The CPES BobChat
January 29, 2022
How Important Is It to Never Give Up?
Last week, I discussed how important it is to "play up." This week, we will look at how important it is to never give up. I'm amazed at what happens when we don't give up. Nearly every NFL playoff game last weekend was won in the last minute of the game by the team most persistent. (Congrats to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Kansas City and Cincinnati.) Winthrop won a huge basketball game against USC Upstate Wednesday night after being down by 11. That game was crazy. 1. When you never give up, you can overcome the odds to win. Our favorite stories are about others who persevered and persisted and accomplished their goals. This is such an obvious lesson for our children because it is so true. Research indicates that the most effective leaders in business and industry are not those with the highest grade point averages in school but those students who had the most grit and perseverance. Effort really does pay off. 2. When you never give up, you can lose as well... Our children need to know that they can do all they can and do their best and not end up with the W on the scoreboard. Disappointment and frustration are natural reactions and those are feelings we want to acknowledge. We should care when we give maximum effort and the end results are not the ones we desired. This is a part of life. 3. ...but those losses can be as instructive and beneficial as our wins. Those losses help us redefine what winning really is. (We always tried to help our children know that success was doing your very best no matter the outcome. That came from Hall of Fame basketball coach John Wooden.) Those losses provide the opportunity to see where you can get better. Those losses build our character to know that who we are is not determined by someone else's outward measure but by our own effort to courageously get up again when we get knocked down. (Cue the "Rocky" theme music.) Those losses can help us really see how far we need to go to reach our goals. I love cheering for the underdog. It is fantastic to see others overcome challenges and obstacles. As parents and teachers, when we show our children how to never give up, it helps them to know they can do the same. That enables our children to constantly take the next step of independence to be successful in life. I believe that this kind of perseverance is shown in teachers and students every day at Cherry Park as we work together to develop bilingual, biliterate and bicultural children who will change the world. Immersion is a challenging opportunity that will pay big dividends for those who persist. I am so proud of each of you for the important role you play in helping our children never give up.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
P.S. This is a picture of Russell Jones who is point guard for Winthrop at 5'8". When you watch him play, you clearly see what "never give up" means on a basketball court.
P.S.S. Today's article comes from a parent who emailed a question about developing resilient kids. Keep those requests coming.
Parents, please be on the lookout for information this week on how you can complete your survey for the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence evaluation process.
Notes and Reminders
January Teacher Appreciation--Thank you for providing a "Souper" Lunch on Friday for our staff. We appreciate your support and it was such a great way to end the week.
Valentine's Day Parties--This week, your child's teachers will be sending you information about plans for our Valentine's Day parties on Monday, February 14. Please follow their lead on what and how to send in items. They know best what will be enough and what will be too much. Any food items sent need to have labels with ingredients so we can determine what is appropriate for students to have if they have a food allergy. We would also encourage any food items to be wrapped for health and safety reasons as well. Teachers will let you know if they will be making Valentines at school or if your child needs to make them at home and bring them in. We will serve pizza in the cafeteria on that day. Thanks for your support of this fun day for our kids.
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. Please be patient as we make the needed changes in attendance due to COVID.
Sixth Grade Immersion Program at Sullivan Middle School
Fifth Grade Parent Information Meeting--You are invited to a Fifth Grade Parent Information Meeting about the immersion program at Sullivan Middle School on Tuesday, February 8 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. In order to attend, you can simply click on this link: Zoom Meeting for Fifth Grade Parents Meeting ID: 741 043 4809 and Passcode: Lions1
During this meeting, the Sullivan staff will explain how the immersion program looks in middle school and provide additional information about the transition to sixth grade.
Letter of Intent--In order for your child to continue the immersion program at Sullivan Middle School, all you have to do is complete the following Letter of Intent: Sixth Grade Immersion Letter of Intent
We hope you will attend the meeting and complete the Letter of Intent so your child can continue in the immersion program.
High School Program--Please remember that we now have the high school immersion program in place at Rock Hill High where students can earn college credits from Winthrop by taking Dual Credit classes. Our middle school program helps effectively prepare our students for the high school program.
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, February 9 at 6:30 PM--https://rockhillschools.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtf-CrqzsjGd0mN3ZWMT-Rc8xBQHh3936i
Need Tech Support? Call 803-324-TECH
School Calendar
Tomorrow--First Day for Dr. Tommy Schmolze as new Superintendent of Rock Hill Schools
February 1-28--Parent Surveys for Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence will go out
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
March 8-9--Blue Ribbon Site Visit