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Volume 7, Issue 17
Cheatham Chatter #YouArePTA Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Each grade level will be recognized at the January 13 assembly
Monday, January 16
Tuesday, January 10
Thursday, January 12
Tuesday, January 24
Charger Celebration Perot Truck at Cheatham
@ 4 and 5 p.m.
By MaryJane Barnes
School Counselor
We look forward to having
our end of the first semester
Charger Celebration on Janu-
ary 13. We invite all parents to the
grade-level Charger Celebra-
tions as we recognize all stu-
dents and their accomplish-
ments for the first semester. Please contact Mrs. Jennifer
Flatt by email, jenni-
[email protected], before
January 11 to RSVP. If you or your guests have not
visited Cheatham this school
year, please have your driver’s
license on hand so that Mrs.
Flatt can scan it into our sys-
tem. Parents and visitors must still
check in, so please enter
through the front door of the
building rather than the side
doors by the gym.
Friday, January 6
See page 4 for more information
PTA General Meeting
@ 7 p.m.
Parent Education presents
“Media Madness”
following the PTA meeting
WatchDOG Spring Sign-Up
and Donuts
@ 7:30 a.m.
Miss Nelson’s
birthday
Friday, January 13
First Semester
Charger Celebration
Mrs. Stephan’s
birthday celebration
See page 1 for more information
NO SCHOOL
Friday, January 20
Ms. Potts’s
birthday celebration
Family Fitness Night
@ 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Mrs. Weir’s birthday
Austin Parent Meeting
@ 5:30 p.m.
Start Time End Time Grade Location
9:30 10:00 KG cafeteria
8:30 9:00 6 gym
9:30 10:00 5 gym
10:30 11:00 3 gym
12:00 12:30 1 gym
1:00 1:30 2 gym
1:45 2:15 4 gym
Building a Student Haven
By Allison Hargraves
VP Programs
At 7:55am, the li-
brary is already a bustling
place. As morning announcements
finish up and the library be-
gins to settle into its day, stu-
dents begin to trickle in to
visit this special place in the
school. Although Cheatham’s library
has always been a good place
to find a book, it has become
so much more in the past two
and a half years under Mrs.
Gamble’s care. One of the newest innovations (continues on page 4)
Additions expand Cheatham’s library with many more learning tools
Cheatham Chatter Page 2
Helping to Paint the Future Volunteer Neelam Kishnani helps at Cheatham as more than just ArtSparks Coordinator
By Rachel Maygren
Chatter Editor
Managing dozens of parent
volunteers in the supplemental
art program is no small feat — but it’s
one Neelam Kishnani happily accom-
plishes monthly, in addition to other vol-
unteer contributions. All told, Kishnani estimates that she
spends 8+ hours each week between
ArtSparks, copy room and more. “I love to devote my time to help our
kids take advantage of additional oppor-
tunities provided by the school PTA. I
believe volunteering helps support
teachers who teach and care for our chil-
dren all day long,” Kishnani said. All those opportunities provided by PTA
need parent volunteers to make them
run, she said. Kishnani is exactly the kind of person to
realize the importance of parental in-
volvement, said VP of Programs Allison
Hargraves.
“Neelam has
a sincere pas-
sion,” Har-
graves said.
“She orches-
trates daunt-
ing tasks …
with patience and persistence.” Kishnani and her husband have two boys
in 6th and 2nd grades. They also host her
niece, a sophomore at Allen High
School. She and her husband grew up in
New York, moving to Allen in 2013.
returns next week, but there is more than one way to see your student’s name in the Chatter. With the new semester, students can submit articles to the Chatter and see their name and picture in print. If your student has an idea or class/school event they think is worth writing about, contact Rachel Maygren at
[email protected] for more information. On the
Blacktop
Box Top Winner First-grader Douglas Purcell wins Box Top Challenge
By Brenda Obermeyer
Corporate Sponsorship
First-grader Douglas Purcell
brought
in the most Box
Tops in the
most recent Box
Top Challenge. For 20 years
now, Box Tops
has helped com-
munities put
cash back into schools, without spending
money that we aren't already spending. Box Tops for Education was started by
General Mills in 1996 and has been a
huge success allowing schools to
earn cash to buy the things they
need, like books, computers, playground
equipment and more. You can help earn money for Cheatham
by clipping the Box Tops off of products
already have in your pantry.
