Cherokee Community Schools - Feature Articles

January Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month

Jan 13, 2025

Congratulations to Tensley Cronin for being selected as the January Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month. Tensley is the daughter of Andrew and Valerie Cronin. She stays active in band, jazz band, cross country, track, Cherokee Summer Swim Team, and the Le Mars YMCA Winter swim team. The staff at Cherokee Middle School appreciate her positive attitude and willingness to help others. She shows great integrity and work ethic. After high school, Tensley is planning on studying engineering.

January Rotary Student of the Month!

Jan 8, 2025

Congratulations to Leah Ellis for being selected as the January Rotary Student of the Month! Leah is described by her teachers as a ray of sunshine who has a great sense of humor and is lots of fun to have in class! She demonstrates great school spirit and motivates her peers in the classroom and the many activities of which she is involved. Some of those activities include: football cheer, large group and individual speech, competitive dance, cross country and tennis. Congratulations, Leah!

Lego League

Jan 6, 2025

The Cherokee Middle School Lego League teams had their competition in Kingsley on Saturday, January 4th with 10 other teams. This was a chance for them to show off their skills in building and programming robots and presenting research about issues related to oceans. These students in grades 5-8 spent the last three months designing robots then programming them to complete different tasks. They also had to choose an issue related to oceans, design an innovative solution and present to a panel of judges. These students put a . . .

January Reader of the Month

Jan 2, 2025

The January Reader of the month is Grace Morgan. Her favorite books include the Percy Jackson series, the Inheritance Games series, and the Powerless Series. Mrs. Pigott nominated Grace for love of reading. Grace has already met the 35 Book Challenge in Mrs. Pigott's classroom and averages at least one book a week. The Reader of the Month is a joint collaboration between the Middle School Library and the Cherokee Public Library. Grace will receive a gift card to the Book Vine (courtesy . . .

December Healthy Hero

Dec 18, 2024

This month’s Healthy Hero Award winner is Paxton Robinson. Paxton is currently involved in basketball and was also involved in football in the fall. He is a great student in Physical Education. He loves participating in the games no matter what we are doing. He has great sportsmanship and is very helpful with other students. He strives to do his best no matter whether it is in PE or the regular classroom.

Jill Phillips

May 8, 2024

Jill really enjoys seeing what fun and creative educational activities are going on in the classroom, and the connection she has with fellow teachers and students. If she could give advice to others, it would be to not be shy about promoting what you are doing in the classroom, no matter how trivial you think it is because everyone has something they can contribute.

Katie Leonard

May 8, 2024

I love my role as a Communications Teacher because I love being able to see and share all of the amazing things happening in our district! Words of advice to teachers or students: “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” – Dalai Lama

Mandi Koedam

May 8, 2024

I am a curriculum leader and I help with professional development in our elementary school. My advice would be to always be willing to try something new because you may end up loving it!

Government Students Take Field Trip to Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center

May 7, 2024

The Government Students went on a field trip last week and visited the Cherokee County Courthouse and the Law Enforcement Center. They got to hear from all the different departments at the courthouse about how our local government functions, and what their role as young adults is. They also got to learn about the voting process, get registered to vote if they weren’t already, and even practice voting on the voting machines! They also were able to tour the Law Enforcement Center, and learn what they do down there. They were shown . . .

CES March PBIS Assembly

Apr 15, 2024

The March PBIS Assembly welcomed Bruce Dagel as our speaker. Bruce is such a positive member of our community! The topic for the assembly was Cooperation and Teamwork! Bruce’s message to students was that “TEAM” stands for “Together Everyone Achieves More”.

April Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month

Apr 10, 2024

Congratulations to Mason Daum for being chosen as the April Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month. Mason is the son of Lacey and Jeffrey Daum. Although he has many wonderful qualities, the most prominent are his work ethic, attention to detail, and absolute kindness to all around him. Mason is an active 8th grader and is involved in band, choir, cross country, track, and basketball. He says his favorite thing about living in Cherokee is that when he moved here, he was greeted by the community with open . . .

Students in Mrs. Anderson's Class Use High Tech Software

Mar 24, 2024

Students in Mrs. Anderson's Dual Credit Human Anatomy and Physiology class used spirometers and Vernier software to measure pulmonary volumes and how different variables affect those volumes. Some measurements taken included tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, respiratory rate, and vital capacity. These measurements were taken under normal resting conditions and then again to test variables such as laughing, standing, lying down, running in place, coughing, and concentrating on a math problem. The . . .

Taste and Sounds

Mar 20, 2024

Taste and Sounds happening tomorrow night from 6:30-8:30. Live music and locals eats! There will be some amazing students performing solos and group songs.

PBIS Assembly

Mar 19, 2024

CES would like to thank Sheriff Derek Scott for taking time out of his busy schedule to be the guest speaker at the CES assembly on Honesty for the month of February.

CES Heathy Hero of the month!!

Mar 12, 2024

Congrats to Pierce Pobinson!!

