Dec. 2, 2016 Announcements

Hello Cherokee Families,

Winter is here and will bring us below freezing temperatures in just a couple of days. Please remind students to dress accordingly.

Also, please note item #12 below on how SPS makes cancellation decisions.

Our advice is to leave home early and plan for delays in travel to and from school. Most importantly please be safe and stay warm.

Be sure to read the notes below AND the Daily Announcements each day via our website so you can stay connected with all things Cherokee!

Carline reminders: Thank you to all parents who are following our carline expectations of pulling as far forward before dropping off. 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 can be found HERE.

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. 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!

4.  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.

5. Bell schedules for Cherokee – We have several assemblies coming up in December so make sure to check the link below to see what’s up next.

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.

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

7. No School for students - Winter Break is Thursday, Dec. 22 - Tuesday, Jan. 3rd.  Students return to school on Wednesday, Jan. 4th, 2017.

8. Girls Volleyball - A meeting for any 7th or 8th grader interested in trying out for volleyball will be held Friday, Dec. 16th at 7:30 a.m. in the small gym. All important information regarding tryouts and physical exam paperwork will be made available at that time AND can be found HERE.

Students must have ALL paperwork completed and turned in by Dec. 21st to be eligible for tryouts. Tryouts will begin Jan. 4th and ALL paperwork must be in by the 21st to be eligible to tryout.

9. 8th grade Job Shadowing - Each year our 8th grade 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!

10. Progress reports - Were sent home on Friday, Dec. 2nd. This is the final progress report for 2nd quarter. Please sign and return or email the teachers to let them know you have seen the report.

The quarter and semester end on Wednesday, Dec. 21st. Report Cards will be sent home on Friday, Jan. 6th.

11. SPARC Teen Night - Dec. 14th and is open to the first 14 sixth - 8th graders to turn in this form and money to the Cherokee main office can participate. See flyer for more information.

12. Winter Weather - What factors influence the Springfield Public Schools decision to cancel school? Learn more HERE.

13. Cherokee on Social Media - You can find us on Twitter and Instagram by following @CherokeeSPS   

Follow along from your device and interact with us.

Also, we use Remind (sent via text message to your phone). You can join by texting to the number 81010 with the message @principalp

14. Holiday concert season - 7th grade band concerts are tonight at 7 and 7:45, Dec. 5th in the gym.

8th grade band, jazz band, and choir is Thursday, Dec. 8th at 7 p.m. in the gym.

6th, 7th, and 8th grade orchestra concert is Tuesday, Dec. 13th at 7 p.m. in the gym.

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

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