Category: PTSA News

New Family Q&A Recap

On Tuesday October 5, parents exchanged tips about getting the most out of your child’s Cherry Crest experience.  Here are the highlights:

New Family Q & A tips – 
These are some tips for new families which can help them navigate their way around the workings of school, PTSA and administration. There are also some resources and handy emails to reach out to for questions and volunteering.
 
Tip #1 Speak up!
It’s important to let teachers, staff and/or PTSA know what you like so those resources or activities continue to be available.  Similarly, speak up about any struggles or challenges your student or family have.  The Cherry Crest Community is always looking to improve and do better.
 
Where to start with a question or comment? Your child’s teacher, School Secretary Kathy Bessler (besslerk@bsd405.org) or PTSA (newfamily@cherrycrest-ptsa.org or president@cherrycrest-ptsa.org).  PTSA will respond the quickest and if not able to answer the questions, PTSA volunteers will direct you to the right person quickly.
 
Tip #2 Set goals and act on them!
Overcome information overload by deciding what you and your family want to get out of your child’s Cherry Crest experience.  Pick 1 or 2 areas to focus on and then act accordingly.  See examples below.
 
Example Goal: Sense of Belonging
  • Read ‘Take Action & Calendar’ in weekly PTSA Newsletter (Chatter) looking for volunteer opportunities or events for your child or family to participate in
  • Scan monthly Principal Chronicler and Teacher e-mails for similar opportunities
  • Attend meetings or events that meet this need
  • Volunteer (if available during the school day, volunteering in the school library is useful for getting to know your child’s classmates)
  • Use online directory (DirectorySpot) to connect directly with other parents or setup play dates (hand written notes sent in with your child also work)
     
Example Goal: Education
  • Look in your child’s backpack daily, see what they are working on in class
  • Read Teacher e-mails thoroughly
  • Ask your child specific/factual-type questions (ex. who did you sit next to? who worked with you?) which help open them up to talking about the actual subject material or how they feel about it
  • Read to them, give them time each day to read, provide regular access to new reading material
  • Share your interests and experiences, especially talk about how you make decisions or solve problems – explain your thinking

Read-a-thon 2021 is coming!

Get ready to read!

Read-a-thon is a long running and much beloved annual Cherry Crest tradition that takes place over the Thanksgiving break. It is the first major Cherry Crest PTSA fundraiser of the school year where students read, raise donations, and win exciting prizes!

Additional information will be communicated over the next few weeks. If you would like to volunteer to help with the Read-a-thon, please email us at readathon@cherrycrest-ptsa.org

Passport Club First Check in on 10/22/2021!

The first Passport Club check in will be in person Oct 22nd, 2021.

For in person check in, the student will be tested in school by a volunteer. For those who prefer a virtual check in, please complete this form http://bit.ly/3Avmlef on or before October 22.

Please email passportclub@cherrycrest-ptsa.org for any questions.

Cherry Crest New Family Q&A Event

Join us Tonight (Tuesday, October 5th) at 7:00pm on Teams to learn tips for getting the most out of Cherry Crest. Parents from each grade level (plus a BSD Virtual Academy parent) will answer your questions and share personal experiences to help your family flourish!

Principal Chat on Friday Oct 15 @ 8:30am

Cherry Crest families are invited to attend monthly virtual meetings hosted by Principal Dusty Steere and PTSA president Reetika Saxena. All chats are online via Microsoft Teams and include information from the principal as well as ample time for questions and comments.

In October, we will discuss elements of the Advanced Learning Program at Cherry Crest and include our school counselor and a multi-lingual facilitator.

Grade Level Carnival is Saturday

Come socialize with classmates and families on Saturday, October 9 at the Cherry Crest playground!

Cub Scout Pack 726 will run carnival games for the kids while PTSA volunteers make introductions, answer questions and more.

Art Reflections Program is On!

Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity. Students of all grades and abilities may participate and explore the arts based on the 2021/22 theme “ I will change the World “

Entries will be collected on Wednesday the 17th of November 2021.

Cherry Crest Trick or Treat

On Sunday, October 31st from 5pm-8pm, trick or treat at the homes of fellow Cherry Crest families. PTSA will provide a custom Google Map to all families.  Register by Monday, October 18th to include your home on the map.  Near or far, we’d love to include your home!  Find more information and register at: bit.ly/3AFSYqi

Passport Club Returns to Cherry Crest

Would you like your children to learn the countries of the world? The Passport Club at Cherry Crest offers a multi-year introduction to world Geography. Learn more at http://passportclub.cherrycrest-ptsa.org