The CPES BobChat
September 25, 2022
What Do Parents Need to Know about Student Attendance?
One of the greatest indicators of student achievement is attendance in school. We not only want our students to be present each day but we want them to be present all day every day. Simply put, we can only teach them if they are with us and this is even more important as they learn a second language. Guidelines for student attendance are based on state law. Here are a few common questions and answers about attendance. (Keep in mind the same principles apply for late arrivals and early dismissals.) 1. What absences are excused? Students can be excused if they are sick or if there is a death in the immediate family. Recognized religious holidays are excused as well. Family trips, even if they are educational in nature, are not excused. There may be other extenuating circumstances but these are the main reasons for a lawful absence. 2. What kind of excuses needs to be provided for absences? Doctor's notes can be sent. Parents can write up to five notes for student sickness. A copy of a funeral program or death notice in the paper can be provided. District policy is that all excuses should be sent within 3 days of returning back to school. The same excuses should be provided for arriving late to school or early dismissals. All documentation can be sent in writing to the office or parents can email information to mailto:CPAbsenceDocumentation@rhmail.org 3. What happens if there are excessive unexcused absences? If students have more than five unexcused days, parents will be asked to meet with the school to develop an attendance plan. The goal is to work together to create strategies for reducing time a student is out of school. We want to support families so their children can be successful. If student attendance plans are not followed, referrals to DSS and to family court can be made. 4. What about late arrivals and early dismissals? After 7:45, students should be signed into school by parents. Sign-ins happen until 7:50 at the Cherry Road Entrance as a courtesy to parents so they don't have to drive up to the main office at the Caswell Entrance. After this time, all students will be signed in at the main office. (If you don't see any adults outside at either entrance, you need to go to the main office at the Caswell Entrance to sign in your child.) Early dismissals need to happen before 1:45 at the main office. (This is a district policy.) After that time, it is difficult to get a child from their class due to the transitions that begin at that time. (Please note that Challenger dismissal begins at 2:45 for the same reason.) Per district policy, transportation changes need to be made in writing (by handwritten note) or in person in the office by 1:45 as well. When our children miss school, they will miss something. Yes, we will try to help them make up the learning but there is no way to replace the experiences they missed. Our children's education is vitally important for their growth and development. Let's help our children build meaningful attendance habits early in life so they can be successful now and later in all they do.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
Notes and Reminders
1. Bobcat Dash Sponsors--We will have our annual Bobcat Dash Fundraiser on Friday, October 28, 2022. This is a "fun run" that is our major fundraiser for the year. Because of the funds raised last year, we were able to purchase turf for our large playground which ensures that our children can play outside more days and in a safer manner. We also were able to install a concrete sidewalk for a tricycle path on our kindergarten playground. Please consider becoming a sponsor for our Bobcat Dash so we can continue providing great opportunities for our children at Cherry Park. You can click on the button below for all sponsorship information. All sponsor logos are due by Friday, October 7. Thanks for all you do to support your child and our school. All donations are tax deductible given that our PTO is a 501c3.
2. Elementary Honors Choir Members Selected--Congratulations to Alonnah Coxton, Lily Jenkinson, Lilly Black, Jordan Maynard, Bayleigh Knight and Kyrin Scott who were CPES students selected for the District Elementary Honors Choir. We are proud of all the students who tried out.
3. School Improvement Council--The CPES School Improvement Council serves as a sounding board and parent input mechanism for helping our school become the best it can be. We are soliciting nominations for the School Improvement Council Ballot. Terms are two years and you must have a child at Cherry Park. If you are interested in having your name on the ballot, please click on the following link. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, October 7. Currently, Paloma Fernandez Sanchez, Brittany Jensen and Anitra Meeks will serve this year because they were elected last year. We will elect four new parents to the SIC. Here is the SIC Nomination Link: https://forms.gle/soTWxKKWYwY3QAWb6
4. Every Kid Outdoors--Parents of fourth graders, did you know that your child can get a free National Park Pass for this year? Passes can begin being used September 1, 2022 and are good through August 31, 2023. Kings Mountain National Military Park is the closest location to Rock Hill where passes are also available. Of course passes can also be obtained at other park locations. For more information, click on the following link: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm You can also click on the button below.
5. Yearbook Volunteers Needed--We need a committee of six parents who could work together to create our CPES Yearbook this year. If you are interested in helping, please email Mr. Maness at mailto:pmaness@rhmail.org. Time commitments would be a couple of hours each month to work on the project. So far, we have four parents who have expressed interest.
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School Calendar
October 7--Fifth Grade Field Trip to Winthrop Coliseum; SIC Nominations Due
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 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