The CPES BobChat
November 8, 2020
How Do We Get Ready for Returning to School Full-Time? (Part 2)
Last week, I had four suggestions for helping us get ready to return to school full time on Tuesday, November 10 (for K-2nd) or Monday, November 30 (for 3rd-5th):
1. Plan for new safety measures.
2. Plan for extended traffic times.
3. Plan for new routines and schedules at home and school.
4. Plan for the backup plan.
(You can view last week's BobChat at https://www.smore.com/rqvha).
Here are a few other considerations for all of us as we return. 5. Think about the greater good. Who will you visit during the holiday season? What precautions will you take during this time? As college students return home, have they been exposed to anyone with COVID? I know these are uncomfortable questions but we must all think through what we personally do to reduce our exposure so that we help keep other students and staff safe at school. While we will do all we can to follow DHEC and CDC recommendations, we know we are going to have more bodies together in the same teaching and learning spaces. We want to go above and beyond to help each other stay healthy. In this case and during this time, "sharing" is not "caring." If your child isn't feeling well, please don't send him to school. 6. Remember that the ratios will change. We have been blessed to have small class sizes of 10-12 on the average. That has been great for giving kids lots of individual attention. Now, the class line will be longer and our children will need to become a little more independent. There will be fewer reminders and consequences will come a little more regularly so that we can have the structure we need to maximize time for learning for each child. The truth is that this is what we've always done each year when we start with 24 in each class. Now, it is going to feel different because the procedures to effectively manage 12 are totally different for a group of 24. Don't panic if she has to have a consequence. Consider it a time of readjustment to the new norm. 7. Be patient and give it a little time. We know what it is like to transition three programs into one school in the middle of the year. We all experienced the shift last spring from live to virtual instruction in one weekend. There will be some transition surprises we didn't anticipate. We will need to be patient with each other as we work through those. I promise that we will get there. Your child is fortunate to learn from some of the smartest and most experienced teachers and staff members in the nation. (I feel pretty lucky to be around them, too.) We will give you our best and we know that you will give us your best as well. Tomorrow's best will be better than today's best. It is called growth. We appreciate your willingness to be #One Team One Mission One Rock Hill as we take this next step. I would not want to do this with any other group of parents, staff and students. We are fortunate to have each other as a school family as we change the lives of children who will go and change the world.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
Don't forget that arrival and dismissal will take longer this week so adjust your plans accordingly. Students still need to be at school by 7:40.
School News
Breakfast--If your child is eating breakfast at school, he needs to arrive by 7:20 so he can have time to get to the cafeteria, eat and then head to class. Students miss so much if they are not in their seats by 7:40.
Mondays in November--Monday, November 9 is an E-Learning Day which gives teachers a chance to prepare for students returning to school five days a week. (K, 1st and 2nd return five days a week on Tuesday, November 10 and 3rd, 4th and 5th returns to school on Monday, November 30). For 3rd-5th, Monday, November 16 is an A Day and Monday, November 23 is a B Day.
PTO and SIC Meetings--Will be tomorrow evening via Zoom. PTO is at 5:30 PM and here is the Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88542285877?pwd=L1ZPaDJFNjliNXptdWZYWEV5blBCQT09 . SIC is at 6:30 PM and here is the Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87061906457?pwd=aGpaRWhyMWl3Znh5VUhBVVZQNU0xUT09 .
Thanksgiving Holidays are November 25--27
Makeup Pictures--Our make up day for school pictures will be Thursday, November 12th (all K - 2 and 3-5 students A Day students) and Friday, November 13th ( 3-5 B Day students). Students who were absent will need their picture taken for the yearbook. Also, if parents wish to have a re-take of their student, they must bring their picture packet to the photographer on the day of make up pictures.
Want to Purchase a Yearbook?--Yearbooks from last year came in this week and were distributed to our students. We have a few left for purchase in the office on a first come, first serve basis. The yearbook was late due to the temporary closure of the manufacturing plant due to COVID.
