Cheyenne Family Newsletter

The documents below outlines important dates and times for the 2024-2025 school year. Printed copies are available in the main office.

School breakfast and lunch are FREE for all students! School lunch must be preordered 48 hours in advance to ensure enough food is stocked and prepared. Use the link below to preorder school lunch for the month of May.

Please see the calendar below for a list of PTO events for the month of May.

It’s never too early to start thinking about next school year! Cheyenne is now providing an option to conveniently purchase grade-level suggested school supplies for the 2025 – 2026 school year!

Grade-level suggested school supplies are being sold as a kit and will be delivered directly to Cheyenne in time for Sneak Peek. Families can even add on items like backpacks, lunchboxes, and water bottles to their order. Plus, a portion of the proceeds from each kit will be donated back to Cheyenne!

Suggested School Supply Kits for Purchase: CLICK HERE

NOTE: select the grade-level your child will be in for the upcoming school year

This is an optional method to purchase suggested school supplies. An easy-to-print suggested school supply list will be available in the summer edition of the Cheyenne Family Newsletter and will be posted to the Cheyenne website too.

If you have any questions, please let us know! We have a sample in the main office if you would like to take a look.

Cheer on the Detroit Tigers and support Cheyenne at the same time. When you use the link below to purchase tickets (April or May game only), a portion of each ticket will be given to Cheyenne!

At Cheyenne, we strive to create a strong partnership with families to help all children learn and become successful members of the community. The Cheyenne staff will soon begin the process to create class lists for the 2025 - 2026 school year.

There are a number of factors taken into consideration when placing students into various classes for the upcoming school year. These factors include student academic skills, academic assessment scores, work habits, social/emotional needs, and learning styles. We utilize the data gathered from these factors to place students in well-balanced classes.

The process of creating well-balanced classes is a challenging and thoughtful task. As a partner in your child's education, we offer you the opportunity to provide input on your child's academic and behavioral strengths and challenges.

In following district practice, Cheyenne will not accept specific teacher requests. All teachers at Cheyenne work collaboratively with one another to provide a high quality education. Teachers use educational best practices and research-based district mandated curriculum resources to deliver individualized instruction. In addition, regardless of the teacher, all children will receive a similar experience within a grade-level.

If you would like to provide information for us to consider when making class lists, please complete the Class Placement Parent/Guardian Input Form by Friday, May 30.

During April and May, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 take the state-required M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) assessment, in the subject areas of Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.

Testing will occur on the dates below and will primarily be taken in the morning.

5th Grade Assessments: May 5, May 6, May 7, and May 8

4th Grade Assessments: May 6 and May 8

3rd Grade Assessments: May 6 and May 8

Kindergarten is hosting a special Special Ladies Tea Party for students and their special lady. Students will provide some simple entertainment and join their guest for "tea time." All guests must have an approved Criminal Record Check (CRC) on file.

Specific details about this event have already been communicated by your child's teacher. If you have any questions, please contact your child's Kindergarten teacher.

On May 13, all parents/guardians of registered incoming kindergarten students are invited to attend our Kindergarten Kick-Off Event at 6:00pm in the MPR.

Important information to help kids transition into kindergarten will be discussed. Parents/Guardians will also be able to meet some staff and tour the building.

The PTO would like to invite all parents/guardians to our PTO meeting on May 14 at 7:00pm. We hope you can join us as we begin to plan exciting activities and events for our families and kids!

The PTO will be holding elections for officer positions during this meeting. More information will be sent to all families closer to the meeting date.

PTO meetings are held, at Cheyenne, in the MPR.

On May 13, our 5th grade students will attend a short presentation at Seneca. During this presentation, students will have the opportunity to meet staff members, tour the building, and view performances by the band and choir. Permission slips are required to attend this presentation. More information will be communicated by the 5th grade teachers.

An incoming 6th grade parent/guardian only orientation will be held on Thursday, May 15, at 6:30pm in the Seneca cafeteria. Important information to help our 5th grade students transition into middle school will be discussed. Parents/Guardians will also be able to meet some staff and tour the building.

During the school day, on May 21, all 5th grade students will have their picture taken by Lifetouch. Parents/Guardians will receive a free copy of this picture at the promotion ceremony on June 10.

These pictures will be used in the 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony. Please consider having your child "dress up" for this picture.

On May 23, students are encouraged to walk, bike, or roll to school! This event is designed to promote a cleaner environment, teach proper safety, and build a strong community!

Special Notes:

• During arrival, the North parking lot will be closed to traffic to accommodate special event activities. If you cannot walk, bike, or roll to school you can still drive, but will need to use the South drop-off loop.
• If you would like to drive, but still participate in our special activities, please park in the Seneca parking lot and walk, bike, or roll to the North parking lot.
• Please review the map below for crossing guard locations.

