Official Chesterbrook PTA Logo
 
In This Issue
Chesterbrook Directory - Updates Needed by December 7th
After School Activities - Lottery for Robotics
Shop Amazon thru Chesterbrook Link
Need Holiday Wrapping Paper?
Operation Homefront Food and Toy Colleciton
Alice in Winter Wonderland
Book Fair a Big Success
Later HS Start Times
Science to Amaze is Back
Save the Date: May 3rd for Evening Science Event
Lunchtime Help Needed
Auction Season Approaches
Lost and Found is Overflowing!
McLean HS Holiday Bazaar
Upcoming Events
Digest PLUS editors
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Like us on Facebook
FAQs

Q: Can I give my child's teacher a gift for the holidays?
      

A:  Sure! Teachers love gifts! Some class parents do a class-wide collection for a gift (you can ask the lead room parent if you're not sure what your class is doing).  In other classes, small groups of families go in together, some families go it alone, and some just say, "Enjoy your time away from us!" Whatever you do, know that our teachers are grateful...but that it won't change your grades!
Chesterbrook Business Friends

 

 

 

Jake Sullivan Realtor

 

 

Jake
Sullivan
Realtor

 

 

 

   

JD Callander 2012 image
  
  
  
JD Callander Real Estate

 

 

 

                       Hier Haines black logo 2012 

 

  

 

 

 

 

OnDemand Reources logo 

  

    
    

Fabs cakes logo 2012
FabsCakes, LLC

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chesterbrook PTA Digest PLUS
December 2012  


 
Dear Chesterbrook Families, 

 

As you may have heard, the Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools is set to retire June 30, 2012. A search for Dr. Dale's replacement is underway. You may ask, 'How does this impact us?' Principal Bob Fuqua's reply is that the Superintendent impacts everything. The School Board will interview and select the Superintendent after having gathered information from the community.  For more information and to find ways to be engaged on a change that has long lasting effects on our schools, visit www.fcps.edu/news/suptsearch.shtml.  Community forums are being held this week and you can also fill out an  online survey

 

Closer to home, I invite you to come by the school cafeteria and check out the new steps leading up to the stage which were installed last week. This PTA-funded capital improvement will extend our stage, making it more useable for student performances. While you are there, please check out our new and improved recycling systems and our overflowing lost and found (see photo in article below).

 

The PTA-funded track improvements planned last year were also recently completed, just in time for the annual Turkey Trot. We retained the same environmentally friendly surface materials, but the track has been widened to enable several students to be able to run side by side, rerouted to avoid tree roots and drainage issues and shortened so that it is exactly one quarter of a mile in length. Watch for news about an upcoming event to celebrate our renovated track.

 

Please be sure to keep an eye out for an email regarding the School Directory which will be sent on December 3rd (see article below). 

 

Thank you for all of the enthusiasm and efforts our parents commit to our school and the PTA!

 

Beth Mahood,
President Chesterbrook PTA 

Chesterbrook  Directory - Updates Needed by Dec 7th

The Chesterbrook PTA had to change our plans for producing the annual student and family directoryWe have partnered with A to Z School Directories, the same vendor used by Longfellow and McLean HS.

  

Earlier today (Mon, Dec 3), an email was sent from [email protected] asking parents to verify their family's information. It shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes to verify the data and make edits to information that will be listed in the directory--Please complete the verification & edits by Friday, Dec 7.

 

***If you didn't receive the system email on Monday, December 3, please email [email protected] right away***
 

Thank you for your continued patience and for verifying/editing your family's information by Friday, December 7th. If you have any questions, please contact directory@chesterbrookpta.org.

After School Activities & Details on Grade 2-4 Lottery for Robotics

robotics

A flyer was sent home in the November 29th Thursday folder advising that due to the popularity of the  grades 2-4 science enrichment after school activities (Robotics), we will run a lottery for registration for the winter session.  Please sign up on-line for the specific program you are interested in by December 7 at 10 p.m. by clicking here. Lottery will be conducted and parents informed the week of December 10.  Priority will be given to students who were not enrolled in the fall session. You can register with no cost for the lottery, but you will be expected to pay the fee and complete the emergency contact form if your child is selected in the lottery.  
 
Three activities for upper grades are continuing registration! Electronic Magazine for upper grades began on November 29 but is still open for registration.  Boys Excelling in Science, Technology and Math (BESTEMS) for grades 5 and 6 will start in January.  Please click here to see more information on these winter activities!

