A time for giving . . .

I really love this time of the year - except for the weather and shorter days. What I really enjoy is the time when families and friends come together to fellowship and share in the joy of life. However, we know in this day and financial situation our country is going through that not everyone we know is as lucky as we are. For instance, Cherokee has 20% of its students that qualify for free/reduced price lunch/breakfast. Springfield Public Schools as a whole is just over 50% and several schools in Springfield are in the 75% or higher range.
Knowing the situation we are in here and the situation that others within a 5 to 10 minute drive is so drastically different has spurred students and staff here at Cherokee to help out.
Since I have been here we annually participate in food drives to help Ozarks Food Harvest, our NJHS students adopt families, ring the bells for Salvation Army, and we collect clothing and gifts for the Pride Stores to name just a few. 
But what really gets me excited is when individual students come to me with an idea to help others. That happened for the first time last year. I had a young lady ask if we could collect blankets for the Victory Mission. Of course I said yes and off she went and collect about 100 blankets. A few weeks ago two 8th graders approached with a similar idea. These two young ladies wanted to collect winter clothing, jackets, and toys for one of our elementary schools with a large number of low SES students. Again I said I would do what I could to help. It has done tremendously well and it makes me so happy to be a part of such a wonderful community in which families encourage their children to be thankful for what they have, but to also extend a helping hand to those in need.
I have worked and been an AP in those schools. I know the stories and see the faces. Oh to see the faces on the families when they receive the new jackets and winter clothing would be priceless.
Thank you to the Cherokee community and especially the individual students that aren't afraid to help those that need it most!!

Happy Veterans Day and wrapping up the past few weeks

Yesterday, 11/10/11, we held our annual Veteran's Day assembly. Our music department provided music from the 8th grade jazz band, band, orchestra, and choir. Very moving ceremony in front of approximately 900 students, staff, and guests. Today we remember all that have served and currently serve. We must remember what our Veterans have sacrificed all days and not just today.

Food Fight - Cherokee won the "Food Fight." We collected 2,010 pounds for an average of 2.5 pounds per student. We were presented a traveling trophy and certificate from Ozarks Food Harvest and KY3 chief meteorologist Ron Hearst. CMS is ready to defend its title next year.


Sports update - Our girls basketball teams both finished 2nd in the city a few weeks ago. Great season ladies!
Football - 7th and 8th grade both went undefeated to take the City titles. Congrats gentlemen.
Boys basketball is underway and our first game is this coming Thursday. Looking forward to defending our city championships!


Flu shot/mist clinic - will be held Tuesday morning in the library.


Fall Dance is this coming Friday, Nov. 18. The dance is for CMS students only. Tickets are $5 and will be sold during lunch Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. NO tickets sold at the door.
6th and 7th graders may attend from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and 8th graders may attend from 7 to 8:30 p.m.


As always, if you have questions or concerns please send me an email to wtpowers@spsmail.org, send me a tweet at @MrPowersCMS or call 523-7210.
Bill

FOOD FIGHT!

Thanks to all the families, students, and staff that donated food to the Ozarks Food Harvest last week. We collected approximately 60 boxes of food and almost $300 in donations. This will go a long way in helping families here and in Joplin.
Bill

FOOD FIGHT!

This week, Oct. 17 - 21, Cherokee is doing its part to help families in the Ozarks and Ozarks Food Harvest by collecting non-perishable items. We are one of nine schools in Springfield participating. Help our neighbors in need by donating what you can.
Thank you,
Bill

Open House

Thursday, Sept. 22 from 6 - 8 p.m.
Parking will be limited so please use the shuttle service from the Community Blood Center to Cherokee. It will be running every 15 minutes.
Also, the Book Fair ends Thursday night as well. All proceeds go toward bringing Obert Skye to speak to our students next month.
If you have questions or concerns please email me at wtpowers@spsmail.org or call me at 523-7210
Thanks,


Bill

Moving right along!

I hope you all were able to enjoy the beautiful weather on Sunday and Monday. Mother Nature knew it was the "official" end of summer didn't she. After the incredibly hot summer it was nice to be able to leave the windows open and sit outside and enjoy the weather for once.
Football season began last Thursday and our boys opened with a split. For those of you that aren't aware we have 4 teams (2 7th grade and 2 8th grade teams). Each of them split. 7th White beat Hickory Hills and 8th White lost to Hickory. Meanwhile, 7th Maroon lost to Carver and 8th Maroon defeated Carver. Both teams are back at it again this Thursday night with the White teams playing Pipkin at Kickapoo and the Maroon teams playing Hickory Hills at Central.
Girls basketball begins Monday night as the ladies take on Pershing. 7th grade will be playing at Cherokee and the 8th graders will travel to Pershing to take on the Generals.
Go Indians!!!
If you have any questions or concerns shoot me an email to wtpowers@spsmail.org or call me at 523-7210.
Have a great week!
Bill

Great start to the new year!

