We had an exciting week kicking off our Kids Heart Challenge, in partnership with The American Heart Association.

Students have just earned all four incentives for meeting 100% of their goal (Just over 100 students have registered!). On Monday students earned a schoolwide spirit day, Superhero Day, and music at lunch! Wear your superhero cape, costume, or wear red in honor of the American Heart Association on Monday, 3/10!

We have lots of exciting things happening this month in addition to the Kids Heart Challenge. Next week we kick-off our Book Fair. TONIGHT, 3/7, is Family Movie Night. The Book Fair will be open in the evening for shopping and students can stay with their families to watch Wild Robot. March is also literacy month, as March 2nd was Read Across America Day across our nation. We're celebrating reading and literacy with a Lit-A-Thon, which I will share more about next week with more detail. And to top it all off, we're ending our month with our Walkathon Kickoff Assembly on March 31st, to get students excited about this final fundraising event to support our school and PTSA. More to come on this as well.

Never hesitate to reach out me, or our amazing assistant principal, Amy Chu. We can be reached easily by email.

Principal Stedman - stedmane@bsd405.org Assistant Principal Chu - chua@bsd405.org

Join Mrs. Stedman on 4/4 on teams at 9-10 AM

Join the meeting now

October Principal Coffee Link

November Principal Coffee Link

December Principal Coffee Link

January Principal Coffee Link

February Principal Coffee Link

March Principal Coffee Link (NEW!)

2/28 – 3/30 Ramadan

3/7 – 3/13 PTSA Scholastic Book Fair Sales

3/7 PTSA Movie Night 6-7:30pm in Cafeteria

3/9 Daylight Savings Time = lose 1 hr of sleep

3/10 3-Gilbert & Wells Nature Vision 10am-1:25pm

3/10 G5 Odle Counselor Enrollment Visit 11am – 12pm

3/11 K, G1, G2 Author Visit 8:10am-8:45am in Cafeteria /Author signing 8:10-11am

3/13 Purim

3/14 PI Day (Donate a "pie" for teachers - Thank you PTSA!)

3/14 3-Lile, Pederson, Tatterson Nature Vision 8am-2:30pm

3/14 Holi Hindu festival

3/17 St. Patrick’s Day

3/20 First Day of Spring

3/20 Band Concert @ Chinook Middle School (Students arrive at 6:15 pm, performance at 7 pm)

3/20 Nowruz/Persian New Year (Spring Equinox)

3/25 Girls on the Run Tue. Thu. 2:30-4:15pm in Room 213/Field

3/25 PTSA General Meeting 6:30-7:30pm in Cafeteria

3/27 G3 Field Trip to PNW Ballet 9:45-1pm

3/28 PTSA Passport Club 11:00am – 1:00pm in Lobby

3/28 Regular School Day (make-up for November closure)

3/29 Eid-al-Fitr

6/12 Cherry Crest Band and Orchestra Evening Concert

6/17 G5 Promotion @ 8:30 AM

6/20 Field Day

Monday, 6/23 – Last Day of School (date change) - This may change due to the recent snow storm. We will share information when it becomes available.

• • Thu Feb 27 @ 6:30-8pm, Early Literacy & Dyslexia Info Night
  • Fri Feb 28 @lunch, Passport Club Checkpoint
  • Fri Mar 7 @4:30-6:30pm, Scholastic Book Fair Opens Before the Movie Night
  • Fri Mar 7 @ 6pm, Movie Night
  • Sat Mar 8 @4pm, Spring Into Reading – Author Talk @Odle Middle School
  • Mon Mar 10 – Thu Mar 13, Scholastic Book Fair
  • Sun Mar 23 @2pm, Spring Into Reading – Author Talk @Wilburton Instructional Service Center
  • Tue Mar 25, PTSA General Meeting to get updates on the funding gap
  • Fri Apr 12, Deadline to submit photos for Yearbook
  • Fri Apr 25 @ 6pm, Cherry Crest Variety Show
  • Fri May 3, Deadline to order Yearbook
  • Ongoing, Math Challenge submissions

Preschool Applications Now Available!

