Chiefs Wise News

Watch at www.chiefstv.org.

Click on the playlist to find all past announcements.

Please see the attached PDF for full details about the plan for Wednesday, October 28, when SHS will administer the PSAT and SAT. The highlights:

• 10th graders were automatically registered for the PSAT.
• All other students interested in taking either the PSAT or SAT should have already registered. Registration is now closed.
• Buses will run at their normal time that afternoon (3:15); however, once the tests are complete, students will be released if they drive or if they have someone picking them up.
• No parking permits will be required that day.
• If your student will be staying on campus after testing is complete, please fill out the opt-in form HERE.
• Any student not testing does not need to come to school; instead, Wednesday, October 28 will be a digital learning day.

The attached PDF has full details about all of the information above.

Please see the attached PDF for more details.

The competitive Esports team has had a really strong season so far. Currently, Mario Kart is ranked #1 in the state out of 122 teams. The Smash teams are currently ranked 24, 34, and 121, respectively, out of 200 teams. Be sure to check out our Instagram @gg_chiefs for clips, updates, and other cool content.

Our school community cares about the well-being of all families. If your family is in need of additional support, please reach out to your student's counselor. They can help connect you with resources and assistance as needed.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the official kick-off for the Teen Leadership Cherokee Class of 2027. The deadline to apply is Sunday, November 1st @ 11:59pm. Please visit Teen Leadership Cherokee Homepage and see the attached PDFs for more information.

The Jason Dickerson scholarship will award TWO CCSD students $25,000 that are pursuing veterinary medicine. Applications are due by Monday, March 1, 2027. Please see the attached PDF for details.

Please see form below for students that are required to provide acceptance to the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, but do not have access to the acceptance letter/email. The Sharing Information with Other Programs form allows the Food and Nutrition Team to share a student’s Free and Reduced Lunch status.

Sharing Information with Other Programs SY26 - College Board.pdf

Our tutoring webpage has been updated to include tutoring options for all subjects, along with information about CHIEFS Tutoring and GA Tutor. Students and families are encouraged to explore the page and talk with teachers about which options best support their learning needs.

https://shs.cherokeek12.net/student-services/chiefs-tutoring

Sequoyah High School is partnering with Sycamore Learning Company to offer in-person PSAT®/SAT® and ACT® preparation seminars this fall. These live, instructor-led programs focus on test-taking strategies, timing, guided practice, and preparation designed to help students approach the PSAT®, SAT®, and ACT® with greater confidence.

ACT® Preparation Seminar – November

• Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Location: Sequoyah High School
• Register: Register For Seminar – Sycamore Learning

What to Bring: A calculator and something to write with. All other seminar materials will be provided.

Format: Strategy instruction + guided practice tailored to the current PSAT®/SAT® and ACT®.

Students and families may select the seminar date and program that best aligns with their upcoming testing schedule.

If you have questions, please contact Sycamore Learning Company at Tim@SycamoreLearning.com or 866-223-9691.

Thank you for supporting your student's college readiness!

As students prepare for the SAT, College Board offers several free, official digital SAT preparation resources that schools may share with students and families at this website: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/practice.

Official SAT Practice Resources:

• Bluebook: Full-length digital SAT practice tests and test-day tools
• Khan Academy: Personalized lessons, videos, quizzes, and targeted SAT practice
• Student Question Bank: Targeted practice questions filtered by skill and difficulty
• Schoolhouse.world: Free live, peer-to-peer SAT tutoring
• SAT Question of the Day: Quick daily ongoing SAT skill practice

Attached please find information regarding AP testing, including registration, deadlines, and fees.
Additionally, the videos linked below offer more information.

AP Information Video:
https://myccsd.instructuremedia.com/embed/d105cd4a-f27f-4f7f-bfe8-1d2aa2ac5e52

Total Registration walkthrough (please note, the process is the same but this video has dates from 2025; please refer to the attached PDF for correct dates):
https://myccsd.instructuremedia.com/embed/f4be5ad0-a6ab-468b-b567-5362bd99c0e5

Please contact Jennifer Perez (Jennifer.PerezSanchez@cherokeek12.net) with any questions.

