Nov. 30 - Dec. 4 Announcements

Hello Cherokee Families,

I hope each of you had a peaceful Thanksgiving with friends and family.

Two resources I have found valuable in educating our children and parenting a middle schooler are All-Pro Dad and Common Sense Media.

From All-Pro Dad - Video Game contract

From Common Sense Media - Facebook, Instagram, & Social

I found this one thanks to a Tweet from @NationalPTA called The Smart Talk

“Your kid is awesome. Smartphones are awesome. But awkward conversations about online safety and privacy? Not so awesome. Until now. The Smart Talk gets parents and kids together to have a clear conversation about all the devices you use and how to be responsible.”

The Smart Talk takes about 15 minutes, but could save you lots of ‘talks’ in the future.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, clarifications, or concerns at any time.

Here are a few updates and reminders for you:

1. Progress reports - our second progress report for 2nd quarter was sent home Tuesday, Nov. 24th. Please sign and return or email your child's teachers to let them know you received it.

We only have 14 schools days remaining in the semester. Please continue to encourage our students to stay on top of their studies. Questions/Concerns? Contact teachers ASAP. Thanks.

2. Daily Announcement and website – Remember you can stay closely connected with these listed events and even more each day by visiting our website HERE. Our Daily Announcements are updated Monday – Friday.

3. Coat Drive - The Cherokee PTSA is collecting gently used coats/jackets for the local PTA Clothing Bank this week. The specific need is for children size 5 to Adult size 4X. Please bring them to our collection box outside the cafeteria and main office from now until Friday, Dec. 4th. Thanks!

4. Transitional Transfers - Current 5th & 8th grade student families - if you desire for your child to attend a middle or high school other than the school that serves your address, a transitional transfer request form must be completed. The window to complete this is from now through Friday, Dec. 4th at 4 p.m. You can find the form on the Cherokee website or HERE. Please let me know if you have any questions.

5. We have an amazing team here at Cherokee. Thank you all the families who submitted a recognition this year! You have no idea how much this means to our teachers and staff.

You can complete an Employee Recognition Form here (the link is functioning again) to show them your appreciation. No recognition is too small. Thank you for taking the time to recognize and celebrate our staff!

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.

Have a great week and as always #GoIndians

Bill Powers

Principal

Cherokee Middle School

420 E. Farm Road 182

Springfield, MO 65810

Ph: 417-523-7210

Deliberative/Significance/Learner/Maximizer/Achiever

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." - Alvin Toffler

Confidentiality Notice:

This email message and any accompanying document(s) and attachments contain information from Springfield Public Schools, which is confidential and privileged. The email transmission and any attached documents are intended to be for the review and use solely of the individual(s) or entity(ies) named and listed on the email transmission message. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby advised that any review, disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the information and/or contents of this email message, as well as any attached documents, is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please immediately delete this email transmission and notify us by telephone of this error.

Nov. 23 - 27 Announcements

Hello Cherokee Families,

Two resources I have found valuable in educating our children and parenting a middle schooler are All-Pro Dad and Common Sense Media.

From All-Pro Dad - 5 Dangers of Social Media for Teens

From Common Sense Media - Cyberbullying, Haters, and Trolls

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, clarifications, or concerns at any time.

Everyone have a Happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Here are a few updates and reminders for you:

1. Progress reports - our second progress report for 2nd quarter will be sent home Tuesday, Nov. 24th. When we return from Thanksgiving break we only have 14 schools days remaining in the semester. Please continue to encourage our students to stay on top of their studies. Questions/Concerns? Contact teachers ASAP. Thanks.

2. Daily Announcement and website – Remember you can stay closely connected with these listed events and even more each day by visiting our website HERE. Our Daily Announcements are updated Monday – Friday.

3. 8th grade parents - Want to learn more about Kickapoo U? Cherokee is hosting a meeting on Monday, Nov. 23rd from 5 - 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. Representatives from Kickapoo will explain how to apply and what Kickapoo U can offer.

