The CPES BobChat
January 17, 2021
How Do We Shift from Urgent to Important in Our Learning (As Adults)?
I have to admit I've learned lots since last March. I can now quote safety, health, and cleaning guidelines from DHEC and CDC in order to combat COVID. I understand the finer points of contact tracing. I know how to install and fix desk shields when needed. I think I can explain the difference between isolation and quarantine. My learning curve of conducting Zoom meetings was pretty steep. This was urgent and important learning for most of us in order to survive the changes in our work and family lives due to the pandemic. But, have we neglected continuing to learn in other important areas of our lives? I believe that "leaders are learners". We (parents and teachers) want to lead our children well so we have to be good learners all the time and not just during urgent times. Here are a few ideas how we can value our learning to help us all be better leaders. 1. Think about what you need. You may have set goals for health or finance or time management for the new year. How are you learning more in those areas which will help you accomplish your goals? We can't learn everything so we need to be intentional. 2. Reading helps... We always want to model for our children the value of reading whether it is a newspaper, a book, or an online resource. Even if it is for just a few minutes each day, reading gives new perspective and opens the world for us. Reading stimulates our thinking and enables us to see possibilities. 3. ...But don't forget about other options for learning. I have come to realize there really is a "how to" video for everything. Podcasts are great options for learning while exercising or making dinner or doing household chores. Finding a mentor or expert and picking their brain enables you to avoid making lots of mistakes. Apps and online courses are easily accessible and can provide a structure we might need to move ahead on a project or idea or goal. 4. Learn for "fun" and for the sake of learning. Often, we can hyper-focus on the next mountain to climb or target on the wall. Sometimes, it is good to learn without a major objective in mind. It could be finding out more about a topic that just interests you but isn't connected to work or a defined purpose. (Some people might call this developing a hobby.) Often, when we are distracted and pursuing other interests, we are able to relax our mind and emotions which gives us energy to solve those big life and work problems. When was the last time you learned something "just for fun?" You may be surprised how much that can put gas back into your empty tanks. Any kind of learning and all kinds of learning make a difference. We want our children to become lifelong learners. We want them to love learning for it's inherent value and not just to make 100 on the next test. They will do that and when they see it modeled for them. Let's lead our children by being good lifelong learners not only when it is urgent but also when it is important.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
Parents, remember that Monday, January 18 is Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and there is no school. Monday, January 25 will be an Early Dismissal Day for Teacher Professional Development. Students will be dismissed at 11:00 AM.
School News
Feedback for Elementary Reassignment Options--This week, you received information by email about the proposed elementary reassignment options for our district. While those options may not have a direct impact on Cherry Park families, we want your feedback because all of the children in Rock Hill Schools belong to us. Please go to the following link or the button above to learn more about the proposed options and respond to the survey: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=9056 Please complete the survey by Thursday, January 21 at 5:00 PM.
Keeping Everyone Safe and Healthy--Let Nurse Love know if you or your child is sick before sending them to school. Please reduce all exposures you can at school by limiting dropping off nonessential items such as computers, backpacks, water bottles and even lunches. (We can provide most anything a child needs at school for a day except for medication. All students can even eat lunch at school for zero cost for the rest of the year.) Because of your effort and our effort, most of our positive contacts of COVID come from home and not school. We appreciate your vigilance in helping keep our students and faculty safe each day.
School of Choice Update--(See button below.) The application window opened 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 Virtual Parent Information Sessions on Wednesday, January 27 at 8:00 AM and on Tuesday, February 9 at 6:00 PM. Go to the link above (or the button below) to sign up to attend. Please let other families know about this so they can stay informed.
January Teacher Appreciation--Let’s kick off 2021 with a picnic lunch for our teachers! This month will be sponsored by all families! In consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are asking for store bought items and gifts cards to help purchase items. Please drop items and gift cards off to the front office no later than January 26th. Thank you for contributing and giving back to our very deserving teachers and staff!
Click on the Sign Up Genius below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-january
Valentine's Day Parties--Yes, we are looking forward to having them on Friday, February 12. No, we will not be able to allow any items (food or cards or goodies) to come from families. We will take care of providing snacks and activities for our children. We want that time to still be fun for our kids but we also want to keep things as safe and as healthy as possible. We don't want you to needlessly spend money so please know that if you send items in backpacks or by dropping them off, we will have to send that back home to you. This is a districtwide decision for all our schools.
Need Tech Support? Call 803-324-8324
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 via Zoom and our Parent Teacher Organization meets at 6:30 via Zoom. The link for January's PTO Meeting is:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83166646886 Elections were held in the spring for these organizations but all parents are welcome to attend to help provide input and volunteer. School Improvement Council members for this year are Carl Thompson, Elizabeth Lowery, Leigh Threatt, Amber Hinson, Kim Crean, Brooke Nies and Phyllis Faircloth. You can contact them at mailto:cherryparksic@gmail.com.
School Calendar
January 18--Martlin Luther King Jr. Holiday (No School)
January 23--Rock Hill Schools EXPO for Schools of Choice--10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at South Point High School
January 25--Early Release Day for Professional Development (Students dismissed at 11:00)
January 27--Virtual Parent Information Session for Prospective Parents at 8:00 AM
February 5--Teacher Workday (End of First Semester)
February 9--Virtual Parent Information Session for Prospective Parents at 6:00 PM
February 16--Report Cards Go Home
February 28--Choice Application Window Closes