The CPES BobChat
May 5, 2024
What Do I Appreciate about Our Staff?
I argue that I have the best staff of any school. It is a privilege and an honor to work with them each day. They are absolutely incredible and here's why. 1. They love kids. In education, there is a legal term called "in loco parentis" that means "in place of the parent." Daily, our faculty stand in your place to care for children the way you care for them. That means saying "yes" when they can and "no" when needed. It means loving children when they are at their best and their worst. They care about the physical, emotional, social and academic needs of little ones. They decided to become teachers because they wanted to make a difference. They return each year because they believe they are still changing lives. When faced with challenges, they ask themselves, "What's right for the child?" 2. They make the wise choice. When we hire new teachers, we try to help them understand that the standard of conduct at Cherry Park is to "make the wise choice." That isn't easy. It is easy to follow "do's and don'ts" in a handbook or policy manual. It is harder to make decisions so we never get close to the guardrails of a code of conduct. Our staff thinks ahead to the long term consequences of options rather than what's right or wrong right now. They don't want to miss anything and as a result, they seek advice from their colleagues to make the best choice possible for children. 3. They never let the mess get in the way of the mission. Everyone has challenges in their work. In education, many people think they know what should happen in schools simply because they were in one for twelve or thirteen years. Unrealistic expectations abound for what educators should and shouldn't do. To say "yes" to one group, it means saying "no" to another. Laws change. Policies change. Culture changes. Research changes. Politics change. Our teachers keep their eyes focused on the needs of their children and expertly choose the best strategies possible to help them take their next step of growth. That is the heart and the art of what they do. At the end of the day when all the noise fades away, kids come first.
I love these people at Cherry Park. I really do. None of us is perfect and we all recognize that. But, I'd rather have them than many, many others. They are great people of great character who have chosen to be great teachers. Please join me this week to let them know how much we care about them as they care for our children.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
P.S. Laura St. Aime is a wonderful example of who I've described above. She is our Cherry Park Teacher of the Year pictured above with her students. She is a French immersion teacher on our third grade team. Congratulations to Ms. St. Aime!!
Back to the 80's Staff Appreciation Week
See info in next section below.
Spring Third and Fourth Grade Music Concerts (May 7 and 9)
6:30 PM Each Evening. See details below.
Kindergarten End of Year Programs Friday, May 10
See information below for times and details.
Notes and Reminders
1. 3rd and 4th Grade Spring Music Performances--Have been rescheduled to May 7 and May 9 at 6:30 PM. On Tuesday, May 7, the students in the following homerooms will perform at 6:30 PM: George, St. Aime, Broughton, Goodner, Roehl and Tull. On Thursday, May 9, the students in the following homerooms will perform at 6:30 PM: Garcia, Wright, Canteli, Preston, E. Leon and Riley. Families can park in the Cherry Road Loop and enter through the Kindergarten Playground. Performances will be in the cafeteria.
2. CPES Virtual Art Show Until May 7th--Artwork can still be bought at the CPES Online Art Show which is open until May 7th.
Please click on the flyer button below and scan the QR code or go the link to the link to open the Online art show. To PURCHASE, please find your student's grade and/or teacher with the FILTER function at the top left and click the art thumbnail to enter your student's page. Please choose the Art Type: Original or Reproduction. Only one Original can be purchased. Reproductions can be purchased multiple times. Then Add to Cart and Check Out.
https://artomestore.com/collections/cherryparkelemschooloflanguageimmersion29730
Virtual Show will be from April 24-May 7th. Frames will be $28.
Support your school art program by participating in the virtual show. All artwork will come home with student at the end of the school year.
3. Staff Appreciation Dress Up Day on Wednesday--Kids can dress up in their favorite 80's wear in honor of staff members on Wednesday.
4. Kindergarten End of Year Programs--They will be Friday May 10th at 8:00 (Pope/Lopes), 9:00 (Doyle/Kiker), and 10:00 (Smith/Notaro). Parents have already been notified via a printed save the date and classroom newsletters. Teachers will be sending a detailed invitation with sign-in procedures at the end of the week. Parents are invited to park in the Cherry Park lower lot or in the Cherry Park Car Loop and enter through the kindergarten playground. Be sure to bring your ID to check in. See more info in the flyers below (and be sure to click on the correct one for your child's class.)
