The CPES BobChat
January 26, 2020
How Can We Focus on What Really Matters in 2020?
So, how has it been going with accomplishing the goals you set for 2020? Over the past few weeks, we have looked at practices that we can model for our children that will help us and them to focus on what really matters. This comes from Michael Hyatt's book, Free to Focus. We looked at sleeping, eating, moving, connecting, playing and reflecting over the past three weeks. 7. Our next practice is unplugging from work and devices. There is a law of diminishing return concerning our work. According to Hyatt, when we work beyond fifty hours a week, our productivity goes down, not up. It is easier than ever to continue working after hours and on the weekend. Our phones and computers allow us easy access to emails we need to answer and projects that need completing. Our devices and work can rob us of our most precious responsibilities of taking care of ourselves and those around us. How can we keep that from happening? When we get home, Hyatt suggests "not thinking about work, not doing any work, not talking about work and not reading about work." pp. 85-86. Other families make a mutual commitment to put away all electronic devices at a certain time each evening or upon entering their home. These decisions are so hard given our perceived demands from our work and the distracting power of our devices. We need to model for our kids that there are limits to using the cell phone and computer and game controller (and TV, too.) When we set limits, we help them realize that others matter much more than our work or our entertainment or our distractions. Have we thought about how much we are really on our phone? Has it become a routine habit more than an intentional decision to use it? What might be one simple step we can take to unplug and focus on what really matters? We may be surprised how much it will mean to our children.
Mr. Maness, Principal
P.S. If you want to get serious about unplugging, there are several "Unplug Challenges" for 21 days or a month that you can try. Just search for them and see if there is one you'd like to do by yourself or with your family.
School News
Super Bowl Tailgate during Lunch--Our cafeteria staff will prepare fun tailgate food on Friday in place of our normal lunch. We would love for the students and staff to wear there favorite team jersey or t-shirt that day.
Menu is :
Classic Cheese Pizza
Hot Dogs W/Chili
Turkey and cheese wrap.
5210 League--Our school is participating in the 5210 League. This initiative encourages families to eat more fruits and vegetables, be physically active for at least one hour per day, limit recreational screen time, and avoid sugary drinks. This week, your student will receive a pledge sheet. Please read over it with your student and decide if it is a good choice for your family. If so, return the signed pledge by Friday, January 24. Each grade level that returns 75 or more pledges will earn free recess equipment! Will your family make the pledge to be healthy together? For more information visit https://atriumhealth.org/campaigns/pediatrics/healthytogether/healthytogether
Valentine's Day Parties--Your child's teachers will provide you some guidance for food and activities on February 14. Please follow their lead. We will not follow the District Snack List that day but we do need to be mindful of student allergies in our classes. We will not be able to allow homemade goodies to come because of that as well. Just like any other day, we want to provide a fun and safe experience for our children.
Student Art Show Fundraiser on Wednesday, February 26 from 5:30-7:30 PM--Join us for the Annual Student Art Show Fundraiser in conjunction with Artome. The students have come together to create artwork for an evening full of arts! Every student in Kindergarten through 5th grade has their own masterpiece framed & on display. See more information below.
Spring Registration Timeline--Please click on the button below so you can know deadlines for registering your child for next fall.
Rising Sixth Graders--There will be a Dual Language Immersion Night at Sullivan Middle School's Auditorium on February 6 at 6:00 PM. This evening is an information sharing time solely for Cherry Park fifth grade families so you can learn about the language immersion program for middle school. We will send you information in the next two weeks about the transition to middle school if you would like to continue in immersion at Sullivan. All of our fifth graders will visit Sullivan Middle on Tuesday, February 11 from 9:00-10:30 for a "Jump Up Day." All fifth graders in the district will visit one middle school to learn about sixth grade. The same information will be shared at all middle schools on their visit.
Rising Sixth Graders Letter of Intent Process---For planning purposes for Sullivan, we need to know your intent for your child to continue in the immersion program in middle school. We need all rising sixth grade families (current fifth grade families) to fill out this Letter of Intent by Friday, February 14 indicating your plans for middle school. Paper copies are available in the office and you can fill out the form online by clicking here: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/6487 Again, please fill this out by February 14.
School of Choice Information
If you have a rising kindergarten student who has a sibling in our immersion program, please be sure to complete your School of Choice application between December 2 and February 28. If your child is already in our immersion program at Cherry Park, you do not have to apply again. Please help spread the word about opportunities to come and take a tour and the Choice Fairs below.
School of Choice Tours at Cherry Park--You can click on https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4bacac29a31-spanish2 to sign up for a tour. If the tour slot is full, please come on anyway. We will make space available.
Tuesday, February 18 at 6:00 PM
Reminders from Nurse Love--The flu season is upon us. Please do not send your child to school sick. If they have vomiting, diarrhea or fever, please do not send them to school. They are to be fever free for 24 hours before sending them back to school. Flu signs and symptoms include: fever, chills, muscle and/or body aches, congestion, sore throat, and cough. Please consult your child's physician if you suspect your child may have the flu.
The Dental Van will be coming on 12/9/19 and the Lions Club will be coming on 12/13/19 to help with vision screenings.
Guidance News From Mrs. Sanders and Mrs. Flaherty--Over the next few months, our guidance counselors will provide instruction consistent with the requirements of Erin's Law that was passed by our legislature. From more information, please see the letter below from our district. If you have any questions, you can contact Mrs. Sanders or Mrs. Flaherty.
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 February 10, March 9, April 13, and May 11 (if needed.)
Calendar of Events
Monday--Foundation Dress Down Day
Tuesday--3:00 District PLC Meetings and PD and Meetings for Other Groups (See above info)
Friday--Super Bowl Tailgate for School in Cafeteria--Wear your favorite team colors.
February 6--6:00 PM Dual Language Immersion Night for Rising Fifth Graders (Sullivan Auditorium)
February 11--9:00-10:30 Fifth Graders Visit Sullivan Middle (All elementary students in Rock Hill will visit a middle school to learn about sixth grade. All of our students will visit Sullivan Middle.)
February 14--Valentine's Day;. Letter of Intent for Rising Sixth Grade (Current Fifth Grade) Due
February 17--President's Day Holiday
February 18--6:00 PM School of Choice Tour at CPES
February 22--1:00 Winthrop Back the Pack Game
February 24-28--Read Across America Week and School Bookfair (Details to come.)
February 26--5:30-7:30 PM Schoolwide Art Show (PE Room)
February 28--School of Choice Application Window Closes
March 31--6:30 PM Spring Music Performance for Kindergarten, Second and Fourth Graders in Sullivan's Auditorium