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Originally delivered on 10/1/2024 5:30 am

SUBJECT: Husky Howler - October 2024

Crescent Heights Elementary PTA
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Husky Howler Newsletter
October 2024
Message from the PTA President

Happy October CHE families!

We've successfully completed the first month of the school year! Every year comes with changes and transitions, and we thank our community for their patience as we navigate staffing adjustments. Due to enrollment numbers, we will now have four kindergarten classes instead of three, and only three 3rd grade classes instead of four. Those affected have been contacted directly.

The PTA has been busy planning for the school year. We've got some fun events coming up like Popcorn Friday, a read-a-thon, a book fair, and our annual Harvest Party this month. Check out the details and volunteer opportunities below in this newsletter. To stay in the loop with all the exciting activities and events we have planned, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and join our Facebook group "Crescent Heights Elementary Families". If you're not into social media, no worries! You can find our social media feed on the home page of our website at chepta.org. Can't wait to see you there!

Two questions I've heard a lot this year are, "Why does your website want me to make an account when I try to sign up to volunteer?" and "Will creating an account force me to join the PTA?" The short answer is for security, and no. 

Here's the long answer: You'll never be pressured to join the PTA, though we'd love your support. We ask you to create an account for security reasons. This ensures that those receiving our information and accessing our volunteer opportunities are part of our school community. We promise not to bombard you with emails. Your email address is used for volunteer confirmation/reminder emails and to ensure you receive the monthly Husky Howler newsletter. 

If you have a question or concern, please don't hesitate to contact the PTA at board@chepta.org or me directly at president@chepta.org. We value your feedback and are always here to listen and address your concerns. 

Go Huskies! 

Adrienne Brand
CHE PTA President

News & Events
Volunteers Needed for October 4 Popcorn Friday

Popcorn Friday is THIS FRIDAY, October 4 and we need your help. This volunteer opportunity is a great way to spread joy to students and staff at CHE. If you're able to, please sign up today to assist in popping popcorn, filling bags, and delivering to classrooms


Sign up here: https://www.chepta.org/volunteer/137370

What is a Read-A-Thon?

Our school Read-A-Thon begins on Monday, October 7, 2024 and is sure to be a fun and exciting event.

Read-A-Thons actually get your students excited about reading, and they give friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more. Plus, they can earn money for our school and win awesome prizes! All money earned by the 5th graders will go towards the 5th Grade Camp and Celebration. The funds raised by other grades will go towards paying for our special assemblies, helping cover bus costs for field trips, and the Help-A-Student/Family Assistance Fund.   

How to Sign Up

Last week, your student should have brought home instructions on how to activate your reader's personal page. 

You can also use this link to activate your student's reader account: https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/323830333938/1

Your account will serve as a hub for recording and monitoring your child's progress in the event and for you to share their Read-A-Thon message with friends and family.

Need help? Watch the video below for more information on how to sign up.

Read-A-Thon Reader Sign Up Video

Thank you so much for your participation and support. 

Together, we can make this Read-A-Thon an amazing experience for our students!

Book Fair Oct. 14-18

Save the date for our Scholastic Book Fair taking place October 14-18 during early release teacher conference week! Your student will have the opportunity to shop the fair during their scheduled class library time, or you can shop the fair together during one of our open after-school shopping times:

  • Tuesday, October 15 from 12-3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, October 16 from 3:15-6 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 17 from 12-3 p.m.


The easiest way for your student to shop on their own is through eWallet! Friends and family can add funds to CHE students' eWallet allowing students to shop without cash. 

Visit the following link to set up your student's eWallet today! https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/crescentheightsschool


We need LOTS of volunteers to make this happen so please consider signing up to help out during your student's classroom visit time, or during after-school shopping hours. 

Sign up here: https://www.chepta.org/volunteer/137617

Harvest Party October 25

Come one, come all! CHE's annual Harvest Party is right around the corner on October 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and we would love to see you there! Food, crafts, games, and more fun await you! Costumes are welcome!


We need volunteers to make the magic of this community event happen! There are a variety of ways you can chip in. 

Sign up here: https://www.chepta.org/volunteer/137996

Reflections Art Contest!

Calling all artists!

‘Reflections’ is a National PTA program that recognizes students for their original art. 

