We hope to see you next Friday (10/4 @ 4-6:30pm) at Cherry Crest for our first annual PTSA fundraising Carnival! 🤠 We can't wait for the fun!

⭐Carnival Volunteers Needed:

For families -

Help make the students’ day by volunteering at the Cherry Crest Carnival on Oct 4th. It takes over 100 volunteers to help manage the games and events. We so appreciate your willingness to help out. Middle school and high school volunteers can earn volunteer hours! We still need 40 volunteers!! Please help out if you can!

Please sign up here:

https://www.marapod.com/org/clhzsyix50004l308kifhzhfb/events/clzrcup4z0002cyyory19a817

Join Mrs. Stedman next Friday on teams at 9-10 AM

Join the meeting now

Sept 30 || Orange Shirt Day (See Diversity and Inclusion section)

Sept 30 || Goofy Socks

Oct 1 || Incredible Hat

Oct 1 || PTSA General Membership Meeting at Cherry Crest

Oct 2 || Very Cozy

Oct 2 || Rosh Hashanah

Oct 3 || Everyday Hero

Oct 4 || School Spirit (red and black!)

Oct 4 || School Carnival

Oct 11 || Non-Student Day

Oct 11 || Yom Kippur

Oct 14 || Indigenous People's Day

Oct 25 || Family STEM Night

Oct 31 || Halloween & Día de los Muertos

Nov 1 || Diwali

Nov 8 || Movie Night

Nov 11 || Veterans Day - No School

Nov 19 || Picture Re-Takes

As we approach October, it’s essential to recognize the significance of the Jewish High Holy Days—Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Our superintendent shared valuable insights from Rabbi Daniel Weiner, emphasizing the essence of these holidays: Teshuvah, or repentance. This process involves:

• Self-awareness of our mistakes
• Honesty in confronting our faults
• Conviction to improve ourselves
• Commitment to making the right choices

In these challenging times, this kind of deep reflection is vital for bridging divides in our community.

However, it's important to acknowledge that many in our Jewish community face increased antisemitism, with a rise in incidents reported this past year. Our district stands firm: there is no place for hate in our schools and workplaces.

As a Beloved Community, we are committed to embracing our diversity, understanding one another’s perspectives, and supporting each other, especially during difficult times. We strive to build friendships across differences and address issues like hunger, poverty, and hatred.

I encourage everyone to read the full reflection from our superintendent. His engagement in understanding antisemitism and his call to action for all of us to deepen our awareness is crucial. Together, we can work toward a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Hello Cherry Crest families and students! Did you know that people living in poverty are more than twice as likely to suffer from depression than those who live above the federal poverty line?

Donate to the food drive today to help stop this! My name is Liba Mujtaba and I'm a sophomore at Interlake High and an alumnus of Cherry Crest. I want to help those experiencing food insecurity using my research on the gut-brain connection. All proceeds will be donated to Hope Link and Sofia Way, a non-profit for women. You can find the collection boxes in the entryway with posters and signs above it.

Please donate:

Nonperishable snacks:

• Fruit rolls-ups/ gummies

• Gluten-free and vegan option snacks

• Jerky

• Microwave popcorn

• Nuts/dried fruit/trail mix

• Rice cakes

• Single serving snacks (chips, crackers, etc.)

Breakfast Items:

• Apple sauce (individual cups)

• Boxes of cereals

• Coffee

• Granola bars

• Instant oatmeal (individual packets)

• Tea bags

Shelf stable microwavable meals:

• Canned meals

• Microwavable macaroni (easy mac)

Email libamujtaba@outlook.com for any questions!

Giving Month a focused period where PTSA is trying to activate donations to Cherry Crest Elementary (CCE) that aligns with many Corporate Giving initiatives. These funds are crucial to providing free field trips, free author visits, needed school personnel funding, family events, teacher grants, and much, much more. [See here for full details].

We will only have 2 fundraisers this year – Giving Month (Carnival – Oct 4th & Family STEM Night – Oct 25) plus Walkathon/Bingo Night on Friday, May 9th. PTSA’s goal is to collectively raise $200K.

Envelopes: DUE OCTOBER 2nd!

Your student went home with a yellow envelope this week. This is for our PTSA Envelope Drive! Please see the flyer for more information or visit the PTSA website. For any questions, please email the PTSA at carnival@cherrycrest-ptsa.org.

DONATE TODAY!

A Chatter Article About Mrs. Stedman

Join PTSA Today!

Join Mrs. Stedman and PTSA at the first general membership meeting, which has been changed to October 1st at 6:45-8 pm at Cherry Crest Elementary in the cafeteria.

Our school is one of 19 schools participating in Bellevue SchoolPool’s Walk & Roll to School campaign during the week of Sept. 30-Oct. 4!

Bellevue SchoolPool is a program that encourages families and students to explore sustainable transportation options for their commute to and from school and alleviate congestion at drop-off and pickup times and locations. During the campaign, students and families are encouraged to walk, bike, carpool or take the bus to and/or from school.

