The CPES BobChat
February 26, 2023
How Can You Share the Love of Reading with Your Child?
This is Read Across America Week and we have so many fun activities planned. (See above for theme days and how your child can dress up.) We want our children to love reading because it makes such a huge difference in their development and achievement. From K-2nd, kids learn to read and then for the rest of their lives, they read to learn. For Cherry Park students, our goal is to also develop literacy in French and Spanish. How can we share a love for reading with our children? 1. Take time to read with them. When parents read to their child twenty minutes a day, research indicates the child will perform better than 90% of other students on standardized tests. More importantly, reading with your child helps you connect with him. You have the chance to talk with and listen to her. It provides a common time for you to shift out of your world into theirs. 2. Make sure they have books to read. When children have books available, it removes one more barrier to reading. Whether they are borrowed or bought or online, we want to be sure appropriate books are accessible for our students. Know that all our children can check out books from our Cherry Park library and from their teacher's classroom libraries as well. Online resources are available, too, but be sure to know what they are reading on their devices. Giving books as gifts for birthdays and special occasions is another way to tell them that books are special. Your child's teacher can help you know their reading levels and interests if you need help. 3. Talk about it. Some of our best conversations with our own two children revolved around what they were reading. Ask questions like: "What are you reading?" "Tell me about what you are reading." "What authors/topics/interests do you like (or not like) right now in your reading?" "Do you like more fiction or non-fiction?" Be sure you can answer those questions for your own reading as well. The best conversations happen when both you and your child read the same books. 4. Be creative and persistent. Some children enjoy reading more than others. (That was definitely true for our Whitney and Joey.) It is a more difficult process for some to learn to read. Remember that all literature counts. Whether it is magazines or books or instruction manuals, it is all reading. Yes, a comic book is reading. A sports column is reading. A recipe is reading. An email is reading. The back of the cereal box is reading. A book read aloud is reading. Lyrics to a song is reading. Sometimes we think that reading only works with a book in a child's hands. For some of our little ones, we have to think more broadly and widely to help them connect to the purpose and value of reading. As always, our children will best "catch" the value of reading when they see us doing it. I hope you will reflect on what works best with your child so you can share the love of reading with them.
Strength and Blessings to You,
Mr. Maness
Parents and Guardians, remember that the School of Choice Application closes on this Tuesday, February 28. If you have a rising kindergarten student, you must apply. See below.
Mia Berendia
Teacher's Choice Art Show
Mrs. Woods' Grant Award
Notes and Reminders
School of Choice Application Window (Updated Information)--Opened on January 5 and you can go to the following website to apply: https://rockhill-registration.hosted.src-solutions.com/login (This is the updated link where you will complete your New Student Registration and you School of Choice Application.) Remember that rising kindergarten students who currently have siblings in the program have first priority to secure a slot at Cherry Park but parents must complete the New Student Registration/Choice Application. We will also accept new students in first grade French. We have a few slots available in upper grades for students who apply and have appropriate language skills in French and Spanish. The application window closes on February 28. Please share this information with your friends and family. We want all families in Rock Hill to know about this opportunity for their children. We will have completed all our Parent Information Meetings but please feel free to contact our office if anyone needs additional information. Please share with others the flyer below.
Read Across America Week is February 27-March 3--This is a special, weeklong emphasis on reading where we highlight the value of literacy. The districtwide theme for this year is "Bringing Communities Together." We will have a special emphasis each day related to the theme where students can dress up as well. Here are the special emphases each day.
Monday--Art is For Everyone--Wear your favorite color or as many colors as you can.
Tuesday--Family Ties--School Spirit Day-- Dress up in your Cherry Park wear.
Wednesday--Reading is "Soup"er--Super Hero Day--Wear a cape or your favorite super hero shirt. (No costumes, please.)
Thursday--Friendships Hold Our World Together--Dress Alike Day--Dress like a friend or wear shirts that promote friendship.
Friday--Celebrating Successes--Career Day--Dress like a notable person or your future career.
Calendar Survey--The calendar survey for the 2024-2025 school year has been sent out via email to all families and staff. Look at our FAQ about the modified calendar: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/10148
Take the survey before 5 p.m. on Feb. 27: https://bit.ly/2425calendar
The survey is also available in Spanish: https://rock-hill.jotform.com/230383201291849
Mardi Gras Parade for French Students--We had a great time on last Tuesday with our French students. Here is a short video of the parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV-6bRAL5pA (We appreciate Ms. Newell from our District Communications Team who came and made our video.)
Rising Sixth Grade Parent Information and Orientation--The Sixth Grade Parent Information Meeting will be on March 2 at 6:00 PM at your child's middle school. (Most of our students will go to Sullivan and feel free to attend that meeting even if you are zoned for another middle school.) Please note this on your calendar. This is a time that middle school leaders will share important information about schedules, classes, and transitions for our children. All fifth grade families will receive a link for a Letter of Intent for you to complete to let Sullivan know if you plan for your child to continue in immersion. You do not need to do a School Choice application if you plan for your child to continue in immersion. That Letter of Intent link will be sent as soon as it is ready to go out.
