The CPES BobChat

Once again, we are heartbroken by events in Winder, Georgia, this week. I hope we will keep the Apalachee High School community in our thoughts and prayers. We know that these tragic events can happen in schools, churches, grocery stores, and concerts. Each time they occur, we always reflect on the safety and security of the places we go. Here are some of our processes and procedures we have in place. 1. We follow all district and state recommendations for safety. We have already completed three drills this year for what to do in the event of a fire, a lockdown, and a tornado emergency. We conduct monthly drills and follow the Standard Response Protocols which you can find here: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/9652 We constantly place our staff in hypothetical situations so we keep our thinking flexible and current. We also complete an "After Action Review" for any drill or incident that happens so we can learn from that experience. 2. We have excellent safety resources. At our school, we are blessed to have a full-time security officer, Mr. Brian Allen. Also, all doors are accessible only via electronic key cards. As a new school, we have some of the most current technology available for safety and security. All staff members receive yearly safety training that is constantly updated. Many of our staff have extensive additional safety training which further helps us evaluate our effectiveness. We thoughtfully review our processes and procedures to determine how we can improve. 3. We welcome parent support in helping us stay safe. We want our staff, students and families to "say something if you see something." We appreciate your willingness to follow our policies and procedures for safety and security. Since the year started, we want to give two additional reminders. First, please do not park in the Caswell Loop directly in front of the main office. (The yellow cones show where not to park.) We want to leave that area open for emergency vehicles and for large delivery trucks. Also, we ask that children of visitors at lunch not play on our kindergarten playground equipment. We do not want children to get hurt nor for there to be a liability issue. Thank you for your attention in these two areas.

Safety and security are always our highest priorities for our students, staff, and families. We know there can still be trips and bumps and bruises that happen when children are active and playing. Our greatest goal is doing all we can to be on guard and vigilant for the well being of our students. We know you want the same and we value your partnership in keeping our children safe and secure.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

Note--Our School Improvement Council and Parent Teacher Organization meet on the second Monday each month at 5:30 and 6:30 respectively. In last week's article, it said they meet on Tuesdays and that was in error. Tomorrow is our first PTO meeting of the year.

1. A Few Reminders

a. Parking for Visitors--From 7:45-2:10, we ask that that all visitors park in spaces available in front of the office or in the Sullivan Parking Lot. You will see yellow "No Parking" cones in designated areas. We often have large delivery trucks that need access to the main entrance and that need wide clearance to get through those areas. We also have buses picking up or dropping off for field trips that need easy access to the front. In addition, in the event of an emergency, we want to leave that area open for fire trucks or ambulances. Obviously, we ask that this area be left open for safety and security but we also would not want your car to get hit or damaged by one of these larger vehicles coming and going.

b. Parent Visitation during Lunch--That begins on Tuesday. Please remember to bring your ID for your security check in the office. Also, know that only those on the emergency pickup list can eat lunch and visit with a child. We will not be able to allow other students' friends to come and eat unless the adult visitor is on that child's emergency pickup list. Children of visitors during lunch should not play on the kindergarten playground for safety reasons.

c. Parent Volunteers--Now is a good time to complete or update your Volunteer Screening if you plan to volunteer in our school or on a field trip or at Field Day. This has to be done every two years for it to stay current. To begin the process, click on the following link or the button below: https://rock-hill.jotform.com/223140705783150

2.The Online Spirit Wear Store is now open and will remain open through September 13th. The link to order is below. All orders will be delivered to school by September 27th. We will not be able to accept late orders and we are not able to offer returns or exchanges.

https://metroprint.chipply.com/CherryParkElementary/

3. School Improvement Council Ballot Nominations--Close at the end of the day on tomorrow. If you would like to be on the ballot, you can click on the button below to complete the nomination.

4. COVID Information--We are seeing an uptick in COVID throughout the Rock Hill community and our schools. If your child is sick and has symptoms of COVID or flu, please follow the steps below:

1. Keep your child home from school
2. Call the school nurse at your child's school to report the illness
3. If you wish for your child to be tested, call a RH Schools testing location to schedule a time for testing
4. Keep your child home until they meet the criteria to return to school. Please click on the following link to find out more about the criteria to return to school and other COVID information: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/11943

5. Dr. James Ramere--We wanted to make sure our families knew that Dr. Ramere, our assistant principal, has decided to retire. We certainly appreciate his work with our school and our students. He contributed in so many ways to support teaching and learning. He was with us nearly two years. We wish him all the best in his retirement.

September 9--6:30 PTO Meeting; SIC Nominations Due by End of Day

September 13--Last Day to Order Spirit Wear from Online Store

September 27--11:15 Early Dismissal Day for Professional Development

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 Celia Kerr, Ashley Petit, Latisha Givens, Scott Kennedy, Chelsea Eichorn, Jennifer Hutchinson and Matthew Query. 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 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