The CPES BobChat

Our School Improvement Council is discussing ways that we can improve traffic congestion around our school both in the morning and afternoon times. Last week, I discussed three ideas that can help: 1. Take your time and exercise patience. 2. Choose "off peak" times for drop-off and pickup. 3. Plan ahead (when there is bad weather or special events.) Here are a few additional suggestions of things we can do now to help keep everyone safe. 4. Limit your distractions when driving. We ask that you refrain from using your cell phone to and from school. If you need to make a call, feel free to pull over and park to talk on your phone. In addition, consider your "in car" distractions such as pets or loud music or even our children. It is easy to have an argument or intense conversation and then not notice that the car line has moved ahead. Eliminating distractions not only helps our process move more smoothly, it keeps everyone much safer. 5. Have your child exit the car. If you have pulled to the curb or there is an adult or safety patrol opening the door, ask your child to go ahead and get out. (Before 7:20 and on extremely cold weather days, Safety Patrol may not be out yet and we ask that children go ahead and exit their cars if you have pulled to the curb.) We know that everyone would like to drop off at the entrances and for their child to not have to walk far to enter the building. That is simply not possible given the volume of students we have. When we have all students quickly exiting their cars in the morning, we can move more cars efficiently through our lines. When we don't allow our children to exit the car when they should, we are inconveniencing everyone behind us. I also have to wonder what we are modeling for our children when we don't follow expected procedures. 6. Yield and take turns. In most of our car lines, there comes a point where two lanes condense into one lane. We need your assistance and awareness to "zipper in" and take turns to get where you need to go. We value and appreciate those "traffic heroes" who are gracious in allowing other cars to exit the campus when they see that traffic is backing up. Thank you for being kind and selfless in those situations. You never know when an act like that could make someone else's day and how much it helps everyone get to and from school safely and quickly.

We know that there may be additional improvements that can be made by outside entities to help our traffic situation. Those recommendations can be heard better if others know that our parents, staff and students are doing all we can to be safe. Our children's safety is our collective responsibility and we want to do all we can to ensure their well being each and every day. Thanks again, especially in the area of safety, for all you do to support our school and your child.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

P.S. Be on the lookout for the SIC Traffic Survey.

1. Notes and Reminders--a. Early Dismissal Day on Friday--Students will be dismissed at 11:15. Please be sure you have your car tags and send any notes for changes in your child's dismissal. c. 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.

2. February Teacher Appreciation Signups--Parents, Our staff at Cherry Park Elementary is SOUP-er!! For this months staff appreciation event we are doing soup and salad on Friday, February 28. Please drop off any items to the front desk by Thursday February 27th. Thank you for helping make these events a success!! Click on the link below if you'd like to donate items or volunteer: February Teacher Appreciation Signups

If you have any questions please email brittanirayfield@gmail.com

Thank you,

Staff Appreciation Committee

3. Read Across America Week and BOOK FAIR on March 3-7

Read Across America Theme: Reading Takes You Places--See theme dress up days below.

Volunteer Signups for Book Fair--We will need volunteers to assist students in the selection of items. You will find the signup time slots below. You are able to sign up for multiple slots if you would like. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE AN APPROVED VOLUNTEER THROUGH THE DISTRICT! It is district policy that all volunteers have been approved. Thank you for your help. You can click on the following link in order to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-55128684-spring#/

Book Fair DATES AND HOURS:

March 3-7 8:30-1:30

March 7 8:30-10:00

March 5 AFTER SCHOOL 3:00-5:00 (with a parent).

Parent Shopping Opportunities…Parents visiting for lunch may sign-in at the office following normal procedures including ID verification. Families are also welcome to shop on Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 - 5:00.

EWALLET Purchases/Credit/Debit Cards ONLY except Wednesday.

In order to make the fair more convenient for families and to alleviate the need for students to carry cash, we are transitioning to an eWallet, credit card, and/or debit card only book fair. For this fair, cash will only be accepted on Wednesday of the Book fair week. Cash will not be accepted any other day.

YOU DO NEED TO GO ONLINE TO TRANSFER YOUR FUNDS TO A NEW EWALLET.

Introduction to EWALLET video-

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/videos/intro-to-ewallet-fair-files.html

Visit the school’s book fair website and follow the steps-https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/cherryparkelementary

EWALLET Setup Start Date: February 10.

4. Rising Sixth Grade Orientation--Attention parents of 5th grader students! Our district middle schools are hosting a face to face orientation event for rising 6th grade students on March 4, 2025 at 6pm at the middle school your child will attend next year!

This will be an important event for you and your child to attend as you and your family begin preparing your child for middle school! (Check your email for info about Jump Up Days.)

5. Fifth Grade Recognition--Our Fifth Grade Recognition will be at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, May 21 in the Sullivan Auditorium.

6. 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

7. 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.)

February 28--Early Release Day (Students are dismissed at 11:15)

March 3-7--Book Fair (See specific dates and times above.): Read Across America Week

March 4--6:00 PM Middle School Orientation (At the middle school your child will attend next year.)

March 5--3:00-5:00 Book Fair Open in the Afternoon (Must have parent to shop.)

March 10--5:30 SIC Meeting; 6:30 PTO Meeting

March 14--District Holiday

March 17--Teacher Workday

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.

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