The CPES BobChat
May 3, 2020
How Do We Help Our Kids through the Isolation?
"Social isolation can be so isolating." By that, I mean that it is easy for all of us to lose perspective and feel as if we are the only one who is struggling with the work or is losing patience or is feeling the walls closing in or ____________ (you fill in the blank). It can lead us to some "stinking thinking" that is not helpful. How can we help our children move to a better place to know they are not alone? 1. Allow them to connect. Part of our purpose of virtual conferencing is to give our children time to compare notes with their peers and know they are not alone. It helps to be reminded that every child in America is going through a similar experience. While the problem may not be solved, it is comforting knowing that others are dealing with it too. In addition, they can reach out to serve others as a way to build confidence and know they are making a difference. 2. Encourage them to ask for help. E-learning doesn't allow teachers to individualize as much as we would like. Whether your child needs help learning or managing their emotions, though, we can provide targeted guidance and support that can give them needed perspective. It may be just a quick explanation or a few words of encouragement to help them take the next steps. This is a great lesson for them to learn that asking for help is a sign of strength and not weakness. 3. Determine what's "feeding the dog." Native American Chief Sitting Bull said, "Inside of me there are two dogs. One is mean and evil and the other is good and they fight each other all the time. When asked which one wins I answer, the one I feed the most." Instead of a mean and evil dog, our kids may have a dog of insecurity or anxiety or fear inside them. During this time, inputs make a big difference. We want to help our little ones know the realities around us but also balance that with comfort and hope and perseverance. This will come to an end and we will get through it. History, if nothing else, tells us that we can survive and thrive during difficult times. Social isolation is real and it has definitely been no fun. I have found times where my own thinking was off and I needed my wife to help me put my train back on the tracks. Our children need our support to do the same. We can help them know the isolation doesn't have to be so isolating.
Mr. Maness, Principal
P.S. As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week this week, hear our applause and appreciation for all you have done to help your child learn this spring. In a way unlike any other time I've experienced, we've needed to work together as #OneTeamOneMissionOneRockHill to make a difference in our children.
School News
Plans for the End of the Year--As a district and school, we are working to determine how best to wrap up the end of the year now that we know we will not bring our students back to campus . If you have suggestions, please feel free to email Mr. Maness mailto:pmaness@rhmail.org. Our highest priority is the safety of our students, parents and staff. As always, we want to think through how we can end as well as we can given the circumstances. Let's think about what we can do more than focusing on what we can't do.
E-Learning through the End of the Year--Here is a schedule for e-learning through the end of the year.
May 4-5--Catch Up and Turn In Days for Students
May 6-20--Instructional Days
May 21-22--Catch Up and Turn In Days for Students
May 25--Memorial Day Holiday
May 26-28--Instructional Days and Activities
May 29--Bad Weather Makeup Day (No Instruction)
June 1-4--Students Drop Off and Pickup Materials/Instructional Days and Activities
June 5--Teacher Workday
Immunization Information--Please click on the button below for updated information about immunizations for your child.
Special Area Activities for This Week--Click on the button below for suggested activities for PE, Art and Music.
Support Staff Member of the Year--We celebrate the hard work and dedication of Sra. Rebeca Garcia who is a kindergarten assistant in Sra. Notaro's class. Sra. Garcia helped establish our language immersion program eight years ago. We could not do what we do without all of our support staff. Congratulations Sra. Garcia.
Teacher Appreciation Week-- Is this week. Information was sent home on Friday and you can click on the buttons below for activities and to sign up to help. Please encourage your child to send staff members a note, card or video for the specials emphases listed below this week. (You can even have them do a sidewalk chalk drawing or message and take a picture to send them.) Please don't forget about our related arts and support staff members, too.
Motivational Monday - Tell your teacher(s) how she/he has motivated you to be your best self.
Terrific Tuesday - Share with your teacher(s) why you think they are TERRIFIC!
Walk Down Memory Lane Wednesday - Share a favorite memory from this school year.
Thankful Thursday - Share with your teacher(s) all the reasons why you are thankful for them!
Funny Friday- Share a funny memory from this school year that makes you laugh, or simply send them a joke to make them laugh!
Spring Pictures Refunds--If you have already paid online with Lifetouch, they will refund your credit or debit card. If you wrote a check, we will give your check back to you.
Need Help? If you need assistance, please contact the district at helpme@rhmail.org or call our dedicated phone support hotline, 803-980-2016 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. on weekdays. You can also access resources on our District webpage: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/ (Please see below if you need technology assistance.)
Update Your Contact Info
Remote Learning
Staff Email Addresses and Office Hours--Can be found in the links below.
Technology Assistance--For technical issues such as logging into Canvas and Launchpad, connecting to wifi, resetting passwords, device troubleshooting, etc., the Rock Hill Schools Technology Department staff will be on-call from 8:00am - 8:00pm and can be reached via email at helpdesk@rhmail.org or via phone at (803) 985-3531. Technology help tutorials will be published at: https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rock-hill.k12.sc.us%2Felearning&data=02%7C01%7CPMANESS%40rhmail.org%7C10c38360cc8d442c802808d7cdca73c5%7C57b835c11a6c40088e2fb2a16e5f738a%7C0%7C0%7C637204141727260450&sdata=YuZ8uNvg%2BLbNyY%2FZF9ppuTRY2C1dJRTrYoa2JBVDLSw%3D&reserved=0. Click on the Parents & Students button in the left-side menu for access.
Or your child's teacher can submit a tech request as they normally would. Each school tech is still monitoring tech requests as usual.
French and Spanish Resources--Click on the button below for some helpful resources to support your child in continuing to learn a second language.
Need Wifi Access? See below flyer from Comporium about how to access free Wifi for 60 days.
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
All school events before, during and after school have been canceled for the rest of the year.
May 4-8--Teacher Appreciation Week
May 10--Mother's Day
May 22--Bad Weather Makeup Day
May 25--Memorial Day (No School)
May 29--Bad Weather Makeup Day
June 4--Last School Day