The CPES BobChat
March 21, 2021
What Can We Learn from a Penguin? (See Video Above Before Reading)
For the past two weeks, I have expressed gratitude for the people who made a difference during the past year and for what we learned as well. I balance the tension of appreciation with the realities of grief and loss that our children, our parents and our staff experienced. Quite honestly, there have been many days when we felt like the killer whales of disease, isolation, depression, and constant change were pursuing us and we were swimming for our lives. Our children learned much from us this year about how to handle adversity. This video reminded me how we can continue modeling for them how to be resilient. 1. Killer whales are real. This little penguin was smart to realize that the whales were real and they were coming after him. He would have easily been their next meal if he ignored them. Acknowledging the difficulty of our situations is the first step in knowing how to deal effectively with them. I've tried to wish them away but that seldom works. Our whales are real. 2. Do something productive. The penguin made a good choice to start swimming away from them. He didn't stay still and give up. He did something to stay alive. Many times, having a good answer can work until we find a better or best answer to a problem. Staying still and staying stuck allows the whales to overwhelm you. 3. It may take more than one attempt to get there. You finally figure out what your best option is. You know what you need to do...but it didn't work. Were you almost there? Does it need a little extra effort? Can you tweak your game plan? Review, revise and try again. Once the penguin figured out how to get away, it took a few tries to find success. It is much easier to give up and give in than to give it another go. It is what resilient people do. 4. All of us need safe people in safe places that we can trust. And, we need them nearby. The penguin knew he couldn't make it to land. He knew there was this floating island called a boat. He knew none of the people were predators. Instinctively, he knew these were safe people in a safe place. We need people and places like this to help us survive. They are called good friends. They can be family. They can be counselors. They can be coaches. We all need safe people and safe places to turn to so the whales don't reach us. The whales will pass but safe people and safe places don't. They will always be there for us if we know where to find them. I value the role you play as parents and teachers to always be safe people in safe places for our children. They need us in their boat to guide and care for them.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
School News
Testing Schedules--We have begun determining tentative test dates. Most likely, we will be doing MAP testing for Grades 1-5 the last two weeks of May (5/17-28). We will have SC READY testing for Grades 3-5 June 1-18. As soon as we have determined the exact dates, we will be sure to notify you. Kindergarten students will assessed on Fast Bridge during those final weeks of school as well. We need all students present for them to do their best on these assessments.
Safety and Spring Break--Please be thoughtful about your plans for Spring Break. We ask that you continue to focus on health and safety and limit your exposure to those who could possibly be positive for COVID. Our COVID numbers have dramatically decreased and we want to keep them as low as possible as we return from this break.
March Teacher Appreciation--Thank you so much for all you did to provide a soup lunch on Wednesday. It was so good and so appreciated. Crain and Company provided door prizes as well. Thank you all for your support.
Caps for Recycled Bench at Miracle Park--GT students are leading a schoolwide and community wide project collecting plastic bottle caps and lids to be recycled and made into park benches for Miracle Park. This is a program started by school children in 2010 and in partnership with GreenTree Plastics out of Indiana. Donations can be dropped off at any of the three locations: CPES, Knowledge Perk, or Boyd Hill Rec Center. They can contact me with questions. Students will be sorting and weighing donations in June to prepare for delivery to the location. We will be looking for a driver to deliver the caps to Evansville, IN in late June and bring back our benches for installation in Miracle Park. See flyer below for more info.
Book Fair Results from Mr. Bartless--Total Sales at our recent Online Book Fair surpassed our goal of $2500. Our total sales were $2948.33. Thank you, parents and staff, for supporting our spring book fair.
Rising Sixth Grade Families--The Sullivan SIC will be filling 4 parent representative spots next year. Here is the Nomination Form Link: https://forms.gle/bbHh2Cbdw9Yczfmy7 if you'd like to consider serving on their SIC. Nominations will be open Friday, March 19th through Sunday, March 26th at 5pm. Elections will be April 16-19th, 2021.
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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 via Zoom and our Parent Teacher Organization meets at 6:30 via Zoom. The link for March's PTO Meeting is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82419024222 Elections were held in the spring for these organizations but all parents are welcome to attend to help provide input and volunteer. School Improvement Council members for this year are Carl Thompson, Elizabeth Lowery, Leigh Threatt, Amber Hinson, Kim Crean, Brooke Nies and Phyllis Faircloth. You can contact them at mailto:cherryparksic@gmail.com.
School Calendar
March 22--All Middle and High School students return to school five days a week
April 5-9 Spring Break
April 12--5:30 School Improvement Council; 6:30 PTO