Leopard Tales
May 2020
Message from Mrs. Agee
CFK Families,
If you would have told me in August that this is how we would be ending our year, I would have replied, “Never in a million years!” Who could have ever imagined that we would be living in this current situation? I’ve told several of you this, but had I realized that Thursday, March 12 was our last day together, we would have done things so differently. I certainly would have given more hugs! It is heartbreaking for our entire staff to be away from the students we love.
While I mentally tried to prepare myself for the news that schools may remain closed through the end of the school year, I don’t think my heart was prepared for the official Order from the Governor. It has been quite an emotional rollercoaster for our family, as I’m sure it has for many of you. The most important thing you can do is to meet your child’s emotional needs. Take time to comfort them and reassure them that whatever they are feeling is ok. I promise that we can help catch your student up with the academic content - but right now they need to know that they are safe and that they are loved.
Overnight, schools changed radically. I want to commend our Lead Teachers and teachers for their incredible work transitioning to Distance Learning with very little preparation time - and they have made it look so easy! I also want to thank our Support Staff who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that packets are copied and Chromebooks are distributed - among many other tasks. And most importantly I want to thank each of you! As parents, you are all juggling so much right now. Some of you are still going to work and trying to get schoolwork done with your child when you come home. Some of you are trying to figure out how to work from home and support your children. Regardless of your situation, all of us are facing challenges together and some days are really hard. Hang in there and keep your head up - because you’re doing a great job! In this most unusual time, it is my hope that you are finding time to make memories with your family. I hope that you are spending a little extra time together playing outside or taking walks. 20 years from now your child will be talking about this time period and all of the things that were different - my hope is that they have lots of great stories to tell about the extra time we all got to spend together.
Please continue to do the best you can with school work and give yourself plenty of grace. We are here to support you and do not expect you to have all of the answers. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need additional support!
Over the next few weeks we will continue working with the District to make decisions about how to close out the year without compromising the health and safety of our families or employees. As we continue to make decisions we will communicate them with you. As always, we wish you the best and send you lots of love! We look forward to the day we can all be together again!
Lastly, please click below to view the newsletter from our Related Arts teachers!
Annual Registration with Richland Two has now begun!
This process includes providing annual proof of residence, verifying student information, and reviewing and completing parent/guardian. To prevent delays in scheduling your child’s classes for the 2020–2021 school year, please complete this process as soon as Annual Registration opens.
To get started updating your student information and providing proof of residence for the 2020–2021 school year, please click here to log into Parent Portal. If you do not have a Parent Portal account, you will need to create one. Please visit this link on where to access the Annual Registration in Parent Portal.
Each family who completes the Annual Registration will be entered in a drawing for free CFK swag!
Guidance Corner
TIPS FOR LEARNING AT HOME
START WITH FUN
Try to have some fun before you get started. Run around the house or do some yoga.
BUILD A ROUTINE
Kids do best when the world is predictable. Start with “aspirational” practices—everyone up by 7:00 a.m., class starts at 8:00 a.m.—and refine them as needed.
MAKE SPACE FOR LEARNING
Many adults have a specific area of the home in which they do work, and it’s important that you create a similar space for your child. Your children will achieve their best work in a quiet, comfortable, and dedicated space that is strictly devoted to learning.
REMEMBER TO WAIT
Children take more time to process questions than adults might realize, especially if the question isn’t in writing. Being patient with a child’s answer encourages thinking and builds confidence.
MAINTAIN BREAKS, SUCH AS SNACKS AND RECESS
Encourage them to get up, get some fresh air, go for a walk or bike ride, or have a snack so that they are not sedentary for the entire day.
REMEMBER THAT THEIR WORK WON'T LOOK PERFECT
They are kids and are learning. They need to learn to find their own mistakes.
REINFORCE POSITIVELY
It’s the best way to motivate and teach. Being upbeat during a global crisis might be unnatural, especially when parents themselves feel like freaking out, but highlighting what’s right works for kids.
ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO PUT WHAT HE IS LEARNING INTO ACTION
We all know that if you truly want to learn the most from a subject, you should try to use it in everyday life. For example: If your child is learning about plants or insects, go on a nature walk and see what you find!
TAKE A WALK
Managing kids and their schoolwork at home, sometimes while juggling a job, can be frustrating. If possible, retreat to the outdoors and walk, give yourself a break.
WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Remember that you’re not alone in this journey. Check in with other parents to see what they’ve found effective or to ask if they need help. Share your concerns and useful hints.
2020-2021 Aftercare Applications
Parents:
The Center for Knowledge is excited to offer another year of our after-school program next year. As we continue to practice social distancing for the safety of all, our application process will move to an online format. The 2020-2021 application will be posted on our school website (www.richland2.org/cfk) on May 12, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. You will be able to complete the application online through Google Forms. Enrollment will be on a first-come first-serve basis by grade cluster (K-1, 2-3, 4-5), and the timestamp of your application will be used to begin enrollment. Online application completion and/or previous year enrollment does not guarantee anyone a slot.
In addition to application completion, if offered an after-care slot, we will require a non-refundable $25.00 deposit to confirm your enrollment.
Once we have received maximum enrollment, any additional applications will be placed on a waiting list in order by date and time submitted.
Weekly fees are as follows:
One Child - $60.00
Two Children - $47.50 (per child)
Three Children - $40.00 (per child)