The CPES BobChat
January 22, 2023
Can We Lose Some of Our Stuff?
As we start the new year, we have been discussing how we can model for our children establishing habits that make a difference. Last week, we discussed how to lose more of ourselves and be less selfish. One way to demonstrate that is through our mindset towards the things we own. How can we show our children the freedom that comes when we focus more on others and less on our possessions? 1. Help them decide how much is enough. It is so easy to allow our belongings to accumulate and overcrowd our lives. How much do we really need? How much is enough? If we haven't touched that item in six months or more, do we really need it? If we make no decision about this, we have essentially made a decision. We wonder about people who are "hoarders," but all of us can probably see areas of our homes where there is an excessive amount of stuff. Our kids need to know there are limits to our consumption. 2. Let them see that people are more important than possessions. When we are willing to clean up and clean out, it shows our children that there are times when we need to give away the things we don't need and use. Others can benefit when we donate our unused or outgrown clothes. In addition, we know we can either own our stuff or our stuff can own us. A new set of golf clubs or a new phone can lead us to focus more on that item than our family or friends. We may need to literally say "no" to some of those things for now so we can say "yes" to those who matter most to us. It is really hard to tell our children to get off video games when we are preoccupied by our prized possessions. 3. Model the practices of reducing, reusing, and recycling. These are great ideas for our cardboard, plastic, and cans but they can also be powerful for the rest of the things we own. We can show our children how to focus more on needs than wants and reduce our consumption. We can choose to fix an item and reuse it or buy things others no longer need so there is less in our landfills. In addition, there are many agencies who can resell our donations and do good for others. We can repurpose items by ensuring they get into our recycling bins or to our county convenience centers. When we give things away, we show our children that we are responsible stewards of our possessions and we can be generous to others. Less stuff always means greater freedom. Maybe it is time to clean out that closet after all.
Strength and Blessings to You,
Mr. Maness
Notes and Reminders
School of Choice Application Window (Updated Information)--Opens on January 5 and you can go to the following website to apply: https://rockhill-registration.hosted.src-solutions.com/login (This is the updated link where you will complete your New Student Registration and you School of Choice Application.) Remember that rising kindergarten students who currently have siblings in the program have first priority to secure a slot at Cherry Park but parents must complete the New Student Registration/Choice Application. We will also accept new students in first grade French. We have a few slots available in upper grades for students who apply and have appropriate language skills in French and Spanish. The application window closes on February 28. Please share this information with your friends and family. We want all families in Rock Hill to know about this opportunity for their children. We will have CPES Parent Information Meetings for Choice on the following days and times:
January 31 at 6:00 PM
February 8 at 12:00 PM
February 16 at 6:00 PM
Measures of Academic Progress Testing Tuesday and Wednesday--MAP is an achievement test children in 1st through 5th grade take in Reading and Math on the computer. Our students take this test three times a year (at the beginning, middle and end). MAP is nationally normed and helps see the progress of our children. Please encourage your child to do his/her best and take all the time he/she needs. It is untimed.
Battle of the Books Update from Dr. Austin
We are excited to announce the 2022-2023 Battle of the Books Team that will be representing Cherry Park at the Battle of the Books District Competition in March. These were the top scorers on the try out quiz. The next step will be to prepare for the district competition by continuing to read and study the texts in order bring home the trophy for Cherry Park.
Carolina Soto Nieves from Mrs. Preston’s Class
Hannah Wyns from Madame Roehl’s Fifth Class
Elliott Graham from Mrs. Riley’s Class
John Parker Cason from Senora Leon’s Class
Marshal Kagey from Mrs. Riley’s Class
Dallin Lewis from Senor Urresta’s Class
Also recognized are:
Gibson Daigle from Mrs. Riley’s Class and
Keragan Thomas from Mrs. Preston’s Class
who will serve as Alternates in Case One of other team members is unable to participate.
Congratulations to all these great readers!
Coffee Trucks for Teacher Appreciation--We want to thank Lauren Butler Realty and City Hope Church for sponsoring coffee trucks which came to our school at different times this month. We are so fortunate to have so many who care about our staff and school. We appreciate all that they do and you do to support our teachers and children. (See picture below.)
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
Need Tech Support? Call 803-324-TECH
School Calendar
January 23--6:30 PTO Meeting
January 24-25--MAP Testing for Grades 1-5
January 31--6:00 PM CPES Parent Information Meeting for Choice
February 8--12:00 PM CPES Parent Information Meeting for Choice
February 13--5:30 School Improvement Council; 6:30 Parent Teacher Organization
February 14--Valentine's Day
February 16--6:00 PM CPES Parent Information Meeting for Choice
February 17--Early Release Day for Staff Development (Dismissal is at 11:00)
February 20--Presidents' Day Holiday
February 28--School of Choice Application Window Closes
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
"Can We Lose a Little of Ourselves? January 15, 2023 https://www.smore.com/kydtr
"What Can We Lose?" January 8, 2023 https://www.smore.com/j3spt
"What's Happening in the New Year?" January 1, 2023 https://www.smore.com/zcthu
"What 'R' You Going to Do during the Holidays?" December 18, 2022 https://www.smore.com/8c6u49
"How Can We Reduce Holiday Stress?" December 11, 2022 https://www.smore.com/vmx8s
"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