Cherokee parents and famlies,
What a great start to the 2011 - 2012 school year. Our students are bright eyed and getting settled right in to the routines of middle school life.
Remember if you have your eSchool password from last year it still works. However, if you are new to Springfield Public Schools or to middle school please come by the office to pick up your students password. If you are not aware eSchool Home Access Center allows you to monitor your child's academic performance online.
As always if you have any questions or concerns please contact me at 523-7200 or wtpowers@spsmail.org


Thanks,
Bill

School time is just around the corner!

Hello returning and new Cherokee families,

I hope this blog post finds you all doing well this summer.
We have started receiving phones calls regarding orientations and other activities.
You will be receiving a mailing later this week from us with very important information regarding the 2011 - 2012 school year. If you have not received this initial mailing by Tuesday, July 19 please make sure we have your correct mailing address by calling 523-7200.
7th grade students will receive a postcard from us at the beginning of August to let you know which orientation to attend. The dates are Tuesday, Aug. 16 and 17 and you will receive a postcard in early August to let you know which night you should attend.
6th grade orientation is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium.
If you have any questions please email me at wtpowers@spsmail.org or call 523-7200.
I look forward to seeing and meeting you all very soon.

Bill Powers

Thank a Teacher!

I would like to take this time to thank all the teachers at Cherokee, Springfield Public Schools, and this country. Being a teacher is a challenging job, but also one of the most rewarding jobs in the world.
Please take a moment to call, email, or visit a current or former teacher and thank them for the difference they made in your life.
Thank you to all the teachers in my life from Ten Mile Elementary, Meigs County High School, Tennessee Technological University, and the University of South Florida. You all made a difference and have helped me become the person I am today. THANK YOU!!

Staying focused

Well parents, guardians, and friends, we have completed MAP testing, but we still have 6 weeks of school remaining. 
The first progress report for 4th quarter went home Friday. If you have any questions or concerns please contact your child's teachers. The second progress report of 4th quarter will be sent home on May 13th.
Just a reminder too that the last day of school is June 3. Students will be dismissed at 12:45 on June 3.

MAP underway

One day down and one to go for 6th and 7th graders. Our 8th graders have two more days of testing. Wednesday we will complete the Math portion and Thursday our 8th graders will be testing in Science.
Continue to give your best effort students.

Volleyball Finals!

Congrats to our 7th and 8th grade Volleyball teams on great seasons.
Our 7th graders finished off a perfect 11-0 season by beating Pershing for the All-City Championship at Glendale High School.
Our 8th graders capped the season with a 2nd place finish with the only losses of the year coming at the hands of the Generals of Pershing.
Thank you ladies for representing Cherokee and making us all proud.

Snow Day make up

Cherokee families,

The following is from a SPS press release.

 Springfield Public Schools make-up days

February 03, 2011

After cancelling classes for four out of five days this week, parents and others have asked about make-up days. As of Friday, February 4, Springfield Public Schools has missed five days due to inclement weather. SPS builds six make-up days into the school calendar. If more than six make-up days are necessary, a decision will be made in early spring about additional make-up days. 
The 2010-2011 school calendar is available on our calendars page. More information and frequently asked questions about the district's cancellation policies and procedures is available here. 
Follow SPS on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with cancellations and other news and highlights from around the district. 

Job Shadowing

Has been canceled due to inclement weather and will not be rescheduled.

All-City Champs!

Congratulations to Coach Gray and the 7th grade basketball champions and to Coach Brown and the undefeated 8th graders.
Both teams have represented Cherokee and their families and community extremely well this year. We are all very proud of them and their efforts this season.

SNOW DAY!

Happy Snow Day!
Congrats to our 7th and 8th grade basketball teams on their wins last night. 
Championships are scheduled to conclude Saturday at Parkview H.S. Times to be determined.
Enjoy the snow!
Bill

Happy Belated New Year!

It has been nearly one full month since my last post. The holidays are now a memory as I look back.
Back in reality of the school world we are coming to the end of our 1st semester on Thursday. The second semester/3rd quarter begins Tuesday, Jan. 18.
We are also ending the boy's basketball season. Today is the final regular season game and the tournament begins next week. I will post the schedule next week. Tentatively CMS will be playing Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
As I look out my window it continues to snow, so be safe and see you soon.
Bill