Charger Weekly Update #23
Friday, February 7, 2025
A Note from Ms. Marchant
Dear Cherry Chase Families,
In Sunnyvale, we are proud to recognize our students’ cultural and linguistic assets. We are excited to recognize and celebrate our 5th and 8th-grade multilingual students through the Pathway to Biliteracy Awards.
The Pathway to Biliteracy Awards, as outlined by the California Department of Education (CDE), celebrate students at key points in their educational journey for their progress toward achieving biliteracy. These awards honor the efforts of students learning multiple languages and encourage continued growth in biliteracy through high school and beyond.
Home Language Development Recognition: Celebrates students’ growth in developing proficiency in their home language.
Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition: Celebrates students enrolled in programs leading to biliteracy. (For students participating in the Juntos program offered at San Miguel Elementary and Columbia Middle School.)
Biliteracy Attainment Award: Celebrates students who demonstrate achievement in English and another language.
As the next step in this process, we are gathering input from parents and caregivers. To express your interest in your child receiving one or both awards, please complete the Cherry Chase 24-25 SSD Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Awards Google Form by February 28, 2025. Your responses and feedback will help us in the next steps to recognize and celebrate your child's bilingual and biliterate achievements.
If you have any more questions about these awards, please reach out to Ms. Marchant by email. Here is a helpful link with more information about these awards. Biliteracy Pathways Awards Presentation
The Sunnyvale School District is excited to offer a Parent Pay Preschool Program at Lakewood Elementary! Our program provides 5-day-a-week classes, with an option of either morning or afternoon sessions. Each three-hour session gives your child an excellent opportunity to learn and grow in a structured, supportive environment. Our licensed teachers provide a nurturing environment and follow the California State Preschool Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations. For more information or to enroll, please get in touch with the preschool office at 408-522-8213, Ext. 2039. Click here for more information
We understand that some families face unique challenges, particularly those with undocumented loved ones or dealing with immigration-related issues. Additionally, we recognize that families may have various perspectives and emotions regarding these matters. I want to emphasize that our primary focus as educators is to support our students and ensure their success in a positive, caring environment, regardless of race, gender, religion, or immigration status.
We continue to value the diversity in our community. Your engagement and support are the cornerstones of our success, and we continue to look forward to the beautiful experiences this school year still has to bring.
Best Regards,
Gloria Marchant-Principal
Cherry Chase Elementary Calendar-Important Dates
Calendar of Events
Here is the link to the 2024-2025 Cherry Chase Elementary Calendar. As we prepare for another exciting academic journey, we want to highlight some important dates and upcoming events to ensure a smooth transition for our students. Please take time to review the information listed below:
February
- February 11 Teacher Learning Day (TLD)-Early Dismissal at 12:45 pm
- February 11 School Site Council (SSC) Meeting at 3:00 - 4:00 pm
- February 13 ELAC at 8:15 am
- February 13 Earthquake / Fire Drill at 10:30 am
- February 14 Friday Flag at 8:15 am-Ms. Moreno's Class
- February 17 Presidents’ Day- No School
- February 18-21 Winter Recess- No School
- February 28 Friday Flag- Citizen of the Month- at 8:15 am- Ms. Wang
- February 28 Trimester 2 ends
PTA Updates
Become a PTA Member
Join the PTA to show your support of our students. Just $10/individual or $15/family.
As a PTA member, you have a say in how we support our school and our children. We understand that everyone's schedule is different, so while we encourage attending meetings and volunteering, we respect that it's optional. Become a PTA Member Today!
PTA Nominations
Do you know someone who cares deeply about Cherry Chase and can make a difference in our community?
The PTA is seeking parent leaders to join the team that coordinates a wide range of school enrichments, community events, fundraising, and more. Please fill out this form to nominate someone for the PTA Board. Self-nominations are welcome too!
RECURRING ITEMS
Coffee with Principal
We invite all parents to attend our Coffee with the Principal sessions in the Multipurpose Room. We'll cover many essential topics, from school safety to academic progress, and your presence is invaluable. We hope to see you there! We want to thank our PTA volunteers for setting up the coffee and treats for these events.
Below is the 2024-2025 Coffee with the Principal dates, topics, and links to the presentation:
August 15, 9:00 am-Welcome to incoming TK/Kindergarten Families
August 19, 8:30 am-Welcome Back Chargers
September 13, 8:45 am-What to Expect During Conference Week
October 11, 8:45 am-Emergency Protocols
January 17, 8:45 am-Using Data to Drive Instruction
March 14, 8:45 am-SSD Strategic Plan-Promise and Student Profile
May 16, 8:45 am-TBD
Playworks
We are excited to continue our partnership with Playworks, which helps kids stay active and build valuable life skills through play. We want to welcome back Playworks coach Fethiye Okan-Kolak and Team Up Coach Tommy Courtney, who will support students during recess, Class Game Time, and the Junior Coach Program. This year, we will share Playworks updates through the weekly bulletin. Here is the link to the Playworks Weekly Update (updated weekly)
School-Based Counseling
Sunnyvale School District has contracted Pacific Health Clinics (formerly CHAC) to provide school-based counseling to students. We want to welcome Neguin Ghadessi to Cherry Chase. She will be in room 36 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the school day.
Our counseling caseload is currently full, and students will be added to a waitlist. For students referred to counseling, the counselor will contact families to get consent, let them know they are on the waitlist, and provide outside counseling resources.
Please contact Kristin Brett at Kristin.brett@sesd.org if you have any questions.
Food Services
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Skinner's legislation in 2022, which established a universal meal program for all K-12 public school students. Therefore, SSD will continue to offer free breakfast and lunch at school. The menus will continue to be updated each month. You can find the updated monthly food menus using this link.
For more information, click on California Universal Meals.
Useful Links
1138 Heatherstone Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 522-8241 Main Office/Attendance