The 2025-2026 preschool program application period for new families is now open! Returning families should contact preschooloffice@bsd405.org for school placement.

Learn How to Apply to Preschool

Program Details

Program Options

Site Availability

We are also accepting 2024-2025 applications for preschool sites with availability, including: Ardmore, Enatai, Phantom Lake, and Puesta del Sol. We look forward to receiving your application!

Lost and Found is growing and we need you to come claim your student’s belongings.

Lost and Found is located in the undercover area by the playground. Adults have access to the Lost and Found M-T-W-Th-Fri from 7:40-8:00am and M-T-Th-F from 2:30-2:45pm, Wed 12:15-12:45. Students have access to the Lost and Found before and after school as well as during morning and lunch recess.

All unclaimed items will be donated on Friday 4/4.

We are so proud of the students, families, and staff who have joined our school team! Together, we are helping the American Heart Association on their mission to save lives! Health Tip: Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that comes from two sources: FOOD and your BODY. It is found in foods from animal sources only. It travels in the body by lipoproteins (LDL and HDL). Find out more at Cholesterol 101: An introduction. Please share this heath tip with others!

1. Sign Up/Log In TODAY at http://www2.heart.org/goto/cherrycrest or by downloading the free AHA Schools App for Apple or Android
2. Just Send 10 emails/texts to friends & family in your HQ asking for a donation! You can also post to social!
3. Complete Finn’s Mission to learn Hands-Only CPR and be entered to win a pair of Super Bowl tickets!

So far, 102 students have joined our Kids Heart Challenge team, and together, we have raised $1,993 to help people with special hearts. WOW! Thank you! Donations raised support vital research and education to help people of all ages who have been impacted by heart disease and stroke, like our very own Bellevue Heart Hero, AIDREE! Please take a moment to read her story below. ❤

Exciting News: Lit-A-Thon Kickoff!

This week marks the beginning of our Lit-A-Thon, and we invite you to participate from home! Starting today until March 31st, students can record their reading minutes to meet or exceed the grade-level goals listed on the tracking sheet. Additionally, students can complete the literacy bingo at home.

By participating in either option—or both—your child will earn a literacy star to display on our "Superstar Literacy Wall" at Cherry Crest, celebrating March as Literacy Month. Let's make this a fantastic reading experience!

Please see the attached document. Directions for our Lit-A-Thon are below:

BINGO -

Directions:

• Write a reading goal for yourself below. Examples:
• "I will complete 3 BINGOS."
• "I will complete a total of 12 boxes."
• Have a parent review and initial your goal.
• When you complete your goal, bring your BINGO board to school to earn your Literacy Star!
• You can complete this with your BINGO, or just complete one or the other.

Reading Log -

Directions:

• Track your daily reading minutes below.
• Try to meet or exceed your grade level goal!
• Turn your reading log in to earn your Literacy Star!
• You can complete this with your BINGO, or just complete one or the other.

If you would like us to print a copy for you, please feel free to contact your child's teacher. Remember, BINGO boards and reading logs are due on March 31st! Kindly return them to the classroom, and we will award your child a star for their efforts.

Happy literacy month!

This event will host business professionals, community leaders, and philanthropic donors who are committed to investing in all 19,000+ students in Bellevue’s public schools — through innovation, student well-being, and equity — to thrive in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Students in Bellevue are facing bigger challenges than ever before, but they are not alone.

You have their back.

We invite you to partner with us to make Bellevue the premier example of a community that supports the next generation.

Tickets available for purchase for $175 per person.

Attire: Garden Party / Cocktail

Meal Choices: Beef, Salmon or Vegetarian

Free Childcare – First Come, First Served! Secure Your Spot here!

The Cherry Crest Elementary Yearbook is a wonderful way to celebrate the year and preserve the memories of our amazing students and community. Don’t forget to pre-order your copy today!

Special Announcement for 5th Graders:
Calling all 5th-grade artists! Participate in our Yearbook Cover Contest for a chance to have your design featured on the front cover of this year’s yearbook. But that’s not all—the winner will also get to be Principal for a Day!

