CPS Native American Programs
September 2026
The 2026 High Road Leader Awards were issued at the 2026 CCOSA Pre-Conference General Session on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Peers from the CCOSA Consortium Networks nominated the recipients because they are willing to lead and are the people others call or email for guidance.
Mr. Remington Rogers received a 2026 High Road Leader Award for the CCOSA Indian Education Consortium Network. CPS would like to thank CCOSA, Kathy Dunn, and the CCOSA Indian Education Network members for recognizing our Native American Programs. We are humbled and honored to have the opportunity to share with other educators across the state.
On Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29, 2026, Native American Programs staff members, Chloe Thomas, Addisyn Sherrell, and Brook Nichols participated in a Cherokee Language Professional Development in Tahlequah, OK.
The staff picked up many useful strategies and skills to help them teach the Cherokee language and culture to our students. We are proud of these ladies taking the initiative to grow and hone their craft! We would also like to thank the Cherokee Nation for providing this awesome opportunity!
Mat Weaving
Resources
Basket Weaving
On June 6, 2026, some of the Native American Programs staff members participated in the Old Settlers Day parade in Colcord! These staff members are members of the Colcord Cherokee Community Organization (CCCO)! This organization has a focus on building community and promoting the Cherokee language and culture.
Chloe Thomas and LeAnn Rogers attended the Cherokee Nation Native American Teacher Retention Initiative (NATRI) Curriculum Workshop on June 8–11 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Throughout the week, Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Rogers collaborated with educators from across the state to develop Cherokee curriculum and share instructional ideas and best practices. The workshop also provided hands-on cultural learning experiences, including making traditional ribbon skirts, weaving baskets, and participating in a crawdad hunt at a local creek. These experiences helped strengthen their understanding of Cherokee culture and traditions, allowing them to bring meaningful, authentic learning opportunities back to the classroom for their students.
On June 15, Chloe Thomas and Addisyn Sherrell participated in the Native Ways of Knowing Literacy Institute in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. This inspiring professional learning experience supported educators in strengthening culturally and linguistically responsive literacy practices for PK–12 students. The institute equipped participants with Indigenous‑centered literacy strategies and resources that honor Native voices, histories, cultures, and ways of knowing. This training was offered free through federal Office of Indian Education grant funding and support from Vinda Education Solutions. We extend a big thank you to the organizers and partners who made this opportunity possible.
On Monday, July 13, Native American Programs staff members, Chloe Thomas, Addisyn Sherrell, and Brook Nichols participated in a Cherokee Language Training. Cherokee Nation Cultural Resources staff came to Colcord to work with our staff!
The training was awesome and greatly expanded the staff’s skill sets!! We would also like to thank the Cherokee Nation for being such a great partner and supporting our program!
JOM school supplies were distributed on August 3rd, 4th, and 6th. We saw lots of familiar faces, as well as many new faces. We are ready for a great school year!
The JOM Contact attended the annual JOM Fall Training on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Catoosa, OK.
CPS would like to thank the Cherokee Nation JOM Program for providing our program with a great day of training!
The First Fire 🔥
Welcome back, students and families!
As we begin a new school year, we draw inspiration from the Cherokee tradition of storytelling—specifically, the story of The First Fire.
In the tradition, many larger and stronger animals tried and failed to retrieve fire from a burning sycamore tree on an island. It was the small, humble Water Spider who succeeded by weaving a tiny bowl from her silk, placing it on her back, and skimming across the water to carry a glowing coal safely home. This story reminds us that everyone, no matter how small, has unique strengths, creative ideas, and a valuable role in our classroom community.
Cherokee
Native American Studies
Cherokee Club Update
JOM Meeting (Election):
October 6, 2026
Dan Draper Community Center
6:00 p.m.
Title VI Meeting:
October 20, 2026
Dan Draper Community Center
3:30 p.m.
JOM Meeting:
October 20, 2026
Dan Draper Community Center
4:30 p.m.
Title VI Meeting:
January 12, 2027
Dan Draper Community Center
3:30 p.m.
JOM Meeting:
January 12, 2027
Dan Draper Community Center
4:30 p.m.
All 2026 monthly meetings will be held at the Dan Draper Community Center at 2:00 p.m.
- Sunday, January 25th
- Sunday, February 22nd
- Sunday, March 29th
- Sunday, April 26th
- Sunday, May 17th
- Sunday, June 14th
- Sunday, July 19th
- Sunday, August 23rd
- Sunday, September 27th
- Sunday, October 25th
- Sunday, November 15th
- Sunday, December 6th
CPS Native American Programs Staff
Federal Programs Director
JOM Contact
Title VI Project Director
Federal Programs Secretary
JOM Special Projects Coordinator (Lower ES: PK-2)
Title VI Cultural Educator/Resource Specialist
JOM Special Projects Coordinator (Upper ES: 3-5)
Title VI Cultural Educator/Resource Specialist
JOM Special Projects Coordinator (MS & HS: 6-12)
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School Website: https://www.colcordschools.com
Federal Programs Website: https://sites.google.com/view/cpsfederalprograms/home
Location: 433 South Larmon Street, Colcord, OK, USA
Phone: 918-326-4117
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colcordpublicschools/