Last Tuesday the community came out to show their support to the Wildcats at their annual Wildcat Welcome sponsored by the OK21CCLC and OKAware. Businesses and local vendors set up tables with cold water, hotdogs, goodies and more at Ogle Field to welcome back local students and staff. Everyone enjoyed the football teams being introduced and the cheerleaders, band and color guard performing. There was also live music enjoyed by hundreds of students, school staff and parents who came out to kick off another school year.

Checotah Public Schools (CPS) were ready on Thurs- (CPS) were ready on Thursday, August 17, to welcome back Wildcats of all ages to their first day of school.

The traditional Senior Sunrise kicked off at 6:41 a.m. as the sun peaked over the horizon. Checotah seniors, parents and school staff met on Ogle Field to say a prayer for a great senior year for them and their fellow Wildcats. Smiling seniors took pictures of their last first day of high school and then enjoyed some refreshments before starting their classes for the day, while a few parents had to wipe a tear because their children were officially seniors.

Streets around every school building began buzzing shortly after 7:30 a.m. with students being dropped off by parents and buses. Principals, teachers and school staff were all hands on deck as parents and teachers tried to get their children settled in classrooms so they could head out to work themselves.

Marshall Elementary had teachers at every door and in the parking lot of the school helping parents say goodbye and students find their way to their own classroom and the cafeteria to eat some breakfast before their busy first day back.

CPS therapy pups, Lila and Tucker, also welcomed back staff and students and plan to be a part of an outstanding new school year for the Wildcats.