New Families

July: A link is emailed requesting volunteers for Media Center, POPS & specific PTO events throughout the year such as: Family Fun Nights, Donuts with Grownups, Grandparents Night, Book Fair, Hospitality, & Teacher Appreciation Week. The lists generated are distributed to PTO general board chairs for the year. Just remember to complete a background check before signing up!

August: Look for a Room Parent and PTO Volunteer callout! 

September: The first PTO General Membership Meeting of the year.

Throughout the school year: There are other PTO events that cannot run without volunteers: Boosterthon, Family Fun Nights, Science Fair, just to name a few! The volunteer interest form is located on the Volunteer page - check there for more info!

January-March: We will begin filling the next school year's PTO board positions.  PLEASE consider, as CTE PTO needs a rotating group of volunteers to keep things fresh.

The student directory is FREE to all Cherry Tree families. Registering your student(s) will ensure you receive communication from the class liaison regarding class parties or classroom and field trip volunteer opportunities. It is also helpful to arrange playdates or birthday parties! Follow the link below to register in our online student directory!

https://cherrytreepto.membershiptoolkit.com/home 

Also known as ESE, this before/after school program is run by the Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation. Find more information on the Carmel Clay Parks Website.

There are so many opportunities to volunteer at school with the PTO and in classrooms. Please visit the Volunteer Page of the website for more details and the background check requirements. 

