The CPES BobChat
April 25, 2021
"What's Ahead for the Rest of the Year, Mr. Maness?"
There is so much that we have planned for the rest of this year. It will certainly be different as we wrap up school a little later on June 22. We have submitted plans and are awaiting approval and guidance for the items below. Know that we will still follow all district safety guidelines just as we have all year long. All ideas are tentative and we will confirm with you in the days ahead. We are looking for good options to include our virtual students too. 1. "FUNky Fridays"--We know we will be working hard through the end of school but we also want to enjoy time with our children. On most Fridays in May and June, we will schedule activities during Related Arts times (and other times during the day) when we will Park It (play games at Cherry Park), Chalk It (do chalk drawings), Nail It (create art pieces), Dance It (learn a new dance) and Win It (play minute games). We want our kids (and staff) to look forward to each Friday knowing we are going to have fun and enjoy being with each other. There will be more details to come. 2. Recognition Programs for Kindergarten and Fifth Grade--As we have done in past years, we will have programs for our kindergarten children and fifth grade students. These two years are big markers in the lives of children and we want to celebrate how they've become "big kids" who started school and even "bigger kids" going to middle school. These will be during the last few weeks of school in June. These will be done virtually or outside (or both formats) by team and not as a whole grade level. Dates are forthcoming. 3. End of Year Assessments--From May 17-June 17, our students will have time to "show what they know" from their learning this year. Tests can be stressful if we perceive them that way. They can also be opportunities for our children to show how much they've grown as learners in real and tangible ways. Our simple goal is for every child to do their best on them. We use those measures to help us reflect on our teaching and determine how we can get better at our work. Click on the link below for an assessment schedule. Be sure to look at the bottom of the schedule to see when our little ones are being assessed as well. Parents, we need your children here on those days so they can be in their optimum setting to do their best work. 4. "And There's More..." Like a good infomercial, "that's not all." This is not an exhaustive list of all the good things to come. There will be more special times in classrooms planned by teachers for our children. We want to end well, have fun, and bring good closure to a year like no other. We look forward to what's ahead in May and June as we celebrate how much we've overcome as a school family this year. We could not have made it without each other and we value all you've done for your child and our school.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
School News
Thank You--Thanks so much for providing a pizza lunch for our staff on Friday. I heard one teacher say, "you know it's going to be a good day when it is a Friday and we get to have lunch, too" You are so kind and we appreciate your thoughtfulness and consideration for our staff.
Parent Surveys--All parents of students in grades K-12 may participate in the state Parent Opinion Survey this year. We would like your feedback by completing it by May 14.
To access the Parent Opinion Survey click on this link: https://ed.sc.gov/surveys/parent-survey/
Once at the survey, choose either the English or Spanish version of the survey to complete. Families should complete only one survey for each of their children enrolled in public school.
Next, enter the seven-digit ID of our school. The ID for our school is 4603044
Before opening the survey, the name of the school will appear, and you will be asked to confirm that you are completing the survey for the correct school.
Your time and effort in completing this survey is greatly appreciated.
Spring Pictures--Will be Wednesday, May 12. Information will be sent home about this. Only students who have prepaid orders completed will have their pictures made on this day.
PTO Leadership and Bobcat Dash--We are beginning the process of identifying leaders for PTO for next year. If you are interested in helping, please contact Mr. Maness mailto:pmaness@rhmail.org or Erica Smith mailto:cherryparkelementarypto@gmail.com. Due to current COVID restrictions, we will not have a Bobcat Dash this spring. We wanted to make sure everyone was informed. We hope to have it again next fall.
Testing Schedule--See link above.
Caps for Recycled Bench at Miracle Park--Thank you so much for all the support you have shown for our plastic cap and lid collection campaign! We have already reached and surpassed our goal for two benches! This has truly been a community effort. Miracle Park will be getting three additional benches next year so you may keep collecting and donating plastic caps and lids to put towards those benches. Please continue to support cap collection by dropping off at the following locations:
Boyd Hill Recreational Center
The York Roastery
Knowledge Perk
Feel free to contact Heather McNay at hmcnay@rhmail.org with any questions. Thank you!
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 via Zoom and our Parent Teacher Organization meets at 6:30 via Zoom. The link for April's PTO Meeting is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88656390833?pwd=bEFyYzRuWFRYZ2lobWJTYjIxeE9KQT09 We are looking for volunteers to help lead PTO for next year. Let us know if you are interested. Elections were held last 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
May 9--Mother's Day
May 10--5:30 SIC and 6:30 PTO Meetings
May 14--Parent Surveys Completed
May 17--Virtual Testing for MAP English Language Arts for Grades 1, 2, 4, and 5 (Not Third Grade)
May 18--Face to Face Testing for MAP English Language Arts for Grades 1, 2, 4, and 5 (Not Third Grade)
May 19--Virtual Testing for MAP Math for Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
May 20--Face to Face Testing for MAP Math for Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
May 25--SC Ready Testing 3rd, 4th and 5th (Face to Face Students) for ELA Day 1
May 26--SC Ready Testing 3rd, 4th and 5th (Virtual Students) for ELA Day 1
May 28--School Holiday (Memorial Day Weekend)
May 31--Memorial Day/School Holiday