The CPES BobChat

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been reminded of the value of kids playing games. (I've also been impressed with how adults can be quite engaged when playing a game as well.) What difference do they make for little people (and big people, too)? 1. Games foster the development of their communication skills. One of our French teachers used a game of "Go Fish" as a center for children to increase the use of their second language. While that has academic value, kids learn to communicate more effectively when they have something in common (i.e. a game) as their focus. Our children really get to know each other better when they are playing games. They learn to take turns. They learn to solve conflicts (based on a set of rules.) They learn how to win and lose. Some games require kids to work as a team and some require kids to work independently. 2. Games help kids become better thinkers. Children learn to develop strategies in games. They plan their moves and think through possibilities. They consider the strengths and weaknesses of themselves and of others. They must understand rules and boundaries. They evaluate their odds to determine their next decision. Games can simulate working through some real world problems. They can help foster mental growth for kids. 3. Games can simply be fun. There is little in life that is more enjoyable than watching a child laugh as they play. Life can be heavy even for little kids. Games allow them to get lost in a moment and forget what's happening around them. Play, for all of us, fuels our tank for doing those things that we have to do (and maybe don't want to do). Games are a great way to encourage our children to play.

Games have so many benefits for our children. As we look at having some time off in the next few weeks, let's set aside some time to play a game with our kids. We may find that we (more than our children) find the greatest joy and benefit from the time with them.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

1. Notes and Reminders--a. MAP Testing This Week--All First through Fifth Graders will take their Measures of Academic Progress Test on Tuesday (Reading) and Thursday (Math) of this week. This is an achievement test that students take on the computer. Please help your child get a good night's sleep the night before and encourage them to do their best. b. Sullivan Chorus and Band Winter Performance--We will walk our students over to the Sullivan Auditorium at 9:45 on Friday to hear the Sullivan Band and Chorus. The program will last about 30 minutes. Feel free to contact your child's teacher if you have any questions. c.Girls on the Run--We are so proud of our girls who ran in the Reindeer Romp on Saturday morning. This was the culminating event for our Girls on the Run program. We want to thank Coach Sarah Levans, Coach Mare, Coach Ashley Owens and Coach Stephanie Thompkins for leading our girls at Cherry Park so well. See pictures above.

2. December Teacher Appreciation--Let's make December extra SWEET for our CPES teachers and staff with a Holiday Cookie Walk on Wednesday, December 18th along with a lunch provided by Mr. Maness. We need your help to send each staff member home with at least a dozen cookies and or treats. Please sign up below to donate homemade (preferred) sweet treats.

Some ideas for goodies: cookies, cookies, cookies, fudge, brownies, holiday candy, cake squares, etc. Please make sure all goodies can be kept at room temperature. Please label your name on the container so we can keep track. If possible please bring baked goods in something disposable.

Please send in your treats to the front office by Monday December 16th - marked PTO with your name.

There are also opportunities to help serve lunch and manage the cookie station, please review the signups below.

Thank you in advance for all you do to show our teachers and staff how much you care!

Please email brittanirayfield@gmail.com if you have any questions.

The Teacher Appreciation Committee

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-46012395-december

3. 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.)

December 10--MAP Testing for Reading

December 12--MAP Testing for Math

December 13--9:45 Sullivan Winter Band and Chorus Concert

December 20--Early Dismissal before Holiday Break

December 23-January 2-Holiday Break

January 3--Teacher Workday (No Students Attend)

January 6--First Day Back for New Semester

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.

"How Am I Grateful?" December 1, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/m9u4b

"What Is the Connection between Thanks and Giving?" November 17, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/c6hvt

"What Do Parents Need to Know about Our Book Fair" November 10, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/36azws

"How Can We Help Our Children Make Good Decisions?" November 3, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/tj863

"Who Made a Difference at the Bobcat Dash?" October 27, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/v7pxu

"What Do You Need to Know about the Bobcat Dash?" October 20, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/jecu8

"How Do We Help Kids Process Difficult Events?" October 13, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/nefrt

"How Can We Help Kids 'Handle Hard Better?'" October 5, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/brh0j

"What Should We Remember When We Have Bad Weather?" September 29, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/28hfx

"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