The CPES BobChat
April 18, 2021
How Did It Go This Past Week? (and Where Do We Go from Here?)
As we consider this past week, these are the two questions on my mind. They are probably going to be the same two questions that I will be asking for some time. This is not an event, it is a process. We would never assume that someone who's had major surgery would easily recover in a few days. This is true for us as well. 1. How did it go this past week? We consider it a win (for big and little people) that we came to school each day. That is courageous in and of itself. We had times when there were "emotional pop ups" when there was an unexpected connection or memory or question that caught us by surprise. We talked and listened and hugged and held hands. We read and wrote and solved math problems and played outside. We tried to be and do "normal" knowing that it was a new normal for some children and for other students, it really was their regular normal. We were so fortunate to have a support team of mental health therapists, school counselors and school psychologists who asked how we were really doing and we tried to be honest about that. We went home tired and came back rested. We ended the week with a period and not an exclamation mark, a question mark, or a comma. We made it and we felt good about that. 2. Where do we go from here? We will take another step this week. We will decide what to do with empty desks. We will determine how we will remember Noah and Adah Lesslie well. We will follow our routines and schedules and affirm our children who were not affected as much as we do those that were. We will continue to counsel our children and adults and help each other cope. We will know there will be more "pop ups" and we will deal with them the best we can. We will be comforted by the right song, or an encouraging word, or by taking a walk when needed. We will take the next step. That's what we will do. On some days, we will believe that taking one step of faith is enough. On other days, we will wish we could do more. We will know we are blessed to walk with each other and that we don't have to do this alone. We will still need your prayers and encouragement and care. We will be OK. I really believe that.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
School News
What Can We Do for the Lesslies? So many of you have asked how you can support the Lesslie family. In honor of Noah and Adah, the family has asked for donations to be made to food pantries and Little Free Libraries. As a result, we will do a canned food drive and a book drive. There will be designated places on each hall and by the Media Center where children can drop off items. Financial contributions and memorials can be made to Camp Joy, 918 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 106, Greenville, S.C. 2960. See information below about memorials.
What Can We Do for the Faculty and Staff and Students? We value and appreciate any and all expressions of love and care and concern for our children and teachers. If you have a thought of something you might like to do, please contact Mrs. Angela Neal in our Main Office and she will assist you in that process. You can call the Main Office at 985-2255 to reach her. Please know that our greatest needs are for your love, support and prayers for our children and staff.
April Teacher Appreciation!--“Any way you slice it, we are so grateful for you!”
We are SO grateful for our teachers! This month let’s treat our teachers and staff to a pizza lunch! Krispy Kreme has graciously donated donuts for dessert as well! The sign up link is below. Please drop off donations to the main office. If dropping of cash for pizza, please address sealed envelope Cherry Park PTO. Thank you for supporting our teachers and staff!
Please sign up in the link below. Thank you all!!
This month will be sponsored by our 4th and 5th grade families! All items should be brought to the main office by 2pm on April 22nd.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-cherry2
PTO Leadership and Bobcat Dash--We are beginning the process of identifying leaders for PTO for next year. If you are interested in helping, please contact Mr. Maness mailto:pmaness@rhmail.org or Erica Smith mailto:cherryparkelementarypto@gmail.com. Due to current COVID restrictions, we will not have a Bobcat Dash this spring. We wanted to make sure everyone was informed. We hope to have it again next fall.
Testing Schedules--We have begun determining tentative test dates. Most likely, we will be doing MAP testing for Grades 1-5 the last two weeks of May (5/17-28). We will have SC READY testing for Grades 3-5 June 1-18. As soon as we have determined the exact dates, we will be sure to notify you. Kindergarten students will assessed on Fast Bridge during those final weeks of school as well. We need all students present for them to do their best on these assessments.
Caps for Recycled Bench at Miracle Park--Thank you so much for all the support you have shown for our plastic cap and lid collection campaign! We have already reached and surpassed our goal for two benches! This has truly been a community effort. Miracle Park will be getting three additional benches next year so you may keep collecting and donating plastic caps and lids to put towards those benches. Please continue to support cap collection by dropping off at the following locations:
Boyd Hill Recreational Center
The York Roastery
Knowledge Perk
Feel free to contact Heather McNay at hmcnay@rhmail.org with any questions. Thank you!
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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 this year. School Improvement Council meets at 5:30 via Zoom and our Parent Teacher Organization meets at 6:30 via Zoom. The link for April's PTO Meeting is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88656390833?pwd=bEFyYzRuWFRYZ2lobWJTYjIxeE9KQT09 We are looking for volunteers to help lead PTO for next year. Let us know if you are interested. Elections were held last spring for these organizations but all parents are welcome to attend to help provide input and volunteer. School Improvement Council members for this year are Carl Thompson, Elizabeth Lowery, Leigh Threatt, Amber Hinson, Kim Crean, Brooke Nies and Phyllis Faircloth. You can contact them at mailto:cherryparksic@gmail.com.
School Calendar
April 19--SIC at 5:30 PM and PTO at 6:30 PM