The CPES BobChat
August 11, 2019
What Are Cherry Park Myths to "Bust?"
I enjoy watching the "Mythbusters" television show on Discovery Channel. During each show, co-hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman use the scientific method to substantiate or refute common held beliefs or rumors or misunderstandings. Here are some ideas about Cherry Park Elementary that may or may not need to be "busted." #1--The main office at Cherry Park is located at the entrance off of Cherry Road=MYTH. The main entrance to the school is off Caswell Street. There is no office at the Cherry Road Entrance. Parents can park at the Cherry Road Entrance parking lot and walk around the fence to get to the main office or they can park in the Caswell Entrance Lot by the Sullivan Auditorium. Please think through this if you need to sign your child in late or you are going to visit the school. #2--I don't need my driver's license or state issued ID once I've signed in the first time=MYTH. Know that we will always ask you for your driver's license for verification when visiting our school for any reason. That is a district policy. I'm the principal of a Rock Hill school and everyone in the office at my son's high school knows me and yes, I have to give my license to sign him out. Even if we know you, we may not know the next person in line after you. It would be awkward (and inappropriate) to not ask you for your ID and then need to ask the next person we don't know. This is for the safety of our kids. #3--I need to schedule an appointment ahead of time anytime I need to step down to the classroom=TRUTH. We place a high value on your child's learning time and our teachers' teaching time. As a parent, you really don't want anyone interrupting your child's learning opportunities. On the other hand, know that we love having volunteers and visitors and help. As long as you schedule your visit ahead of time with the teacher (and the office is informed), we are more than glad to have you step down to a class. #4--If I need to change how my child goes home, I need to send a written note to my child's teacher or come to the office in person=TRUTH. We want to do our best to have your child at the correct pickup location in the afternoon. The key to that happening is clear communication. If a teacher is absent or has conferences during the day, he or she may not see an email. Given that our office staff doesn't personally know every parent's voice on the phone, it can be difficult to verify if the person on the other line is really the right parent. Written notes or making changes in person is the best way to communicate the different way a child should go home. (In the event of a dire emergency, we understand parents who may need to make a call to the office.) #5--I can sign out my child between 2:00-2:30=MYTH. We are responsible for 730 children going home one of ten different ways at the end of the day. It is like air traffic control at a busy airport and we have detailed procedures to assure everyone gets on the right plane at the right time. When we deviate from those processes at the end of the day, it is hard to ensure the child's correct dismissal. It is most safe to simply wait and have the child go home as they normally do if at all possible. (Again, we understand true emergencies.) #6--Any person picking up a child by car needs a Cherry Park Car Tag=TRUTH. We want to be sure the right child goes home with the right person. Please be sure to get new car tags at Open House for whoever you know will pick up your child in the afternoons. Be sure to get the right one for the right entrance (Cherry Road Entrance or Caswell Entrance) where your child will be picked up. #7--I can park and walk my child into the school=TRUTH and MYTH. During the first week of school, we will allow parents to park in the Cherry Road Entrance Lot and the Caswell Entrance Lot and walk their child into school. (Hopefully, our older students are OK walking in by themselves.) After that first week, all cars should go through the line and students should get out on the curb with our safety patrol. It is so dangerous for parents to walk their children across traffic lanes to come into the school. We always have staff in halls to help little ones know where to go. We thank you for all your help as we start a new school year. Each of these procedures is in place to help ensure the safety of our kids and staff. We also have our Cherry Park Handbook below so you can know about other procedures and policies that enable us to focus on teaching and learning. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday evening at Open House from 5:30-7:30 PM.
Mr. Maness, Principal
P.S. This year, our fourth and fifth graders will come into the main entrance (from Caswell Street) and will go to the Media Center and the Music Room to wait in the morning. Sullivan's Falcon Room will be used for other purposes in the morning.
School News
Checklist for Starting School
1. Read, read, read. That's the best way to be ready to start school. See opportunities below.
2. Complete your online registration. (Information is below.)
3. Complete the Mobile Computing Guide Parent Orientation and forms (see buttons below) to secure a device for third through twelfth graders. Parents need to do three things: 1.View the orientation video, 2. Review the Mobile Computing Guide and Use of Internet/Student Assurance, and 3. Complete the Technology Protection Plan form. (There is a $35 Device Protection Payment that can be paid at Open House in the Media Center. Mr. Bartless will collect these.)
4. Plan for after school care if needed. (Information about our Challenger After School Program is below.)
5. Purchase school supplies. (List is below. Let us know if you need any assistance with securing them.)
6. Complete Lunch Application if needed. Link is below.
7. Contact Transportation at 980-2022 if you need your child to ride a School of Choice Bus in the morning or afternoon.
8. Sign up for the District App and under Settings, you can select Cherry Park Elementary. This is your best way to received up to date notifications from the district and Cherry Park. You can also select social media choices @CPESBobcat.
