Official Chesterbrook PTA Logo
 
In this issue
Before- and After-School Activities
International Night
Storytelling Night
Kindergarten Orientation
Adults Only Spring Social
Friends of Chesterbrook
Financial Planning for Families with Special Needs Students
Chess Club Opportunity
REACH Volunteers Needed
Band Concert Photo
SCA Spirit Day Photos
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Like us on Facebook
Gold and Platinum Business Friends



FAQs
Question: I've heard about the Principal's Coffees but I'm not sure if I am the intended audience. Is everyone invited?

Answer:  Everyone is welcome to attend the bi-monthly Principal's Coffees! Each month Mr. Fuqua focuses on a topic that affects many families. The next coffee, on Feb. 15 at 11 am, will focus on the technology used at the school. Come learn about all the amazing new technology your kids are using at this informative session with Mr. Fuqua and Mr. Kohls.

Check out our new FAQs section on the website for more as the year goes on. Send any questions to  Ask Chester and we'll answer them here and/or on the website.
Chesterbrook PTA Weekly Digest

No. 18, January 30, 2012    

 

Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend! Here's what's ahead:  

       

  • International Night, Friday, 2/3, 6 pm, details below  
  • School Counseling Week, 2/6 - 2/10 
  • PTA Meeting, Tuesday, 2/7, 8:30 am
  • Cultural Arts "Magpie" Tuesday, 2/7, 8:45 am grade K-3, 9:45 am grade 4-6 
  • Jim Weiss Story Telling Family Fun Event, Friday, 2/10, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, details below   
  • Online Auction opens, Sunday, 2/12  
  • Principal's Coffee, Wednesday, 2/15, 11 am
  • Girls on the Run Registration begins, 2/21 
  • Fun Fair, Saturday, 3/10, 10 am - 2 pm
  • Kindergarten Orientation, Tuesday, 3/13, 7 - 8 pm 

 

After-School Activity Registration
YogaRegistration for January sessions of before and after school activities continues on the PTA website. There is still space in Yoga for K-2 and 3-6.

We are also pleased to announce that we will be offering Spanish for Kindergartners on Wednesdays!
  • The Chesterbrook PTA, in conjunction with the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Office of Adult and Community Education (ACE), will offer the following Foreign Language Classe after school beginning February 15 for 10 weeks with no class on April 4 and 11.
  • Sessions will be Wednesdays from 3:25 - 4:25pm
  • Instructors are employed by and the curriculum is set by Fairfax County
  • The cost will be $129 per student
  • Maximum of 15 students
  • Registration closes February 8th 
If your student has taken a FLEX program in the past, FLEX guidelines recommend that they will still benefit from the same class twice! If you would like more information on FLEX, please visit the main web page for the program, contact our FLEX chairs, or  After School Activities Chair if you have any questions.GOTR logo

Also, Girls on the Run will register again through their website, www.gotrnova.org, beginning February 21.





 InternationalInternational Night

The second annual International Night takes place this Friday (February 3rd) in the cafeteria from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend this family fun event which celebrates the wide variety of cultures represented at our school. So far we have 20 families representing 17 countries from Asia, South America, Australia and Europe. These volunteers will be providing bite-size snacks from their countries - as well as sharing fun facts, photographs, music, art and much more. Anyone interested in "hosting" a country table at the event - it's not too late. We also still need some volunteers to help with set-up and break down. Sign-up on our  International Night Sign-up Genius or contact Nancy Stuckwisch, International Night Committee Chair. We look forward to seeing you and your family there!


 StorytellingStorytelling Night
Chesterbrook families and friends are invited to a Storytelling Evening with Jim Weiss brought to you by our PTA on Friday, February 10th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Chesterbrook Elementary School cafeteria. Kids are welcome to bring a comfy blanket, quilt or flat pillow to sit on to get up close to the action. 

