The CPES BobChat
September 26, 2021
Which Is Better, Control or Choice?
Last week, I talked about how easy it is for us (as little people and big people) to become angry when we feel that life is out of control. But, is focusing on control (or lack of control) really our best option for how we handle life? I talked about this with a few wise friends this week and we concluded that an over-focus on control can lead us to bind ourselves (and others). The idea of control restricts and handcuffs and imprisons us. Think about it. Can we really control our kids? Can we really control our circumstances? Can we really control the events around us? Can we really "make you do" or "make it rain?" We can't. (If you don't believe me, have you ever tried controlling a three year old having a temper tantrum? I've lost that battle more than I care to admit.) Here's what we can do. We can choose. Choice, as opposed to control, opens us to possibilities and solutions and freedom. We can choose how we respond to our children. We can choose how we respond to circumstances and events. We can choose how we respond to the weather or the economy. I often tell our teachers that we really can't force kids to do anything in our classrooms. The best we can do is to set up the conditions and environment by which kids will make the best choices possible. We can't control a child's bad behavior or decisions but we can control our response to him/her and the consequences he/she receives. We can have kids think about three better choices they could have made instead of the wrong one that got them in trouble. (I hope I do that, too.) When we focus on choice as opposed to control, we model for our children independence and agency. Then, they can see there are better options than anger and fear when things don't go our way. Ironically, the only things we really can control in life are the choices we make. Let's help our children learn that lesson well.
"Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitudes toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it." Charles R. Swindoll
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
School News
Arrival Reminders--As we have emphasized since the beginning of the year, students should arrive by 7:40 and they are late at 7:45. If they walk through the door at 7:45, they are already missing instruction that has begun and the opportunity to get settled into their day. Starting Monday, parents will be asked to sign in their child at the Caswell and Cherry Road Entrances if the child has not entered the school by 7:45. (We will set up a sign-in station at the Cherry Road Entrance in the stairwell only until 7:50. After that time, all children will be signed in at the main office at the Caswell Entrance.) At the Cherry Road Entrance, please remember to drop off in the car lines instead of parking and walking your child across four lanes of traffic. (As it gets darker, it is harder for cars to see pedestrians crossing those lanes.) In addition, please refrain from using your cell phone in the car line. If your phone is in your hands, it impairs your ability to drive and an accident can easily happen.
Picture Day--Is Wednesday, October 13. You can order then online at http://www.mylifetouch.com. Please use EVT93VRQG as our school code. You can also click on the button below.
September Teacher Appreciation--Thank you so much for your contributions to our Teacher Appreciation snacks last Friday. It made our teachers' day and paved the way for a great weekend.
Bobcat Dash Sponsorships--We will have our Second Annual Bobcat Dash on Friday, October 29. This is such a fun event for our students as a culminating activity for our Red Ribbon Week October 25-29. (At this point, parents will not be able to attend due to COVID restrictions.) Students can secure pledges for laps run and all money raised goes to our Cherry Park PTO which is a 501c3. If you would like to be a sponsor for the event, please click on the button below for more information. All sponsorships need to be sent by Friday, October 1.
School Improvement Council Nominations--This year, we will have four open spots on our School Improvement Council for parents. We invite you to complete the interest form so you can have your name on the ballot. We desire to have a diversity of parents who can represent all backgrounds of our families. Please see the form for more information and if you have questions, feel free to contact Mr. Maness as well. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, October 1. Here is the link for the SIC Interest Form: https://forms.gle/mMiWgrgXCU48z6tG6
COVID Questions--We know that you often have lots of questions about COVID and our processes and procedures. Our district website now offers lots and lots of information and answers common questions that you might have. Please check out our "COVID-19 Information Page" and the three additional tabs with our "COVID-19 Dashboard," "COVID-19 Close Contact Scenarios," and "COVID-19 Additional Resources." If possible, please consult these pages before contacting Nurse Love. (You will probably find a quicker answer there.) Here is the site and we have included it as a button below: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=8343
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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 this year. School Improvement Council meets at 5:30 and our Parent Teacher Organization meets at 6:30. We are looking for volunteers to help in PTO this year. Let us know if you are interested. Elections were held last spring for PTO officers but all parents are welcome to attend to help provide input and volunteer. You can contact our PTO at mailto:cherryparkelementarypto@gmail.com School Improvement Council members for last year were Carl Thompson, Elizabeth Lowery, Leigh Threatt, Amber Hinson, Kim Crean, Brooke Nies and Phyllis Faircloth. We will hold SIC elections this fall. You can contact SIC members at mailto:cherryparksic@gmail.com.
School Calendar
Monday, October 11--5:30 School Improvement Council; 6:30 Parent Teacher Organization Meeting (Both via Zoom)
Wednesday, October 13--Picture Day
Thursday, October 14--Last Day of First Nine Weeks
Friday, October 15 and Monday, October 18--Teacher Workdays
October 25-29--Red Ribbon Week
Friday, October 29--Bobcat Dash