Submissions are due by March 15th, so grab your art supplies and let your creativity shine. Additional entries will also be showcased inside the yearbook.

For more details about pre-ordering, photo submissions, and the cover contest, visit the Cherry Crest PTSA Yearbook page. Let’s make this yearbook a true celebration of our vibrant school community!

Yearbook orders are now available through May 3rd! Please email photos from the school year to yearbook@cherrycrest-ptsa.org by April 12th.

Promotion is coming up fast. Please submit some pictures (3) of your G5 student to be added into the Cherry Crest Elementary G5 Memory Book.

Submissions are due April 1.

Go to this link to submit your pictures: https://forms.gle/DUGwkoghKhC89FfHA

Cherry Crest is doing our annual Plastic Film Drive

Please start to collect your plastic film at home, more information will be coming in the weeks to come.

What is a plastic film drive?

Plastic film includes grocery bags, zip top bags, Amazon shipping envelopes, and lots more thin, flexible plastic. It can’t be recycled curbside, so millions of tons end up in landfills every year. During the drive, we’ll collect plastic film from the school community to recycle with Ridwell, keeping it out of the landfill.

Why do a plastic film drive?

Participating in a drive helps students feel empowered to make an impact on the planet and helps them become mindful about waste. Plus, Cherry Crest has the chance to earn ongoing plastic film pickups for the entire ‘25/’26 school year. This means our school’s production of plastic film would stay out of landfills and go on to have a new life after Ridwell's partner turns it into composite decking.

The BSD Sustainability Design Team is excited to host our first Earth Month Student Art Contest. This contest is open to all K-12 students. The theme is Our Planet, Our Power.

Submissions are open now and will close March 26, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Submit an entry.

Join us for an unforgettable night of talent and creativity!

Event Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Cherry Crest Elementary School
Contact: varietyshow@cherrycrest-ptsa.org

From dancing and singing to gymnastics, martial arts, and magic tricks, our talented Cherry Crest students are ready to shine on stage!

Interested in performing? The deadline was February 14th to sign-up. If you already signed up, don't forget the following date below to submit your audition video.

• By March 18 – Submit audition video (recorded performance based on the submitted act). Send the video link to varietyshow@cherrycrest-ptsa.org.

Have questions? Contact: varietyshow@cherrycrest-ptsa.org

Let’s make this year’s Cherry Crest Talent Show a spectacular event!

Interlake Girls Soccer is hosting a 3-day soccer camp, June 25-27. This camp is for girls entering 5th through 8th grades for the 2025-26 school year. Camp participants will train with Varsity players to improve soccer skills, fitness, and have fun. All skill levels are welcome and participants will receive a camp shirt! Players can register here: https://interlakesaints.org/girls-soccer

Early bird discounts are available if families sign up before April 30th!

This camp is run by Interlake High School students this summer for elementary aged students in the Bellevue-Redmond area.

Cherry Crest PTSA honors a few outstanding volunteers each year with the Golden Acorn award. We look for volunteers who have made significant contributions to our community in various roles throughout one or more years. E-mail nominations to: goldenacorn@cherrycrest-ptsa.org by Friday, April 18.

With spring comes state testing! All 3-5 students take the Smarter Balanced Assessment for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics online during the spring of this school year. 5th grade students will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS).

Please avoid scheduling vacations or time away from school during these important assessment windows. Vacation requests may not be granted if they conflict with state standardized testing.

Our calendar is currently being reviewed by staff and district testing coordinators; therefore, SBA dates are not finalized. Please look for communications by teachers in the coming weeks.

The Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program website contains lots of test-related resources for parents and students. Additionally you are welcome to visit the practice and training site page.

Practice and Training Site

For more information, contact Cherry Crest Assistant Principal, Amy Chu, (chua@bsd405.org).

Prearranged absence forms should be completed at least two weeks in advance for approval. Please email cherrycrestattendance@bsd405.org for access to the form and for any questions you may have.

Some parents will receive letters in the mail regarding number of days your child has been absent since beginning of school year. This is to bring to your attention, as required by law. No action needed at this time. If we have concern with your child’s attendance, we will reach out to you to schedule a meeting.

