Jan. 13, 2017 Announcements

Hello Cherokee Families,

Well we got in four days this week and next week is four days as well. Maybe we can get in a full five day week soon. . .

We have our monthly PTSA meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. We would love to have you join in the conversation.

Carline reminders: Our carline works best when everyone follows the expectations below - EVEN IN THE WINTER and even when an adult is not out directing traffic.  Thank you to all parents who are following our carline expectations. We appreciate you and your patience with those who do not follow expectations!

• Pulling as far forward before dropping off & dropping off quickly. We also appreciate everyone’s patience in the carline.

• Do not pick up or drop off on Plainview Road.
• Please remind your student to use the crosswalk with the crossing guard and with me.

• We’ve received calls from neighbors asking that we please not block their driveways when dropping off and picking up students. Please be courteous and do not block driveways. Thank you.
• Do NOT drop off in the west/athletic parking lot. This if for buses ONLY.
• Thank you again for not using your phones in the carline.
• Everything we are doing is for the safety of all students. Thank you for doing your part too!

Here are a few updates and reminders for you:

1. 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 and are now embedded on the website and will automatically scroll through for you. Enjoy!

2. PTSA yearly calendar & Clothing Bank signup – Here is the YEARLY CALENDAR with other dates of note and all meeting dates as well. Our next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 17th at 6 p.m. in the library. You can also find Cherokee PTSA on Facebook HERE. We are looking for volunteers for the SPS PTSA Clothing Bank. Click HERE for dates and times and to sign up. Thank you!

3. Dress for the Weather - Here are tips for appropriate dress for winter from SPS http://www.springfieldpublicschoolsmo.org/pages/SPSMO/News/Appropriate_dress_important_du

4. 8th grade families - Kickapoo scheduling took place earlier in the week. Students should return their signed selections to Mr. Petree by Jan. 20th. If they are late you may not get your top selections. Questions? Contact Mr. Petree.

5. We have an amazing team here at Cherokee. Thank you to all the families who submitted a recognition last year! You have no idea how much this means to our teachers and staff. You can complete an Employee Recognition Form here to show them your appreciation. No recognition is too small. Thank you for taking the time to recognize and celebrate our staff!

6.  IGNiTE – Have questions about IGNiTE? Check out this website for more information on IGNiTE. Our website also has links to more information at the top left-hand side of the page under IGNiTE.

• District Chromebooks are filtered using a product called Securly. Securly filters Chromebooks at school and at home.
• Websites are filtered upon categories and blocks items such as pornography, proxy websites used to bypass filtering, weapons, drugs, gambling, hacking and other non-educational websites.
• Parents can find out more about how we keep students safe and secure on their Chromebooks on the IGNiTE@Home website.
• If a student, parent or teacher reports that inappropriate content is available to students, please send any websites or Chrome extensions you believe should be blocked to me immediately.
• Here is an FAQ regarding district filtering policies.

7. Bell schedules for Cherokee – We use a few different bell schedules during the school year. These will help you when planning for lunch, appointments, etc. This LINK will take you to a folder with the following schedules - Character Ed, Morning assembly, Sports/Pep Assembly, and our regular bell schedule. The dates are listed at the top of each schedule.

8. Box Tops for Education - Our PTSA collects these and the collection dates are: Feb. 15, 2017 and April 28, 2017.

9. No School for students - Reminder we do not have school on Monday, Jan. 16th.

10. 8th grade Job Shadowing - Each year our 8th graders participate in a Job Shadow event on Groundhog Day. This year our event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2nd, 2017.

We are always looking for companies and businesses willing to host students.

If you or your employer are able and willing to host an 8th grader this year, please email or call me or Mr. Petree at your convenience for more information. Thank you in advance!

11. 2017 - 2018 School Calendar approved - Ready to make summer plans? Here is the calendar for 2017 - 2018. The first day of school will be Wednesday, Aug. 16th, 2017.

Cherokee orientations for 6th & 7th graders and schedule pick up for 8th graders will be the week of Aug. 7th. More details to come soon.

12. SPS Board of Education Adopts Facility Master Plan - Learn more about the plan HERE.

13. Overflow the O - Free tickets to the Drury basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 21st to see former Cherokee Indian & Kickapoo Chief Isaac Johnson play. See HERE for more info and how to get your tickets.

14. Cherokee’s 8th Annual Blood Drive - Will be held on Monday, Feb. 27th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in our cafeteria. Please consider donating and helping to save up to 3 lives with your donation. More info coming soon!

15.  2017-2018 Teacher of the Year nominations are now open.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year. To nominate a teacher for this honor, simply access the nomination form here.

The nomination form is easy to complete and can be submitted by a student, parent, co-worker or supervisor. Teachers can even nominate themselves. Just fill out the pertinent information and explain in 100 words or less why you are nominating the individual. All nominations will be kept confidential.

Nominations must be submitted by Monday, Jan. 30.  Contact Jeff Rogers in Human Resources at jarogers@spsmail.org  or 523-1635 with questions. Nominees will be notified by Monday, Feb. 6.

The 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year will be named Monday, April 17, at the annual Teacher Appreciation Banquet, hosted by Foundation for Springfield Public Schools. The winner may also be considered for Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year.  Regional winners will advance and compete in the Missouri State Teacher of the Year Program.

The following state criteria must be met by all applicants:

·Candidate is willing to model effective teaching practices and be videotaped.

· Candidate will complete a regional application packet.

· Candidate will complete a state application packet if selected at the regional level.

· Candidate has at least four years of teaching experience in Springfield Public Schools.

· Candidate is willing to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the district through public speaking and/or appearances.

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

Have a great week and as always #GoIndians

Bill Powers, Ed.D

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

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