The CPES BobChat
March 17, 2024
What's the Difference between Reacting and Responding?
"Why did you do that?" is often a question we ask when we are talking through a discipline incident that happened with one of our children. Sometimes, the student can tell us everything that happened that led up to the situation. At other times, the child lets us know that he/she simply reacted and will simply say, "I wasn't thinking." As I ponder my own decisions over the last few days, I can easily think of times I reacted and other times I responded. What is the difference between these two words and how can we help our children choose the best way to handle difficult situations? 1. Reactions--The word "react" comes from "re-" and "act" which means "doing again." "He did that to me so I did it back to him." The reaction can also be the same "doing again" that has been formed over years of unhealthy patterns of coping. A reaction is often based on emotions. It comes quickly and there is a short connection between A and B. It comes when stress is high and life is rushed. Anytime we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired, we need to "HALT" our reaction. A reaction can be a good choice when our safety is threatened. In most interactions though, reactions do more damage than good in the short and long term. 2. Responses--Responding is making an intentional choice of what to do next. It involves pausing, thinking through options, and then deciding. It could mean talking through the situation with someone else and getting a little perspective before taking the next step. It takes time and energy to respond well. It may mean reflecting or journaling or getting quiet to think through the best option. When I hear the wise saying to "be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger," it reminds me to choose to respond rather than react. Our children need to know that they can make good choices about how to handle difficult situations as well. Their response (as opposed to their reaction), can lead to a better outcome that best resolves a conflict. They need to see the big people modeling this for them so they can have clear pictures of how to be a "responder first." March Madness is upon us and the NCAA Tournament begins this week. There will be ample opportunities to see tempers flair and fouls called during these basketball games. This may be an excellent opportunity to talk with our children about the results of staying calm, thinking through problems, and responding to adversity. I believe great things happen (like winning a National Championship) when we do that.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
Parents, remember that this Friday, March 22 is a student holiday.
CPES Spirit Wear Is on Sale
Through this Friday, March 22
Absence Documentation
See information below for sending in documentation.
Soccer Academy at CPES
More information below.
Notes and Reminders
1. Online School Store for Spirit Wear--The online Spirit Wear store opens tomorrow (Monday) and will remain open through March 22nd. All orders will be delivered to school by April 8th. We will not be able to accept late orders and we are not able to offer returns or exchanges.
Here is the link for the CPES Online Store: https://metroprint.printavo.com/merch/cherry-park-elementary
2. Inspiring Spaces: Classroom Makeover Program--Our teachers are amazing. Their work and dedication continues to inspire magic in our classrooms each and every day. That's why our community has signed on to support the district Inspiring Spaces: Classroom Makeover Program for a second year. Your input will help us award three of our best teachers with the classroom of their dreams thanks to the generosity of our business and community.
If you or your student is inspired by a teacher, nominate them to receive a classroom makeover this summer. To learn more about this program or to share your story about one of our stellar educators, visit our website: https://tinyurl.com/5bmw8pkt
Our nomination application closes on March 20.
3. Be Great Academy Summer Program--Registration is open for summer programming! Families can register at york.begreatacademy.com. Parents should enroll their child at Northside Elementary under Summer Camp 2024. Then the parent will go to view cart and select payment method. The registration fee is waived until March 31st.
If parents have any issues with your enrollment, please encourage them to contact member service representative Carolyn Thompson at carolynthompson@cresent.begreatclubs.org.
BGA has created a FAQ page for families to refer to if they have any questions.
4. Absence Documentation--You can email excuses for absences or send questions about attendance to the following email address: mailto:CPAbsenceDocumentation@rhmail.org Mrs. Janelle Miskelly is the person in our office who now handles all attendance coding in PowerSchool.
5. After School Soccer Academy--Will be on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30 at Cherry Park and will start on March 20. For more information, click on the following link: https://www.charlottesoccerfactory.com or you can email Tim Tretbar at mailto:tim@charlottesoccerfactory.com. You can click on the button below as well for their flyer.
6. CPES Art Show--Every student Kindergarten through fifth grade will have their own masterpiece framed and on display on April 30th from 5-7pm. Virtual Show will be from April 29-May 6th. Frames will be $28.
Support your school art program by participating in the virtual show or at the arts evening. If frames are not purchased, artwork will come home with student at the end of the school year. See more information here: CPES Art Show Flyer
7. Yearbook Orders and 5th Grade Dedications--Orders for yearbooks are due by April 21, 2024. Also, if you want to do a dedication for a fifth grader, that is due on April 21 as well. Click on the Yearbook button below or on the following link for more information: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/?event=general.displayLanding&jobnumber=24915
School Calendar
March 22--District Professional Learning Day (Student Holiday)
March 28--11:15 Early Release Day for Professional Development
March 29--District Holiday for Good Friday
April 1-5--Spring Break
April 11-April 20--Come See Me Festival
April 21--Last Day to Order a Yearbook or Do a Fifth Grade Dedication
April 30--5:00-7:00 PM CPES Art Show
May 31--9:00 AM 5th Grade Recognition at Sullivan Auditorium
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. 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.
Previous Newsletters for 23-24 School Year
"How Is Reading a Game Changer?" March 10, 2024 https://www.smore.com/n/evgx3u
"What Is Important about Read Across America Week?" March 3, 2024 https://www.smore.com/n/g4u3t
"What Do We Love about Language Immersion?" (Part 4) February 25, 2024 https://www.smore.com/n/e0n5g
"What Do We Love about Language Immersion?" (Part 3) February 18, 2024 https://www.smore.com/t49v3
"What Do We Love about Language Immersion?" (Part 2) February 11, 2024 https://www.smore.com/tqjb1
"Why Do We Love Language Immersion?" (Part 1) February 4, 2024 https://www.smore.com/x4dpg
"How Can We Inform Other Parents about Immersion?" January 28, 2024 https://www.smore.com/yswvf
"How Do We Help Children Do Hard Things?" January 21, 2024 https://www.smore.com/574bh
"What Did Martin Luther King, Jr. Say?" January 14, 2024 https://www.smore.com/1c2ze
"Can One Word Make a Difference This Year?" January 7, 2024 https://www.smore.com/p9n3v5
"How Can We Manage Expectations during the Holidays?" December 17, 2023 https://www.smore.com/ceswg
"How Can We Give the "Best Gift Ever?" December 10, 2023 https://www.smore.com/1p0kd
"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