Last month, we updated you about new people that we've hired. You can click on the following link if you missed those announcements: https://www.smore.com/e0vr2 Since then, we have made some additional hires and have a few updates for you. 1. New Staff Members--All Rock Hill schools have added a Dean of Students position. For us, this person will serve in the capacity of an additional administrator and will help with students and parents. We have hired one of our Spanish immersion teachers, Alberto Leon, to be our Dean of Students. Sr. Leon has previously been our Challenger After School Program Director and has been working on his Master's in Educational Leadership. We are excited for him to transition into this position. (As a result, we are looking for a third grade Spanish teacher, so if you know interested candidates, let me know.) Sr. Leon will move into the Dean position once we find a suitable replacement. Frances Banning has also been hired as a .5 Related Arts teacher who will work with kindergarten, first and second graders. (She is taking the place of Mrs. Holdaway who was our part-time music teacher last year.) Mrs. Banning is fluent in French and she will teach language and culture classes with our little ones this year. She has taught all over the world and has experience teaching in an immersion school. We are blessed to have her with us as well. 2. Student Meals for Next Year--There will not be a cost for student meals next year. This will include breakfast and lunch. This will be a great opportunity for our school family. 3. Start Time for This Year--As you plan for your morning routines, know that students will be late after 7:40 this year. (Last year our start time was 7:45.) Our cutoff will be at 7:40 and after that time, parents will be asked to sign in their child. Please begin now to make adjustments to your schedules so your child can arrive on time. 4. Transition in After School Care--This fall, we will transition from our district sponsored Challenger Program to the Challenger Be Great Academy which will be sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rock Hill. The Be Great Academy has been selected as the best after school program in the Midlands for the past 11 years and they will bring lots of new ideas and support for our program at Cherry Park. You can click on the button below (or click on the link below) to find out more information and register your child. https://begreatacademy.org/ You can also contact Ms. Killian at 803-553-9682 mailto:lkillian@york.begreatclubs.org or Ms. Sanders at 839-228-9121 mailto:jsanders@york.begreatclubs.org for more information about the program. 5. School Supply Lists--Are now available for you. Click on the following link or the button below: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/cms/lib/SC01000464/Centricity/Domain/4/Cherry%20Park.pdf If you need any assistance securing supplies for your child, please let us know. 6. Fall Open House--Will be Thursday, August 17 from 4:30-6:30 PM. This will be a time for you to come and visit your child's teachers and ask any questions as we begin the school year.

Know that in the weeks to come, we will provide more information about how you and your child can have the best start to school. For now, treasure the time you have with your family and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Strength and Blessings to You,

Mr. Maness

Parent Portal Set Up--Parents, please be prompt in completing your Parent Portal account set up! You have received an email from the District with directions and your username and password connected to your student/s. This is important for you to complete as more items/information will be provided to you, as a parent, through your Parent Portal Access. For example, attendance, grades, teacher assignments, forms, etc.

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE--TRAVEL THE WORLD THIS SUMMER…IN A BOOK!

Because, afterall…READING TAKES YOU PLACES! Challenge yourself to read at least 10 hours this summer. Keep track on a special “Travel the World” bookmark. Each time you read 15 minutes check off a box. If you check all the boxes you will have read 10 hours. Return the bookmark to the library by September 1, 2023 and you are eligible for prizes. If you don’t read all 10 hours, it’s okay...there are still prizes for all who participate

Read for a total of:

• 5 hours = Small Treat
• 8 hours = Small Treat + Bookmark
• 10 hours = Small Treat + Bookmark + Rubber Bracelet + Free Book from the December Book Fair

Look for the bookmark and instructions for how to participate to come home the last week of school!

Office Hours During the Summer--During the summer, we work Mondays through Thursday during the month of June and July. The office is closed every Friday. Feel free to call or email us if you have any questions for us.

Volunteer Screening--In order to volunteer at Cherry Park or on field trips, all volunteers must have an updated and completed Volunteer Screening. Summer is a great time to check to be sure yours is up to date. All volunteers have to complete a screening every two years and you should have an expiration date on your volunteer card for when yours needs to be renewed. The link for the volunteer screening can be found below.

August 15--First Day Back for Teachers

August 17--4:30-6:30 PM Open House

August 21--First Day Back for Students

August 30--6:00 Scouting Night at CPES and All Elementary Schools

September 4--Labor Day Holiday (No School)

School Improvement Council--This group seeks to determine how Cherry Park Elementary can be the best school it can be. It is a sounding board and feedback group for the school and district. Members are elected for two year terms. Members of this year's Council include Anitra Meeks, Paloma Fernandez Sanchez, Brittany Jensen, Celia Kerr, Ashley Petit, Latisha Givens, and Scott Kennedy. Ex-Officio Members are Mr. Maness (Principal) and Mrs. Futrelle (Assistant Principal). Meetings are held at Cherry Park on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 PM. All parents are invited to attend.

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. 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.

"Challenger Be Great Academy Update" June 23, 2023 https://www.smore.com/8hqka

"What Staffing Changes Have Been Made at CPES?" June 18, 2023 https://www.smore.com/e0vr2