The CPES BobChat
February 12, 2023
How Can You Share the Love...with People Different from Us?
Valentine's Day is upon us. As we think about honoring those we love, it can be challenging to develop meaningful relationships with those who are different from us. Our children attend school with others from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities and languages (and these are just a few of the differences). One guarantee about Cherry Park is that our students will get to know other students similar to them and different from them. How can we (adults and students) share the love with others not like us? 1. Listen well. It is all too easy to make assumptions and develop stereotypes based on what we see on the outside of others. When we take time to ask questions and hear someone's story, we may realize that we share more in common than we thought. Even if we don't have much in common, listening to others helps us understand their perspective and know their "why" behind their "what." Learning about their experiences breaks down relational walls. 2. Ask for help from a "culture translator." I have to tell you a secret. I have people in my life who I've gotten to know who help me understand others cultures. I am not from a Hispanic background but I have a few trusted colleagues who I can ask questions about Hispanic life. I don't know what it is like to be an African American dad but I know some who help me see life through their eyes. If we went to another country, we would depend on guides to show us around. We need those same kind of people in our lives who can give us insight about other cultures here in the US as well. Cultural translations can also be found in what we read and what we watch. 3. Remember that no one is "just like...." Even when we think we have appropriate cultural sensitivity and understand others, we must remember that no one neatly fits into any particular category. Trees usually have one main trunk but they also have limbs that branch off to other limbs that branch off to other limbs that branch off. Two leaves on an oak tree can be fifty or more feet from each other. The same is true for us. We can have commonalities but our life experiences make us "branch off" in a variety of directions that uniquely make us who we are. Once again, this is why it is so important to hear others' stories. We want to develop children who care for others who are like them and unlike them. Many times, it is easier for them to do this as kids and harder for us as adults. Let's determine this Valentine's Day to "share the love with others who are different from us."
Strength and Blessings to You,
Mr. Maness
Happy Valentine's Day!! I hope you have fun letting your family and friends know how much you care for them.
Parents, please don't forget that we will dismiss at 11:00 on this Friday for a Staff Development Day and next Monday, February 20 is Presidents' Day Holiday.
Notes and Reminders
STEAM Fair Participants--We are so proud of our fourteen fourth and fifth grade students pictured above who participated in the District STEAM Fair on Thursday. Bradley Hinson received 2nd place in the Science Showcase category for his Maglev Rollercoaster project. Eden Williamson received 2nd place in the Scientific Models category for her project on Phase Models and Emma Kate Brown received a 3rd place in the same category for her project on Viruses. In the Glad Scientist category, Thomas Catoe won 1st place for his Sour Candy project and Mary Hollis Watson won 3rd place for Sugar Effects on Tooth Decay. Our other participants included Zaria Howze, Lilli Chamberlin, Keragan Thomas, Moira Davis, Jonah Wyns, Hannah Wyns, Lola Byrns, June Creech and Cadence Hamner. We are so proud of their work and effort.
School of Choice Application Window (Updated Information)--Opened on January 5 and you can go to the following website to appl y: https://rockhill-registration.hosted.src-solutions.com/login (This is the updated link where you will complete your New Student Registration and you School of Choice Application.) Remember that rising kindergarten students who currently have siblings in the program have first priority to secure a slot at Cherry Park but parents must complete the New Student Registration/Choice Application. We will also accept new students in first grade French. We have a few slots available in upper grades for students who apply and have appropriate language skills in French and Spanish. The application window closes on February 28. Please share this information with your friends and family. We want all families in Rock Hill to know about this opportunity for their children. We will have CPES Parent Information Meetings for Choice on the following days and times:
February 16 at 6:00 PM
Updating Volunteer Screening--Please be sure your Volunteer Screening is up to date. Anytime we have someone going down to a classroom to volunteer, we want to be sure that person is approved to be with children. Whether someone is doing a presentation, working with a small group, chaperoning a field trip or leading games at Field Day, we want our kids to be safe and secure. If you've done a volunteer screening in the past, know they are valid for two years only. They must be updated after those two years. Here is the link for completing the volunteer screening: https://securevolunteer.com/Rock-Hill-School-District/home
Rising Sixth Grade Parent Information and Orientation--The Sixth Grade Parent Information Meeting will be on March 2 at 6:00 PM at your child's middle school. (Most of our students will go to Sullivan.) Please note this on your calendar. This is a time that middle school leaders will share important information about schedules, classes, and transitions for our children. All fifth grade families will receive a link for a Letter of Intent for you to complete to let Sullivan know if you plan for your child to continue in immersion. You do not need to do a School Choice application if you plan for your child to continue in immersion. That Letter of Intent link will be sent when it is ready to go out.
