The CPES BobChat
March 1, 2020
Does the Bond Referendum Affect Cherry Park? (After All, It Is a New School.)
I received this question this week and want to be sure you know the potential impact on Cherry Park if the proposed bond referendum passes. Will we be affected? In a word, absolutely. 1. A third of our students would get new classrooms. Please don't forget that all of our fourth and fifth graders and our GT class are located on F Halls which are rooms we renovated from the existing Sullivan building. Most of those classes are 672 square feet compared to 900-1,000 square foot classes in the new part of our building. And, we are putting bigger bodies in those smaller classrooms. We function in those spaces but they are not optimal for our needs or growth. Sullivan is a 1950 building that continues to need renovations to it's infrastructure. I compare it to continuing to drive a car with 150,000 to 200,000 miles on it. At what point does the cost of repairs become more than the cost of replacement? 2. We would get new turf for our upper grades playground. Our kids have enough room to play but we are putting 120-150 kids on grass five times a day (and that does not include use after school by Challenger). We are simply wearing the field out. That leads to more dirt coming into the building which means more cleaning that needs to be done. New turf would definitely help us. 3. Updates and upgrades to security features would be done. The district recognizes that there are always better systems and controls for keeping our children safe. While our current safety technology works well for us, it will need updates in a few years to meet future needs. The bond would help address that. 4. Our students will benefit later from the middle school and high school projects that would be done in the next few years. Our little guys will become big guys and we want them to learn in the most safe and modern environments both now and in the future. All Rock Hill schools will be improved and updated and I hope our children will always attend a school as nice as Cherry Park Elementary. Every child in Rock Hill deserves that. Please know that the needs above were based on assessments done on all of our buildings last year. Plans could change based on unanticipated problems or needs that may become bigger priorities. For more information about the proposed bond referendum, you can click on The One Plan at https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/8262.
Mr. Maness, Principal
School News
Cat in the Hat Day--Is tomorrow. Be sure to wear your favorite hat in honor of Dr. Seuss' Birthday!!
Thank You for Your Support with our Book Fair and Art Show--We appreciate your support of your artist and reader and of our school. We could not have been so successful without our parent volunteers. For the Book Fair, we want to thank Melissa Maynard, Tianay Foster, Leigh Threatt, Jennifer Rollins, Mary Ann Kennedy, Sara Redmond, Dani Kimbrell, Brooke Nies, Natisha Grandjean, Heather Powell and Ashellee Carr for all their help. We also appreciate our volunteers at the Art Show who were Jeanne Pearson, Katherine Langer and Lauren Butler. Thank you so much for your time and energy.
Staff Updates--Our media specialist, Robby Bartless, will be out through Spring Break. Last Saturday, he fell from a ladder while trimming a tree. He was sent immediately to the trauma center at CMC Main. They determined he broke his femur in his leg and his shoulder. He had surgery to repair both injuries early this week. He left the hospital on yesterday and is recuperating with his family who live in Greenwood, SC. He is doing well and has begun walking on his own. While his injuries are not good, he feels lucky that they were not much worse. You can drop off any cards in the office and we will send them to him. Ms. Jordan Smith will take over for him on Monday as the long-term substitute. She interned with us in second grade this past fall and has been subbing with us this spring. We are saddened to let you know that Meriam Polanco, one of our third grade Spanish immersion teachers, will not be with us for the rest of this year due to illness. We hope she will be able to return to work this fall. Mrs. Zulmarie Allison will continue teaching for her during this time. If you wish to send any cards, you can give those to Mrs. Wright or Mrs. Allison and they will get them to Ms. Polanco. I know Mr. Bartless and Ms. Polanco appreciate your thoughts and prayers as they continue to recuperate.
Safety and Security Reminders
1. Volunteer Cards--As we move into the spring and have lots of volunteer opportunities, please be sure you have an up to date volunteer screening. You have to reapply every two years and the expiration date can be found on your volunteer card. You should also receive an email reminder to update your card. Our district policy says we are not allowed to have someone to volunteer with an expired card. All you have to do to update your card is to reapply by clicking on this site: https://bib.com/SecureVolunteer/Rock-Hill-School-District/
2. Drop Off in the Morning at Cherry Road Entrance--Please do not drop off your child after 7:45 AM. Doors to that entrance lock at 7:45 and there is no supervision after that time. Please take your child to the main entrance to sign him/her in. This is for the safety and security of your child.
@CPESBobcat on Twitter--Want to see what's happening at CPES? Twitter is a great way for you to see our school family at work and play each day. Download the Twitter app and follow us @CPESBobcat. You might see your little one or favorite staff member.
District App--Please don't forget you can receive information from Rock Hill Schools and Cherry Park through our district app. Click on the button below for more information.
Spring Registration Timeline--Please click on the button below so you can know deadlines for registering your child for next fall.
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
Monday--Cat in the Hat Day (Dr. Seuss' Birthday)--Wear your favorite hat.
Friday--9:15 Wax Museum Presentations by Fifth Graders
March 7--Spring Forward One Hour for Daylight Savings Time
March 9-12--Fourth Graders Swim Lessons
March 9--5:30 PM SIC; 6:30 PM PTO
March 13--Teacher Staff Development Day (Student Holiday)
March 20--Spring Pictures
March 31--Bond Referendum Vote (Information about projects can be found at www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/oneplan); 6:30 PM Spring Music Performance for Kindergarten, Second and Fourth Graders in Sullivan's Auditorium
April 6-13--Spring Break
May 21--Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Field Day (in AM)
June 1--9:00 AM Fifth Grade Graduation (Sullivan Auditorium)
June 2--Third, Fourth and Fifth Field Day (All Day)