• Resuming and expanding many programs that our community has grown to love and expect, such as Reflections, Spelling Bee, Eager Reader, the Book Fair, Science Fair, and more,
• Bringing the community together through events and fun activities just for the purpose of building friendships and our sense of community. We will continue to support Dad’s Day at the Playground, Fine Arts & Teriyaki Dinner Night, Walkathon, Festival of Cultures, and Talent Show.

Of course, these great programs and events are only made possible through your participation in our fundraising efforts. As we have for the last several years, we plan to kick-off the year with our Walkathon and Fall Festival. This event allows us to (1) bring the community together early in the school year with a fun and back-to-school atmosphere and (2) gives a single main fundraiser that will collect enough money at the beginning of the year to support the entire year’s budget. In the past we have had an amazing Walkathon Committee and overwhelming participation of our parents, staff, and students allowing our PTSA to be very successful in exceeding our program and financial goals. We hope this to be the case again this year, but are still looking for both Walkathon committee chairs and members to make this event possible. If you would like to be a part of the team, please contact me at deannewking@live.com or Helen DiMeco at hdimeco@comcast.net.

Without a doubt, Cascade Ridge has excelled in parent, teacher, and student involvement, and our success in providing quality educational and social experiences to our school is tied directly to continued enthusiastic participation from all of you. There are many ways to be a part of this shared endeavor, and I encourage you to support our students and school through active involvement:

• Come to our General Membership Meetings to understand our budget, to understand how our PTSA funds are expected to meet our Mission, to become aware of legislative issue that effect our local and state community, and to make a difference in our children’s educational and social experiences. Our first meeting will be on Tuesday, September 25th,
• Proactively seek information regarding our PTSA through the various forms of communication we provide - our reader board, our website, the monthly Howler, and our weekly joint school-PTSA communication, the Coyote Connection,
• Get to know our PTSA Board members and express your desires, priorities, and interests related to PTSA activities,
• Participate on committees in areas that excite you. When you see “call-outs” for help, please find out more and get actively involved by volunteering at an event. Be sure to check our volunteer activities and needs listed in the Volunteer section included in the First Day Packet sign-up.

I am looking forward to the year ahead and getting to meet many more of you in our community. As always, please feel free to contact me with any comments, concerns, questions, or feedback.

Here’s to a great year!

Deanne King, PTSA President