Mia Berendia--Has been hired for Fall 2023 as our new third Grade French teacher. She is completing her master's degree in teaching at USC now. She graduated from Furman University with a double major in music and French. She grew up in Toronto and attended an immersion school from elementary to high school. We are excited to have her teach with us. (See photo above.)
Teacher's Choice Art Show--Is at the Center for the Arts through March 25. The following CPES students were selected to have their art work displayed there. (See picture above.)
- Waya Balyeat, Kindergarten
- Alex Stevenson, Fifth Grade
- Crew Areheart, First Grade
- Vivian Palmer, Third Grade
- John Shinabargar, Second Grade
- Carter Fitzgerald, Fourth Grade
Congratulations to Mrs. Woods--She received a grant from the Rock Hill District Foundation and she is pictured above with the Prize Patrol. We appreciate her effort to apply and the Foundation's support for our students.
Save the Date for the CPES Visual Art Show April 17-May 1--Support CPES and our art program by participating in the virtual art show. Every frame purchased contributes funds to your child's art education program. If frames are not purchased, artwork will come home with student by the end of the year. Every student Kindergarten through 5th grade will have their own masterpiece framed and displayed on the gallery virtual website. Frames will be $28. Websites and more information will be shared soon.
Summer Challenger--Registration is now open for Summer Challenger for current Kindergarten through Fourth Grade students. (Rising Kindergarten students can attend, too.) You can go to this website for more information and to register: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/8320
Yearbooks--Yearbooks are now on sale. All sales are online only and this year there will not be an additional order after April 7, 2023. You will need to use the Order Number 24915. See below for the sales flyer and website information for ordering a yearbook and doing a fifth grade dedication. Click here to order a yearbook: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/?event=general.displayLanding&jobnumber=24915
Need Tech Support? Call 803-324-TECH
School Calendar
February 27-March 3--Read Across America Week (See daily emphasis in information above.)
February 28--School of Choice Application Window Closes; "Soup"er Teacher Appreciation Lunch
March 2--Rising Sixth Grade Orientation (At All Middle Schools) 6:00 PM
March 10--Early Release Day--Students will be dismissed at 11:15
March 13--Teacher Workday; 5:30 School Improvement Council: 6:30 Parent Teacher Organization Meeting
April 3-7--Spring Break
Parent Organizations
Parent Teacher Organization--This group has three main goals: Raising funds for the school, appreciating the staff and securing volunteers as needed. The Cherry Park PTO is a 501c3 tax deductible organization. Officers for 22-23 are Stephanie Greer (President), Amanda Winters (Vice-President), Liz Lowery (Secretary), and Erica Smith (Treasurer). Meetings are held at Cherry Park on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM (right after the SIC meetings.) All parents are invited to attend. All financial records are distributed and updated at each month's meeting.
Previous Newsletters for 22-23 School Year
"How Can We Share the Love...with our Children?" February 19, 2023 https://www.smore.com/3se17
"How Can We Share the Love...with People Different From Us?" February 12, 2023 https://www.smore.com/ck5xp
"How Can We Share the Love...about Cherry Park?" February 5, 2023 https://www.smore.com/mfjbh
"Can We Lose a Bad Health Habit?" January 29, 2023 https://www.smore.com/7e10cf
"Can We Lose Some of Our Stuff?" January 22, 2023 https://www.smore.com/vqz19
"Can We Lose a Little of Ourselves?" January 15, 2023 https://www.smore.com/kydtr
"What Can We Lose?" January 8, 2023 https://www.smore.com/j3spt
"What's Happening in the New Year?" January 1, 2023 https://www.smore.com/zcthu
"What 'R' You Going to Do during the Holidays?" December 18, 2022 https://www.smore.com/8c6u49
"How Can We Reduce Holiday Stress?" December 11, 2022 https://www.smore.com/vmx8s
"Why Do We Clap and Cheer for Our Children?" December 4, 2022 https://www.smore.com/jegnm
"When Is the Best Time to Express Gratitude?" November 20, 2022 https://www.smore.com/b2xmt
"What Do You Need to Know about the World Cup 2022?) November 13, 2022 https://www.smore.com/d8c4x
"What's Happening in November at CPES?" November 6, 2022 https://www.smore.com/zyuje
"Who Showed Up for the Bobcat Dash?" October 30, 2022 https://www.smore.com/gjsm8
"How Do We Make Time Slow Down?" October 23, 2022 https://www.smore.com/c19u8
"Could PLCs Work for All of Us?" October 16, 2022 https://www.smore.com/6edtw
"What Is the Latest on the Bobcat"w Dash and Does It Make a Difference?" October 9, 2022 https://www.smore.com/2bf4k
"What is 'Nattering' and Is It Effective?" October 2, 2022 https://www.smore.com/gmrac
"What Do Parents Need to Know about Student Attendance?" September 25, 2022 https://www.smore.com/7rnbq
"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