9. Attend Open House on Thursday, August 15 from 5:30-7:30 PM. Come meet your child's teacher, ask questions and tour the school. We will have representatives from Food Service, Challenger, Transportation, Nursing, PTO and Technology available to help answer questions.
10. Be sure to check the District Snack List for approved items that can brought into the school for whole classes. See below.
Opportunity to Play Football
Cherry Park students will play on the same team as Richmond Drive students. David Bell will be the head coach and he is a wonderful guy who models great expectations for students. For more information, please click on the flyer below. You can reach Coach Bell at 803-412-2475 or wvdawgs@comporium.net.
Reading Opportunities This Summer (and Next Fall)
All Students--Our schoolwide reading program is called READO. Click on the file below to see our READO card and see the incentives for our kids if they read over the summer.
Rising Fourth and Fifth Graders (Elementary Battle of the Books)--Titles are below for books that students will read to compete in next year's Battle of the Books competition. Students can read them starting this summer. Just click on the file for Elementary Battle of the Books.
Online Registration for Students
The convenient, online process will allow parents to update information from the comfort of their home before attending orientation sessions at their child’s school. The district is pleased to offer this service to its families as a way to speed up the registration process.
By completing the registration in advance, parents and guardians will be able to quickly move through the orientation and course/class schedule pickup dates to be held later at each school.
We are happy to inform you that the document upload feature is now available for both new and returning students. Please note that the documents must be in a file format accepted by the online registration system. Please see the Document Upload Feature section of the help page, listed below, for more information.
Online Registration Help webpage: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/7818 If you experience trouble with the document upload feature, or would rather deliver your documents in-person, please do not hesitate to visit the school after completing the online registration. Steps for registration:
- Register online as either a new or returning student by following the appropriate link on our homepage https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/default.aspx?PageID=1
- If you did not upload documents while registering, take any needed documents to the school your student will attend, such as proof of residency documentation.
NOTE: Please make sure to register before taking documentation to the school.
Parents/guardians will need to provide proof of residency documentation to their child’s school. Accepted documents include: Electric Bill, Gas Bill, or Rental or Lease Agreement. The document you choose to submit must include the student's parent(s) or legal guardian and the address being confirmed.
PTO and SIC Information
Box Tops For Education
The Box Tops program has gone digital! Please download the new Box Tops app and scan your receipts to help us earn money for Cherry Park Elementary. (Grandparents and neighbors are welcome to help, too.) You can also still clip and send traditional Box Tops with a valid expiration date. The first due date for clipped Box Tops will be Friday, October 18th, but you can send Box Tops to your child’s teacher at any time during the school year. For more information, please go to http://www.btfe.com. Thanks for supporting our school!
Girls on the Run and Let Me Run Volunteers Needed
Girls on the Run--At this time, we are still in need of coaches at Cherry Park Elementary for a 2nd team. Volunteers are the heart of our program! If you, or someone you know, is interested in joining the fun, please let Program Director Jen Thorsell know ASAP. We would love to have you join GOTR for another fantastic fall season! (You can reach Jen at jennifer.thorsell@girlsontherun.org or 803-620-3036.
Important GOTR season dates:
· New Coach Training Class: August 24th and/or September 7th (8am-12:30pm) in Rock Hill
· Registration opens: August 26th
· Season: September 23rd– December 6th
· Reindeer Romp (downtown Rock Hill) 5k: December 7th at 8am
· Kickoff Meeting (lead coach attends): September 17th
· Mid-Season Meeting (lead coach attends): October 23rd
Let Me Run (Boys)
Let Me Run is a running program for 4th - 5th grade boys, but it’s more about the boy than the run. Counteracting the negative pressures society places on boys, the program uses running as the vehicle to inspire, teach, and reach them. Combining exercise with fun activities and lessons, Let Me Run inspire boys to be courageous enough to be themselves, build healthy relationships, and live an active lifestyle.
Let Me Run meets for 1 hour 15 minutes after school for 7 weeks on two non-consecutive days beginning mid-September. The season will end with the inaugural Upper Palmetto Let Me Run 5K To be held at the Winthrop Coliseum /Winthrop Lake area.
For information contact:
Don Rice, Program Director
704-743-8755
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 September 9, October 14, November 11, December 9 (if needed), January 13, February 10, March 9, April 13, and May 11 (if needed.)
Calendar of Events
August 12--District Professional Learning Community Conference at CPES (District staff development for all elementary teachers will be at CPES.) This is the first day back for teachers.
August 15--Open House (5:30-7:30 PM)
August 19--First Day for Students
September 2--Labor Day Holiday
September 9--First School Improvement Council Meeting (5:30 PM) and Parent Teacher Organization Meeting (6:30 PM) (All parents are welcome to attend.)
Monday, October 21--Parent Conference Day
Monday-Friday, October 27-November1--Red Ribbon Week
Friday, November 1--Bobcat Dash (This is our Fall Fundraiser and more information will be sent home at a later time.)