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In this issue
Family Science Night
Yearbooks
Summer Quest
Rising 7th Grade Information
Event Name
Spring Book Fair
Another Science Night
Event Name
Bylaws Revisions
Rising Kindergarten
Friends of Chesterbrook
2014-15 PTA
Summer Theater
Event Name
Event Name
Quick Links
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Business Friends
 

 
JD Callendar 2012 image  
JD Callander
 
Contact
friends@chesterbrookpta.org 
if interested in becoming a Friend for the 2013-2014 school year. 
FAQs

Question: How can I ask a question? 

 

Answer:  Hmm, good one! Send any and all questions to [email protected] 

 

We look forward to some good ones!

Chesterbrook PTA Digest

No.14, April 7, 2014      


Don't forget to come to our PTA meeting tomorrow! We will be discussing upcoming events like Teacher Appreciation Week, new capital improvement projects, the updated bylaws, as well as other planning for next year. Please join us. And if you are interested in getting involved as a PTA volunteer, please contact our Nominating Committee (Elizabeth Hale, Kathleen Weil, and Amanda Abraham) who are working on filling various volunteer openings for next year. We have opportunities to fit all interests and schedules!

Upcoming events:
  • National Volunteer Week: April 7-11 
  • PTA Meeting: Tuesday, April 8, 8:45 am  
  • Principal's Coffee: Tuesday, April 8, 2-3 pm
  • Museum Without Walls Family Science Night: Wednesday, April 9, 6-8 pm
  • Schoolwide Picture: April 10, 10-11 am
  • Spring Break: April 14-18
  • Administrative Professional Appreciation Week: April 21-25
  • Spring Pictures: Tuesday, April 22
  • Spring Book Fair: April 28 - May 1   
  • PTA Meeting: Thursday (new day!), May 1, 7 pm 

 

Museum Without Walls Returns
On Wednesday, April 9, from 6-8 p.m., Chesterbrook families will have the chance to attend a FREE science learning event! The event is being held in the Chesterbrook cafeteria from 6 until 8 p.m. 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, interactive exhibits that demonstrate scientific principles.
The event is back at Chesterbrook by popular demand and features new exhibits as well as some old favorites. New exhibits include fingerprinting analysis and binary code.
Yearbook Orders--LAST CHANCE!
Don't forget to order your 2013-2014 Chesterbrook Yearbooks by April 8. To order online, just go to the Chesterbrook PTA website
Summer Quest 2014 Registration is Underway
SummerQuestSummer Quest is sponsored by the Chesterbrook PTA and provides fun, educational sessions for your elementary school child over 4 1-week sessions each summer, with morning and afternoon sessions and an after-care program. The sessions are primarily taught by Chesterbrook Elementary teachers. Camps run in week-long sessions July 7 - August 1 with offerings for rising kindergartners through rising 7th graders. The full catalog for 2014 is available by clicking here. You can also view a quick-reference table of offeringsPlease read all the Summer Quest policies on cancelations and refunds, which can be found by clicking here.   If you have any problems registering please email [email protected].
Attention 6th Grade Parents--Save the Date!
Longfellow Middle School

Parents of rising 7th graders are invited to an informational program "How to Thrive at Longfellow" Thursday, April 24th from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the

Longfellow Lecture Hall. If your child will be entering Longfellow next Fall, please join us for this important program. Hear from Counseling Staff about the ins and outs of Life at Longfellow: from the lockers and clubs to late buses and lunch:

  • An overview of Longfellow Middle School
  • How to Help Your Student be Successful
  • Uncover the meaning of mysterious terms such as "Yagottawanna" and "Lancer Time"
  • What You Really Need to Know as a Longfellow Parent

Learn from our School Psychologist what really goes on in the adolescent brain

  • Adolescent Development in Context

Current Longfellow Students will be available to answer your questions. This program is being presented by Longfellow Middle School and the Longfellow PTA.