Summer Challenger--Registration is now open for Summer Challenger for current Kindergarten through Fourth Grade students. (Rising Kindergarten students can attend, too.) You can go to this website for more information and to register: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/8320
Valentine's Day Parties--Valentine's Day is such a fun day for our kids. Please follow the lead of your child's teacher for how they will plan for that time and what they need. We will have homemade pizza for lunch that day so there is no need for it to be brought in or sent in. (See flyer below.) We want to be mindful, as always, that items sent should have labels of ingredients in the event a student has a food reaction and we need to track down the allergen. We also want to avoid foods with nuts given that we have students in most every homeroom with nut allergies. Your child's teacher will be in touch to provide further information. Please be mindful that the Brach’s conversation hearts are manufactured in a plant that also has peanuts/tree nuts. All food must be store bought with a food ingredient label. No homemade treats are allowed. If snack/individual size candy is sent in, the large bag with the food ingredient label must also be sent available in order to review the food ingredient label.
Bringing Lunch for Children--As we always have, we welcome parents and approved visitors to come and eat lunch with their child. We also understand that children forget their lunch and parents need to drop off their lunch box. When there is a need to bring a child a lunch, keep the following in mind:
1. Items Dropped Off--We have a process in place to take all items dropped off in the morning to classrooms by 9:30 AM. Parents needing to drop off something should do that before 9:30 AM.
2. Bringing Lunch--We do not have enough staff to take lunches or other items to classrooms throughout the rest of the day (unless there is a medical need.) Parents who bring a lunch will need to sign in and take the lunch to their child during their lunch time. Be sure to drop off your name tag when you leave. We will not call students to the office to get their lunch because we do not want to interrupt classroom instruction for our children.
3. Food Safety--Another reason we don't drop off lunches is due to food sitting on a counter and spoiling. Lunches dropped off before 9:30 AM should not need refrigeration or heating. They should be packed in a way to keep food cold or hot through lunch time.
4. If Your Child Forgets a Lunch--Know that we will always have your child eat in the cafeteria. Mrs. McCrorey, our cafeteria manager, will always make sure children eat. You can send lunch money the next day if needed.
5. The Why Behind the What--These policies are in place because we serve 783 students each day. We would love to have enough staff to take down a lunch for every parent who wanted it delivered. That simply is not reasonable nor possible. We want to maintain a focus on teaching and learning and safety. Thank you for your help with these policies we have in place.
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
Need Tech Support? Call 803-324-TECH
School Calendar
February 13--5:30 School Improvement Council; 6:30 Parent Teacher Organization
February 14--Valentine's Day
February 16--6:00 PM CPES Parent Information Meeting for Choice
February 17--Early Release Day for Staff Development (Dismissal is at 11:00)
February 20--Presidents' Day Holiday
February 28--School of Choice Application Window Closes
March 2--Rising Sixth Grade Orientation (At All Middle Schools) 6:00 PM
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
"How Can We Share the Love...about Cherry Park?" February 5, 2023 https://www.smore.com/mfjbh
"Can We Lose a Bad Health Habit?" January 29, 2023 https://www.smore.com/7e10cf
"Can We Lose Some of Our Stuff?" January 22, 2023 https://www.smore.com/vqz19
"Can We Lose a Little of Ourselves?" January 15, 2023 https://www.smore.com/kydtr
"What Can We Lose?" January 8, 2023 https://www.smore.com/j3spt
"What's Happening in the New Year?" January 1, 2023 https://www.smore.com/zcthu
"What 'R' You Going to Do during the Holidays?" December 18, 2022 https://www.smore.com/8c6u49
"How Can We Reduce Holiday Stress?" December 11, 2022 https://www.smore.com/vmx8s
"Why Do We Clap and Cheer for Our Children?" December 4, 2022 https://www.smore.com/jegnm
"When Is the Best Time to Express Gratitude?" November 20, 2022 https://www.smore.com/b2xmt
"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"w 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