The CPES BobChat

Last week, we considered how we can help our children "handle hard better." As we continue to watch the effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we know our children are seeing and hearing about those devastating events as well. As parents and teachers, it can be challenging to help them effectively process the tragedies in the news. How can we best help them respond? 1. Check their thoughts and feelings. We want to ask them how they are doing as they hear information. Encourage them to ask questions. "Take the temperature" on their emotions. Often, we want to project adult perceptions on our kids and they may not have the same concerns we have. See where they are first to know how to help them take the next step. 2. Be honest and developmentally appropriate. We want to acknowledge what happened and be willing to calmly talk about it (if our children want to talk.) Sharing the facts should always be tempered with good judgement and caution. They don't need all the gory details nor do they need to see traumatizing images from the media. As parents, we should constantly screen what our children view on their devices (including TV.) We want our kids to know the truth but we must edit that for them appropriately. This is why it is so important to listen to their questions rather than making assumptions on our part. 3. Help them find what they can do to make a difference. Hurricanes are out of our control (like so many difficulties in life.) Our kids need to know that they can respond and care well for others. We can provide opportunities for them to give, encourage, and serve. Acts of kindness combat those feelings of helplessness. 4. Help them know how to be ready. We want our children to be prepared in advance of events that jeopardize their safety. Do they know how to call 911? Do they know the safest place in the house during a tornado? Do they know where the first aid kit is? These are great conversations to have all along the way of life rather than all at once. At school, this is why we do drills so kids can respond confidently when events happen. What "safety drills" might be appropriate for you to consider with your children at home and in our community? Preparation always reduces anxiety.

The literal and figurative "storms of life" have come and will come. It is impossible to hide those from our children. Let's work together to model for them how to prepare and process them in a healthy and productive way. Thanks for all you do to support your child and our school.

Strength and Blessings,

Mr. Maness

P.S. Please let us know how we can support you or your family whenever you have a tragedy. We want to do what we can to partner with you.

1. Reminders

a. Arrival and Dismissal Reminders--It is always best not to be on your cell phones when dropping off and picking up your child. It is easy to lose focus that leads to an accident. Also, our Safety Patrol is asked to open the door at their spot to help your child exit (and enter) the car. Once they reach your car, please stop your vehicle so they can help your child get out. We know everyone wants to drop off as closely to the main entrances as possible, but we want to be safe and efficient to keep our lines moving so everyone can arrive on time.

b. Student Holidays--Please remember that tomorrow, Monday, October 14, is a Professional Development Day for teachers and a student holiday.

c. BIMAS--We're using the research-based screening tool Behavior Intervention Monitoring Assessment System-2, or BIMAS-2. It is a tool used to help identify students who are at risk of future academic, behavioral, or emotional difficulties. Just like some students benefit from additional academic supports and interventions, we know some students would benefit from additional support to strengthen their behavioral, social, and emotional skills. Our homeroom teachers will complete these on Tuesday, October 22. For more information, see the "BIMAS Screener Parent Letter" below. Parents can choose to opt out of this screening tool to be used for their child. If so, please complete the Opt Out form in the Parent Letter below and send it to your child's teacher by the morning of 10/22.

2. Bobcat Dash Volunteer Signups, Pledge Forms, and Running Schedule--If you would like to help at the Bobcat Dash, please click on the following link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A4A923AAFBC70-51562882-bobcat?useFullSite=true#/ You can also click on the link below. Pledge Forms went home on Friday with students. Check your child's bookbag for them. Pledges are due Monday, November 4. See form below for more information. Here is when each grade level will run on Friday, October 25. Given all the activity of that day, we will not have parent visitation during lunch on 10/25. Please let any other family members know about that as well.

2nd Grade--8:15-9:00

3rd Grade--9:10-9:55

4th Grade--10:05-10:50

5th Grade--11:00-11:45

Kindergarten--11:55-12:40

1st Grade--12:50-1:35

3. Red Ribbon Week--Will be Monday, October 28-Friday, November 1. This is a week that is dedicated to helping our students make healthy choices. This year's districtwide theme is "Lights! Cameras! Action! Be Drug Free!!" Here is the schedule for Dress Up Days that week.

Monday: "Be the Star of Your Show" Dress for success and say no to drugs.

Wear nice clothes or dress like a movie star.

Tuesday: "Hats a Great Choice!" Put a cap on drugs. Wear a cap or hat.

Wednesday: "Be an ESPN Star" Team up against drugs. Wear a team shirt or jersey.

Thursday: "Know Yourself Inside Out" Choose to be drug free.

Wear clothes inside out or dress like an emotion.

Friday: "Take a Walk on the Red Carpet (and Away from Drugs) Wear red.

4. Additional Dean of Students--We want to welcome Mrs. Monique Kirk as our additional Dean of Students. (Senor Leon is still with us as our other Dean of Students.) She is taking the place of Dr. Ramere. Mrs. Kirk has spent most of her career as an elementary teacher and interventionist and we welcome her to our school family. She is pictured above.

5. Halloween on 10/31--We will have a Dress Up Day for Red Ribbon Week. (It is Inside Out Day. See above.) Students should not wear their Halloween costumes to school that day. We do not want them to get damaged and it is not a school sponsored activity.

October 14--Professional Development Day (No Students); 5:30 PM School Improvement Council; 6:30 PTO Meeting

October 21--Report Cards Go Home for 1st Quarter for K-2nd; 3rd-5th Report Cards Available in Parent Portal

October 22--BIMAS Screenings Completed by Staff; Opt Out Forms due that morning

October 23--Picture Day

October 25--Bobcat Dash

October 28-November 1--Red Ribbon Week (See activities above)

November 1--Half-Day for Professional Development (Students are dismissed at 11:15)

November 5--Election Day (No School)

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.

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"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

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"What Lessons Can We Learn from the Olympics? (Part 1)" August 11, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/ejr3s

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"How Can We Start Getting Ready for School?" (Part 3) July 21, 2024 https://secure.smore.com/n/y0w1e

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"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