After-School Activities
Registration for the spring session of Ms. Vallath's Electronic Magazine session will begin April 3 at 7pm here on the website. Registration for a new offering from the PTA, Chesterbrook Glee Club, will begin Monday April 7th at 7pm.  Information on all the activities can be found here.  There are a few spots left in after school activity Science enrichment for girls grades 5-6 which will begin after spring break! Click here to register.
Spring Book Fair, April 25 - May 1

The Spring Book Fair will be Monday, April 28th through Thursday, May 1st. As always, there will be hundreds of books for all ages covering all genres and will include classics, favorite series, award winners and new releases. There will also be a wide assortment of games and other items. It's the perfect place to do some summer break shopping!

 

Students will complete wish lists during their class preview times on April 25th and April 28th. The lists will include each book's cost (there's no tax) so parents can send their child in with a check payable to Chesterbrook PTA. The children can also come any time during the school hours to shop for books on their own or they can come by with a parent.

 

Please note that there will be no backorders of books during the Spring Book Fair so come shop early for the best selection!

 

Book Fair Hours

Monday (April 28th) 8:15 am until 2:00 pm

Tuesday - Friday (April 29th - May 1st) 8:15 am until 4:00 pm

 

Reminder flyers will come home in the Thursday folders beginning April 10th. If you would like to volunteer during the Book Fair, please sign up for a shift on Sign Up Genius:

 

If you have any questions about the Book Fair please contact the co-chairs: 

Beth Stewart 

Robin Birchfield 

Family Science Night
We've rescheduled Eric Energy for Friday, May 9, 6:45 pm.  Eric Energy brings scientific concepts to young audiences through live, interactive, hands-on science shows.  Please arrive at 6:30 for a 6:45pm start.  It's a one hour show.  This is not a drop off event.  For more information you can check out Eric Energy's website  or email Joy Molony.
School Supply Kits Changes Coming
pencils.jpgThe Chesterbrook PTA has decided to work with an outside vendor for school kits this year.  We are following the advice of our volunteers and other area elementary PTAs, who recommend using a more streamlined system for parents and teachers. After consulting with several school kit vendors, we decided to use Innisbrook, a company based in North Carolina with local support.  As in the past, we have worked with teachers to develop supply kit contents with the exact items they'd like to see in the kits. Parents will have plenty of time to order from mid-April through the end of school. Kits will be delivered to the school prior to the start of the year. Kits will not be available on the PTA website, nor will they be sold during the summer or just prior to the start of school. We will still offer 3rd-6th grade assignment books. Stay tuned for more details after spring break!  If you have any questions, please email Elizabeth Hale.
PTA Bylaws Revisions
National PTA Logo Every 5 years the Virginia PTA requires that we review and revise our Bylaws. Much of this is to include new state requirements which generally do not affect our PTA much. However, this year we are also proposing to amend our Bylaws to allow for a President Elect position. Typically we have had PTA presidents hold office for 2 years. Under the proposed structure, a parent would be voted as President Elect for one year and then automatically become President the following year. This will allow for a better transition into the position, better transfer of institutional knowledge, and most importantly, a better way to share the duties of the President. With a President Elect, President, and Past President in office, we will be better able to manage our very large portfolio of activities, fundraisers, and programs. Most of the elementary schools in our area use this system and have been pleased with it.

Bylaws must be voted on by the general membership, which includes almost all of our families. We will hold this vote at our May 1 meeting. You can read the Bylaws and contact Laurie Plishker if you have any questions.
Attention Rising Kindergarten Parents
We have several parent representatives (Lavina Colaco, Jessi Hart, and Kristen Loschert) who are planning playground play dates over the summer for rising kindergartners and their families to meet others. They will all be at the Chesterbrook playground. Remember that bathrooms will be locked, so plan ahead

July 9 - 3:30 - 5 pm
July 26 - 9:30 - 11 am
August 15 - 9:30  - 11 am

Send an email to [email protected] to get on the mailing list for information and to ask any questions of these seasoned experts!
Friends of Chesterbrook
Thank you to all the Family Friends who have donated this year! We are almost at our goal, but need 25 more families to join. With the Online Auction on hiatus this year, our Family Friends Program is one of Chesterbrook PTA's primary means to support important academic and school support needs.
We ask for everyone's support of $100 per family to reach our goal, but your gift of any size is appreciated. Check out all our donors so far! We can also help determine whether your company participates in a program to match employee donations. With the Online Auction on hiatus this year, this is one of Chesterbrook PTA's primary means to support important academic and school support needs.
 
