The CPES BobChat

As the weather turns warmer, many of us consider what we will plant and grow in our gardens and yards. As parents and teachers, we also want to be mindful how we are growing our children so they can experience success in school and in life. Over the course of the next few weeks, I'll discuss ways we grow healthy students and kids. The first area is in their physical health. 1. Consider modeling good eating habits. We know that inputs have huge influence on on outputs. We see this impact in classrooms when kids are hungry or if they've had too much sugar. It is challenging to help our children determine what is "normal" to eat. I'm not sure I thought enough about that when my children were younger. This is an area where it is easy to go to one of two extremes. On one end is the thought that there should only be "ultra-healthy," no sweets, and only organic. On the other end is promoting the idea that dessert is one of the four main food groups. (Guilty as charged.) Our children need to understand that food is fuel for the body and not a way to bring comfort or avoid boredom. We want them to know why we eat what we eat, how much is enough, and how much is too much. A great way to further foster this conversation is by involving them in cooking and preparing meals. 2. Help them find activities that keep them physically active. Children (and adults) need to run and play to keep their bodies and brains in good working condition. Activity gives our kids' brains a break to concentrate better in reading, writing and math in class. Our two children could not have been more different in their activity interests. I hoped that one of them would enjoy running (like me) but no chance of that. Whitney fell in love with volleyball and Joey became a rock climber, kayaker and bike rider. Both of them play lots of pickleball now. The win is seeing them continue to stay active and even try new activities like cross fit training, line dancing and doing outdoor projects. Generally, we are active because we enjoy what we do. Helping our kids try lots of activities can lead to finding the "thing" that helps them stay fit for years to come. (By the way, Dr. Beard and Mrs. Anderson (our PE teachers) do a great job of showing our kids a variety of activities. They are a great resource to contact for ideas of what your child may like to do.) 3. Stop and rest. We all know that kids need at least eight or more hours of sleep a night. The harder lesson as parents is teaching our children when it is time to slow down and put on the brakes. Our culture tells us that "too busy" is a badge of honor. The truth is that maxed out schedules can lead to tired and stressed kids who perform poorly in school. We were made to rest daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. Physical, mental, and emotional balance is restored when we turn the volume down and stay still for a little while. Rest allows us to "re-create" and recharge. It is so important for the health of our children and for ourselves, too.

As adults, none of us get it all right for being physically healthy. I hope, though, that you might consider taking one small step to model better eating, activity or rest habits for your child so he can be at his best in school. I promise that it will make a lifelong difference for them as well.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

1. Notes and Reminders--a. Absence Documentation--Please send notes and documentation for absences to Mrs. Motz at the following email address: mailto:CPAbsenceDocumentation@rhmail.org Mrs. Motz (who is at our front reception desk) will handle attendance for us through the end of the year. b. Early Dismissal on Friday--We will dismiss at 11:15. Please be sure you have your car pickup tag and know that if you need to sign out your child early, it should happen before 10:45. c. Staff Appreciation--Thank you so much for your contributions for our "March Madness" Snack on Friday. We appreciate all you do for our staff.

2. Spring Pictures--Spring Pictures are Tuesday, March 25th. To order, click here:

https://www.carolinaphoto.net/

Shoot/Job Key-BZSTH67Q

3. 2025-2026 PTO Officer Nominations--Please click on the button below to submit a nomination for the 2025-2026 Slate of Executive Officers for Cherry Park's PTO. The vote will be held at April's regularly scheduled PTO meeting on April 14, 2025.

All nominations must be submitted by Friday, April 11 to be included on the ballot.

4. SIC Traffic Survey--Our School Improvement Council has discussed how we could improve our traffic safety for Cherry Park. As a part of that process, we would like your feedback and perspective. Please click on the following link and complete the survey by end of day on March 30. Thanks for participating to help keep our children safe. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5QJ4dracYZ1zKvhYHFSpZnzee6Pqdk8gNUsaarzrdXDS8Iw/viewform

5. SC READY Testing Dates--Parents of 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders, please note the days for SC READY which is our statewide test. Please mark these on your calendar. Please do not schedule any appointments for your child for these days.

Writing--Wednesday, April 30 (Note, this is the Wednesday after Spring Break. We need all students at school on Monday and Tuesday for final preparations that week.)

Reading Day 1--Wednesday, May 7

Reading Day 2--Thursday, May 8

Math--Tuesday, May 13

Science (4th Grade Only)--Thursday, May 15

6. Yearbooks--Families may now order a yearbook. All sales are online only and to guarantee your child receives a yearbook, all orders must be placed by March 30, 2025. The early bird discount is available and then prices will increase on January 1st. All yearbook orders are online only and there will be no additional orders after March 30, 2025. Please see the flyer below. Click on the following link to order: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/24915 (Use order #24915 if you are asked for it.)

