The CPES BobChat

Obviously, reading expands our children's experiences and can take them to many places. How can we show kids the world through reading? Our theme days this week help provide some ideas. 1. Explore the world. There are many books that show children what life is like in different countries. Travel guides can help inform families about things they can do when they go on vacation. These are great ways to involve our children in reading and planning for trips. In addition, so many fiction books tell stories about characters' lives all over the world. Literature enables our children to visit other places even while staying at home. 2. Learn about animals. Kids absolutely love reading about mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and insects from all parts of the globe. Animal books stay checked out all year long from our media center. When our children learn about animals, they learn about the habitats and environments where they live. This is another meaningful way they can better understand places around the world. 3. Understand our community. It is so important for our children to have a global perspective. It is just as important for them to understand the uniqueness of their neighborhood, city and state. Where we grow up impacts who we are. Kids experience their local history not only through literature but also by stopping to read historical markers in the community. In addition, when your family takes a hike or goes on a tour, take time to read the information stations that explain the topography and environment in that area. This is another way to make reading relevant for our kids. 4. Know your family story. Many families have written records of their genealogy and history. You may have treasures such as cards, letters, certificates, recipes or photos that help your child know more about your family. There are a number of products online that will capture family stories from grandparents to make a book that future generations will enjoy. As adults, it is easy to see how our family's past molded us into the people we are. Our children need to know that as well. Reading is one important way that our kids learn about the world close to them and afar. Reading really does "take them places."

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. BIMAS--Parents, teachers will be completing a universal assessment of behavioral health for all students’ Pre-K to 12th grade by this Tuesday. See more information below and please complete the Opt Out Form by Tuesday if you wish to do so. See BIMAS link below.

2. February Teacher Appreciation--Thank you to our parents and volunteers who provided a "Souper Lunch" for our staff on Friday. This enabled our teachers to have a quick lunch before shifting into their professional development activities. We appreciate all you do for our staff.

3. Read Across America Week and BOOK FAIR on March 3-7

Read Across America Theme: Reading Takes You Places--See theme dress up days below.

Volunteer Signups for Book Fair--We will need volunteers to assist students in the selection of items. You will find the signup time slots below. You are able to sign up for multiple slots if you would like. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE AN APPROVED VOLUNTEER THROUGH THE DISTRICT! It is district policy that all volunteers have been approved. Thank you for your help. You can click on the following link in order to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-55128684-spring#/

Book Fair DATES AND HOURS:

March 3-7 8:30-1:30

March 7 8:30-10:00

March 5 AFTER SCHOOL 3:00-5:00 (with a parent).

Parent Shopping Opportunities…Parents visiting for lunch may sign-in at the office following normal procedures including ID verification. Families are also welcome to shop on Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 - 5:00.

EWALLET Purchases/Credit/Debit Cards ONLY except Wednesday.

In order to make the fair more convenient for families and to alleviate the need for students to carry cash, we are transitioning to an eWallet, credit card, and/or debit card only book fair. For this fair, cash will only be accepted on Wednesday of the Book fair week. Cash will not be accepted any other day.

YOU DO NEED TO GO ONLINE TO TRANSFER YOUR FUNDS TO A NEW EWALLET.

Introduction to EWALLET video-

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/videos/intro-to-ewallet-fair-files.html

Visit the school’s book fair website and follow the steps-https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/cherryparkelementary

EWALLET Setup Start Date: February 10.

4. Rising Sixth Grade Orientation--Attention parents of 5th grader students! Our district middle schools are hosting a face to face orientation event for rising 6th grade students on March 4, 2025 at 6pm at the middle school your child will attend next year!

This will be an important event for you and your child to attend as you and your family begin preparing your child for middle school! (Check your email for info about Jump Up Days.)

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

6. 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

7. 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 3-7--Book Fair (See specific dates and times above.): Read Across America Week

March 4--12:30 Mardi Gras Parade (French Classes); 6:00 PM Middle School Orientation (At the middle school your child will attend next year.)

March 5--3:00-5:00 Book Fair Open in the Afternoon (Must have parent to shop.)

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)

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.

"What Can We Do to Help Alleviate Traffic at CP?" (Part 2) February 23, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/82gwk6

"What Can We Do to Help Alleviate Traffic at CP?" February 16, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/h2qar

"What Could We Do for Others for Valentine's Day?" February 9, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/sjc7h

"What Do We Need to Know about Program Options and Flu Season?" February 2, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/zfkvbs

"What Questions Do Families Have? (Part 3)" January 26, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/uc39sa

"What Questions Do Families Have? (Part 2)" January 19, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/8nby3

"What Questions Do Families Have? (Part 1)" January 12, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/12psc

"How Can You Give the Gift of Second Language Learning?" January 5, 2025 https://secure.smore.com/n/n0j1us

"High and Fast or Low and Slow?" December 15, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/am39k

"What about a Game?" December 8, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/erny5h

"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