The CPES BobChat
November 6, 2022
Daylight Savings Time Ended Yesterday
Election Day is Tuesday
Veterans Day is Friday
What's Happening This Month at CPES?
There are many events and opportunities over the next few weeks at CPES. We want to make sure you have clarity about what's happening. 1. Daylight Savings Time Ended Yesterday--Please be sure to "Fall Back" and turn your clock back an hour so your child can be on time for school. 2. Election Day is Tuesday--School will not be in session. We hope you will take your child with you as you exercise your right to vote so he/she can know how important that is to you. 3. Veterans Day Is Friday--Take time to recognize a Veteran of our Armed Services. So many have sacrificed so much for our country. 4. Pledge Forms and Donations from the Bobcat Dash Are Due Friday--Our PTO decided to extend the deadline until then. We've had so many of our children out sick so we want to give them a chance to turn in their pledges from the Bobcat Dash. 5. 3rd-5th Grade PE Night Is Thursday, November 17 from 5:00-7:00 PM--Dr. Beard and Mrs. Anderson will host PE Night for grades 3-5 (K-2 will have their night in the spring). We invite all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade parents to participate in PE activities led by your student. Come see what's happening in PE. 6. Class Pictures and Makeup Pictures Are Friday, November 18--The order forms for class pictures have been sent home. Orders are not available online and families must use the form provided. If you would like to pay by cc/debit card, there is a place inside the envelope to provide the info needed. Order forms for make-up pictures will be sent home later. 7. Clemson v. Carolina Day Is Monday, November 21--All children and staff are encouraged to wear your favorite team colors to get ready for the big games on Saturday, November 26. Our food service staff will serve a tailgate lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs. 8. Project Proposals for 4th and 5th Graders for the STEAM Fair in February Are Due November 21--Rock Hill School District is sponsoring a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Fair on February 9, 2023. Project proposals will be submitted through this form. Ten (10) projects will be selected from each school. Proposals are due Nov. 21 at 2:00pm. This is a voluntary opportunity for our students and note that the actual project is not due until February. Students and parents can go to this website for more information: https://www.sciencerockhill.com/elemscifair.html 9. CPES Sweatshirt Orders are Due by Wednesday, November 23--Cherry Park hoodies are available for purchase! The cost is 25.00 and hoodies may be purchased online only at https://rockhillsc.csiepay.com (You can see designs and more info below.) They make great holiday gifts! 10. Thanksgiving Holidays Are Wednesday through Friday, November 23-25--We hope you will enjoy time with your family. These are such wonderful opportunities for you and your children. Thank you for all you do to support your child and our school.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness, Principal
Pledge forms and donations are due by Friday, November 11. We extended the deadline due to many students who have been out sick.
Notes and Reminders
New Challenger Director--Our new Challenger Director is Ms. Ayenne Smith. (See picture above.) Ms. Smith is an interventionist at Oakdale currently, She has been a literacy coach and early childhood teacher as well. (Mr. Maness actually hired her as a teacher in the district before he came to Cherry Park.) She has a wealth of experience as a school leader. She joins Mr. Welvin Simpkins who is our Assistant Challenger Director. We appreciate all that Mr. Alberto Leon has done to lead the program over the past few months. He has enjoyed leading the program but also wants some time to spend with his family in the afternoons. He has done and great job.
Bobcat Dash Pledges and Donations--Are due Friday, November 11. If you need a form, click on the button below. The deadline has been extended due to having many of our students who have been out sick.
Class Pictures and Makeup Picture Day--Class photos and make up pictures will be Friday, November 18th. The order forms for class pictures have been sent home. Orders are not available online and families must use the form provided. If you would like to pay by cc/debit card, there is a place inside the envelope to provide the info needed. Order forms for make-up pictures will be sent home later.
Carolina Clemson Day--Will be Monday, November 21. We will kick off our Thanksgiving Week getting ready for the big game Saturday, November 26. Everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite team colors.
Bobcat Sweatshirts--Cherry Park hoodies are available for purchase! The cost is 25.00 and hoodies may be purchased online only at https://rockhillsc.csiepay.com
Deadline to purchase is Wednesday, November 23rd. They make great Christmas gifts! See designs above.
