The Faculty Family CPES BobChat
November 30, 2019
CPES BobChat
How Do We "Never Delay Gratitude?"
Winthrop Men's Basketball Coach Pat Kelsey reminded us to "never delay gratitude" when he spoke on Wednesday at our Terrific Kids program. That is a life message for him that he instills in his players. With that in mind, I want to take this opportunity to say "thank you" to some of the unsung heroes of our school who are seldom recognized. 1. Our Cafeteria Staff--Mrs. Sonya McCrorey, Ms. Stephanie Sauls, Mr. Billy Watson and Ms. Denise Cook make such a difference in our kids. They serve with a smile and they know our kids so well. They take pride in the meals they prepare and serve. They know that breakfast and lunch at school may be the best meals our kids eat each day. The kitchen is the heart of any home and that is definitely true for our school family. 2. Our Cleaning Staff--Mr. Joe Jackson and Mrs. Serese Galette work during the day to ensure our school is safe and clean. Mr. James Mobley, Ms. Kathryn Harris, Mr. Johnny Mitchell, Mr. Chuck Williams, Mr. Torrance Gaiton, and Ms. Mary Torbit are the second shift that come after school hours to get rooms ready for the next day. Each of them is so faithful in their work. They know how to give extra attention to areas in preparation of visitors coming (and that is almost every day.) Often, they work around us to do their job. Mr. Mike Tucker supervises all of them to help solve any problems. 3. Our Facilities Services Team--When the water main breaks, they are there. When the fire alarm goes off unexpectedly, they are there. When the work order is sent, they respond quickly. Not only do they respond to the need at hand, they think through anticipated needs to be proactive. All of our school buildings in Rock Hill function well and they are the reason for that. Thank you, Mr. Brian Vaughn and Mr. Eddie Robinson, for all you do. You are always a phone call away and ready to help. 4. Our Bus Drivers--They are the first and the last people our children see every day. They know their names and their needs. It is a challenge putting forty to fifty children behind a driver and navigating the challenges of safely driving throughout Rock Hill during peak traffic times. When my kids were small, it was hard doing that and I only had two sitting behind me (and I had a "mom monitor" helping me.) Our bus drivers not only manage difficult road situations but challenging little people problems as well. Truly, they amaze me. 5. Our Challenger After School Staff--We are so blessed to have 38 people who take the second shift in teaching our children. Most of them are district employees who come and work an extended day to care for our kids. They strike such a great balance between learning and play with our students. They care deeply for them just like our "during the day staff." For each of these groups, they know that they have a huge impact on teaching and learning in our school. If there is a problem in any one of these areas, it is a big deal. Children can't learn if they are hungry or unsafe. These teams give us the best chance every day to help our students succeed. Please join me in shaking their hands, giving them a hug, and saying "thank you" for all they do. May we never delay gratitude for them. They are #OneTeamOneMissionOneRockHill.
Mr. Maness, Principal
Our Family Matters
2. Teacher Listen and Learn--Zulmarie Allison will represent you on December 4 at the next Teacher Listen and Learn. Please email her any questions you might have for her to send in. mailto:zallison@rhmail.org
3. Feedback on Winthrop Game--Right now, we are planning for all our kids to walk from CPES to Winthrop Coliseum on Tuesday, December 17. It is less than a mile there. We do have two buses reserved to shuttle us if the weather is bad. We would eat "brunch" before we go and you can do a snack if you want during halftime or when you return. Please give me any thoughts you have as questions or concerns. Before sending this to parents, I want to be sure we've thought through everything needed. Let me know your thoughts by Monday, December 2.
4. E Learning Days-We will need to do some planning in December for our E Learning days. These days would be in place of makeup days for bad weather. Information was sent home to parents last week. Heather Rollings and I are going to meet and plan for our activities.
5. Christmas Luncheon--On Friday, December 13, we will cover your lunch duty and provide a Christmas luncheon of grilled chicken, baked potatoes, salad and dessert. We look forward to celebrating the season with you.
6. Planning for the Holidays--Please be sure to keep the office staff, cafeteria staff, and related arts staff informed about any activities that would affect them. Be sure to plan well in advance so things can go as smoothly as possible. Everyone gets stressed in the holiday season and good planning reduces that stress. Make sure your events are on the calendar and if you are sending a flyer home, it would be great to email that to the above groups. The more our office staff knows what's happening, the more they can help things go well with sending visitors at the right time to the right place.
7. CPES Christmas Concert at 6:00 PM on Thursday, December 19--It will be in Sullivan's Auditorium and we will need grade level teachers (and anyone else who can) to help with monitoring kids during the performance. If your kids are performing (Grades 1, 3 and 5), please plan to come and if you can't, please notify me and find someone who can take your place. There will be lots of moving parts and we want to be sure everything is well covered.
