Cheyenne Family Newsletter

The documents below outlines important dates and times for the 2025-2026 school year. Printed copies are available in the main office.

Teacher placements will be available beginning Thursday, August 21 at 4:30pm via the Parent Portal. To access the Parent Portal, please click on the button below. If you need assistance using the Parent Portal, please CLICK HERE

Teacher placements will also be available in Cheyenne's main office during the Sneak Peek event on August 26.

At this time, we are unable to accommodate requests to switch teacher placements. 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.

Join the Cheyenne staff and PTO as we welcome students back to the building for the 2025 - 2026 school year! Students and families are welcome to take a "sneak peek" of the building and meet their teacher. Sneak Peek will be from 5:30pm - 7:00pm on Tuesday, August 26.

Kindergarten students and their families are also welcome to attend our Kindergarten Curriculum Presentation immediately following Sneak Peek from 7:00pm - 7:30pm in the Cafeteria. During this presentation, parents will learn more about building/classroom procedures and curriculum taught within our kindergarten classrooms.

There will also be treats and food trucks on the playground.

Welcome back to school for the 2025 - 2026 school year! The first day of school is a half day of school with dismissal at 11:50am.

Please note that all parents/guardians will need to have a photo I.D. to pick-up their child early from school. Additionally, all volunteers will need to have a photo I.D. and CRC to access the building to volunteer.

Join us on Saturday, September 6 at 9:00am, as we to add items to the playground! We are going to build a Gaga Ball pit, put together soccer nets, and paint 4-square courts.

Coffee, donuts, and pizza will be provided!

Curriculum Night for students in Grades 1 - 5, CLP, and ECSE will be from 5:30pm - 7:30pm on Tuesday, September 9. During Curriculum Night, parents will learn more about building/classroom procedures and curriculum taught within our classrooms.

To accommodate families with multiple children, there will be two sessions. The first session will be from 5:30pm - 6:15pm and the second session will be from 6:30pm - 7:15pm. If possible, we ask that students not attend Curriculum Night.

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

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