On behalf of your PTA, welcome to Churchill Road Elementary School’s (CRS’) 2009-2010 school year. As you know, CRS is a great school with phenomenal kids, committed staff, involved families, and a caring community. Your PTA will continue to be an integral part of the school’s efforts to educate children, develop character, and nurture a supportive, respectful learning environment.
You’re invited to be a part of the PTA’s exciting initiatives for this school year:
· Improve and expand academic programs that complement CRS’ curriculum, including Art Appreciation, Outdoor Odyssey, After-School Programs, Integrated Arts Assemblies, Reflections, Field Trips, Student Performances, and Math and Art Nights. The PTA also supports enhancements to CRS’ reading, music, math, technology, and special education programs.
· Support other student development programs including Peer Mediation and Safety Patrols.
· Maintain support for teachers and staff by providing teacher incidentals, staff appreciation, and approximately 80% of the costs associated with teacher/staff professional development.
· Continue and increase community service activities:
o Sandwich making for Martha’s Table, the annual SHARE food drive, and Thanksgiving grocery gift card and holiday gift drives to benefit families at our buddy school, Dogwood Elementary in Reston;
o Our Churchill Cares program, which fosters community support for CRS families in need; and
o Our student, faculty, parent, and staff Green Team will work to make CRS an environmentally friendly school that conserves resources, reduces waste, recycles, and engages in proactive stewardship.
· Foster parent education and networking through seminars on topics such as internet safety and drug awareness. The PTA also hosts community-wide social events such as Outdoor Family Movie Night, Ice Skating, a Backyard Barbeque, and the International Parade of Cuisines Potluck Dinner. The PTA also organizes outreach to families that are new to CRS.
Our PTA can’t make this happen without your involvement:
- Become a member of the CRS PTA. Membership is only $10 per parent per year. For returning families, don’t forget that membership must be renewed annually. There is a membership form HERE.
- Volunteer your time and expertise, if you can. The PTA can use your time not only during school days, but also on evenings and weekends. Contact your teacher, Andrea Favro, or Larraine Bettios(volunteers1@churchillroadpta.org).
- Contribute money. All of the enriching activities and events described above are part of the proposed PTA 2009-2010 budget, included in the Back-to-School folder or on the website here, along with line item explanations. This $82,000 budget works out to $110 per student. This year the PTA is conducting an armchair fundraiser to cover the budget: We’re asking all CRS families to write one check now, $100 per student. You can contribute this as part of your membership application, or you can send it in response to the fundraising letter. We hope that this initial “armchair” drive will enable the PTA to focus more time and energy throughout the year on programs, instead of fundraising.
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Lastly, whether you are a new or returning family, remember there is a wealth of information about school policies and the PTA on the inside and back of your Back-to-School folder. And don’t forget about all of the information on the CRS and PTA websites: www.fcps.edu/ChurchillRoadES and www.churchillroadpta.org . Also look for the email notices through the School’s "Keep in Touch" (KIT) system.
Please feel free to contact us ( or ) or any of the PTA Board members with any questions or comments. Thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to having the opportunity to work for and with you this school year.
Cat Lippman, President &
Liz Holzapfel, Vice President
CRS PTA 2009-2010
