The CPES BobChat

Last week, all children in grades 1-5 took the Measures of Academic Progress Test. Students in 3rd-5th Grade will take the SC READY tests starting on Tuesday, May 14. Primary grades will also have some individual assessments given in the next six weeks. What is the purpose of these tests and why do they matter? 1. They help us know if students learned what they needed to learn. Some tests (like SC READY) check to see if kids learned the standards they needed to learn at the grade level. It is an objective look at students' knowledge and skills. Our ongoing goal is that our day to day teaching aligns with the level of expectations of year end tests like SC READY. As parents and teachers, we want to know if our children mastered the important concepts at that grade level. 2. They help us know if students are growing as learners. The Measures of Academic Progress and many of our individual assessments help us see where students were at the beginning, middle and end of each year. We are looking to see how much they gained and if their percentiles increased. Again, these tests are objective methods of determining student progress. 3. They help us know how we can get better. There are many, many ways we determine teacher effectiveness. One of those ways is looking at student achievement data. Everyone, in every profession, has performance markers they should meet. Our staff wants to know the level of their students' success and how they can get better in their skills and strategies. We never want to make test scores the sole measure of a student's or teacher's success because there are many factors that affect learning. An assessment is simply one picture taken on one day. To understand the depth of learning for a child (and the effectiveness of a teacher), we should reflect on lots of sources of information. Coaches often know that the score at the end of the game may or may not reflect the effort and ability of their athletes. They look at the day to day and week to week growth of their players as the greatest measure of success. We simply want to do the same with our children. Tests are simply one of many ways we can do just that.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

P.S. Did you know that the Measures of Academic Progress (Grades 1-5) and SC READY (3rd-5th) are all administered on the computer? No "bubble" answer sheets are used. Kids can use scratch paper for problem solving. Both of these tests are also untimed.

1. Yearbook Orders and 5th Grade Dedications--Orders for yearbooks are due by today, 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

2. Spring Pictures 4/24--Spring Pictures will be taken on April 24. Order forms and information was sent home last week. Only students whose families have paid for pictures will have a spring picture taken. To order pictures, go to https://www.carolinaphoto.net and click at the top on "Prepay Pictures." Our school access code for ordering is YM8T6TTX. Online orders close 24 hours before pictures are taken so please complete online orders by the end of day on April 22.

3. 24-25 PTO Officers--At last Tuesday's PTO meeting, the following people were elected as officers for 2024-2025: Amanda Winters--President; Emmanuel Daniels--Vice-President; Celia Kerr-Secretary; Shannon Martin and Caroline Stubbs--Co-Treasurers. We appreciate these volunteers willing to serve next year.

4. CPES Art Show--CPES Online Art Show is open from April 24-May 7th.

Please click on the flyer button below and scan the QR code or go the link to the link to open the Online art show. To PURCHASE, please find your student's grade and/or teacher with the FILTER function at the top left and click the art thumbnail to enter your student's page. Please choose the Art Type: Original or Reproduction. Only one Original can be purchased. Reproductions can be purchased multiple times. Then Add to Cart and Check Out.

https://artomestore.com/collections/cherryparkelemschooloflanguageimmersion29730

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 24-May 7th. 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.

5. 3rd and 4th Grade Spring Music Performances--Have been rescheduled to May 7 and May 9 at 6:30 PM. (Mr. Bratton had a death in his family and had to be out of school. He needs some additional time to prepare the students.) On Tuesday, May 7, the students in the following homerooms will perform at 6:30 PM: George, St. Aime, Broughton, Goodner, Roehl and Tull. On Thursday, May 9, the students in the following homerooms will perform at 6:30 PM: Garcia, Wright, Canteli, Preston, E. Leon and Riley.

6. 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.

7. SC READY Testing--This is our statewide test for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. We need all students present on the following dates: Tuesday, May 14 (English Language Arts Day 1); Thursday, May 16 (English Language Arts Day 2); Tuesday, May 21 (Science for 4th Graders); Thursday, May 23 (Math).

8. Field Day Volunteers--Field day is coming! The K-2nd Field Day will be Tuesday, June 4 and the 3rd-5th Field Day will be Wednesday, June 5. Please use the links below to volunteer at our event. Only volunteers will be allowed to attend field day because each volunteer is pre-screened by the district. This process keeps your children safe as they play and enjoy the day with their teachers and friends.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Christi Beard cabeard@rhmail.org

Emily Anderson eanderson@rhmail.org

K-2nd Volunteer Signup Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4EACAC22AB9-48705704-k12#/

3rd-5th Volunteer Signup Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4EACAC22AB9-48710948-3rd#/

"Hello Rad Parents & Groovy Guardians!

We are excited to celebrate and honor our teachers and staff for a full week, May 6th-10th. The week's theme is "Back to the 80s" and will be filled with daily events and activities to show our gratitude for all they do. But we need your help to make it happen! Take a look at the sign up for options available and carefully consider making a contribution of time, money or resources that make sense for you and your family.

We ask that all items be dropped off on Friday, May 3rd by the end of day to the front office with your name and PTO attached. Any checks can be made out to Cherry Park Elementary PTO.

Below you will find the schedule of events for the week.

Monday: CHILL OUT Coffee Bar & Breakfast

Charge up our staff for the exciting week with a coffee bar and a continental style breakfast.

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday Lunch & GNARLY Giveaway

Las Americanas taco bar & a GNARLY gift card giveaway

Wednesday: Stay COOL Sorbet Truck & 80s Dress Up Day

Roam sorbet truck will be parked out front playing top 80s hits and dress up is encouraged

Thursday: STELLAR Boom Box Snack Boxes

Boom Box snack boxes loaded up with 80s themed snacks and delivered to teachers and staff.

Friday: PAC MAN grand finale food truck

Wrapping up the week with a food truck & arcade themed desserts.

Should you have any questions, contact Brittani Rayfield at brittanirayfield@gmail.com.

Thank you in advance for your help in making this STELLAR, RAD & GNARLY week happen. We couldn't do these events without YOU!

Sincerely,

Teacher Appreciation Committee"

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-48978330-staff

April 21--Last Day to Order a Yearbook or Do a Fifth Grade Dedication

April 24--Spring Pictures (Online Orders Due on 4/22)

April 24-May 7--Online Art Show

April 30--5:00-7:00 PM CPES Art Show

May 2--Early Release Day for Teacher Professional Development (Dismissal at 11:15)

May 3--District Holiday (Bad Weather Makeup Day if Needed)

May 6-10--Staff Appreciation Week

May 7--6:30 PM Spring Music Concert (George, St. Aime, Broughton, Goodner, Roehl and Tull's Homerooms)

May 9--6:30 PM Spring Music Concert (Garcia, Wright, Canteli, Preston, Leon and Riley's Homerooms)

May 12--Mother's Day

May 14--SC READY ELA Test (Day 1) for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades

May 16--SC READY ELA Test (Day 2) for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades

May 21--SC READY Science Test for 4th Grade Only; 3rd Grade Takes MAP Reading

May 23--SC READY Math Test for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades

May 27--Memorial Day Holiday (District Closed)

May 31--9:00 AM 5th Grade Recognition at Sullivan Auditorium

June 4--K, 1st and 2nd Grade Field Day

June 5--3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Field Day

June 6--Half Day for Students (Dismissal at 11:15)/Last Day of School

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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