Cherrydale Primary School

Happy Wednesday Cherrydale Families,

October is full of exciting events and opportunities for our Cherrydale Cheetahs and their families!

First, we want to make sure that our families know that there will be no school for students on Friday, October 10th, as our staff takes part in a full day of professional development.

On Thursday, Oct. 16th, students and staff will participate in the Great Shakeout Drill (see SHSD Cares below) , a nationwide earthquake safety event that helps schools practice emergency preparedness. That same day, our amazing PTA is hosting a MOD Pizza Takeover Fundraiser. Skip the cooking and support our school - just mention Cherrydale when you order, and a portion of the proceeds will go directly to our PTA programs.

During the week of October 20-24, we will be operating on the Half Day schedule (12:35 release). Several exciting events events happen that week. First up, we'll be holding Fall Conferences, a great time for families to connect with teachers and discuss student progress. Please be sure to check ParentSquare for parent-sign ups. During that same week, students and families can shop our Fall Book Fair, which will be open during conference hours (see Book Fair below) . It’s a wonderful opportunity to pick up new books and support our school library. We’ll also be recognizing Digital Citizenship Week, with activities and lessons focused on helping students learn to be safe, respectful, and responsible online. We’ll share more about our plans for this in the next newsletter.

We’ll wrap up the month with our highly anticipated Dance-for-a-Cause event on Friday, October 31, sponsored by our PTA! Students are invited to wear a costume or show their school pride in Cherrydale Cheetah spirit wear as we dance to raise money to support our school.

Let’s make this October one to remember—full of learning, community, and Cherrydale spirit!

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 new Free and Reduced Meal Application needs to be submitted each year. The grace period from last year is ending on October 9, so make sure you have submitted a current application.

If you have already completed an application for the 2025-26 school year, you are all set. If not, please visit the district's website for information on completing the application. Clicking "yes" on the Internal Consent to Share section extends your benefits beyond healthy food as your family may also be eligible for waived fees for ASB cards, athletics, and clubs.

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.

10/10 - Professional Development (no school)

10/15 - ACE Day (2:35 release)

10/15 - School Board Meeting

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

We make every effort to return items that have names in them. To maximize the likelihood of getting lost items back when they are left on the playground, please make sure your student's belongings are clearly marked.

This photo was taken on the 15th day of school. The pile is higher now...

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