March Student of the Month

Mar 12, 2024

Congratulations to Taelyn Reuter for being chosen as the March Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month! Taelyn is in 8th grade and the daughter of Chris and Kayla Reuter. She is involved in volleyball, track, softball, and basketball as the manager. She is also involved with the youth group at Trinity Lutheran Church. Taelyn's teachers appreciate her willingness to . . .

Special Olympics Track Team Travels to Coralville

Mar 12, 2024

On Saturday our Special Olympics team traveled to Coralville to compete at the state competition for basketball skills. Two high school athletes placed 1st at the area competition in February that advanced them to the state level. While at state Kendra Robinson and Luisa Erickson competed in their own division based on ability and age, both battled tough competition. Kendra tied for 1st place and Luisa placed 3rd. Congrats to both on their accomplishment.

Spanish Honor Society 2024

Mar 11, 2024

CWHS Spanish Honor Society inducted 18 new members on Monday night. To be inducted, students must be enrolled in Spanish, have maintained an honor average in Spanish for at least 3 consecutive semesters and show good character, leadership, cooperation, honesty, service, commitment to others and be motivated to continue studying Spanish. ¡Felicidades a todos!

Autism Awareness Shirts for Special Olympics

Mar 7, 2024

If you would like to purchase an Autism Awareness shirt. Use the link or scan the QR code. The proceeds go towards our Special Olympics program. Any questions email afuller@ccsd.k12.ia.us

March Rotary Student of the Month

Mar 7, 2024

Whitney Johnson is the March Rotary Student of the Month. Whitney goes above and beyond to show her school spirit and is kind and friendly to everyone. She is outgoing and takes time to make sure everyone feels at ease, comfortable and supported in her presence. Whitney exudes Brave Pride! Congratulations, Whitney!

CES January PBIS Assembly

Feb 9, 2024

The Cherokee Elementary School PBIS assembly for the month of January was about Perseverance and Persistence! Jodi Schlichting and Kayla Kock from CRMC hosted our assembly with great examples of ways students can show persistence when things get tough in the classroom and in life! NEVER GIVE UP!!

2024 Northern Festival of Bands

Jan 29, 2024

Congratulations to Ethan Busse, Madison Jorgensen and Parissa Barnes on their outstanding performance at the 2024 Northern Festival of Bands in Cedar Fall this past weekend. Ethan and Madison were a part of the 120 member Symphony Band under the direction of Laura A. Goucher, high school director from Mahtomedi, MN. Parissa played with a 79 member Wind Orchestra under the direction of Ferenc Szabo from Szechenyi Istvan University in Gyor, Hungary.

Special Olympics basketball skills team

Jan 29, 2024

The Special Olympics basketball skills team traveled to Hawarden on Jan. 27th for the area competition. During basketball skills, the athletes compete against others in their same age and ability groups to showcase their skills. They have to complete 3 skill areas for a combined score, including spot shot, dribbling, and passing. Cherokee athletes competed hard and put forth a tremendous effort. The following athletes took home medals : Luisa Erickson- 1st place, Kendra Robinson- 1st place, Tyler Palmer- 2nd place, Catelyn Younie- 2nd . . .

January Healthy Hero

Jan 1, 2024

This month’s Healthy Hero Award winner is Owen Schwarz. Owen is involved in football, basketball, and baseball. Owen displays great sportsmanship in PE class and is involved in every game that we are playing. He is a leader in his other classes and does his best no matter what he is doing. Owen is kind and polite to both the staff and his fellow students.

Tomahawk 2023 King and Queen Announced!

Apr 18, 2023

Tomahawk King, Adam Kohn and Queen, Natalie Harman! Congratulations #bravepride

CCSD Therapy Dogs

Mar 24, 2023

The Cherokee Community Schools are lucky to have two amazing therapy dogs in their district! Fletcher serves the elementary students, and is a pro at regulating students who are struggling so that they can be successful at school His handler is Amy Brunsting, the CES school counselor. Jersey serves the middle school students. She is available to students for hugs, cuddles, and petting, assisting with students who need cheering up, calming down, or regulating at school. Her handler is Kayla Reuter, the . . .

CES Healthy Hero

Mar 16, 2023

Alexa Royster is the CES Healthy Hero for the month of March. Alexa is willing to try any activity and tries her best in all that we do in PE class. Alexa is very quiet and always on task. Alexa is always kind and willing to work in any group combinations. She requires no attention to stay on task and do what is right in class. Outside of school Alexa is involved in Volleyball and Softball.

Students Travel to NASA

Mar 8, 2023

On March 1st, five students from WHS boarded a charter bus to head to Houston, TX and compete in a Space Settlement Design Competition at NASA. Seniors Nick Alingh, Xzavier Hyndman, Hannah Pigott, BreAnna Miller, and Kayla Hughes were accompanied by WHS Physics Teacher Mr. De Vos. They were able to visit Galveston, walk the beach along the Gulf of Mexico, and tour Rocket Park all while down in Houston along with participating in the competition. They all worked diligently with their respective groups to come up with a . . .