The CPES BobChat
January 7, 2024
Can "One Word" Make a Difference This Year?
We want our kids to "get better." We'd love for them to clean their rooms. We want them to argue with their siblings less, to keep up with their belongings, to say "thank you" and "please." Our improvement list for them (and for ourselves) can be quite long. It is a new year and this is a great time to develop better habits. We know, though, that resolutions usually don't work and most people abandon them by the end of January. What if there was a different way...a better way to set goals? Jon Gordon, Dan Britton, and Jimmy Page agree with that sentiment in their book, One Word That Will Change Your Life. Most of the time, we set "to do" goals that don't last. These authors argue that it is much better to set one "to be" goal for the whole year. They encourage focusing only on one word like "balance, purpose, commitment, go, love, opportunity, give, ask, thankful or generous." Doing this for a year allows us to keep it simple, focus well, and look for daily connections that enable us to become more of the people we want to be. Adults and children can easily do this. The word we choose could be an attribute, a habit, a character trait, an action, a discipline or a value. It is a word that challenges and resonates with us and can connect with the physical, mental, social and emotional parts of our lives. It is that word that pushes us and pulls us and calls us to become one step better. To find our "one word for one life for one year," we simply need a little quiet time to reflect and determine what area of focus we want (or need) to have. We can lead our children to do the same. Some families have a collective word of the year and each member has his own as well. Once we have our word, then we want to keep it front and center in focus. We can post it on our mirror or put it on our screen saver on our computer or phone. Our kids can also draw a picture of their word to go into a frame displayed at home. More importantly, we want to keep our word in our conversations with our family and close friends. We want to ask our spouse and children about their word and we want them to ask us about ours. As with all goals, accountability is key. So, what's your word for 2024? Where do you want to focus in this new year? How can we lead our children to take their next step of growth? I'd love to hear from you what word you choose and how it is impacting your family.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
P.S. Happy New Year!! I hope you've had a great break and have enjoyed time with your family.
Our next SIC and PTO Meetings will be Tuesday, January 9 at 5:30 and 6:30 PM.
Notes and Reminders
1. Thank You--On behalf of our faculty and staff, we want to say "thank you" for all the ways you expressed your appreciation to us during the holidays. Thank you for the gifts, goodies and cards that let us know how much we mean to you and your child.
2. School of Choice Applications--The Choice Application Window opens January 22 through February 23. All rising kindergarten students who currently have siblings in the program will need to complete the Choice application to secure a spot for next year. We will host parent meetings and will soon send a schedule for when those will be.
3. 5th Grade Parent Information--Here is the link to the presentation from Tuesday night about the Middle (and High) School Immersion Program. At the end of the presentation, there is a QR code for the Letter of Intent to continue in the program at Sullivan Middle. There is also a button below for the Letter of Intent. This is due on February 24, 2024 but we wanted you to have this now.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1oOWWAqum-RZXHnDtno3W__HXVpZND7xm/edit#slide=id.p6
4. Yearbooks--Are now on sale. To guarantee your student receives a copy of the yearbook be sure to place your order no later than 11:59pm on Sunday, April 21, 2024. For more information to order, click on tab below.
5. Fifth Grade Recognition--We know it is a bit early, but we wanted to be sure you have on your calendar that our 5th Grade Recognition will be Friday, May 31 at 9:00 in the Sullivan Auditorium. Please do not arrive any earlier than 8:30. We want to allow Sullivan to complete their arrival process before we use their drives and parking areas.
School Calendar
January 8--Teacher Workday
January 9--First Day Back for Students; 5:30 PM SIC Meeting; 6:30 PM PTO Meeting
January 15--Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday--No School
January 16--Report Cards Go Home
January 22--School of Choice Application Window Opens
February 12--5:30 PM SIC Meeting; 6:30 PM PTO Meeting
February 14--Valentine's Day
February 15--Student Holiday and Teacher Professional Development Day
February 16--Student Holiday and Teacher Workday
February 19--President's Day Holiday (Bad Weather Makeup Day)
February 23--School of Choice Application Window Closes
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
"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