eBlast Dec 18, 2023 - Cherry Chase PTA newsletter

Family STEAM Night on Jan 19

Mark your calendars for an evening of exploration, investigation, and learning using Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts & Math. Full of fun, hands-on activities, presentations, and exhibits for the whole family. This is a free event. Open to all ages.

Have you or your family made, created, or designed something STEAM related and would like to Show & Tell our community about it at FSN? Contact Tiffany - FSN Chair at steamsunnyvale@gmail.com.

Reflections Art Competition

Congratulations to Violet Lee, Anessa Lam and Megan Wu for winning an award at the CFSPTA level among 123 entries across 19 schools. They will receive recognition by CFSPTA at Homestead High on January 18th.  

The National PTA Reflections program encourages students in preschool through grade 12 to create and submit original works of art in the medium of their choice - dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts - reflecting on a specific theme each year. Students are recognized for their artistic ingenuity to bring the theme to life in a way that is personal and meaningful. 

Interested in participating next year? You can start your preparation now!

2024~2025 Reflections Art Competition Theme:

Accepting Imperfection

For more information about the program, visit PTA.org/Reflections.

Walk-a-thon Volunteering

We need your help! Whether you can lend a hand at the event for a few hours or are willing to contribute to a broader role, we’d love to have you join us! Getting involved is easy and rewarding.

Planning Committee Volunteering

Help needed STARTING NOW to plan for the event:

• Program Coordinator
• T-shirt Graphic Design
• Procurement Co-lead
• Volunteer Coordinator (day of)
• Volunteer Coordinator (online)
• Signage Poster
• Kick-off Coordinator
• Set-up Coordinator
• Ribbons/Trophies

See Walk-a-thon website for descriptions of the roles. Email WATA@cherrychasepta.org if you are interested.

Walk-a-Thon T-shirt Design Contest

The Walk-a-Thon T-shirt design contest is now OPEN! (check out contest rules)

Theme: WALK N ROLL

The winning design will be featured on the 2024 Cherry Chase Walk-a-thon t-shirt, which ALL students will get. The winning artist leads the first lap of the Walk-a-Thon and chooses their own color for their t-shirt.

Submission deadline: January 12th, 2024.

Contest winner will be announced on January 19th, 2024.

If you are a newbie to Walk-a-thon or need some art inspiration, please stop by the glass display near the main entrance to see previous years T-shirt design winners. Questions? Please contact watshirts@cherrychasepta.org

Walk-a-thon Auction Donors

The Walk-a-Thon auction accounts for ~30% of the funds raised at Walk-a-Thon and family donations are some of the most unique and fun items. Do you have an idea for a prize you can donate to the auction? It could be an item, a service, or an experience, such as a weekend getaway, photography lessons, or a hosted theme party.

Fill out this form and a WATA volunteer will get in contact with you!

After School Programs - Some spots still available for Winter and Spring

All participating students should have the PTA waiver form completed at the time of enrollment. (fill only once for school year)

PTA-sponsored Partial Scholarships

PTA offers partial scholarships for after school programs to families that need financial assistance. Scholarships are limited to one program/child. Application deadline coming up Jan 5, 2024

Scholarship form link

Questions? Email afterschoolprograms@cherrychasepta.org

Lego by PlayWell Tek

Description: Let your imagination run wild with tens of thousands of LEGO® parts! Build engineer-designed projects and use special pieces to create your own unique designs!

EV3 Robotics

Grades: 3rd-5th*

Days offered: Tuesdays, 2:35PM-4:30PM

EV3 Enrollment Link



*If your child is in a lower grade but has taken at least 2 trimesters of WeDo Robotics, they are eligible for the EV3 Robotics class. Contact Petra Patton at petra@play-well.org if you have any questions.

Basketball by 1-1 Basketball

Description: Join One on One Basketball for AFTER SCHOOL HOOPS® at Cherry Chase Elementary School. Throughout the fall, skilled and experienced basketball coaches will conduct a one hour clinic each week for you and your friends. Learn, work hard, get better with ONE ON ONE.

Two sessions are being offered with the option to sign up for either or both!

Grades: K to 5th

Days/Time: Tuesdays, 2:35PM-3:45PM

Basketball Enrollment link

Mathletes and Mathletes-In-Training

Description: There is so much to the world of math that kids don’t see in school! In our classes, your kids will discover that math is engaging, challenging, and FUN.

