Cherokee Newsletter -1.10.25

January 10, 2025

• Upcoming Cherokee Events
• Important Information
• Important Links

District 67 News and Events

• PowerSchool Global Data Breach
• Read the First Issue of Dr. Sterpin's "Magic of Belonging"
• Mark Your Calendar for Speaking Series Featuring Dr. Doug Bolton

• Having Trouble with District 67 Emails Going to Spam?

• 2025-2026 Kindergarten Information Night

• District 67 Preschool Screenings in 2025

• You're Invited to the Lunar New Year Celebration at DPM

• Student Poster Contest - Secretary of State Organ/Tissue Donor Awareness

• Join Us for the District 67 Executive APT Meeting Next Week Featuring Lake Forest Police Chief John Burke and Author Dr. Matt Dewar!
• Cherokee APT News
• Welcome Back
• Glowfest
• Visiting Scientist
• Lunar New Year Celebration
• Next APT Meeting
• APT Nominations Requested for 2025-2027 Term

• Become a Board Member for the Spirit of 67 Foundation!
• Dream Up Your 2025 Grants this January

• Buy Tickets for the Lake Forest High School Winter Play: "Babette's Feast"
• The Second City - Gorton Center Event
• Upcoming Winter Programs - Lake Forest Open Lands
• Winterfest - Gorton Center Event
• Mini-Klondike Derby - Scouts BSA Troop 48
• "I and You" at Citadel Theatre
• Bandits Spring Lacrosse for Girls is OPEN!

Dear Cherokee Families,

Happy 2025! We were so happy to welcome our wonderful Cherokee Cheetahs back this week as we head into the second half of the school year! I do not know about your household, but my boys sure were tired getting back into the school schedule. I definitely enjoyed the time over break to unplug, and spend time with my own family. However, I missed the students and it was so wonderful seeing them back at school.

A special thank you from me and the teachers for sending your children “all bundled up” and prepared to go outside for recess in the chilly weather. It looks like the cold weather will be continuing through next week. We try to get them out and get some fresh air as much as possible.

Here's to a fantastic 2025!

Sincerely,

Dr. Cavanaugh

A few highlights for special attention:

• SLT Pop Tab Collection- December 16th- January 17th. Please view the video for more information. Please collect those pop tabs and bring them in!

• A Note from Nurse Mary Kate: Annual hearing and vision screening will begin at Cherokee next week. Each year Illinois Schools are mandated by the Child Vision and Hearing Test Act of Illinois to perform vision and hearing screenings in the school setting. These screenings are performed by our Certified District Nurse. If your child does not pass these screenings you will be informed and asked to complete the referral form sent home by the appropriate medical provider. Please return the completed referral form to your school's health office as soon as completed. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our District Nurse, Tania Gastelum at tgastelum@lfschools.net

To see more events, visit our Cherokee Calendar webpage.

• Monday, January 20th- No School- Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• February 14th & 16th- No School- Institute Day & President’s Day

• Cherokee Guidelines and Expectations! This is your one stop shop for all information related to Cherokee. Please bookmark this document to reference in the future!

• Temporary Change of Transportation Form

On January 8, we informed you about a global data breach involving PowerSchool, our student information system provider, followed by an update on January 9. While the breach impacted many PowerSchool customers worldwide, the impact on our data was contained due to proactive measures taken by the Technology Department, led by Chief Technology Officer Jordan Salus, to safeguard our systems. Thanks to the robust security practices Jordan and his team have implemented, our district has reduced risk and maintained responsible data management practices. Our Technology team continues to monitor our systems and proactively work to keep your data secure and protected. We are grateful for their continued effort.

For more information about the PowerSchool data breach, please visit our website.

During the Parent Teacher Advisory Committee, APT Behavior Presentation, and various school events, parents asked, “How does District 67 handle student misbehavior?”

Responding to student behavior is a complex process and starts with creating a sense of belonging. Every student in our district should feel valued and respected by their teachers and peers not because of what they accomplish or how they behave but because they are members of their school community. When students feel valued, they are more likely to try their best. Research has shown that an increased sense of belonging results in better school performance and improved behavior. Changing behavior starts with building relationships! This monthly column, the Magic of Belonging, will share informational tidbits each month on how District 67 sets students up for success, ultimately fostering a sense of belonging.

January’s issue of the Magic of Belonging highlights the CHAMPS framework. District 67 has embraced the CHAMPS framework for classroom management and trained its teachers. CHAMPS involves effectively communicating with children and clearly outlining the expectations for each activity so there is no room for misunderstandings.

