9-21-25 PAW'S PRESS

The PTO Walk-a-thon is our biggest fundraiser for the year. It helps provide so many fun activities and learning opportunities for our students. Click here to donate.

Dear Cherokee Families,

Safety continues to remain a top priority at Cherokee. One of the ways we keep everyone safe is with the presence of district police liaisons. Our district police liaisons often stop by to monitor parking lot safety, build relationships with students, greet families and just be an overall presence at Cherokee. We are so lucky to have these liaisons!

As in the past, the Paw's Press newsletters will include key information and typically will be sent at the end of each week. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help make the school year a success for you and your child! See you soon!

Sincerely,

Heather Batko

Cherokee Principal

hbatko@cvs.k12.mi.us

Our District Medication Dispensation Policy requires all medications to have a Medication Administration Authorization Form filled out with a physician’s order and parent’s signature each school year for both prescription and over the counter medications. The medication must be in a new/original container and/or prescription bottle with the child’s name on it.

The Medication Administration Authorization Form and other health related forms can be found on our district website (click here).

Parents must hand deliver medications with completed forms to the Health Aide in the main office to be checked for full accuracy. No medications will be administered at school without accurately completed forms. Also please check the expiration date on medications as we cannot accept expired medications.

Our fall picture day will be October 13th. Re-take day is December 3rd.

We will be using SchoolPictures.com this year rather than LifeTouch.

Last school year, our amazing custodian, Joe Palazzolo, celebrated 30 years of service in the district. It is bittersweet that he will be retiring at the end of September. We are so happy for him but sad for us! Thank you for for everything Mr. Joe! Happy retirement!

Mr. Gracin will be our new music teacher this year. He comes to us with experience teaching at Detroit Edison Academy. He is a proud Dakota High School graduate and excited to be back serving in the community he grew up in. He is starting this week!

• Throughout the school year we are required to complete 5 fire drills, 3 lockdown drills and 2 tornado drills.
• We had fire drills on 9/12 and 9/18. We will do one more fire drill in the fall. The other two will be in the spring.
• In October, we will have the first of our lockdown drills. These drills are comprised of age-appropriate lessons as well as practicing other tasks such as relocating to a safe place.
• We do not tell families or students the exact dates/times of these drills for safety reasons.
• The book, I'm Not Scared I'm Prepared, that is utilized for the lockdown drills is below in a PDF format in case you would like to review it with your family. This book is used at all elementary schools in the district.
• Our teachers do a great job of reviewing procedures in a way that makes students feel safe.

Due to the uncertainty of state and federal funds, including free meals, it is very important that all families fill out this form. Click here for a digital link or see below for the PDF.

• Even though lunch is free for all students, we still need parents to complete the digital online ordering form so that we have an accurate count and enough food for all students.
• Click here to order school lunch for September.
• Click here for a printable version of the September lunch menu.
• Ordering deadlines: Please note that we have received communication from food services that families need to order lunch by 9:30 AM the school day prior. For example, when ordering lunch for pizza on Monday, please order by 9:30 AM on Friday. This helps with the accuracy of our lunch count. We of course always order extra but this helps with accuracy.
  
• There is a charge of $1.50 for ordering doubles.
• Click here for the Food Services website.

• Students DO NOT need to arrive early for breakfast at the elementary level. Breakfast will be served in classrooms once the school day has started.
• Breakfast is free for all students. Our goal is to improve student success by providing a nutritious meal at the start of the day.
  
• Families DO NOT need to order breakfast ahead of time.

• We have many students at Cherokee with severe peanut/tree nut allergies. Therefore peanut/tree nut products and products contaminated in a facility that processes peanuts/tree nuts may not be consumed in classrooms.
• A designated area/table in the cafeteria will be available for students with peanut/tree nut allergies. Peanut/tree nut products may not be consumed in this designated area/table. The area/table will be labeled as a peanut/tree nut alert zone.
• Your child's teacher will review guidelines and answer any specific questions.
• Click here for the Snack Safely Guide. This guide has many great many recommendations for foods that do not have peanuts, tree nuts and are not processed in facility with these items. This guide updates regularly so it is best to check the link below rather than printing.

