Category: PTSA News

Did you Know? WA State PTSA Monitors Washington State Legislation

The Washington State PTSA has launched an ongoing “Focus on Advocacy” program this year to keep members informed and involved during the legislative session.

Each Monday, a new “Focus on Advocacy” newsletter communicates legislative session updates and how they align with WSPTA priorities. Subscribe now!

All in a day’s work for GSA Sarah L.!

Each week we highlight one of the General School Assistants (GSAs) who have been working hard both in front of cameras and behind the scenes to support our teachers and students during distance learning. Here are some words from GSA Sarah L. . . .

CE Spotlight

 
Even-though there isn’t in-person learning, the Curriculum Enhancement Team has been working with teachers to provide additional experiences to our students. Thank you for your generous support and patience while the start of this school year has been modified.
 
CE Spotlight for 2020
  • Savvy Parents Safe Kids provided an all-school presentation “Optimizing Online Safety: Safety for Parents in the World of COVID”
  • 4th grade had a virtual visit to the Pacific Science Center and learned about the “Night Sky”
Upcoming for 2021
  • 3rd Grade and 2nd Grade students will have a virtual visit from The Toy Maker.
  • More to come!
Visit CE page for more information on the workings of the Curriculum Enhancement Committee and its impact on our students.

Meet GSA Sarah L.!

Each week we highlight one of the General School Assistants (GSAs) who have been working hard both in front of cameras and behind the scenes to support our teachers and students during distance learning. Here are some words from GSA Sarah L. . . .

Meet GSA Ms.Johnson

The week of Halloween, Ms. Johnson juggled a small group of lively g4 and g5 students as they navigated learning

GSA Testimonial

This week we hear from 3rd Grade teacher Ms. Therriault about the value of GSAs in her classroom this year:

On Wednesdays especially, our GSA is able to meet with students individually in order to finish up assignments, help with technology issues, and give general support. This week, she even scribed for a student on a Nearpod assignment that was mal-functioning for the student, leaving her completely stressed out and discouraged. Having the GSA spend time with her 1:1 was invaluable for this student’s self-confidence!

Ms. Therriault

Math Challenge 2020 – 2021!

The bi-weekly Math challenge is open to all students grades K-5! 

The Math challenge 6, posted at Math In Action is due on Jan 6th and solutions will be available on Jan 8th. Math challenge 7 will be available on Jan 8th. See the Math in Action challenge calendar for future dates.

Participation certificates will be awarded to those who complete at least 10 challenges. We ask parents and students to self-grade these challenges and track completion. Once the last challenge is published in May, we will provide instructions to report participation.

For any questions reach out to: mathprogram@cherrycrest-ptsa.org

Meet GSA Mr.T

Mr.T is one of Cherry Crest’s GSAs and provides daily classroom support. He is known to make all the students feel involved and connected in the classrooms, especially now when everything’s virtual.

This is what one of the parents has to say about him:

"Mr. T has been a lovely friend to our family. He always made our son and his friends feel a part of the school as new kindergarteners last year, and this year during group recess time by setting up a live MS Teams interactive drawing times including creating a super-cool race-car and space fight comic strip with Colias!"

Sandra Durst

GSA Appreciation in the Virtual Classroom

You may be curious about whether General School Assistants (GSAs) are being utilized in the virtual setting and what roles they are performing. From providing instruction in small groups to facilitating virtual recess, our students are benefiting from GSAs fulfilling many of the same roles they have in previous years.  This week we hear from the students in Ms. Maya Stevens’ 4th grade classroom about what they have appreciated about having GSAs Ms. Gayle, Ms. Johnson and Ms. Kelley in their virtual classes:

Meet GSA Durga G.

Durga G. is one of Cherry Crest’s GSAs and provides daily classroom support. One of the classes she works with is Susie Sung’s 4th grade class:

Durga has been a great support, providing extra help when we need it. For example, I remember there were several times during the first few weeks of school when she was able to meet on a separate call with students who were having specific tech issues. This was invaluable as it is very hard for the teacher to do this during live class time. She continues to provide whole class and small group support throughout the week. I am so thankful for Ms. Durga!

Susie Sung