Businesses that donate $500 to our "Business Friends of Chesterbrook" program will be recognized on our website, on these emails (see left sidebar), and in other ways at school. For more information visit our website and click on the "Become a Business Friend" tab.

There are two easy ways to give:
  • You can donate online on our website: Family Friends or Business Friends.
  • You can donate by check. Please make checks payable to "Chesterbrook PTA" and forward to school via backpack mail or mail it directly to Chesterbrook PTA, 1753 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 22101.
Contact Trisha Downey or Amanda Abraham with any questions.
2014-15 PTA Positions
Looking for more ways to get involved next year? We have quite a few positions to fill for next year--everything from a couple hours at home to a few days here and there to monthly meetings.  Just come to a meeting or contact [email protected].
  • Secretary (the smallest Officer position) 
  • Family Fun Events CoChair
  • School Supply Kit Delivery Coordinator, a small, late August job, much simpler for this year!
  • Spring Art Project Sale
  • Clinic Aid Substitute Coordinator, no nursing experience necessary 
  • Back to School Folder Coordinator, late August, one morning 
  • Before-School Teacher-led Activities Coordinator, home-based 
  • After-School Teacher-led Activities Coordinator, home-based
  • Ideaventions/Science Enrichment Coordinator, home-based
  • Zumba Coordinator, home-based
  • Drama Coordinator, home-based  

Beyond PTA-related jobs, all grades can use volunteers for REACH activities, which take place for 40 minute slots throughout the day and week, depending on grade level. Our teachers can always use extra hands during this time; just be sure to let them know you plan to come, so they can have something prepared for you. This is a great way to get to know your teachers, other students, and the curriculum. You do not need to assist for your grade levels, so you can find a schedule that suits you!    

McLean High School Summer Theater Workshop


LMS Family Trivia Night, April 25th

It's back! Longfellow Middle School's Spring Edition of Family Trivia Night is Friday, April 25th. After an endless winter, it's time to shake those mental cobwebs out of your head and head over to Longfellow on Friday, April 25th. Doors open at 6:16 p.m., with Trivia starting at 7:00 p.m. in the school's Lecture Hall. Hosted by the school's Quiz Bowl Club, this fun-filled night is a great opportunity to test your knowledge of history, politics, pop culture, literature, music, geography and more.

Your team (of up to five people) will compete not just for bragging rights, but actual prizes! Like you don't want a Barnes & Noble gift card? Of course, you do! Invite your family and friends to create one or more teams. For parents, it's a great opportunity to show your kids that you actually know something meaningful so start brushing up on your Justin Bieber lyrics and re-reading all the Twilight books now!

 

If you don't have a complete team, you are still welcome-the Quiz Bowl club members will match you up with other guests. The entry cost at the door is $5 per person. Pizza, drinks and snacks will be available for sale, providing an excellent reason NOT to cook that night!

 

For rising sixth graders attending LMS next fall, it's a great opportunity to check out the school and learn more about its Quiz Bowl team, which is one of LMS' many after school clubs. Led by the very popular and accomplished Mr. Huang, the Quiz Bowl team competes at both the regional and national level, with this event serving as the club's major fundraiser. Again, all are welcome so please come out and support one of Longfellow's most accomplished clubs. It's a really fun way to kick off your weekend so we hope to see you there!

Naked Pizza
April is McLean Community Foundation (MCF) month at Naked Pizza! Simply order Naked Pizza during the month of April -- using the code MCF -- and 20% of the order total will be donated to the McLean Community Foundation! Last year MCF gave Chesterbrook a $1,000 grant to help pay for the renovation of the outside staircase behind the playing fields and Franklin Park, and we'd like to support them too! See the flyer here.
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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.