Helllo everyone,
We hope you had a happy and restful Thanksgiving!  It was really great to get a break!
It is hard to believe that we have only 3 weeks until the Winter Break!  Please remember to check out our online Scholastic Book Fair this week.  Sales end next Sunday, so check it out now!  We also have Teacher Wish lists that you can shop from.
If there is anything that we as the PTA Executive board can do for you, please let us know!
Thanks,
Marie, Deb, Sarah, Dana, and Lauren

The Positivity Project
This week in the Positivity Project, students will be learning about the character strength of Kindness.
 
What It Means
You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.
 
Why It Matters
For individuals, kindness is correlated with desirable developmental outcomes. It is related to other-oriented emotions, like empathy (the ability to experience the
emotional state of another person) and sympathy (the tender emotion of concern for another’s difficulty). Psychologists have even traced kindness and generosity
as the keys to healthy, happy, and lasting marriages.
On a group level, kindness is very important. In addition to empathy and sympathy, the character strength of kindness is indicative of an individual’s moral reasoning capacity and level of social responsibility. That means people who develop kindness possess a strong personal ethical responsibility to care for other people. And, their acts of kindness towards others lead to additional acts of kindness by those who have been helped.
Family Resources:  To access these resources, use the password P2.

• K-2
• 3-5

Highlights for This Week

• Monday, Nov 30 -- School returns after Thanksgiving holiday.
  • • Plan B students: All K-3 in person, 4-5 Cohort B
    • All Virtual Academy students continue online

 

• Tuesday, Dec 1: Virtual Tour of Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School. Register NOW!


• Wednesday, Dec 2: Asynchronous School Day.  All students are remote.


• December 2-9: Registration period for Virtual Academy for Spring

 

• Sunday, Dec 6 -- Last Day of the  Book Fair.  Check out the Article below!

Book Fair
 
Only one more week of the Book Fair!! The entire fair is virtual!  You can shop Scholastic's HUGE selection from your homes and your books will be sent directly to you.  

Check it out at:  https://www.scholastic.com/bf/swiftcreekelementaryschool2020
 
Teacher Wish Lists Available!
Looking for a way to support your teachers with our online book fair?  Teachers have created virtual wish lists for their classroom libraries!
Shop the Wish List at : https://bit.ly/SCES2020FallWishList
 
 
Remember!  The Fair ends Sunday, Dec 6!
 
 
If you have questions, please contact Book Fair Chair, Kristen Sherman at kmartaz73@gmail.com.
 


Sign Up for Before and After School Care

We are excited to announce that our Before and After School Programs are now open. If you need childcare, please reserve your child's spot today. All information can be found on the school website or you can contact the coordinator, Mrs. Kress, at akress2@wcpss.net.
 
https://www.wcpss.net/domain/10929


5th Grade News

 Virtual Tours at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle
At Tuesday's PTA meeting, the principal at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle school, Mrs. Margaret Feldman, talked about the opportunities available at Dillard Drive and the new magnet program.
Virtual Tours will be held on these dates:

• December 1st & 17th, 2020
• January 5th & 20th, 2021

Register for one of these tours today!


Wake County Public Schools

Virtual Academy Registration for Elementary School: Dec 2 - 9
WCPSS Virtual Academy Spring Registration for Elementary Schools is Dec. 2-9
The registration window for the WCPSS Virtual Academy for elementary students for the spring semester will be Dec. 2-9. The window for middle and high school students has closed.
Please note that this is for K-5 students wishing to register for the WCPSS Virtual Academy. 
Due Friday!  Application for Winter Break Meals
FYI: Form Required to Receive Winter Break Meal Bundles
Daily curbside and bus deliveries will not be operational from Tues., Dec. 22nd to Jan. 1. Child Nutrition Services will be offering free meal bundles that will be distributed Mon., Dec. 21 from 10:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. at select distribution sites.
The Winter Break Meal Bundle will include eight breakfasts and eight lunches. One meal bundle per child. You do not have to be a WCPSS student to receive meals, only 18 years of age or younger to qualify. The meals will be provided at no cost. Complete the Winter Break Meal Bundle Form by Fri., Dec. 4.
When ordering, please remember that you must have sufficient cooler/freezer space to store the complete bundle for each child for eight days (breakfast and lunch).


Applying to Magnet Schools or Year-Round School?
Applying to Magnet Schools for next year.  Are you interested in attending a magnet or year round school next year?  The deadline for applications is Jan 28, 2021.  For information about a specific school, check that school's website.  Many schools are currently conducting virtual tours.




 We Need Your Help!
 
