Dear Chautauqua Parents and Families,    

Happy first two weeks of school! Thank you to our students, families, and staff for your patience and flexibility as we have navigated many changes—from transitioning to our new student information system, Qmlativ, and adjusting bus routes and schedules to adding a fourth kindergarten classroom. We are grateful for the grace, understanding, and partnership our community has shown as we settle into the new school year. It has been wonderful to welcome everyone back and to see our students learning, connecting, and finding their rhythm at Chautauqua!

Important Dates and Information: 

• Thursday, September 17 6:00-7:30 PM - Curriculum Night

  •  (All families begin in the gym, then visit individual classes) 

• Friday, September 18 - Peace Assembly

• Friday, September 18 - Popcorn Friday

  • Popcorn available to all students at last recess. Thanks, PTO!

• Wednesday, September 30 - Picture Day!  

  • Please see the flyer attached

Breakfast and Lunch Numbers

Parents, please remember that even though our meals are free to all students this year, students still need to memorize their lunch numbers. This will help ensure a smooth and efficient lunch process each day. If you are unsure of your child's lunch number, please contact their teacher for assistance.

For our younger students, we suggest a fun way to help them memorize their lunch numbers: Lunch Number Song (to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)

_, _, _, _ that’s my pin

Then punch  "Enter" lunch begins!

Curriculum Night

We are excited to welcome families next Thursday for Curriculum Night.  Here is our schedule:

5:50 - Doors open to the gym, west of the main entrance (main entrance doors will be locked)

6:00 - Welcome,  announcements, and community introductions in the gym

6:20 - Parents are welcome to make their way to their child's class or visit specialists in their classrooms.  They may also stay in the gym to visit many of our community partners.

6:30-6:55 - Session one for the homeroom, support class or gym

7:00-7:25 - Session one for the homeroom, support class or gym

 Reading Support - Room 101

 Multilingual support - Room 202

 Special Education Services: McMillen - 207, Winking - 208, Metzger - 209

Specialists in the Library

*This is an event for parents only so that teachers can explain the curriculum, classroom activities and procedures, and learning objectives for the year.  

Dismissal Reminders

For Parents Picking Up in Cars:

• Remain in your car and continue driving forward until you are ready to load your student(s).

• Please load on the right side of the car for safety

• Once your child is safely loaded, move to the outside lane to exit.

• Please do not block ANY driveways as the little buses need access during dismissal

• Please remain in line, not driving around the cars.   Gaps may open as students are loading, and we work to fill those by moving cars forward in the line.  

For Walking Pick-Up:

• Remain on the grass or sidewalk, as standing in the parking lot may obstruct vehicles trying to leave.

Important Reminder:

• Please make any changes to your child’s dismissal plan in School Dismissal Manager by 2:30 PM. After this time, changes cannot be accepted, and you will need to adhere to the existing plan. 

For End-of-Day Pick-Up:

• Parents will not be allowed in the building or at the back of the building during pick-up. This helps us keep our teaching environment focused and ensures clear hallways for student movement.

You can access School Dismissal Manager at the following link:

School Dismissal Manager

All parents are encouraged to use the mobile app. 

Thank you for all your efforts in following our procedures.  Students are getting where they need to go safely, and our buses are getting on the road  by 4:00 - which makes bus rides shorter! The safety of our students is our top priority, and following these guidelines helps us maintain that commitment.

PTO Events

Welcome back students and staff from the Vashon  PTO! We are so excited for the new school year and have just a few items we’d like to share:

 The Stock the School supply program was a success! Thank you to everyone who has already contributed toward the cost of their student’s supplies.

This year, the Vashon PTO ordered, organized, and distributed school supplies for all CES students. If you are able to contribute but have not yet done so, please visit the Stock the School website. Your contribution will help make it possible to continue this program next year.

Jog-a-thon

We have moved the Jog-a-thon to the fall to kick off the school year with a bang! The Vashon PTO will host the CES Jog-a-thon on Friday, September 25. Back by popular demand, this year’s theme is Mario Kart! Families are welcome to come cheer on their joggers; we will share each grade level’s scheduled time soon.

You can support our joggers by making a donation and sharing the link with grandparents, extended family members, and family friends.

Jog-a-thon proceeds help support programs and activities our students love, including:

• Spirit wear

• Monthly Popcorn or Hot Cocoa Fridays

• Harvest Festival

• Holiday Shop

• Bingo Night

• Scholastic Book Fair

• Chess Club

• Field Day

In addition to supporting these fun, community-building activities, the PTO helps ensure that all Chautauqua students can receive spirit wear, yearbooks, and school pictures and participate in activities such as the Harvest Festival, Holiday Shop, and Scholastic Book Fair, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.

The Jog-a-thon gives our entire student body an opportunity to work toward a shared goal that directly supports the programs they enjoy. It will be a fun and empowering experience for all students and will take place during the regular school day.

This is a cooperative event, not a competition. Donations will not be credited to individual students or classrooms; instead, all contributions will go into one fund benefiting the entire student body. When you donate, be sure to include a “shout-out” to your jogger—or to all our joggers! Shout-outs will be displayed on the screen in the school’s front entryway leading up to the event.

Mark Your Calendar

• Harvest Festival: Thursday, October 15.  Please volunteer!

• Spirit Wear: Fifth graders began their logo design contest for new spirit wear,  and sales will open in early October. 

  • Designs are due to teachers on Monday, September 21

Wednesday Music Mornings

Help us continue a special tradition started by beloved late VISD teacher Rochelle. We invite students, family and community members to share their musical gifts with our students on Wednesday mornings as they arrive at school. Whether you sing, play an instrument, or perform with others, we would love to hear your music! Please sign up to join us!