Cherokee Newsletter 1.6.23

January 6, 2023

Dear Cherokee Families,

Welcome back!!! I am amazed at how the students jumped right back in with the routines, and hit the ground running with new learning! I do not know about your household, but my boys sure were tired at night getting back into the school schedule. I definitely enjoyed the time over break to unplug, and spend time with my own family. However, I missed the students and it was so wonderful seeing them back at school.

Over the break I had time to reflect and think about what I hope to do differently, or areas that I want to grow in the new year both personally and professionally. I would love to hear from you as we head into the second half of the school year! Are there things that you want to celebrate that are going well at Cherokee? Or are there things you would like to see at Cherokee that aren't happening? Please think about taking a moment to send me an email, or, as I shared at an APT meeting, I always love having a coffee and catching up!

I've shared some pictures below from my family’s break. Hope you made some great memories, and were able to relax and spend time doing what you enjoy.

Here's to a fantastic 2023 together. Have a great weekend!

~Dr. Cavanaugh

A couple of highlights for special attention:

• Review the information about the upcoming Feed My Starving Children event

• Review the upcoming Lunar New Year Chinese Paper-Cutting Workshop information

• Review information about the January Focus on Cooperation

• Reminder that there is No School on Monday, January 16th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr Day

Feed My Starving Children

The Cherokee Student Leadership team has been planning their first community service event. This will take place at Feed My Starving Children in January. Please see the attached flier for details and sign-up for the two options on January 19th and January 23rd.

Lunar New Year Chinese Paper-Cutting Workshop

The Spirit of 67 Foundation awarded a grant to Cherokee for the Lunar New Year Chinese Paper-Cutting Workshop. K-4 Mandarin learners will get a unique opportunity for a hands-on paper-cutting experience in their classes. In addition, we are offering a workshop for all District 67 students to partake in an extra session after school hours. Please see the information below about this unique opportunity that will take place on January 18th.

January- Cooperation

During the month of January we will be focusing on Cooperation. We watched this Video and taught the students about what cooperation looks like and sounds. Thank you for your support in all we do to teach our students to be safe, respectful and responsible citizens!

In the event of a weather emergency, District 67 has allocated two traditional days of non-instruction (what we have historically referred to as "snow days") for students and staff. Should conditions require school closure beyond those two days, the State of Illinois now allows for eLearning days in lieu of traditional snow days. You can find more guidance regarding weather emergencies on the District 67 website.

Join District 34 and Clearbrook for Navigating Illinois Disability Services and Supports. Open to ALL District 34 and TrueNorth Families - Thursday, January 19 at 1:00 PM or 7:00 PM. To Register Click Here.

District 67 parents/guardians are invited to an Early Childhood Information Session on Wednesday, January 11, from 9:30 - 10:30 AM at Sheridan Elementary School, 1360 N. Sheridan Rd., Lake Forest. Parents/guardians will learn more about the Community of Learners Early Childhood Preschool and have the opportunity to visit the classroom to see the program in action.

I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing winter break. As we kick off 2023, be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

-Wednesday, January 18th - 9:30AM - January APT Meeting in the IRC lab

-Wednesday, February 15th - 6:00PM - February EVENING APT Meeting in the Cherokee Gym

-Friday, February 24th - Cherokee Winterfest! GLOW PARTY! 5:00-6:00PM for K, 1st & 2nd and 6:30-7:30PM for 3rd/4th. More info coming soon!

Gillian Goodfriend

Cherokee APT President 2022-2024

(773) 294-8131

gilliangoodfriend@yahoo.com

Nominations are being solicited for the following District 67 APT Executive Board positions to serve during the 2023-2025 school years:

• APT Executive Board President

• APT Executive Board Recording Secretary

• APT President, Everett Elementary School

• APT President, DPM School

Please note that nominees MUST have prior experience serving on an APT Board (or as a Room Parent) in order to be considered. Also, only parents from a local school can submit a nomination for that building’s APT President.

See the Nomination Form for descriptions of the positions being nominated. If you would like to nominate someone (including yourself), please click here to complete the Nomination Google Form:

2023-2025 APT Nomination Form (please complete online)

Or, you can click on the link below to complete the standard Nomination Form. These forms can be emailed or a photo of the completed form can be texted back at the number below:

2023-2025 APT NOMINATION FORM (please download)

You may also contact APT Executive VP & Nominating Committee Chair Shannon Shader directly via email at shannon_weed@yahoo.com or at (224) 280-3435 to submit possible candidate names.

FINAL DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS is Monday, January 9, 2023.

Questions? Please contact Shannon Shader at the information above.

Thank you for your thoughtful suggestions!

In January, in partnership with the APT, the Spirit of 67 is proud to bring MouseTrap Machine Science Assemblies to our elementary schools!

• Everett - January 6
• Sheridan - January 9
• Cherokee - January 23

Grant Applications are due February 9th at 3pm. Please submit your applications ASAP.

https://spirit67.wufoo.com/forms/zum5h5h1cddn7q/

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

CROYA

Catch up on all the CROYA news by reading their monthly newsletter here or by visiting the CROYA website.

Lake Forest Parks and Recreation

Winter programs start soon! View the program guide or click here to register.