The CPES BobChat
February 16, 2020
How Do We Love Our Children Well?
On Friday, we had a great time celebrating Valentine's Day with our children. As teachers and parents, we want them to know they are loved and nurtured...but how do we do that well? A while ago, I heard some great parenting advice (from authors Andy and Sandra Stanley) that made sense to me. They said that teaching and raising kids can be broken down into four stages. 1. The Discipline Years from Birth to Five (Preschool)--During this time, we address the three D's: disobedience, disrespect and defiance. We want little ones to understand authority and respect. Someone is always "the boss" in life. I often remind kids that if they can't control themselves then they give up their control to someone else called the authority (parents, teachers, principals, and police.) These limits are in place to keep themselves and others physically and emotionally safe. 2. The Training Years from Six to Twelve (Elementary)--During this time, our goal is to help our children understand the "why's" behind the "what's." The reason you need to go to bed early is so you can have the energy you need to learn at school. The reason you don't take toys to school is that you can easily lose them or they will be a distraction. The reason you don't eat too much sweets is because it causes you to get sick. The list is endless. We still discipline during these years but we are trying to help our kids know why it is the right thing or wrong thing to do so that they will make good decisions for their own benefit and not just for compliance (or consequence) sake. 3. The Coaching Years from Twelve to Eighteen (Middle and High School)--During these years, we want our children to take big steps in thinking for themselves. We help them by asking, "what do you think you should do?" and help them arrive at good answers. We should be focusing less on discipline and training and more on guiding and preparing. We should come to the rescue less and less and encourage independence more and more. Our conversations can be "here's what I do to handle that...what do you think might work for you...now you try it." During this time, we have to use good judgement in how much support our kids do and don't need from us. We want them to be ready to stand on their own two feet at the end of high school. 4. The Friendship Years from Eighteen and Beyond--The Stanleys said, "We always parented with this end goal in mind: That our kids would want to be around us and each other at a time of life when they didn't have to be." There will come a day when our children will and should leave us. It is then that they can decide how much they will come back. I want my kids to be independent. I also want to enjoy life with them as adults and as my friends. We love our children well when we focus on developing the appropriate skills at the appropriate stages. It isn't helpful to be a "friend" of a five year old. It is hard to do lots of disciplining with a sixteen year old. The challenge is leading our children in the right way at the right time. If we do that thoughtfully and carefully, they will love (and appreciate) us, too.
Mr. Maness, Principal
School News
Valentine's Day Parties--Thank you for your help on Friday. We had so much fun with our kids on the "Day of Love." Thank you, Teacher Appreciation Committee, for loving on our teachers with a snack cart as well. (See above for our volunteers with our new faculty member, Bobby the Bobcat.)
New Security Procedure Using Video Phone--Starting next Tuesday, February 18, all visitors (including Challenger parents picking up) will use the Video Phone located to the right of the front door in order to enter the building. This is a districtwide security procedure that will be put into place in all our schools. This Video Phone should be used from 2:45-6:00 PM.
Boxtops--All Boxtops are due by Wednesday. You can send them with your child to the office.
Back the Pack with Winthrop Basketball will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 1 p.m. Admission to the game is $5 with $3 of every ticket sold going to Rock Hill Schools Education Foundation. The Foundation will have a table at both of the entrances into the Winthrop Coliseum and be able to give out information and collect donations. Note that there will not be an attendance competition this year and no food donations will be collected. Monetary donations will be collected during the game. Click on the link below for the flyer.
@CPESBobcat on Twitter--Want to see what's happening at CPES? Twitter is a great way for you to see our school family at work and play each day. Download the Twitter app and follow us @CPESBobcat. You might see your little one or favorite staff member.
Pickleball at the Tennis Center--Weather permitting, Mrs. Anderson (PE2) will be going over to the Tennis Center during the week of February 24th - 28th to practice Pickleball skills with 2nd - 5th graders. Pickleball is a similar striking skill to tennis. If your child/student is not able to walk over for medical reason, please e-mail Mrs. Anderson (eanderson@rhmail.org) or please let the homeroom teacher know. We are excited about this opportunity to learn a fun and lifelong activity!
