Cherokee Newsletter 5.12.23

May 12, 2023

Dear Cherokee Families,

This time of year is always bittersweet as we are finishing up the current school year and will be saying our goodbyes, but also excitedly planning and preparing for the transition to the upcoming school year. This week kicked off our gentle transition of fourth graders to their next chapter in middle school. Fourth grade students went to DPM for Buddy Day on Monday! Fourth graders spent the morning at DPM to get a first-hand look at 5th grade. We have many more exciting events to celebrate our 4th grade students in the coming weeks.

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week and Muffins in the Morning. I want to say thank you to our APT and all of the parents who contributed in some way to make this week so special for the teachers and famililes. Your generosity of time, food and gifts is so appreciated. I have said it many times, but want to say it again that I have never worked in a district with the parent support like we have at Cherokee! In addition, thank you to California Pizza Kitchen at Northbrook Court for donating an entire lunch and they did it with enormous grace, including free delivery and extra food. If you ever want a good meal, I encourage you to stop by California Pizza Kitchen at Northbrook Court! They were amazing!

A few highlights for special attention:

Spring Sing Livestream Links: The Spring Sing Performances will be livestreamed for any family members that are not able to attend in person on May 19th. Please use the links below.

K-1 Link:https://youtube.com/live/XUsZXgLjdec?feature=share

2-3 link: https://youtube.com/live/TwE3WLYtjgo?feature=share

4th grade and orchestra link:https://youtube.com/live/zdZBac33l2k?feature=share

BOC Sign-up for Upcoming 5th Grade Students

In the 5th grade your child has the opportunity to be part of one of our great performing groups at Deer Path. We are a recipient of the 2023 National Association of Music Best Communities for Music Education for our extensive music programs in District 67.

The BOC (Band, Orchestra, Chor) ensembles have been to each of the elementary schools and showcased which instruments/ensembles are available in 5th grade.

Please take a moment to look over what is offered. We look forward to seeing your child make great music at Deer Path. Participation in band, orchestra or choir is not required, but is a great way for your child to make new friends and enjoy making music with a group of students. We strongly recommend giving it a try!

Even if your child does not currently know what they would like to play please sign up and we will reach out individually to you soon.

Link for Digital Copy of 5th BOC Form

Erin’s Law Lesson:

As part of our personal protection and safety curriculum, students in will participate in a lesson aligned with Erin’s Law (105 ILCS 5/10-23.13) in an effort to raise awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse. The mandate reinforces the importance of empowering children in keeping their bodies safe. Erin’s Law is designed to accomplish the following:

• Increase educator and parent awareness of child sexual abuse;

• Provide educators and parents with valuable information regarding the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse;

• Deliver age-appropriate lessons that empower children in recognizing safe and unsafe touches and what they can do if something inappropriate or uncomfortable happens;

• Teach children empowerment actions such as Say “NO”, Get Away, Tell a Trusted Adult; and

• Remind teachers of their legal requirement to report all suspected abuse cases to the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS).

Lessons will be co-taught by Mr. Dukett and Ms. Pangilinan in wellness on May 22nd. The lesson will not include examples of sexual abuse, nor will it include explicit terminology. We understand this is a sensitive topic and handle it carefully with information that is developmentally appropriate to the age of the students. If you would like specific information about the lesson or to learn more about the topic, please reach out to your building social worker or school psychologist.

Requests to Opt-Out: If you prefer that your child opt-out of this prevention education session, please email your child’s teacher.

Resources for Parents:

Parent Information: Parents Protect!

Erin Merryn: The Story Behind the Law

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois

Local Resource (Gurnee)- Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center

~Dr. Cavanaugh

Please note: The recent edition of 411 on 67 incorrectly listed the Sheridan APT 4th Grade Donuts with a Grownup Breakfast on the 19th as a Cherokee event. This event is taking place at Sheridan.

The District 67 Board of Education will hold a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 in the Board Room at Lake Forest High School West Campus, 300 S. Waukegan Rd. (2nd floor) beginning at 7:00pm. Additional information and meeting agenda will be posted on the D67 Board webpage prior to each meeting.

Please join us in-person or virtually for our next D67 and D115 Parent Series on Transition Planning on Monday, May 15 at 12:00 pm. During our meeting, Amy Engstrom, Transition Specialist from TrueNorth will be available to answer any of your questions related to transition planning (employment, work experiences, education, independent living, and transition linkages). Please see the linked flyer for more information and to RSVP for the event. A light lunch will be provided.

MEET.GOOGLE.COM/FRA-QECA-JFJ

RSVP Form

It was wonderful seeing so many of you this morning at our Muffins in the Morning event! Thank you to our amazing APT Muffins team - Amanda Pelletier, Kelly Tracy and Tricia Schulte. They have worked so hard for weeks to plan every detail of this event. It was such a special morning for our cheetahs and their guests!

Thank you to our incredible Staff Appreciation Events team - Lacy Fidler, Cara Ruzila, Nora Froelich and Caroline Luenz - for planning such an amazing week for our SUN-Sational Cherokee staff! They worked so hard on making sure the staff felt loved and appreciated each day. It was such a great week. Thank you also to all of the families that donated to make this week so successful! We are so grateful!