Mathletes in Training

Grades: 2nd to 3rd

Days/Time: Wednesdays, 2:35PM-4:00PM

Mathletes*

Grades: 4th to 5th

Days/Time: Thursdays, 2:35PM-4:00PM

Enrollment Link: Mathletes

* You can also opt to sign up for MOEMS (Math Olympiads) contests only. Please check the After School Programs PTA site for more details.

Golf by TGA Junior Golf

Description: TGA Junior Golf is returning to Cherry Chase- described as one of the best programs to introduce and excite kids about the lifelong game of golf.

Availability for Spring only

Grades: 2nd to 5th

Days/Time: Mondays, 2:35PM-3:45PM

TGA Golf Enrollment link

Soccer by Coach Ken Soccer

Description: Coach Ken's AfterSchoolProgram focuses on skill development while encouraging kids to have fun playing soccer. All classes are held on school grounds. Supervision is provided on the field from school dismissal until soccer starts.

Two sessions are being offered for Winter and Spring with the option to sign up for either or both!

Grades: TK to 5th

Days/Time: Wednesdays, 2:35PM-4PM

Enrollment Link: Coach Ken Soccer

Strings by Andrea Cheung-Dodson

Description: Strings is coming back to Cherry Chase. Taught by Andrea Cheung-Dodson, this program will enable your child to play a string instrument!

Grades: 2nd to 5th

Days/Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Two cohorts- Beginner and Advanced

Please email strings@cherrychasepta.org or afterschoolprograms@cherrychasepta.org for more info

Strings E-store Enrollment Link

Arts by Tejas

Two sessions are being offered for both Mosaic Art and Step-by-Step Art with the option to sign up for either or both!

Mosaic Art: Working on Mosaic allows kids to develop their concentration and attention, memory, creativity and hand eye coordination.

Grades: TK to 5th

Days/Time: Tuesdays, 2:35PM-3:45PM

Enrollment Link: Mosaic Art

Step-by Step Art: Students will learn how to draw step-by-step, gradually proceeding from simple to complex objects and the human form. They will use dry media, such as colored pencils and pastels.

Grades: TK-5th

Days/Time: Wednesday, 2:35PM-3:45PM

Enrollment Link: Step by Step Art

Bollywood Dancing by Gurus of Dance

Description: Learn Bollywood dancing from the best in the Bay areas. Instructors from ‘Gurus of Dance’ will be teaching this class. 

Two sessions are being offered with the option to sign up for either or both! A performance option is also included!

Grades: K to 5th

Days/Time: Thursdays, 2:35PM-3:30PM

Bollywood Dancing Enrollment Link

Chess by Academicare

Description: Playing chess is a lot of fun. Did you know that while kids play chess they are actually thinking their way to success? Children are naturally drawn to this fun and challenging game, especially when they learn from licensed USCF Chess Coaches whose approach is to teach age-appropriate skills in a fun and safe environment.



Two sessions are being offered with the option to sign up for either or both!

Chess

Grades: K-3

Days/Time: Fridays, 12:50PM-2:00PM

Grades: All Grades

Days/Time: Fridays, 2:35PM-4:00PM

Chess Enrollment Link

HandsonFun Science

Description: High Touch High Tech enrichments provide students with a unique, interactive experience that brings

science concepts to life. Each session, students

exercise scientific process skills such as observing,

investigating, questioning, explaining and problem

solving.

Availability for Spring only

Grades: K to 3rd

Days/Time: Fridays, 12:50PM-2:00PM

Enrollment Link: HandsonFun Science

CodeforFun

Description: Students will be exposed to different concepts using Scratch as a programming language. Whether designing games or simple machine learning concepts to recognize patterns in text, numbers, images or sound, this program does not require prior experience in coding to enroll.

Grades: 2nd-3rd

Days/Time: Fridays, 12:50PM-2:00PM

Enrollment Link: #GameMaker

Grades: 4th-5th

Days/Time: Fridays, 2:35PM-4:00PM

Enrollment Link: Machine Learning

Additional Details on ASP PTA Page

Girls on The Run (Registration Open)

Description: Through physical activity and dynamic discussions, GOTR enables building social, emotional and physical skills while encouraging healthy habits for life.

Registration for the Spring 2024 is open now

Grades: 3rd-5th Girls

Days/Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:45PM-4:15PM

Enrollment link: GOTR

Fees: $270

Program details link here. This program is offered by a 501c3 organization- Girls on the Run Silicon Valley.  For questions email Coach Jodi jodi.a.howard@gmail.com