The CPES BobChat
January 16, 2022
How Can Our Children "Be Great?"
"Everybody can be great...because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." Martin Luther King, Jr.
We want our children to be givers and not takers. Like Dr. King, we want them to know that they can be great by serving others. But, how can we show little ones they can serve others in a meaningful way? 1. Give presence. Time and attention are precious resources. Our children need to see how important it is to call grandparents and check on neighbors. Do they understand the significance of asking others "How are you doing?" and then waiting for an answer? (I am always impressed when one of our students stops to ask me that question at school.) How often do they see us putting down (and putting away) our phones to give our full attention to them and to our spouses? They can say "Thank you" for big and small things. 2. Give priority to others. In a similar way to giving presence, it is important for children to see they don't always have to come first. Will they open the door for others as a result of seeing us do the same? They can allow someone else to go first in line. (Easy say and a hard do for all of us.) Kids can learn to be unselfish about who gets the last cookie, the last piece of candy or the last snack. They need to know that we are the ones most blessed when we put others first. 3. Give acts of kindness. Children can help clean up and pick up after themselves and others. It is important for them to remember that others do (and have done) the same for them. They can draw pictures and make cards to encourage others. I've seen students' lemonade stands make hundreds of dollars. Our children should know when it is time to give away items they've outgrown or they no longer use or they have in abundance. Do they know how to reduce, reuse and recycle? Kids can get the mail, take out the trash, and help with yardwork for a neighbor. Our children can be great because they can serve. They will do that best when they see that modeled for them. Let's be great parents who have great kids because we care more about others than ourselves. I agree with you, Dr. King.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
P.S. I hope you will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King on Monday by choosing some act of kindness for others.
Please note that Monday, January 17 will be a school holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr Day.
School News
Weather Closures--In the event of dangerous weather on Tuesday morning, we will engage in an eLearning day. The district will make the call as early as possible in order to give you time to adjust your schedules and they will alert you via phone and email. It will also be posted to our website, social media, and reported to news outlets.
If You Need to Report a Positive COVID Contact Over the Weekend--Please continue to monitor your child’s health over the long weekend. If you need to report a positive over the weekend, please wait until district offices, including the COVID Call Center, have opened either Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the weather.
Student Work During Isolation or Quarantine--Parents, please know that teachers will email you when students' work is ready to be picked up (if that is necessary.) Please direct all questions about what students need to do while they are out to the teachers. If you come by unannounced to pick up work, it may not be ready for pickup. Again, please coordinate with your child's teachers directly through email.
Newsletter Article Suggestions--Do you have suggestions for topics and questions that you'd like Mr. Maness to discuss in the newsletter? Always feel free to email him your ideas here: mailto:pmaness@rhmail.org
COVID Reminder--We are seeing an increase in the Covid-19 cases throughout the district. Please continue to monitor your children for symptoms of COVID. These symptoms include a new or worsening cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, congestion, sore throat, body aches, etc. Please do not send your child to school sick. If your student has COVID symptoms, which unfortunately are very similar to the common cold, they will be sent to the school nurse and the nurse will call for you to pick your child up. Please refer to the Covid-19 information on the RHSD website and contact the COVID call center with questions, 803-980-2016. You can also click on the COVID Call Center button below for more information.
York County Library Winter Reading Challenge (December 13-January 31)--The Totally Cool Winter Reading Challenge is back! This winter, York County Library joins Zoobean in partnership with sponsor Lerner Publishing Group for "Read for a Better World," Beanstack’s annual Winter Reading Challenge. We challenge York County to read at least 2 million minutes as we compete with libraries and schools across the nation for a chance to win book collections, autographed books, and virtual author visits, shared among the top-performing libraries and schools. Let’s light up the mind this winter! Happy reading, York County!
To join the Winter Reading Challenge, register online or at any YCL location, and use our fun, interactive Beanstack service to receive digital badges and book recommendations as you progress! See the FAQ for details. Please click on the following link for more information: https://www.yclibrary.org/wrc
Applying for School of Choice
SOC Application (Families Who Already Have a Sibling in the Program)--Rising kindergarten students who are siblings of current immersion students (in kindergarten through ninth grade) receive priority for acceptance but parents must still fill out the Choice application by February 28.
Parent Orientation Sessions--We will have Virtual Parent Information Sessions at the dates and times below. Please click on the link beside the session to sign up to attend.
Wednesday, January 26 at 12:00 PM--https://rockhillschools.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqf-6uqTkiHNScWr4d9oL5LvEtpJEs8ntc
Wednesday, February 9 at 6:30 PM--https://rockhillschools.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtf-CrqzsjGd0mN3ZWMT-Rc8xBQHh3936i
Need Tech Support? Call 803-324-TECH
School Calendar
January 17--Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (No school)
January 24--100th Day of School
January 26--12:00 Parent Information Session for School of Choice (See above)
February 14--Valentine's Day (Your child's teacher will send you guidance for how we will celebrate the day.)
February 18--Half-Day for Professional Development (Students dismissed at 11:00)
February 21--President's Day Holiday