As we begin school on Thursday, we want to consider how our mindset will lead to great decisions and actions throughout the school year. Here's what I hope we can "be" in order to "do" the right thing. 1. Be Safe--Always bring your ID when you come to the office. Also, please park in the Sullivan Auditorium Lot if you need to visit the office. We want leave our Caswell Car Loop Drive open (especially near the office) so emergency and delivery vehicles and our buses can easily access our front entrance. Stay focused when driving on campus. After the first day, use our car loops for drop-off. Please be sure anyone picking up your child (or coming for lunch) is on your emergency contact list. Make sure your child knows how to unbuckle to get out of your car. Always send a handwritten note to your child's teacher when there is a change in how he will go home. Be sure your child's teacher knows how she will go home (Bus Rider, Van Rider, Be Great Academy, Caswell Car Rider or Cherry Road Car Rider). 2. Be Patient--There will be more traffic these first couple of weeks as everyone learns new routines. We are transitioning 810 children into new learning settings with all new teachers. Our office staff is processing enrollments and information for all of our children. Everything at the start of the year takes a little more time and effort to ensure things are right. Patience helps us remember that every day will get a little better in all areas. We also ask that families wait until after Labor Day to come for lunch so we can establish procedures in the cafeteria. 3. Be Empathetic--We understand what it is like to be a parent bringing a child to school for the first time. We know there is so much information to process. We ask that you trust us that our procedures are in place for the benefit of your child and all our other children as well. Try to put yourself in the shoes of our teachers or nurse or office staff or security officer. We (parents and staff) have the capacity to miss something or make a mistake in these first few weeks. Let's commit to support each other as we help our little ones take their next step of growth. We are excited and we are ready to start a new year with our children and families.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

P.S. For families who have completed all parts of enrollment and student verification, teacher assignments will be placed in Parent Portal by Friday.

Here is a checklist of items that need to be done before the beginning of the school year.

1. Returning Student Verification--Update all contact information and emergency contact list in Parent Portal. Only students who were in Rock Hill Schools last year need to do this. If you haven't created a Parent Portal account, go to the following link: https://rock-hill.powerschool.com/public/home.html

2. Submit Proof of Residency--Electric or Gas Bill or Lease Agreement sent to our SIS Clerk, Mrs. Janelle Miskelly: mailto:jmiskelly@rhmail.org. You can also drop off a copy in our main office.

3. Purchase School Supplies--See button below.

4. New School Year Calendar--Please go ahead and note important dates from our District Calendar on your personal calendar. See button below.

5. Be Great Academy After School Program--Complete registration if needed for the program. See information below.

6. School of Choice Bus Transportation--Complete registration in Parent Portal if your child needs bus transportation before or after school. https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/587 You need to complete the Transportation Request in Parent Portal under "Forms."

7. Medical Needs--Secure any medications and doctors' orders that need to be housed with Nurse Love. After August 1, complete any forms needed for their distribution. Also, be sure to inform her and your child's teachers of any medical needs your child may have.

8. Parent Request of Home Use of Device Form--Needs to be completed only if parents want their child's device to come home. Click on the following link: https://rock-hill.jotform.com/241983560912966 (This does not have to be completed if the teachers need the devices to go home for homework, assignments and projects.)

9. Technology Fee Agreement (TFA) in Parent Portal--In order to pay the $20 Technology Fee, it can be paid by following the links in Parent Portal or paid in person at Open House (in the Media Center). To access Parent Portal, go to this link: https://rock-hill.powerschool.com/public/home.html

10. Review the Mobile Computing Guide--Please review it with your child as a part of the TFA in Parent Portal so you can know your responsibilities with technology. Click on the following link to access it: https://www.canva.com/design/DAEaWJV42GA/YlKHJ6-alHk4QJ4pg6z-lQ/view?utm_content=DAEaWJV42GA&utm_campaign=celebratory_first_publish&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor_celebratory_first_publish#11 If you complete it in Parent Portal, do not print the last two pages.

11. Review the CPES Family Handbooks--Please click on the button for the CPES Family Handbook. Please verify in the Parent Portal by completing the eCollect Handbook Verification in Form that you have read and understand student expectations.

1. First Day of School--Parents can walk in their child on the first day. If you decide to do this, please be as quick as possible in order to free up parking spots for other families. Use the Sullivan Auditorium Lot, the Cherry Road Faculty Lot and the right hand lane of the car loops. For any families who could, it would be a big help to park at Cherry Park (the park) and walk over. (Kindergarten families starting on Monday, August 12 can walk in their child and kindergarten families can walk in their child on Wednesday, August 14 if necessary.) After the first day, we ask that you follow the normal car loops in order to drop off your child. We will have lots of help for little ones.

2. Open House--Open House will be Monday, August 5 from 5:00-7:00 PM. This is a time to come and meet your child's teacher and ask questions. Please mark your calendars. Please remember that Spanish and French teachers will be speaking in their language during Open House. For older children, you can ask them to help translate.

3. Staggered Start for Kindergarten--All students with last names starting with A-H will attend August 8-9 (and will not attend August 12-13). All students with last names starting with I-Z will attend August 12-13 (and will not attend August 8-9). All kindergarten students come August 14. The purpose of this staggered start is for your child to be in a smaller class and have time to transition easily to school.

4. Student Meals--Districtwide, students can eat breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria at no cost to families. Children need to be at school by 7:20 to have time to eat breakfast and be on time for class. Menus for each day can be found on our RHSD App.

August 8--First Day for Grades 1-5

August 8-9--Staggered Start for Kindergarten Students with Names Beginning with A-H (and the other I-Z group starting on August 12-13 will not come.); 7:45 Kindergarten Parent Orientation

August 12-13--Staggered Start for Kindergarten Students with Names Beginning with I-Z (and the other A-H group who went on August 8-9 will not come.); 7:45 Kindergarten Parent Orientation

August 14--All Kindergarten Students Are In School; 6:00-8:00 PM Girl Scout Recruitment Night (Media Center)

August 21--6:00-7:30 Scouting Recruitment Night at CPES (Media Center)

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 Shannon Martin/Caroline Stubbs (Co-Treasurers). We appreciate all of our sponsors (above) who contributed to our Bobcat Dash this year.

"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