The CPES BobChat
August 2, 2020
What Can You Do to Get Ready?
OK, I think everyone has decided whether to go face to face or virtual. I know those decisions were difficult but know that all of you will still be in the Cherry Park Family. As a district, we are still making decisions about our next steps to prepare for beginning school. What are the big or small things you can do to help your children "get ready" that may be different this year? 1. Remind them how to help keep themselves and others safe. Does your child wash their hands regularly? Do they know how to wear a mask appropriately? Does he understand what six feet apart really looks like? When she coughs or sneezes, does she do that into her sleeve or a tissue? To be honest, I have to remind myself of these basics from time to time. Whether your child will be virtual or face to face, we want to do all we can to help our children develop healthy habits everywhere they go. 2. Help them become familiar with how to use a computer...for learning. We know they are probably experts on their games. We are sure they have great skills knowing how to "level up." With our little ones in particular, help them know how to turn it on and off. Can they enter and exit programs that are OK for them to use? Do they know how to use a touchpad or touchscreen? For our older students, are you checking their search history on their web browsers? Can they navigate as well in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint as they can on their favorite video game? Do they know the difference between reliable and unreliable sources on the web? All of our students this year (from kindergarten through twelfth grade) will have a device and they need guidance from parents and teachers to know how to use them responsibly and effectively. 3. Let them know that "different" is OK. Irregardless of the learning environment, this fall will not be the same as last spring (even with online learning in the Virtual Academy.) There will be new and different expectations. There will be new schedules and new teachers. We have changed procedures to help keep everyone more healthy and safe. There really is a new normal now. As information becomes available, share with your child what the changes will be and what is good about those changes. Our little people follow the lead of the big people in their lives. We want to help model for them that change (yes, even difficult change) can lead to growth if we allow it. I encourage you to stay up to date about our plans and know that more information is coming. We appreciate your help in "minding the gap" as we start this year. I look forward to all that is ahead.
Mr. Maness, Principal
P.S. Please don't forget to complete (or update) your registration for your child. All students (virtual or face to face) need to be registered/updated. If you have completed it already and it is "pending," there is nothing else you need to do. See below for more details and info.
School News
Returning Student Registration--Please click on the link below to update your chld's information for this fall. Please, please, please be sure to do this because all of our data management and communication programs pull from the information you update. Remember that all families must provide an updated proof of residence.
New Kindergarten Student Registration--Is a different link located below. This is for rising kindergarten students who have not been in Rock Hill Schools. (If your child attended K4 at a Rock Hill school, please use the Returning Student Registration link.)
Staffing Changes--We are so saddened that Ms. Sharon Crocker (4th/5th Grade English Language Arts), Mrs. Martha Miller (Resource), and Mrs. Susan Dixon (Literacy Coach) will be leaving CPES. Each of them is pursuing some exciting opportunities for them this fall. Mrs. Tracy Mitchell will move from 3rd Grade English Language Arts to Mrs. Crocker's position in 4th/5th Language Arts. She will be on the French teaching team with Ms. Fant. We have hired Dr. Allison Nichols as our resource teacher. She has served in many different capacities as a self-contained and a resource special education teacher. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our school. Ms. Hannah Grippo will be an additional half-time resource teacher with us. She is certified in elementary education and special education and has worked with students on the autism spectrum. Mrs. Karen Finley will be our new literacy coach. She is a native of France who is highly fluent in English as well. She knows best practices in literacy for any language and has served as an immersion teacher for nearly twenty years. Ms. Tyliah Broughton will be our new third grade language arts teacher (who will be taking Mrs. Mitchell's place and will be teaming with Ms. Garcia.) Ms. Broughton taught last year in second grade and knows appropriate expectations for our rising third graders. We are so blessed to have them join our Cherry Park family.
Summer Office Hours--Are from 7:30-5:30 Monday through Thursday right now.
Retrieving Your Child's Bag--Currently, we have 60 bags that have not been picked up. Please email Mrs. Neal, Mrs. Deyerle, Mrs. Futrelle or Mr. Maness to set up a time to pick it up. Email addresses are below.
Yearbooks--With COVID-19, there was a production shutdown which has delayed getting the books back in time. We will contact you when we are sure they will be shipped and we will get those to you.
Additional Summer Learning Resources
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 next 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
July 17-27--Virtual Academy Application Window is Open
August 31-September 4--First Days Back for Students (K-8th Grades) (More information to come about these days)September 7--Labor Day Holiday
September 8--All Students Return