The CPES BobChat

We had a great Read Across America Week and Book Fair. Mrs. Michelle Preston is our literacy coach this year and I asked her for some advice how parents can help their children become better readers. Here are her recommendations.

Reading is one of the most important skills your child will develop in elementary school, and you play a key role in their success! Whether your child is just learning letters and sounds or already reading fluently, there are many simple and fun ways to support their growth. Here are some easy tips and activities to make reading a daily habit, boost comprehension, and spark a love for books. From reading together at bedtime to playing word games and visiting the library, small efforts can make a big difference!

K – 1st

· Read aloud to your child often. Choose books with simple text and interesting pictures. Use different voices for characters and engage your child with questions and discussion.

· Point out letters and sounds to help them make connections to the words. When your child reaches an unfamiliar word, focus on the letter sounds in the word and blending them together.

· Have your child find letters, give the sound, and rhyme words to build their phonics skills.

· Have your child draw a picture, label objects, or write a simple sentence about some part of the text.

2nd -3rd

· Read aloud to your child often. Discuss characters, plot, and new words.

· Listen to your child read. When your child reaches an unfamiliar word, focus on the letter sounds in the word and blending them together. Looking for syllables is also helpful.

· Re-reading a familiar text can build fluency. Encourage good pacing, using expression, and matching their expression to the punctuation.

· Ask open-ended questions to encourage deeper thinking and understanding. Have your child write their answers from time to time. Use colorful pens or markers for fun!

4th – 5th

· Model fluent reading by reading aloud from a variety of books, including chapter books, and discuss the characters, plot, and themes.

· Let your child choose books they enjoy from different genres and ability levels and provide time for them to read independently.

· Ask open-ended questions about the story, characters, and vocabulary to promote deeper comprehension. Discuss new vocabulary and encourage your child to use it in conversation.

· Listen to your child read aloud and encourage good pacing and expression. Have them practice summarizing, making predictions, visualizing, and identifying key details to help with their understanding. Have them practice these by writing about their reading from time to time.

These are such great suggestions from one of our reading experts. Know that children read most when they see their parents reading and when they have access to books. Thanks for all you do to support your reader and learner. You are their first and best teacher.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

1. Notes and Reminders--a. 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. b. District Closure--The District will be closed on Friday, March 14. c. Teacher Workday--Will be Monday, March 17.

2. Spring Pictures--Spring Pictures are Tuesday, March 25th. To order, click here:

https://www.carolinaphoto.net/

Shoot/Job Key-BZSTH67Q

3. Book Fair Wrap Up--How Can Families Use Unspent eWallet Funds?

Option 1

A 14-day online opportunity will be open after the fair ends. Families may go to the Scholastic Book Fair Home Page to continue shopping online. Here unspent E-Wallet funds can be used to purchase items online that will be delivered to you.

Option 2

After 14 days, unspent funds will be transferred to a Scholastic Gift Card. The leftover balance on the gift card can be spent after the 14-day period for other scholastic products through their website. Families can use the leftover balance on the gift card to fund an eWallet for a future Scholastic Bookfair. The transfer is NOT AUTOMATIC. Scholastic does send reminders and balance updates.

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

5. 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

6. 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.)

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

March 14--District Holiday

March 17--Teacher Workday

March 28--Early Dismissal Day (Students dismissed at 11:15)

March 30--Last Day to Order Yearbooks

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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