All of our 8th graders will be going to Kickapoo on Tuesday, Nov. 24th for the annual Pride of the Tribe assembly. This is a free trip, please sign and return the permission form ASAP, for our students and a great way to learn more about all the opportunities our Future Chiefs will have when they join KHS next school year.

4. No School - Thanksgiving break is Nov. 25 - 29. See everyone again on Monday, Nov. 30th

5. Coat Drive - The Cherokee PTSA is collecting gently used coats/jackets for the local PTA Clothing Bank. The specific need is for children size 5 to Adult size 4X. Please bring them to our collection box outside the cafeteria and main office from now until Friday, Dec. 4th. Thanks!

6. Transitional Transfers - Current 5th & 8th grade student families - if you desire for your child to attend a middle or high school other than the school that serves your address, a transitional transfer request form must be completed. The window to complete this is from now through Friday, Dec. 4th at 4 p.m. You can find the form on the Cherokee website or HERE. Please let me know if you have any questions.

7. We have an amazing team here at Cherokee. Thank you all the families who submitted a recognition this year! You have no idea how much this means to our teachers and staff.

You can complete an Employee Recognition Form here (the link is functioning again) to show them your appreciation. No recognition is too small. Thank you for taking the time to recognize and celebrate our staff!

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.

Have a great week and as always #GoIndians

Bill Powers

Principal

Cherokee Middle School

420 E. Farm Road 182

Springfield, MO 65810

Ph: 417-523-7210

Deliberative/Significance/Learner/Maximizer/Achiever

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." - Alvin Toffler

Confidentiality Notice:

This email message and any accompanying document(s) and attachments contain information from Springfield Public Schools, which is confidential and privileged. The email transmission and any attached documents are intended to be for the review and use solely of the individual(s) or entity(ies) named and listed on the email transmission message. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby advised that any review, disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the information and/or contents of this email message, as well as any attached documents, is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please immediately delete this email transmission and notify us by telephone of this error.

Nov. 16 - 20 Announcements

Hello Cherokee Families,

Two resources I have found valuable in educating our children and parenting a middle schooler are All-Pro Dad and Common Sense Media. This week I am sharing the sites with you through the above links. However, I will provide more specific articles in the coming weeks I think may be helpful. I hope you find them useful as well.

Carline reminder - Thank you to everyone for pulling as far forward as possible and dropping off quickly. I can’t be outside every morning or afternoon. Please continue to do the above in those cases as well. Thanks!

Have you seen The Smoke Signal? This is our student newspaper and they do a fantastic job. Check out the link above for the first issue of 15 - 16.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, clarifications, or concerns at any time.

Here are a few updates and reminders for you:

1. Progress reports - our second progress report for 2nd quarter will be sent home Tuesday, Nov. 24th. When we return from Thanksgiving break we only have 14 schools days remaining in the semester. Please continue to encourage our students to stay on top of their studies. Questions/Concerns? Contact teachers ASAP. Thanks.

2. Daily Announcement and website – Remember you can stay closely connected with these listed events and even more each day by visiting our website HERE. Our Daily Announcements are updated Monday – Friday.

3. 8th grade parents - Want to learn more about Kickapoo U? This article was in the N-L two weeks ago and Cherokee is hosting a meeting on Monday, Nov. 23rd from 5 - 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. Representatives from Kickapoo will explain how to apply and what Kickapoo U can offer.

All of our 8th graders will be going to Kickapoo on Tuesday, Nov. 24th for the annual Pride of the Tribe assembly. This is a free trip, please sign and return the permission form ASAP, for our students and a great way to learn more about all the opportunities our Future Chiefs will have when they join KHS next school year.

4. PTSA meeting - is this Tuesday, Nov. 17th at 7:30 a.m. in the library. ALL are welcome to attend.

5. Fall Dance - Fall into the 50’s is Friday, Nov. 20th and tickets are $5. They go on sale Wednesday through Friday during lunch. No tickets sold at the door. This is for Cherokee students only.

