The CPES BobChat

There is so much packed into the schedule this time of year. The noise level is a little higher. The stress level is a little higher. Expectations are higher and time is more limited. Our children can feel the hustle and bustle of the season more than we realize. How can we best help them navigate the challenges of the holidays? 1. Go low. It seems like everything around us is a little louder right now. The music is louder. The conversation is louder. Traffic is louder. Our own voices as parents and teachers can be louder. Whenever I'm using a loud voice (barring a safety situation), it is usually because I'm feeling that things are out of my control. When we get louder, kids usually respond the same way. Ironically, turning down our volume (or the volume around them) enables our children to turn down their volume and to better control themselves. Going "low" allows for a little more "peace on earth." 2. Go slow. It is easy to overschedule and underbudget our time during the holidays. Even when the activities are meaningful and positive, no one functions well when they are tired and harried. That is especially true for kids. They need time to rest and recover between activities. They also do best when they stay on a consistent sleep schedule. Energy is like a tank and we want to show our children how to keep it full during a time of year that drains us. Indeed, "merry gentlemen (and gentlewomen)" need their rest.

The season pushes us to be loud and fast. Our children need low and slow. As we enjoy all the fun and excitement of the holidays, let's model for our kids how to turn down the volume and maintain a healthy pace. That leads to joy and peace for everyone.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

P.S. This is our Music Club performing at the Sullivan Concert our students attended on Friday morning. Thank you, Sullivan, for inviting us to come. We had a great time.

1. Notes and Reminders--a. Kindergarten and First Grade Programs This Week--Parents are reminded to park in the Cherry Road Parking Lot and Charry Road Car Loop. Do not arrive before 7:50 due to drop off traffic. Visitors will enter at the Cherry Road entrance. Be sure to bring your government issued photo ID in order to sign in. Please limit two adults per family to come. All activities are happening in the classrooms and space will be limited. Please refer to information your child's teachers have already sent to you for further details. See dates and times below.

b. Kindergarten Around the World Showcase Schedule

Monday (12/16) Pope's Homeroom (8:30) and Lopes' Homeroom (9:00)

Tuesday (12/17) Doyle's Homeroom (8:30) and Kiker's Homeroom (9:00)

Wednesday (12/18) Smith's Homeroom (8:30) and Notaro's Homeroom (9:00)

c. First Grade Holiday Program Schedule

Monday (12/16) Grow's Homeroom (8:15) and Brouillet's Homeroom (9:30)

Tuesday (12/17) Brenton's Homeroom (8:30) and Garcia's Homeroom (10:00)

Wednesday (12/18) Pezzello's Homeroom (8:15) and Chavez' Homeroom (9:30)

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 16-18--Kindergarten and First Grade Holiday Programs (See schedule above)

December 20--Early Dismissal before Holiday Break--Students dismissed at 11:15.

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.

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

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"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