The CPES BobChat

This month we've been looking at good habits we want our children to have. All Cherry Park families want their children to develop the skill of speaking French or Spanish (or English) as their second language. How can we help other families know about this opportunity for their child? 1. Attend Parent Information Sessions--There will be a District School of Choice Fair on Thursday, February 1 from 6:00-7:30 PM. We will be there to provide information and respond to questions. There will also be two Parent Information Sessions at Cherry Park on Thursday, February 8 at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. During these times, parents will tour the school, see demonstration lessons and meet other immersion parents. We believe that parents best understand immersion when they can "come and see" what happens in our classrooms each day. 2. Complete the School of Choice Application--Parents can find out more information about the Choice Application process on our district website: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/6855 There is valuable information there as far as timelines and requirements. The application window closes on February 23. Here is an important reminder for Cherry Park families. If you have a rising kindergarten child, you must complete the Choice Application by February 23 for your child to be guaranteed to receive a slot for Cherry Park next year. Completing the application lets us know how many slots to hold for siblings of current students. All other slots will go into the district lottery. 3. Upper Grades Students Can Apply As Well But....--We do want families to know that we will have a few slots open in our upper grades. All students who apply for grades 1-5 will need to pass a language assessment to determine if they know enough French and Spanish to be at the proficiency levels of the class. We have taken a couple of "first time" students in first grade but that is on a case by case basis (per district approval) and preference is given to students who know the language. 4. Encourage Families to Sign Up for the Waiting List--If a parent applies and does not get a slot, please encourage them to get on the waiting list. In past years, most of the children on the wait list did receive slots to begin the year. Of course, we have no idea what the demand might be for this year. We have been blessed that it worked out in the past.

Know that I appreciate the choice you made for your child to attend Cherry Park. We could not do what we do without your faith in the process and your commitment to our school. Please help share this information with other families. We want all parents in Rock Hill to know that this is a great opportunity for their child.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

1. January Birthday Book Club Signups--It is time to celebrate with the Birthday Book Club again. This month we are celebrating the January birthdays. Our celebration will be on . 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! Click here to sign up to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-47163967-january#/

2. School of Choice Information

a. District Choice Fair--The District Choice Fair will be this Thursday, February 1 at Castle Heights Middle School from 6:00-7:30 PM. Parents can come and ask questions about our school.

b. Parent Information Sessions--We will have two sessions on the same day. On Thursday, February 8 at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, we will have a time for parents to meet other immersion parents, see demonstration lessons and tour the school. We will also respond to any questions as well.

c. Choice Application Window is open through February 23. All rising kindergarten students who currently have siblings in the program will need to complete the Choice application to secure a spot for next year. Currently enrolled students at Cherry Park do not have to reapply for next year (unless you are in the fifth grade. See Fifth Grade Parent Information below.) Here is the link for the Choice Application: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/6855

d. District Choice Site--Here is the link for the District School of Choice Site for more information: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=8539

3. February Teacher Appreciation--We have the BERRY best staff and teachers at CPES! For this month's staff appreciation event on February 9th we are putting together a Valentine theme breakfast. Please review the sign up slots below and drop off any items to the front office with your name and PTO by Wednesday February 7th. Thank you for your continued support with these events, we couldn't pull them off without YOU!

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

Thank you,

The Teacher Appreciation Committee"

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-47119465-february

4. FUTURE CHEFS Culinary Competition--Looking for a way to highlight the gifts and talents of your students? Invite them to submit their favorite breakfast recipe to compete in the FUTURE CHEFS competition at the Applied Technology Center on February 14. The deadline is quickly approaching - the deadline for submission is January 31. Please see flyer below in English and Spanish.

5. Valentine's Day Parties--Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Our Valentine's parties are the one time when we can have additional options that are not on the District Snack List. We still need to be mindful of food allergy issues in our homerooms. Our teachers know best what is the right balance of fun, food and activities for that day. They will communicate what they may need to celebrate "The Day of Love." If you have questions, let them know. Here are additional district reminders about Valentine's Day parties.

• Valentine’s Day is the only day exempt from the approved snack list as indicated in Policy ADF.

• All food must be store bought with a food ingredient label. No homemade treats are allowed. If snack/individual size candy is provided in goodie bags, the food ingredient label must also be available to review for allergens.

• There will be a process in place to check food ingredient labels prior to giving food/candy to students. Nurses can double check a label if the teacher/staff has a question but cannot be responsible for checking all food that comes into the school for Valentine’s Day.

• Be mindful - the Brach’s conversation hearts are manufactured in a plant also processing peanuts/tree nuts and dairy. These are NOT safe for our peanut/tree nut/dairy allergy kids. Teachers should not use these in classroom activities related to Valentine’s Day if they have students with these allergies.

6. Boys' Running Club--Cherry Park Elementary School Boys Running Club is an after school running program for boys in 4th and 5th grade. Goals: Conditioning (being able to endure physical activity for an extended time); Coordination (build strength and agility through exercise); Character (focus on character traits each week). Please reach out to Mrs. Anderson, our PE teacher, for any questions or concerns (eanderson@rhmail.org) Here is the application form to complete to participate: https://forms.gle/eh1mPKcsFqiTLiU1A

7. 5th Grade Parent Information--Here is the link to the presentation from December 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

8. 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

February 1--6:00-7:30 PM District School of Choice Fair at Castle Heights Middle School

February 8--8:00 AM and 6:00 PM Parent Information Sessions for School of Choice at CPES (Media Center)

February 12--5:30 PM SIC Meeting; 6:30 PM PTO Meeting

February 14--Valentine's Day

February 15--Student Holiday and Teacher Professional Development Day

February 16--Student Holiday and Teacher Workday

February 19--President's Day Holiday (Bad Weather Makeup Day)

February 23--School of Choice Application Window Closes

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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