More information will be communicated prior to the event.

The PTO will be selling a variety of snacks (chips, candy, cookies, etc.) during all lunches. All snacks are $1. The snack cart will be a monthly activity.

If you have any questions or would be interested in volunteering, please contact the Cheyenne PTO at [email protected].

There is no school or SACC for students today.

On May 30, students will participate in a school-wide assembly. At the assembly, we will celebrate student success and build community. Students are encouraged to dress in their House color.

• Altruismo = Black
• Nukumori = Purple
• Sollevare = Yellow
• Protos = Teal

The district has developed a process for Criminal Record Checks (background checks). In the past, potential volunteers completed a paper form and submitted it to the main office. The paper form has moved online and has been replaced with a digital form.

In order for potential volunteers to receive the digital form, a request must first be submitted by a staff member. Requests can only be submitted if there is an upcoming activity, event, or special reason a volunteer is needed. Please contact your child's classroom teacher for volunteer opportunities.

Note: volunteers must complete a CRC form every school year; ALL volunteers must have an approved CRC form on file

Be a PAL at lunch! At Cheyenne, continuing the PALS program to increase parent/guardian engagement and provide kids with more positive role models.

We are looking for parent/guardian volunteers to help in our lunchroom to help monitor and eat lunch with children. Please consider signing up to be a PAL!

All volunteers must have an approved background check on file. If you would like to sign-up, but have not completed a background check form, please contact Ms. Deckert in the main office at [email protected]. Please allow for at least two weeks to process background checks.

Please consider signing up for one or more time slots! To sign-up, click the link below.

The Cheyenne Art Room is seeking donations. Please consider purchasing items from the Amazon Wishlist below. Items will be used to enhance each student's art room experience.

Items will then be shipped to Cheyenne. Thank you! We appreciate your help!

A sensory room in an elementary school is a specially designed space that provides a calming and stimulating environment for students with sensory processing needs. It includes tools like soft lighting, tactile objects, weighted blankets, and soothing sounds to help children self-regulate their emotions and focus. These rooms benefit students with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or other sensory challenges by offering a safe space to relax, reset, and develop coping skills, ultimately enhancing their ability to learn and engage in the classroom.

At Cheyenne, we are seeking donations to enhance our sensory rooms. Please consider purchasing items from the Amazon Wishlist below. Items will then be shipped to Cheyenne.

Thank you! We appreciate your help!

Pets are like family members and often travel with us during the day. Some even come for arrival and dismissal to greet kids after a long day of school. Although many kids love to seeing their pets right before or after school, please consider not bringing pets on school grounds during arrival and dismissal. Arrival and dismissal can be congested and crowed. Plus there are kids with pet allergies and fears.

We appreciate your understanding and help in creating a safe environment for our kids.

At Cheyenne we have worked to improve a number of our communication methods to be more efficient and effective with the delivery of information. Moving forward we will utilize Parent Portal to conduct data verifications and yearly district form collections. Below you will find directions to help you verify student information (emergency contacts, address, etc.) and acknowledge/agree/consent to yearly district forms.

We ask that you please take a few moments to complete these actions within Parent Portal. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the main office at Cheyenne.

The CVS Parent Portal allows parents to access important information about their children. Parents of children grades K-12 may access grades, attendance, lunch balance and school messenger settings. Students in grades 6-12 may also access grade and attendance information through their own portal account.

SchoolMessenger is also available for parents to receive updates from CVS schools via phone, email or text message. Parents can set the phones to receive messages and choose the type of messages received through the Parent Portal. Directions to log into the Parent Portal and set SchoolMessenger Notifications can be found using the link below.

Beginning in December 2023 report cards will only be available in the Parent Portal. Printed copies of reports cards will no longer be sent home with students. However, IEP Progress Notes will still be sent home with students.

If you need assistance accessing report cards, please do not hesitate to contact the main office.

As we prepare for the new school year, we want to remind you that Chippewa Valley Schools has adopted PaySchools Central as an online payment resource for the parents in our district.

PaySchools Central is a secure payment system which simplifies school payments in an easy-to-use online portal. This online service provides an easy and efficient method to collect fees and electronic payments for field trips, registrations, t-shirts, and any other school-related fees.

PaySchools Central accepts payments via e-check, debit card or credit card, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in a safe and secure environment.

As educators, we are committed to continuous growth and ensuring our students meet their highest potential. Not only do we promise to deliver a high-quality education to all students, but we are also committed to giving every child the tools they need to read proficiently. Proficient readers find success in school and life and can enjoy the world that reading makes available.

At Cheyenne, we want every child to learn to read and apply those skills to other subjects and new learning opportunities. The research makes it clear that 95% of students can learn to read, and we are working toward that goal. We are committed to learning the latest research and reading best practices, so every child learns to read. This research is called the Science of Reading, and it clearly defines how the brain learns to read.

