The CPES BobChat

All this month, we have discussed what we love about learning a second language. Here are a few additional benefits of immersion instruction. 1. It helps us better understand our first language. When we learn a second language, it makes us reflect on the uniqueness of our first language. How are they distinctly different? Do we use the same vowels and consonants? Are sentences formed the same way? Is it more phonetically based or are there complicated rules to follow? English, French and Spanish are all Latin based languages that share common origins but there are vast differences in how they sound and what words mean. Learning the patterns of a second language help children see patterns in their first language. 2. Learning a new language helps build bridges to new friendships. I readily admit that many in our school know much more French and Spanish than I do. I use all the words I know in both languages as much as I can each day. I am amazed how my meager efforts yield big smiles from our native Spanish and French teachers and parents and students when they hear me making my linguistic attempts. Speaking another's language is one simple way that we can honor a person's culture and strengths. It conveys that they are important and what they know is important. Their voice is important. Speaking another language reminds me that the world does not revolve around me and my cultural perspective. It opens the door for me to enter others' worlds and visit with them. 3. It provides amazing career opportunities. At Cherry Park, we are always looking to hire bilingual candidates for any position we have (and not just French and Spanish teachers.) The same is true in business and industry. If two people apply for the same job and are equal in experience and qualifications but one is bilingual, second language knowledge can often be the deciding factor in hiring. Can you imagine working in a French or Spanish owned company and being able to speak the language of your supervisors? Knowing a second language could also mean great travel opportunities in a business. Think about how many mistakes could be avoided in the workplace simply because a person spoke the other person's language. Knowing French or Spanish (or any second language) makes a big difference.

We are so glad you've made the choice for your child to be at Cherry Park as a beginning point to start his/her language journey. You never know what destinations will be ahead for them as they become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural. Thank you for your continued support of your child and our school.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

1. Birthday Book Club Volunteers--It is time to celebrate with the Birthday Book Club again. This month we are celebrating the February birthdays. Our celebration will be on Wednesday, February 28. Each child receives a free book of their choosing for their birthday! We need volunteers to help distribute the books during each students lunch time. You will find the sign up time slots on the sign up genius linked. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE AN APPROVED VOLUNTEER THROUGH THE DISTRICT! It is district policy that all volunteers have been approved. Thank you so much for your help! If you'd like to volunteer to help, please click on the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-47993499-february#/

2. "READING IS A GAME CHANGER"--Read Across America Week and Book Fair at Cherry Park

March 4-8

Book Fair DATES AND HOURS:

MARCH 4-7 8:00-1:30

MARCH 8 8:00-11:00

MARCH 6 AFTER SCHOOL 3:00-5:00

(with a parent).

Cash will be accepted only on Wednesday.

eWallet and cards accepted all week.

No checks.

“READING IS A GAME CHANGER” DRESS UP DAYS:

Monday--Sports is a Game Changer--Wear a team shirt or jersey!

Tuesday--People are Game Changers--Dress as your future career!

Wednesday--Animals are Game Changers--Wear animals prints or shirt with an animal!

Thursday--Arts are Game Changers--Wear as many colors and patterns as you can!

Friday--Books are Game Changers--Dress as your favorite Book Character!

Book Fair Volunteer Signups--We need volunteers to help our students with choosing books and purchasing them during the Book Fair. Please click on the following link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-47842271-spring

3. Middle School Orientation for Rising Sixth Graders--Attention parents of 5th grader students! Our district middle schools are hosting a face to face orientation event for rising 6th grade students on March 5, 2024 at 6pm at the middle school your child will attend next year!

Please mark your calendars to learn more about your child’s middle school and meet their administrators and counselors. If you are unsure about your child’s zoned middle school, visit the Zone Locator here: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/domain/1728

This will be an important event for you and your child to attend as you and your family begin preparing your child for middle school. If you plan for your child to continue in the immersion program, you should attend the Sullivan Orientation.

4. Teacher's Choice Art Show--The following students were selected for the Teacher's Choice Art Show at the Center for the Arts this year. It is a big honor because only one student from each grade can be selected. The student reception will be on March 7th 5-7pm at the Center for the Arts.

Arlette Zesati-Kindergarten

Braxton Simpkins-First Grade

Jose Picazo-Soto-Second Grade

Harper Hamilton-Third Grade

Journey Loveless-Fourth Grade

Reid Manning-Fifth Grade

5. Teacher Appreciation for March--Our staff at CPES covers all the bases! For this months staff appreciation event on Friday March 9th we will be passing out baseball themed snacks from the Bobcat Baseball snack cart. Please review the available slots below and drop off to the front office with your name and PTO by Wednesday March 6th. Thank you for your continued support with these events, we couldn't "hit them out of the park" without your help!

If you have any questions you can email me at brittanirayfield@gmail.com

Click on the following link to sign up if you can help provide items: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-48121039-march#/

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 1--Jump Up Permission Slips Due for Fifth Graders

March 4-8--Read Across America Week and Book Fair

March 5--6:00 PM Rising Sixth Grade Orientation (at the Middle School your child will attend next year.)

March 11--5:30 SIC; 6:30 PTO

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

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.

"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