Cherokee Newsletter - 10.22.26
Cherokee Halloween Information 🎃
Friday, October 30th, 2026
We’re excited to celebrate Halloween in style with a costume parade! The fun will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. (weather permitting). Please see the parade route map for details.
At 1:30 p.m., 4th Grade will exit through the front doors near the office, followed by Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, and 3rd Grade.
Students are welcome to wear their costumes to school for the day. Please help your child choose a costume that is school-appropriate and safe for our parade and classroom celebrations. We request simple costumes that don’t distract from the learning environment. For safety reasons, masks or full face coverings are not allowed. Additionally, weapons, toy guns, items resembling guns, fake blood, or anything that glorifies violence are not permitted.
Because of allergies and safety concerns, no candy or treats should be shared or passed out among students.
In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled. Fingers crossed for a beautiful fall day! 🎃
🐆💛💙 Upcoming Cherokee APT Events! 📅🎉
🎃 Friday, October 30 – Class Halloween Parties
Class Halloween parties will be attended by selected volunteers ONLY. Room Parents will be in touch with those selected with additional details.
☕ Wednesday, November 18 – Cherokee APT Meeting
Join us in Cherokee’s Flex Space! Coffee will be available at 9:15 AM, with the meeting beginning at 9:30 AM. We’re excited to welcome special guest speaker Kristin Thieme, Family Therapist and Community Wellness Advocate, presenting “Supporting a Sense of Mattering.” 💙
🍩 Friday, November 20 – Donuts with a Grown-Up
Join us for a sweet start to the day from 7:15–7:45 AM! More details and sign-up information coming soon. 💛💙🐆
Great Full Market Supports Lake County Families
The sixth annual Great Full Market took place Sunday, October 18, at Beacon Place in Waukegan, bringing together volunteers from Districts 65, 67, and 115 to support Lake County families. The free farmers market featured fresh produce, pantry staples, toiletries, and family-friendly activities, along with performances by the LFHS jazz band.
Founded by LFHS seniors Brady Stadolnik and Paul Helms as fifth-grade students at Deer Path Middle School, the initiative has raised more than $10,000 over six years. This year, Quest Food Management Services vendors donated approximately 3,200 pounds of food, and the school community contributed an additional $3,215. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s event possible!
Read more about the event here.
October: Celebrating Inclusion, Communication, and Belonging
Welcome to the October edition of the DSS Parent Newsletter!
Happy October! As we settle into the school year, we are excited to see our students building relationships, growing in confidence, and finding new opportunities to learn and belong. October is a wonderful time to reflect on the importance of celebrating differences, strengthening connections, and ensuring every student feels valued and supported.
This month, we recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. Both remind us that every learner brings unique strengths and abilities to our school community and that communication comes in many forms. Whether through spoken words, gestures, pictures, or assistive technology, every student deserves a voice and opportunities to connect with others.
As we continue celebrating the Magic of Belonging, our October focus is on including others and making room for one more. Together, we can create welcoming classrooms and communities where every student is seen, heard, included, and empowered to thrive.
Crosstown Challenge Update: We’re 20% of the Way There!
The Crosstown Challenge runs through December 31, which means we are already about one-fifth of the way through the competition. Every participating D67 family brings us one step closer to winning the school-wide prize—and supporting the Spirit of ’67 grants that enrich our students’ experience.
No gift is too small, because this challenge is based on participation. If you have not yet made your contribution, now is the perfect time to help your school climb the leaderboard!
Parent Voice Survey: Strengthening Family Partnerships
District 67’s Partners for Every Learner Council invites parents and guardians to share their experiences with school-based problem-solving, 504, and IEP meetings. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey. Your feedback will help guide Council discussions on ways to strengthen communication, collaboration, and family engagement before, during, and after these conversations.
K-4 Registration open for Acting, Singing, Dancing
October 28
Having It All: What Data Tells Us About Women’s Lives and Getting the Most Out of Yours
November 5
GPS in partnership with College of DuPage -- Purposeful Paths: Connecting College Opportunity and Career Discovery
November 10
How to Be Enough: Social Anxiety, Perfectionism, and How to Quiet Your Inner Critic
Friday, October 23 | 5:00 pm
Lake Forest Rec Center
Bring the family and join us for an evening full of Halloween fun at the Recreation Center! Step into the spooky Haunted Gym, wander through the thrilling Scare Zone, and take a ride on the always-popular Hayride. These highlights are sure to get everyone into the Halloween spirit.
Saturday, October 24 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Gorton Center
Bring the family for a festive celebration featuring creative car decorations, sweet treats, fall-themed games, and plenty of community fun. Kids are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes and travel from trunk to trunk, exploring creatively decorated cars and collecting goodies along the way. This event is free to attend, but registration is required.
Mondays, October 26 through November 23 | 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Gorton Center
Each week, students will discover a different artist, explore their unique styles and techniques, and use that inspiration to create something of their own. Through hands-on projects, they will experiment with painting, drawing, sculpting, cutting, gluing, and building. Art can get messy, and that’s part of the fun! Please have your child wear old clothing or bring an apron or smock.
November 2 | 5:00 pm
Register and join us in person to make a giant collaborative coloring page. Each participant will get a piece to color, then we'll tape them all together into a patchwork coloring masterpiece!
Saturday, November 7 | 11:00 am
Gorton Center
Designed for ages 3–10, this high-energy dance party features kid-friendly music, fun moves, and a welcoming space for everyone to shine. Dance to remixes inspired by favorite movie soundtracks, K-pop hits, and upbeat pop anthems.
Free Community Wellness Art Classes
November 10
2nd Tuesday every month! No experience is necessary, it's great for anyone who wants to tap into their creativity, age 11+
November 15 | 3:00 pm
Register and join Bill Cook for a science lab comedy show to discover how everyday household items can unlock mind-blowing scientific principles!
Upcoming Community Events at Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Glassman Symposium Reception and Poster Session
Friday, October 30 | 4:30–7:00 pm
Engage with students during an opening reception, then take the opportunity to review posters and exhibits featuring original student/faculty research conducted at Lake Forest College, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, and several other Chicago area research universities.
Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Exhibit Opening Reception of Sonic Revolutions: The Photography of Paul Natkin
Thursday, November 12 | 5:30–7:30 pm
Enjoy an incredible exhibit featuring the works of rock and roll photographer Paul Natkin and his collection of live performance photography. View the photographs, speak with the artist, and interact with the students who helped curate the exhibit.
Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Band and Orchestra Concert
Friday, December 4 | 7:00–9:00 pm
Start your weekend with a spirited Forester reception followed by an evening performance of student music at the Gorton Center, featuring a special collaboration between the College’s band and orchestra ensemble.