This exciting contest is a chance for our students to express themselves, develop artistic literacy, and submit a creative piece. The theme this year is "Accepting Imperfection".

Entries can be in the form of literature, music composition, photography, visual arts, film/video, and/or choreography/dance. Finalists from our PTA (to be judged by the PTA Board) will move on to the state round. Washington State PTA finalists who receive an “Outstanding Interpretation” award will advance to the National PTA round. 

For more about the Reflections art program and submission requirements click the link below, or reach out to reflections@chepta.org. Entries are due by Monday December 16th!

Reminders & Updates
PTA Membership Drive Happening Now


Now is the moment to renew your PTA membership for the 2024/2025 academic school year! 


Simply signing up as a member does not obligate you to volunteer or attend meetings, but it DOES help support the opportunities, programs, and events the PTA hosts throughout the year like the Scholastic Book Fair and Popcorn Fridays. It allows us to support staff through the educator discretionary fund and staff grants. And it helps us build community with special events such as the Harvest Festival and Family Skate Nights.


 So what are you waiting for? Join today! 

Become a Member Today!
Order Yearbooks Now!

Yearbooks for this school year are now available to order! Our yearbooks come with the option to create two FREE custom pages to fill up with fun photos and memories from the school year. For every 25 books sold our school earns a free scholarship book that we can distribute to a 5th grader with financial need. Order your yearbook today!


Order by October 31 and get 10% off! This is a great way to save money upgrading to a hard cover!


Order here: https://tinyurl.com/2024-2025-CHE-Yearbook

Books for Birthdays!

Our Books for Birthdays program is off to a great start this year as we are already receiving donations to our school library! Recognition of the students with classroom readings begins this week for those who have already donated and we are excited to start filling our bulletin board celebrating those who have contributed. 

Want to participate in this fun program? Visit chepta.org/books_for_birthdays to purchase one of the books off of our approved wish lists. Our recently updated program letter will be sent home during the month of your student's birthday; however, you may choose to donate at any time! A book is always a wonderful gift to give. 

Caitlin Nieburg is always happy to answer questions! Just email booksforbirthdays@chepta.org .

Volunteering at Crescent Heights?

Do you anticipate volunteering this year at the school through the PTA or in your students' classroom? Opportunities to get involved at the school during school hours are starting soon! Make sure you're ready to go by completing the Parent/Legal Guardian Volunteer Form and submitting your application the the administrative staff in the front office! Every volunteer who works in the school during school hours will need to complete this process on an annual basis.


Remember to allow up to two weeks for the application and background clearance process.

PTA/School Calendar
Tuesday, October 1
Picture Day
Wednesday, October 2
Late Start
Friday, October 4
Popcorn Friday
Free Dress Day
Monday, October 7
Read-A-Thon
Tuesday, October 8
Read-A-Thon
Wednesday, October 9
Read-A-Thon
Late Start
Thursday, October 10
Read-A-Thon
Friday, October 11
Read-A-Thon
Saturday, October 12
Read-A-Thon
Sunday, October 13
Read-A-Thon
Monday, October 14
Read-A-Thon
8:40a Scholastic Book Fair
Tuesday, October 15
Read-A-Thon
12:00a Scholastic Book Fair
Conferences - Early Release
Wednesday, October 16
Read-A-Thon
12:00a Scholastic Book Fair
Late Start
Thursday, October 17
Read-A-Thon
12:00a Scholastic Book Fair
Conferences - Early Release
Friday, October 18
Read-A-Thon
12:00a Scholastic Book Fair
Conferences - Early Release
Wednesday, October 23
Late Start
Friday, October 25
5:30p Harvest Party
Wednesday, October 30
Late Start
Friday, November 1
Popcorn Friday
Free Dress Day
Sponsor Acknowledgement
Your Logo Could Be Here!

Would like to financially support the PTA in our mission of enriching the lives of our students? You can! Please take a look at our sponsorship page for more information on how to be a Husky Corporate Sponsor. 

Note: sponsorship will not be solicited or accepted from companies that manufacture products or take public positions that are inconsistent with the national and state PTA’s positions and resolutions (e.g. firearm, tobacco, or alcohol companies, political or religious organizations). 

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