Holiday Gift Cards for Teachers
 
Thank you to everyone who donated pies for our Thanksgiving celebration for the staff.  You should have seen their big, bright smiles.
 
For the holiday season, Sarah Wohlmann is collecting $5 gift cards to include in a teacher thank you gift.  You can sign up to help at 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A4FACA92AAB9-happy
 
 
If you have questions, contact Hospitality Chair, Sarah Wohldmann at swohldmann@hotmail.com.
You can now donate using Venmo!  www.venmo.com/Sarah-Wohldmann
 
 
Join the PTA

You can still join the Swift Creek PTA.  Information on how to join is available from the Membership page on the PTA website.
 
If you have questions, please contact Membership chair, Danielle Davis, at daniellemdavis06@gmail.com.


Mark Your Calendars

• • Tuesday, Dec 8 6:30pm: PTA meeting
• 
  
  • Friday, Dec 11: Remote Learning Day
• 
  
  • Monday, Dec 21: Teacher Work Day
• 
  
  • Tuesday, Dec 22 - Jan  1: Winter Break

Hello everyone,
Monday and Tuesday are remote learning days for all students.  There is no in-person instruction for any student. Check with your child's teacher to see if he or she has any Google meets with the teacher or small groups.
For many of us, the Thanksgiving holiday will look very different this year.  I know our dining room table will be a little emptier this year.  But yet . . . because of the magic of the Zoom, we will be able to have Thanksgiving with my dad for the first time in at least 25 years. (He lives in Texas.) So even though Thanksgiving might be different, I hope your family is able to create some new traditions this year.
I also hope that you get a chance to rest and recharge over the break.  This year has forced us to face new challenges and stretch ourselves so thin. Thank you for all your hard work and all you give to our community.
I am grateful for the amazing community of Swift Creek.  The staff, the families, the students.  Together, we do amazing things and are soaring to new heights.
Happy Thanksgiving!
If there is anything that we as the PTA Executive board can do for you, please let us know!
Thanks,
Marie, Deb, Sarah, Dana, and Lauren




Positivity Project


This week in the Positivity Project, students will be learning about the character strength of Gratitude.
 
What It Means
You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.
 
Why It Matters
Out of all 24 character strengths, gratitude is the single best predictor of individual well-being. It is correlated with increased energy, empathy, happiness and optimism. And, the great thing about gratitude is that it can be intentionally cultivated.
 
On a group level, gratitude is associated with reciprocity and social stability. Grateful people are more likely than their counterparts to feel a commitment to others – and believe in an interconnectedness of the world and its people.
Family Resources:  To access these resources, use the password P2.

• K-2
• 3-5

Highlights for This Week

• Monday, Nov 23
  • All students in remote learning. There is no in-person instruction this week.
  • Fall Book Fair begins!

• Tuesday, Nov 24: All students in remote learning.  There is no in-person instruction this week. 

• Wednesday, Nov 25:  Teacher Work Day! No school for students.

• Thursday, Nov 26 & Friday, Nov 27:  Thanksgiving holiday!

Book Fair
 
The Book Fair is back!  Swift Creek will hold its Scholastic Book Fair from Monday, Nov 23 to Sunday, Dec 6.  Things will look different this year as the entire fair will be virtual!  You will be able to shop Scholastic's HUGE selection from your homes and your books will be sent directly to you.  

The Fair Link will go live TOMORROW:  https://www.scholastic.com/bf/swiftcreekelementaryschool
 
If you have questions, please contact Book Fair Chair, Kristen Sherman at kmartaz73@gmail.com.
 
Before and After School Care


We are excited to announce that our Before and After School Programs are now open. If you need childcare, please reserve your child's spot today. All information can be found on the school website or you can contact the coordinator, Mrs. Kress, at akress2@wcpss.net.
 
https://www.wcpss.net/domain/10929





5th Grade News


 Virtual Tours at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle
At Tuesday's PTA meeting, the principal at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle school, Mrs. Margaret Feldman, talked about the opportunities available at Dillard Drive and the new magnet program.
You can learn about all the new opportunities at Dillard from this flyer.
Virtual Tours will be held on these dates:

• December 1st & 17th, 2020
• January 5th & 20th, 2021

Register for one of these tours today!





News from WCPSS

• Return to School Guidelines
• Changes in Return to School Guidelines and If Your Child Goes Home Sick
• Applying to Magnet Schools for next year.  Are you interested in attending a magnet or year round school next year?  The deadline for applications is Jan 28, 2021.  For information about a specific school, check that school's website.  Many schools are currently conducting virtual tours.

 We Need Your Help
 
Holiday Gift Cards for Teachers
 
Thank you to everyone who donated pies for our Thanksgiving celebration for the staff.  You should have seen their big, bright smiles.
 
