The Faculty Family BobChat
February 2, 2020
How Can We Focus on What Really Matters in 2020?
During the month of January, we looked at seven practices from Michael Hyatt's book, Free to Focus, that can help us and our children "focus" on what really matters. Those practices were sleeping, eating, moving, connecting, playing, reflecting, and unplugging. There is one last habit that gives us freedom to focus on what matters, but that freedom can often be delayed. That practice is making deposits. We can help our children know how to make deposits in lots of areas. They can learn how to save money from our example. Do we show our kids how we are saving for retirement or their college or a vacation or a new appliance? Do we discuss with them how money can grow if we deposit it in the bank? Do they see us celebrate when we've saved enough to do the big thing we want to do? Another way we make deposits is by practicing a skill. Readers become better readers when they read each day. Basketball players become better when they play basketball each day. Artists become better when they paint or sculpt each day. It is difficult to notice the progress day to day but it is easy to see when we look from month to month or year to year. We can also make deposits when we spend time with others. We are closer to our grandparents when we talk with them each week. How often do we text our friends or family or neighbors? How much do we really talk with (not just talk to) our spouse or our children? Strong relational bonds form because we intentionally and regularly spend time with those we love. Kids and adults both want results quickly and easily. We want to get to the finish line without running the whole race. It is so hard to invest in things where the gratification is delayed because making deposits takes patience and time and energy. It can be exhausting. Our children need to see this process happening in our lives so they can understand how to be successful in the future (and in the now.) Making deposits in our finances and skills and relationships enables everyone to truly focus on what really matters this year.
Mr. Maness, Principal
Family Matters (for our Staff)
1. Back the Pack with Winthrop Basketball will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 1 p.m. Admission to the game is $5 with $3 of every ticket sold going to Rock Hill Schools Education Foundation. The Foundation will have a table at both of the entrances into the Winthrop Coliseum and be able to give out information and collect donations. Note that there will not be an attendance competition this year and no food donations will be collected. Monetary donations will be collected during the game.
2. SC is currently reporting widespread flu cases throughout the state. We have already reported increased flu numbers at two schools this week. Please remind teachers to have students wash their hands frequently. Reach out to your school nurse for additional information that can be placed in your weekly newsletters as well.
3. Heather Rollings--We are so blessed to have Heather Rollings at our school all day every Tuesday for the rest of the semester. She will help us assess where we are on our use of our technology and programs and will plan PD to support us. Please, please if you have things you want her to help you with, just let her know. We want to meet your needs to help you become better teachers and our kids become better learners.
4. Valentine's Day Activities--Please communicate to your students and parents what you will do and what time and such. You need to provide guidance to your students and parents how you want these activities to happen. While we don't follow the District Snack List, we still need to be mindful of allergies. This is one where you inform families how you want this to be. Valentine's Day can be a crazy day if we allow it to be that. You are the one in charge for what will work best for your kids. All food items still need to be prepackaged.
5. Wes Wiles--His last day with us will be Thursday, February 6. Please let him know how much we appreciate him. He will definitely be missed. We will have someone in place as soon as possible.
6. National School Counselor's Week---Is this week, February 3-7. Please take a minute to express appreciation to Mrs. Sanders and Mrs. Flaherty for all they do to support our children and families and our staff.
7. Progress Reports--Go home the week of February 10.
8. Deb Harrison--Will begin working as a Special Education Assistant in Smith and Notario's class starting on Monday. She will be with us all day every day. Please welcome Mrs. Harrison as she gets started with us.
9. Teacher Appreciation on Valentine's Day--Volunteers will come by with a snack cart on that day.
10. Tuesday Afternoon's Faculty Meeting--Please plan to meet with your grade levels to examine MAP results. Take time to intentionally plan for the interventions and extensions that would most help our kids to grow during this semester. Given that we are reallocating some of the tutoring time and resources, how can we support our kids where they are to help them grow the most? (Related Arts teachers need to take time to plan for upcoming events throughout the semester.)
School News
Valentine's Day Parties--Your child's teachers will provide you some guidance for food and activities on February 14. Please follow their lead. We will not follow the District Snack List that day but we do need to be mindful of student allergies in our classes. We will not be able to allow homemade goodies to come because of that as well. Just like any other day, we want to provide a fun and safe experience for our children.
Student Art Show Fundraiser on Wednesday, February 26 from 5:30-7:30 PM--Join us for the Annual Student Art Show Fundraiser in conjunction with Artome. The students have come together to create artwork for an evening full of arts! Every student in Kindergarten through 5th grade will have their own masterpiece framed & on display. See more information below.
5210 League--Our school is participating in the 5210 League. This initiative encourages families to eat more fruits and vegetables, be physically active for at least one hour per day, limit recreational screen time, and avoid sugary drinks. This week, your student will receive a pledge sheet. Please read over it with your student and decide if it is a good choice for your family. If so, return the signed pledge by Friday, January 24. Each grade level that returns 75 or more pledges will earn free recess equipment! Will your family make the pledge to be healthy together? For more information visit https://atriumhealth.org/campaigns/pediatrics/healthytogether/healthytogether
Spring Registration Timeline--Please click on the button below so you can know deadlines for registering your child for next fall.
Meetings for Rising Sixth Graders--There will be a Dual Language Immersion Night at Sullivan Middle School's Auditorium on February 6 at 6:00 PM. This evening is an information sharing time solely for Cherry Park fifth grade families so you can learn about the language immersion program for middle school. In addition, there will be a Sixth Grade Orientation Night on Thursday, February 13 at 6:00 at Sullivan Middle. This is a meeting for any and all families to attend their zoned middle school for information for next year. All of our fifth graders will visit Sullivan Middle on Wednesday, February 12 from 9:00-10:30 for a "Jump Up Day." All fifth graders in the district will visit one middle school to learn about sixth grade. The same information will be shared at all middle schools on their visit.
Rising Sixth Grade Letter of Intent for Immersion--In preparation for the 2020-2021 school year, we would like for you to confirm your intent to enroll your child as a rising 6th grader at Sullivan Middle School. Please complete this by Friday, February 14. Please click on the button below to access the form.
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. If the tour slot is full, please come on anyway. We will make space available.
Tuesday, February 18 at 6:00 PM
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
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 February 10, March 9, April 13, and May 11 (if needed.)
Calendar of Events
Today--Shya Mahes' Birthday
Tuesday--3:00 Faculty Meeting
Thursday--6:00 PM Dual Language Immersion Night for Rising Sixth Graders (Sullivan Auditorium)
Friday--8:30-11:30 Clover School District Visit
February 10--5:30 SIC; 6:30 PTO
February 12--9:00-10:30 Fifth Graders Visit Sullivan Middle (All elementary students in Rock Hill will visit a middle school to learn about sixth grade. All of our students will visit Sullivan Middle.)
February 13--6:00 Rising Sixth Grade Orientation Night (SMS) (Districtwide for rising sixth graders to visit their zoned middle school)
February 14--Valentine's Day
February 17--President's Day Holiday
February 18--6:00 PM School of Choice Tour at CPES (Last SOC Tour)
February 22--1:00 Winthrop Back the Pack Game
February 24-28--Read Across America Week and School Bookfair (Details to come.)
February 26--5:30-7:30 PM Schoolwide Art Show (PE Room)
February 28--School of Choice Application Window Closes
March 13--Teacher Staff Development Day (Student Holiday)
March 31--Bond Referendum Vote (Information about projects can be found at www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/oneplan); 6:30 PM Spring Music Performance for Kindergarten, Second and Fourth Graders in Sullivan's Auditorium