CPS Native American Programs
November 2025
November is Native American Heritage Month 2025. Check out the special edition of the CPS Native American Programs newsletter that went out!
Cultural Day w/ Cherokee Nation
On Monday, November 17, Cherokee Nation cultural presenters visited our upper elementary school to give cultural presentations as part of Native American Cultural Day. Our students experienced activities such as blow guns, marbles, stickball, and the Game of Graces. We want to extend a big thank you (wado) to the Cherokee Nation for being such a great partner to our district!
Culture in the Elementary School
Culture in the Middle School
In the Middle School, Mrs. April Moore created a Native American food bulletin board. The board was interactive with recipes for students and staff to grab. This was a fantastic and creative way to celebrate Native American Heritage Month! Osda!
Culture in the Library
1st & 2nd Grade
First- and second-graders read the book "Giving Thanks: A Native American Thanksgiving Message."
Headstart - 1st Grade
Headstart through first-graders read the book "Bowwow Powwow."
High School
In the high school library, staff highlighted Native American Heritage Month by placing cultural books on display.
Family Engagement Night
Colcord Families enjoyed a night out complete with a Cake Walk, Bingo, activity stations and more! We are grateful for the many community partners who partnered with us for this special Cherokee/Literacy night.
Colcord Grateful Tree
Weaving
Cherokee Bingo!
Members of the Colcord JOM Program staff attended the 2025 NJOMA Conference in Denver, CO, on November 8-10, 2025. The program was honored by having Chloe Thomas selected as the NJOMA Educator of the Year for the East Central At-Large Region.
Colcord Public Schools would like to thank NJOMA and the Cherokee Nation JOM Program for this honor and opportunity! Wado!
Honoring Cherokee Traditions Through Student Weaving Projects
This November, as we celebrate Native American Month, our students have been learning hands-on skills that connect them to the rich traditions of Cherokee craftsmanship. Across all grade levels, classes have explored weaving in several forms—each one inspired by techniques that have been passed down in Cherokee families for generations.
Learning to Weave Small Mats
Students practiced weaving small mats using sturdy, colorful materials. This simple over-and-under pattern teaches patience, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving. In Cherokee culture, mat weaving has long been a part of daily life—used for seating, sleeping, storing items, and ceremonial purposes. By making their own mini-mats, students get a glimpse of the care and usefulness woven into traditional Cherokee homes.
Exploring Bead Weaving
Our bead weaving projects introduced students to one of the most iconic Cherokee art forms. Beads have been used for storytelling, clothing decoration, and honoring important events. Students practiced creating simple bead patterns, learning how traditional Cherokee beadwork reflects symmetry, balance, and meaning. Even our youngest learners took pride in seeing how small pieces can come together to create something beautiful.
Paper Cup Weaving
Paper cup weaving gave students a fun, hands-on way to understand circular weaving—similar to basket forms traditionally crafted by Cherokee artisans. This project helps students see how weaving can build upward, how shapes grow, and how materials work together to create structure. Students were excited to watch their cups transform into colorful woven containers!
Paper Mat Weaving
Paper mat weaving allowed students to practice more advanced patterns and color combinations. This activity reinforces focus, sequencing, and spatial awareness, while also helping students appreciate the importance of pattern in Cherokee design. Many students enjoyed choosing colors that reminded them of nature—mountains, rivers, plants, and seasons.
Why Weaving Matters
Weaving is more than an art project—it's a meaningful part of Cherokee heritage. Traditionally, weaving teaches:
-
Patience
-
Responsibility
-
Creativity
-
Respect for materials
-
Connection to community
By participating in these projects, students aren’t just creating crafts—they’re learning about cultural practices that reflect balance, cooperation, and care for the world around us.
We’re proud of the work our students have created and hope you enjoy seeing their weaving projects come home. Wado—thank you—for supporting our Cherokee Language & Culture Program as we help students honor tradition, celebrate identity, and continue learning in meaningful ways.
Mat Loom Weaving
Mat Loom Weaving
Loom Bead Weaving
Cherokee
In Cherokee Language class, students have now learned over 60 Cherokee syllabary symbols and recently completed a quiz covering symbols 1–60. They also helped create the Literacy Night Cherokee Bingo cards, putting their new knowledge to work in a fun and meaningful way. To celebrate Native American Heritage Month, our Cherokee Language students will visit kindergarten classrooms to read Cherokee storybooks, sharing their learning and helping younger students experience the beauty of the Cherokee language.
1st Place
Division 1 (K-2)
Date: 10/21/25
3rd Place
Division 1 (K-2)
Date: 10/21/25
2nd Place
Division 2 (3-5)
Date: 10/22/25
3rd Place
Division 2 (3-5)
Date: 10/22/25
4th Place
Division 2 (3-5)
Date: 10/22/25
2nd Place
Division 3 (6-8)
Date: 10/23/25
2nd Place
Division 3 (6-8)
Date: 10/23/25
3rd Place
Division 3 (6-8)
Date: 10/23/25
3rd Place
Division 4 (9-12)
Date: 10/24/25
Title VI Parent Advisory Committee Meeting:
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Dan Draper Community Center
3:30 p.m.
JOM Meeting:
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Dan Draper Community Center
4:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Dan Draper Community Center
2:00 p.m.
CPS Native American Programs Staff
Federal Programs Director
JOM Contact
Title VI Project Director
Federal Programs Secretary
Title VI Cultural Educator/Resource Specialist
JOM Special Projects Coordinator (MS & HS: 6-12)
Title VI Cultural Educator/Resource Specialist
JOM Special Projects Coordinator (Lower ES: PK-2)
JOM Special Projects Coordinator (Upper ES: 3-5)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
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/
X: @colcordschool