In our classrooms, teachers use practices supported by the Science of Reading. To learn more about the research, best practices, and our focus, please review the document below.

There are a number of activities kids can do at home to practice various academic skills. These activities include both Dreambox (math) and Lexia (reading). The "Student Links" button includes math practice games and the Journey's (ELA) textbook.

Regular attendance at school matters. Please reference the chart below to see how time away from school can quickly add up resulting in lost instruction.

If your child is absent, please contact the attendance line at 586-723-5099 to report the absence.

We are excited to announce that our school has implemented a version of the Ron Clark House System to foster a positive and inclusive school culture. This program is designed to promote teamwork, leadership, and a sense of belonging among our students. Each child belongs to one of four houses: ALTRUISMO, NUKUMORI, PROTOS, or SOLLEVARE. Throughout the year, students will participate in activities, earn points for their house, and collaborate with peers across grade levels.

• ALTRUISMO (House of Givers) – Black: This house values generosity and encourages students to uplift others through acts of kindness and service.
• NUKUMORI (House of Kindness) – Purple: Students in this house are encouraged to demonstrate empathy, care, and support for others.
• PROTOS (House of Success) – Teal: Leadership, excellence, and integrity define this house, motivating students to strive for their best in all they do.
• SOLLEVARE (House of Rising Above) – Yellow: This house focuses on encouragement and positivity, inspiring students to lift up others and maintain an optimistic outlook.

Benefits of the House System: The House System provides a unique opportunity for students to develop a strong sense of community and belonging. It promotes school spirit and friendly competition, helping students build connections across grades. The system encourages teamwork, leadership skills, and the development of core values such as respect, kindness, and responsibility. Additionally, it empowers students to take ownership of their school environment and fosters a culture of positive reinforcement.

We look forward to watching our students grow, support one another, and thrive within this system. Thank you for your continued support!

Family involvement is an integral part of student success, and we would love for you to take an active role in your student’s character strength education.

P2 for Families is an easy and effective way for families to discuss the importance of character strengths and positive relationships. It is differentiated for grades K, 1-2, and 3-5. Each character strength follows a 1-1-3 model: 1 quote, 1 video, and 3 questions to drive conversations around character at home.

Please click on the link below to access the resources.

Food & Nutrition Services is responsible for the preparation and service of Breakfast and/or Lunch to the students at Chippewa Valley Schools.

Michigan School Meals will be the policy for the 2024-2025 School Year. The Michigan government has funded the school meals for Michigan Public School students that are not covered by the Federal Reimbursements. This means all students will eat their breakfast and lunch at no cost. Michigan School Meals is a Michigan initiative however, all USDA guidelines and regulations are still in effect. This includes filling out a Free and Reduced School Meals application.

While the Free and Reduced forms help with student eligibility for school meals, they are more important for other school programs. If the number of Free and Reduced applications decline, funding for some programs can be lost since the overall funding for schools is based on the number of Free and Reduced forms turned back into Food Service.

To see if your family qualifies for additional benefits, please fill out a free/reduced application at chippewavalley.familyportal.cloud. Applications are good for one school year and should be completed each year unless you are notified that your child qualifies for free/reduced meal benefits for the current school year.

If your student has a food allergy please be aware that CVS Breakfast and Lunch Program foods may contain or have come into contact with peanuts, nuts or other possible allergens.

We take food allergies and student safety very seriously. If your student has any food allergies, please have your physician fill out the Dietary Needs Form below and return it to the food service office. We are happy to work with parents and students to help accommodate your needs.

For questions about food allergies and menu selections please call our office at 586-723-2106.

Many illnesses do not require a child to stay home from school. However, children may be excluded from school if the illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in school activities or if there is risk of spread of harmful disease to others.

This list represents the most common reasons why a child should remain home from school. Please work with your school’s health aide and/or our district nurse if you are uncertain or have questions.

We refer to the state and local health department for guidance on all health-related concerns.

CRITERIA INCLUDES:

