The CPES BobChat
August 18, 2024
What Lessons Can We Learn from the Olympics? (Part 2)
The closing ceremony for the Olympics was a week ago, but the games still resonate with us. There were many tales of courage and perseverance of the athletes. But, what cultural lessons did we learn from the two weeks the world was focused on Paris? 1. Everyone else can speak a second language. I was amazed at the English language proficiency of so many of the athletes from other countries who were interviewed. Their English skills far surpass my French and Spanish knowledge. That is true for most of the world. I often say that our language immersion program is not really that unique when you consider it from a global perspective. Most parents in Europe want their children to learn two or three languages other than their native tongue. It is all too easy for us to become English "language-centric" in the US and forget that others have such a greater command of more than one or two languages. 2. Different is not good nor bad, it is simply different. It was fantastic to see how others live and eat and celebrate in France. The Olympics gave us a small window to see life and culture in another country. Who would have thought that the procession of the athletes in the opening ceremony could happen on boats on the Seine? How amazing was it to see competitions held in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower? Why is the baguette such an essential part of French daily life? I'm not sure I fully understand why the rooster was used as a symbol on so many of their flags and banners. As I thought about their cultural icons, it made me reflect on my identity as an American. Often, it is hard to do that unless you can see what's different in other cultures. Learning a second language enables us to have greater clarity about what makes them unique and therefore, what makes us unique. In turn, that allows us to become better global citizens. Different can, indeed, be good. 3. Maybe we are more alike than we thought. We saw Chinese and American and French couples get engaged. We saw teammates from the same country and different countries cheer for each other. At one medal ceremony, we saw the North Korean and South Korean teams take a selfie together. We saw pride and tears and fist pumping and sorrow from athletes from every continent. While it is all too easy to recognize our differences, the Olympics remind us that we have so much more in common. Those five colored rings are truly connected.
It was so much fun seeing athletes from around the globe coming together to compete and celebrate their sport as one. I was so inspired to see their hugs, handshakes, and high fives. It is a reminder that we don't always have to be divided and there is always an opportunity to find unity when we look for it. Yes, as you might guess, my family is already looking forward to the Winter Olympics in Milan that are only 18 months away. It may be time to consider learning a little Italian to help prepare for them.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
Notes and Reminders
1. A Few Reminders
a. Lunch with Children--Please wait until after Labor Day to begin coming to have lunch with your child. This helps us be able to establish procedures well before we begin other transitions.
b. Transportation Changes--Please remember to send changes in dismissal in writing or come by the office. District policy does not allow us to make changes via email or by phone.
c. Communication with Teachers--The clearest way to communicate with teachers is via email. Please know that they will do all they can to reply back by the end of the next business day.
d. Early Dismissals--Need to be done by 1:45. We are beginning end of day transitions by 1:45 and we are unable to safely and securely transition all 820 students to their normal locations while also getting individual students to the office. If you need to pick up your child at the end of the day, we need you to come before 1:45 to ensure their security.
2. Ice Cream--Will be sold each Friday to Grades 1-5. (Kindergarten already has a daily snack.) All ice cream money should be sent by 9:00 each Friday. Our teachers, office staff and volunteers process and receipt those orders by 9:00 and are not able to continue receiving money and filling the orders throughout the rest of the day.
3. Staff Appreciation--We are looking forward to another year of exciting and fun events (see above) that celebrate our incredible staff here at CPES. These events are done through our PTO staff appreciation committee. Please stay tuned each month for volunteer information for each event. There are opportunities to donate items as well as volunteering your time.
4. Birthday Book Club Volunteers--We are gearing up for our Birthday Book Club celebration for the year! We will celebrate on Thursday, September 5, 2024. We will be celebrating August and September Birthdays on this date. 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 on the following link to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-50604511-serptember#/
5. Beginning of School Checklist--If you still need access to those items on this checklist, go to the bottom of this newsletter email and click on the link for previous emails from the start of the year.
School Calendar
August 21--6:00-7:30 Scouting Recruitment Night at CPES (Media Center)
August 27--Measures of Academic Progress Testing (English Language Arts for Grades 1-8)
August 29--Measures of Academic Progress Testing (Math for Grades 1-8)
August 30--11:15 Early Dismissal Day (Parents should pick up students at 11:15. Be sure you have your pickup cards.)
September 2--Labor Day Holiday
Parent Organizations
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.
Previous Newsletters for 24-25 School Year
"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