5. SC READY Testing--This is our statewide test for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. We need all students present on the following dates: Tuesday, May 14 (English Language Arts Day 1); Thursday, May 16 (English Language Arts Day 2); Tuesday, May 21 (Science for 4th Graders); Thursday, May 23 (Math). Tuesday, April 30 will be a Writing Field Test and we need all students present to take that as well. Click on the following link or the button below for more information on spring testing: https://www.smore.com/n/f4y3k1
6. Volunteer Luncheon Wednesday, May 29 (Note that it was rescheduled from May 22 to May 29)--We want you to know how much we appreciate you. We are having a luncheon in honor of all our CPES family members who have volunteered (or will volunteer) with us this year. We will have grilled chicken, baked potatoes and dessert. Please RSVP below to let us know if you can come. Just check in at the office and we will give you directions to the luncheon. We hope to see you there. Please RSVP by Thursday, May 14. Click Here: https://forms.gle/cd8xiAsut35S5exk6
7. Welcome to the Family Drop In Wednesday, May 29 for Next Year's Kindergarten Families--We will have a drop-in for all families who will have children starting kindergarten next year on Wednesday, May 29 from 5:30-6:30. Parents and children can come see classrooms and visit the school. This is also a time to ask questions if you'd like. We are excited about our new families joining our school family next year. Click on the following link for more information: https://secure.smore.com/n/7w6dx
8. Field Day Volunteers--Field day is coming! The K-2nd Field Day will be Tuesday, June 4 and the 3rd-5th Field Day will be Wednesday, June 5. Please use the links below to volunteer at our event. Only volunteers will be allowed to attend field day because each volunteer is pre-screened by the district. This process keeps your children safe as they play and enjoy the day with their teachers and friends.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Christi Beard cabeard@rhmail.org
Emily Anderson eanderson@rhmail.org
K-2nd Volunteer Signup Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4EACAC22AB9-48705704-k12#/
3rd-5th Volunteer Signup Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4EACAC22AB9-48710948-3rd#/
9. Absence Documentation--You can email excuses for absences or send questions about attendance to the following email address: mailto:CPAbsenceDocumentation@rhmail.org Mrs. Janelle Miskelly is the person in our office who now handles all attendance coding in PowerSchool.
Staff Appreciation Week May 6-10
"Hello Rad Parents & Groovy Guardians!
We are excited to celebrate and honor our teachers and staff for a full week, May 6th-10th. The week's theme is "Back to the 80s" and will be filled with daily events and activities to show our gratitude for all they do. But we need your help to make it happen! Take a look at the sign up for options available and carefully consider making a contribution of time, money or resources that make sense for you and your family.
We ask that all items be dropped off on Friday, May 3rd by the end of day to the front office with your name and PTO attached. Any checks can be made out to Cherry Park Elementary PTO.
Below you will find the schedule of events for the week.
Monday: CHILL OUT Coffee Bar & Breakfast
Charge up our staff for the exciting week with a coffee bar and a continental style breakfast.
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday Lunch & GNARLY Giveaway
Las Americanas taco bar & a GNARLY gift card giveaway
Wednesday: Stay COOL Sorbet Truck & 80s Dress Up Day
Roam sorbet truck will be parked out front playing top 80s hits and dress up is encouraged
Thursday: STELLAR Boom Box Snack Boxes
Boom Box snack boxes loaded up with 80s themed snacks and delivered to teachers and staff.
Friday: PAC MAN grand finale food truck
Wrapping up the week with a food truck & arcade themed desserts.
Should you have any questions, contact Brittani Rayfield at brittanirayfield@gmail.com.
Thank you in advance for your help in making this STELLAR, RAD & GNARLY week happen. We couldn't do these events without YOU!
