Cherry Crest Chronicler
August 21, 2020
Hello Charger Families,
This summer has been like no other and I hope your family has stayed healthy and safe. I did my best stay away from work and email during much of July as our family upgraded our travel trailer and enjoyed a few weeks of sunshine, swimming and family on Hood Canal and the Columbia River at Crescent Bar.
In spite of uncertainty and constant change, school and district leaders have been working tirelessly this summer to plan for safe and effective learning options for all students when we open our virtual doors on September 3rd.
VIDEO MESSAGE AND SCHOOL TOUR: Cherry Crest Principal Message August 21, 2020
In the newsletter below, you will find important information about the start of a new school year. Please take a moment to review this information and feel free to contact me ([email protected]) or our amazing office Manager Susie Nakamura ([email protected]) with any questions you may have!
Dusty Steere, Principal Cherry Crest Elementary
IMPORTANT DATES
August 21 Cherry Crest Device Deployment 11 – 6 (FULL)
August 28 Cherry Crest Device Deployment 9 – 3 (Sign Up Here)
August 29 Cherry Crest Device Deployment 9 – 1 (Sign Up Here)
August 28 Class placement emailed home
September 3 First Day of School for grades 1 – 5
September 7 Labor Day – No School
September 9 First day of School for Kindergarten
September 11 Virtual Principal Coffee @ 9:30 am Join Via Teams
Please remember to regularly visit the Cherry Crest & PTSA websites for the most current information.
https://bsd405.org/cherrycrest https://www.cherrycrest-ptsa.org
Laptop/iPad Distribution Details. To support remote learning at the begining of the school year, all K-12 students will receive a district issued laptop comuter (2 – 5) or iPad (K,1). Cherry Crest students can pick up their devices by signing up for slot during one of three designated days:
- Friday August 21st 11 am – 6 pm (all slots full)
- Friday August 28th 9 am – 3 pm (Sign Up Here)
- Saturday August 29th 9 am – 1 pm (Sign Up Here)
- When you arrive on campus, please line up at our check-in health screening table at the main entrance of Cherry Crest.
- Wear a mask and bring a pen or pencil. Keep your distance from others.
- Please only bring your Cherry Crest student(s) and one parent per student.
- We want all BSD students to have a BSD device this school year. This will support with consistency and easy access to all BSD programs and accounts.
Yearbooks are Here! You can pick up your child’s Yearbooks when you pick up your devices from school: the 21st 12-6pm, 28th 9-3, and 29th 9-1pm.
There will be a table set up on the field for pick up and purchase (under a blue tent). If you need to purchase a Yearbook, they are $20. Please pay with exact cash.
If you have questions or need to schedule a different time to get your yearbook, please contact [email protected]
August 26 School Start Families Forum. 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 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. LEARN MORE
Back to School Supplies. Our teachers realize the challenges families are facing at the start of this unprecedented school year. To help, we are significantly reducing our annual recommended supply list. Across grades K-5, teachers ask that students have the traditional minimum 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, although extra time will be given to families to gather supplies.
One small exception is with Art. For weekly Art class, Ms. Patti and Ms. Bena recommend that students have a simplified set of art supplies: (1) watercolor paint set (click here for an example from Amazon), and (2) watercolor paper (click here for an example from Amazon). If you have any difficulty purchasing these supplies, we will make sets available to families for pickup in September.
What time does school start? The school year will launch for all students in a virtual/remote fashion on September 3rd (grades 1-5) and September 9 (Kindergarten). When it does, school at Cherry Crest begins at 8:00 am with live instruction from teachers and specialists until 11 am forllowed by a lunch break. The afternoon will be comprised of small group instructional check ins with teachers/support staff and/or asynchronous learning opportunities of 60-90 minutes which will conclude by 2:30 pm each day. You can expect more specific details on schedule from your child’s teacher.
Class Placement Cards sent home August 28th. Check your email inbox on Friday afternoon, August 28th as we will be sending out information about your child’s teacher and classroom placement for 2020-21. If your email contact information needs updating, please contact Susie Nakamura.
Kindergarten Family Connection Conferences. As stated above, the first day of school for kindergarten students is Wednesday, September 9th. Doing so provides time for kindergarten students and their families to meet with their teacher for a 30 minute individualized Family Connection Conference on September 3rd, 4th or 8th. Very soon, kindergarten families should receive an invitation to schedule a conference. If you do not receive an invitation by 8/28, please contact Susie Nakamura in the main office.
Free & Reduced Priced Meals. The Free and Reduced Priced Lunch application for the 2020-21 school year is available on our website. More information about the application and how to get help is also available from Nutrition Services.
Planning for Fall Resources and FAQ. As we look forward to the beginning of school, we we know that there are many questions that remain. Cherry Crest and the Bellevue School District continue to prioritize the health and safety of our students, staff, and the community as we plan. Visit our district website with Fall Planning resources and Frequently Asked Questions for the most updated information on our plans as well as a place to post a question, concern, suggestion or compliment.
Online Student Data Verification. The Online Student Data Verification process for the 2020-21 school year begins on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. This applies only to students in grades K through 12 (not preschool). Starting on August 19, parents and guardians can update student information by signing into ParentVUE to update it. Upon logging in the first time, they will be directed to data verification.
On August 19, parents and guardians can:
- Update their address online and provide required proofs of address electronically
- Update student demographic data
- Manage student emergency contacts
- Update photo permissions
Elementary Student and Family Technology Webinar. Please join the Bellevue School District for a live virtual event to help families learn about BSD technology for elementary students. During this live event, BSD technology and instructional staff will introduce elementary families to the hardware and software elementary students are likely to use this year. Sessions will include the opportunity for families to ask questions and will be recorded for families that cannot join the live events.
Families may choose from one of two webinar sessions:
Monday, August 31 @ 6:30 pm Learn more
Wednesday, September 2 @ 6:30 pm Learn more
Tech Support for Families. Did you know that the Technology Department provides tech support for students and families by phone, email and in-person? Visit our website to see the latest updates.
#MaskUpWA. All of us need to work together to flatten the COVID-19 curve and wearing a face covering, along with physical distancing, is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19. You might see the #MaskUpWA campaign on social media. Watch this short video from the Washington Department of Health to learn more about how to properly wear a face covering and proper care for your face coverings. English | Spanish
Cherry Crest Elementary prepares all students to become life-long learners through inquiry, collaboration, and discovery. Each student will feel a sense of belonging in ourComm(UNITY) while learning social-emotional and academic skills to be successful in an ever-changing and diverse society.