The CPES BobChat
March 10, 2024
How Is Reading a Game Changer for Me?
This past week was Read Across America Week and we talked with our children about reading being a "game changer" for them. As parents, we know that our children learn by doing what they see us doing. With that in mind, here's what I hope my own kids take away from my reading habits. 1. Reading gives me perspective. I enjoy biographies and autobiographies because I am able to stand in someone else's shoes and see life through their eyes. Reading helps me have a little more empathy for people in different circumstances. I wonder "What would I have done if I had been them?" I hopefully avoid their mistakes and emulate their successes. Even if I don't agree with all their decisions, someone else's story reminds me that most of us are trying to do the best we can as we face challenging situations. 2. Reading allows me to unplug. When I read fiction, I can truly disengage for a little while and enjoy the ride. There may be things I learn along the way, but reading for fun allows my mind to run a little more free and not take life so seriously. In most of these books, I know the bad guys are predictably going to lose and the good guys are going to win. Fiction allows me to lose myself in the story and even savor it more than watching a TV show or movie. I am able to go on an abbreviated mental vacation which then gives me energy to engage in the complexities of work and life. 3. Reading helps me solve problems. I'm always searching for articles and books that enable me to do things better or become better. They teach me how to become more productive and how best to lead others. As educators, we review research to help our children learn more. I read guidebooks so I can know what to do on vacation. Cookbooks show me the best way to grill favorite foods. I review health advice in magazines for new workouts and weight loss tips. I constantly search for resources that help me learn and improve. While I have figured out some things in life, I'm still looking for answers to big and little questions each day. I know that when I stop doing that, I will stop growing and limit my capacity to help others.
Reading has always been a game changer for me. It always will be. The best way that our children know the difference it makes is when they see what we're reading and why we're reading it. If you haven't picked up a book in awhile, I challenge you to find something to read that you might enjoy. You may see that it helps you to change your game all for the better.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
P.S. While reading online can be valuable, I find that I get easily distracted and often end up doing the "death scroll" on my phone. As with anything, it is important to have a good balance between reading online and offline.
Parents, don't forget to turn your clocks an hour ahead for Daylight Savings.
Notes and Reminders
1. A Book Fair Thank You--A heartfelt thanks should go to our school community and our Cherry Park families for supporting our Scholastic Book Fair. The profits will go towards purchasing new books for the library. We’ve already been able to purchase new books this year to help support our dual language program. Thanks to all who helped set up, run the fair each day, and pack up. It was such a joy to see the excitement of the kids. We appreciate Ashley Petit, Katie Vogel, Kelsey Leirmoe, Nan Katherine Gallis, Katie Palmer, Jennifer McPhail, Sue Kutz, Amanda Winters, Emmanuel Daniels, Celia Kerr and Joey Maness for volunteering at the Book Fair.
2. Inspiring Spaces: Classroom Makeover Program--Our teachers are amazing. Their work and dedication continues to inspire magic in our classrooms each and every day. That's why our community has signed on to support the district Inspiring Spaces: Classroom Makeover Program for a second year. Your input will help us award three of our best teachers with the classroom of their dreams thanks to the generosity of our business and community.
If you or your student is inspired by a teacher, nominate them to receive a classroom makeover this summer. To learn more about this program or to share your story about one of our stellar educators, visit our website: https://tinyurl.com/5bmw8pkt
Our nomination application closes on March 20.
3. Be Great Academy Summer Program--Registration is open for summer programming! Families can register at york.begreatacademy.com. Parents should enroll their child at Northside Elementary under Summer Camp 2024. Then the parent will go to view cart and select payment method. The registration fee is waived until March 31st.
If parents have any issues with your enrollment, please encourage them to contact member service representative Carolyn Thompson at carolynthompson@cresent.begreatclubs.org.
BGA has created a FAQ page for families to refer to if they have any questions.
4. Early Childhood Conference (For anyone working with young children)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p2CkMEHi-ZOveGyf27rohRh4Q9agD4D7/view?usp=sharing
York County First Steps will be hosting their annual Early Childhood Educational Conference on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Dutchman Creek. Several of our ParentSMART staff will be there as well as one or two of district teachers. Please share the brochure with Early Childhood teachers.
5. 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.
6. Online School Store for Spirit Wear--The online Spirit Wear store opens tomorrow (Monday) and will remain open through March 22nd. All orders will be delivered to school by April 8th. We will not be able to accept late orders and we are not able to offer returns or exchanges.
Here is the link for the CPES Online Store: https://metroprint.printavo.com/merch/cherry-park-elementary
7. After School Soccer Academy--Will be on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30 at Cherry Park and will start on March 20. For more information, click on the following link: https://www.charlottesoccerfactory.com or you can email Tim Tretbar at mailto:tim@charlottesoccerfactory.com. You can click on the button below as well for their flyer.
8. CPES Art Show--Every student Kindergarten through fifth grade will have their own masterpiece framed and on display on April 30th from 5-7pm. Virtual Show will be from April 29-May 6th. Frames will be $28.
Support your school art program by participating in the virtual show or at the arts evening. If frames are not purchased, artwork will come home with student at the end of the school year. See more information here: CPES Art Show Flyer
9. Yearbook Orders and 5th Grade Dedications--Orders for yearbooks are due by April 21, 2024. Also, if you want to do a dedication for a fifth grader, that is due on April 21 as well. Click on the Yearbook button below or on the following link for more information: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/?event=general.displayLanding&jobnumber=24915
10. Teacher Appreciation for March--Thank you to all parents who donated items. Our staff thoroughly enjoyed the baseball snacks. Thank you, Mrs. Rayfield and Mrs. Tuttle, for coming and serving. See picture below.
School Calendar
March 11--5:30 SIC; 6:30 PTO
March 22--District Professional Learning Day (Student Holiday)
March 28--11:15 Early Release Day for Professional Development
March 29--District Holiday for Good Friday
April 1-5--Spring Break
April 11-April 20--Come See Me Festival
April 21--Last Day to Order a Yearbook or Do a Fifth Grade Dedication
April 30--5:00-7:00 PM CPES Art Show
May 31--9:00 AM 5th Grade Recognition at Sullivan Auditorium
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 Michelle Dawkins (Treasurer). We appreciate all of our sponsors (above) who contributed to our Bobcat Dash this year.
Previous Newsletters for 23-24 School Year
"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