Read More of The Magic of Belonging HERE

In our January 8 issue of the 411 on 67, Dr. Montgomery stated that D67 will host a three-part speaker series on the power of belonging with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Doug Bolton. This series will explore how cultivating belonging transforms school culture and strengthens engagement. Those presentations will be held in person on:

• February 5, 6:30 pm: Overscheduled and Overwhelmed: Fostering Resilience in a Culture of High Achievement
• April 3, 6:30 pm: A Book talk hosted by Dr. Montgmoerny on Dr. Bolton’s new book, Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools, and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation (This book will be released by Penguin Random House on March 17, 2025)
• May 13, 6:30 pm: Supporting our Children in Their Hardest Moments: Understanding Emotional Regulation

We’ve heard from some families that school emails are ending up in spam folders. To ensure you don’t miss important updates, we wanted to provide you with a guide to "whitelist" or approve Lake Forest Schools emails.

Whitelisting allows you to designate emails from us as safe, so they go straight to your inbox. For detailed instructions on how to whitelist emails in different email providers, check out this helpful guide: How to Whitelist an Email.

Thank you for helping us stay connected!

District 67 invites all parents of incoming kindergarteners to an online information night on January 14 at 6:30 pm!

Register for Kindergarten Information Night HERE

District 67 offers an early childhood behavioral and developmental screening for families with children aged 3–5 years old residing within District 67 school boundaries, free of charge. The next one is February 4 with more dates to come! Appointments are required.

Sign Up for a Preschool Screening HERE

Our District 67 Lunar New Year celebration will take place at the Deer Path Middle School cafeteria and Peck Gym on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 5:00 pm.

This vibrant event promises unforgettable experiences, including an engaging DPM dragon dance and an electrifying Kung Fu performance.

Guests can also enjoy interactive stations featuring activities such as paper cutting, origami, dragon dance lessons, Chinese games, and much more!

Illinois students (grades K-12), show off your creativity and help raise awareness about organ and tissue donation through the Secretary of State’s Organ/Tissue Donor Awareness Student Poster Contest! Submit your artwork by January 31, 2025, for a chance to have it displayed statewide and featured on LifeGoesOn.com. Winners will be invited to a special ceremony at the Capitol in Springfield. Get involved and spread the word about the importance of organ donation!

Learn More About the Organ/Tissue Donor Awareness Student Poster Contest HERE

Date: January 16, 2024

Location: Lake Forest High School West Campus Board Room

Coffee: 9:00 am

Meeting: 9:30 am

We’re excited to welcome Lake Forest’s new Police Chief, John Burke, who will briefly introduce himself and answer questions from the APT Exec Board. Following his introduction, LFHS instructor Dr. Matt Dewar will share an engaging presentation, with time for Q&A afterward.

We look forward to seeing you there!

I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable break!

Thank you to all the families who kindly donated to our holiday gift fund for both homeroom and non-homeroom staff. The staff also wanted to communicate their gratitude for your generosity!

I also want to thank all the parent volunteers who helped make all of the holiday events at Cherokee so special! So many of you volunteered for class parties, Winter Sing, and decorating the building. Cherokee was in full festive mode!

We have a busy APT month ahead!

Glowfest
Friday, January 24
Please return your sign-up sheets and checks as soon as possible! Volunteers are also needed for this event. Please sign up here.

Visiting Scientist
Thursday, January 24
Look for parent volunteer opportunities coming soon.

Lunar New Year Celebration
Monday, January 27 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at DPM
More details are coming!

Next APT Meeting
Wednesday, January 15
Coffee at 9:00 am, meeting starts at 9:30 am.

Katie Salgat
Cherokee APT President ⛄
martenskath@yahoo.com
224-300-3494
Instagram: @CherokeeAPT

Nominations are now being solicited for the following District 67 APT Executive Board positions to serve during the 2025-2027 school years.

• APT Executive Board President

• APT Executive Board Recording Secretary

• APT President, DPM School

• APT President, Cherokee School

• APT President, Everett School

Please note that nominees MUST have prior experience serving on an APT Board (or as a Room Parent) in order to be considered. See the Nomination Form for descriptions of the positions being nominated.

If you would like to nominate someone (including yourself), you may do so in one of the following ways:

• Complete the google form linked HERE

• Download the 2025-27 APT Nomination Form HERE or from the District website.

