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Mark your calendars with these upcoming Chesterbrook events:
April 14: PTA Meeting and Principal's Coffee, 8:45 am
April 16: Two-Hour Early Release
April 17: No School/Student Holiday
April 21: Chipotle Restaurant Night, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Spring Picture Day
April 24: Jump Rope for Heart Fundraising Ends
Family Fun Night, Eric Energy
April 27-30: Spring Book Fair
May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 12: PTA Meeting, 7:00 pm
May 15: Retirement Reception, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
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 Last Chance to Order your 2014-15 yearbook! Yearbooks must be ordered by April 20! You will not be able to get yearbooks after this date. New this year, you will now have the option to add special enhancements (current events insert, re-positionable stickers, personalized cover) that will only be available online. Order your yearbook today and check it off your list!
Follow this link to order now https://ybpay.lifetouch.com(enter yearbook id: 11568815) Email Julie Schwan with any questions. |
 Registration for Summer Quest 2015 Underway
Summer Quest is sponsored by the Chesterbrook PTA and provides fun, educational sessions for your elementary school child over four (4) one-week sessions each summer, with morning and afternoon sessions and an after-camp program. The sessions are primarily taught by Chesterbrook Elementary teachers. Camps will run in week-long sessions July 6 - July 31 with classes for rising kindergartners through rising 7th graders. Cost is $155 per session.
Registration has been open for a few weeks and classes are filling. A couple of updates:
* Longtime favorite Beginning Arts & Crafts is back! (Week 1 for grades 2-4).
* Move and Shake - Pop Style has moved from Week 1 to Week 3 (for grades 4-7)
Just a few of the other great Summer Quest classes this year:
* Beginning Field Hockey (Weeks 1 & 3 for grades 1-3);
* Introduction to Sign Language (Week 1 for grades 3-5);
* Cook with Books (Week 2 for grades 1-3);
* Creative Writing (Week 2 for grades 3-5);
* Summer Strings (Week 2 for grades 5-7);
* Craft Camp and More! (Week 3 for grades 3-5);
* Summer Days (Week 3 for grades 2-3); and
* Fun with Friends (Weeks 1 & 4 for grades K-2)
More details about these classes and all of this summer's offerings, as well as Summer Quest policies, can be found at the links below. Please email questions to summerquest@chesterbrookpta.org.
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 Jump Rope for Heart We are thrilled to be supporting the American Heart Association to help teach students and families how to take care of their hearts through Jump Rope for Heart. Chesterbrook students have already raised $19,606 making us #2 in the DC Metro Area. Only one school is ahead of us! Parents, when your child raises $5 online for Jump Rope for Heart, they can turn in their coupons (from their Thursday folders) to Mr. Levesque on Fridays from 8:20 am- 8:40 am in the cafeteria to receive both Splatter Quacky and Scribbles Ninja Duck, as well as a lanyard! Please note that we will be handing out ducks on Thursday morning this week due to the school holiday on Friday. For instructions on how to set up your child's online page please watch this step-by-step two-minute video: How to Register Online. |
 Chipotle Restaurant Night April 21 On Tuesday, April 21, bring your family to Chipotle on Old Dominion in downtown McLean between 4 pm and 8 pm to support Chesterbrook Elementary's fundraising efforts! When you're at the register all you have to do is mention that you are there for the fundraiser or show the flyer and 50 percent of all proceeds will go to our wonderful school. This is going to be a great time, so come on out, visit with friends, and enjoy some yummy burritos, tacos, and salads! See you there!
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 Family Fun Night April 24: Eric Energy |
 Spring Book Fair is April 27th-30th, Volunteers Needed! The Spring Book Fair will be Monday, April 27, through Thursday, April 30. 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! We need volunteers. The Book Fair doesn't happen without them. Please consider taking a shift. Students will complete wish lists during their class preview times which will take place on April 24 and April 27. 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-Thursday (April 27th - April 30th) 8:15 am until 4:00 pm Reminder flyers to come home in the Thursday folders beginning April 16. If you would like to volunteer during the Book Fair, please sign up for a shift on Sign Up Genius or click on the button below. If you have any questions about the Book Fair please contact the co-chairs, Julie Schwan & Robin Birchfield. |
 April is Autism Awareness Month
Did you know that Autism is the nation's fastest-growing developmental disability? According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), autism prevalence rates currently stand at 1 in 68 children, with a higher rate of 1 in 42 boys. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
April is Autism Awareness Month. The goal of this Awareness campaign is to help to increase and develop knowledge of Autism and to impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. The campaign celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism. Community events around the nation are taking place in an effort to inspire compassion, empowerment and hope for the more than 3 million Americans who currently live with an Autism spectrum disorder.
