The CPES BobChat
December 11, 2022
How Can We Reduce Holiday Stress?
Make no mistake. The two weeks before the holiday break (and the last two weeks of school) are tough weeks for teachers and children and parents. It is so easy for the big and little people to become overwhelmed and stressed out. How can we manage ourselves so we can help our children do the same? 1. Monitor and manage expectations. During the holidays, we often overcommit and underdeliver. We need to thoughtfully answer some questions ahead of time. How much should we spend during this season? What does a reasonable holiday schedule look like? What do we give up for being "there' and doing "that?" Just because we can do something does not mean we should. There are opportunity costs associated with decisions we make about this season of the year. Let's acknowledge ahead of time what we need to give and give up. 2. Watch out for emotional "sneak attacks." Holidays trigger memories and some of those can be painful. This may be the first time without a loved one. This may bring about reminders of past failures or conflicts or problems. When we gather with family, we can easily default to former roles and responsibilities that were not healthy. We may have tried to move on from that former identity but time with family can pull us back into the dysfunction. During the holidays, if we are anxious or uncomfortable or sad, let's take time to ask why we feel that way and acknowledge the pain. Let's choose to give our children and family and friends the opportunity to do the same. 3. Stay with routines when possible. You know what keeps you physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Exercise when you can. Take time for yourself when needed. Turn down the noise when possible. Breathe deeply. Keep an eye on sleep schedules. Monitor the caffeine and sugar intakes. The holidays can be so much fun and there are so many great experiences, but they can shift us "off center." We want to help ourselves and our children stay in balance by keeping as many healthy routines as possible. 4. Be ready to yield the right of way when necessary. There are often competing values and priorities among our family and friends. We don't have to win each battle. We don't have to have it our way. We don't always have to be right. As Zig Ziglar said, "Keep the main thing the main thing." Relationships are the main thing during this time of year. It is possible for us to disagree without being disagreeable. We may have to dig deep to "love in spite of" during this season. Our children need to know what that looks like so they can do that with their friends and cousins too. The holidays bring out the best in us and they can bring out the worst. Prior planning and prior thinking can help us enjoy this season and create meaningful memories for a lifetime. We certainly can't control everything that happens during the holidays, but we can choose to manage ourselves. Let's show our children how they can do that, too.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
Please see info below about Book Fair, Hoodie Orders, December Teacher Appreciation Event and Battle of the Books.
Notes and Reminders
Book Fair--It's the most wonderful time of the year! The Book Fair is coming to Cherry Park this December!
The Scholastic Book Fair will be held on Wednesday, December 14-Tuesday December 20. Students will be able to visit the fair with their teachers or during their Related Arts Media time. In addition, students may shop at the fair daily between 10:30-1:30. Parents are also welcome to come shop with students between 10:30-1:30 each day the fair is open. There will be a special late afternoon shopping time on Thursday, December 15 from 3-6. As always, parents must sign in at the front office before coming in.
The Cherry Park Scholastic homepage is where you can find information about how to sign up for the eWallet option. This is the safest, easiest way for your child to purchase books.
Here is a link to our Scholastic Book Fair homepage:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/cherryparkelementary1
Visit our school's homepage to get the latest Book Fair news, shop our Online Fair, and more!
Thanks so much for all your support!
December Teacher Appreciation Event--Let's make December extra SWEET for our CPES teachers and staff with a Holiday Cookie Walk. The Teacher Appreciation Committee will help coordinate a luncheon and Cookie Walk on Tuesday, December 20th and we need your help to send each staff member home with at least a dozen cookies and or treats. Please sign up below to donate homemade (preferred) sweet treats.
Some ideas for goodies: cookies, cookies, cookies, fudge, holiday candy, cake squares, etc.
Please send in your treats to the front office by Monday, December 19th - marked "Teacher Appreciation". https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d49a4a923aafbc70-december2
Hoodie/Sweatshirt Order--Parents, if you made a hoodie/sweatshirt order and you do not want that to go home with your child, please contact the office by Wednesday.
Battle of the Books Information for Fourth and Fifth Grade Students and Parents
- Students should read as many of the books as possible by January 5, 2023…If a student needs to borrow a paperback over the break, please see your teacher or Mrs. Austin.
- Students need to fill out an official application and have a parent or guardian sign the form and return it by January 12. Applications are on the table by the door in the Media Center. These can be returned any time before January 12 to the same location. These are different from the interest surveys completed earlier in the year and must be signed by a parent or guardian.
- The selection process will be a quiz on all the books. A numerical score will be given to determine the top 6 scorers (plus 2 alternates).
- The quizzes will be given during the week of January 9. Quizzes must be completed without help from anyone. Teachers can send students to take a BOB quiz anytime during the week. Students will take the quizzes in the Media Center. All quizzes are due to have been completed in the Media Center by January 13.
