Cherokee Elementary School Projects & Clubs
Cherokee Elementary School has a large variety of clubs and projects going on throughout the year. Here you see a picture of a stick ball game being played at a Cherokee Indian Fair during the early 50's. Cherokee Elementary students still play stick ball. During Cultural Heritage week this game is played.
Sacred Path
The Sacred Path program is a character education program developed to promote caring, responsibility, and respect for self and others while following traditional tribal beliefs. Each grade level meets to discuss issues that need to be addressed within the grade block and the school. Together they determine solutions to any problems that are addressed and work together to solve those problems. Students and teachers work together on the Sacred Path to make the school a safe place to learn. Within the Sacred Path the grade blocks have named groups. The groups are listed below.
Kindergarten: |
The Rhythm Makers |
First Grade: |
Keepers of the Little People |
Second Grade: |
Cherokee Power |
Third Grade: |
Peacekeepers |
Fourth Grade: |
Keepers of the Sacred Belt |
Fifth Grade: |
Spirit of the Turtle |
Sixth Grade: |
Wisdom Walkers |
Click here to visit the Sacred Path web site.
Cherokee Choices
This is a tribal program that addresses issues relating to health and wellness on the Cherokee Boundary. Cherokee Choices staff members visit the school once each week and work within the classroom setting to develop and strengthen self-awareness, self-confidence, and motivation. They work to build mentoring relationships with the students.
Cherokee Elementary School Chorus and Bucket Band
The Cherokee Elementary School chorus is a musical program for students in grades three, four, five, and six. Students work to develop singing talent and learn to work together to create musical programs for the community. Students meet for practice Mondays and Thursdays from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The Cherokee Chorus has performed at many local and national events.
Cherokee Elementary Traditional Dancers
This program is open to all grades within the Elementary School. Students practice after school every other Monday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. They learn to perform traditional Cherokee dances. They learn the meanings and stories behind the dances as well. Self-confidence and awareness of culture are some of the benefits of belonging to the dance team. Glorietta Mills, who was a former Cherokee Language teacher at Cherokee Elementary School, was instrumental in starting the program. The Cherokee Elementary School Traditional Dancers are very much in demand locally and regionally.
Cherokee Language Emersion
The Cherokee Language Emersion Class currently serves students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. Fourth through sixth grade will be added in the coming school year. Students are placed in a classroom where only Cherokee language is spoken. This is part of the school's effort to teach and to sustain the Cherokee language.
Cherokee Elementary School Student Council
The student council is open to students in grades three through six. Members of the student council are involved in many facets of the school agenda. They help with decision making for extra curricula activities and develop ideas to involve other students in the decision making process.
Walk and Talk Club
This club is for students currently in the fourth through sixth grades. Teachers and the upper elementary guidance counselor walk with students on the school's walking path. They talk with the students as they walk. The club was developed to improve certain health and wellness issues faced in the community. Students are encouraged not only to discuss problems they may be facing, but to combat such health problems as obesity and diabetes.
Cherokee Elementary School Yearbook Staff
Students in grades four through six are involved in the publishing of the yearbook for the school. They work with layout, take pictures, and oversee the schedule for group and class pictures. They choose and update the final design layout, and end the job with delivery of the Cherokee Elementary School yearbook, The Little Brave. Julie Wilnoty does a wonderful job working with the students on the yearbook design.
The Cherokee Elementary School Jump Rope Teams
The Jumping Braves is the name of the Kindergarten through third grade student jump rope team. This team practices after school on Mondays. The Bouncing Braves jump rope team is made up of fourth grade through sixth grade students. This team practices after school on Thursdays. Both teams perform at many local activities and at sites such as Tsali Care and Tsali Manor. At the Cherokee Central School and Western Carolina University home basket ball games they perform for the halftime show. The teams have been invited to perform at a variety of other regional events as well.
Qualla Financial Freedom Program
This program jointly funded by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Western Carolina University. It is a community based program that works to develop understanding of monies and finances of individuals and of communities., The staff works with fourth through sixth grade students.
K-2 Chorus
Students from grades K-2 practice and perform for school functions. Many of these students will continue into the 3-6 elemetary chorus.
Art Explosion
A joint effort of our elementary art program and Cherokee Choices to showcase our wonderful artist in grades K-6.
Jumping Against Diabetes
K-6 students jump rope to raise money to combat diabetes through the Cherokee Tribe and surrounding communities.
Science Fair
K-6 classes and individuals showcase science and science exploartion in this yearly local competetion. Winners advance to the regional competition at Western Carolina University.
Drama Club
Students in grades first through sixth use their dramatic flair to express themselves. The club performs at school functions.
Schoolwide Enrichment Fridays
A day provided by the gifted and talented program to allow all students to experience creativity, academic challenges in science, reading, higher order thinking skills as well rewarding students for hard work through out the week. Students are selected by their homeroom teachers. This is open to all students in first through sixth grades.