The CPES BobChat
January 8, 2023
What Can We Lose?
"New Year. New Start." This is the time of year to think of goals you want to accomplish and habits you want to change. We want our children to know that there are always ways that we can become better. Maybe it is losing bad health habits. Maybe it is losing "stuff" and living more simply. Maybe it is losing toxic patterns of thinking. Here are a few big ideas to consider as we help our children set and accomplish goals. 1. Losing allows us to win. Anytime we give up something, we gain something as well. When we de-clutter our homes then we feel more relaxed and peaceful. When we adopt healthier habits such as exercising more, our bodies function more efficiently. When we intentionally save money, we have the freedom to accomplish other financial goals. Let's show our kids how not to focus on what we lose but what we gain when we make changes in our lives. 2. Small steps beat big intentions. We crawl before we walk and we walk before we run. The best way to accomplishing a goal is to break it down into small manageable steps. Consistently taking the next small, doable step builds confidence to achieve the larger goal. Looking at a big goal can be overwhelming. Doing the first, small step gets us on the path to win. 3. We need others to help us. I've been a runner for years. My minimum goal is running three times a week for 30 minutes each session. Over the past three years, I've run more with a buddy. I have never, ever run as much, as far, and as fast as I have with him. We challenge each other. We keep each other accountable. When I don't feel like running, he does and that makes me get back out there. "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." African Proverb. Our children need to know they can accomplish their goals and that happens best when we work with others in that process. (We can be that support for our kids and honestly, they can be that support for us, too.) Making changes is hard. Giving up something is never easy. It is a lifelong process to always see where we can get better. Let's decide to be good guides and examples for our children so they can know how they can continuously improve as well. Over the next couple of weeks, I will talk more about specific areas where we can "lose" so we can gain a better quality of life. Feel free to let me know how goal setting has worked or is working for you and your family.
Strength and Blessings to You,
Mr. Maness
Parents, remember we will observe Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday next Monday, January 16.
Notes and Reminders
School of Choice Application Window (Updated Information)--Opens on January 5 and you can go to the following website to apply: 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:
January 18 at 8:00 AM
January 31 at 6:00 PM
February 8 at 12:00 PM
February 16 at 6:00 PM
Battle of the Books Information for Fourth and Fifth Grade Students and Parents
- Students should read as many of the books as possible by January 5, 2023…If a student needs to borrow a paperback over the break, please see your teacher or Mrs. Austin.
- Students need to fill out an official application and have a parent or guardian sign the form and return it by January 12. Applications are on the table by the door in the Media Center. These can be returned any time before January 12 to the same location. These are different from the interest surveys completed earlier in the year and must be signed by a parent or guardian.
- The selection process will be a quiz on all the books. A numerical score will be given to determine the top 6 scorers (plus 2 alternates).
- The quizzes will be given during the week of January 9. Quizzes must be completed without help from anyone. Teachers can send students to take a BOB quiz anytime during the week. Students will take the quizzes in the Media Center. All quizzes are due to have been completed in the Media Center by January 13.
- The team of 6 (plus 2 alternates) will be selected and announced by January 17, 2023. In the event of a numerical tie on the quizzes, tiebreaker questions will be asked to come up with the top 6 plus 2 alternates.
- The team (including the alternates) will check in weekly with Mrs. Austin for a review of each book by means of completing a story map. Dates and times for these check-ins will be announced and held during school hours.
- Formal practice dates will be announced and held during school hours. There is no before school or after school commitment.
- More details about the final competition will be forthcoming as these arrangements from the district are still in the planning process.
BOB TIMELINE
Read as many of the books as possible.--January 5
Parental Permission Due--January 12
Quizzes Given--January 9-13
Team Selected and Announced--January 17
Check-ins and Practices--TBA
District Competition--TBA
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
January 9--5:30 SIC Meeting; 6:30 PTO Meeting
January 11--Report Cards Go Home
January 16--Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
January 18--8:00 AM CPES Parent Information Meeting for Choice
January 24-25--MAP Testing for Grades 1-5
January 31--6:00 PM CPES Parent Information Meeting for Choice
February 8--12:00 PM CPES Parent Information Meeting for Choice
February 16--6:00 PM CPES Parent Information Meeting for Choice
February 28--School of Choice Application Window Closes
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'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