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:

PHONE: (586) 723-2160
FAX: (586) 723-2161
EMAIL: transportation1@cvs.k12.mi.us

WEBSITE: https://www.chippewavalleyschools.org/departments/transportation/requestforms/

STAY CONNECTED WITH STOPFINDER

Families are urged to check bus stop information prior to the start of school. Updates are sometimes made even the day before school starts. We understand the importance of keeping you informed about route changes and delays. That's why we utilize Stopfinder, a communication app that brings convenience and real-time updates right to your fingertips. With the Stopfinder App, you can stay connected and stay ahead.

Here's what you can expect with Stopfinder:

Know Your Child's Bus Schedule:
Stopfinder allows you to access and stay informed about the schedule of your child's bus. Say goodbye to uncertainty and stay on top of pick-up and drop-off times effortlessly.

Receive Push Notifications:
Never miss an important update again! Stopfinder delivers push notifications directly to your device, keeping you informed about any changes to your child's bus schedule. You'll stay in the loop and be prepared for any adjustments that may occur.

Real-Time Bus Location:
With Stopfinder's GeoAlerts feature, you can create your own personalized alert zones. Receive real-time information about the location of your child's bus, ensuring you're always aware of its progress. It's an added layer of reassurance and peace of mind.

To Get Connected:
The transportation department will send an invitation to the email addresses on file for the student's contacts directly from Stopfinder. This invitation will provide you with instructions on how to get started and connect with the app. If you haven't received an invitation or need any assistance, please reach out to us by sending an email to transportation1@cvs.k12.mi.us. We're here to help and ensure you have a seamless experience with Stopfinder. To watch a quick video detailing the StopFinder features and a step-by-step guide visit: https://www.mytransfinder.com/mytf/videos/StopfinderApp.mp4

*Please note, if a driver is briefly on a substitute bus, you will NOT be able to track the bus that day. Feel free to call the transportation department with any question (586) 723-2160.

Download the free app

APP STORE (IPHONE)

GOOGLE PLAY(ANDROID)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE

• Busses may run slightly late (or early) picking up students the first few days of school as our drivers and students learn their new routes. It is still recommended that students arrive at their bus stop 10 minutes prior to their scheduled time.
  
• More information from the transportation department will be coming soon.

BUS TAG WITH ROUTE NUMBER/SIGNS - Students in grades K-2 will be given a tag with their bus route number/color on it. Please leave this tag on your child's backpack until they are confident about their bus number. If the tag falls off before they are confident about their bus number, please write their number on their backpack or provide another tag. Staff will be guiding students to their busses and holding signs to match the bus tag route number. A sample backpack with tag and corresponding bus sign are below.

LABELING ITEMS WITH STUDENT'S FULL NAME - Many students have difficulty repeating their first and last name to unknown adults. It is often a good idea to write your child's FULL name on their backpack so adults can get them to the appropriate class/bus if they can't repeat their first and last name. It is also a good idea to label other items so they don't get lost (jackets, lunchboxes, etc.).

Walkers/Riders:

• Walkers/Riders should line up and be dismissed from their grade level/ classroom entrance doors. Teachers will pick-up their students from their entrance at 8:48 AM when the morning music begins.

Parking Lot:

• Please review the parking lot procedures map below.
• Refrain from parking on Rivergate near the school including the bus loop or in the bus loop.
  
• Staff will be present in the parking lot, bus loop and building entrances to help ensure a safe and smooth arrival and dismissal process.
• We ask for your patience and support as our new families learn the process and our returning families get back-in-the-swing-of-things :)

Click here for the district calendar.

SACC registration for the 25/26 school year will open on August 18th at 7:00 am.

For families looking to register for SACC:

• SACC registration is first come first served.
• Due to limited staff and capacity limits some registrations may not be approved at this time until more staff are available.
• As staffing levels increase, so will our ability to enroll more students. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
  
• Once your registration application is submitted you must receive a registration approval email before your child can attend.
• Registrations will remain pending in the system and will be approved as openings become available.

We appreciate your understanding at this time and anticipate more staff to be available soon. Until then we must adhere to the Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers and stay within the required student to staff ratios. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

NOTE: SACC will continue to remain peanut/tree nut fee.

Ashley Geddes

Cherokee SACC Director

(586) 723-4860

• CLICK HERE to access the CVS SACC informational page.

We choose to Inspire, Believe, Achieve & LEAD!

Website: https://www.chippewavalleyschools.org/schools/elementary-schools/cherokee/
Location: 42900 Rivergate Drive, Clinton Township, MI, USA
Phone: 586-723-4800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CherokeeWildcats

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CherokeePTO/