The CPES BobChat
November 29, 2020
Mr. Maness, For What Are You Grateful?
Every year as I come to this time, I try to think about my blessings and who has made a difference around me and to me. For 2020, I don't have to think long nor hard. 1. I am grateful for our children's resilience. They wear masks without complaining. Their schedule has changed again and again. They don't ask why we have to sit six feet apart. They treat desk shields like a car's windshield. They no longer wonder why they eat in their classrooms and they accept the fact that they don't "go" to art and music but that those teachers come to them. They've figured out how to better use technology to help them learn. They wash their hands and use sanitizer because they know it helps their friends stay well. Overall, they are happy and content and have rolled with the punches much better than we have as adults. 2. I am grateful for our parents' patience and understanding. You didn't sign up to teach a first grader to read nor did you want to figure out Canvas or SeeSaw or RAZ Kids...but you did. You realized more fully the role that you've always had as your child's first teacher. You gave grace when we were trying to get the bugs worked out of the myriad of system changes we had to make. You trusted we were doing our best and offered support when we've been tired and discouraged. You sent doughnuts and a Starbucks gift card when we needed it but didn't deserve it. You gave the benefit of the doubt and sought to understand before being understood. Your partnership has meant something totally different this past year and we could not do it without you. 3. I am grateful for our district leadership's presence. You asked, "how can we help you?" and you really meant it. You listened. You led. You were the first in and the last out. You showed up, stood with us and got in the trenches. You had realistic expectations as we built the airplane in the air. You trusted us even when we were not sure we trusted ourselves. When you didn't have the answer, you didn't act like you did. You thought through it and responded with wisdom that was better than our thoughts. You "led the ship" which is what leadership does. 4. I am grateful for our staff's flexibility and commitment. You've done what you never thought you could do. You came back the next day and the next day and the next day. You were frustrated to the point of tears. You figured "it" out and then you went and told a friend in order to help them. You didn't give up nor did you give in. You focused on our children and not yourself. You did the right thing the right way with no applause. You saw what needed to be done and did it without being asked. You volunteered instead of being "voluntold." You sacrificed over and over again for the greater good. You saw when someone else was overwhelmed and helped her know she did not have to do it by herself. You made each other laugh when it was a very bad, no good day. You kept the main thing the main thing despite difficult circumstances. Your main thing has always been and will always be our children.
This Thanksgiving, I am deeply, deeply grateful for each of you. We are #One Team One Mission One Rock Hill.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
This BobChat was the same one that was sent on November 22.
Donation of Food Items to Pilgrims Inn
Pezzello and Garces Won Gift Basket
Donation of Pies to Teachers by Crain and Company
School News
Monday, November 23 is a B Day. All 3rd-5th graders in face to face (not virtual) classes return every day on Monday, November 30. Over the past few weeks, we have discussed ways to prepare your K-2nd grader for returning full time. Please do the same for our upper grades children too.
Arrival and Dismissal Car Lines--Starting Monday, November 30, we will have nearly 500 children arriving and dismissing by car. We want to do that as safely and as quickly as possible. Here are some reminders to help us accomplish those two goals and we appreciate your help.
a. Use both lanes so that we can keep traffic off of Caswell Street and Cherry Road. Please take turns merging when appropriate.
b. Make sure your child is ready to get out and has all he needs before getting out. (Mask? Bookbag? Lunch? Coat?)
c. Say goodbye in the car and not as you drive away. After your child gets out, if you talk to her, she will walk back to the car and into traffic. Also, it is best for your child to get in and out of the right hand side of the car if at all possible. Children walking into the drive to get in on the left side is never safe.
d. Help little ones to know how to exit the car. This helps lots when parents don't have to get out of the car.
e. Pull down as far as you can for your child to exit.
f. Have your child exit the car by a safety patrol or adult on the curb in the morning. Do not wait to have your child exit closest to the entrance. That holds up traffic for all the cars behind you.
g. At dismissal, if your child is not at the numbered spot, just pull on to Officer Zessin or Mr. Maness, show them your car tag and they will call them again. Please go to the numbered spot where the caller is calling your child.
Be Ready--As we prepare for everyone to return on November 30, every family also needs to have a backup plan ready to go if your child has to quarantine. We hope to localize any remote learning situations to a student or a class or a grade level or an individual school. The reality is, though, that we may need to return to remote learning for a period of time if the governor or district determines it is necessary for health and safety reasons. We are preparing for both a full return to school and for remote learning. Please do the same.
School of Choice Update--The application window opens on Tuesday, December 1 and closes on February 28. Siblings of current immersion program students receive priority for acceptance but parents must still fill out the Choice application. You can go to the School of Choice website for more information: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/5064 We will have a Virtual Cherry Park Immersion Tour at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, December 8 and at 8:00 AM on Thursday, December 10. Go to the link above to sign up to attend. Please let other families know about this so they can stay informed.
Families with Bus Riders--MyStop For School Buses--Please sign up for the E-Link and MyStop apps for Transportation. Links are available on the Transportation website.
Thanksgiving Holidays--Are November 25-27. As we watch COVID numbers increase around the nation, please be careful and thoughtful about your activities. We want everyone to enjoy the holiday season as much as possible but we also want to keep everyone as safe and as healthy as possible when we return. We all need to think how our actions can affect others during this time.
Free Breakfast and Lunch Meals for Students
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting hardships placed on families, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the Emergency Seamless Summer Option program to allow all enrolled students to receive a free breakfast and lunch through June 22, 2021, or until federal funds run out.
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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 this 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
November 23--B Day for Grades 3-5
November 25-27--Thanksgiving Holidays
November 30--All Grades 3-5 Face to Face Students Return; Choice Application Window opens through February 28
December 1--School of Choice Application Window Opens
December 8--6:00 PM Virtual Cherry Park Immersion Tour for New Families
December 10--8:00 AM Virtual Cherry Park Immersion Tour for New Families
December 18--Half Day for Students and Dismissal is at 11:00 AM
December 21-January 1--Christmas Holidays
January 4--Teacher Professional Development Day (No Students)
January 5--First Day Back for Students