The CPES BobChat
August 23, 2020
What Will Be New (and Different) This Year?
From reading our District "Return to School Plan," you know that life will be different at Cherry Park. I want to highlight some of those areas so that you can help your child prepare for some of the differences. Please know that this is how we plan to start the year and we will monitor and adjust as needed and as possible. 1. We Will Stay in the Same Class Each Day--Usually, our students change classes at the mid-point of the day so they can spend an equal amount of time with their English teacher and their Spanish or French teacher. This year, our students will stay in the same class and the teachers (and assistants in kindergarten) will move between the two classes. We want to keep cohorts together which will reduce their exposure to other students. In addition, our English as a Second Language, Resource, Speech and Gifted and Talented teachers will provide much of their instruction virtually to students on their "at home" days. They may have a face to face group periodically and they will certainly touch base with students in person if needed. Again, we want our students and staff to reduce exposure as much as possible. 2. We Will Have Recess...Only with Our Class--We will have designated outside areas around the school for each class to play. We will rotate those areas so children can have the opportunity to play on different equipment and in different areas. When students play on any of our normal play structures, those pieces will be sanitized between each class. We will use our outside areas in new and different ways this year to help us stay safe and healthy. 3. We Will Eat Lunch in Our Classes--We will have a process in place for students who buy their lunch to get that and return to their class. It would be very difficult for us to socially distance students in the cafeteria and to finish in a timely manner. Again, we want to begin the year keeping the class together as much as possible. 4. We Will Wear Masks--I know you know this. We will have students wearing masks during transition times and when we can't socially distance. There will be times when we are apart enough and can take "mask breaks." For so many of us, this has become such a habit. All medical research points to this being a very important strategy for reducing case numbers. If you haven't begun practicing this with your child, please do so. Also, it will be very helpful for them to know how to keep up with their mask. We will have extras when needed. 5. We Will Limit Visitors Coming to School--While we love having parents and volunteers come, we will limit visitors this year. Once we start school, our meetings with parents and teachers will be virtual and online or by phone. Unless your child needs something related to their health, we ask that you not drop off any items for delivery. I promise we have paper, unused pencils, and spare laptops that your child can use if they forgot theirs. If he forgot lunch, know that we will make sure he eats lunch. (No one goes hungry at Cherry Park.) It is best to do a double check of your child's backpack the night before to make sure she has everything she needs the next day. Along these lines, please be sure your child is here by 7:40 AM since our teaching time is precious and so you don't have to come into the office to sign him in for tardiness. Know that we love seeing you but for now, we want to love you from a distance for the sake of health and safety. 6. We Will Change the Plan as Necessary--We know everything won't work right the first day. We may have to change schedules or shift students or alter procedures in order to have a better learning environment. We will not be capricious in making adjustments but we know that may need to be done for the greater good. Please continue to read and stay up to date with the information we send and the information from the District. Our Return to School Plan (see below) is regularly updated and has answers to many, many questions and you will receive lots of information from your child's teacher (virtual or brick and mortar) in the days ahead. Thanks so much for all you are doing to prepare your child for the year ahead.
Strength and Blessings to You,
Mr. Maness, Principal
School News
New Class--We are excited to announce that we will have a Unique Pathway 3 class for our school. Dr. April McConneaughey will be the teacher and will have two assistants joining her as well. We look forward to these students and parents joining our Cherry Park family.
Immunizations--Parents, please do not forget that Nurse Love needs your child's immunization record (especially in kindergarten) at the beginning of school. You can bring this when you come for your child's parent conference on our LEAP days.
Devices for Students--All Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade students will receive a personal device this year. As we start the year, our highest priority will be getting our Virtual Students in Kindergarten through Third Grade their device and then we will distribute devices for Third, Second, First and Kindergarten students attending Cherry Park. (Our Fourth and Fifth Graders should already have their devices.) Parents need to read the 20-21 Mobile Computing Guide and review that with your child(ren). The last two pages of the Guide should be printed and signed by the parent and child. There is a $35 Technology Protection Plan fee (and you can pay that when you come for your parent conference on LEAP days as well.) Please be sure to view the Mobile Computing Guide Parent Orientation at the link below. This orientation and the guide is in English and Spanish for our parents.
Class Assignments and A/B Designations--You should have received yours in the mail last week. Please know that it will be difficult to make changes after those go out. Please also know that we may have staffing adjustments which may mean a change of teacher assignment even after those go out.
LEAP Days August 31-September 4--The South Carolina Department of Education has designated five additional days for 4K-8th grade students as Learn, Evaluate, Analyze, and Prepare (LEAP) instructional days. These days are required in response to the COVID-19 school closures. Rock Hill Schools has set aside the week of August 31st - September 4th as LEAP days on the district calendar. All families will participate in a scheduled one-on-one parent/student orientation during the days of August 31st - September 2nd. Each family will only attend one 30-minute session during these dates. Parents and students will have the opportunity to meet the teacher, see the classroom, and review the instructional and safety procedures for the year. Your child’s teacher will be contacting you to schedule your orientation beginning the week of Monday, August 24th. In addition, on Thursday, September 3rd, “A” Day students will attend school, and on Friday, September 4th, “B” Day students will attend. These dates will be full instructional days for students based on their assigned grouping. Transportation, breakfast and lunch will be available on these dates as well. Details regarding assigned groupings will be forthcoming.
Request for Bus Transportation--If your child will be riding the bus this year, we need you to complete the Request for Bus Transportation below. Even if your child rode the bus last year, you will need to complete this form.
School Supplies--The Cherry Park School Supply List for each grade level is below. This was also emailed out to families. Each school (and grade level) will have it's own supply list instead of a district wide list as in years past.
Repairing Computers Before School--As we prepare for an amazing school year, we ask that if your child has a district issued device that is damaged or lost, please fill out the form https://bit.ly/2X1G7hp ASAP so that we can service the device prior to the start of school. Upon completion of the form, one of our technicians will be in contact with you and help you over the phone or make arrangements to swap out your device. Back to school is a busy time and we want to ensure that we are prepared for a great year.
District Calendars--The links for the 20-21 District Calendars in English and Spanish are below.
Returning Student Registration--Please click on the link below to update your child's information for this fall. Please, please, please be sure to do this because all of our data management and communication programs pull from the information you update. Remember that all families must provide an updated proof of residence.
New Kindergarten Student Registration--Is a different link located below. This is for rising kindergarten students who have not been in Rock Hill Schools. (If your child attended K4 at a Rock Hill school, please use the Returning Student Registration link.)
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
August 31-September 2--Parent Conference and Orientation Days with Teachers (LEAP Days)
September 3--First A Day for Students
September 4--First B Day for Students
September 7--Labor Day Holiday
September 8--A Day Students Return