8. I Am So Grateful for Each of You--I listed some of our "unsung heroes" above who often don't get recognized and appreciated. The truth is that every one of you is a hero to our kids and parents and to me. We are so blessed to work in a great school and that happens because we have great people who give their lives away each day to make a difference in our kids. I consider it a privilege to work alongside of you each day. I hope you will unplug, rest up and enjoy your time away. We have had a long haul without any breaks and it is a well deserved time of rest. Please do just that....rest.
School News
Welcome Sr. Morales and Sr. Barainca--Sr. Carlos Morales began this week teaching for Sra. Polanco in third grade while she is out. Sr. Barainca teaches Spanish to one first grade class and one kindergarten class each day in our Related Arts rotation. He arrived from Spain last weekend and will be with us the rest of the year.
PE News from Dr. Beard
All grade levels have participated in speed stacking activities. Speed stacking has both physical and academic benefits. Physically, it helps develop motor skills, patterning, sequencing, focus and concentration. Academically, students that sport stack on a regular basis have shown increases in test scores and levels of concentration. This is achieved by students using both their right and left sides of their brain. When students sport stack they are crossing the "midline" of their bodies and developing new connections in their brains. These new connections help to spur brain growth which in turn promotes greater academic achievement.
Your student received a flyer explaining the steps for ordering their own set of speed stacks. Using our school’s online group order, you will receive discount on the cups. You simply order online, send the receipt with your student to school and we will send the cups home that same day. If this is a gift for your student, please forward the receipt to Christi Beard (cabeard@rhmail). I will bag, label and place your order in a box located in the front office to be picked up at your convenience. Here is the link to order:
https://www.speedstacks.com/go/
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 and the Choice Fairs below.
School of Choice Tours at Cherry Park--You can click on https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4bacac29a31-spanish2 to sign up for a tour.
Tuesday, December 10 at 8:00 AM
Tuesday, January 14 at 8:00 AM
Tuesday, February 18 at 6:00 PM
Fall Choice Programs Fair--Will be Monday, December 2 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Kenneth Monroe Transformation Center on Saluda Streeet.
Rock Hill Schools Programs EXPO--Will be Saturday, January 25 from 10:00-12:00 (Location TBD). Both of these events will be places where we highlight our immersion program for prospective parents.
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.
Guidance News From Mrs. Sanders and Mrs. Flaherty--Over the next few months, our guidance counselors will provide instruction consistent with the requirements of Erin's Law that was passed by our legislature. From more information, please see the letter below from our district. If you have any questions, you can contact Mrs. Sanders or Mrs. Flaherty.
PTO and SIC Information
Bobcat Dash Pledge Receipt--Similar to the kind of receipts given at other non-profits, we want to provide a form for you to fill out as a receipt for any pledge donations you made. Parents, feel free to pass this on to family members or neighbors who donated as well. You can find the form below. All contributions to PTO are tax deductible given that our PTO is a 501c3.
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 January 13, February 10, March 9, April 13, and May 11 (if needed.)
Calendar of Events
Monday, December 2--6:00-8:00 PM Fall Choice Programs Fair at Kenneth Monroe Transformation Center on Saluda Street; School of Choice Application Window Opens
Tuesday, December 3--3:00 Catawba Nuclear Training
Wednesday, December 4--Alberto Leon's Birthday
Thursday, December 5--Kindergarten to Brattonsville in the AM; Angela Neal's Birthday
Friday, December 6--9:00-10:30 AM Visitors from VS Furniture Coming; 1:30 RHHS Band Performing at CPES; 6:00 PM Rock Hill Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 7--8:00 Reindeer Romp 5K (Girls on the Run will be running then.)
Sunday, December 8--Rebeca Garcia's Birthday
December 9--Birthday Book Recognition during Lunch
December 10--8:00 AM School of Choice Tour at CPES
December 11--Fourth Grade to Schiele Museum
December 16--First Grade to Discovery Place
December 17--11:00 AM CPES Attends Winthrop Men's Basketball Game (More details to come.)
December 19--Cherry Park Holiday Concert 6:00 PM in the Sullivan Auditorium (First, Third and Fifth Grades will perform in it. Kindergarten, Second and Fourth will perform in the spring.)
December 20--Half Day for Students (Students will be dismissed at 11:00); 8:30 School Performance of our Holiday Concert by First, Third, and Fifth Grades
December 23-January 7--Christmas Holidays (January 6 and 7 are Teacher Workdays)
January 8--Students Return from Winter Break
January 14--8:00 AM School of Choice Tour at CPES
February 18--6:00 PM School of Choice Tour at CPES