The CPES BobChat

"Our children will lead us." Often, I focus on the reality that we must be mindful of our example for our children. They do what we do. They say what we say. They act the way we act. That is an incredible responsibility for us as the big people. But, this past week, our children decided to give a great present just because...they wanted to. A group of our fourth grade girls talked among themselves at recess and decided to form a club and name it "We Can Change the World--Helping Hands." They thought it would be a good idea to raise money to help others. Some sold hot chocolate on the weekends and others did chores to earn money. Then, they took what they had raised and purchased gifts for kids in our our Unique Pathways Class. Yes, they know our children in Mrs. Watson's class but, no, they don't get to see them every day nor are they in their classes. They simply wanted to do something kind for other little people in order to make a difference in their lives. They asked for nothing in return (and they will be a little embarrassed that I'm sharing this story about them.) Their unselfish giving makes me wonder how I will approach this season. Will I give in order to receive? How much of my giving is little more than an exchange of presents? Do I always have the right motives for how I give? Hmmm.... Our children can and will lead us if we allow them and if we pause long enough to see them and learn from them. I plan to join the "We Can Change the World" club this season. Like them, I want to find some ways I can give with no strings attached "just so I can make a difference." I hope you know that every one of us can join their club, too. No membership fees required. If we do, maybe we will find that we will give "the best gifts ever." Thank you, girls, for leading the way. I'm proud of you and I know your parents are too.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

1. Parent Information for the Scholastic Book Fair

Dates: December 11-15, 2023.

Times: The Book Fair hours for shopping are:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 8:00-1:30
• In Addition the Book Fair will be open for families Wednesday from 2:45-5:00.
• Friday 8:30-11:00

Parent Shopping Opportunities…Parents visiting for lunch may sign-in at the office following normal procedures including ID verification. Families are also welcome to shop on Wednesday afternoon from 2:45 - 5:00.

NEW THIS YEAR for in-school purchases…

In order to make the fair more convenient for families and to alleviate the need for students to carry cash, we are transitioning to an eWallet, credit card, and/or debit card only book fair. For this transition fair, cash will only be accepted on Wednesday 12/13, and Thursday 12/14. Cash will not be accepted on Monday 12/11, Tuesday 12/12 or Friday 12/15.

Introduction to eWallet video-

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/videos/intro-to-ewallet-fair-files.html

Visit the school’s book fair website and follow the steps-

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/cherryparkelementary2

Unused eWallet balances (from previous, current and future fairs) are converted to a gift card balance to purchase books online. Those funds can be used for up to 14 days after the fair. Funds not used will convert to eWallet amounts for future fairs.

To check your prior balance, please log into the Scholastic Account you created when you set up eWallet before.

2. December Teacher Appreciation--Let's make December extra SWEET for our CPES teachers and staff with a Holiday Cookie Walk on Thursday, December 21st along with a lunch provided by Mr. Maness. We need your help to send each staff member home with at least a dozen cookies and or treats. Please sign up below to donate homemade (preferred) sweet treats.

Some ideas for goodies: cookies, cookies, cookies, fudge, holiday candy, cake squares, etc. Please make sure all goodies can be kept at room temperature. Please label your name on the container so we can keep track. If possible please bring baked goods in something disposable.

Please send in your treats to the front office by Tuesday, December 19th - marked PTO with your name.

There are also opportunities to help serve lunch and manage the cookie station, please review the signups below.

Thank you in advance for all you do to show our teachers and staff how much you care!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-46012395-december#/

3. 5th Grade Parent Meeting--Here is the link to the presentation from Tuesday night about the Middle (and High) School Immersion Program. At the end of the presentation, there is a QR code for the Letter of Intent to continue in the program at Sullivan Middle. There is also a button below for the Letter of Intent. This is due on February 24, 2024 but we wanted you to have this now.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1oOWWAqum-RZXHnDtno3W__HXVpZND7xm/edit#slide=id.p6

4. Yearbooks--Are now on sale. To guarantee your student receives a copy of the yearbook be sure to place your order no later than 11:59pm on Sunday, April 21, 2024. For more information to order, click on tab below.

December 11-15--Book Fair (See information above)

December 23-January 8--Winter Break

January 8--Teacher Workday

January 9--First Day Back for Students

School Improvement Council--This group seeks to determine how Cherry Park Elementary can be the best school it can be. It is a sounding board and feedback group for the school and district. Members are elected for two year terms. Members of this year's Council include Celia Kerr, Ashley Petit, Latisha Givens, Scott Kennedy, Chelsea Eichorn, Jennifer Hutchinson and Matthew Query. Ex-Officio Members are Mr. Maness (Principal) and Mrs. Futrelle (Assistant Principal). Meetings are held at Cherry Park on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 PM. All parents are invited to attend.

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. 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. Officers this year are Amanda Winters (President), Emmanuel Daniel (Vice-President), Celia Kerr (Secretary) and Michelle Dawkins (Treasurer). We appreciate all of our sponsors (above) who contributed to our Bobcat Dash this year.

"How Can We Find a Silent Night?" December 3, 2023 https://www.smore.com/n/p2zes

"What Reminds Me to Be Grateful?" November 12, 2023 https://www.smore.com/pvds3

"Is It about the Grade or the Learning?" November 5, 2023 https://www.smore.com/4hkq0

"Who Made a Difference at the Bobcat Dash?" October 29, 2023 https://www.smore.com/wcqun

"What Do You Need to Know about Bobcat Dash?" October 22, 2023 https://www.smore.com/f19ry

"What Special Events are Coming Up?" October 15, 2023 https://www.smore.com/brvz5

"What's It Really Like at CPES?" October 8, 2023 https://www.smore.com/a7chr

"How Do We Respond to Safety Situations? Part 2" October 1, 2023 https://www.smore.com/k9uet

"How Do We Respond to Safety Situations? Part 1" September 24, 2023 https://www.smore.com/n4c67

"How Can I Volunteer at CPES?" September 17, 2023 https://www.smore.com/7v8ky

"What CRAzy Model Do We Use for Math Instruction?" September 10, 2023 https://www.smore.com/kfbg7

"What Do We Need to Know about Arrival?" September 3, 2023 https://www.smore.com/fc0kd

"Did You Know that a Bobcat 'ROARS?"' August 27, 2023 https://www.smore.com/0g7qv

"What Do We Need to Remember as We Start Back" August 20, 2023 https://www.smore.com/yrt38

"Techno

logy Forms and Fees"--August 25, 2023 https://www.smore.com/72qcg

"How Can We Work Together to Keep Everyone Safe?" August 13, 2023 https://www.smore.com/6cbtm

"How Can Checklists Help You Start a New Year?" August 6, 2023 https://www.smore.com/0jyx61

"Who Are the Newest Hires and What Are the Latest Changes with Technology?" July 30, 2023 https://www.smore.com/z6qnp

"What's the Latest News at Cherry Park" July 16, 2023 https://www.smore.com/w9pth

"Challenger Be Great Academy Update" June 23, 2023 https://www.smore.com/8hqka

"What Staffing Changes Have Been Made at CPES?" June 18, 2023 https://www.smore.com/e0vr2