You can make a Box Tops collection
box and leave it at your work, church or
community center. Once you are ready to turn in your Box
Tops simply place them in a baggie and
return them to school with your child's
name and teacher labeled or written
somewhere in or on the baggie. The money raised helps fund events
such as the Spelling Bee, Destination
Imagination, playground equipment and
much more.
By Kathleen Villano
Destination Imagination Chair
December was a busy month
for everyone with Christmas shopping
and parties to attend, but it was a crucial
month for DI teams. Teams have seven more weeks left until
the NEXT Regional Tournament. Teams
are finalizing and finishing their scripts
and have started working on their props
and costumes. Some teams attended the winter work-
shop last December to learn different
skills needed to help them during the
tournament — such as scriptwrit-
ing, acting, learning about different ma-
terials used for props and costumes, and
tips for instant challenges.
Cheatham
has four
teams com-
peting in the
competitive
level. There
are five Ris-
ing Star teams. All teams are working
hard to completing the solution for their
chosen challenge.
Destination Imagination Nearing the finish line
Cheatham Chatter Page 3
Did you know Cheatham Press published 130 manuscripts last school year. This year’s deadline for Cheatham Press is January 17. Can
we beat that number?
By Tasha Young
President
Happy New Year, Chargers! I
hope you had a wonderful and
relaxing Winter Break filled with love,
joy, and treasured moments with your
friends and family. It’s hard to believe that 2016 is over and
2017 is here and sitting on the doorstep
like a present with a shiny bow and
sparkly paper ready to be unwrapped.
But before you rip off all the paper and
see what’s inside 2017, I want to remind
you of the all gifts you gave 750+ stu-
dents in 2016 as a PTA. August 2016
Installed 4 new pieces of Cheatham
playground equipment
Hosted two incoming kindergarten
popsicle play dates
Delivered 500+ supply kits
Facilitated class shirts for all stu-
dents
Funded class shirts for all staff
Coordinated school sprit wear
Funded Boohoo/Yahoo breakfast for
parents
Provided back-to-school lunch for
staff
Launched on-line directory
Launched monthly snack cart for
staff
Launched monthly birthday gifts for
staff
Funded youth protection program
September 2016
Funded Kids First Program and Sup-
plies
Launched WatchDOGS program and
funded pizza party
Launched Reflections program
Launched Destination Imagination
program
Launched Cheatham Press program
Launched ArtSparks program
Launched Math Club
Launched Book It program
Hosted PTA newcomer meeting
Funded bagels for breakfast for staff/
teachers
Launched No Fuss Campaign
Hosted Cheatham Chow Down
October 2016
Coordinated Walk to School Day
and funded prizes
Funded and Hosted Love & Logic
parent program
Funded and Hosted Fort Worth Chil-
dren’s Opera
Coordinated Book Fair and donated
all profits to Cheatham Library
Funded staff snacks and drinks for
parent/teacher conferences
Awarded $3,000 in grants to teachers
to utilize in their classrooms
November 2016
Launched Eat the Rainbow and col-
lected candy
Funded Veteran’s Day staff break-
fast
Hosted Perot Museum Tech Truck
Achieved 100% PTA Membership
December 2016
Coordinated and funded Spelling
Bee
Coordinated PTA cookie exchange
for staff
Provided Perot program for 6th grade
Provided Perot program for 4th grade
Purchased GaGa Ball Pit for
Cheatham playground
Purchased Soccer Goals for
Cheatham playground I am so grateful to each one of you for
your contribution to the success of
Cheatham students and teachers in 2016.
