9-28-25 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.

Click here to volunteer or to participate in the spectators/cheering section. Anyone on site will need a background check. Details are on the link provided above.

Dear Cherokee Families,

It is hard to believe that October arrives this week! October is a busy but super fun month! See below for a summary of important upcoming dates.

NOTE: Grade level shirts will be distributed prior to the Walk-A-Thon. Thank you PTO and our t-shirt sponsor, NAS.

Important Dates

October 10th - PTO Walk-A-Thon (wear grade level shirts)

October 13th - Fall Picture Day (see below)

October 13th - 17th - Book Fair (see below)

October 15th & 16th - Fall Parent Teacher Conferences (see below)

October 15th & 16th - Progress reports shared at conferences

October 15th, 16th and 17th - HALF DAYS (dismissal at 11:44 AM)

October 24th - Leadership Assemblies and Ticket Store (wear grade level shirts)

October 31st - Halloween outdoor parade weather permitting (9:10 AM) & parties to follow

(see below)

October 31st - HALF DAY (dismissal at 11:44 AM)

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

Added 8/17/25

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.

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.

Updated 9/28/25

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 October.
Click here for a printable version of the October 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.

Updated 9/28/25

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.

Hard copies of the order forms will be sent home this week. Digital copies are below.

Click here to order. See below for directions (image and PDF).

pdf

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Picture Day Cherokee Elementary_AB8110.pdf

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773.0 KB

Event Information

Cherokee's Fall Scholastic Book Fair

It's time for Cherokee's annual fall Scholastic Book Fair to benefit the Cherokee Library! This year the event will be held from October 13th to October 17th during school hours as well as during conferences.

NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE BOOK FAIR. IT WILL BE EWALLET AND CREDIT CARD (DURING CONFERENCES) ONLY.

Please sign up for an eWallet starting NOW by clicking here or the image below. Scroll down to the pink section that says 'Book Fair Ewallet is the easy way to pay' and click the 'get started' button. You can load money onto your child's account with a credit card and invite others (friends and family) to add money. If you have money left over from last year you will need to transfer it back to the eWallet which should be an option while you are setting it up.

You can also shop the fair online from October 16th-October 29th. Please visit our fair website here:

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

When?

Monday, Oct 13, 2025, 07:00 AM

Where?

42900 Rivergate Drive, Clinton Township, MI, USA

location_on Open maps

eWallet is the ONLY Way for Your Child to Pay at the Bookfair!

Click the picture to the right or the link below to start setting up your child's eWallet today! Make sure to scroll down to the pink ewallet section and click 'create account'. Parents may use credit cards to pay during conferences.

*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 while you are setting it up.*

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

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

It's that time again! The Fall book fair will be here before you know it and we will need volunteers. We can't do it without you!

Click here or the picture below to access the volunteer Jotform. If you do not have a background check on file for the current year. Please be sure to fill it out after completing the Jotform (you will be redirected to the form). Please note that background checks can take up to two weeks.

Thanks so much for your time!

Added 9/28/25

Conference sign up link coming soon!

We are so excited to see our families for fall conferences. Teachers are eager to share all of the amazing things our students have accomplished so far this year. We are so proud of all of our students! Also, I will be available in our main entrance hallway if you have any questions or would like to just stop by to say hello! In the fall, we request a conference for all students. We will share important updates on your child's academic, emotional and social gains. Assessment data and other important reports/documents will be shared at conferences. Conferences are in person. However, if you need a phone conference, please sign up for a slot (once link is available) and let your child's teacher know.

Added 9/29/25

Click here for the PTO October Newsletter. There are many fun PTO events in October!

Friday, October 31st is a ½ day with dismissal at 11:44 AM.
It will also be Cherokee’s Halloween Celebration.
Please take a moment to review important information regarding activities and costumes.
School-wide Parade: Cherokee’s parade will begin at approximately 9:10 AM. We will begin the parade as soon as we have taken attendance and have the children ready to go. We plan on holding our parade outdoors, weather permitting. Parents and family members wishing to view the parade will have the best opportunity to do so by lining up along the swing set playground, basketball court, and bus loop. Please wait along the edges of the sidewalk so our students can safely parade around the perimeter of the school. Only students and designated volunteers will be permitted back into the building after the parade. In the event of rain, the outdoor parade will be cancelled, and a student-only indoor parade will take place instead. We will be recording the parade for those who are unable to attend and also in the event of inclement weather.
Classroom Parties and Volunteers - Classroom parties will follow the parade. Teachers will be communicating details about their classroom parties and volunteer needs.
Snacks - Your child is welcome to bring store bought, pre-packaged treats to share. Most of our classrooms are peanut/tree nut alert zones. If this is the case for your child's classroom, please make sure that your child does not bring in treats that contain peanuts/tree nuts or are processed in a facility with nuts. Teachers can answer any questions you have regarding treats. Click here for the Snack Safely Guide for ideas for safe treats.
Costumes: Since Halloween will be a ½ day of school, students can wear their costume to school in the morning. Please remember when making decisions about Halloween, costumes should represent a non-violent, friendly theme and should not promote violence. Costume accessories such as spears, play guns, or weapons of any kind should not be brought to school. Large accessories are not permitted on the bus. Please help your child plan a costume appropriate for our school parties and parade. For younger students, please remember that they will need to be able to sit in their costume and use the bathroom without assistance.
Thank you again for your cooperation in helping make Halloween a safe and enjoyable day for all!

Updated 9/29/25

Throughout the school year we are required to complete 5 fire drills, 3 lockdown drills and 2 tornado drills.
We completed 3 fire drills in September. 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.

pdf

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I'm Not Scared_B424-WATERMARK (3).pdf

Download

3.7 MB

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.