 

A new session of Silver Knights chess club will start mid-January, with a few changes to the current format. Chess club for kids in grades K-2 will be on Wednesdays, and for kids in grades 3-6 on Fridays. The Friday class is going to be followed by Tournament Training, as it is now. Younger kids are allowed to participate on Fridays, and older kids are allowed to participate on Wednesdays. The age separation is guideline rather than a rule, and the club will still be structured essentially the way it is now, just with some kids coming on Wednesday and some coming on Friday. 

 

Registration for yoga, fitness warriors, chess club and drama will be held in January.  Stay tuned for more details!   Click here to view the before and after school activities page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. 
Shopping Amazon for the Holidays?  Shop Through Our Link 

amazon.com logoWhen ordering gifts this season, please remember to visit the PTA  website to shop and support Chesterbrook. We can earn between 4% and 10% of every item sold and shipped through our PTA Amazon link depending on the type of product and number of items shipped each month. The more items purchased and shipped, the higher the percentage earned each month. It's as simple as: 

  • Visit the PTA website www.chesterbrookpta.org and click on the Amazon PTA Link in the upper right hand corner ; "book mark it" or "add to your favorites" for easy access in the future.
  • Use the PTA Amazon.com link  - BEFORE adding items to your cart
  • ANY and EVERY purchase made through the PTA Amazon link counts, including music downloads, toys, Kindles, books, on demand movies, clothes and toys!
  • If you have items in your wish list click on Amazon link before you place your order

  • *We have already surpassed the total raised last year, so thank you and please keep using the link!

Lavender's Holiday Wrapping Paper

Need wrapping paper, hostess gifts, treats, or other fun items this season? Lavender's is a local, family-owned business which has great gifts, high-quality gift wrap, holiday wreaths, food, coffee and much more. Half of the proceeds will benefit the Chesterbrook PTA.

Online orders will be delivered directly to your house (plus free shipping on orders of  $75 or more). Please be sure to include Chesterbrook's Program ID: 123379300.  Shop Lavender's online: https://cataloghost.com/lavenders/ Questions? Contact Judy Williams

Food and Toy Collection for Operation Homefront

      board games operation homefront logo food drive

From December 10-14, the Student Council Association (SCA) will be collecting non-perishable food and new toys for Operation Homefront (an organization which provides assistance to service members and their families).  You can drop off contributions in the library (or in the lobby of the Sylvestry or Arleigh Burke Pavilion). Please be sure that food has not expired and toys are new and unwrapped.  Thanks for your contributions!!

Alice in Winter Wonderland - Friday, December 14th
Alice in Winter Wonderland             The Award Winning

 

McLean High School Theatre Company Presents


Alice in Winter Wonderland


Friday, December 14th @7pm Chesterbrook Elementary  


This traveling children's theatre production features actors from the McLean High School Theatre Company and offers a new twist to an old tale just in time for the winter holidays.  Come enjoy the classic tale with added winter music selections. This is sure to be a favorite for all ages with great music, costumes and a fun story! Don't miss this family friendly live theater opportunity in our own back yard! Add it to your December calendar now. No tickets are required, but donations are appreciated and will support the McLean High School Theatre Department.  Any questions contact: [email protected]

*Can't make it to the Chesterbrook ES Show? There are shows at two other schools that weekend: Kent Gardens ES on Dec 13th at 7pm  and Colvin Run ES (1400 Trap Road, Vienna) on Dec 15th at 4pm
Chesterbrook Book Fair -- Fun While Raising Funds 

bookfair 4 fall 2012  bookfair 1 fall 2012 bookfair 3 fall 2012

By: Marsha Camp & Beth Stewart, Book Fair Coordinators

 

A HUGE thank you to all our wonderful parents, teachers and kids who supported the Fall Book Fair. Whether you lent your time volunteering at the Fair or came in to purchase books, our fair was a huge success - thanks to you! It always does our hearts good to hear the kids pass by the library and exclaim, "The Book Fair is here! AWESOME!"   And your Book Fair purchases really do make a difference by supporting Chesterbrook's library curriculum. Marsha Moseley, Media Specialist is grateful to have funds to supplement where county funds fall short, such as the library's book-buying budget, and technology support, such as the purchase of additional iPads. If you missed all the fun, please join us for the Spring Book Fair, which will be held in April. Happy reading!

