The BobChat
January 19, 2020
How Can We Focus on What Really Matters in 2020?
As we begin a new year, we've been looking at how we can help our children (and ourselves) build and strengthen habits that help us focus on what really matters. This comes from Michael Hyatt's book, Free to Focus. In the last two weeks, we examined the effects of sleeping, eating, exercise, and connections with others. Here are two more. For both adults and children, play is important. Hyatt defines play as "activity for its own sake." p. 79 It could be hobbies like painting or planting or cooking. It could be camping or tinkering or building. It could be working with wood or yarn or puzzle pieces. Play allows our mind to wander in a different direction in order to provide energy on those harder tasks of life. Play should be those things that restore us and help us relax. Psychiatrist Stuart Brown says, "Work does not work without play." p. 81 Our minds need places to go to get away from the demands at work. We (the big and little people) often feel stressed out, overtaxed, and over-scheduled. There is so much to do and not enough time to do it. Time for play is essential to our emotional and physical health. When was the last time you (and your kids) really "played?" A close cousin to play in the well being family is reflection. This could take many different forms based on your personal, family and faith background. We live in a world of so many distractions (i.e. television, social media, email, and phone.) We all need daily reminders that connect us back to the "why's" in our lives. With kids, bedtime is a great opportunity to help them reflect on the "highs" and "lows" of their day. We need time to pause and reflect on our purpose so that we can stay centered and balanced. It is so easy to allow circumstances around us to push and pull and keep us spinning. When we stop and reflect, we have time to do some deep problem solving and regain control. Reflection allows us to hear the truth we need to hear. Sleeping, eating and exercising address physical needs which, in turn, help us feel better emotionally and psychologically. Conversely, connecting with others, playing and reflecting fill our emotional tanks which help fill our physical tanks. Our children need adults in their lives to model a healthy balance between the physical and emotional. When this happens, they can learn the freedom to focus on what matters.
Mr. Maness, Principal
P.S. It may be a good habit to ask ourselves how well we are doing at "Play" and "Reflection" when we use the icons in the pictures above.
School News
Challenger Parents--Thank you for picking up your children on Thursday at our lower entrance. This helped immensely with traffic flow for those attending the Winter Commencement. We appreciate your assistance.
Spring Registration Timeline--Please click on the button below so you can know deadlines for registering your child for next fall.
Rising Sixth Graders--There will be a Dual Language Immersion Night at Sullivan Middle School's Auditorium on February 6 at 6:00 PM. This evening is an information sharing time solely for Cherry Park fifth grade families so you can learn about the language immersion program for middle school. We will send you information in the next two weeks about the transition to middle school if you would like to continue in immersion at Sullivan. Last year, we asked all families to complete a form letting us know your intent for middle school and most likely, we will do the same again. More information is to come.
School of Choice Information
If you have a rising kindergarten student who has a sibling in our immersion program, please be sure to complete your School of Choice application between December 2 and February 28. If your child is already in our immersion program at Cherry Park, you do not have to apply again. Please help spread the word about opportunities to come and take a tour and the Choice Fairs below.
School of Choice Tours at Cherry Park--You can click on https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4bacac29a31-spanish2 to sign up for a tour. If the tour slot is full, please come on anyway. We will make space available.
Tuesday, February 18 at 6:00 PM
Rock Hill Schools Programs EXPO--Will be Saturday, January 25 from 10:00-12:00 at South Pointe High School. We will highlight our immersion program for prospective parents at this event.
Reminders from Nurse Love--The flu season is upon us. Please do not send your child to school sick. If they have vomiting, diarrhea or fever, please do not send them to school. They are to be fever free for 24 hours before sending them back to school. Flu signs and symptoms include: fever, chills, muscle and/or body aches, congestion, sore throat, and cough. Please consult your child's physician if you suspect your child may have the flu.
The Dental Van will be coming on 12/9/19 and the Lions Club will be coming on 12/13/19 to help with vision screenings.
Guidance News From Mrs. Sanders and Mrs. Flaherty--Over the next few months, our guidance counselors will provide instruction consistent with the requirements of Erin's Law that was passed by our legislature. From more information, please see the letter below from our district. If you have any questions, you can contact Mrs. Sanders or Mrs. Flaherty.
PTO and SIC Information
Parent Teacher Organization and School Improvement Council Update
The PTO serves to raise funds, coordinate volunteers and encourage teachers through appreciation activities. Click on the PTO Newsletter button below if you wish to receive the PTO Newsletter: PTO and SIC are tentatively planning to meet on the second Monday of each month next year. School Improvement Council meets at 5:30 (in the Fish Bowl) and our Parent Teacher Organization meets at 6:30 (in the Media Center.) Elections were held in the spring for these organizations but all parents are welcome to attend to help provide input and volunteer. Meetings will be held on February 10, March 9, April 13, and May 11 (if needed.)
Calendar of Events
Monday--Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday
Tuesday--Teacher Appreciation Soup Lunch; 3:00 Staff Development for Math Teachers with Nijjall Biggers in Media Center
Saturday, January 25--10:00-12:00 Rock Hill Schools Programs EXPO at South Pointe High School
February 14--Valentine's Day
February 17--President's Day Holiday
February 18--6:00 PM School of Choice Tour at CPES
February 22--1:00 Winthrop Back the Pack Game
February 26--5:30-7:30 PM Schoolwide Art Show (PE Room)
February 28--School of Choice Application Window Closes
March 31--6:30 PM Spring Music Performance for Kindergarten, Second and Fourth Graders in Sullivan's Auditorium