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In this issue
MCA Education Event
Family Science Night
After School Programs
Pizza Night
Storytelling Evening
Earth Day with Chester
Shopping Event
Parent Social
School Security
Summer Quest
Virginia PTA Updates
Amazon
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Gold and Platinum Business Friends
Jake Sullivan Realtor
Jake Sullivan Real Estate




FAQs

Question: Wow, there is a lot going on this spring! How do I do it all? How do you do it all?

Answer:  Well, yes, there is quite a bit, but it's a little something for everyone. The Pizza Night actually saves you time since it's dinner at home. And Story Night doesn't require volunteers, whereas Science Night needs quite a few -- we hope you can come to both and relax and enjoy the stories, while helping our children learn something new in science. The Parent Social is just for adults to get to know other parents and have a relaxing evening (book your sitters now!). Earth Day is after school on a Monday, and should fit before after school sports practices, and the shopping event takes place over lunch hour, and we hope lots can sneak away (and buy that fabulous dress for the Parent Social).  

 

As for how we do it, well, we spread it out among many folks...but we need more. We are graduating a number of volunteers this spring and would love to pick up some new parents to help here and there. We don't know you are interested in helping somewhere unless you tell us! Come to a meeting or contact our Nominating Committee to see where there are opportunities! 

   

Check out our FAQs section on the website and send any questions to  Ask Chester and we'll answer them here and/or on the website. 

Chesterbrook PTA Digest

No.15, April 1, 2013    

   

Welcome Back! We have lots of fun evening and afternoon events coming up this spring. Mark your calendar for following dates and other important upcoming events: 
  • McLean Citizens Association "Conversation on Education," April 8, 7:30-9:30 pm, McLean HS Lecture Hall 
  • PTA Meeting, April 9, 8:30 am
  • HomeMade Pizza Co Night, April 9, 1-8 pm 
  • Principal's Coffee, April 9, 2-3pm    
  • Teacher Work Day, Student Holiday, April 15 
  • Jim Weiss Storytelling Evening, April 19, 6:30-7:30 pm 
  • Earth Day with Chester, April 22, 1-3:30  
  • Last Call Studio Shopping Event, April 25, 10am-2 pm  
  • Spirit Day -- "Decades Day," April 26 
  • Parent Social--Spring Fever, April 27, 8-11 pm
  • Family Science Night, May 3, 5:30-8 pm   
  • SOLs -- Please be quiet in the halls!
    • 3rd grade: May 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23
    • 4th grade: May 17, 23, 24
    • 5th grade: May 17, 22, 24
    • 6th grade: May 13, 15, 16
Also, if you are interested in becoming more active in the PTA, please consider volunteering by contacting us at [email protected] to learn about PTA opportunities for the next school year.

Sincerely,

2012-2013 Chesterbrook PTA Board 

MCA "Conversation on Education" Event, April 8
The McLean Citizens Association is sponsoring a 2-hour "Conversation McLean Citizens Association on Education" where parents will have an opportunity to ask Supervisor John Foust, School Board member Jane Strauss and Cluster 1 Assistant Superintendent Marty Smith questions about McLean-area public schools. The official MCA invitation to this event is attached. 

Topics include class size, high school start times, discipline and safety issues, budget, facilities planning, and audits. Opening remarks by Smith, Strauss and Foust will be followed by an extended question and answer period during which you will have the opportunity to ask your questions.
scienceVolunteers Needed for Family Fun Science Night on May 3rd
On the evening of Friday, May 3rd, your family will have the chance to attend a FREE science learning and family bonding event! Sponsored by the Chesterbrook PTA, the program comes via "Museum Without Walls Mobile Labs," which was created by The Children's Science Center to engage children ages 5-12 in hands-on activities that demonstrate scientific principles. Your child will learn more about renewable wind energy, chemical reactions, engineering and flight, and many more topics.
 
The Family Fun Event Team is looking for volunteers to man each of the demonstration stations.  The Children's Science Center provides all of the supplies and very simple instructions to follow for each station - it is easy and fun.  Volunteer shifts are available from 5:30 to 7:00 and from 7 to 8:30. It is not a drop-off event, so by and large parents experience each exhibit with their child, which makes it easier for volunteers too.  
 
Please use the  Sign Up Genius Link to sign up now and to help share your love for science and math with Chesterbrook kids.  If you have middle schoolers or high schoolers who need volunteer hours they are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Last Chance -- Registration for Before- and After-school Activities
Fitness Warriors (grades 5/6 only, starts this week), Electronic Magazine, and YES! Entrepreneurs have a few spots left. Drama and the joint BE-STEMs/GEMS spring sessions have lots of space as well. All other activities are underway or have finished registration! To register, click here.
pizzaHomeMade Pizza Co Night, April 9
You're Invited to a Four-Cheese Fundraiser for Chesterbrook PTA. For one day only - Tuesday, April 9 - we will receive a donation for every purchase made at the HomeMade Pizza Co. store at 4514 Lee Hwy. in Arlington.They will donate:
  • $4 for every deep-dish pizza sold
  • $3 for every large and gluten free pizza sold (available 10" only)
  • 10% from every gift card purchase
  • and give 20% OFF every catered event sold, contact store for details 

It's that easy. Just visit  www.homemadepizza.com, place your order online; online orders can be placed up to three (3) weeks in advance. YOU CAN ORDER NOW! The day of the event pick-up your order from 1-8 pm to support our cause. Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors too.

