Stanley across the US!

Ms. Shirin Safire says, "I was an Instructional Assistant to the hard-working professionals of the 4th Grade Team. This year, I have transitioned to the bustling world of Kindergarten Aide. I am looking forward to the curiosity and energy of Chesterbrook's youngest students!"

Ms. Meghan Sawyer is teaching second grade this year after being a special education teacher at Chesterbrook for five years. She's really enjoying getting to know her wonderful class and working with the second grade team.

Ms. Annie Chou-Wiens says, "I used to be the Chinese teacher at Chesterbrook. This year I am the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher. I miss seeing all the children I've taught for the last two years, but I enjoy working with my current students and look forward to seeing the progress they will make!"

Also, Chesterbrook is lucky to have four teachers who have increased their commitment to Chesterbrook from part-time to full-time. Ms. Sheila Wynne, a Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Ruth Ott, and kindergarten aide, Ms.Casey Loftus, a counselor, and Ms. Bethany Brooks in PE are all full-time staff now.

Thank you to ALL the staff at Chesterbrook, old and new, for what you do for our kids!

Sep 30                 SCA Spirit Day - Tie Day
 

Oct 2                   MPAartfest
 

Oct 6                   Fall Picture Day
 

Oct 10 - 14          Nat'l School Lunch & Custodian Appreciation Week
 

Oct 10                 Columbus Day Holiday -- No School
 

Oct 11                 PTA meeting 8:30 am (Media Center)
 

Oct 12                 Principal's Coffee 2 pm

Oct 18                 Pre-orders Due for Diary of a Wimpy Kid #6

Oct 22                 National Make a Difference Day
 

Oct 28                 Deadline for Submitting Box Tops for Fall Campaign
 

Oct 31 - Nov 7     Chesterbrook PTA Book Fair