Cherokee Newsletter 3.3.23
Sept 16, 2022
March 3, 2023
A Message from the Principal
Dear Cherokee Families,
We finished this week with our All School Field Trip to the play “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” All of the students made me proud to be the principal of Cherokee, as they were so respectful and responsible on the bus and throughout the play!
As we head into the final trimester of the school year, there is still a lot of important learning to do! It is also a time to celebrate this school year with many fun events planned, as well as a transition into the coming year. I will be sharing a parent input form below. This is an opportunity if you have information that you would like to share regarding your child to do so as we begin to plan for next year.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Kate
A couple of highlights for special attention:
Update on the IAR Testing Window for 3rd and 4th grade students is April 11th-21st. I will be sharing more information on the specific dates of testing. It will be important that all 3rd and 4th grade students are in attendance during these days of testing.
Review the Parent Information Input Form
Review the information regarding World Down Syndrome Day during Spirit Week.
Review the information about the Kids Heart Challenge
Parent Information Input Form
The placement of students in classes is a lengthy process, which begins in March and continues through May. The classroom teacher, as well as other staff members who have contact with the students, look at a number of factors as class lists are created.
Factors include a student’s academic abilities, social and emotional needs and any special needs as we make placement decisions. We strive to have classes which balance gender, student abilities, special needs, social relationships, and personality.
Staff will be working collaboratively with the administration to create balanced homerooms for next year. As always, you will know your child's homeroom teacher in August.
If you have information that you would like to share regarding your child, please submit your thoughts though this optional FORM by March 24th.
Please refrain from including specific teacher requests as that is not part of the placement process.
Kids Heart Challenge
The American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge (KHC) kicked off this week! This year, our school will be learning about staying strong in body and mind while helping others with special hearts. Click here to register for Cherokee Elementary School.
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World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date for WDSD is the 21st day of the 3rd month, (3/21). It was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. So, on March 21st we create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome. We will observe this day at Cherokee on March 21st by wearing crazy socks.
District Updates
Report Cards
You should have received an email with your child’s Trimester 2 report card today, March 3. The email was sent to your email address on file in PowerSchool from the following email address: Notification-Do_Not_Reply@target1011.brightarrow.com
If you did not receive communication, please complete this form below so we can support you.
Multicultural Family Night for All D67 Families
Your Family is Invited to Join Us on March 8!
6:00 -7:00 PM
Deer Path Middle School Cafeteria
In honor of World Language Week, we invite all District 67 families to join us in the Deer Path cafeteria on Wednesday, March 8, 6:00 - 7:00 PM for a night of traveling around the globe and visiting the different cultures represented throughout the District. Families and school groups will be there to share information representing a variety of countries, languages and cultures.
Spotlight on Early Childhood at District 67
Community of Learners is Lake Forest School District 67's early childhood preschool program for students ages 3-5 year-olds residing within the District 67 school boundaries.
To learn more or register, visit the Community of Learners Preschool website.
In Case You Missed it
- District 67 Kindergarten Registration: Proof of residency documents and birth certificate will be accepted via online pre-registration by uploading documents at the end of the process or at our in-person collection event at the Administration Center on March 8 from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM (by walk-in).
4th Grade District Art Show and Reception: The Annual 4th Grade Student Art Show, featuring works from every 4th Grade Student in District 67, will be held March 14 - April 6, 2023 at our very own Gallery 300. Opening Reception on Thursday, March 16, from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM at Gallery 300.
Join Us for The Next FAN Events!
For more information on these events, please visit the FAN website.
Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationships
Mar 13 2023 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Evanston Township High School Auditorium
No registration required.
NEDRA GLOVER TAWWAB, MSW, LCSW Licensed therapist, sought-after relationship expert, and New York Times bestselling author. Every family has a story. For some of us, our family of origin is a solid foundation that feeds our confidence and helps us navigate life’s challenges. For others, it’s a source of pain, hurt, and conflict that can feel like a lifelong burden. In Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationships, licensed therapist and bestselling relationship expert Nedra Glover Tawwab, MSW, LCSW offers clear advice for identifying dysfunctional family patterns and choosing the best path to breaking the cycle and moving forward.