- The team of 6 (plus 2 alternates) will be selected and announced by January 17, 2023. In the event of a numerical tie on the quizzes, tiebreaker questions will be asked to come up with the top 6 plus 2 alternates.
- The team (including the alternates) will check in weekly with Mrs. Austin for a review of each book by means of completing a story map. Dates and times for these check-ins will be announced and held during school hours.
- Formal practice dates will be announced and held during school hours. There is no before school or after school commitment.
- More details about the final competition will be forthcoming as these arrangements from the district are still in the planning process.
BOB TIMELINE
Read as many of the books as possible.--January 5
Parental Permission Due--January 12
Quizzes Given--January 9-13
Team Selected and Announced--January 17
Check-ins and Practices--TBA
District Competition--TBA
Fourth Grade Swim Lessons--Fourth Grade students will go to the Natatorium for swim lessons December 12-15. Permission forms have been sent home and please be sure to send those back.
Yearbooks--Yearbooks are now on sale. All sales are online only and this year there will not be an additional order after April 7, 2023. You will need to use the Order Number 24915. Click here to order a yearbook: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/?event=general.displayLanding&jobnumber=24915
Information about the Flu
Parents and Guardians,
We currently have a large number of students absent with influenza, “the flu” and influenza-like illness at Cherry Park this past week. As you may know, the flu is spread easily from person to person and school-age children are among the groups most affected. Flu symptoms include fever (over 100 degrees F), body aches, headaches, sore throat, cough, and fatigue and typically lasts from 5-7 days.
If you suspect your child is getting sick, please do not send them to school. Students who are experiencing the symptoms listed above need complete the following steps:
- Stay home from school
- Call the COVID Call Center to report your child’s symptoms 803-980-2016
- The COVID Call Center staff will provide additional information about flu and COVID testing
- The COVID Call Center will also ensure absences are coded correctly
- The COVID Call Center will work with the Nursing Services department to determine classrooms that have an increase in student illness.
Our school staff are working closely with the RH Schools Nursing Services department and SC DHEC to monitor flu conditions in our school, make decisions about the best steps to take and ensure disinfecting practices are being followed. Custodial staff will continue to disinfect classrooms and common areas regularly. Classrooms with an increased number of sick students will be disinfected nightly.
Here are a few things parents can do to help our school reduce the spread of illness:
- Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or upper sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
- Take time to get a flu vaccine. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu. DHEC strongly recommends all South Carolina residents older than 6 months old get the flu vaccine as soon as possible to prevent the flu, unless they have a medical reason not to be vaccinated.
- Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
- Don’t send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are sick at school will be sent home. Staying home when sick will allow your children to rest and allows you to monitor their health closely.
Mr. Maness and Nurse Love
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School Calendar
December 12-15--Fourth Grade Swim Lessons
December 12--5:30 PM School Improvement Council Meeting (Office Conference Room)
December 14--Deadline for Contacting the Office if you ordered a hoodie/sweatshirt and you do not want it to go home with your child.
December 19--Baked Goods/Desserts to be Dropped Off for Staff Luncheon
December 21--Early Dismissal Day before Winter Holidays
December 22-January 4--Winter Holidays for Students; (January 3-4 Teacher Days)
January 5--First Day Back for Students
Parent Organizations
Parent Teacher Organization--This group has three main goals: Raising funds for the school, appreciating the staff and securing volunteers as needed. The Cherry Park PTO is a 501c3 tax deductible organization. Officers for 22-23 are Stephanie Greer (President), Amanda Winters (Vice-President), Liz Lowery (Secretary), and Erica Smith (Treasurer). Meetings are held at Cherry Park on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM (right after the SIC meetings.) All parents are invited to attend. All financial records are distributed and updated at each month's meeting.
Previous Newsletters for 22-23 School Year
"Why Do We Clap and Cheer for Our Children?" December 4, 2022 https://www.smore.com/jegnm
"When Is the Best Time to Express Gratitude?" November 20, 2022 https://www.smore.com/b2xmt
"What Do You Need to Know about the World Cup 2022?) November 13, 2022 https://www.smore.com/d8c4x
"What's Happening in November at CPES?" November 6, 2022 https://www.smore.com/zyuje
"Who Showed Up for the Bobcat Dash?" October 30, 2022 https://www.smore.com/gjsm8
"How Do We Make Time Slow Down?" October 23, 2022 https://www.smore.com/c19u8
"Could PLCs Work for All of Us?" October 16, 2022 https://www.smore.com/6edtw
"What Is the Latest on the Bobcat"w Dash and Does It Make a Difference?" October 9, 2022 https://www.smore.com/2bf4k
"What is 'Nattering' and Is It Effective?" October 2, 2022 https://www.smore.com/gmrac
"What Do Parents Need to Know about Student Attendance?" September 25, 2022 https://www.smore.com/7rnbq
"What Do We Control?" September 18, 2022 https://www.smore.com/qv3hb
"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