And it’s not over yet. The PTA still has
a lot planned for your kids in 2017 such
as more hands on Perot programs, Multi-
Cultural Week, a Dallas Zoo Assembly,
Family Fitness Night and so much more.
Here’s to peace, joy, and fulfillment in
2017! #YouArePTA
President’s Corner Wrapping Up 2016
Did You Know?
Shaping the Future Fifth-grade teacher Jenna Boyte is all about the children
By Rachel Maygren
VP Hospitality
Drawn to teaching five years
ago, Jenna Boyte wanted to impact those
that held our future in their hands. But Boyte always worked with children
— from stay-at-home mom to children’s
minister — she started at Cheatham
when her middle child started kindergar-
ten.
“I feel a calling to help provide a strong
foundation for the future world leaders
in my classroom. … I have the opportu-
nity to impact hundreds of lives each
year and possibly change the course of a
child’s life through education,” Boyte
said. In December, Boyte celebrated her 20th
anniversary with her husband. They
have three chil-
dren — an 8th
grader, 5th
grader and kin-
dergartener. Her favorite
pastimes in-
clude sports,
reading and her
dog.
Go Green Turn it Off Artificial lighting accounts for 44
percent of electricity use in office buildings.
Make it a habit to turn off the lights when
you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or
more. Same goes for electronics; switch off
power strips and unplug electrical devices
when you're not using them.
(continued from page 1)
in libraries around the country
are called Makerspaces —
“creative, DIY spaces where
people can gather to create, in-
vent, and learn.” Such a space is
growing in the library. Multiple stations are set up
where students can work to-
gether or independently. The sta-
tions include Osmos (a hands-on
technology system that allows
students to interact with an iPad
using real world materials),
iPads, PowerClix (geometric,
magnetic building pieces), keva
planks (wooden blocks that can
be built) and Legos. There are
also games, puzzles, and stations
to create bookmarks and kind-
ness links. The main attraction, however,
remains the books. This year alone — in part thanks
to proceeds from Book Fair sales
— 545 books have been added to
the library. Another change this year was the
addition of a junior fiction sec-
tion. This area houses books for
those students in their early
years of chapter book reading. Once students find the perfect
book, they can cozy up with a
reading buddy (stuffed animal)
in any of the chairs or bean bags
throughout the library. The heart of the library is the
people. Mrs. Gamble and Mrs.
Feeney work tirelessly to pro-
vide the best experience possible
for the students. Mrs. Gamble can be found read-
ing to a class of kindergarteners,
helping with 6th-grade recharge,
educating staff on technology
resources or searching out the
best, new books to order. But
what she is very often found do-
ing is helping individual students
find a book they will love.
To-Do List
Don’t forget
— extended
Library Hours
every
Thursday.
We hope
to see you
then!
If your stu-
dent comes
home with-
out a jacket, water
bottle, book, shoe
or any other essen-
tial item — make
sure they check the
Lost and Found.
All items are do-
nated at the end of
the grading period.
Find out
what’s for hot
lunch before they
buy — click here
for information.
Cheatham Chatter Page 4
Beverly Cheatham Elementary School
1501 Hopewell Drive, Allen, TX 75013 Ph: (972) 396-3016 Fax: (972) 396-3035
Web: allenisd.org/cheathames Twitter: Follow@CheathamElem
Principal: Stephanie Logan PTA President: Tasha Young The Cheatham Chatter is published by the Cheatham PTA in support of the PTA’s mission to be a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for the
education and well-being of every child. Send submissions by 5 pm on Wednesday prior to publication: [email protected]. Content may be used on the PTA website and/or in the newsletter.
Content will be edited for space/clarity.
www.txpta.org www.allenisd.org/cheathames
Don’t forget
Family Fit-
ness Night
coming up on Janu-
ary 20. Lots of
great vendors and
prizes will be
there! See the at-
tachments for more
information.
