The CPES BobChat
July 19, 2020
What Would I Do?
My wife, Jan, and I are just like you as we make decisions about the best choice for our son, Joey, for this fall. We are examining all the options and comparing those with our values about safety, health, and education. This is not for the faint of heart. My job is not to tell you what you should do. I gave that up a long time ago. You are the expert on your child and not only do you know what's best for him but you will also live with the long term consequences of your decisions. My job is to give perspective and information so you can make the best decision. With that in mind, here are some thoughts for your consideration. 1. The Virtual Academy--It is a year long commitment and students will receive instruction via computer during this time. All students who have been at Cherry Park (or who will start with us in kindergarten this fall) are guaranteed to keep their slots for the 21-22 school year. There will be some kind of immersion language instruction in it but it will not be the same as what we did in the spring. We want all of our students in the Virtual Academy to return to us so we will do what we can to provide second language instruction to them. At this point, we just don't know what the format will look like. It is our goal to find the most meaningful ways to support our immersion language learners. 2. Alternating Day Schedule (A/B/C)--Know that we will follow the recommendations of the CDC and DHEC for cleaning and safety. This will be true for all Rock Hill schools. We will social distance and we will wear masks appropriately. We will limit visitors and students will stay together as much as possible to reduce risks. We will wash hands tons and use hand sanitizer as needed. Just like we work with families who have students with food allergies (such as tree nut or peanut), we will do what we can to limit risks. As COVID numbers go up or down, our delivery of instruction will adjust as needed and as appropriate. (Throughout all of our decision making, we want students to return as safely, normally and quickly as possible. Safety comes first.) 3. Should I stay with immersion? There may be some necessary and individual reasons for families to consider this. I would encourage you, though, to think through why you originally chose Cherry Park for your child. More than ever, our children need insight and perspective about other cultures that second language acquisition gives. Immersion helps them see life from a different point of view. Knowing a second language is a learning process that gets deeper and more embedded in the brain each year for students. It is like the effect of compounding interest in saving money. The more you do it, the bigger the payoff. As I look at jobless and unemployment rates, people who speak two (or more) languages have a skill set that employers don't want to lose. Our immersion kids will be at a decided advantage when the next recession in the future happens. At Cherry Park, we are changing the lives of our children so they can change the world. That mission will continue in both a virtual and face to face context during this next year. I recognize there are so many voices in your ears right now. All of them reflect values. I hope you will find a quiet time to think through your beliefs and allow those to determine your best option for your child. If you do that well, you will make the right choice. My prayers are with you.
Mr. Maness, Principal
P.S. Know that as we have further clarity about our processes and procedures ahead this fall, those will be communicated to you. As you know, things can change quickly so we are trying our best to provide clear and consistent communication. Our District will send out the Comprehensive Plan for our Alternating Day Schedule this week.
School News
Summer Learning Opportunities--We have placed all recommendations from our teachers for summer learning opportunities on our school website. Click on the button below for more information.
Returning Student Registration--Please click on the link below to update your chld's information for this fall. Please, please, please be sure to do this because all of our data management and communication programs pull from the information you update. Remember that all families must provide an updated proof of residence.
New Kindergarten Student Registration--Is a different link located below. This is for rising kindergarten students who have not been in Rock Hill Schools. (If your child attended K4 at a Rock Hill school, please use the Returning Student Registration link.)
Staffing Changes--We are so saddened that Ms. Sharon Crocker (4th/5th Grade English Language Arts), Mrs. Martha Miller (Resource), and Mrs. Susan Dixon (Literacy Coach) will be leaving CPES. Each of them is pursuing some exciting opportunities for them this fall. Mrs. Tracy Mitchell will move from 3rd Grade English Language Arts to Mrs. Crocker's position in 4th/5th Language Arts. She will be on the French teaching team with Ms. Fant. We have hired Dr. Allison Nichols as our resource teacher. She has served in many different capacities as a self-contained and a resource special education teacher. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our school. Ms. Hannah Grippo will be an additional half-time resource teacher with us. She is certified in elementary education and special education and has worked with students on the autism spectrum. Mrs. Karen Finley will be our new literacy coach. She is a native of France who is highly fluent in English as well. She knows best practices in literacy for any language and has served as an immersion teacher for nearly twenty years. Ms. Tyliah Broughton will be our new third grade language arts teacher (who will be taking Mrs. Mitchell's place and will be teaming with Ms. Garcia.) Ms. Broughton taught last year in second grade and knows appropriate expectations for our rising third graders. We are so blessed to have them join our Cherry Park family.
Summer Office Hours--Are from 7:30-5:30 Monday through Thursday right now.
Retrieving Your Child's Bag--Currently, we have 60 bags that have not been picked up. Please email Mrs. Neal, Mrs. Deyerle, Mrs. Futrelle or Mr. Maness to set up a time to pick it up. Email addresses are below.
Yearbooks--With COVID-19, there was a production shutdown which has delayed getting the books back in time. We will contact you when we are sure they will be shipped and we will get those to you.
Additional Summer Learning Resources
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.
School Calendar
July 17-27--Virtual Academy Application Window is Open
August 31--First Day Back for Students (K-8th Grades)September 7--Labor Day Holiday
September 8--All Students Return