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Charger Chatter August 25, 2020
Welcome, New & Returning Families, to the Charger Chatter!
If this is your first copy of the Charger Chatter, welcome! On Tuesdays throughout the school year, we bring you news about our school and our PTSA sponsored activities.

Here and on the PTSA website, you can find information about after-school enrichment opportunities, school events and fundraisers, and community activities for families and children.
Calendar
August
28 Expect classroom placement email

September
3 First day of school, grades 1-5
7 No school; Labor Day
9 First day of school, kindergarten
11 Virtual Principal Coffee @ 9:30 am (Teams Link)
Take Action!
PTSA Presidents' Welcome Back Message
On behalf of the Cherry Crest PTSA, we would like to welcome you to the new and exciting year of school and a new year of PTSA. The 2020-21 school year will truly be unlike any other. As we start this special year together during the time of the COVID 19 pandemic, please remember the mission of the PTSA: to positively impact the lives of children and families. Together at Cherry Crest, we support this mission through our wide-ranging efforts: supporting school and district programs, supporting the school community through family events, and giving direct help to the teachers and staff at Cherry Crest.

Our main goal as a PTSA is to find ways to keep our comm(UNITY) strong. This will be a challenge, but also the best use of our efforts. Since all of our regular comm(UNITY) events have been canceled per government regulation we are working to come up with new ways to connect and be supportive for all of us and our children. We are looking forward to continuing the partnership we have established with BSD, our lovely Principal, Mr. Steere, and our amazing teachers and staff. We will continue to enhance an already excellent learning experience for our children with the support of our members.

One of our biggest funding items to the school is making sure there are instructional aides at every grade level. You, our members have consistently said this is where you feel our money should be spent and has the most impact for our children. This year the use of the aides will be a little different but just as important. In addition to instructional aides, we are working with teachers and getting creative with Curriculum Enhancement. The details are still being worked out, but each grade level will have something to look forward to, provided by the PTSA.

Please look for emails and updates about our Cherry Crest comm(UNITY).

Our first official way to connect is our PTSA General Membership meeting on Tuesday, September 15th at 6:45pm (formal meeting starts at 7pm). A Microsoft Team meeting link will be provided in the September 15th Chatter Newsletter. You will be able to meet your PTSA Board of Directors, approve an updated 2020-21 budget and start planning for an awesome school year. If you haven't already, visit our PTSA site for more information. While all Cherry Crest families are welcome at PTSA meetings and PTSA sponsored events, we encourage you to sign up on sign up on member planet to join our PTSA to vote on our budgets and elect our leadership.

Looking forward to an interesting and challenge filled year!
Britt Heath and Deepa Panchapakesan
2020-2021 Cherry Crest Co-Presidents
PTSA News
Yearbooks Have Arrived! Pick Up During Technology Distribution
Pre-ordered yearbooks will be available for pickup at the field near the school on August 28th (9-3pm) and 29th (9-1pm). Pick yours up when you collect your child’s laptop or tablet from the school.

If you did not pre-order, we also have several copies available for last minute purchases! Please bring $20 (in exact cash) to purchase.

Questions? Contact yearbook@cherrycrest-ptsa.org
Directory Goes Electronic!
This year, the Cherry Crest PTSA will make a family directory available through an online service (DirectorySpot). Secure online access to family contact information has been a frequent request from our community. This will let us provide information earlier and update it regularly!

The Bellevue school district will share your directory information with the PTSA if you give approval for each student. As you perform the start of year information review in ParentVue, leave the following box unchecked: '"By checking this box, I do not give permission to release my student's directory information".

Watch the Chatter for more details about the new online directory after school begins!
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School News
School Supplies for 2020-2021 Academic Year
Teachers ask that K-5th graders have basic supplies of pencils/writing utensils, paper, scissors, glue, etc. for use at home during the Temporary Remote Learning time period. When students return to school, the supply list may be updated, with extra time for families to gather supplies.

One small exception is with Art: Ms. Patti and Ms. Bena recommend that students have a small set of art supplies: (1) watercolor paint set (example), and (2) watercolor paper (example). For more information, see the August 2020 Principal Newsletter.
District News
"School Start" Families Forum is Tomorrow, 4:00pm-5:00pm
The Bellevue School District is excited to welcome students back for a new school year. Please join Bellevue School District Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran, Deputy Superintendents Eva Collins and Melissa Devita, and more district leaders as they share updates and answer questions on the plans for our return to school. Join us on Wednesday, August 26 from 4 to 5 p.m.

When: Wednesday, August 26 from 4:00-5:00pm
More details available on the BSD website.
Other Cherry Crest Information
πŸ“£ Spirit Gear Store Currently Closed
About this newsletter
The Cherry Crest Charger Chatter is emailed to families and staff on Tuesday mornings. The deadline for submissions to the Chatter is the preceding Wednesday by 7pm. Read our submission guidelines.
Information contained in directories, Newsletters or membership lists published by Cherry Crest Elementary PTSA may not be used for purposes of solicitation either commercial, political or ideological or any other purpose not consistent with the Washington Congress of Parents and Teachers By-Laws.