Life is Hard: How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way
Mar 16 2023 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
ON ZOOM
KIERAN SETIYA, PH.D. Professor of Physiology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Kieran Setiya, Ph.D. is a professor of philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he works on ethics and related questions about human agency and human knowledge. He is the author of Midlife: A Philosophical Guide and Life Is Hard: How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way, which was selected as a Best Book of 2022 by The Economist and The New Yorker. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, the LA Review of Books, the TLS, the London Review of Books, The Atlantic, Aeon, and The Yale Review.
D115 Referendum Information
D115 Referendum Information Session for Families of Future Scouts
D115 invites all elementary and middle school parents from District 67 schools, District 65 schools, Lake Forest Country Day School, St. Mary’s School, and any other feeder schools in the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff communities to join us on Monday, March 6 at 5:00 pm at Lake Forest High School (1285 N. McKinley Rd. Lake Forest, IL) for a referendum informational session with Superintendent, Dr. Matthew L. Montgomery, and his team. This session is designed for parents and guardians of future Lake Forest High School students.
Tours by current LFHS students and staff will be provided!
Ask the Chief Operating Officer!
We checked in with Dr. Jennifer Hermes, District 67 and 115 Chief Operating Officer to answer another question from you about the D115 Referendum.
Dr. Hermes has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration. She is the Vice Chair of the Illinois School District Liquid Asset Fund and the Vice Chair of the Collective Liability Insurance Cooperative (CLIC), in addition to sitting on the Executive Committee of the Northern Health Insurance Cooperative. She has previously served as the President of the Illinois Association of School Business Officials. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Concordia University Chicago. Dr. Hermes’ role at the District includes several key functions including budgeting and finance, Board relations, employee and labor relations, and the oversight of District 67 and 115 facilities, transportation, food services, technology, and early childhood programs.
Categories of Improvement: Traditional Classrooms
The Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education is pursuing a $105.7M referendum on the April 4, 2023 Lake County election ballot.
One of the main categories of improvements is traditional classrooms including science labs. Suggested improvements include the improvement of outdated labs and bringing the last remaining classrooms to the same capabilities as those updated in 2006, including acoustics, lighting, instructional technology, furniture, and related upgrades.
Request Your Vote by Mail Ballot
You Can Now Request Your Vote by Mail Ballot. Mail in Your April 4 Election Ballot Ballot Before Spring Break!
Vote by Mail applications can be requested until 5pm on March 30. Get your request in now to vote by mail and ensure your vote counts in the April 4 election!
APT News and Events
It was wonderful to see so many of you at our Winterfest Glow Parties! Thank you to our amazing coordinators - Jessica White, Maggie Topalian & Annie O’Connor - for all of their time and effort in putting together such a special and memorable night for our cheetahs.
Book Fair Volunteer Sign-up
Krina Lessard is organizing the Scholastic Book Fair at Cherokee on Thursday, March 9th and Friday, March 10th. It is such a wonderful annual event! We need parent volunteers to help make the Book Fair a success. Volunteers will work the registers for book purchases and help families as needed at the event. The Book Fair takes place in the Multi-Purpose room at Cherokee during conferences. With this being run when the kids are out of school, you are definitely able to bring your kids with you to volunteer. My kids have always loved coming with me - and they end up racking up a hefty bill as well!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Thursday, March 9th - All District APT Meeting - 9:00-11:00AM at CROYA - ALL parents welcome
Thursday, March 9th & Friday, March 10th - Cherokee Book Fair during conferences in the Multi-Purpose room!
Wednesday, April 19th - Cherokee April APT meeting - 9:30AM - Multi-Purpose Room
Friday, May 12th - SAVE THE DATE: Muffins in the Morning - 7:15-7:45AM - This event is for Cherokee students to bring a special grown-up to enjoy breakfast and other fun activities together before school. This event takes place in the Cherokee gym. We hope to see you there!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Gillian Goodfriend
Cherokee APT President 2022-2024
(773) 294-8131
Announcing the APT Executive Board Slate for the 2023-25 School Years
APT Executive Board President: Kimberly Carris BIO
APT Executive Recording Secretary: Betsy Miller BIO
DPM APT President: Elizabeth Martin BIO
Everett Elementary School APT President: Mary Dana Maggiolino BIO
Voting on this slate of candidates is open to all District 67 APT members and will take place at the APT’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 9th from 9 - 11 AM at CROYA featuring our virtual guest speaker - Rebecca Dowling Calder. All District 67 parents and community members are invited to attend.
