The CPES BobChat
October 23, 2022
How Do We Make Time Slow Down?
Yesterday, we attended the wedding of our friends' son who we have known since his birth. It cannot be possible that he is old enough to get married. Where did the time go? As parents and teachers, the days seem so long but the years are so short. It feels like time accelerates even faster as we become older. How can we "slow down time" by making meaningful memories with our children? How can we not have regrets about how we spent the time with our children? 1. Put "It" on the Calendar--From soccer games to birthdays to lunch visits with our children, if these are not on our calendars, we will miss them. (We also need to block off time with our kids that is not structured or planned.) I believe time (not money) is really our most precious commodity and we definitely can't earn more of it. We only get one shot at life with our kids. By scheduling time with our children on our calendar, we make sure we don't forget them despite the busyness of life. 2. Routines and Habits Win the Day--Planning for special events is good. Daily, weekly and monthly time with our children is even better. It could be shooting hoops for fifteen minutes before supper each day. It could be reading a book before bedtime. It could be eating supper at the table at 6:30 each night. It could be a "Boys Night Out" each month with dad and sons. (Moms would love that!!) It could be a weekly Saturday breakfast at home or at a restaurant. It can also be one parent taking the kids to school or to practice and the other picking them up. Time in the car can be pretty special as well. The old adage says that "L-O-V-E is spelled T-I-M-E." Some of the most meaningful moments with our children happen when nothing is planned and we are simply doing the routines of life. 3. "Say No for Now and Yes to Later" (Andy Stanley)--This may mean declining on some worthwhile but time consuming opportunities in order to have the time to be there when our children need us most. Essentially, we may say "No" to good things in order to say "Yes" to better things. We do need some margin of time to care well for them and for ourselves while raising them. Saying "no for now" keeps us from burning our candle at both ends. There will come a time (after they leave home) when you can say "yes" to some of those things you turned down when they were little. It will happen. 4. Keep Everyone Together--While we were not always successful, we tried to attend as many events as possible as a family. Joey attended Whitney's volleyball games and tournaments. Whitney went to Joey's band competitions and performances. We all went to family gatherings and vacations together. There will be times and circumstances where this simply isn't possible, but it has set an expectation that we are together for big events in life. (Yes, all of us were at yesterday's wedding.) Those shared experiences yield shared stories and memories that last a lifetime. I know it is not possible to make more time. Minutes and hours are limited and clearly defined. That requires us to prioritize well and make thoughtful decisions. When we do that well, the time with our children will be rich and meaningful and we will do all we can to slow it down.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
P.S. See schedule below for theme days for Red Ribbon Week.
Notes and Reminders
Red Ribbon Week--Is October 24-28 and this is a time where we emphasize with our children how to make great, healthy decisions for themselves and to be drug free. Each day will be a fun "dress up" Spirit Day that matches the theme. Here is the list of those days and the theme for each day.
Red Ribbon Week Spirit Days
10/24 Monday Voting for My Future to Be Drug Free - Wear Red, White, & Blue
10/25 Tuesday Too Bright for Drugs - Wear Neon and Bright Colors and/or Sunglasses
10/26 Wednesday Drug Free from Head to Toe - Wear Crazy Hair and Crazy Socks
10/27 Thursday Team Up Against Drugs - Wear school or sports gear of your favorite team
10/28 Friday Bobcat Dash! Wear Dash T-Shirts (which teachers will give out to students that morning.)
Bobcat Dash--Pledge envelopes went home last week. Here is the running schedule for the Bobcat Dash on October 28. Parents and invited to come and cheer, run and walk with their child. If you would like to volunteer at the Bobcat Dash, click on the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050545a4ad2da57-bobcat
Running Schedule
8:00 Fifth Grade
8:55 Fourth Grade
9:50 Third Grade
10:45 Second Grade
11:40 Kindergarten
12:35 First Grade
Halloween Day on Monday, October 31--We ask that students not wear costumes that day. We will have lots of fun dressing up during Red Ribbon Week and we want costumes saved for activities at home and in the community. We also don't want them to get damaged while at school.
Makeup Picture Day--Class pictures will be taken on our Picture Makeup Day on November 18.
Fall Student Art Show--The following students have their artwork on display at the Center for the Arts in downtown Rock Hill until November 14. We are so proud of their work. (See picture below.) Amina Niang, Foster Williams , Wilmer Molina-Chavez , Jimena Gonzalez , Amaya Bahena , Ruby Kuhn, Hadley Brandwood, Payson Cavett, Addie Jensen, Liam Smith, Dorsey Rushing, Reese Elston. A reception for these students will be held at the Center for the Arts on October 27 from 5:30-6:30 PM.
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School Calendar
October 23-28--Red Ribbon Week (See Schedule of Events Above)
October 28--Bobcat Dash
October 29--11:00-1:00 Boo Ha Ha in Downtown Rock Hill
November 8--Election Day (School Holiday)
November 18--Makeup Pictures and Class Pictures Day
November 23-27--Thanksgiving Holidays
Previous Newsletters for 22-23 School Year
"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 Effectiv"e?" 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