For the holiday season, Sarah Wohlmann is collecting $5 gift cards to include in a teacher thank you gift.  You can sign up to help at 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A4FACA92AAB9-happy
 
 
If you have questions, contact Hospitality Chair, Sarah Wohldmann at swohldmann@hotmail.com.
You can now donate using Venmo!  www.venmo.com/Sarah-Wohldmann
 
 

Shout Outs
 
Thank you to Coles Design for helping us create our 5th grade class picture for the class of 2020.  Usually, we gather the 5th graders after graduation and take a class picture.  However, this year, that wasn't possible.  Coles Design used our yearbook photos to create the class picture that now hangs in the front hall!
  
 
 
Painless Fundraising


Here are some easy ways you can earn money for Swift Creek while doing your normal activities:

• Are you an Amazon shopper?  Did you know that a portion of your purchase could go to Swift Creek when you shop?  Simply use this link: ?smile.amazon.com/ch/57-0788188

• Box Tops are available on a variety of items, such as General Mills cereals, Hefty products, and Ziploc products.
  Each Box Top is worth 10 cents to Swift Creek!
  
  Box Tops is going digital!  Now instead of clipping, simply scan your receipts to earn money for the Creek.  For more information, see https://www.boxtops4education.com/

• Coke Gives.  Do you drink Coke products, such as Coke, Sprite, or Minute Maid?  Collect the bottle cap from your beverage to add 5 cents to our Painless Fundraising funds! Turn in your bottle caps to the school or enter the codes under Swift Creek Elementary at Cokes Gives.

• Grocery stores
  • Are you a member of the VIC program at Harris Teeter?  When you buy Harris Teeter brand products, a portion of those sales can go to Swift Creek.  Simply link your VIC card to our school.  You can do it through the Harris Teeter website or at the customer service desk.  Our school code is 2126.
    
    Or you can send your VIC number along with the name associated with the card to  Marie Dexter (Painless Fundraising committee chair) at mariecdexter@gmail.com. 

• • Lowes Food has several programs to benefit schools, such as Swift Creek.   With the Cart to Class program, all you need to do is link your Lowes Food card to Swift Creek and when you buy Lowes Food brand products, part of your purchase goes to the Creek.  You can link your card from the Lowes Food website or by contacting Customer Service.

• • Are you a regular Publix shopper?  Then you can help the Creek when you shop. We are a member of the Publix Partners program.  When you create a Publix account, you can associate Swift Creek Elementary with your phone number.  Then give your phone number at check out and Swift Creek reaps the benefits!

 
 
 
Recycling

Our recycling efforts at the Creek continue.

• Families, we continue to recycle squeezeable pouches and foil-lined wrappers.
  • The squeezable pouches may be of ANY brand, not just GoGo squeeZ.
  • Foil lined wrappers include smaller chip, pretzel, and cookie bags, as well as granola bars, chocolate bars, etc.
  Please make sure pouches and bags/wrappers are EMPTY, with CAPS placed back ON the pouches.

• Swift Creek also collects old markers, highlighters and dry erase markers, as part of Crayola’s ColorCycle program (https://www.crayola.com/colorcycle.aspx). 

• Plastic bags and film.  Before you take these to the grocery store for recycling, weigh them and send the weight to Megan Holler, meganandrews81@gmail.com.

If you have items, you can drop them off at Macedonia United Methodist Church on Saturdays from 8-10am.  Or contact Recycling Chair Megan Holler meganandrews81@gmail.com or Marie Dexter mariecdexter@gmail.com for a front porch pick up.


For more information, see Recycling Programs on our PTA website.

Join the PTA

You can still join the Swift Creek PTA.  Information on how to join is available from the Membership page on the PTA website.
 
If you have questions, please contact Membership chair, Danielle Davis, at daniellemdavis06@gmail.com.


Mark Your Calendars

• • Monday, Nov 30 -- School returns after Thanksgiving holiday.
    • Plan B students: All K-3 in person, 4-5 Cohort B
    • All Virtual Academy students continue online
• 
  
  • Wednesday, Dec 2: Asynchronous School Day.  All students are remote.
• 
  
  • December 2-9: Registration period for Virtual Academy for Spring

• 
  
  • Thursday, Dec 3: WCPSS Virtual Magnet Info Session
  • Tuesday, Dec 8 6:30pm: PTA meeting
• 
  
  • Friday, Dec 11: Remote Learning Day
• 
  
  • Monday, Dec 21: Teacher Work Day
• 
  
  • Tuesday, Dec 22 - Jan  1: Winter Break

 
  

Hello everyone,
This week, all K-3 students will return to school and Cohort A of 4-5 graders will return.  If you are coming back, remember to watch the Virtual Tour from Mr. Propst so students know what to expect.
https://www.wcpss.net/Page/46278.
This page can be found on the school webpage - Academics & Programs > Virtual Leaning Resources > Virtual Tour.
Did you miss Mr. Propst's latest message?  See Mr. Propst Friday, Nov 13.
If you have well wishes for Ms. Graves, please add them to this form by Tuesday!  


