The CPES BobChat
January 10, 2021
How Do We Shift from Urgent to Important in Our Immersion Program?
Over the past two years, we have accomplished so much. We combined three "school within a school" language programs into one immersion school in the middle of a school year. We established policies and procedures and systems to ensure the safety and security of our children. We developed new relationships with each other as parents and students and teachers. We wanted to know what a "normal year" was like last year but COVID 19 interrupted that plan and made all of us search for a new norm. That process continued this fall as we realigned staffing and made changes so our virtual and face to face students could learn a second language. As parents and staff, we successfully faced many urgent challenges at Cherry Park over the past two years but this is a good time for all of us to remember what is most important for our students. Here's how we can best do that. 1. Remember why we're here. All of us could choose different school families. I am at Cherry Park because I believe learning a second language makes a lifelong difference. A new building is great. A popular, innovative program is great. Being in a choice school is great. But all of those attractions pale in comparison to watching the magical transformation of a child who reads, writes, listens and speaks Spanish or French. Their world will be so much bigger and better as a result. 2. Encourage your child in his/her second language. We don't expect you to teach him French or Spanish by any means but there are significant ways you can support his interest. Listen to French music. Make a Spanish dish. Read a French children's book or article. Watch a video, TV show or movie in Spanish. Connect your child with other bilingual speakers. (When safe and appropriate), visit a French restaurant or Latin American grocery store. See what's happening in the news in Canada or France or Haiti or Martinique or Peru or Spain or Colombia or Ecuador. While physical travel is currently restricted, our opportunities to visit other places are simply keystrokes away via travel videos and websites. This kind of encouragement helps motivate your child to learn more of a new language. 3. Praise what connections you see your child making. We all know "what is rewarded is repeated." When our children hear us validating their language learning, it further cements the importance of Spanish or French. Teaching and learning in a second language is definitely not easy. It is hard work. Our children need to know that their effort and energy is valuable for the short term and long term. It is a precious gift that they will have for the rest of their lives. 4. Spread the word. We are in the application window for our Schools of Choice. We believe every child should learn a second language and every school should be an immersion school. We want every family in Rock Hill to know this is a great option for their child. But, for now, there are limited spots and those fill quickly. Please encourage other families to find out more and sign up if interested. The deadline for the School of Choice application is February 28 and we will have two more information sessions that are listed below. We thank you for joining us on this incredible adventure and for making second language learning an important part of your family life. We look forward to see the difference it makes in our children's lives.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
P.S. See more information below under "School of Choice Update" for links and times for our information sessions where prospective families can learn more about Cherry Park.
Parents, remember that Monday, January 18 is Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and there is no school.
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School News
Keeping Everyone Safe and Healthy--Let Nurse Love know if you or your child is sick before sending them to school. Please reduce all exposures you can at school by limiting dropping off nonessential items such as computers, backpacks, water bottles and even lunches. (We can provide most anything a child needs at school for a day except for medication. All students can even eat lunch at school for zero cost for the rest of the year.) Because of your effort and our effort, most of our positive contacts of COVID come from home and not school. We appreciate your vigilance in helping keep our students and faculty safe each day.
School of Choice Update--(See button below.) The application window opened on Tuesday, December 1 and closes on February 28. Siblings of current immersion program students receive priority for acceptance but parents must still fill out the Choice application. You can go to the School of Choice website for more information: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/5064 We will have Virtual Parent Information Sessions on Wednesday, January 27 at 8:00 AM and on Tuesday, February 9 at 6:00 PM. Go to the link above (or the button below) to sign up to attend. Please let other families know about this so they can stay informed.
Arrival and Dismissal Reminder--We ask parents to have their child enter and exit their vehicle on the right hand side of the car. This is the safest way for your child to be monitored getting out and in your car. Often, parents can't see a child if he/she has to walk in front or behind a car and it is so easy for a child to get injured. Parents, please think through how your child can enter and exit on the right side.
Be Ready--Every family needs to have a backup plan ready to go if your child has to quarantine. We hope to localize any remote learning situations to a student or a class or a grade level or an individual school. The reality is, though, that we may need to return to remote learning for a period of time if the governor or district determines it is necessary for health and safety reasons. We are prepared for remote learning. Please do the same.
Free Breakfast and Lunch Meals for Students
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting hardships placed on families, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the Emergency Seamless Summer Option program to allow all enrolled students to receive a free breakfast and lunch through June 22, 2021, or until federal funds run out.
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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 January's PTO Meeting is:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83166646886 Elections were held in the spring for these organizations but all parents are welcome to attend to help provide input and volunteer.
School Calendar
January 11--5:30 School Improvement Council; 6:30 Parent Teacher Organization (Zoom Link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83166646886 for PTO Meeting)
January 18--Martlin Luther King Jr. Holiday (No School)
January 23--Rock Hill Schools EXPO for Schools of Choice--10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at South Point High School
January 25--Early Release Day for Professional Development (Students dismissed at 11:00)
January 27--Virtual Parent Information Session for Prospective Parents at 8:00 AM
February 5--Teacher Workday (End of First Semester)
February 9--Virtual Parent Information Session for Prospective Parents at 6:00 PM
February 16--Report Cards Go Home
February 28--Choice Application Window Closes