The CPES BobChat

As principal at Cherry Park, I will always value staff and students who work hard. I appreciate all that parents do to support their children and our school. Our district leadership provides thoughtful guidance and resources. I definitely appreciate all of you who make such a difference. Here are a few other blessings from this fall for which I am grateful. 1. New Leaders--It has been so exciting to see new parents stepping up to serve in leadership roles in our school. In addition, staff members have shifted into new and different roles to make a difference. I continue to be impressed by our new hires throughout the school who've made such a positive impact. Each of you have stepped up to join so many who have faithfully served our children over the years. We continue to grow stronger as a school because of the quality of our parent and staff leaders. 2. Extra Effort Expended--Some of our staff have overcome incredible challenges to become certified and qualified to teach. From taking tests to doing course work to learning new teaching strategies, those efforts have not been easy. You continue to sharpen your skills which benefits our students. In addition, our staff members go above and beyond what is expected just because it is the right thing to do. I value your extra effort. Parents, I hear daily how you do the same in your families and our community. 3. Amazing Kids--Did you know that we had ten students who scored perfect scores on the statewide test last May? Did you know that we have the greatest number of children in the district who qualify for the gifted and talented program? Our children take the stage in local musical productions. They serve and volunteer in their churches and in local nonprofits. They stand in the heat and cold and rain and wind to ensure everyone arrives and leaves safely at Cherry Park. They care for others as they share their time, talent and energy throughout the school. They are truly amazing kids led by amazing adults.

It is such a privilege and an honor to get to lead Cherry Park and be the principal. I am so thankful for each of you and the impact you have on our children and on me. I could not do what I do without your effort and support. I am, indeed, so blessed. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

P.S. This is the same article as last week due to the Thanksgiving Holidays. I hope you enjoyed time with your family.

1. Notes and Reminders--a. Boys' Running Club--We are so proud of our Boys' Running Club who completed the Trojan Turkey Trot this Saturday. Thank you, Mrs. Anderson, for sponsoring this for our boys. See picture above. b. Canned Food Drive--Thank you so much for your donation to Project Hope. We were able to make such a difference to so many families. The Forth Grade French students in the picture decided to give their ice cream money to support the effort. c. Thanksgiving Day Parade--Last Tuesday, our Kindergarten and UP3 students held their own Thanksgiving Day Parade based on the book, Balloons Over Broadway. All our school came out to clap for our little ones on the parade route.

2. November Teacher Appreciation--Thank you so much for your support and donations for our Carolina Clemson Tailgate for our teachers. It was a great way to wrap up last week.

3. Spirit Wear--The online Spirit Wear store is now open and will remain open through December 2nd. The link to order is below. All orders will be delivered to school by December 17th. We will not be able to accept late orders and we are not able to offer returns or exchanges. Click on the following link to order: Products - Cherry Park Elementary - Metro Print

4. Yearbooks--Families may now order a yearbook. All sales are online only and to guarantee your child receives a yearbook, all orders must be placed by March 30, 2025. The early bird discount is available and then prices will increase on January 1st. All yearbook orders are online only and there will be no additional orders after March 30, 2025. Please see the flyer below. Click on the following link to order: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/24915 (Use order #24915 if you are asked for it.)

December 2--Last Day to Order Spirit Wear

December 20--Early Dismissal before Holiday Break

December 23-January 2-Holiday Break

January 3--Teacher Workday (No Students Attend)

January 6--First Day Back for New Semester

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 Chelsea Eichorn, Jennifer Hutchinson, Matthew Query, Bernice Huskins, Heather Kagey, and Emily Parrish. 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 Connection between Thanks and Giving?" November 17, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/c6hvt

"What Do Parents Need to Know about Our Book Fair" November 10, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/36azws

"How Can We Help Our Children Make Good Decisions?" November 3, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/tj863

"Who Made a Difference at the Bobcat Dash?" October 27, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/v7pxu

"What Do You Need to Know about the Bobcat Dash?" October 20, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/jecu8

"How Do We Help Kids Process Difficult Events?" October 13, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/nefrt

"How Can We Help Kids 'Handle Hard Better?'" October 5, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/brh0j

"What Should We Remember When We Have Bad Weather?" September 29, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/28hfx

"What Do Great Coaches Do?" September 22, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/cuktn

"How Can We Support the Bobcat Dash on 10/25?" September 15, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/vs3uwm

"What Are We Thinking about Safety This Week?" September 8, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/pxhd6

"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