Yearbooks--Yearbooks are now on sale. All sales are online only and this year there will not be an additional order after April 7, 2023. You will need to use the Order Number 24915. Click here to order a yearbook: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/?event=general.displayLanding&jobnumber=24915
Information about the Flu
Parents and Guardians,
We currently have a large number of students absent with influenza, “the flu” and influenza-like illness at Cherry Park this past week. As you may know, the flu is spread easily from person to person and school-age children are among the groups most affected. Flu symptoms include fever (over 100 degrees F), body aches, headaches, sore throat, cough, and fatigue and typically lasts from 5-7 days.
If you suspect your child is getting sick, please do not send them to school. Students who are experiencing the symptoms listed above need complete the following steps:
- Stay home from school
- Call the COVID Call Center to report your child’s symptoms 803-980-2016
- The COVID Call Center staff will provide additional information about flu and COVID testing
- The COVID Call Center will also ensure absences are coded correctly
- The COVID Call Center will work with the Nursing Services department to determine classrooms that have an increase in student illness.
Our school staff are working closely with the RH Schools Nursing Services department and SC DHEC to monitor flu conditions in our school, make decisions about the best steps to take and ensure disinfecting practices are being followed. Custodial staff will continue to disinfect classrooms and common areas regularly. Classrooms with an increased number of sick students will be disinfected nightly.
Here are a few things parents can do to help our school reduce the spread of illness:
- Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or upper sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
- Take time to get a flu vaccine. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu. DHEC strongly recommends all South Carolina residents older than 6 months old get the flu vaccine as soon as possible to prevent the flu, unless they have a medical reason not to be vaccinated.
- Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
- Don’t send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are sick at school will be sent home. Staying home when sick will allow your children to rest and allows you to monitor their health closely.
Mr. Maness and Nurse Love
Need Tech Support? Call 803-324-TECH
School Calendar
November 8--Election Day (School Holiday)
November 11--Veterans Day; Bobcat Dash Pledges and Donations Due
November 14--5:30 PM School Improvement Council Meeting; 6:30 PM Parent Teacher Organization Meeting
November 17--PE Night for 3rd-5th Grade 5:00-7:00 PM
November 18--Makeup Pictures and Class Pictures Day
November 21--Carolina Clemson Day (Wear your favorite team colors); 2:00 4th and 5th STEAM Project Proposals are Due
November 23--Deadline for Ordering CPES Sweatshirts (See info above)
November 23-27--Thanksgiving Holidays
December 21--Early Dismissal Day before Winter Holidays
December 22-January 4--Winter Holidays for Students; (January 3-4 Teacher Days)
January 5--First Day Back for Students
Parent Organizations
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. Officers for 22-23 are Stephanie Greer (President), Amanda Winters (Vice-President), Liz Lowery (Secretary), and Erica Smith (Treasurer). 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.
Previous Newsletters for 22-23 School Year
"Who Showed Up for the Bobcat Dash?" October 30, 2022 https://www.smore.com/gjsm8
"How Do We Make Time Slow Down?" October 23, 2022 https://www.smore.com/c19u8
"Could PLCs Work for All of Us?" October 16, 2022 https://www.smore.com/6edtw
"What Is the Latest on the Bobcat Dash and Does It Make a Difference?" October 9, 2022 https://www.smore.com/2bf4k
"What is 'Nattering' and Is It Effective?" October 2, 2022 https://www.smore.com/gmrac
"What Do Parents Need to Know about Student Attendance?" September 25, 2022 https://www.smore.com/7rnbq
"What Do We Control?" September 18, 2022 https://www.smore.com/qv3hb
"What's the Goal for Our Children?" September 11, 2022 https://www.smore.com/q8k0b
"What Do You Do If You Want to Visit for Lunch?" September 4, 2022 https://www.smore.com/2ha8b
"How Was the First Week?" August 21, 2022 https://www.smore.com/t65yv
"What Do We Need to Remember as We Start Back?" August 14, 2022 https://www.smore.com/qjucf
"Open House Reminders" August 11, 2022 https://www.smore.com/35c6a
"Remind Me, Who's New at Cherry Park?" August 7, 2022 https://www.smore.com/b71ef
"Where Are the Pinch Points?" July 31, 2022 https://www.smore.com/csh32
"How Can You Help Us Keep Our Children Safe and Secure?" July 24, 2022 https://www.smore.com/6bweq
"How Can We Get Ready for the Fall?" July 17, 2022 https://www.smore.com/hcp2q"What Do We Need to Know" July 10, 2022 https://www.smore.com/y35p6