The CPES BobChat
August 25, 2024
How Are We Doing?
I reminded our staff this week that we usually have a break for Labor Day within the first couple weeks of starting school. Because we started earlier this year, that break comes a month after teachers came back. For me (and hopefully you, too), Labor Day is a chance to catch our breath and evaluate where we are and how we are doing. Here are a few reflection questions to consider. 1. How is our pace? Is our family schedule working for us or against us? Did we bite off too much or do we have some margin? Does it seem like we are always rushing from one event to another? All of us can manage giving extra effort as we start up school. That is OK...for a short period of time. The question is whether or not that "extra" becomes the norm or if it was the bump we knew we'd hit and then smooth out. 2. How are our systems working? Are our routines for bedtime and morning time effective? Do we have backup plans in place (such as who is picking up on the first early dismissal day this Friday?) Do we have clarity about who helps do what and when to help our family function well? Or, are we still frustrated and battling each day not feeling like we can catch up? Now is a good time to pause and problem solve. Know that this will not get better with time unless we are intentional about making some adjustments. 3. Are we (big and little people) caring well for our bodies and minds? Are we getting the rest we need? How are our eating habits? Is there any quiet time to let the day's drumbeats fade? Are we going and going until we're always feeling depleted? Do we have a good balance for our screen time? It is all too easy to forget that "What goes in is what always comes out." This can be true in the physical, mental, emotional and social aspects of our lives.
As we arrive at Labor Day, let's choose to lead our children well. Let's model for them what it looks like to pause, reflect, and make adjustments so we can be healthier and happier. It makes no sense to continue bad habits and expect different results. Our children need us to provide the structure and routines that help them be their best at school each day. As adults, we have show them the way as we determine "how we are doing."
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
MAP Testing this Tuesday and Thursday for Grades 1-5.
Friday is an Early Dismissal Day (at 11:15). See reminders below.
Next Monday, September 2, is the Labor Day Holiday.
Notes and Reminders
1. A Few Reminders
a. Parking for Visitors--From 7:45-2:10, we ask that that all visitors park in spaces available in front of the office or in the Sullivan Parking Lot. You will see yellow "No Parking" cones in designated areas. We often have large delivery trucks that need access to the main entrance and that need wide clearance to get through those areas. We also have buses picking up or dropping off for field trips that need easy access to the front. In addition, in the event of an emergency, we want to leave that area open for fire trucks or ambulances. Obviously, we ask that this area be left open for safety and security but we also would not want your car to get hit or damaged by one of these larger vehicles coming and going.
b. Early Dismissal on This Friday--Please think through how your child will go home this Friday. We will dismiss at 11:15. Make sure you have a car tag if you plan to pick up and also send a note to your child's teacher if he/she is going home a different way than normal. To ensure a safe and secure dismissal, we will not dismiss students early from the office after 10:40.
c. Communication with Teachers--The clearest and easiest 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.
2. Measures of Academic Progress Testing--This is an achievement test all students in Grades 1-5 take on the computer in Reading and Math. We administer it three times a year in the fall, winter, and spring. This test helps us measure the academic growth of our students over the course of the year. This fall testing session will help us know where students are as we begin the year.
3. The Online Spirit Wear Store is now open and will remain open through September 13th. The link to order is below. All orders will be delivered to school by September 27th. We will not be able to accept late orders and we are not able to offer returns or exchanges.
https://metroprint.chipply.com/CherryParkElementary/
4. Staff Appreciation--Thank you, PTO, for sponsoring our Lemonade Stand during lunch on Friday. Thanks for all you do to support our staff. See pictures below.
5. 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#/
6. 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 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
September 9--6:30 PTO Meeting
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 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