6th & 7th grade students may attend from 6:30 - 8 p.m. and 8th graders from 7 - 8:30 p.m. All students must be picked up on time or they may not attend the Winter dance in February. More info about the dance may be found on our Daily Announcements.

6. Fall Dance volunteers - Want to help set up, chaperone, or clean up Friday night? Sign up HERE

7. Transitional Transfers - Current 5th & 8th grade student families - if you desire for your child to attend a middle or high school other than the school that serves your address, a transitional transfer request form must be completed. The window to complete this is from now through Friday, Dec. 4th at 4 p.m. You can find the form on the Cherokee website or HERE. Please let me know if you have any questions.

8. We have an amazing team here at Cherokee. Thank you all the families who submitted a recognition this year! You have no idea how much this means to our teachers and staff.

You can complete an Employee Recognition Form here (the link is functioning again) to show them your appreciation. No recognition is too small. Thank you for taking the time to recognize and celebrate our staff!

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.

Have a great week and as always #GoIndians

Bill Powers

Principal

Cherokee Middle School

420 E. Farm Road 182

Springfield, MO 65810

Ph: 417-523-7210

Deliberative/Significance/Learner/Maximizer/Achiever

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." - Alvin Toffler

Confidentiality Notice:

This email message and any accompanying document(s) and attachments contain information from Springfield Public Schools, which is confidential and privileged. The email transmission and any attached documents are intended to be for the review and use solely of the individual(s) or entity(ies) named and listed on the email transmission message. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby advised that any review, disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the information and/or contents of this email message, as well as any attached documents, is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please immediately delete this email transmission and notify us by telephone of this error.

Nov. 9 - 13 Announcements

Hello Cherokee Families,

What a great week we had last week. On Wednesday we deployed 800 Chromebooks in 2 hours!! Here is a video highlighting the day.

I’ve shared info regarding IGNiTE a few times this year. Below are the forms sent home prior to last week.

Parent Letter

Damage Waiver information

Why IGNiTE?

Taking Your Device Home

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, clarifications, or concerns at any time.

Here are a few updates and reminders for you:

1. Progress reports - were sent home Friday. This is for the first three weeks of 2nd quarter. Please sign and return or email/call teachers to let them know you have reviewed. Questions about grades? Contact teachers as soon as possible.

2. Daily Announcement and website – Remember you can stay closely connected with these listed events and even more each day by visiting our website HERE. Our Daily Announcements are updated Monday – Friday.

3. Veteran’s Day - We have an Honor Wall at Cherokee and we’d like to have pictures of our students relatives. Please submit pictures with the person's name, rank, branch, and war/conflict. Also include the student's name so we can return the pictures to the owners. These may be turned into social studies teachers.

Also, we are hosting our annual Veteran’s Day assembly on Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. in the gym. (Please sign in the main office.) We would love to have our local veterans in attendance to hear our 8th grade band, orchestra, and choir perform patriotic songs as we honor their service to our country.

4. More clubs/ways to get involved - Science Olympiad and Color Guard are two of the most recent. However, see our Daily Announcements above for a complete list of the many activities Cherokee offers. We truly have something for everyone!

5. Transitional Transfers - Current 5th & 8th grade student families - if you desire for your child to attend a middle or high school other than the school that serves your address, a transitional transfer request form must be completed. The window to complete this is from 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2nd through Friday, Dec. 4th at 4 p.m. You can find the form on the Cherokee website or HERE. Please let me know if you have any questions.

6. 8th grade parents - Want to learn more about Kickappo U? This article was in the N-L last week and Cherokee is hosting a meeting on Monday, Nov. 23rd from 5 - 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. Representatives from Kickapoo will explain how to apply and what Kickapoo U can offer.

7. Bell ringing for Salvation Army - Several of our 8th grade NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) and Student Council members will be bell ringing Saturday, Nov. 14th at Hyvee on Battlefield Road from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. If you are in the area please support if you can. Thanks!   

