Cherokee Newsletter -2.7.25

February 7, 2025

Our Building News

• Upcoming Cherokee Events
• Important Information
• Important Links

District 67 News and Events

• District 67 Facilities Staffing News

• Recording of Dr. Doug Bolton Parenting Workshop Available Now

• Parent-Teacher Conference Scheduling for Grades EC-4 Opens February 10

• Calling All Future Scouts: LFHS 90th Anniversary Logo Contest

• Families - Participate in Multicultural Family Night 2025

• Seeking Input for Teaching and Learning

• Lake Forest High School 2025 Talent Show Tickets On Sale Now

APT News and Events

• Joint Spirit and APT Meeting
• Valentine's Cookie Walk for Staff
• Evening APT Meeting
• Teacher Conference Meals

Spirit News and Events

• Last Call! Submit Your 2025 Grant Applications

Community News and Events

• Lake Forest Library Event - Blind Date With a Book

• Victor Garcia Jazz - Gorton Center Event

• National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD)

• Goodnight Moon and the Runaway Bunny - Gorton Center Event

• Bandits Spring Lacrosse for Girls is OPEN!

Dear Cherokee Families,

This morning our fourth graders joined Everett and Sheridan students to see their short stories turned into skits by Playmakers. Thanks again to the Spirit of 67 for funding this grant. On Wednesday the students had fun engaging in Global School Play Day. It was a great opportunity to practice social and play skills and imagine with one another!

As you may have seen in the district communication, Mr. David Fajardo, our custodian, has applied and been selected for the Everett Elementary School custodian position. We will deeply miss his hard work, kindness, and dedication to our school. From early mornings ensuring our building is ready to his friendly waves in the hallways, Mr. David has been an integral part of Cherokee. His impact will not be forgotten at Cherokee! Please join us in thanking Mr. David for all he has done and wishing him the very best in his new role! His last day at Cherokee will be Tuesday, February 11th.

We want to welcome DPM custodian Juan Carlos Servin who has been selected to fill the custodian position at Cherokee. Juan Carlos has worked for the District 67 custodial team for over two years. He is well-versed with all of the District 67 buildings. Always willing to step in to lend a hand—and with a friendly smile—Juan Carlos looks forward to working with the Cherokee community. He will start next Wednesday and we will make sure to give him a warm welcome!

Sincerely,

Dr. Cavanaugh

To see more events, visit our Cherokee Calendar webpage.

• February 19- APT Meeting @ 6:00 pm (Cherokee Flexible Learning Space)- Reading Curriculum and Interventions at Cherokee and Resources for Supporting Your Child's Reading Development at home- Guest Speakers- Reading Specialists- Laura Jackson and Jenny Nasshan & Learning Behavior Specialist- Michelle Miedema.

Valentine's Day Celebration Reminders

A reminder about Valentine exchanges: we do not allow any candy or food to be exchanged. This is to create a safe place for all to enjoy Valentine’s Day. Many of our students have dietary restrictions, and a food-based Valentine can be dangerous. Visit Pinterest or Instagram for lots of creative ideas that do not include food. Thank you in advance!

ALL SCHOOL FIELD TRIP: Cherokee students and staff will be taking an all school field trip on March 11th to see The Magic School Bus: Lost in Space at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. This has become a Cherokee tradition that the students and staff look forward to and enjoy this school wide activity that builds togetherness. Permission slips will be sent home with the students. Please return to school by Wednesday, February 12th. We are using our cross town funds from the Spirit of 67 to pay for part of the cost of this trip.

• 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

You may recall in our district communication on February 7, after more than 20 years of dedicated service, District 67 Custodial Lead Norberto Garcia will begin his well-earned retirement today, February 7. We thank Norberto for his hard work and commitment to our schools and wish him all the best in this next chapter!

His retirement has created exciting new opportunities within our custodial team.

Congratulations to Rosalio Guzman, formerly a custodian at Everett, who has stepped into the role of District 67 Custodial Supervisor.

David Fajardo, a longtime Cherokee custodian, will now serve as Everett’s building custodian.

At Cherokee, Juan Carlos Servin will take on the role of day custodian, bringing his experience from DPM.

We are grateful for their dedication and excited to see them thrive in their new roles. Please join us in celebrating Norberto’s retirement and congratulating Rosalio, David, and Juan Carlos!

Thank you to everyone who attended our parenting workshop, Overscheduled and Overwhelmed: Myths That Undermine Child Wellbeing on February 5, featuring Dr. Doug Bolton. For those who were unable to join us, the recording is available below.

Conferences for Grades EC-4 will be available in person or virtually. If you need to schedule a virtual EC-4 conference, please book your appointment slot first after the booking window opens on February 10 at 9:00 am, then email your classroom teacher for the Google Meet link.

The conference booking window will be open from February 10 at 9:00 am until February 21 at 11:00 pm.

https://d67.meettheteacher.com/

Lake Forest High School is turning 90 during the 2025-2026 school year! To celebrate, all past, present, and future Scouts are invited to submit a commemorative logo design. The winning design will be featured at key anniversary events throughout the year.

