The CPES BobChat

We were so affirmed last week during Teacher Appreciation Week. Your kindness blew us away!! Here's what your expressions of gratitude looked like. You put up special, themed decorations each day as we were taken "Around the World" to France, Hawaii, China and Mexico. You wore outfits to match the theme for each day as well. You gave your time to set up, clean up, decorate, and serve snacks and lunch. You monitored our kids during lunch so all staff could have a time to eat. You donated goodies and gift cards. You sent thank-you notes and cards of appreciation. You gave gifts to your children's teachers. You stopped in the car line to call out a "Thank You" and "We Love You" and "We Appreciate You." You gave us memories and laughter and positivity during a time of year that can be stressful. You gave of yourself and your talents and your time and your finances and your energy. For all of this and so much more, we are humbled and grateful. I hope you know that what you really gave this week was lots of encouragement. I believe teaching is more challenging than it has ever been. There are competing demands, high expectations, and lots of voices calling for our attention. Often, our heads are spinning and we wonder which way we should go. Amidst all the noise, we simply want to help kids grow and to make a difference in them. Thank you for reminding us this week that our role in your child's life is important and that you are with us as we care for our children. As I think about all that happened last week, it reminds me how important it is to value and appreciate others. You have inspired me to maybe think a little more creatively and differently as I celebrate some very important ladies in my life for Mother's Day this coming week. I am heartfelt when I say that I appreciate all you do to support your child and our school. We are blessed indeed.

Strength and Blessings to You,

Mr. Maness

(See photos below from Teacher Appreciation Week.)

Volunteer Luncheon Friday, May 12 (11:00-1:00)--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. Just check in at the office and we will give you directions to the luncheon. We hope to see you there. Pleases click on the following link to RSVP by tomorrow, May 8: https://forms.gle/Uc4cPmcqzX6FRuTG8

Teacher Appreciation Week--Thanks so much for all you did. We appreciate the following who helped coordinate activities for the week: Erica Smith, Amanda Winters, Stephanie Greer, Jennifer Rollins, Elizabeth Williams, and Liz Lowery. In addition, so many of you volunteered throughout the week as well and we appreciate your help as well.

Girls on the Run--Had their big race on yesterday. We are so proud of our girls. We appreciate Lisa Anne Williams, Emily Sutton, Katie Keel, Alyssa Wert, Maggie Pezzello, Amanda Cassidy, Sarah Levans and Kendyl Futrelle for coaching this spring. We would not have a program without such dedicated coaches. (See picture above of the CPES team at Race Day.)

Dates for Fifth Graders--The Color Run has been rescheduled for Friday, May 12. Fifth Grade graduation will be May 19 at 9:00 in the Sullivan Auditorium.

Welcome to the Family Drop-In for Rising Kindergarten Families May 10 from 5:30-6:30 PM--This is a time to come and visit kindergarten classes for our new families of kindergarten children starting this fall. More information will be sent this week about this event.

Field Day Volunteer Signups--K, 1st and 2nd grade will have Field Day on Monday, May 22 from 8:30-11:30. 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade will be on Tuesday, May 23 from 8:30-12:00. We will use the fields at Cherry Park (The Park). All volunteers will need to have an updated background screening. For safety and security reasons, only those parents who are volunteers and have been screened will be allowed at Field Day. (Parents will not be able to visit students during this time. Parents are welcome to visit at lunch as always.) See below for the screening application. Please use the links below if you would like to volunteer at field day.

K-2nd Field Day Signups: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4eacac22ab9-k2field3

3rd-5th Field Day Signup--https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4eacac22ab9-35field2

Student Placement Information--Please use this form if you wish to give us information about your child that you would like considered as we make placement decisions this fall. Please submit one form per child. This needs to be completed by Friday, May 26. Click on the this link to complete the form: https://forms.gle/vSbzeU8UYjsMvR7G8

Summer Challenger--Registration is now open for Summer Challenger for current Kindergarten through Fourth Grade students. (Rising Kindergarten students can attend, too.) You can go to this website for more information and to register: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Page/8320

May 9--SC READY English Language Arts Testing Reading (Grades 3-5)

May 10--5:30-6:30 PM Welcome to the Family Drop-In for Rising Kindergarten Families

May 11--MAP Reading Testing for 3rd Grade; SC PASS Science Testing for 4th Grade

May 12--11:00-1:00 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon; 1:00 Fifth Grade Color Run

May 14--Mother's Day

May 15--Kindergarten Programs (8:00 Pope/Lopes; 9:00 Doyle/Kiker; 10:00 Smith/Notaro)

May 16--SC READY Math Testing (Grades 3-5)

May 18--First Grade Author's Teas (8:00 Webb and Rayhill; 9:00 Pezzello and Chavez; 10:00 Brenton and Garcia)

May 19--9:00 Fifth Grade Graduation (Sullivan Middle Auditorium)

May 22--Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Field Day

May 23--Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade Field Day

May 25--Last Day of School (Dismissal is at 11:00)

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 Anitra Meeks, Paloma Fernandez Sanchez, Brittany Jensen, Celia Kerr, Ashley Petit, Latisha Givens, and Scott Kennedy. 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. Officers for 22-23 are Stephanie Greer (President), Amanda Winters (Vice-President), Liz Lowery (Secretary), and Erica Smith (Treasurer). 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.

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