The CPES BobChat
November 20, 2022
When Is the Best Time to Express Gratitude?
Last Sunday evening, Anna Robinette, one of our dear family friends, passed away. We spent most of this week remembering her kindness and perseverance and her presence in our lives. We have laughed and we have cried and words have often failed us. We miss her already and will continue to do so. When times like this happen, we try to remember the best in others and tell story after story how the person made a difference in our lives. For me, I think Anna knew how much she meant to me and our family and our friends. I wonder, though, did I tell her often enough? Did she really know the difference she made? I hope so. These thoughts remind me (again) that the best time to express gratitude is right now...today...in this moment. This week, two parents in our community left me voicemails expressing appreciation for the care and dedication of our students and staff during our morning arrival time. They didn't have to do that but it certainly encouraged our staff and Safety Patrol students. To those two moms, thank you for your calls. This week of Thanksgiving is when we pause and count our blessings. That is certainly good to do. When we take the additional step to let others know what they mean to us, our gratitude blooms into encouragement that affirms the value, worth and identity of others. Appreciation changes us and it can change others. Let's model this for our children not only during this season of Thanksgiving but every day. The best time to express gratitude really is right now.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
P.S. Know that for those of you who will experience this holiday season without one of your close family members and friends, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Notes and Reminders
CPES Food Drive (Sponsored by PTO) November 14-22 (See new info below about monetary donation option.)--Please donate non-perishable food items to help benefit those in need. All donations will go to the Hope of Rock Hill. Students are invited to bring in food items until Tuesday, November 22nd. Families can also make a monetary donation if you'd like. Include the form below along with monetary donation to ensure proper credit for your student and class. (Checks should be made out to Cherry Park PTO and then will be sent directly to food pantries.) The student’s class receives credit for one food item per $1.00 donated. The class collecting the most cans will win a pizza party for their class and a gift basket for their teacher. Each classroom will have a box located in their room. SUGGESTED ITEMS: Pasta (spaghetti), Mac & Cheese, Canned Goods, Tomato/Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Canned Fruit, Spaghetti O%s, Green Beans, Canned Corn, Soup, Breakfast Bars, Boxed Cereals, Crackers, Snack Packs (pudding, Jello, chips, cookies, etc.), Saltine Crackers. Click on file below for more information.
November Teacher Appreciation 2022--In honor of the upcoming Clemson/Carolina game, we are having our annual cookout tailgate for the teachers and staff on Monday, November 21st. We ask that 3rd, 4th and 5th grade parents take a look at the sign up genius opportunities and select any options that may fit for their family. All donations should be brought in to the main office by Friday afternoon, November 18th.
Thank you in adance for helping to show our CPES teachers and staff how much we appreciate all they do for our little ones! Click on the following link to sign up and see button below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d49a4a923aafbc70-november1
Carolina Clemson Day--Will be Monday, November 21. We will kick off our Thanksgiving Week getting ready for the big game Saturday, November 26. Everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite team colors. The cafeteria will serve hamburgers and hotdogs for students on tomorrow.
Project Proposals for 4th and 5th Graders for the STEAM Fair in February Are Due November 21--Rock Hill School District is sponsoring a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Fair on February 9, 2023. Project proposals will be submitted through this form. Ten (10) projects will be selected from each school. Proposals are due Nov. 21 at 2:00pm. This is a voluntary opportunity for our students and note that the actual project is not due until February. Students and parents can go to this website for more information: https://www.sciencerockhill.com/elemscifair.html
Bobcat Sweatshirts--Cherry Park hoodies are available for purchase! The cost is 25.00 and hoodies may be purchased online only at https://rockhillsc.csiepay.com
Deadline to purchase is Wednesday, November 23rd. They make great Christmas gifts! See designs above.
Thanksgiving Holidays Are Wednesday through Friday, November 23-25--We hope you will enjoy time with your family. These are such wonderful opportunities for you and your children. Thank you for all you do to support your child and our school.
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. Click here to order a yearbook: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/?event=general.displayLanding&jobnumber=24915
Boys Running Club--We are so proud of our fourth and fifth grade boys who participated in the Running Club this fall. They all competed in Northwestern High School's Turkey Trot on yesterday. Thank you, Mrs. Anderson, for your support of the boys and for coaching them this fall. We also appreciate Mr. Shelton, Mrs. Figuero and Mrs. Williams for assisting as well. Here are the boys who participated: Raylan Anderson, Wade Redmond, Landon Williams, Elliott Shepard, Collin Kline, Aulin Figuero, Brooks Meetze, Carlisle Reynolds, Harrison Savage, Chapman Lang, Remi Bunn, Lucas Ruocco, Graham McPhail, Nash Rollins, Omar Franco Duarte, Alex Shelton, Jaxon Livingstone, Breck Crawford, Cade Areheart, Cameron Bell, Matthew Deyerle, Malachi Wi,nters, Henry Langer, Bennett Hill, Luke Gwin, Ryan Cave, Ian Stockunas, Griffin Jensen, Kaleb Larkin, Collin Dozier, Dallin Lewis, Easton Oakes and Liam Wright.
Information about the Flu
Parents and Guardians,
We currently have a large number of students absent with influenza, “the flu” and influenza-like illness at Cherry Park this past week. As you may know, the flu is spread easily from person to person and school-age children are among the groups most affected. Flu symptoms include fever (over 100 degrees F), body aches, headaches, sore throat, cough, and fatigue and typically lasts from 5-7 days.
If you suspect your child is getting sick, please do not send them to school. Students who are experiencing the symptoms listed above need complete the following steps:
- Stay home from school
- Call the COVID Call Center to report your child’s symptoms 803-980-2016
- The COVID Call Center staff will provide additional information about flu and COVID testing
- The COVID Call Center will also ensure absences are coded correctly
- The COVID Call Center will work with the Nursing Services department to determine classrooms that have an increase in student illness.
Our school staff are working closely with the RH Schools Nursing Services department and SC DHEC to monitor flu conditions in our school, make decisions about the best steps to take and ensure disinfecting practices are being followed. Custodial staff will continue to disinfect classrooms and common areas regularly. Classrooms with an increased number of sick students will be disinfected nightly.
Here are a few things parents can do to help our school reduce the spread of illness:
- Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or upper sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
- Take time to get a flu vaccine. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu. DHEC strongly recommends all South Carolina residents older than 6 months old get the flu vaccine as soon as possible to prevent the flu, unless they have a medical reason not to be vaccinated.
- Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
- Don’t send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are sick at school will be sent home. Staying home when sick will allow your children to rest and allows you to monitor their health closely.
Mr. Maness and Nurse Love
Need Tech Support? Call 803-324-TECH
School Calendar
November 21--Carolina Clemson Day (Wear your favorite team colors); 2:00 4th and 5th STEAM Project Proposals are Due
November 23--Deadline for Ordering CPES Sweatshirts (See info above)
November 23-27--Thanksgiving Holidays
December 21--Early Dismissal Day before Winter Holidays
December 22-January 4--Winter Holidays for Students; (January 3-4 Teacher Days)
January 5--First Day Back for Students
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
"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 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