The CPES BobChat
October 4, 2020
How Are We Responding to COVID-19?
We have had such a good start to the school year and that is due to the collective effort of our Cherry Park school family. One reality for all schools is that we will have cases of COVID-19 affect us. We anticipated that before we started the year and made plans for what to do when that happens. Here are some reminders of what we do. 1. We will keep everyone informed. If a child is identified as a close contact (meaning he/she has been within six feet of someone with COVID for 15 minutes or more), Nurse Love or I will follow up with the family. In addition, we notify classes when someone has tested positive but the children were not close contacts. As a district, we have a dashboard of cases at each school that will be updated daily. We know that clear information reduces anxiety and we want our families and staff members to know what is happening. 2. We will respect confidentiality. When we inform everyone, those messages reflect what and how much we can say. We must follow HIPPAA laws which protect the health information of individuals. In a culture that easily plays the "blame game," we want to assume best for anyone and everyone. During this pandemic, we want to offer our support rather than our criticism. That's why confidentiality is so important. My experience tells me that people feel guilty enough and they do not need added disapproval to weigh them down. 3. We will remember the facts of the different health situations. "Isolation" includes individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 and individuals who are asymptomatic but have tested positive for infection with SARS-CoV-2. "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. "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.) 4. We follow the recommendations of DHEC and the CDC. Our district policies for notification and exclusion come from state and national authorities. We follow their advice and make adjustments as they recommend. We know that this can be a scary time but we also know that clear and consistent information help us to stay grounded and respond appropriately. These difficult situations are greatly reduced when we follow the advice for wearing masks and socially distancing throughout our community. The more we work to keep ourselves safe, the more we are able to keep each other safe. It depends on #One Team One Mission One Rock Hill to continue reducing our numbers.
Strength and Blessings to You
Mr. Maness, Principal
School News
Scholastic Book Fair Will be Online October 12-25--Yes, we will have a Book Fair this fall and yes, it will all be online. Over 6,000 items available and all purchases will be mailed to your home. Please click on the following link for more information: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/cherryparkelementary1
Picture Days--Fall Pictures are Tuesday, October 13th for A Day Students and Wednesday, October 14th for B Day students. ALL students (and staff) will be photographed for the yearbook . Order forms have been sent home in your box and a collection envelope. Virtual students will have their pictures made on the same days from 12:00-2:00. Pictures can be ordered online: http://mylifetouch.com. Please use our school code: EVTMBXB3P (Virtual Families, please note change in dates from what was emailed to you. October 13 and 14 are correct dates.)
Monday Is a B Day--Monday is our next C Day and it will be a B Day. Monday, October12 will be a B Day. Important Note: See below for an updated District calendar with C days scheduled.
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.
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
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.
EVTMBXB3P
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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
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 12-25--Scholastic Book Fair (Online--See button above for more info.)
October 13--Pictures for A Day Students; 12:00-2:00 Pictures for Virtual Students
October 14--Pictures for B Day Students; 12:00-2:00 Pictures for Virtual Students
October 19--Teacher Work Day