At Chesterbrook, we are celebrating Autism Awareness Month by lighting up our display case blue and featuring materials and resources. For more information on Autism Awareness Month, please see the resources and information provided below.
Community Resources & Events
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has an excellent ASD resource available online, including Community Resources, FCPS Supports, FCPS Parent Resource Center and Internet Resources: http://www.fcps.edu/dss/osp/prc/index.shtml
Parent Resource Center Events
Autism Awareness Day at the Parent Resource Center: Friday, April 28, 2015, 10:00 am -- 2:00 pm
Autism & Safety, Public Safety Considerations: Thursday, April 30, 2015, 10:00 am -- 12:00 pm
To register, visit http://www.fcps.edu/dss/osp/prc/resources/events/index.shtml#AA.
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Retirement Reception for Three Chesterbook Employees
You are cordially invited to a retirement reception honoring
three long-time Chesterbrook professionals: Julia Byrne, Darcy Kelly, and
Nancy Thomas.
Friday, May 15, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Chesterbrook Elementary School Library
Light refreshments will be served.
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Head Lice Information for Parents
By Vanita Rahman MD
Dear Fellow Parents,
As you know, head lice have infected several children in our school. As parents, head lice can be confusing and distressing to deal with. I have put together a brief summary of head lice which I hope will be helpful to you.
Who gets head lice?
* After the common cold, head lice infestation is the 2nd most common infection in school-age children in North America.
* 1 out of 4 school-aged children in U.S. are infected with head lice.
* Head lice infections occur across all socio-economic backgrounds and are not indicative of
poor hygiene.
* African-American children have a lower incidence of head lice than other races.
* Head lice are easily transmitted by close contact which is common among school-age children
What are the symptoms of head lice?
* Other than mild itching, head lice pose no threat to humans.
* Most children with head lice have no symptoms and in fact many children have a large
colony of head lice without any symptoms at all.
* Some (but not most) people with head lice develop mild itching which is cause by a mild
allergic reaction to the saliva of head lice.
How do I know if my child has head lice?
* Since most children with head lice have no symptoms, the only way to know if your child
has head lice is to look for lice with wet combing.
Wet-combing technique
* Buy a special lice comb (sold in most drug stores).
* Since most head lice and their eggs are only a few millimeters long, it is very difficult to see
them by simply examining the head or combing without a lice comb.
* Wet your child's hair thoroughly and apply conditioner.
* Remove all tangles with a non-lice comb.
* Carefully comb the entire head from top to bottom with gentle pressure against the scalp.
* After each pass through the hair, wipe the comb's teeth on a white cloth and examine the
cloth for live lice. These may appear gray or black in color and maybe only a few mm in
length. Sometimes they are obvious and moving. At other times, they are so tiny that the
only way to tell they are alive is when you see them moving.
* If you see moving particles, you child has lice infection.
How do I treat a head lice infection?
* First and foremost, consult your pediatrician about whether you should use an over-the-counter agent or prescription medication
* It is important to wash all clothes and bedding that your child has used within the past 48
hours in hot water and dry on high heat.
* If you are unable to wash exposed objects, then simply seal them in a bag for 2 weeks. Lice
usually die within 2-3 days without human contact.
* Check all household contacts for head lice.
* All bed partners should be treated even if they don't have head lice.
* Please inform the school so that other children can be screened.
Head lice are a communal problem. Our children will keep getting re-exposed and reinfected unless all children in the school are screened and treated.
For more information, please visit www.uptodate.com and look for Patient information about head lice. Uptodate is a very highly regarded online medical journal which is authored by leading experts.
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Longfellow Middle School Spring Trivia Night
When: Friday, May 1. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Trivia begins at 7 pm.