The Perot Museum’s TECH truck is coming back to Cheatham on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Whether you missed it
the first time or want to come back for more, sign-up to tinker, engineer, create and hack with us.
The Perot Museum staff will have stations set up in the cafe-teria for the K-6th grade students to explore science
Remember to sign up if you and your children would like to
attend (as space is limited) www.SignUpGenius.com/
go/70A0445ADAB2BA13-perot1
Media Madness Parent Education presents
By Angela Foster
Parent Education
Did you know that today’s kids
are exposed to an average of 7 hours of
“screen time” every day? And by age
12, three quarters of all children have
their own mobile phone and social me-
dia account? Learn about all of the opportunities and
challenges involving today’s new media
and how we can keep ourselves, and our
children, safe, smart and responsible. Join us for Media Madness on January
10 immediately following our PTA
meeting.
Seven Chargers were selected to sing in the 2016-2017
Allen District Honor Choir. The Honor Choir is a select
choir of 5th and 6th grade students from the Allen public
schools. .
The Honor Choir Concert is Thursday evening, Febru-
ary 16th
at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at
Allen High School.
Standing: Neha Neerukonda, Elisabeth Bergere, Christian Mathews, Rishi Sahoo Seated: Navya Pup-pala, Helen McGurk, Abigail Finley
Friday, January 20, 2017
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Cheatham Elementary School
FAMILY. FUN. FITNESS.
Cheatham’s Family Fitness night is fast-approaching! Be sure to start
2017 off right and join us for an evening of healthy fun for the entire
family. There will be loads of interactive games, activities, and
demonstrations. Local health and fitness experts will be
demonstrating everything from dance to pilates to boxing. Medical
City Children’s Hospital will be offering cooking lessons, there will be
an obstacle course created by an American Ninja Warrior finalist, the
Watch Dog dads will have a push-up contest, and much, much more.
Yummy and healthy eats will be available for purchase. And if that’s
not enough, there will be tons of awesome prizes for adults and
children, including a grand prize weekend getaway for the family to
Great Wolf Lodge.
So come on down, bring your family, and get INSPIRED!
Registration Information
Parental Consent/Waivers The undersigned parent/guardian agrees that participation is voluntary & waives all rights/claims for damages against AISD and the
AHS Cheerleader Booster Club for any injuries/damages. In case of emergency, AISD may seek immediate medical attention.
Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _____________________
The undersigned parent/guardian authorizes photograph and/or video documentation to be taken of their child. These photographs
and/or videos may be used in the media to promote AISD, the AHS Cheerleader Booster Club, and/or the Little Eagle Cheer Camp.
Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _____________________
Student’s Name: ____________________________________________________ Allergies: ________Yes ______No
Gender: _________ F _________M Grade: __________ School: __________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name(s): _________________________________________________________________________
E-Mail: _____________________________________________________ Camp: ________ Cheer _________Mascot
Address: ________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ___________________________
Payment Method: __________Check __________ Online through Eventbrite.com search Allen Eagle Cheer Camp $38
Cell Phone #: _________________________________ Home Phone #: _____________________________________
T-Shirt Size: _________ YL ____________YM ___________YL ___________AS _________AM ___________AL
Future Eagles are invited to join the AHS Spirit athletes for a fun-filled Camp!
DATE: January 28, 2017 TIME: 9:00AM-12:00PM LOCATION: Lowery Freshman Center
AGES: K-6th Grade COST: $35 pre-register/$38 on Eventbrite ($40 at the door) Registration: 8:30-9:00 am Pep Rally For Parents: 11:45-12:00PM
Campers will learn proper technique and pep rally material, receive a t-shirt, and access to secure photo site!
Please print and complete registration, mail document and payment to: Anne Davis
AHS Cheerleader Booster Club 862 Falcon Trace Drive, Allen, TX 75013
[email protected] (for questions) Please make all checks payable to AHS Cheerleader Booster Club
IMPORTANT: Registration and Payment are due by Friday, January 13, 2017! If needed, additional forms may be found at www.ahs-cheer.com