There are two scheduled Picture Days – one in the Fall and one in the Spring. You will be given the option to purchase pictures from the photographer at both times. The Fall Picture is the photo that will be used in the yearbook.
Typically, twice a year, Cerritos will host musicians to perform for us during “Lunch on the Lawn”. On this day, families are invited to come and share a picnic lunch on a blanket (or at a table) with their student(s). Students and guests may eat a cafeteria lunch. They may also eat a packed lunch, or a lunch his/her parent brings from home. This is a great way to join together as a Cerritos Community and enjoy our beautiful Arizona weather. If your schedule allows, this is a fun way to spend a little extra time with your child.
Prior to leaving for Thanksgiving Break, the Physical Education Department along with the PTO sponsors a Turkey Trot. This is a fun event where students jog/walk around the Altadena track with their class. The Trot concludes with orange slices and water. All family members are encouraged to participate. Please allow additional time for signing in/out for badge allocations.
Cerritos is proud to be a Stephen Covey, Leader in Me School. In 2012, we were recognized as the 27th school, worldwide, with the honor of being a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. As a Leader in Me School, students discover and practice a set of leadership and life skills from Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Leader in me schools receive national recognition for their emphasis on developing leadership in young children. Incorporating The Leader in Me practices within our school’s environment and curriculum empowers students with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Our children demonstrate critical skills, goal setting, effective interpersonal skills, a sense of teamwork, academic achievement and valuing diversity. Our goal is to develop the WHOLE child socially, emotionally, academically and ethically to ensure they are leaders today that inspire leaders tomorrow!
Once a year, Cerritos hosts a Leadership Day. We invite special guests from the community to visit our school and engage with our students and staff, experience firsthand our culture of leadership, and learn more about the amazing Leader in Me principles that have transformed our school. You may hear your child talking about a special project they are working on for Leadership Day and that they should “dress for success” on the day of the event. Leadership Days are fun, student driven, and it is great for our students to share their Leadership with an unknown audience.
The PTO sponsors several events and socials throughout the school year. This is a great chance to meet other Cerritos families and build a great Cerritos community! Below is a sampling of events the PTO has hosted in the past. Events for the 2019-2020 school year are still in the planning stages.
Go Speedy Go! Donation Drive (mid-August through mid-September) – The Go Speedy Go Donation Drive is our major fundraiser of the school year. Rather than having our students selling products to raise money throughout the year, Cerritos PTO has replaced product-sales fundraisers with a direct donation drive. 100% of all donations go directly to Cerritos! We encourage all families to participate at whatever level you are able.
Fall & Spring Book Fairs (September & February) – The Scholastic Book Fairs are a great time to purchase books for your child to read at home as well as an opportunity to purchase books from their teacher’s wish list for the classroom. All proceeds from the Book Fairs go directly to the Cerritos Library!
Ice Cream Social (September)– Bring your entire family and enjoy make-your-own ice cream sundaes and enjoy DJ music. It is a fun way to beat the last of the heat!
Family Dinner Nights (FDN) – The PTO partners with local restaurants that are willing to give back a percentage of their profits to Cerritos for a given night. If it fits into your family’s schedule, try to attend a few of these evenings throughout the year. It is another opportunity for our community to come together and raise money for Cerritos!
Trunk N’ Treat (October) – This is a fun night for students to dress up in a favorite costume and participate in entertaining fall festivities. Bring a carved pumpkin from home for our special pumpkin walk. Pizza, drinks, popcorn, and water are typically served. And, of course, a DJ will be spinning the tunes!
Family Bingo Night (November) - A night of family fun playing bingo and winning fabulous prizes. This is a new evernt for us this year so come out and join the fun!
Gift of Time (December) – This is a day that parents donate some of their time to the teachers and staff at Cerritos. Teachers/staff bring in their personal unwrapped holiday gifts and the parent elves wrap and decorate the gifts for them. We all could use a little extra time in December and this is one way that we can “give back” to our wonderful teachers and staff!
Spring Family Dance (April) – This is a event for the whole family to come and dance the night away. There will be face painting, photo booth, food and lot so fun!
Teacher Appreciation Day (May) – During the school year our hospitality team provides monthly Staff appreciation events. On Teacher Appreciation Day in May we do an extra special celebration to show Cerritos teachers and staff how much we appreciate them!
We hope that your family is able to attend some (or all) of these events! It is always a great way to “Sharpen the Saw”, meet new friends, and enjoy seeing old friends.
