The CPES BobChat
August 28, 2022
How Far Is 18 Inches?
18 inches is a foot and a half. It is half of a yard. It is the space between your elbow and fingertips. It is also the distance between the top of our heads and the bottom of our hearts. Dr. Schmolze, our superintendent, introduced us to the idea of thinking in terms of those 18 inches between our heart and head. How do we do that and more importantly, how can we model that for our children? 1. Heart Thinking--This is where our passions and emotions lie. It is the place where compassion lives, too. Heart thinking focuses on the "why" more than the "what." Our heart gives us courage and perseverance when all the facts don't line up properly. It drives us to overcome the obstacles and push ahead. Mission and vision lie deep in our hearts. 2. Head Thinking--Logic and clarity live here. Our heads take over when our passions and emotions take us to dangerous places. Our head tempers those feelings that might not always be right. Strategies and solutions reside here and enable us to see possibilities and opportunities. Cool heads can help put out the fires of inner and outer conflict. Our heads can show us the way back home when our emotions take us on those guilt trips (or ego trips.) 3. The truth is we need to use both of them. Here's where it gets hard. For most of us, we tend to be more of a head or a heart thinker. In reality, we need to use that 18 inches much like an elevator. Sometimes we need to get out on the top floor and sometimes we need to exit on the bottom floor. Sometimes, we get out on a floor in between and we have to use both our head and our heart. Maturity and wisdom, based on life experiences, help us to know when to best use what. Friends and family who think differently from us can also help us adjust our thinking. As educators, we know we start the year focused on reaching children's hearts so we can teach what's in their heads. That relationship is so important. As we travel through this year together, let's maturely model for our children when we should think with our hearts, when we should think with our heads and when we balance using the two together. When our "buttons get pushed," which kind of thinking will be most helpful? Knowing where to land in that 18 inches will make all the difference.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
Parents, as we work to get routines and procedures established, we ask that you wait until after Labor Day to visit for lunch.
Please remember that early dismissals should be done before 1:45. After that time, preparation is underway for a safe schoolwide dismissal.
Notes and Reminders
Fast Bridge Assessment--During the testing window of August 22 - September 23, 2022 , students in grades K and 1 will participate in an assessment using FastBridge , a curriculum based, computer adaptive assessment.
FastBridge is used to inform teachers of each student’s ability in multiple areas and to
help us monitor student growth over time. The data provided by FastBridge
assessments also gives our teachers important information that is used for planning
lessons to meet the unique instructional needs of each student. Teachers will work with K and 1st grade students one on one to complete the assessment. See parent letter below for more information.
Interested in Helping Coach Girls on the Run? Girls on the Run is a fun after school program for 3rd-5th grade girls that promotes their physical, mental, emotional and social growth. If you are interested in the program for your child or are interested in volunteering, go to their website: https://www.gotrtricountysc.org/ We are already thinking we will have enough girls for two teams.
Car Tags--If you need these, please bring your ID and pick them up in the office.
New Staff Members--We want to welcome M s. JahLisha Thompson and Ms. Rita Hines as tutors who will work with our children. Ms. Thompson has worked with us in Challenger for a long time and Ms. Hines has a great background working with students from a variety of backgrounds. In addition, Mr. Billy Watson and Ms. Emma Mobley will help during lunch with cafeteria supervision and they have also been working with our students in Challenger.
Student Devices--Will be given to students to take home after the following criteria have been met:a. Parents have completed the technology forms that were a part of new student and returning student registration.
b. Payment of the $35 Technology Protection Plan Fee (or a waiver was completed). See note below about fees and charges. The TPP can be paid at school (during Open House) or online at https://rockhillsc.csiepay.com/Views/Payment/Pay.aspx
c. Students complete their Digital Citizenship lessons with their teacher.
d. Teachers have shown students how to use their devices.
This process will take a few weeks to work through and your child's teacher will keep you informed when the devices will come home. Parents can opt to have their child's device stay at school.
Device Fees for 22-23 School Year (District Guidelines)
- $35 – Technology Protection Plan covers one damage in the 22-23 school year. Additional damages after the first will be charged and paid to CPES.
- $40 – Replacement charger. If students need a charger, families will be charged by CPES. The $35 TPP DOES NOT COVER the cost of a replacement charger.
- $18 – Laptop Case replacement. All devices are expected to be in cases AT ALL TIMES. If students need a replacement case, CPES will charge the student $18.
Safety Volunteers--We would like to have some additional help with arrival and dismissal on the Cherry Road Car Loop in the mornings and afternoons. Volunteers would help walk with little ones and help monitor kids outside during this time. If you (or someone you know) might be interested, please complete the following form. Know you can volunteer in whatever way that suits your schedule. We especially need help at the beginning of the year. We will also provide training to know what to do. https://forms.gle/bBZQhSQ8ViCT6eRp9
Need Tech Support? Call 803-324-TECH
School Calendar
Tuesday--6:00 Kindergarten Parent Meeting (Park in the Lower Cherry Road Lot and Car Loop on the Right Hand Side. Enter through Kindergarten playground to go to the Cafeteria.)
Wednesday--5:30 Fourth Grade Parent Meeting (Including 5th Grade French) (Park in the Sullivan Auditorium Lot. Please remember Challenger Parents are still picking up until 6:00 PM.)
Thursday--6:00 First Grade Parent Meeting (Park in the Lower Cherry Road Lot and Car Loop on the Right Hand Side. Enter through the Kindergarten playground to go to the Cafeteria.)
September 5--Labor Day Holiday
September 6--First Day Parents Can Visit for Lunch
Previous Newsletters for 22-23 School Year
"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