Jim Weiss is a renowned, award-winning storyteller whose "ear for dramatic tension, versatility in creating characters and flawless storyteller's rhythms work magic... even adults will find it difficult not to be caught up in the spell."  Hearing well-told stories can help with reading comprehension as a child learns the structure of stories and develops the listening skills associated with hearing a story told or read aloud.  At our event, Jim will tell several stories designed to entertain and appeal to kids of all ages.

We hope you and your family can join us for an evening of engaging stories and community fun!  
Kindergarten Orientation
Parents of children who will turn 5 by Sept. 30, 2012 and live in the school's boundary are invited to join this orientation on March 13th from 7 - 8 pm in the school's cafeteria. This parent information meeting will provide an overview of the kindergarten curriculum and help prepare parents of kindergarteners for this new chapter in their child's life. Please let your neighbors know about the event!
Save the Date - Adults Only Spring Social - April 28


Join us for a night of music, food, wine and fun


featuring Chesterbrook's very own Veronneau
 

                      "An acoustic, song-based group playing 
                     Latin Jazz, Gypsy Swing and much more"

www.veronneaumusic.com
 

Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 8-11 p.m.
 

                     The Penthouse at Vinson Hall

(located right next to Chesterbrook Elementary)

Additonal details and tickets will be available in March. 

Book your sitters now!
FriendsChesterbrook Friends
We are hoping ur Friends of Chesterbrook fundraising program continues to grow...Will your name be here next week? Read our flyer here or visit our website. Spread the word! If you have questions or would like to get involved, contact Bob Nelson.
Financial Planning for Families with Special Needs Students

On Thursday, Feb. 2nd from 7:00-8:30 p.m. the Arlington County Family Network PTA will host a presentation by Christopher Waddell at Washington-Lee High School on Future Planning for Families with Special Needs. What financial issues or plans should a family with a child with special needs consider? What tax saving strategies are there for families with medical needs, and what can I deduct this year? What are the legal and financial issues I need to consider as my child transitions out of high school?  For more information on this meeting and its presenter, Christopher Waddell, please visit  http://www.familynetwork-arlington.org/

Friday Afternoon Chess Club - Great Falls Library
For the children who could not be in Chesterbrook's after school chess club, we've heard of an opportunity for all ages to play. The Friday Afternoon Chess Club meets at Great Falls Library every Friday from 1:00 - 5:30 pm. All ages and all skill levels welcome. Chess sets are provided, or you may bring your own. Location: Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA.  Call 703-757-8560 for more information. Please note that the Chesterbrook PTA does not sponsor, manage, or endorse this program; we're just passing along the details.
REACH Volunteers Needed
REACH (Resource Enrichment at Chesterbrook) has been extended from 20 minute to 30 minute blocks this school year. REACH (available for grades 1-6) has added some new opportunities like working in the gardens to enrich our students' environmental awareness. Due to extended time and more activities, REACH is looking for parent volunteers. If interested, please contact Bethany Brooks, the in-school coordinator, or your Homeroom teacher.
Band Concert Photo

Chesterbrook Beginning Band, Advanced Band and the super advanced Chipmunk Band entertained students and families last week.   Great concert Ms. Odmark and Ms. Denson!!

Students Showed their Spirit on Decades Day
Chesterbrook students and teachers represented a variety of decades on School Spirit Day, January 27th.  The Student Council (SCA) publicizes their Spirit Days (generally held the last Friday of the month) via posters and the morning news program. 
          decades day 1 jan 2012  decades day 2 jan 2012
Like us on FacebookCheck out the Chesterbrook PTA Facebook page! We'll keep you up to date and in the know! 

Chesterbrook PTA Newsletters Disclaimer

The Chesterbrook PTA Newsletter (Weekly Digest and Digest PLUS) may contain external links to non-Chesterbrook ES PTA websites 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 website or use of any third-service service. Any external link to a non-Chesterbrook ES PTA website or service accessed from the Chesterbrook PTA 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 website or service.  Any such website 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 website 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 website or service.  By using any such website or service, you expressly release the Chesterbrook ES PTA from any liability arising from your use of such third-party website and service and any related content.