The CPES BobChat
August 16, 2020
Why Are We Doing "That?"
Yesterday, I asked twenty-four teachers to move rooms. Our custodians will move classroom furniture from one end of the building to the other. Taking at least four days last week and this week, I have asked Mrs. Futrelle (our assistant principal), Mrs. Neal, Mrs. Deyerle and Mrs. Kendree (our office staff) to comb through ten different data sets to make class placements and A/B designations. There are at least ten staff members who will have different teaching and teaming assignments this coming year. And, I am absolutely sure there will be more changes to come. Why are we doing all "that?" The answer is for the greater good. We are moving classrooms so your child and his teacher can have as much room as possible for social distancing. We recognize your challenges for child care and work so we want to do all we can to get class placements right the first time. We want all of our students to have great teachers in the Virtual Academy and at Cherry Park this year and that has meant changes in staff teaching and teaming assignments. At the end of the day, even when I want it to be, it cannot be about me. I need to wear a mask for the greater good. I need to socially distance for the greater good. I need to restrict my exposure to others for the greater good. I need to make hard decisions that I don't like for the greater good. I expect our staff to do the same and....we need your help, too, to do what's right for the greater good. In the days ahead, we will ask you not to come and visit at school to reduce contact for the greater good. We are going to ask that you thoughtfully prepare what your child needs the night before so you don't have to needlessly drop off items your child forgot on the next day...for the greater good. We are asking that you begin reducing your child's exposure to lots of other people so that she doesn't unknowingly bring COVID to her classmates or teachers. We need your help preparing your child to know how to wear a mask and how to wash his hands and to remember that he will need to play differently at recess so everyone can stay healthy. I know we will never find agreement on all the things we are asked to do right now and in the days ahead. We can agree to disagree for sure. But, I am asking all of us to step back, look with a wide angle lens, and be willing during this time to sacrifice a little pride and frustration for the greater good. I truly believe the more we do that, the more we will see positive results that will amaze us. We are doing "that" for the greater good.
Strength and Blessings to You,
Mr. Maness, Principal
School News
Class Assignments and A/B Designations--We hope to have those to you as soon as possible this week. You will receive them in the mail. Please know ahead of time that it will be difficult to make changes after those go out. Please also know that we may have staffing adjustments which may mean a change of teacher assignment even after those go out.
LEAP Days August 31-September 4--The South Carolina Department of Education has designated five additional days for 4K-8th grade students as Learn, Evaluate, Analyze, and Prepare (LEAP) instructional days. These days are required in response to the COVID-19 school closures. Rock Hill Schools has set aside the week of August 31st - September 4th as LEAP days on the district calendar. All families will participate in a scheduled one-on-one parent/student orientation during the days of August 31st - September 2nd. Each family will only attend one 30-minute session during these dates. Parents and students will have the opportunity to meet the teacher, see the classroom, and review the instructional and safety procedures for the year. Your child’s teacher will be contacting you to schedule your orientation beginning the week of Monday, August 24th. In addition, on Thursday, September 3rd, “A” Day students will attend school, and on Friday, September 4th, “B” Day students will attend. These dates will be full instructional days for students based on their assigned grouping. Transportation, breakfast and lunch will be available on these dates as well. Details regarding assigned groupings will be forthcoming.
Request for Bus Transportation--If your child will be riding the bus this year, we need you to complete the Request for Bus Transportation below. Even if your child rode the bus last year, you will need to complete this form.
School Supplies--The Cherry Park School Supply List for each grade level is below. This was also emailed out to families. Each school (and grade level) will have it's own supply list instead of a district wide list as in years past.
Repairing Computers Before School--As we prepare for an amazing school year, we ask that if your child has a district issued device that is damaged or lost, please fill out the form https://bit.ly/2X1G7hp ASAP so that we can service the device prior to the start of school. Upon completion of the form, one of our technicians will be in contact with you and help you over the phone or make arrangements to swap out your device. Back to school is a busy time and we want to ensure that we are prepared for a great year.
District Calendars--The links for the 20-21 District Calendars in English and Spanish are below.
Returning Student Registration--Please click on the link below to update your child's information for this fall. Please, please, please be sure to do this because all of our data management and communication programs pull from the information you update. Remember that all families must provide an updated proof of residence.
New Kindergarten Student Registration--Is a different link located below. This is for rising kindergarten students who have not been in Rock Hill Schools. (If your child attended K4 at a Rock Hill school, please use the Returning Student Registration link.)
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.
School Calendar
August 31-September 2--Parent Conference and Orientation Days with Teachers (LEAP Days)
September 3--First A Day for Students
September 4--First B Day for Students
September 7--Labor Day Holiday
September 8--A Day Students Return