8. We have an amazing team here at Cherokee. Thank you all the families who submitted a recognition this year! You have no idea how much this means to our teachers and staff.

You can complete an Employee Recognition Form here (the link is functioning again) to show them your appreciation. No recognition is too small. Thank you for taking the time to recognize and celebrate our staff!

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.

Have a great week and as always #GoIndians

Bill Powers

Principal

Cherokee Middle School

420 E. Farm Road 182

Springfield, MO 65810

Ph: 417-523-7210

Deliberative/Significance/Learner/Maximizer/Achiever

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." - Alvin Toffler

Confidentiality Notice:

This email message and any accompanying document(s) and attachments contain information from Springfield Public Schools, which is confidential and privileged. The email transmission and any attached documents are intended to be for the review and use solely of the individual(s) or entity(ies) named and listed on the email transmission message. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby advised that any review, disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the information and/or contents of this email message, as well as any attached documents, is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please immediately delete this email transmission and notify us by telephone of this error.

Social Media

Cherokee families,

Over the weekend someone created a couple of anonymous Twitter accounts. Thankfully both were deleted last night. Unfortunately, copycat accounts and other similar accounts will be created in the future.

The reason I am emailing you is to inform you these type of activities do occur from time to time with middle school students. What may start out as something they consider to be ‘funny’ ultimately turns inappropriate and hurtful.

While the student(s) who created the accounts have not been indentified we do know the number of students who actively participated are very small.

The silver lining in this situation is we had a greater number of our students stand up and speak out to these anonymous accounts and to their classmates to stop the negative activity. Thank you students and families!

You may be asking why I would reach out to you all if the numbers are so small. I believe our job is to educate and learn together. We can help our young people make great choices, continue to praise and encourage them to stand up instead of standby or participate in these negative activities.

I want to thank the three parents who notified me of these accounts. Thanks to them and several students speaking up we were able to reach out to Twitter to report the accounts and I also called these anonymous students out on Twitter last night with messages from my personal account @MrPowersCMS and retweeted by the @CherokeeSPS account.

Feel free to check either of those account timelines to read the two tweets I sent and then the third after the accounts were deleted.

My hope is from this we as a school community can help our students learn from this situation.

1) We have included Character Education in what we do at Cherokee for many, many years. This year we have also started embedding Digital Citizenship as well.

While both of these are a start and certainly build upon the foundation you as families have laid it isn’t always enough. We as adults can guide and model appropriate behavior, but we must also monitor their online activity as well.

2) I’d like to remind all families to please be aware of what your children are doing online. Whether it is websites, blogs, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, online gaming, etc. Please know your child’s passwords, monitor their activity, and have open and honest conversations with them about their digital footprint and the harm it can cause to themselves and to others.

Social media and online apps come and go and the next ‘thing’ will pop up overnight. Please be aware and monitor.

3) We had already begun planning a guest speaker for our students, staff, and families next semester. We have finalized the date, but not the time. This guest speaker will provide us all even more tips, tools, and advice on how to better support our young people in the online world.

Please stay tuned for more information on this in the weeks to come.

Please encourage your students to not retweet, tweet, like, follow, or participate in these type of negative behaviors.

Thank you for partnering with us and your continued support,

Bill Powers

Principal

Cherokee Middle School

420 E. Farm Road 182

Springfield, MO 65810

Ph: 417-523-7210

Deliberative/Significance/Learner/Maximizer/Achiever

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." - Alvin Toffler

Confidentiality Notice:

This email message and any accompanying document(s) and attachments contain information from Springfield Public Schools, which is confidential and privileged. The email transmission and any attached documents are intended to be for the review and use solely of the individual(s) or entity(ies) named and listed on the email transmission message. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby advised that any review, disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the information and/or contents of this email message, as well as any attached documents, is prohibited. If you have received this email message in error, please immediately delete this email transmission and notify us by telephone of this error.