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Cherokee Street Elementary School

Academic Excellence, Creativity, Mutual Respect And Self-Reliance

Back to School 2026 Information

Back to School 2026 Information

Dear Cherokee Street Families,

Welcome back to the new school year! I hope you had a wonderful, healthy summer vacation with your family. We are excited to see you soon and thrilled to meet our incoming kindergarteners and new students. Cherokee is a special, caring place where all children can learn and succeed. Cherokee is a family and a community that is inviting and warm. We value your child’s uniqueness and look forward to providing them with the opportunity to explore and progress in a positive, yet challenging environment. As we return to school this September our main focus is your child’s safety and social emotional well-being. We believe “You Matter...Every Child…Every Day.”

We look forward to the first day of school, which is Thursday, September 3, 2026. The day begins at 8:25 a.m. (when the school doors open & buses unload). For those that are taking the bus, which is what I encourage for all students, you should be out at your designated bus stop approximately 15 minutes prior to your scheduled pick-up time. This is a practice that you should continue for the first week of school until the bus drivers get into their routine. Dismissal is at 2:55 p.m. (time that the buses leave the school). Parent Pick-Up (walker) students are dismissed at 2:40 p.m. and will be picked up at the exit doors by the gym/cafeteria. Parent/Designee will not need to get out of the car.

Please see the Parent Pick-Up Procedure (Blue Sheet). Please read thoroughly as our drop-off procedures have changed. Parents will enter through the Cherokee Street entrance, park in a marked parking spot and walk your child to the Main Entrance. You must accompany and wait with your child until the front doors open at 8:25am. Doors close at approximately 8:34am. If you arrive after this time, you must enter the buildling to sign your child in late. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 

  • The time of early dismissal for Cherokee is at 11:25 a.m. on the following dates:

    December 4th, February 5th, March 19th, June 11th, June 23th, June 24th, June 25th

  • All transportation information will be posted to the parent portal.  If you have any concerns on how to use the parent portal, please refer to the “eSchool button” on the District website for further information.  In order to ease the transition and as a safeguard for our kindergarten parents, a printed bus pass with transportation information may be enclosed. Any Kindergartener, who did not receive bus information in this packet, will receive it shortly. 

  • Kindergarten supply drop off will take place on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. It will be located in the Atrium with the PTA sponsored play date immediately following. Please try to have 1 adult accompany your child and no siblings allowed so that we can provide the safest environment possible.  Please understand that this is not an appointment for individual student needs. If there is a need to discuss your child in particular, feel free to email or send a note in to the classroom teacher. 

  • We recognize that the anticipated start of school can sometimes be overwhelming for students.  With that said, we will open up the school to new students on Friday, August 28, 2026 from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. for those who wish to walk through and help their child get acclimated with their new surroundings.  Please be mindful of the time provided so that the building staff can complete the “odds and ends” that are needed prior to school opening up. *Please note this is not a supply drop-off.

  • Will take place on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 for all grades. More information to follow.

  • Coming to school on time on a regular basis is very important. If your child is absent, please call the school’s main office (631) 467-6027 in the morning to report their absence. (Please leave a message with your child’s name, date, teacher & reason for absence). An excuse note must be given to your child’s teacher upon his/her return to school.  When a child arrives late for school, they must be signed in by a parent in the main vestibule to receive a late pass. 

  • Security is of utmost importance.  Everyone that enters the school must show proper photo ID in the main vestibule.

    If you or if you designate a person to pick up your child prior to dismissal, you must send a note to the Main Office at the beginning of the day stating so, and you/they must come into the main vestibule and sign them out before 2:00 p.m.  Only persons listed on the GREEN emergency card will be allowed to pick up students and they must have picture identification.

  • We are an allergy sensitive school. Only pre-packaged individual snacks (preferably healthy) are permitted.  Staff must be able to read the ingredient list.  Parents please inform your child’s classroom teacher in advance if planning to send food into the school.  

  • PTA offers parents a chance to get involved in your child’s education.  Cherokee’s PTA is very active in providing cultural arts programs that support student learning, social events that bring the school community together, as well as organize school fundraisers. Please join the PTA!

    *Important information, calendars, current events and updates can be found on the Connetquot School District Website under the Cherokee Street School page.  Photos can be seen on Cherokee Street Principal’s Page on Facebook.