Sincerely,
Teacher Appreciation Committee"
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-48978330-staff
School Calendar
May 6-10--Staff Appreciation Week
May 7--6:30 PM Spring Music Concert (George, St. Aime, Broughton, Goodner, Roehl and Tull's Homerooms)
May 8--80's Dress Up Day in Honor of Staff Appreciation Week
May 9--6:30 PM Spring Music Concert (Garcia, Wright, Canteli, Preston, Leon and Riley's Homerooms)
May 10--Kindergarten End of Year Programs: 8:00 Pope and Lopes; 9:00 Doyle and Kiker; 10:00 Smith and Notaro
May 12--Mother's Day
May 14--SC READY ELA Test (Day 1) for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades
May 16--SC READY ELA Test (Day 2) for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades
May 21--SC READY Science Test for 4th Grade Only; 3rd Grade Takes MAP Reading
May 23--SC READY Math Test for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades
May 27--Memorial Day Holiday (District Closed)
May 29--11:00-1:00 Volunteer Luncheon (Please RSVP above.); 5:30-6:30 PM Welcome to the Family Drop In
May 31--9:00 AM 5th Grade Recognition at Sullivan Auditorium
June 4--K, 1st and 2nd Grade Field Day
June 5--3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Field Day
June 6--Half Day for Students (Dismissal at 11:15)/Last Day of School
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 23-24 School Year
"Why Do Performances Matter?" April 28, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/8zxke
"What Do Tests Really Tell Us?" April 21, 2024 https://www.smore.com/n/zb6px
"How Can We Change Our Children's Mindsets about Tests?" April 14, 2024 https://www.smore.com/n/a3p4t
"What Field Trips Are Close By?" April 7, 2024 https://www.smore.com/n/v2xga
"Why Are Field Studies So Important?" March 24, 2024 https://www.smore.com/n/cnw5j
"What's the Difference between Reacting and Responding?" March 17, 2024 https://www.smore.com/n/491bh
"How Is Reading a Game Changer?" March 10, 2024 https://www.smore.com/n/evgx3u
"What Is Important about Read Across America Week?" March 3, 2024 https://www.smore.com/n/g4u3t
"What Do We Love about Language Immersion?" (Part 4) February 25, 2024 https://www.smore.com/n/e0n5g
"What Do We Love about Language Immersion?" (Part 3) February 18, 2024 https://www.smore.com/t49v3
"What Do We Love about Language Immersion?" (Part 2) February 11, 2024 https://www.smore.com/tqjb1
"Why Do We Love Language Immersion?" (Part 1) February 4, 2024 https://www.smore.com/x4dpg
"How Can We Inform Other Parents about Immersion?" January 28, 2024 https://www.smore.com/yswvf
"How Do We Help Children Do Hard Things?" January 21, 2024 https://www.smore.com/574bh
"What Did Martin Luther King, Jr. Say?" January 14, 2024 https://www.smore.com/1c2ze
"Can One Word Make a Difference This Year?" January 7, 2024 https://www.smore.com/p9n3v5
"How Can We Manage Expectations during the Holidays?" December 17, 2023 https://www.smore.com/ceswg
"How Can We Give the "Best Gift Ever?" December 10, 2023 https://www.smore.com/1p0kd
"How Can We Find a Silent Night?" December 3, 2023 https://www.smore.com/n/p2zes
"What Reminds Me to Be Grateful?" November 12, 2023 https://www.smore.com/pvds3
"Is It about the Grade or the Learning?" November 5, 2023 https://www.smore.com/4hkq0
"Who Made a Difference at the Bobcat Dash?" October 29, 2023 https://www.smore.com/wcqun
"What Do You Need to Know about Bobcat Dash?" October 22, 2023 https://www.smore.com/f19ry
"What Special Events are Coming Up?" October 15, 2023 https://www.smore.com/brvz5
"What's It Really Like at CPES?" October 8, 2023 https://www.smore.com/a7chr
"How Do We Respond to Safety Situations? Part 2" October 1, 2023 https://www.smore.com/k9uet
"How Do We Respond to Safety Situations? Part 1" September 24, 2023 https://www.smore.com/n4c67
"How Can I Volunteer at CPES?" September 17, 2023 https://www.smore.com/7v8ky
"What CRAzy Model Do We Use for Math Instruction?" September 10, 2023 https://www.smore.com/kfbg7
"What Do We Need to Know about Arrival?" September 3, 2023 https://www.smore.com/fc0kd
"Did You Know that a Bobcat 'ROARS?"' August 27, 2023 https://www.smore.com/0g7qv
"What Do We Need to Remember as We Start Back" August 20, 2023 https://www.smore.com/yrt38
"Techno
logy Forms and Fees"--August 25, 2023 https://www.smore.com/72qcg
"How Can We Work Together to Keep Everyone Safe?" August 13, 2023 https://www.smore.com/6cbtm
"How Can Checklists Help You Start a New Year?" August 6, 2023 https://www.smore.com/0jyx61
"Who Are the Newest Hires and What Are the Latest Changes with Technology?" July 30, 2023 https://www.smore.com/z6qnp
"What's the Latest News at Cherry Park" July 16, 2023 https://www.smore.com/w9pth
"Challenger Be Great Academy Update" June 23, 2023 https://www.smore.com/8hqka
"What Staffing Changes Have Been Made at CPES?" June 18, 2023 https://www.smore.com/e0vr2