Parents, Students, Faculty and Staff:
Welcome back to the 2014-2015 school year. The air is filled with excitement as the start of school draws near. The Cherokee Central Schools Staff has had a very busy summer preparing the schools for your arrival. Many long hours have gone into making sure your schools are bright, shining and ready for another great school year. I have completed my first year at Cherokee, and I am delighted to say that I have been very impressed with the schools. We have some of the finest facilities and programs in the State of North Carolina. The faculty, staff, parents and students that I have met have been wonderful. Cherokee Elementary School met AYP and everyone is excited about that. A big “shout-out” to the faculty, staff and administration at Cherokee Elementary for a “job well done!”Cherokee Middle School had excellent EOG math scores. Reading scores improved in every grade! With the addition of a new math coach in the middle/high school and reading coach in elementary, we expect the scores to continue to soar!Cherokee High School has a new principal, Ms. Debora Foerst. Ms. Foerst graduated from Cherokee High School and has deep roots in this community. We are all very excited about the enthusiasm Ms. Foerst will bring to the high school.
With the hard work and dedication of the students, parents, faculty, and staff, we have an opportunity to have “World Class Schools.” In fact, we do not have a choice. In today’s world, we must have “World Class Schools!” It is absolutely essential for students to leave high school adequately prepared to enter their next phase of life, whether that be the world of work, military service, community college or university. A quality education is no longer something nice to have. It is an absolute essential!
The start of a new school year gives all students a chance to build on their previous successes and begin building a great future. I ask that everyone rally behind the Cherokee Braves as the new school year begins. We have a new football coach and are already seeing a “renewed” enthusiasm at the practices.There are high expectations for all students. Why? Because we know students will rise to meet our expectations! Students, I encourage you to do your very best at whatever you’re doing, whether it be on the athletic field, math class, art/music class, drama class, or just hanging out with your friends. Always strive to be the best person you can be!
This community has a lot to be proud of and the Cherokee Central School System is certainly one of them.
The Cherokee Central School System is a place where our students are safe, respected, encouraged, motivated, and loved! I ask that everyone support our students, teachers and staff as we “soar to new heights”!
We are all on the Sacred Path. It is not something we have to earn; it is a choice we make. Together we can stay on the path. The choice is yours!
D. Scott Penland
Superintendent