Lake Forest School District 67 has announced the appointment of Kelley Belew as a learning behavior specialist at Cherokee Elementary School. Belew joins the school, drawn by Lake Forest’s emphasis on student growth and inclusive practices that align with her educational philosophy. She anticipates using her expertise to support students’ development. Outside of her professional life, Belew enjoys activities such as skydiving and surfing and has a passion for baking, particularly cookies, cheesecakes, and cinnamon rolls.
“Lake Forest’s core values of creating a learning environment that maximizes student growth and supporting the whole child through inclusive practices align with my educational philosophy and practices,” said Belew.
Cherokee Elementary School, established in 1962 and located at 475 E. Cherokee Rd. in Lake Forest, Illinois, serves kindergarten through fourth-grade students with an enrollment of approximately 325 students. The school’s colors are navy blue and gold, and its mascot is “Champ,” the Cheetah. It is part of District 67 and provides various district resources such as curriculum information, health services, transportation details, registration processes, and social-emotional learning (SEL) programs.
According to Lake Forest Schools, Cherokee offers both Mandarin immersion and Spanish language programs within its academic curriculum. School events receive support from the Association of Parents & Teachers (APT) and the Spirit of 67 Foundation, which funds various programs. Principal Cavanaugh emphasizes collaboration among staff, students, and families.
Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 serves around 1,600 students from Pre-K through eighth grade across three elementary schools—Cherokee Elementary (K-4), Everett Elementary (K-4), Sheridan Elementary (Pre-K-4)—and Deer Path Middle School (5-8). Known for its innovative instructional practices, District 67 focuses on inclusive education and personalized learning experiences that foster academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development. The district’s mission is to inspire and empower students to maximize growth while cultivating respect for others in a dynamic and safe learning environment.