Free resources for new drivers available from the Georgia DOT HERE.

Students need to sign up in advance through the SLDS student portal, which they can access through their CCSD Canvas student account, up to one week in advance and at least two hours prior to the session start time.

A one-minute video explaining the sign-up process for students is available online at https://myccsd.instructuremedia.com/embed/b59ae049-0b98-497e-920f-e0d53c224ba6

SAT

To register – www.CollegeBoard.org

ACT

To register – www.ACT.org

See the attached information about how to rent the SHS Spirit Rock to celebrate your student!

🛏️ Mattresses That Support Boys & Girls Basketball!

On Saturday, November 7th, Sequoyah HS Cafeteria will be transformed into a mattress showroom from 10am-5pm!

28 different styles of name-brand mattresses (Purple, Therapedic, Southerland, Corsicana & more) at unbeatable prices — plus accessories (adjustable bases, pillows, sheets), financing, delivery, and full warranties.

And here’s the best part: EVERY sale benefits Sequoyah Boys & Girls Basketball!

📎 Coupon flyer attached
📺 Watch how it works: VIDEO LINK
📍 Event info: FB EVENT LINK

📝RSVP HERE

Sideline’s got fanwear and accessories you can mix and match to max your look. Boost your Chiefs style by pairing essentials with accessories in fresh ways. Sideline’s got all your favorite brands, ready to be customized by you, for you. See site for savings.

Shop your Chiefs Sideline Store

At Sequoyah High School, we take great pride in the passion and support our families bring to our student-athletes. As we begin another school year, we ask every member of the Sequoyah community to help create a positive and respectful environment by following these six guidelines:

1. Be a Positive Role Model

Our student athletes are watching. Conduct yourself in a manner that reflects positively on your family, our school, and the Hickory Flat community.

2. Let High School Sports Belong to the Students

Athletics are about the growth and development of our student athletes. Their success on the field, court, or mat does not define your family's reputation or your own.

3. Encourage Independence

Allow your child to communicate directly with coaches when challenges arise. High school athletics teach responsibility, confidence, and resilience—lessons that are best learned when students advocate for themselves.

4. Stay in Your Role

Coaches coach, officials officiate, and parents support. Cheer enthusiastically but avoid coaching from the stands or questioning officiating decisions.

5. Keep Athletics in Perspective

High school sports provide invaluable lessons in teamwork, discipline, leadership, and perseverance. While college opportunities exist, the overwhelming majority of student-athletes participate for the lifelong benefits that athletics provide.

6. Make Sure Your Child Knows You Love Watching Them Compete

The car ride home should be filled with encouragement and support—not criticism. Participation in athletics is about growth, character, and relationships, not simply wins and losses.

Purchasing a ticket to a Sequoyah athletic event allows you to enjoy and support our student-athletes. We ask that all spectators help create a positive, respectful environment by treating officials, coaches, student-athletes, and fellow fans with courtesy and sportsmanship.

https://cherokeeathletics.com/ccsd-hq/

We Maintain a “Family Friendly Environment”

Event staff reserves the right to determine what constitutes

unacceptable/disruptive behavior and to deny admittance to anyone.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• No Weapons of Any Kind
• No Illegal Substances
• No Smoking or Vaping
• No Alcoholic Beverages
• No Pets or Animals of Any Kind (other than service assistance animals with proper credentials)

Thank you,

Sequoyah High School Athletics

Sequoyah High School shares all important senior events, deadlines, and graduation information through our Canvas course called Check N Connect. This course is already available to all seniors and their Canvas observers (parents/guardians).

To ensure you don’t miss important updates:

• Turn on Canvas notifications in your app, or
• Log in to Canvas on a regular basis to check for announcements.

This will be our main method of communicating senior year information—make sure you’re connected so you don’t miss out!