This fall, the campaign is centered around International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 2, but SchoolPool encourages students to try a new way to school any time during week!

SchoolPool also provides students with a safety tips flyer and fun items such as reflective zipper pulls and smiley face note packs.

For resources including how to set up a bike train or walking school bus and carpooling tips, visit www.BellevueSchoolPool.org and look under “Resources for Students and Families.”

If you would like to sign up for the Bellevue SchoolPool newsletter, click here.

Join the Bellevue School Foundation at the downtown Bellevue Park on Saturday, 9/28 between 11am-4pm.

Join the 2024-2025 Bellevue Schools Foundation Ambassador Programs!

The Bellevue Schools Foundation is seeking passionate individuals to join our Ambassador teams! If you're a parent/guardian and interested in Bellevue School Foundation's mission to fund students and teachers across Bellevue School District, consider becoming a BSF Ambassador at our school!

Or do you know now an outstanding rising junior or senior? Encourage them to apply for our new Student Ambassador program!

Both programs offer a fun and engaging way to give back and meet great people. For more info, check the links above or email deb@bsfdn.org.

We were advised by the city that 140th AVE NE will be closed for a month starting Oct. 1, 2024.

If your child came home with a flyer this may not be accurate. Please check the transportation webpage & schoolbusmap.com, which will be updated this afternoon, for any route changes.

Questions? Please contact transportation@bsd405.org

Update Your SchoolMessenger Preferences for Important Notifications

BSD uses the SchoolMessenger communication notification system to send regular announcements and urgent alerts such as school delays and closures. Families may receive SchoolMessenger communication via phone call, text message and email.

You do not need to create an account to receive notifications, as you will automatically receive them to the phone number and email address listed in your student’s record. However, if you choose to set up a SchoolMessenger App account, you may adjust how you prefer to be notified. You may also view messages from the last 30 days online or by setting up the app on your IOS or Android smartphone.

Important: Families should sign up for SchoolMessenger with the same email address used for Online Student Data Verification through Synergy ParentVUE.

The following tips may help if you think you are not receiving important messages from the district or your school:

· Email Tip: Check your Junk/Spam folder. Depending on your email provider, you may need to mark email from the Bellevue School District as “safe,” or “move to inbox” to ensure future messages will not go to hidden folders.

· Phone Call Tip: Save the phone number 425-456-4072 in your contacts to ensure that calls show up as “Bellevue School District.” There have been reports from some families who receive the calls as “Potential Spam.”

· Text Message Tip: Create a SchoolMessenger account and manage your contact and notification preferences. To receive SMS texts from SchoolMessenger, send a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587. You will then receive a confirmation that you have registered for SchoolMessenger notifications.

Elementary Japanese Language Program

We are excited to share that BSD is exploring the launch of a new Japanese language program for our elementary students in the upcoming school year! To ensure this program meets the needs and interests of our students and families, we are seeking your perspectives and insights. Join us for a family and community listening session on Wednesday, October 30 at 5:30 p.m. at Jing Mei. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out to Languageprograms@bsd405.org. Kindly RSVP.

Providing the Gold Standard in K-12 Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness

September marks National Preparedness Month, the annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families, and their communities safe. The BSD Safety and Security Department is the gold-standard in K-12 safety, security and emergency preparedness. They utilize a multi-layered, research-based approach to school security to promote the safety of our students, staff and community. The team remains committed and focused on preparing and empowering our schools to respond confidently, safely and effectively to incidents, emergencies and security risks.

BSD Safety and Security recently presented a report to the school board outlining a various safety topics and accomplishments over the past year, including staff training and preparedness, advanced life-safety training, Reunification Jump-Out Team, threat assessment program, physical security, surveillance camera upgrades, opioid overdose medication, and student voice and preparation.

Support Career and Technical Education by Joining an Advisory Committee

The Bellevue School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is seeking business professionals to join our CTE Program Advisory Committees. There are 12 program advisory committees seeking members for the 2024-2025 school year. These committees are designed to meet state and federal guidelines for career and technical education programs and ensure that CTE programs are aligned with current industry needs and trends.

The first meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Newport High School. CTE teachers from across the Bellevue School District will partner with industry professionals and provide guidance and advice for district programs. Please confirm your interest in a committee and RSVP for the kickoff by October 16, 2024.

Monday, 9/30 is Orange Shirt Day.

As we approach September 30th, Orange Shirt Day, let us come together to recognize The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the painful legacy of the Indigenous residential school system and its ongoing impact on communities.

Wearing an orange shirt symbolizes our commitment to acknowledging the experiences of Indigenous children and the importance of fostering understanding and healing. It’s a time to reflect on the past, honor the survivors, and advocate for a future rooted in respect and reconciliation.

Let’s use this opportunity to listen, learn, and support Indigenous voices as we work towards a more equitable and inclusive society. Together, we can contribute to a collective healing journey and ensure that the lessons of history guide us forward.

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the BSD community is invited to celebrate El Dia de Espanol at Highland Middle School October 10, 2024, 5:00-7:00 p.m. We will celebrate together with food and activities!