• Artist in Residence - Every year, the PTO supports a specials teacher in a week long event 
• Always a Patriot Scholarship - The Always a Patriot PTO Scholarship through the Carmel Education Foundation honors the enduring legacy of Cherry Tree Elementary School. The CTE PTO scholarship is awarded to a Carmel High School senior who has attended Cherry Tree for at least three years. As we welcome new kindergarteners to Cherry Tree each year, we witness the transformative power of our school's nurturing environment. We are proud to support our CTE Patriots as they embark on their senior year and beyond.
• BackSacks Weekend Food Program - Cherry Tree is proud to offer free weekend food for any student who may need it.  A small grocery bag of non-perishable food is privately placed in students’ backpacks on Friday afternoons.  If you would like to sign up for this free, confidential program, look for a link in the Chatter.
• Birthday Books - Birthday Books is a Media Center fundraiser where for a donation of $12, your child can choose a brand new book to be part of the CTE Library collection.  The books chosen will feature a bookplate with your child’s name and birthday.  All funds are used for purchasing new books for the Library’s collection and materials for all students to use in the MakerSpace. 
• Broadcast - Broadcast is the daily video announcements broadcasted to the school. The Broadcast team is composed of 5th grade students and led by the media teacher, Mrs. Lima.  
• Chatter - The Chatter is the Cherry Tree Newsletter which is distributed every other Thursday. It includes very important information from the school and PTO.
• Choir - The Cherry Tree Choir is a fall after-school program for 4th & 5th graders, led by the music teacher with weekly rehearsals. Details will be shared in early fall via teachers and the Cherry Tree Chatter. The choir performs 2-3 times during the season.
• Classroom Parties - Fall and Spring  - The PTO organizes two classroom parties throughout the school year for the students - one fall party and one spring/valentines party. The Room Parent/Classroom Party Committee will plan and organize the parties for each grade level and the room parents and other parent volunteers will facilitate the party during the designated time slot for that grade level. 
• Classroom Supplies - Annually, each CTE teacher is given a monetary sum with which he/she may purchase supplies for his/her classroom.  Each student in Carmel Clay Schools 
• Dine to Donate - Throughout the year the PTO often hosts fundraising events at local restaurants.  The restaurants then donate a portion of the sales to the CTE PTO on that designated date. It is a way for CTE families to enjoy a meal together while fundraising for the school 
• Donuts with Grownups - Donuts with Grownups is an early spring event where Cherry Tree Patriots share a donut with their favorite grown-up before school. Details are announced in the Cherry Tree Chatter.
• ESE (Extended School Enrichment) - ESE is the before and after school care that is directed by the Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation Department - you can learn more about this here - https://www.carmelclayparks.com/extended-school-enrichment/  
• Fall Family Fun Night - The Fall Family Fun Night is a school wide event for all students and their families that gives a chance to meet your child’s friends, connect with the Patriot community and enjoy family time for all ages!  
• Field Day - CTE’s PE Teacher, Mr. Thiel organizes a Field Day for the entire school near the end of the school year.  During Field Day, kids get to participate in different fun physical activities with their class and grade level.  This event is for students, teachers and volunteers only.  Be on the lookout for a volunteer request at the end of the year if you’d like to help! 
• Fifth Grade Special Events
  • 5th Grade trip to Biztown - CTE fifth graders participate in the Junior Achievement BizTown program. BizTown is a teacher-led curriculum that enhances student understanding of work ethic, economics, leadership, and teamwork. The PTO pays for each student’s BizTown curriculum materials
  • End of Year Recognition Ceremony- At the end of the school year, the PTO celebrates our 5th graders with an end of year recognition ceremony for students and parents during the school day. 
• Fundraisers
  • Adult Social Night
    • Adult Social Night is our spring fundraiser, held alongside the Spring Auction. This adults-only event offers a fun night out to build community and support our school.
  • Boosterthon
    • Boosterthon is our schools #1 fundraiser to fund all PTO sponsored student activities, learning enhancements, supplies and materials, technologies, program, clubs and events! It is held in the fall with a fun run accompanied with the fundraiser. 
  • Box Tops, Restaurant Nights
  • Kroger - Kroger fundraises to local organizations by each family linking their Kroger card - In order to link your Kroger card, log into your Kroger account, click “Rewards”, then “Community Rewards” and select “Cherry Tree Elementary PTO”. 
  • Spirit Wear -  
• Grade Level Shirts - The PTO provides each student with a grade level shirt every school year - students are encouraged to wear these during the school wide Family Meeting, classroom field trips, and other school events throughout the year.  
• Grandpersons Night - Once a year in the fall, the CTE PTO invites Grandpersons to accompany students to Cherry Tree for a social evening event.  We host activities such as games and crafts in the cafeteria and gym.  Treats are usually provided and the Book Fair is typically open for shopping during this time for an extra time to shop. 
• Ice Cream Social - The CTE Ice Cream Social is an event at the beginning of the year that welcomes kids back to school.  We welcome students and their families to Cherry Tree in the evening to enjoy some ice cream, socialize with friends, meet their teachers and see their classrooms. 
• Kindy 500 - Kindy 500 is an event for Kindergartners in May that is modeled after the iconic Indy 500!  Kindergarten classes compete against each other in a pedal cart race.  The event typically takes place in the morning after students arrive, and Kindergarten parents are invited to attend.  Information will be provided to parents by teachers.
• Media Center Volunteers - The CTE PTO facilitates and organizes the volunteers for the media center to support Mrs. Lima throughout the year.  Volunteer sign ups are sent out through the PTO; if you’d like to be added to the email list, sign up for the PTO General Volunteer list.
• Membership Toolkit - CTE PTO hosts an optional Cherry Tree Student Directory called the Membership Toolkit.  After creating an account, parents can have access to the directory and upcoming calendar events. This is a free, optional directory for all families.  You can access it here: https://cherrytreepto.membershiptoolkit.com/ 
• POD - “Pods” are classrooms that are grouped together by grade level at CTE. 
• POPs - POPs is a group of CTE fathers, grandfathers, uncles and more who support our students as father figures.  This group plans and supports various events throughout the school year, including hosting a breakfast during Teacher Appreciation Week.  
• Popsicle Playdate - Popsicle Playdate is an event for incoming Kindergarten families in July, hosted by the PTO.  It is an opportunity for families to connect with one another prior to school, and ask questions to current Cherry Tree families.  Of course, popsicles are provided for everyone in attendance.  Keep a look out in your email for information about this event in the Summer prior to the start of Kindergarten.
• PTO Bakers - The PTO Bakers provide homemade (or bakery bought) baked treats to Cherry Tree teachers and staff two times per month throughout the school year to show our love and support. Anyone can participate; sign ups are sent out to our General Volunteer list through the PTO.
• PUP Running and Track  - Pup Running is a non for profit organization that is committed to encouraging fitness and fun among 4th and 5th grade students in Carmel Schools through the sport of running. With fall cross country and spring track seasons we strive to develop positive character qualities in children as they train for, and compete in, running events—qualities like: Good Health, Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Discipline, Perseverance, and Best Effort.
  • This mission is facilitated through the formation of school-based Pup Running Clubs for 4th and 5th grade students in the Carmel Clay School District.  See more about this organization here: http://puprunning.org/ 
• Random Acts of Kindness - The Random Acts of Kindness committee is a group of parents who execute different acts to help CTE staff and teachers feel appreciated throughout the year. Examples of past support include organizing School Supply set-up, writing in chalk outside the school in support of Veteran’s Day, and a Coffee Cart.  
• Room Parents - Room Parents are randomly selected by the Party and Room Parent Coordinator committee.  Room parents are responsible for leading the classroom fall and spring parties. They are also a great point of contact for the teachers if the teachers are ever in need of help throughout the year in their classroom. 
• Scholastic Book Fair - The Scholastic Book Fair is a Media Center Fundraiser (not a PTO fundraiser), however the PTO assists in managing the book fair alongside the Media Center.  The Book Fair typically takes place in the fall before Thanksgiving break. The students are able to shop the book fair during the Media Center specials time and Grand-Persons Night. 
• Spirit Days - Throughout the school year you will see Spirit Days listed in the Chatter and in the PTO calendar.  The PTO has provided grade level T-Shirts to all CTE students and these are great days to show school spirit by wearing your grade level shirts or other CTE swag! 
• Science Fair
• Student Council - CTE Student Council consists of fourth and fifth grade students who meet once a month on late start mornings before school at 7:45 in a teacher’s classroom. Student council is a great way to help our Cherry Tree community.  
• Teacher Fun Clubs - Teacher fun clubs are a variety of after school activities designed for the students and led by the CTE Staff.  The clubs are facilitated and organized by the PTO and typically occur in the spring.  This is a great opportunity to pick a teacher-led club that interests your child.  
• Teacher Appreciation Week - This week typically falls early to mid May and is an entire week where we show our teachers how much we appreciate them!  The PTO will provide fun treats for the teachers that week and the kids always enjoy writing a card or showing their teachers how much they appreciate them! 
• Veteran’s Day Program - CTE students and staff are proud to honor those who serve and have served our country on Veterans Day during our Let Freedom Ring ceremony. We invite Veterans and their families to attend a ceremony at CTE in the morning the week of Veterans Day.  
• Wellness Club - At Cherry Tree, we are promoting good health with Fitness, Wellness and Fun!  The CTE PE Teacher, Mr. Thiel teaches kids about wellness during Wellness Club once a month before or after school. 
• Winter Family Fun Night - Winter Family Fun Night is an all school event that takes place in the winter (usually late January/early February).  This event is a fun time to bring the entire school together for fun activities and treats!
• Yearbook - Yearbook is a group of 4th and 5th grade students who come together and design the CTE yearbook that year.  

Many questions, like carpool procedures, taking your child out for appointments, calling your child in sick, etc. can be answered by looking through the very detailed parent handbook created especially for Cherry Tree Elementary families.