Steve Redfearn looks ahead to the 2018–19 school year.
It only means one thing when the sun sets earlier and leaves begin to fall from trees. A new school year is on the horizon and approaching as fast as the “Back to School” sale that opened at the local Target in July.
The members of the Cherry Hill Education Association are working feverishly to prepare for the arrival of students in the hallways and classrooms. The secretaries, custodial, maintenance and technology members of CHEA have been working throughout the summer to close out the previous school year and prepare for the start of the new school year.
Now, with only one week left of summer, schools are a buzz with teachers and support staff entering the building to prepare and plan for their students arrival on Wednesday Sept. 5. Countless hours will be spent ensuring classrooms are decorated and organized to give all students the “home away from home” feeling on an everyday basis.
On behalf of the more than 1,100 members of the CHEA, I would like to thank Dr. Meloche and the Cherry Hill Board of Education for their willingness to start last October with the process of negotiating a successor contract agreement with the Cherry Hill Education Association. This is the first time in many years that a successor agreement was agreed upon and approved in June before the expiration of the current contract. It is a testament to how this round of negotiations occurred in a such a respectful and thoughtful manner between both parties.
CHEA is excited about continuing our partnership this school year as in the past with NJEA and the “Pride in Public Schools” initiative. This program helps fund events within individual schools, as well as across the district that bring the school and community members together. Our first district wide venture will be the “14th Annual Volley for Support” fundraiser scheduled for Friday Oct. 12 at Cherry Hill High School East. In addition, keep an eye out for our “CHEA Community Movie Nights” that will be scheduled this year and funded through these grants.
We wish all of our students and their families a wonderful rest of the summer and a safe and happy Labor Day weekend. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces on Wednesday, Sept. 5 on the opening day of school.