Cherokee Parent Volunteer Spring Survey for 2023-2024 School Year

As we begin planning for the 2023-2024 school year, please complete the survey below to let us know your areas of interest for volunteering for next year. Of course, we understand that circumstances may change between now and then... this just gives us a running start. Please respond by May 31st. THANK YOU!

https://forms.gle/wSgWrVNjkyCDEjY5A

Attention all 4th grade families! Please remember to turn in your $20 check made out to Cherokee Activity Fund as well as pictures of your child from Kindergarten & 4th grade. Pictures should be no larger than 5x7 and should be labeled on the back with your child’s name. Checks and pictures can be sent to school with your child.

Please save the date for the All-School 4th Grade Family Social which will take place on Thursday, June 1st at 4:30pm at Everett Park.

• Friday, May 19th - Cherokee Family BEACH BASH - 4:30-6:00pm - Lake Forest Beach

• Thursday, June 1st - FIELD DAY! - More info coming soon, including ways to volunteer!

• Thursday, June 1st - 4th Grade Family Social - 4:30-5:30pm at Everett Park. Cherokee, Everett and Sheridan 4th grade families welcome!

• Monday, June 5th - 4th Grade Celebration & Clap-Out

Lastly, If you would like to order a K-4 school supply kit for next school year, ordering is now open & available until July 1st. Thank you to our Cherokee School Supply Coordinators - Jenna Long & Erin Buelt!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Gillian Goodfriend

Cherokee APT President

2022-2024

gilliangoodfriend@yahoo.com

This week, the Spirit of 67 welcomed its new Board of Directors for the 2023-24 school year and also said farewell to a group of dedicated volunteers who have retired from the Board. Everyone that is familiar with the Spirit, has written a grant or attended a Home Tour or other fundraising event, knows how hard-working, focused and dedicated this board is toward raising money to enhance our students’ educational experience.

Thank You Retirees!

Please join us in thanking our Spirit of 67 Retirees: Kristen Lee, Kimberly Carris, Elyse Butler, Anna Theodore, Jackie Greca, Sarah Maraccini, Caroline Eimerman, Vicky Bozic, Ester Viti, Marie Woods, Ellie White, Meg Lynch, Kim Walters, Carrie Adolph, Amy Pasquesi and Kelly Refromado.

Welcome New Board!

Please also join us in welcoming our new Executive Board including: President Courtney Turner, VP Grants Vanessa Nowlin, VP Fundraising, Stephanie Knauff, VP Special Events Kirstin Carruthers, VP Communications Katherine Hensley, VP Donor Relations Kaci Spirito and Secretary Betsy Miller. We are grateful to the executive and to all of our new Board Members for your service! We look forward to another amazing year supporting our students, schools and teachers!

Mark your Calendars for September 28! HOME TOUR 2023!

Would you like to get involved with Home Tour or are you curious about the Spirit of 67 Foundation Board? Reach out to us! There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer! We would love to talk and match you up with the best position for you! https://spirit67.wufoo.com/forms/z196qa0y1ex63x8/

Visit the Green Backpack or the front page of your school website to view the latest programs offered in our community.

Planning and Pizza at Northcroft Park

The City of Lake Forest is looking for community input to help develop a Master Plan for Northcroft Park. During the first phase of the process, we’re gathering input to better understanding how residents currently use the park and identify opportunity for improvements.

The City is planning to host a meeting titled “Planning and Pizza in the Park” on Wednesday, May 24 from 4-6 pm at Northcroft Park, located at 1365 South Ridge Rd. Drop-in anytime to participate in interactive activities for adults and children, grab some pizza, and help shape the future of Northcroft Park!

CROYA

CROYA’s 6th Grade Welcome Party is Tuesday, May 16th from 3:45pm-5:00pm! All current 6th grade students are welcome to attend and check out the CROYA facility!

Read the latest CROYA newsletter for more upcoming events!

Summer Early Focus Educational Camp at Gorton

Monday, June 19 – Friday, June 23, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Grades: Entering Kindergarten – 2nd

This program builds on children’s learning from the school year. Two local certified teachers will provide a highly engaging program that offers academic support to prevent summer learning loss as well as other opportunities for growth and exploration. There will be daily educational small group activities that incorporate reading, math and science aligned with the district’s curriculum.

Link: https://gortoncenter.org/event/summer-early-focus-educational-camp/

Lake Forest Open Lands Summer Program

Summer is the perfect time to connect with nature and explore outdoors with LFOLA!

Lake Forest Open Lands’ summer programs encourage children to discover the wonders of the natural world while having fun outside. For preschoolers through age 12. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Forest Park Beach Opens Saturday, May 27!

We are excited to welcome the community back to the beach for the 2023 season. Visit our website for all the latest info. https://lfparksandrec.com/forest-park-beach

APS TrueNorth Family Newsletter

The TrueNorth Association of Parents and Staff sends out weekly a newsletter sharing upcoming community learning and social opportunities for families and professionals.

Please use this link to read the latest APS Bi-weekly Family Newsletter https://www.smore.com/7vet2-family-bi-weekly-update?ref=email