Sunday, December 16, 2012

School Safety

Cherokee Family,

Friday's school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut has been on all of our minds since the news first broke. Our hearts and prayers are with the families, school staff, and community as they begin the healing process over the weeks, months, and years to come.

I want to let everyone know we at Cherokee are always putting our students, your children's, safety first. Throughout the year we have several safety drills. In fact we have 10 fire, 4 storm, 4 intruder, and 2 earthquake drills spread out during the school year. We set the schedule during the summer and it just happens we have an intruder drill scheduled for Monday, Dec. 17.

With Friday's events being so soon to our drill our staff will be talking with students to let them know in advance and remind them why we practice such procedures. 

However, we will NOT be discussing what occurred in Newtown. It is our goal to have as normal a day as possible. Details of what students are aware of are solely at the discretion of each individual family.

If your child has any questions or concerns about the events of Friday's shooting our counselors, Mr. Petree and Mrs. Roffers, and Mr. Groves and I will be available to speak with them. If we speak to your child we will personally contact you via telephone in the best interest of working together. 

As you all send your children back to school I want to reassure you we will continue to do everything we can to keep everyone safe and will begin by continuing with our drills throughout the year and by doing a comprehensive review of all of our safety procedures and practices.

Finally, if you ever have any questions or concerns about anything here at Cherokee Middle School please contact me at any time. I am here to answer any questions and am more than happy to visit face-to-face, via telephone, Twitter, or email to discuss your questions/concerns. We must work together in the best interest of our children and our future.

Thank you, have a great holiday season, and Go Indians!

Bill Powers
Principal
Cherokee Middle School
523-7210
wtpowers@spsmail.org
@MrPowersCMS


Sunday, December 9, 2012

Happy Holidays

Dear Cherokee Families,

   As we wrap up the first semester of the 2012 - 2013 school year please remember to take time to keep family first.
Often times we get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget those most important to us. Also take time to give back - whether it is financially or with your time and energy. 
   We are very fortunate here at Cherokee. However, many of our neighbors are less so. We adults are the role models for our children and our future. Let's model by doing.
   As these final 9 school days go by I look forward to a few days away from "work" and time with my family and friends. I hope you do the same.
Thank you all so much for such a great first half of the year and I look forward to working together with you for not only this year, but years to come.
Go Indians and Happy Holidays!

Bill Powers
wtpowers@spsmail.org
@MrPowersCMS
523-7210