The CPES BobChat
January 5, 2020
How Can You (and Your Child) Focus on What Really Matters in 2020?
Happy New Year!!! I hope your family has enjoyed time together during the holidays. As we begin the new year, it is always a good time for setting goals and making adjustments (though the truth is anytime is a good time for setting goals and making adjustments). Michael Hyatt is the author of Free to Focus and he advocates prioritizing life and work so you can be "free to focus" on what matters the most to you. As parents and teachers, we want to model for our children how to have the physical, mental and emotional energy we need to focus on important things. Over the next few weeks, I will share some of his advice on how best to do that. 1. Quality sleep makes a difference. How much sleep are you really getting...and is it good sleep? Hyatt cites a study where "people getting just six hours a sleep a night for two straight weeks functioned as if they were legally drunk." (p. 70) Sleep matters! We develop extensive and elaborate systems to get everyone out the door to work and school each morning. Hyatt suggests developing a "bedtime ritual" where we are winding ourselves (and our children) down before bed. At what time are we shutting down the screens (TV, tablet, computer and phone)? Cutting these off an hour before bedtime can help all of us rest better. The temperature of the room, the time we last ate and the comfort of our bed affect us as well. The goal is to be able to turn the volume down on as many of our internal and external distractions as possible in order to help us sleep well. 2. Eating impacts our focus. I shudder to think what poor eating habits I've passed on to my kids. As I get older, I realize I have to eat differently to maintain a healthy weight and have the energy I need to function well. I have to admit that I'm a "clean plate" guy. For me, I have to be thoughtful about how much I'm eating as well as what I'm eating. Too much processed food is literally a heart attack waiting to happen. Whole foods like vegetables and fruits and lean meat and fish are such better choices. Too much sugar, fat and salt sap our physical energy instead of replenishing it. Staying hydrated with water throughout the day makes a difference as well. As with anything, the goal for eating is moderation. An occasional treat can be just fine. Like you, I know I've heard all this before (and we will continue to hear it time and again.) But, if we're looking for a better quality of life where we're not always tired and irritable, we may want to consider changing our sleeping and eating habits. It may also make those bedtime and mealtime struggles with our kids much easier since we are leading by example. Good sleep plus good "eats" equals good focus.
Mr. Maness, Principal
Students Return on Wednesday
School News
School of Choice Information
If you have a rising kindergarten student who has a sibling in our immersion program, please be sure to complete your School of Choice application between December 2 and February 28. If your child is already in our immersion program at Cherry Park, you do not have to apply again. Please help spread the word about opportunities to come and take a tour and the Choice Fairs below.
School of Choice Tours at Cherry Park--You can click on https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4bacac29a31-spanish2 to sign up for a tour.
Tuesday, January 14 at 8:00 AM
Tuesday, February 18 at 6:00 PM
Rock Hill Schools Programs EXPO--Will be Saturday, January 25 from 10:00-12:00 at South Pointe High School. We will highlight our immersion program for prospective parents at this event.
Reminders from Nurse Love--The flu season is upon us. Please do not send your child to school sick. If they have vomiting, diarrhea or fever, please do not send them to school. They are to be fever free for 24 hours before sending them back to school. Flu signs and symptoms include: fever, chills, muscle and/or body aches, congestion, sore throat, and cough. Please consult your child's physician if you suspect your child may have the flu.
The Dental Van will be coming on 12/9/19 and the Lions Club will be coming on 12/13/19 to help with vision screenings.
Guidance News From Mrs. Sanders and Mrs. Flaherty--Over the next few months, our guidance counselors will provide instruction consistent with the requirements of Erin's Law that was passed by our legislature. From more information, please see the letter below from our district. If you have any questions, you can contact Mrs. Sanders or Mrs. Flaherty.
PTO and SIC Information
Bobcat Dash Pledge Receipt--Similar to the kind of receipts given at other non-profits, we want to provide a form for you to fill out as a receipt for any pledge donations you made. Parents, feel free to pass this on to family members or neighbors who donated as well. You can find the form below. All contributions to PTO are tax deductible given that our PTO is a 501c3.
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. Meetings will be held on January 13, February 10, March 9, April 13, and May 11 (if needed.)
Calendar of Events
Monday and Tuesday--Teacher Workdays
Wednesday--Students Return from Winter Break
January 13--5:30 SIC Meeting; 6:30 PTO Meeting
January 14--8:00 AM School of Choice Tour at CPES; Report Cards Go Home
January 20--Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday
January 25--10:00-12:00 Rock Hill Schools Programs EXPO at South Pointe High School
February 14--Valentine's Day
February 17--President's Day Holiday
February 18--6:00 PM School of Choice Tour at CPES
February 26--5:30-7:30 PM Schoolwide Art Show (PE Room)
February 28--School of Choice Application Window Closes
March 31--Spring Music Performance for Kindergarten, Second and Fourth Graders