Who Can Participate: Students from Districts 65, 67, and 115, as well as LFHS alumni.

Judging: A Blue and Gold Ribbon panel of LFHS students, staff, and community members.

Deadline: Entries are due by 5:00 pm on Monday, March 3, 2025. The winner will be announced in early April.

Visit the LFHS 90th Anniversary Logo Contest Entry Form for complete contest details and to submit your design.

To culminate World Language Week, we invite all district families to join us at Deer Path Middle School on Wednesday, March 19, for a night to travel around the globe and visit the different cultures that District 67 represents.

We are looking for families or groups who are willing to set up a table and make a poster board (here are some table ideas) to share your heritage culture.

Please respond on this Google Form if you would like to participate.

Questions? Please contact Vail Kieser, Director of teaching and learning, vkieser@lfschools.net and Amy Infanzon, World Language Coordinator, ainfanzon@lfschools.net.

As we begin the search for our next Director of Teaching and Learning, we invite parents to participate in the interview process. If you're interested in providing input, please reach out to Dr. Fitzsimmons (rfitsimmons@lfschools.net).

Join us on a thrilling journey through Lake Forest High School's annual showcase of talent, creativity, and community spirit. Hosted by the Association of Parents & Teachers (APT) as a lively fundraiser, this Western-themed event will feature unforgettable performances that highlight the incredible skills and artistry of our students. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this rootin’ tootin’ good time—save the date and saddle up!

Buy Tickets HERE

Click HERE to Become a Talent Show Sponsor

Date: February 20-22

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: RMA, LFHS East Campus

Dear Cherokee Families,

HAPPY FEBRUARY!

Upcoming Events, Meetings, and Opportunities to Support Staff

Tuesday, February 11 – Joint APT/Spirit of 67 Meeting
Join us at West Campus with Superintendent Dr. Montgomery at 9:30 am.

Thursday, February 13 – Teacher Cookie Walk
Show our Cherokee staff some love by bringing in a batch of homemade or store-bought treats! Please drop them off on February 13 between 12:00 - 2:00 pm. Sign up here.

Wednesday, February 19 – Evening APT Meeting
📍 6:00 pm at Cherokee
Guest speakers Laura Jackson and Jenny Nasshan (Reading Specialists) and Michelle Miedema (Learning Behavior Specialist) will discuss curriculum, interventions, and resources to support your child’s development at home. Submit your questions in advance here.

Thursday, March 6 – Teacher Conference Meals
The APT will provide dinner for our staff during evening conferences. If you’d like to contribute, please Venmo Susan Asby (@Susan-Asby). Suggested donation: $15 or more. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

Katie Salgat, Cherokee APT President 🏈⚜️🏆
📧 martenskath@yahoo.com
📞 224-300-3494
📸 Instagram: @CherokeeAPT

We hope you and your students have been dreaming big this month. This is a great opportunity to share creative ideas to improve our school. Participation is optional, but we’d love to see as many ideas as possible.

How Students & Parents Participate:

1. Print and complete a Brainstorming Sheet.

• K-2: Draw and write your “cool school” idea HERE.

• 3rd-8th Grade: Write how to make school better HERE.

2. Email a photo of your completed Brainstorming Sheet to spiritof67@lfschools.net.

3. Complete the Grant Application Form. Once you’ve emailed your Brainstorming Sheet, you’ll receive a link to the official Grant Application Form for a parent to complete by Thursday, February 13, 2025.

Important Dates:

• Grant Application Form Deadline: Thursday, February 13, 2025

• Grant Awards Announcement: Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Questions? Contact spiritof67@lfschools.net. Thank you for encouraging your child’s creativity!

Happy Thursday D67 Community! See all of our upcoming community events through the Community Events on our website. Here is a preview of what you'll see:

Lake Forest Library Event - Blind Date With a Book

Now - February 14, 2025

Visit the Rotunda, Teen Space, and Children’s Library to check out our Blind Date books and audiobooks.

Victor Garcia Jazz - Gorton Center Event

February 7 | 7:00 pm

Warm up with irresistible Latin rhythms as Victor Garcia’s Latin Jazz Quintet takes the stage. This is a night you won’t want to miss!

National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD)

February 15 | 11:00 am - 1:15 pm

The celebration of National Girls in Sports Day is a nationwide event that inspires girls and women to play and be active, and honors the achievements of women athletes, coaches, and leaders. This free event will be held at the Lake Forest College Sports and Recreation Center in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Goodnight Moon and the Runaway Bunny - Gorton Center Event

February 22 | 11:00 am

Join us for a heartwarming theatrical experience as the beloved stories of Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny come to life on stage!

Bandits Spring Lacrosse for Girls is OPEN!
We are your community youth lacrosse program. Come and join the fun! All skill levels are welcomed. For more information or to join, visit us today at www.banditslacrosseclub.org