Student’s last name begins with:

A-C

Kelly Brangan

Kelly.Brangan@cherokeek12.net

D-Ho

Kasey Ross

kasey.ross@cherokeek12.net

Hu-Mi

Thomasina Ballard

thomasina.ballard@cherokeek12.net

Mo-Sc

Jade Sanches

jade.sanches@cherokeek12.net

Se-Z

McKenzie Thom

McKenzie.Thom@cherokeek12.net

The Georgia Department of Education awards high-achieving students with a Georgia Scholar Diploma Seal, which is very prestigious (and looks great on a college resume). Students should check out the requirements to see what they need to do to qualify. Students don't receive the seal until graduation, but they can put "qualified for Georgia Scholar Diploma Seal" in the awards section of Common App.

https://gadoe.org/grants-awards-diploma-seals/georgia-scholar/

Anytime is a good time to track your HOPE GPA

1. Create an account at My GAfutures
2. Check GPA each semester to check progress

Current qualifications:

HOPE 3.0 HOPE GPA/4 rigor courses

Zell Miller 3.7 HOPE GPA/4 rigor courses/ACT (minimum 26) and SAT (minimum 1200)

For more information about the HOPE Scholarship please visit their site.

In state colleges – https://www.gafutures.org/

Out of State colleges, use parchment – request

• Sequoyah Tardy/Skipping/Leaving Campus Policy: Sequoyah Tardy-Skipping-Leaving Campus Policies SY2027.pdf
• Dress Code policy: Dress Code CCSD Policy.pdf
• Cell Phones policy: SHS Cell Phone Policy 26-27.pdf
• Late Work policy: Late Work CCSD Policy.pdf
• Free/Reduced Lunch forms: https://schoolnutrition.cherokeek12.net/free-reduced-price-meals
• Bus Route information: https://www.cherokeek12.net/divisions/support-services/transportation
• CCSD Safety and Security: https://shs.cherokeek12.net/emergency-notification
• Parent VUE Account: https://www.cherokeek12.net/enroll-new-student/parentvue
• Canvas Parent Directions: Parent Directions

Below are links to the LINQ Connect QR Code Flyer, School Nutrition Information flyer, and Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application flyers (available in both English and Spanish). Please feel free to share these resources in your school newsletters, on social media, and through other parent communication channels to encourage families to complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application.

• Linq Connect QR FLIER.pdf
• School Nutrition Info-English.pdf
• School Nutrition Info-Spanish.pdf
• 5 Reasons GADOE.pdf
• 5 Reasons GADOE Span..pdf
• 5 Reasons 2.pdf
• 5 Reasons 2 Span..pdf

All CCSD schools have the same check-in/check-out process in place. To make the process go as quickly as possible, all students are asked to follow one of these options:

1. Bring your student ID card (with barcode) to school with you every day.

OR

2. Download the STUDENTVUE app. Once logged in to the app, students should click on the menu at the bottom left of the screen and choose "ID CARD" (see image below). It is suggested that students screenshot the QR code or the barcode (either will work) and save to their favorites for easy access.

When checking in or checking out, students will simply scan their ID card/QR code/barcode and receive a printed receipt.

Questions? Please see Ms. Pacheco in Attendance at Main or Ms. Shellenbarger in the Front Office at East.

Student Non-Drivers

If you are checking out your student who is a non-driver, you must come to Sequoyah main campus and show your ID. The person checking out the student must be on the student's contact list. The student will then be called out of class at that time. Emails for non-driving students requesting they be allowed to check out are NOT permitted. The last time students are allowed to be picked up before dismissal is 2:45pm.

Student Drivers

All student drivers are required to have a paid parking permit in order to drive and park on campus. We must have an email giving permission for that student to leave. Please email shs.attendance@cherokeek12.net and send the email as early in the day as possible.

Bus routes and issues

If you will be riding a bus to and from school or just one way, be sure you check the bus info icon on the SHS webpage or click here. Once on the look up page please follow the eLink User Instructions so you know your bus number and pick-up/drop-off times.

Transportation contact # 770-720-2112.

Just a reminder that drivers who are identified by cameras illegally passing a stopped school bus in Cherokee County will be issued a $1,000 citation by mail. This system installation, which also includes new interior cameras for increased visibility aboard our buses, is in direct response to feedback from bus drivers to support safety of students and drivers. You can read the full initial announcement on the CCSD website here.

If you have medication or other health questions please email the Nurse at shs.nurse@cherokeek12.net

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