 

Let's turn pizza dough into Chesterbrook dough. Hope to see you on Tuesday, April 9! Questions? Contact Julia Nelson.

 

P.S. If you have never had a HomeMade Pizza, it is made of all-natural ingredients and you bake it at home. They also offer a variety of fresh salads, bake-at-home cookies, and ice cream.

storyJim Weiss Story Evening Returns April 19
Mark Your Calendar for this Fun Family Event:  A Storytelling Evening with Jim Weiss! Back by popular demand, Chesterbrook families and friends are invited to this special event, brought to you by our PTA.  The event will be held April 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the cafeteria.

Jim Weiss is a renowned, award-winning story-teller 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
ultimately 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. You can get a taste of the evening on Jim's website where there is a video of him telling a story about Abe Lincoln.

At our storytelling event, Jim will tell several stories designed to entertain and appeal to kids of all ages. We hope you and your family can attend us for an evening of engaging stories and community fun.
earthCelebrate Earth Day with Chester April 22
Chester Earth Day Photo Save the Date - April 22. Come check out Chesterbrook's newly refurbished track, recently renovated outdoor stairs, fabulously fun fitness trail, compassionate composter and more on Monday, April 22nd from 1- 3:30 pm!  Watch your email for details.
shopShare & Be Chic Shopping on April 25
We have been invited to be a part of Last Call Studio by Neiman Marcus's Share & Be Chic, a shopping event on Thursday, April 25 from 10 am to 2 pm. Tickets are $10 each (tax deductible) and entitle the bearer to $20 off a single item at the store (one ticket per guest). You can purchase your ticket here. Perhaps you'll find that fabulous resort attire you'll need for the Parent Social that weekend!

The store is located in the new Mosaic shopping district in Merrifield at 2905 District Avenue, Fairfax. Tickets will be on sale on the PTA website after Spring Break. For more information, contact Maryam Redjaee.
partyYou're Invited...Parent Social April 27
Kick off your shoes at the Second Annual Chesterbrook Elementary Parent "Spring Break" Social, Saturday, April 27, 8-11 pm! We're returning to the Penthouse at Vinson Hall for hors d'oeuvres, adult beverages, music and fun! RSVP by online. $40 per person by April 22, $50 at the door. Resort attire welcome. View our invitation here and purchase tickets here. For inquiries, contact [email protected]. You won't want to miss our Spring Fever event!
School Security
Chesterbrook PTA
The PTA is considering forming a subcommittee to look for input and ideas on improvements to Chesterbrook's security and is looking for interested parents, especially those with a background in security, to help review current safety procedures and look for ways to improve security at our elementary school.  State leadership in Richmond recently recommended creating a fund to help localities make security upgrades to older facilities. There is also a proposal for putting $30 million into a revolving grant program - $6 million a year for five years - to help schools make capital security investments such as intercoms and automatically locking doors.  Chesterbrook's PTA would like to be well-positioned to take advantage should some of these funds become available to our area. 

We began this discussion at our March 12 PTA meeting, where we discussed the security measures already in place and what additional measures may be warranted. We would like to hear from as many voices as possible to get a sense of the community's concern. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in participating in this group and have ideas or suggestions about improving school security.
Summer Quest 2013

SummerQuest Registration for our 2013 Summer Quest camp program has begun!!  Summer Quest will be held over 4 1-week sessions beginning July 8, 15, 22, and 29, with morning and afternoon sessions and an after-care program. The Program Guide includes descriptions of all camps. We also have Matrix that shows classes by week and age group.    

Because of construction work at Chesterbrook this summer, Summer Quest will be held at Haycock Elementary School at 6616 Haycock Rd, Falls Church, Virginia. It is the same Summer Quest program you've enjoyed the past few summers taught primarily by Chesterbrook Elementary teachers....only the location has changed and by less than 2 miles!

For all the  details, see the PTA Website. Questions? Contact [email protected]
Virginia PTA wants our involvement
In their ever-present quest to encourage grassroots advocacy - VIrginia PTA Action Alertas well  as building a relevant legislation program - the Legislation/Education committee of the VA PTA has created the following for local unit members to use:
Amazon
amazon.com logo Our Amazon program has done really well through the holiday season (almost $1,300 in November and December!) AND it's ongoing. So please remember to click through this link or use the Amazon link on our website to get a portion of your purchased returned to the PTA. Thanks!
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.