5-18-26 PAW'S PRESS

Dear Cherokee Families,

During the week of May 18th, we will be having a bike safety event during your child’s physical education class. The safety event will be held for ALL STUDENTS GRADES 2-5. The event will take place on our outdoor track that is near the playground. You will have the opportunity to bring your child’s bike, scooter, rollerblades or roller skates to school, any time after 8:30AM on your child’s scheduled day (see back for schedule). If your child does not have any equipment, they will still learn how to safely use a helmet and bike during class and also be joining in and walking/running the track during the event. Any additional safety gear (knee or elbow pads, etc.) is also welcomed, especially for those students on rollerblades or roller skates.

NOT PERMITTED: anything motorized (hoverboard, electric scooter, etc.), skateboard or rip-stick.

NO CHILD WILL BE ALLOWED TO RIDE ON ANYTHING BROUGHT FROM HOME WITHOUT A HELMET, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Students cannot bring bikes onto the bus – but other items that are smaller are permitted. If you can bring your child’s equipment or ride your bike to the school that morning, please bring it to the back of the school/loading dock area to the right of DOOR #13. This area was designated for convenience and safety purposes and is under our school surveillance system. A sign will be in place that week to show you where to drop equipment off! Please DO NOT leave items in the bus pickup/drop off loop or the bike rack area.

Please be sure to pick your child’s bike/scooter/rollerblades up before 4:15pm the same day as your child’s event from the drop off spot. IT IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED THAT YOU LABEL YOUR CHILD’S BELONGINGS.

Cherokee Elementary, Ms. Batko and Mr. Walkenhorst are not responsible for lost or stolen items. This week is meant to educate the students about safety and responsibility while also having fun riding at school.

Please refer to the schedule below for dates when your child will be having their event.

Thank you for your participation and cooperation,

Mr. Walkenhorst 586-723-4839 dwalkenhorst@cvs.k12.mi.us

** In the event of rain, I will still speak about bike safety and show some equipment, but we will not get to use the track and that portion will not be rescheduled** We will try to move their equipment inside in this case.

**If your child is in childcare, the staff will be notified, and they can store their equipment (bikes/scooters/rollerblades) indoors before and after school**

Our Cherokee Science Olympiad team came in 7th place out of 50+ schools at the Macomb County Competition on May 9th. They came home with a trophy and lots of medals! Way to go kids! Thank you to Coach Beliveau and our many amazing parent event coaches!

t is hard to believe how quickly the last few days of school are flying by! We are already starting to think about the 2026-2027 school year. Please see below for an opportunity to give input for the next school year. The opportunity for input is time sensitive (DUE BY May 27th).

Student Info/Family Input Form for 2026-2027

Each year, our staff works to create well-balanced classes. During the process, we look at each child’s academic, social and emotional needs. As a partner in this process, we offer your family the opportunity to tell us about your child’s unique learning style, strengths, and challenges.

The intent of this form is to help ensure the best possible learning environment for all children. However, this is NOT intended to be an opportunity to request a specific teacher. Due to many variables, honoring specific teacher requests is not possible. Additionally, staff changes can still be made prior to the start of the 2026-2027 school year. If you would like to provide information on your child to aid in the placement process, this form (click here) must be submitted by Wednesday, May 27th Thank you for your continued partnership.

Cherokee Student Council will be selling lawn signs for the end of the year. It will run from April 1, 2026 - May 22, 2026

Celebrate your child's big milestone with a personalized Celebration Lawn Sign! These bright, cheerful signs are a way to recognize our Kindergarten - 5th grade students as they complete an important year and get ready for what's next.

Each sign will include a celebration message and your child's class year, making a special keepsake to display at home. All proceeds from the lawn sign fundraiser will support our leadership student’s end-of-the-year activities and future events.

Signs will be distributed before the end of the school year so families can proudly display them during our end-of-year celebrations. Thank you for helping us celebrate our students and support our school.

Sale Link: https://www.payschoolsevents.com/events/details/43424

Dear Cherokee Families,

The end of the school year is such an exciting time! We are looking to the many fun activities we have planned!

Sincerely,

Heather Batko

Cherokee Principal

hbatko@cvs.k12.mi.us

• 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 May.
• Click here for a printable version of the May 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.

Ewallet Directions:

• Click the link below or the Ewallet picture
• Scroll down to the pink section that says "Book Fair eWallet: The easy way to pay"
• Click the red " Get Started" button
• Sign in if you have a Scholastic account or click register to create one.
• Click the button next to "I'm a parent creating an eWallet for a student"
• Enter your student's information (Note: Recipient is your child's name)
• Click "Create eWallet"
• You can either fund your eWallet with a credit card or a Scholastic gift card. This is also where it should give you the option to transfer money left over from previous fairs to this new eWallet. To use any left over funds you must transfer them otherwise they will not show up.

*Please note: If you have money left over from last year you will need to transfer it back to the eWallet which should be an option when you are setting it up. See instructions above*

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/cherokeeelementaryschool18

This is our first BOGO book fair and we need you help! We can't do it without you!

Click here or the picture to the right to access the volunteer Jotform. If you do not have a background check on file please be sure to fill it out after completing the Jotform (you will be redirected to the form). Please fill it out at least two weeks before the book fair on 5/26 as that is how long it is needed to process.

Thanks so much for volunteering your time!

Registration for students who will be entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2026 began on Monday, January 26th. Registration is done through central office.

NOTE: This is NOT for students who are currently enrolled in Kindergarten at Cherokee this school year. This is for the 2026-2027 school year.

Start here by entering your preliminary information: https://ps.cvs.misd.net/public/formbuilder/form.html?formid=5737884

Click here for the PTO May Newsletter.

Click here to apply.

• 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 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.

Click here for important dates for NEXT (2026-2027) school year.

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/