The CPES BobChat
September 18, 2022
What Do We Control?
This past week, I talked with no less than five people about their anxieties and worries. Over and over, I heard stories of events that happened that were out of their control. With that in mind, how can we model for our children how they can handle situations when they are out of their control? 1. We cannot control circumstances. The truth is that there are big things we cannot control. We can't change the weather. Freak accidents happen. Unexplainable diseases overtake our health. There are also little things that happen. The schedule has to change due to a fire drill. Another child says an unkind word (or does an unkind deed). The freezer was unplugged at school and no one could buy ice cream. (True story.) These circumstances have occurred since the beginning of time and will continue throughout our lifetime. They overwhelm us because we are caught by surprise when they happen to us. Bad things happen to lots of good people everyday. When they happen to us, it is so easy to forget that fact. We question "Why me?" but realistically "Why not me?" is the more appropriate question when difficult circumstances come. Hardships are not particularly selective. This perspective is so hard to have when troubles arrive at our door. 2. We can control our responses. Our children need to know that they can get back up if they get knocked down. They can pause, understand what happened, and make a wise decision. They can know that automatic reactions are not as productive as thoughtful responses. They can decide to express emotions appropriately and keep them in check. They can choose the high road of solutions instead of the low roads of retaliation or denial. They can ask for help to know best how to handle the situation. Our children need to know that every problem is not a nail that always needs a hammer. There are multiple strategies we can use to respond to difficult circumstances. As I mentioned last week, we want our children to learn to be independent and to make good decisions when things have to change. The best way they can do that is by following our example. Let's show them how to be effective "responders" rather than rash "reactors."
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes." Chuck Swindoll
The first Parent Teacher Organization Meeting will be 6:30 next Monday, September 19 in the Media Center.
Mr. Bratton is Ready for Kindergarten
We Can Say and Dance our ABCs in Kindergarten
Mrs. Doyle's Version of "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"
Notes and Reminders
1. Lunch Visits--It has been so good to have you back visiting with us. Please remember a few of our guidelines that help everyone enjoy the time and be safe and secure. Parents can only eat with children if they are on their contact list. Parents should eat with their children at the assigned tables and at the classroom tables. While we appreciate the sentiment, parents cannot share food with other students due to allergies. You can certainly contact the teacher if you'd like to provide the class with a snack from the approved district list. If you are eating outside at our outside tables, children should not go play on the kindergarten playground during this time. We don't want them to get hurt playing and we want them to enjoy time with you.
2. Challenger Pickup--Begins at 2:45. The reason is starts then is that we have everyone transitioned to their afternoon spaces by this time and the Challenger staff has completely taken over. It can be difficult to call students to go home for Challenger at the same time we are calling students to cars and putting them on buses and vans.
3. Every Kid Outdoors--Parents of fourth graders, did you know that your child can get a free National Park Pass for this year? Passes can begin being used September 1, 2022 and are good through August 31, 2023. Mrs. Katherine Lopez (one of our CPES parents) works at Kings Mountain National Park and will be available on tomorrow from 5:30-6:30 PM at our main office to give out passes for fourth graders. Parents can come and pick those up then. Kings Mountain National Military Park is the closest location to Rock Hill where passes are also available if you can't come tomorrow evening. Of course passes can also be obtained at other park locations. For more information, click on the following link: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm You can also click on the button below.
4. Yearbook Volunteers Needed--We need a committee of six parents who could work together to create our CPES Yearbook this year. If you are interested in helping, please email Mr. Maness at mailto:pmaness@rhmail.org. Time commitments would be a couple of hours each month to work on the project.
5. Morning Traffic--Thank you for all you do each morning to drive safely during morning drop off. We want to encourage you to time your arrival so you are dropping off by 7:40. Especially at the Caswell entrance, traffic picks up significantly the closer it gets to 7:45 which is the time that Sullivan parents can drop off. The best solution to avoid dropping off late is coming five minutes earlier. Again, know that we appreciate how careful you are each morning so all our students can arrive safely.
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School Calendar
September 19--5:30 Fourth Grade National Park Passes Distributed (Main Office Area); 6:30 PTO Meeting (Media Center)
October 7--Fifth Grade Field Trip to Winthrop Coliseum
October 14--Early Release Day (Students Dismissed at 11:00)
October 17--Professional Development Day (Student Holiday)
Previous Newsletters for 22-23 School Year
"What's the Goal for Our Children?" September 11, 2022 https://www.smore.com/q8k0b
"What Do You Do If You Want to Visit for Lunch?" September 4, 2022 https://www.smore.com/2ha8b
"How Was the First Week?" August 21, 2022 https://www.smore.com/t65yv
"What Do We Need to Remember as We Start Back?" August 14, 2022 https://www.smore.com/qjucf
"Open House Reminders" August 11, 2022 https://www.smore.com/35c6a
"Remind Me, Who's New at Cherry Park?" August 7, 2022 https://www.smore.com/b71ef
"Where Are the Pinch Points?" July 31, 2022 https://www.smore.com/csh32
"How Can You Help Us Keep Our Children Safe and Secure?" July 24, 2022 https://www.smore.com/6bweq
"How Can We Get Ready for the Fall?" July 17, 2022 https://www.smore.com/hcp2q"What Do We Need to Know" July 10, 2022 https://www.smore.com/y35p6