• Complete the form and email it to mtaubensee@me.com

• Complete the form and mail/drop off to Michelle Taubensee, 330 Scott Street, Lake Forest, IL

• Contact Michelle Taubensee via email at mtaubensee@me.com or by calling or texting 630-217-3269 to submit possible candidate names.

FINAL DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2025

Questions? Contact Michelle Taubensee, Executive APT VP & APT Nominating Committee Chair, at the email address or phone number listed above.

Thank you for your thoughtful suggestions!

💼 Become a Board Member for the Spirit of 67 Foundation!

• We are looking for new Spirit of 67 Foundation board members to share their talent in 2025!

• Bring your skills, enthusiasm, and ideas to help us provide enriching educational and cultural experiences for Lake Forest District 67's students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Interested in joining? Learn more and submit your interest in our open roles!

🌟 Dream Up Your 2025 Grants this January

• Grant Deadline is Thursday, February 6 at 3:00 pm

• Do you or your student have ideas to enhance the school experience with a grant from the Spirit of 67 Foundation?

• Submitting your grant ideas and applications is easy with this form.

• Watch this video to learn more about our grants.

Questions? Visit The Spirit of 67 Foundation or email us at info@spiritof67foundation.org.

January 30, 31, & February 1, 2025 | 7:00 pm | The Little Theater
Directed by Sara Dreiling

Join us for Babette's Feast, an adaptation of Isak Dinesen’s classic tale that explores grace, forgiveness, and the power of community. When Babette, a mysterious French refugee, sacrifices everything to host a lavish dinner, her guests experience a profound transformation, discovering the beauty of generosity and connection.

Seating is reserved, and doors open at 6:30 pm. Don’t miss this rich and moving theatrical event!

Click HERE to Buy Tickets for Babette's Feast

Deerpath Streetscape Project Starts Next Week

We want to make you aware of an upcoming road construction project that may impact your commute to and from school. Starting the week of January 13, the City of Lake Forest will begin Phase 1 of the Deerpath Streetscape Project, which will affect traffic patterns along Deerpath Road. During this phase, traffic will be limited to one-way eastbound only between Green Bay Road and Western Avenue.

This may add a few extra minutes to your morning and afternoon routines. The City of Lake Forest is working collaboratively to minimize disruption during school drop off and pickup times, and we are keeping our transportation provider, Olson, informed.

For your reference, here are some key details about the two-phase project:

• Phase 1 (mid-January to April 2025): Water main replacement from Green Bay Rd. to Western Ave

• Phase 2 (May to October 2025): Streetscape enhancements and Bank Lane improvements

• Anticipated Construction Impacts:

• Traffic limited to one-way eastbound on Deerpath Road

• Pedestrian and employee access to businesses will remain open

• Free short-term and permit parking available nearby

• Clear detour signage will be posted to direct traffic
  
  

For more information, please visit the City of Lake Forest website.

The Second City - Gorton Center Event

January 18, 2025 I 7:30 pm

Back by popular demand, The Second City is coming to Gorton! Famous for their legendary improvisation, the iconic Chicago theater makes America laugh at pop culture, headlines, scandals, and trends. No need to trek down to the city, Gorton is bringing the fun to Lake Forest! Enjoy dinner in town, then stroll over to Gorton for the show.

Upcoming Winter Programs - Lake Forest Open Lands

• Family Campfire at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
• January 17, 2025 | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
• School’s Out! at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
• Monday, January 20, 2025 | 9:30 am - 11:00 am or 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Winterfest - Gorton Center Event

January 24-25, 2025

Gorton Center presents Mountainfilm on Tour January 24 & 25, paired with Winterfest, an après-ski themed event featuring live acoustic music and food trucks. Cozy up in your best après-ski attire, enjoy drinks by the fire, and connect with friends in the Stuart Room ski lodge. Winterfest starts Friday at 6:00 pm (films at 7:00 pm) and continues Saturday from 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm. For details and tickets, visit gortoncenter.org.

Mini-Klondike Derby - Scouts BSA Troop 48

February 2, 2025 | 1:00 pm

Scouts BSA Troop 48 of Lake Forest is hosting its 6th annual "Mini-Klondike Derby" event at Northcroft Park on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 1:00 pm. This fun, free outdoor event is open to elementary and middle school youth (grades K-8) accompanied by a parent. RSVP is required.

"I and You" at Citadel Theatre

I and You is an ode to youth, life, love and the strange beauty of human connectedness . Buy your tickets for February 21 - March 23, 2025