Later Start Times a Reality for High School Students in 2014?  

sleepy teen By: Elizabeth Ende


Did you know that some Fairfax County high school students get on the bus at 5:45 am? Fairfax County is in the minority on its early start times (71 of 95 counties in Virginia have high school start times at or later than 8 AM). Those counties have found ways to synchronize school clocks with students' body clocks so teens can achieve their full academic potential performance. 

Fairfax County is getting closer to making later high school start times a reality for its students too!  In April, the School Board  adopted a resolution setting a goal to start all FCPS high school after 8 AM  In September, they issued an RFP for an action plan for later high school start times. Click here to view the Blueprint for Change for High School Start Times PowerPoint Presentation.    SLEEP (Start Later for Excellence in Education) a grassroots organization created in 2004 is hard at work educating the community and working with FCPS on the logistics of how to implement later start times.    

 

What can you do to help make later start times a reality? 

1. Help make sure schools in your pyramid are receiving information from SLEEP about what is happening.  

2. Help enter data into the database to rework transportation schedules and help identify sports options.

3. Go to one of the Superintendent Search Community Input meetings and let them know you want a Superintendent who is committed to providing healthy morning start times for all students in Fairfax. 

4.  Spread the Word!  Help increase awareness to ensure that the community is aware of the benefits of this change to the health, well-being, and learning of our children.

5.   "Like" SLEEP on Facebook  

6.   Sign the petition at www.sleepinfairfax.org/petition.htm

      

To learn more about why this is so critical to the health, well-being and performance of high school students, visit:  http://schoolstarttime.org/ or the research page on SLEEP's website.

Science to Amaze Is Back!

science assembly 2 nov 2011 

By: Kristen Erickson, Science Appreciation Chair  

 

Be sure to ask  your kids about what cool things they learned at the science assembly this week.  This year, the PTA is funding four different shows by the Maryland Science Center Travelling Science Team and they are here this week, December 4&5.  Parents are welcome to attend (morning shows are at 9:45 am and afternoon shows are at 2 pm).


On December 4th, the entire 2nd grade and part of the 3rd grade will view "What's the Matter?" Highlights include:   
 

* Chemical change versus physical change
* Defining matter and energy
* States of matter revealed through demonstrations and experiments
 

In the afternoon, the rest of the 3rd grade and the entire 4th grade will participate in "Hey, Try This!" Highlights include:  

* Demonstrations of physical science in everyday life
* Extending science experiences into the home

On December 5th, grades K-1 will view "Science Unscripted" and see:

* Demonstrations from life science, physical science, and chemistry
through air, liquid nitrogen, human body, chemical reactions, and more

 

In the afternoon, grades 5 and 6 will view "Light Factor" and learn about: 

* Nature of light and the electromagnetic spectrum
* Characteristics and behavior of light
* Color vision and perception revealed through audience participation
* Special qualities of LASER light

Save the Date: May 3rd for Special Science Event

Children's Science Center On Friday, May 3, 2013, you and your family will have the chance to attend a  free Family Science Night program and family bonding program! The event will include hands-on activities that demonstrate a variety of scientific principles and make STEM (science technology, engineering, and math) learning fun, accessible, and more appealing to kids. Your child will learn more about renewable wind energy, chemical reactions, engineering and flight, and many more topics.
 

Sponsored by the Chesterbrook PTA and brought to C
hesterbrook by the Children's Science Center, it will be a great opportunity to share your enthusiasm for science with your kids.  We'll need approximately 30 volunteers for this evening event, so if you are passionate about science, mark your calendar now and watch for details and a sign-up genius invite.

Lunchtime Help Needed

 upcycling cart

Chesterbrook's Green Team needs volunteers at lunchtime, particularly for the younger grades, to help keep students on track as they sort their recycling.  You can come eat lunch with your child and then spend a few minutes at the end of the lunch period helping students be sure they are properly sorting recycling versus trash.  Ask the cafeteria monitor how you can help and get a cheat sheet on how the process works.  By incorporating recycling and food recovery at lunchtime, Chesterbrook is instilling healthy habits, helping the community (through donations to food pantries) and helping the environment.  For more information, email [email protected].     