7. Field Day--Will be Monday, May 19 for K-2nd and Tuesday, May 20 for 3rd-5th. It will be across the street at Cherry Park (the park.) For safety and security reasons, the only adults who will be admitted to attend are our prescreened volunteers. Please be sure your screening is up to date. If you volunteer, please know that it will not be possible for you to bring your younger children. (Again, this is for safety and security reasons.) Signups are available below and we appreciate your support with our Field Days.

March 25--Spring Pictures for Those Who Pre-Order

March 28--Early Dismissal Day (Students dismissed at 11:15)

March 30--Last Day to Order Yearbooks

April 3-12--Come See Me Festival

April 8--MAP Testing (Reading or Math. Your child's teachers will decide.)

April 10--MAP Testing (Reading or Math. Your child's teachers will decide.)

April 15--5:00-7:00 Art Show (All students will have artwork in the show.)

April 17--6:00 Fourth Grade Music Performance

April 21-25--Spring Break

April 28-May 2--Staff Appreciation Week

April 30--SC READY Writing Test (3rd-5th Grades)

May 7-8--SC READY Reading Day 1 and 2 (3rd-5th Grades)

May 11--Mother's Day

May 13--SC READY Math (3rd-5th Grades)

May 15--SC READY Science (4th Grade)

May 19--K-2nd Field Day

May 20--3rd-5th Field Day

May 21--9:00 Fifth Grade Recognition (Sullivan Auditorium)

May 22-23 Half Days for Students (May 23 is the 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 Chelsea Eichorn, Jennifer Hutchinson, Matthew Query, Bernice Huskins, Heather Kagey, and Emily Parrish. 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 Shannon Martin/Caroline Stubbs (Co-Treasurers). We appreciate all of our sponsors (above) who contributed to our Bobcat Dash this year.

"What's Ahead for This Spring at CP?" March 16, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/1ejcy

"Mrs. Preston, How Can Parents Help Their Children Become Better Readers?" March 9, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/ecwts

"How Can Reading Take Our Children Places?" March 2, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/jr7wu

"What Can We Do to Help Alleviate Traffic at CP?" (Part 2) February 23, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/82gwk6

"What Can We Do to Help Alleviate Traffic at CP?" February 16, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/h2qar

"What Could We Do for Others for Valentine's Day?" February 9, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/sjc7h

"What Do We Need to Know about Program Options and Flu Season?" February 2, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/zfkvbs

"What Questions Do Families Have? (Part 3)" January 26, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/uc39sa

"What Questions Do Families Have? (Part 2)" January 19, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/8nby3

"What Questions Do Families Have? (Part 1)" January 12, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/12psc

"How Can You Give the Gift of Second Language Learning?" January 5, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/n0j1us

"High and Fast or Low and Slow?" December 15, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/am39k

"What about a Game?" December 8, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/erny5h

"How Am I Grateful?" December 1, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/m9u4b

"What Is the Connection between Thanks and Giving?" November 17, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/c6hvt

"What Do Parents Need to Know about Our Book Fair" November 10, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/36azws

"How Can We Help Our Children Make Good Decisions?" November 3, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/tj863

"Who Made a Difference at the Bobcat Dash?" October 27, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/v7pxu

"What Do You Need to Know about the Bobcat Dash?" October 20, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/jecu8

"How Do We Help Kids Process Difficult Events?" October 13, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/nefrt

"How Can We Help Kids 'Handle Hard Better?'" October 5, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/brh0j

"What Should We Remember When We Have Bad Weather?" September 29, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/28hfx

"What Do Great Coaches Do?" September 22, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/cuktn

"How Can We Support the Bobcat Dash on 10/25?" September 15, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/vs3uwm

"What Are We Thinking about Safety This Week?" September 8, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/pxhd6

"What is the Difference between PTO and SIC?" September 1, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/syh3t

"How Are We Doing?" August 25, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/b2a9s

"What Lessons Can We Learn from the Olympics? (Part 2) August 18, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/9fe7s

"What Lessons Can We Learn from the Olympics? (Part 1)" August 11, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/ejr3s

"How Can We 'Be' Ready for the First Day of School? (Final Reminders) August 4, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/0wvx9

"What Do Families Need to Know about Open House" August 3, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/3wx9d

"How Can We Start Getting Ready for School?" (Part 4) July 28, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/59pwv

"How Can We Start Getting Ready for School?" (Part 3) July 21, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/y0w1e

"How Can We Start Getting Ready for School?" (Part 2) July 14, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/x5hed

"How Can We Start Getting Ready for School?" July 7, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/6x9vk

"Who's and What's New at Cherry Park? (Part 3) June 30, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/ksd0u

"Who's New at Cherry Park? (Part 2) June 2, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/8cuf1g

"Who's New at Cherry Park? (Part 1)" May 26, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/c0pnvt