Nominating Officers for the School Years 2023-2025
Nominating Committee Chair: Shannon Shader
APT Executive Board Representatives: Megan Engelberg, Gillian Goodfriend
Cherokee Representatives: Mirela Dalton, Kaci Spirito, Carrie Ravagnie
Deer Path Representatives: Katie Donovan, Ann Kiesling, Sarah Lohr, Heidi Clifton,
Lacy Fidler, Tara Eggers
Everett Representatives: Vanessa Nowlin, Liz Byron, Lexee Rascia
Sheridan Representatives: Victoria Bozic, Kristen Chun, Amanda Lamberti
Spirit News and Events
JOIN OUR BOARD!
Do you have experience with corporate fundraising? How about writing, graphic design, websites, social media or marketing? The Spirit of 67 is seeking volunteers to fill a few remaining Board positions and we would love to chat with you! Please contact Contact Carolyn Hutchinson at carolynhutchinson@gmail.com or complete the info form at https://spirit67.wufoo.com/forms/z196qa0y1ex63x8/
New Information for “Rock the Spirit”
SAVE THE DATE and TIME! “Rock the Spirit” is coming up soon - April 29 at Ferrari of Lake Forest!
- VIP Backstage Pass 6:00-10:30pm
- General Admission 6:30-10:30pm
- Music, Food, Beverages, Auction, Raffles, Paddle Raise and MORE!
Be on the Lookout for more info and ticket sales in the coming weeks!
Fine Arts Programs
March is coming in like a Lion with a thunderous schedule of Fine Arts Programs. Students at every D67 school will be roaring with delight with Spirit of 67 Grants this Spring!
- Wednesday, March 1 - Fractured Fairy Tales for K-4 @ Sheridan
- Thursday, March 2 - Harriet Tubman: Road to Freedom for 7th grade @ DPM
- Monday, March 6 - PlayMakers Laboratory FINAL presentation for ALL 4th grade @ Everett
- Monday, March 13 - Fractured Fairy Tales for K-4 @ Everett
- Friday, March 17 - Fractured Fairy Tales for K-4 @ Cherokee
- Tuesday, March 21 - Number the Stars for 8th Grade @ DPM
- Thursday, March 23 - Renaissance Falconry Presentation for 6th grade
- Friday, April 14 - Mytholomania for 5th grade @ DPM 1:45PM
Community Programs and Events
Visit the Green Backpack or the front page of your school website to view the latest programs offered in our community.
CROYA
Read CROYAs Top Ten Newsletter for the latest news and events!
American Lung Association State Poster Contest
The contest runs until March 10, 2023.
In order to spread the message about radon’s health hazards, the American Lung Association along with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, CanSAR, and Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago host the annual statewide Illinois Radon Poster Contest. Please see below for official rules and details.
Official Rules for the 2023 Illinois Radon Poster Contest
Lake Forest Recreation Summer Camp
Summer Camp Resident Registration Opens Tuesday, March 7 at 8:30 am.
We encourage you to view our guide online, visit our website, and click over to our registration site to view each camp's details (dates, times, pricing, etc.).
Art Contest Opens For Idle-Free Community Signs
Submit your artwork by Friday, March 10.
The City of Lake Forest is holding an art contest to help promote the City as an "Idle-Free" Community! Send us your best "anti-idling" artwork to help encourage your friends and neighbors to turn off their vehicle while parked. Idling creates air pollution and wastes gas, so we're encouraging Lake Forest residents to not idle their vehicles. The contest winner's art will be display on temporary signs at locations around the community. Learn more.
Illinois Partners in Policymaking® - Now Accepting Applications!
Illinois Partners in Policymaking® is a leadership training program for adults with developmental disabilities, parents of children under the age of 21 with developmental disabilities, adult siblings of people with developmental disabilities, legal guardians, and Supporters in Supported Decision-Making Agreements for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Applications are due by 5 pm on Saturday, March 11, 2023. To Apply Click Here
475 E. Cherokee Rd.
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045