The CPES BobChat

This past week our third graders went to Riverbanks Zoo and this week our fourth graders will go to Brattonsville. Our children are fortunate to have opportunities to learn inside and outside of Cherry Park. With that in mind, why are field studies so important for our kids? 1. They reinforce our content standards. In science, our children learn about habitats. They have a clearer understanding about that when they go to the zoo to see environments designed for a diversity of animals. In social studies, students learn about life in the 1880's and 1940"s. They get to see what that looked like at Brattonsville and the Carroll School. These experiences help cement the learning about these and many other topics. 2. Field studies stretch our children's thinking. I often hear kids ask me, "Mr. Maness, did you know ______________?" after they return from a field trip. They can read it in a book or watch a video but when they see "the real thing," our children have a clearer and an expanded perspective about a subject. These experiences give them a wider background that they can apply to other learning situations. It is good to know about something. It is so much better to experience that same concept at a field trip. 3. They get to know others in a new environment. Field studies not only provide the opportunity to learn content in a different way, but our kids also get to see other students and teachers in a new light. Shared experiences have a way of creating bonds with others as we talk about what we're learning or doing. The conversations on the bus or at lunch or during an activity help our children get to know each other better. Field studies help our children grow as learners and as friends. I know all of us are looking forward to spring break and our summer break. As you consider what you will do with your children, I hope you will think about visiting places and providing experiences that expand horizons for our little ones. Those opportunities could be right around the corner or far away. They could be simple and inexpensive as well. We appreciate all you do to help your child learn and grow as we work to do the same.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

1. Volunteers Needed for K and 1st Grade Bike Lessons--As a part of our Physical Education program, students will be able to practice their balancing and bike riding skills through using Strider bikes in All Kids Bike program. Mrs. Anderson would like to extend an invitation to help volunteer during PE2 class times with helping students put on helmets and assisting students during class. If you are interested in volunteering, please click on link below. (Also, remember you have to be an approved volunteer from Rock Hill School District). If you have any questions or can volunteer, please e-mail Mrs. Anderson (eanderson@rhmail.org).

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.

FAQ Page for Families

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

March 28--11:15 Early Release Day for Professional Development

March 29--District Holiday for Good Friday

April 1-5--Spring Break

April 8--5:30 School Improvement Council; 6:30 PTO

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

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.

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"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

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"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