Family Knightline

If you haven’t heard the story of the Purple Cow, it’s pretty simple.

If you were driving down the road and saw a typical cow that was black, white, or brown, you might look for a moment, but it probably wouldn’t hold your attention. You’ve seen a cow before.

But what if you saw a purple cow?

You would stop in your tracks. You would look. You might even tell someone else about it. Why? Because a purple cow is rem-ARK-able. It stands out from everything around it.

At ARK, we challenge every member of our community to be a Purple Cow. We want our actions, effort, kindness, service, and behavior to be so exceptional that they stand out. Being a Purple Cow is about choosing excellence and doing things in a way that others cannont ignore.

Last week, our fifth graders gave us a perfect example. They attended a show at West High School alongside students from other schools. When they returned, every ARK staff member who attended shared the same message: our students stood out. Their behavior was exceptional. They represented themselves, their families, and our school in a way that made the adults around them take notice.

That is what it means to be a Purple Cow.

We want people who walk into ARK to feel something different. We want them to experience a culture and climate that are remarkable and exceptional. That does not happen because of one person or one program. It happens when each of us chooses to play our part.

Whether you are a student, staff member, or family member, we all have opportunities to stand out for the right reasons.

Be exceptional. Be rem-ARK-able. Be a Purple Cow.

WE ARE...ARK KNIGHTS!

Entrance to both events will be at the rear of the building. You will use the Gym's exterior doors.

The Main Entrance will NOT be open.

Please note that whenever we have an event in the Gym, entrance will be from the rear of the building and the Main Entrance will not be used for access into the building.

Cooler mornings are here, which means sweatshirts, jackets, and sweaters are making their way back to school! Please take a moment to label your child’s outerwear with their first and last name. Our Knights have a way of shedding that extra armor as the day warms up, and a name makes it much easier to reunite lost items with their owners!

A quick label today can help keep our Lost & Found from overflowing!

🌟 Celebrating One of Our Knights! 🌟

We are incredibly proud to celebrate ARK fifth grader Luisa Gonzalez, whose poem, “All Stitched Together,” received national recognition in a student poetry contest sponsored by Creative Communication!

Luisa’s poem was selected from thousands of entries from across the United States as one of the Top 10 poems in the Grades 4–6 division. Her work will receive special recognition in the poetry anthology A Celebration of Poets.

Poems were selected based on literary merit, creativity, and social significance, making this an incredible recognition of Luisa’s talent and voice as a young writer.

Congratulations, Luisa! We are so proud to see one of our Knights sharing her gifts and shining on a national stage! 💙💛

Be the Driver of Your Bus, Be a Purple Cow, and Be a Marigold.

We encourage families to use this same language at home. As children become familiar with what each phrase means, a simple reminder like “Be the driver of your bus” can replace a lengthy explanation around owning your choices and empowerment and help them reset, take ownership, and be more open to a conversation about life expriences they encounter.

If you know anything about marigolds, you know they are enhancers. When planted in a garden, they help the plants around them grow better while also providing protection.

That’s what we mean when we say, “Be a Marigold.”

It’s about being other centered. Whatever gifts, strengths, or talents you bring to the table, have eyes to look around and ask, “How can I use what I have to make the people around me better?”

Help others feel better, do better, and be better.

We encourage you to use this language with your children at home. When you see them making the people around them better, name it. Remind them of the story of the marigold.

Language matters. A simple statement like, “You’re being a marigold,” or “You’re my marigold. You make my life better. You make me smile,” helps children understand what it really means to be other centered.

The more they hear it, see it, and experience it, the more the idea will stick.

Being the driver of your bus means taking ownership of your words, thoughts, feelings, and actions. Instead of blaming others or making excuses, you focus on what you can control and take responsibility for your choices, regardless of the situation.

Nobody can make you do anything. You always have a choice!

WE hope you will join us for our first Community Discussion of the school year on Technology: screen time, AI (Artificial Intelligence), and student use of internet-enabled devices.

Join Superintendent Dr. Morton, members of our Board of Education, and administration who will review current policies, procedures, and feedback.

This meeting will take place on October 15th at 7 p.m., in the new All Purpose Room at Rosa Middle School.

October

Hispanic Heritage Month (cont...)

Italian American Heritage Month

10/8: Book Fair Family Night/ Science Fair from 5 to 7 pm

10/16: 5th Grade Hayride at 7:30 pm

10/23: Trunk or Treat (Blacktop) from 5:30 to 7 pm

10/30: Halloween Parade and Parties from 2:00 - 3:15 pm

November

SCHOOL CLOSED --> NOVEMBER 5 & 6 (NJ Teacher Convention)

November 25: 1 pm dismissal for students

SCHOOL CLOSED --> NOVEMBER 26 & 27 (Thanksgiving Break)

November 30: Parent / Teacher Conferences --> 6 to 8 pm

November 30: Parent-Teacher Conferences & 1 pm dismissal for students

December

December 1 - 4: Parent-Teacher Conferences & 1 pm dismissal for students

Looking for activities, programs, events, and resources for your family? The Cherry Hill Public School District is pleased to share community information and opportunities with our families through the Community Bulletin Board on the district website.

The Community Bulletin Board is a great place to discover youth programs, family events, enrichment activities, local resources, and other opportunities available throughout Cherry Hill and the surrounding community. Be sure to check back often—new information is added regularly!

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

Email: epark@chclc.org
Website: www.knight.chclc.org
Location: 140 Old Carriage Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Phone: 856-428-0830
ARK PTA Facebook and Instagram

Knight's vision is to create a community where every member wakes up inspired and goes home fulfilled.

ARK Knights strive to live out the following core values: respect, responsibility, empathy, service, perseverance, effort, citizenship, and teamwork.