Student Art Show Fundraiser on Wednesday, February 26 from 5:30-7:30 PM--Join us for the Annual Student Art Show Fundraiser in conjunction with Artome. The students have come together to create artwork for an evening full of arts! Every student in Kindergarten through 5th grade will have their own masterpiece framed & on display. See more information below.
5210 League--Our school is participating in the 5210 League. This initiative encourages families to eat more fruits and vegetables, be physically active for at least one hour per day, limit recreational screen time, and avoid sugary drinks. This week, your student will receive a pledge sheet. Please read over it with your student and decide if it is a good choice for your family. If so, return the signed pledge by Friday, January 24. Each grade level that returns 75 or more pledges will earn free recess equipment! Will your family make the pledge to be healthy together? For more information visit https://atriumhealth.org/campaigns/pediatrics/healthytogether/healthytogether
Spring Registration Timeline--Please click on the button below so you can know deadlines for registering your child for next fall.
(Rescheduled) Meeting for Rising Sixth Graders--There will be a Dual Language Immersion Meeting for Rising Sixth Graders on Thursday, February 27 at 6:00 at Sullivan Middle. This is a meeting for our families to understand the immersion program at Sullivan Middle. This is rescheduled from the meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, February 6.
Rising Sixth Grade Letter of Intent for Immersion--In preparation for the 2020-2021 school year, we would like for you to confirm your intent to enroll your child as a rising 6th grader at Sullivan Middle School. Please complete this ASAP if you haven't already. Please click on the button below to access the form.
School of Choice Information
If you have a rising kindergarten student who has a sibling in our immersion program, please be sure to complete your School of Choice application between December 2 and February 28. If your child is already in our immersion program at Cherry Park, you do not have to apply again. Please help spread the word about opportunities to come and take a tour.
Our Last School of Choice Tour at Cherry Park Is Tueday, February 18 at 6:00 PM--You can click on https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4bacac29a31-spanish2 to sign up for a tour. If the tour slot is full, please come on anyway. We will make space available.
Reminders from Nurse Love--The flu season is upon us. Please do not send your child to school sick. If they have vomiting, diarrhea or fever, please do not send them to school. They are to be fever free for 24 hours before sending them back to school. Flu signs and symptoms include: fever, chills, muscle and/or body aches, congestion, sore throat, and cough. Please consult your child's physician if you suspect your child may have the flu.
The Dental Van will be coming on 12/9/19 and the Lions Club will be coming on 12/13/19 to help with vision screenings.
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 next year. School Improvement Council meets at 5:30 (in the Fish Bowl) and our Parent Teacher Organization meets at 6:30 (in the Media Center.) Elections were held in the spring for these organizations but all parents are welcome to attend to help provide input and volunteer. Meetings will be held on March 9, April 13, and May 11 (if needed.)
Calendar of Events
Monday--President's Day Holiday
Tuesday--9:00 DHEC Presentation for Fifth Grade; 3:00 Faculty Meeting; 6:00 PM School of Choice Tour at CPES (Last SOC Tour)
Wednesday--Boxtops Due to Office
Thursday--8:30 Terrific Kids
Saturday--1:00 Winthrop Back the Pack Game
February 24-28--Read Across America Week and School Bookfair (Details to come.)
February 24--10:30 York County Education Association Retirees Visit
February 26--5:30-7:30 PM Schoolwide Art Show (PE Room)
February 27--6:00 PM Rising Sixth Grade Immersion Meeting at Sullivan; 6:30 PM District SIC Meeting
February 28--School of Choice Application Window Closes; 8:30 AM Clover School District Visit
March 9-12--Fourth Graders Swim Lessons
March 13--Teacher Staff Development Day (Student Holiday)
March 20--Spring Pictures
March 31--Bond Referendum Vote (Information about projects can be found at www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/oneplan); 6:30 PM Spring Music Performance for Kindergarten, Second and Fourth Graders in Sullivan's Auditorium
April 6-13--Spring Break
May 21--Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Field Day (in AM)
June 1--9:00 AM Fifth Grade Graduation (Sullivan Auditorium)
June 2--Third, Fourth and Fifth Field Day (All Day)