The CPES BobChat
September 27, 2020
How Can We Administer "CPR" During Such a Crazy Time?
"Perceived control creates calm. Lack of control gives birth to fear. Anxiety increases as perceived control diminishes." Max Lucado
I have thought so much about this over the past few weeks. This fall is not like last spring nor is it like last year. We just finished our eighth day of school for face to face students. Virtual students are still getting the hang of things. We struggle with remembering to be at the right place at the right time. (I laughed when one dad came through the car pickup line this week and realized his kids were not in school that day.) What is due when? Where do we find it? Rhythm and pace may be foreign words to us right now. Things are spinning around us and we can easily wonder, "Is this what it's like to have a heart attack?" (Maybe it is a panic attack instead.) My friend, Dr. Kevin Wickes, says there is a solution called "CPR: Consistency, Predictability, Reliability." You can add Dependability as well. Little people (and big people) thrive on structure and routine. During this time of stressful change, taking the next step of consistency and predictability can make all the difference. Here are some suggestions. 1. Keep the routine the same every day. Bedtimes should stay the same throughout the week. Morning schedules should be consistent. Children should be learning in the morning (at home or at school.) Is there a dependable space for them to use when they need to complete homework or schoolwork? Do you have regular times for work, for rest and for play? Is there a schedule and is it working for you (and not against you)? 2. Telegraph any changes. We know it is hard to keep everything the same every day. When there are changes that you know are coming, do you prepare for them? It might mean doing a little more work this afternoon if there is less time on tomorrow. It may mean saying "no" to opportunities today so you can say "yes" to new activities on tomorrow. Communicate with your child (and others) if you know that any big or small changes are coming. If there are unplanned surprises, process afterwards how you managed them. 3. Leave some margin. Often, we feel the need to fill in every empty block of time. That can lead to an exhausted, cranky, upset, frustrated child (or adult.) All of us need down time to rest and relax and renew. This time is just as important to schedule as work time. If you're "meeting yourself coming and going," you know it is too much. We always need to HALT when we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. Check your pulse or your blood pressure or your breathing. It may be time for some family CPR of Consistency, Reliability and Predictability that could save the day (and truly save the lives of you and your children.) This is not a sprint. It is a marathon. What is your next best step of doing some serious CPR?
Strength and Blessings to You
Mr. Maness, Principal
Rock Hill High ROTC
New Uses for Old Spaces
See You at the Pole
School News
Monday Is an A Day--Monday is our next C Day and it will be a A Day. Monday, October 5 will be a B Day. Important Note: See below for an updated District calendar with C days scheduled.
Cub Scouts--Cub Scouts enjoy great adventures and fun activities with kids their own age in a family-friendly environment. Scouting leads to new friends, strong values, and increased self-esteem. Maximize your child’s ability to succeed in life. All kindergarten through fifth grade boys and girls are invited to sign-up starting on September 20, 2020 via Zoom. Let Cub Scouting be your foundation for success! Visit www.adventurestartshere.org to register for our upcoming Zoom recruitments!
Parent Help for SeeSaw (K-2nd) and Canvas (3rd-5th)--Our teachers are using these two learning management systems with students to help them access the curriculum both in face to face and virtual settings. Please click on the following link (or the button below) if you need help in assisting your child with these programs: https://sites.google.com/rhschools.org/rhsprofessionallearning/instructional-technology-support/learning-management-systems
Monday, October 12 and Monday, October 19--October 12 will be an Early Dismissal Day. Students will be dismissed at 11:00 for Staff Development for teachers. On October 12, no students will attend and this is an assigned Professional Development day as well.
Informing the School on Medical Issues--When your child has a medical issue, please be sure to include Nurse Love when you inform your child's teacher if your child will be out due to illness. She will be our lead person for helping with any illness for our school family. You can always reach her at jlove@rhmail.org. Thanks so much for your help with this.
District COVID-19 Dashboard--District, level and school data can be viewed at this link to see what case counts are for our schools: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/covid19 Please remember the following definitions as you review this information.
"Quarantine" includes individuals who might have been exposed to COVID-19 or who've recently had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
"Close Contact" includes individuals who were within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset.
"Isolation" includes individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 and individuals who are asymptomatic but have tested positive for infection with SARS-CoV-2.
"Positive" only includes individuals with a lab-confirmed positive test.
Individuals who were in proximity to a positive case are notified and will be monitored for symptoms for 14 days.
Sources: S.C. Department of Health & Control, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. School data includes cases known by school and district nursing staff.
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PTO and SIC Information
Parent Teacher Organization and School Improvement Council Update
The PTO serves to raise funds, coordinate volunteers and encourage teachers through appreciation activities. Click on the PTO Newsletter button below if you wish to receive the PTO Newsletter: PTO and SIC are tentatively planning to meet on the second Monday of each month next year. School Improvement Council meets at 5:30 (in the Fish Bowl) and our Parent Teacher Organization meets at 6:30 (in the Media Center.) Elections were held in the spring for these organizations but all parents are welcome to attend to help provide input and volunteer.
School Calendar
September 28--A Day Students Come
October 5-B Day Students Come
October 12--A Day Students Come and Early Release Staff Development Day (Students will be released at 11:00)
October 19--Teacher Work Day