Superintendent’s Blog: Honoring Bellevue’s Diversity and Preserving Civil Rights in Our Beloved Community

Superintendent Aramaki shares a message with the BSD community acknowledging recent celebrations and commemorations in our community, including Lunar New Year, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Black History Month, and Ramadan. He goes on to share that amidst the celebrations, there have also been many in our community who have experienced fear and uncertainty. In response to the executive orders coming from the federal government, many students, families, and staff — particularly our immigrant community, our LGBTQIA+ community, our families with children with IEPs and 504s, and our communities of color — have worried about their education, safety, and belonging.

As a district, we are doing our best to navigate the flurry of K-12 education-related executive orders and communications from the US Department of Education. In his most recent video communication (listen in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian), Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, addresses how the state’s school districts, including the Bellevue School District, are to respond to the executive orders. Dr. Aramaki encourages students, staff, and families to watch his video to get a better understanding of the implications of the recent executive orders. A few of the key points from Superintendent Reykdal that apply to the Bellevue School District are:

· The Civil Rights of Undocumented Youth (Procedure 4310.1P)

· The Civil Rights of LGBTQIA+ Youth (Policy 3211 and Procedure 3211P)

· Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Policy 0130 and Procedure 0130P)

· Focus on Funding Public Education

Dr. Aramaki goes on to share a personal story of how his family was impacted by Executive Order 9066, which in 1942 authorized the forced relocation of Japanese Americans along the west coast to internment camps. He expresses that even during this dark time in history, there was still hope. And in this instance, it was attributed, in part, to the courage and care of a former teacher in Bellevue’s beloved community. Read the full Superintendent blog for more of this story and to learn about the recent federal actions and guidance from the state.

Women's History Month, Ramadan/Eid, Purim, Holi and Nowruz

• Wondering how to celebrate Women’s History Month at home with your students? Here’s a list of 11 fun activities to get you started!
• Women’s History Month is a great time to talk about inequities within our society. Why do we need to celebrate and lift up women’s history in particular? Why does this continue to be important today? What other groups within our society historically have been (and continue to be) marginalized? How can we be part of the change?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. During Ramadan, from dawn until sunset, Muslims fast by abstaining from food and drink, focusing on spiritual growth, self-discipline, and empathy for those less fortunate. The month concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a festive holiday that marks the end of fasting and emphasizes gratitude, charity, and communal prayers.

The office will be available to all students who are fasting during the month of Ramadan. We will have coloring and games available in the conference room for all three lunches. If you have students who will join us in the office during lunchtime, please let our office staff know.

We have partnered with one of our families, and would like to thank them for donating decorations for our entryway to honor and celebrate Ramadan all month long. Thank you!

Purim is a joyful Jewish holiday that celebrates Queen Esther's bravery in saving the Jewish people from a wicked advisor named Haman in ancient Persia.

1. The Story: Esther reveals her identity as a Jew to the king, stopping Haman's evil plan.

2. Celebrations:

   • Costumes: People dress up to have fun.
   • Hamantaschen: Delicious triangle-shaped cookies are eaten.
   • Megillah Reading: Families gather to hear the story of Esther.

3. Good Deeds: It's a time to give to those in need and share food with friends.

Purim is all about joy, friendship, and standing up for what is right!

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a vibrant Hindu spring festival celebrated primarily in India and Nepal. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. During Holi, participants throw colored powders and water at each other, dance, and enjoy festive foods, creating a joyful and inclusive atmosphere. The festival fosters unity, love, and the renewal of relationships, making it a time for forgiveness and celebration with friends and family.

Nowruz: A Celebration of Spring and Renewal

Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year, marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian calendar. Celebrated on March 20th, it symbolizes renewal, rebirth, and the rejuvenation of nature. Families come together to clean their homes, prepare special meals, and engage in various traditions, such as setting the Haft-Seen table, which includes seven symbolic items that represent health, wealth, and happiness. Nowruz is a time for joy, reflection, and connecting with family and friends, and it is celebrated by millions around the world, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Persian community.

We will have a Haft-Seen table set up in our main entryway beginning March 18th! Learn more by watching the video below.