• Abdominal Pain: A child with abdominal pain that continues for more than two hours, or intermittent pain associated with fever or other symptoms.
• Diarrhea: A child has two loose bowel movements, even if there are no other signs of illness. The child should have no loose stools for 24 hours prior to returning to school. Exception: A healthcare provider has determined it is not infectious. Diarrhea may occasionally be caused by antibiotics, new foods a child has eaten, or teething. Call the parent to find out if there is a non-medical reason for the loose bowel movements.
• Fever: A child who is feverish (chills, sweating) or has a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The child should not return until 24 hours of no fever without the use of fever reducing medications. A child with strep throat/scarlet fever should be treated with antibiotics for 12 hours (at least 2 doses) before returning to school.
• Ill appearance: This could include a child that is not himself or herself, lethargic, persistently crying, has difficulty breathing or has a rapidly spreading rash.
• Injury: Whenever an injury is serious enough to need a health care provider’s attention, a parent should be contacted to take the child home.
• Rash: A child with a rash AND a fever or a change in behavior. Any rash illness and fever should be checked by a healthcare provider. There are different rules for returning to school depending on the cause of the rash. Note: Rapidly spreading bruising or small blood spots under the skin need immediate medical attention.
• Skin Sores: A child with weeping sores on an exposed area that cannot be covered with waterproof dressing.
• Vomiting: A child that has vomited two or more times. The child should have no vomiting for 24 hours prior to returning to school. Exception: A healthcare provider has determined it is not infectious.
• Certain Communicable Diseases: Children and staff diagnosed with certain communicable diseases, including COVID-19, may have to be excluded for a certain period.

While not an emergency, children with the following diseases should remain at home until successfully treated: impetigo, lice, ringworm, and scabies. Michigan Head Lice Manual

Specific forms are used district wide and must be properly filled out and returned before any medication can be dispersed to your child during the school day.

The forms can be accessed by using the button below or picked up in the main office at Cheyenne. Please turn in completed forms to the main office at Cheyenne.

Other medical forms such as asthma, concussion, diabetes, Epi-pen, food allergy, seizure, and general health can be accessed by clicking the button below. Please turn in completed forms to the main office at Cheyenne.

The State of Michigan requires students to be age-appropriately vaccinated to enroll in school programs, unless a valid exemption applies. Parents must provide the school with the below vaccinations and/or a valid exemption.

The following vaccinations are required for students entering KD or a young five program.

• 5 doses DTap
• 4 doses Polio
• 3 doses Hepatitis B, or laboratory evidence of immunity
• 2 doses MMR, or laboratory evidence of immunity
• 2 doses Varicella, laboratory evidence of immunity, or disease history from a parent/ physician.

In addition to the above vaccinations, 7th graders are required to have the following vaccinations:

• 1 dose ACWY Meningococcal Conjugate at the age of 11 years old or older
• 1 dose of Tdap at the age of 11 years old or older

Please see the documents below for more detailed information.

Your child’s birthday is important, and it deserves to be celebrated at school. On your child’s birthday, each child will receive a birthday card and birthday bag from the main office and will have their name read on the morning announcements. Some families like to celebrate their child’s birthday by sending a treat to school. All birthday treats should be non-edible. Food items will not be distributed to students and classrooms. If you choose to send in a treat for your child’s class, we ask that the treat be non-edible. Please see letter below for more details.

The School Age Child Care Program strives to provide a safe environment where staff strive to meet the emotional, social, and physical needs of the children. A nurturing environment for all children, with respect for self and others. We are pleased to be part of your family’s childcare experience and look forward to a wonderful school year.

Parents, please note that Chippewa Valley Schools has been experiencing staff shortages in many of our programs. SACC registration is on a first come, first served basis and we enroll students based on our ability to maintain adequate staffing. As staffing levels increase, so will our ability to enroll more students. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Due to limited staff and capacity limits, some registrations may not be approved until adequate staff are available.

Existing families should use current username and password. Please do not create a new account.

Once your registration application is submitted through Eleyo, you must receive the registration approval email before your child may attend.

Registrations will remain pending in the system to be approved as openings become available.

The Cheyenne SACC program uses the large playground daily from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. To keep our students safe, we ask that only the SACC program use this playground between 4:00pm - 6:00pm during the week.

Those families and students that would still like to use a playground are welcome to use the small playground located near Heydenreich.

We appreciate your understanding and help in creating a safe environment for our kids.

Chippewa Valley Schools, in partnership with the community, will provide a safe, inviting and supportive environment that engages students and prepares them to be successful and to contribute in an ever-changing world.

We recognize that we have children and families in our school district that are in need of assistance. To help provide our families with available resources we have created the links below. If you are in need of help and don't know where to turn, please contact your school social worker for more information.

The Student Life Advisor Well-Being Program provides short-term, solution focused counseling for Mental Health, Family/Relationships, and/or Substance Abuse and is available for students at mutually convenient times and locations. Parents/Guardians can contact the program to discuss concerns and issues related to their child.

Phone: 1-800-448-8326

Services for families in Macomb County with children ages 3 - 18 after the death of a loved one; Interested families can enroll by calling (313) 771 - 7005

The Cougar Closet is a free resource for families. For additional information, please see the poster below.

We are hiring at Cheyenne! To learn more about open positions at Cheyenne, please click on the postings below. For a complete list of job postings, please visit Chippewa Valley School's employment site.

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.chippewavalleyschools.org
Location: 47600 Heydenreich Road, Macomb, MI 48044, USA
Phone: 586-723-5000