Toys for Happiness – We are excited to work as a partner for the annual Toys for Happiness event, which has provided holiday assistance to York County families since 1986. Applications will be accepted from October 26 – November 16. The drive-thru distribution dates are scheduled for December 17 and 18/at the Flexible Learning Center. Click here to learn more about Toys for Happiness.
Parent Help for SeeSaw (K-2nd) and Canvas (3rd-5th)--Our teachers are using these two learning management systems with students to help them access the curriculum both in face to face and virtual settings. Please click on the following link (or the button below) if you need help in assisting your child with these programs: https://sites.google.com/rhschools.org/rhsprofessionallearning/instructional-technology-support/learning-management-systems
Informing the School on Medical Issues--When your child has a medical issue, please be sure to include Nurse Love when you inform your child's teacher if your child will be out due to illness. She will be our lead person for helping with any illness for our school family. You can always reach her at jlove@rhmail.org. Thanks so much for your help with this.
November Teacher Appreciation
We LOVE our Cherry Park Teachers!
Food Drive--Let’s show our teachers how much we appreciate them! This year has brought many changes, and our teachers need to know more than ever that we are behind them! It is the month of giving thanks! This month we plan to do a food drive by sending nonperishable food items in with your student. Collection boxes will be on each hall and beside the Media Center. Please include your teachers name on donations of food items. The class with the most food donations will win their teacher a gift basket full of goodies! Food items will be donated to Pilgrims’ Inn!
Gift of Gratitude--We are asking that each child give a “Gift of Gratitude” to their teachers and support staff members. Please help your child send an email or do a short video or take a picture of a card with kind words of encouragement and thankfulness. You can send these to your child’s teacher or staff member by November 24 via email or See Saw or Canvas or Padlet (or other electronic means.) Staff emails can be found here: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/domain/2306
Gift Basket Items--Please see the sign up below to help purchase items for our winning teacher’s goody basket! This month will be sponsored by 2nd and 3rd grade parents, but if you would like to contribute please feel free! Don’t worry if you do not have a child in 2nd or 3rd Grade…there will be plenty of opportunities to help out with donations throughout the year! We ask that all donations for the gift basket be put in the largest black bin with the yellow top outside the front office by Friday, November 20th. See the tentative schedule below:
October: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Families
November: 2nd and 3rd Grade Families
December: 4th and 5th Grade Families
January: All Grade level Families
February: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Families
March: 2nd and 3rd Grade Families
April: 4th and 5th Grade Families
May: All Grade Level Families
June: All Grade Level Families
SIGN UP AT THE LINK BELOW:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-cherry1
For questions or concerns reach out to:
Stephanie Greer 423-215-9155
Anitra Meeks 803-389-7202
Crain and Company Sent Doughnuts to Staff
Police and Sheriff's Department Visit First Grade Outside
Thank You Mrs. Butler and Crain and Company
Need Tech Support? Call 803-324-8324
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 (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.
School Calendar
November 9--E Learning Day (Students will be sent assignments to work on at home while staff prepare for students to return full time.); 5:30 PTO Meeting via Zoom (Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88542285877?pwd=L1ZPaDJFNjliNXptdWZYWEV5blBCQT09 ; 6:30 SIC Meeting via Zoom (Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87061906457?pwd=aGpaRWhyMWl3Znh5VUhBVVZQNU0xUT09 .)
November 10--All Kindergarten through Second Grade Face to Face Students Return
November 11--Veterans Day
November 12--Makeup Pictures for All Kindergarten through Second Grade and Grades 3-5 A Day Students (8:00-10:00 AM)
November 13--Makeup Pictures for all Grades 3-5 B Day Students (8:00-10:00 AM)
November 16--A Day for Grades 3-5
November 23--B Day for Grades 3-5
November 25-27--Thanksgiving Holidays
November 30--All Grades 3-5 Face to Face Students Return