Location: Longfellow Middle School Lecture Hall
Cost: $5 per person, maximum of 5 people per team
Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Pizza, drinks, and snacks will be available.
All proceeds benefit the Longfellow quiz bowl club. |
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Mental Health Networking Breakfast Rescheduled
A Conversation with Dr. Brad Sachs: Building Resiliency Come enjoy a light breakfast, network with colleagues and listen to Dr. Brad Sachs, a psychologist, educator, consultant and best-selling author, present on building resiliency in ourselves and our clients. An opportunity for question and answer will follow the program. Thursday, April 16, 2015, 8:30 am - 10:00 amTemple Rodef Shalom 2100 Westmoreland Street, Falls Church, Virginia Please RSVP to SCC's Mental Health Liaison here.
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 Upcoming Events in the DC Area What to do with the kids on April 17 Teacher Work Day? Celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day on the National Mall, April 17-18, sponsored by NASA. NASA also will sponsor several Earth Day anniversary events at Union Station on April 21 and April 22. For more information, contact Kristen Erickson. Come to the National Math Festival on Saturday, April 18, to experience mathematics like never before, when the first-of-its-kind National Math Festival comes to Washington, D.C. As the country's first national festival dedicated to discovering the delight and power of mathematics, this free and public celebration will feature dozens of activities for every age-from hands-on magic and Houdini-like getaways to lectures with some of the most influential mathematicians of our time. The National Math Festival is organized by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) and the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution. For more information, visit http://www.mathfest.org/Family Day at Udvar-Hazy is on April 25: Celebrate Hubble's 25th Anniversary with Astronauts, Scientists and More. Free event, except for parking. |
 Sidewalk Improvements for the Chesterbrook Community
This improvement is the direct result of community organizers, especially those involved with Connect McLean. We are excited about these safety improvements in our community and thank all of those involved! If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Hale at president@chesterbrookpta.org.
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Shop Amazon.com and Support Our School
Amazon.com will contribute 4 -10 percent of EVERY item sold (including downloads) to the Chesterbrook PTA. In addition, the more items ordered and shipped, the higher the percentage we earn each month! It's easy money made for the PTA on money you are already spending. Just visit the PTA website and click on the Amazon link. Remember to use this link BEFORE adding items to your cart, including items in your wish list. Bookmark or add the link to your favorites! http://www.chesterbrookpta.org/amazonchesterbrook.aspx
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 Nominating Committee for the PTA
Thank you to our newly elected nominating committee of Amanda Abraham, Lavina Colaco, and Jennifer Ruggiero. We will determine open positions in the next few weeks and will make announcements in upcoming issues of the Digest. If you want to get involved with our active Chesterbrook PTA, contact Jennifer Ruggiero at secretary@chesterbrookpta.org.
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Become a Chesterbrook Friend
THANK YOU to the 143 families that generously donated $43,060 to our 2014-15 FAMILY Friends of Chesterbrook fund. See the list of our generous donors so far.
Combining FAMILY Friends donations with our BUSINESS Friends donations, we've raised $46,060 to date, putting us at 92% of our annual $50,000 CES Friends goal.
We need your donation to reach our goal! ANY size donation is GREATLY appreciated.
There are two quick and easy ways to give:
1. You can donate online through the PTA website.
2. You can donate by check made payable to "Chesterbrook PTA."
Additionally, businesses that donate $500 to our "Business Friends of Chesterbrook" program are recognized on our website and in other ways at school.
Questions? Contact friends@chesterbrookpta.org.
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Don't Forget to Sign Up or Renew Your
PTA Membership
Please remember, membership must be renewed annually.
Members get a free family directory (non-member price is $8) and exclusive access to our online directory app. This is an essential tool for every household! Join today!
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Support the PTA when shopping at Amazon online.
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Business Friends of the Chesterbrook PTA:
To become a Business Friend of Chesterbrook PTA for the 2014-15 school year, or for more information about the program, please contact Amanda Abraham at friends@chesterbrookpta.org. |
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Chesterbrook PTA Newsletters Disclaimer:
The Chesterbrook PTA Newsletter (Weekly Digest) 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.
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