The CPES BobChat
October 9, 2022
What's the Latest on the Bobcat Dash and How Does It Make a Difference?
The Bobcat Dash is our yearly fundraiser sponsored by our Cherry Park Parent Teacher Organization. It will be Friday, October 28. Funds are raised through sponsorships of the race and pledges students secure for each lap they run during a designated time. (All donations are tax deductible since our PTO is a 501c3.) Rather than doing multiple fundraisers over the course of the year (which is exhausting), our PTO has always committed to do one, big money raising event a year. One great effort done well can be much better than many little ones. Last year, funds were used to help install a 150 by 50 foot section of artificial turf on our upper grades' playground so our children can play outside more when the weather is bad and they can play more safely. In addition, PTO funds were used to create a concrete tricycle path on our kindergarten playground. Money spent by PTO for projects benefits all Cherry Park students. Beyond being a fundraiser, how is the Bobcat Dash supportive of children? 1. It culminates our Red Ribbon Week activities. The Bobcat Dash exemplifies what it means to make healthy decisions which is the emphasis that week. We will celebrate being able to walk and run for 20 minutes. All our children will participate and experience the joy of being in a big athletic event. Hopefully, it will point them to other healthy decisions they can make. 2. It is a family event. We look forward to all our families coming and participating together. Whether you choose to cheer from the side or run and walk with your child or watch online, we are excited to unite our families for a common goal. All family members are invited to attend. See time slots below for the scheduled start times that grade levels will run. 3. It helps all children see themselves as athletes. We want all our children to be active and stay active. When you participate in a running event, you become a runner. We hope this opportunity will inspire our children to find an affinity for running and walking that will last a lifetime. We have seen many of our students go to middle and high school and participate in track and cross country. Events like the Bobcat Dash can help prime the pump for running more and more. Over the years, I have realized that there are so many good things that happen because of our Bobcat Dash. Fundraising is the primary goal but it is also such a fun day to come together as a school family. We hope you can come and support your child and our school on October 28.
Running Schedule
8:00 Fifth Grade
8:55 Fourth Grade
9:50 Third Grade
10:45 Second Grade
11:40 Kindergarten
12:35 First Grade
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
P.S. The Bobcat Dash will be held in the front entrance area of the Caswell Car Loop near the main office. We will block off all traffic in this area.
The CPES Parent Teacher Organization will meet at 6:30 PM on Monday, October 10.
Friday, October 14 will be an Early Release Day. Students will be dismissed at 11:00. Monday, October 17 will be a Professional Development Day and a student holiday.
Notes and Reminders
1. School Improvement Council Election for 22-23--Five parents have been nominated for our SIC Election this year. We have four spots open this year. Please vote for four candidates at the following link: https://forms.gle/UYLXAny5z6zEnwiN9 Each family gets one ballot and please vote by the end of the day on Wednesday, October 12.
2. Early Release Day on Friday, October 14--Parents, please be sure you notify your child's teacher how he/she will go home if that is different than normal. (If your child will be a new car rider, tell your child's teacher if he/she needs to be at Cherry Road or Caswell for pickup. Cherry Road is our lower dismissal area and Caswell is our upper dismissal area.) All Challenger parents need to be sure you have your car pickup tag. You can ask for that in the office if needed.
3. Stop Bullying Day on Wednesday, October 12 . Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to wear orange to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying.
4. CPES Boys Running Club for 4th and 5th (Starts this Thursday)--CPES..Boys Running Club...F3all 2022 The CPES after school running program will be for boys in 4th and 5th grade. Goals: Conditioning (being able to endure physical activity for an extended time); Coordination (build strength and agility through exercise); Character (focus on character traits each week) Meeting time/days: Most Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30 - 3:45pm; Location = Cherry Park Fields Oct. 13th - Nov. 17th (please see schedule sent home); End of Season RACE: Northwestern Trojan Turkey Trot 5K= Nov. 19th, 2022. Please register at the link above if you'd like your child to participate.
5. Red Ribbon Week--Is October 24-28 and this is a time where we emphasize with our children how to make great, healthy decisions for themselves and to be drug free. Each day will be a fun "dress up" Spirit Day that matches the theme. Here is the list of those days and the theme for each day.
Red Ribbon Week Spirit Days
10/24 Monday Voting for My Future to Be Drug Free - Wear Red, White, & Blue
10/25 Tuesday Too Bright for Drugs - Wear Neon and Bright Colors and/or Sunglasses
10/26 Wednesday Drug Free from Head to Toe - Wear Crazy Hair and Crazy Socks
10/27 Thursday Team Up Against Drugs - Wear school or sports gear of your favorite team
10/28 Friday Bobcat Dash! Wear Dash T-Shirts (which teachers will give out to students that morning.)
6. Bobcat Dash Pledge Envelopes--These will go home this week with students. See the tab below for further explanations and prizes for students securing the most pledges.
7. Halloween Day on Monday, October 31--We ask that students not wear costumes that day. We will have lots of fun dressing up during Red Ribbon Week and we want costumes saved for activities at home and in the community.
8. Congratulations to Matthew Funchess and Raylan Anderson--These two young men will be recognized at tomorrow night's District School Board Meeting for achieving a maximum score on the SC READY Math Test last spring. We are so proud of them.
9. Ryan Sanderson--From Knowledge Perk came and spent time with us on Wednesday as a part of the RH School District Foundation Educator for a Day. We had fun with Mr. Sanderson and enjoyed his visit. See picture below with me, Mr. Sanderson and Mrs. Finley who helped show the school to him.
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School Calendar
October 10-6:30 PM PTO Meeting in Media Center
October 12--All School Improvement Council Ballots Must be Submitted; Stop Bullying Day (Wear Orange)
October 14--Early Release Day (Students Dismissed at 11:00)
October 17--Professional Development Day (Student Holiday)
October 23-28--Red Ribbon Week
October 28--Bobcat Dash
Previous Newsletters for 22-23 School Year
"What is 'Nattering' and Is It Effective?" October 2, 2022 https://www.smore.com/gmrac
"What Do Parents Need to Know about Student Attendance?" September 25, 2022 https://www.smore.com/7rnbq
"What Do We Control?" September 18, 2022 https://www.smore.com/qv3hb
"What's the Goal for Our Children?" September 11, 2022 https://www.smore.com/q8k0b
"What Do You Do If You Want to Visit for Lunch?" September 4, 2022 https://www.smore.com/2ha8b
"How Was the First Week?" August 21, 2022 https://www.smore.com/t65yv
"What Do We Need to Remember as We Start Back?" August 14, 2022 https://www.smore.com/qjucf
"Open House Reminders" August 11, 2022 https://www.smore.com/35c6a
"Remind Me, Who's New at Cherry Park?" August 7, 2022 https://www.smore.com/b71ef
"Where Are the Pinch Points?" July 31, 2022 https://www.smore.com/csh32
"How Can You Help Us Keep Our Children Safe and Secure?" July 24, 2022 https://www.smore.com/6bweq
"How Can We Get Ready for the Fall?" July 17, 2022 https://www.smore.com/hcp2q"What Do We Need to Know" July 10, 2022 https://www.smore.com/y35p6