Cherrydale Primary School

Happy Wednesday Cherrydale Families,

Next week, our school will be celebrating Digital Citizenship Week! Teachers will be using lessons from Common Sense Media to help students learn how to stay safe online, use technology responsibly, and be kind and respectful digital citizens.

We encourage families to continue the conversation at home—talk with your child about what it means to be a good digital citizen. Ask them what they’re learning and how they can apply those lessons when using devices, playing games, or interacting online.

This is also a great time to check in on screen time habits at home. Setting healthy limits around device use—like unplugging during meals, having screen-free time before bed, and balancing online time with offline play—can help kids build positive tech habits for life.

Together, we can help our students stay safe, balanced, and responsible in their digital world!

Warm Regards,

Christine Firth, Principal

On October 16, our school will join millions of others in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill and practice the steps: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

This is a good time to remember that we all play a role in keeping our students safe during an emergency. It is natural to want to protect your child by coming to school - but arriving or calling can delay or prevent first responders from reaching our school to help.

Here's how you can help us Stay Safe Together:

• Stay Home. Keep our roads and phone lines clear so first responders can reach our school quickly to help.
• Stay Informed. Look for updates through ParentSquare and our website. In some situations, accurate information may take time to verify and share.
• Be Ready. Be prepared to follow instructions from the district or public safety officers.

After an emergency, students will only be released to individuals listed in Skyward who present a photo ID. Please check your contact information and emergency contacts in Skyward and submit any changes to our school office via emailing cherrydaleoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

Staying Safe Together also means reporting safety concerns to our district - this can be done anonymously by texting or calling 855-745-3674.

Thank you for your support and helping us keep every student safe, every day.

A note from the Highly Capable Program teacher, Mrs. Hannah Engstrom:

Each year we screen all second grade students for eligibility in the district’s Highly Capable Program. This year’s screening occurred with the iReady Fall diagnostic tests. Students whose scores meet at least one qualifying point for the program will be invited for further testing via a Parent Square message to their family which includes a “Request for Permission to Test.” Further testing will occur during conference week, October 20-24. If you are the parent/guardian of a second grade student and do not receive this Parent Square message, you are welcome to apply for the Highly Capable Program in the Spring. If you have any questions about the program feel free to contact me via Parent Square or email at hengstrom@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

10/15 - School Board Meeting 6PM

10/16 - PTA MOD Pizza Takeover

10/20 - 10/24 Fall Conference Half Days (12:35 release)

10/20 - 10/24 - Scholastic Book Fair (details below)

10/21 - Purple Up!

10/22 - Unity Day - Wear Orange!

10/22 - Flu & Covid Vaccine Clinic at Pioneer (see flyer below)

10/23 - Flu & Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic at CD (see flyer below)

10/27 - Picture Makeup Day

10/29 - ACE Day (2:35 release)

10/31 - PTA Dance-A-Thon (info to follow soon)

Important Upcoming Dates

11/02 - Daylight Savings Time Ends (Fall Back)

11/11 - Veterans Day (no school)

11/26 - Half Day (12:35 release)

11/27-28 - Thanksgiving Break (no school)

12/22 - Winter Break Begins

01/05 - School Resumes

Monday: 9:00 to 3:00

Tuesday: 9:00 to 3:00

Wednesday: 9:00 to 3:00

Thursday: 9:00 to 6:30

Friday: 9:00 to 10:00

Book Fair eWallet - The easy way for kids to pay!

Easy for families to set up, easy for others to contribute. eWallet lets your child shop independently and choose books they want to read. After the Fair, any unspent funds become a Scholastic eGift balance to use at a future Fair or to shop online. See attachments below.

Visit our school’s Book Fair homepage to get started:

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/cherrydaleprimaryschool

When your student will be late, leaving early, or absent altogether, please notify the office. If the Tardy, Early Release or Absence is due to an appointment, please bring a note from the doctor's office.

You MUST be a CLEARED volunteer to help with any events or to participate in anything on the Cherrydale Campus.

To get clearance so you can help with upcoming PTA events (or ANY Cherrydale events), click Volunteer at Cherrydale. The process can take up to 2 weeks. Once you are cleared you can let the PTA know of your interest and availability.

Accessing PTA info has become easier! Everything you need is on their Cherrydale PTA page. One stop shopping with all their links for joining the PTA, volunteer sign ups, fundraising and more!

Please consider joining the Cherrydale PTA. The best part about the PTA is that you can be as involved as much or as little as you'd like or can be! We have so many volunteer opportunities throughout the year, it's easy to get involved!

To contact the PTA, email them at CherrydalePTA@gmail.com

We need Watch DOGS help with morning drop off as soon as we can get cleared volunteers to say that they are available! Our Watch Dads Of Great Students are the BEST! Students are so excited when their family member(s) come to volunteer (must be cleared volunteer)!

Please email David Stailey at cherrydalewatchdogs@yahoo.com and CC the CherrydaleOffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us on the email so we can make sure your email is getting to the right place.

Thank you for your time!

October's Character Trait of the month

For interesting and helpful information on a variety of topics, click Love & Logic.

Would picking up a weekly bag of non-perishable groceries help your family? To participate on Cherrydale's Weekend Grocery Program, send a ParentSquare message to Lanae Olson (Cherrydale's School Counselor) or leave her a voicemail at

253-983-2504. Click here to see original post.

Looking for a way to help others? Click Steilacoom Food Pantry and Caring for Kids

A big thank you to all of the PeaceBuilders "Helping Others" in our community!

Click to view menu on website (scroll down to find the current month) or you can print the attachment below.

As of this year, all Cherrydale students will have the opportunity to have one breakfast and one lunch for free every day! If a student chooses a second entrée or beverage, it will be charged to student’s account.

Cherrydale Planned Absence Request

Attendance & Dismissal/Transportation Changes

Adverse Weather Information

Skyward Family Access

ParentSquare

Enrollment/Withdrawals/Transfers

Food Service

Student Fees & Fines

Transportation

SHSD Employment Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for reliable and convenient before and after school childcare for your student? This daycare is run by Right At School but is physically located here at Cherrydale. Click Right At School at Cherrydale for their website.

Phone: (253) 983-2500

Email: cherrydaleoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us
Website: https://www.steilacoom.k12.wa.us/
Location: 1201 Galloway Street, Steilacoom, WA, USA