Cherokee Boys Club Report – week of Feb. 21

by Feb 15, 2013NEWS ka-no-he-da0 comments

CLUB SCHEDULE

Monday, Feb. 18 – Presidents’ Day – Club, School and Tribal Holiday

Tuesday, Feb. 19 – Health Screen – 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. – Club Lobby

Wednesday, Feb. 20 – Board of Directors Meeting – 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, Feb. 21 – Safety Committee Meeting – 11:30 a.m.

Monday, Feb. 25 – School Make-up Day

 

PARTNERS IN EDUCATION

Cherokee Central Schools and Cherokee Boys Club

The partnership between Cherokee Central Schools (CCS) and Cherokee Boys Club (CBC) actually began in 1932 when the Cherokee Boys Farm Club was established as the Cherokee Indian Boarding School.  The Boarding School closed in 1954 and continued as a day school.  In 1964 the Tribe incorporated The Cherokee Boys Club as a non-profit tribal entity.  For over 50 years, the partnership has remained true to course due to the Boys Club and Cherokee Central Schools’ commitment to providing quality education to Cherokee youth.

In 1990, CCS became a tribally operated school system authorized by Public Law 100-297 and receives funding from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) through a grant process.  The Cherokee Central School Board is composed of elected representatives from six communities including Big Cove, Big Y, Birdtown, Painttown, Wolfetown, and Yellow Hill. The School Board is responsible for establishing system policies and for approving procedures for implementation of those policies.  The School Board approves the system budget and assures that all federal, state and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ (SACS) accreditation standards are met.  A Tribal Council member serves on the CCS Board as liaison between Tribal Council and the School Board.

The Cherokee Boys Club is the fiscal agent for the Cherokee Central Schools.  Since August 1, 1990, the CBC has provided financial administration for the school system.  Included in the funds that are financially administered by the Cherokee Boys Club are Title I, Special Education (including pre-school, handicapped, and talented and gifted students), Title V, Custodial Services, Transportation, and USDA funds.  The BIE grant includes funding for operations and maintenance of education buildings and grounds.  Student transportation is also provided by the CBC under an agreement with the School Board.  Services provided are at cost, and some services are donated at no cost to the School.

The Cherokee Boys Club’s status as a non-profit entity allows the school system to receive funding for special startup programs.  Grants from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, NC Arts Council, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Harrah’s Casino and Hotel Fund, and NASA, to name a few, are administered by CBC.  These grants provide funding to the school system for implementation of new programs or for the purchase of new equipment.  These programs focus on preparing students for the 21st century workforce.

The largest project that CBC has administered for the School Board is the construction of the three new schools on the Ravensford Campus.  Without tribal leadership and the generous financial support of Tribal Council, the schools would not have become a reality.

Both CCS and CBC are focused on and committed to quality education for Cherokee youth.  With the Cherokee Boys Club focusing on operations, maintenance and fiscal management for the School, the CCS School Board and its staff have been able to focus on recruiting quality teachers and developing stronger academic and athletic programs for Cherokee students.