The CPES BobChat

We hope that you and your family have been safe through the storm this weekend. Bad weather always changes our routines and habits. It also changes our safety considerations for arrival and dismissal. When it is raining or windy or extremely cold or extremely hot, know that a dozen adults and thirty fifth grade safety patrol students are already in the elements when you arrive at school. We are there because we want all our children to be safe as they transition to and from our campus. Here are some considerations as we think about how to keep everyone safe when the weather changes. 1. Go “low and slow.” Our goal on bad weather days is to get everyone inside or to their cars as quickly and safely as possible. We ask that you take your time and be thoughtful about all that is happening around you. The worst-case scenario is your child may be late and you may have to sign them into school. That is such a minor consequence compared to causing an accident or injury due to a high stress level and frustration. Our staff members constantly remind each other on bad weather days that we will take our time and receive or send home one child at a time. We all want to go “low and slow” so we avoid costly mistakes. 2. Plan ahead for bad weather. We know it will come and we know everything takes longer when it does. Do you look ahead at the next day’s forecast? Do your children know where to keep their coats and boots and umbrellas? Is there a plan to leave earlier on rainy or foggy days? What is the process for getting frost off the windshield when it gets cold? Thinking ahead reduces stress and leads to greater focus as we drop off and pick up our students. Planning ahead keeps everyone safe. 3. Consider the impact of visibility when the weather changes and when the time changes. Things are always darker in bad weather. In addition, sunrise is now at 7:20 and it will continue to be darker in the morning. It is hard to see that student wearing a gray hoodie or the dark colored car that may have a headlight out. These are additional reasons why it is so important to go slow and stay focused when on or near our campus.

Every morning and afternoon, Cherry Park and Sullivan are transitioning 1800 students and staff to and from our campus. The weather affects how well we do that each day. Let’s work together to do all we can so that every child arrives and leaves safely and securely. We appreciate all that you do to accomplish that and please don’t hesitate to “say something” when you “see something” that can help us improve.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

1. Reminders

a. Storm Recovery--We know that storms can be scary for children (and adults, too.) If your family needs any support as a result of the recent storms, please reach out to your child's teachers, our school counselors, and administration for support.

b. Student Holidays--As we look ahead at the calendar, we will not have school Friday, October 11 and Monday, October 14.

c. Picture Day--Will be Wednesday, October 23. You can order them online at http://www.carolinaphoto.net and you will enter our school's Job Key: 7UURTRZ8. You will complete the student data query then pick the package and submit your order. See information below.

2. Boys Running Club, Girls on the Run and Soccer Club--Parents, please do not arrive to pick up students on Monday and Wednesday until after 3:20. Our girls are using the lower Cherry Road Loop as a running path and we want to leave that area open for safety reasons.

3. 4th and 5th PE Classes--On behalf of PE department at Cherry Park Elementary School, I would like to remind your students to wear clothed toe shoes for Physical Education for the next two weeks (September 23rd - October 7th). We decided to start this lesson earlier because of weather.

Students in Mrs. Anderson's class (PE2 class) will be walking over to Cherry Park fields for lessons in Disc Golf and Frisbee. Please notify me (eanderson@rhmail.org) or your child's teacher if there is any issue with walking over to Cherry Park fields during PE class. I would like to encourage students to wear comfortable clothes and shoes since they will mainly be playing in the grass.

Also, students in Dr. Beard's class (PE1 class) will be participating in archery lessons and must wear CLOSED toed shoes (crocks will not be allowed).

Thank you so much for all of your support and we are looking forward to some awesome days in PE!

4. School Improvement Council Election--We welcome Bernice Huskins, Heather Kagey and Emily Parrish to our SIC. They join Chelsea Eichorn, Jennifer Hutchinson and Matthew Query who were elected last year. Meetings are always the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 PM in our conference room.

5. Bobcat Dash Sponsorships--The money raised through the Bobcat Dash will directly benefit ALL students of Cherry Park Elementary School. Please return the completed 2024 Bobcat Dash Sponsor forms (See link below) by Friday, Oct. 4th. Forms may be mailed or personally delivered to the school. Thank you for your support!

Cherry Park Elementary School PTO Bobcat Dash Sponsorship 1835 Eden Terrace | Rock Hill, SC 29730 803-985-2255

*Logos must be submitted to CPES PTO (cherryparkelementarypto@gmail.com) no later than Friday, Oct. 4th to be included on the 2024 Bobcat Dash t-shirt. Logos must be submitted in .eps or .jpg format.

6. Birthday Book Club Signups--We are gearing up for our Birthday Book Club celebration for the year! We will celebrate on Thursday, October 3, 2024. 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!

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-50604667-october

7. Publix and Harris Teeter Signups--Please click on the button below so you can know how to link your Publix and Harris Teeter accounts to our school so these stores will donate percentage of your purchases go to CPES.

September 27--11:15 Early Dismissal Day for Professional Development

October 3--Birthday Book Club

October 4--Logos for Sponsorships for Bobcat Dash Due

October 11--Student and Staff Holiday (District Closed)

October 14--Professional Development Day (No Students); 5:30 PM School Improvement Council; 6:30 PTO Meeting

October 23--Picture Day

October 25--Bobcat Dash

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 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