 

lunchskinsAlso, we'd love to see students reuse instead of recycle (where possible). You can do this by sending sandwiches/snacks and drinks in reusable containers, rather than using plastic bags or juice boxes. You can buy reusable sandwich wrappers, plastic sandwich containers, and small reusable bottles at MOM's Organic Market, the Container Store and Whole Foods Markets among other places. You can even buy the "Glad" brand containers at the supermarket and they are very reasonably priced.  If you're not able to make that switch, ask your child to bring home clean ziploc bags so they can be reused a few times!

 

Are you interested in helping with environmental projects at Chesterbrook?  Email [email protected]

Auction Season Approaches!

By: Julia Nelson and Amanda Abraham, Auction Co-Chairs 

 

Gavel!Our Online Auction will open in less than three months on February 17th!  How can you help? One simple way is to JOIN OUR TEAM!  We can use your help in the following areas:

  • Solicitations -- following-up with donors from last year or working on new ideas
  • Marketing and publicity -- helping us get the word out!
  • Entering auction items into our online catalog
  • Proofreading items that have been entered
  • Packaging and mailing items to winning bidders who live outside our area

Many jobs can be done at home when it's convenient for you. Helping with the Auction is a fun way to raise money for the PTA and also to get to know other Chesterbrook parents. For more information, please contact Julia or Amanda at [email protected]. 

   

Another way to help is to DONATE OR PROCURE AN ITEM, SERVICE OR CONTRIBUTION. We are looking for all kinds of things. Some examples:

  • gift certificates to restaurants, salons, gift shops, garden centers
  • weekend or week-long getaways - near or far
  • tickets to a show or sporting event
  • special tours -- White House, CIA, Smithsonian, etc.
  • anything kid-related -- parties, childcare, toys, etc.
  • electronics, Wii games, autographed books...the possibilities are endless!

Click here to view and print the Donor Form (also found on the PTA website under Online Auction).  All auction items and Donor Forms may be delivered to the front office at school or to Julia Nelson's house. We will also be happy to make arrangements to pick up your item(s), just email [email protected]

 

Thanks in advance for your support!

Is Your Child's Jacket in Chesterbrook's Lost and Found? 
    lost and found nov 2012  lost and founda nov 2012

The Lost and Found (located in the cafeteria) has a lot of sweatshirts, jackets, gloves, hats, lunchboxes and even an umbrella!

 McLean HS Holiday Bazaar - Saturday, December 8th 

MHS Bazaar Logo 

Check out the annual McLean High School Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, December 8th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (1633 Davidson Road). With 100 local craft businesses, sport clubs, music, food, a silent auction and hourly raffle drawings, you won't want to miss this holiday tradition. For vendor information email [email protected].   

Upcoming Events

Dec 4 -     Science Enrichment 9:45 am Grades 2 & 3; 2 pm for Grades 3 & 4 

 

Dec 5 -     Science Enrichment 9:45 am Grades K & 1; 2 pm for Grades 5 & 6  

 

Dec 7 -     Counseling Advisory Committee Meeting 8 am (all are welcome)

                 2nd Grade to Museum of Natural History 9:15 am 

 

Dec 11 -   Strings Concert 2 & 7 pm  


Dec 14-    Alice in Winter Wonderland 7 pm 

Dec 24-Jan 1- Winter Holidays!!!!

Jan 15-    PTA Meeting 8:30 am

Jan 18-    Band Concert 2:20 pm

Jan 21-    Martin Luther King Holiday

Jan 22-    Band Concert 7 pm 


Jan 24-    Sixth Grade Science Fair

Classroom Holiday Celebrations - some grades are combining, and some are individually scheduled, as indicated:

  • K - Thursday, 12/20, (check on date/time with your child's teacher)  
  • 1st Grade - Monday 12/10, 9 am-12 noon  
  • 2nd Grade - Wednesday 12/19, 12/20 (check on date/time with your child's teacher) 
  • 3rd Grade - Tuesday 12/18, 1:45-3:15 pm
  • 4th Grade - Wednesday 12/19, 1-3:15 pm 
  • 5th Grade - Friday 12/21, 11:30 am
  • 6th Grade - Monday, 12/17, 11am -12:20 pm 

The Digest PLUS is co-edited by Elizabeth Ende and Gina Manning.
If you have a story idea or any comments, please share them with us at [email protected]. Thank you!  


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.