If there is anything that we as the PTA Executive board can do for you, please let us know!
Thanks,
Marie, Deb, Sarah, Dana, and Lauren


The Positivity Project

This week in the Positivity Project, students will be learning about the character strength of Gratitude.
 
What It Means
You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.
 
Why It Matters
Out of all 24 character strengths, gratitude is the single best predictor of individual well-being. It is correlated with increased energy, empathy, happiness and optimism. And, the great thing about gratitude is that it can be intentionally cultivated.
 
On a group level, gratitude is associated with reciprocity and social stability. Grateful people are more likely than their counterparts to feel a commitment to others – and believe in an interconnectedness of the world and its people.
Family Resources:  To access these resources, use the password P2.

• K-2
• 3-5

Highlights This Week

• Monday, Nov 16:  All K-3 students in Plan B attend in person; 4-5 grade students in Cohort A of Plan B return to school

• Week of Nov 16: Michael Beadle will provide his annual writing residency work shop for the fourth grade. 

 
This cultural arts program is possible because of a grant from United Artists of Wake County and YOUR Fun Run Donation.  If you have any questions about Cultural Arts programs, contact April Bartley at abartley7@gmail.com. 

• Tuesday, Nov 17:  Deadline for sending your well wishes to Ms. Graves. See this form

• Wednesday, Nov 18: Remote Asynchronous Day

All students will attend remote learning today.  Attendance will be taken by turning in assignments.

• Thursday, Nov 19:
  • 5:00pm: WCPSS Virtual Magnet School Session
  • 3rd Grade Plan B students:  NC Beginning of Grade Test
  • 2nd Grade: Billy Jonas will be providing his annual workshop residency for second grade. He will meet with each classroom over Google Meet to work with them on making instruments from recycled objects.

This cultural arts program is possible because of a grant from United Artists of Wake County and YOUR Fun Run Donation.  If you have any questions about Cultural Arts programs, contact April Bartley at abartley7@gmail.com.

• Friday, Nov 20:  Deadline for Reflections Entries.  For information, contact Carrie Fernandez at cfernandez@wcpss.net.

 
PTA Meeting Minutes
Thank you to everyone who attended the PTA meeting last Tuesday.  The minutes are now available for your review.
Key Highlights:

• Information about the Care Cottage from Mrs. Hizer
• Q&A time with Mr. Propst. Be sure to check this section out.  If you h ave additional questions, please contact Mr. Propst by phone or email at dpropst@wcpss.net.

3rd Grade Beginning of Grade Test
On Thursday, Nov 19, 3rd grade students in Plan B will be taking NC Beginning of Grade Reading Test.
From Mr. Propst's message:
This test is the first time a student in North Carolina is asked to take a state assessment. The purpose of the BOG is to establish how far a 3rd grader is at the beginning of the year from reaching proficiency on end-of-grade reading standards. 
There's nothing to do to prepare to take the assessment. Just get a good night's sleep the night before, have a healthy breakfast, and show best effort. On Monday, please have your 3rd graders come to school with their school-issued Chromebook. 

5th Grade News
 Virtual Tours at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle
At Tuesday's PTA meeting, the principal at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle school, Mrs. Margaret Feldman, talked about the opportunities available at Dillard Drive and the new magnet program.
You can learn about all the new opportunities at Dillard from this flyer.
Virtual Tours will be held on these dates:

• December 1st & 17th, 2020
• January 5th & 20th, 2021

Register for one of these tours today!





WCPSS News

• Return to School Guidelines
• Changes in Return to School Guidelines and If Your Child Goes Home Sick
• Applying to Magnet Schools for next year.  Are you interested in attending a magnet or year round school next year?  The deadline for applications is Jan 28, 2021.  For information about a specific school, check that school's website.  Many schools are currently conducting virtual tours.

We Need Your Help!
 
Food Donations for Families
 
During COVID, Macedonia United Methodist Church has been delivering food to some of our families in need.  They are restocking their pantry to help provide these families with Thanksgiving meals.  If you are interested in helping, sign up at Food Pantry for Swift Creek .  If you cannot deliver your items to the church on Saturday morning, please contact Marie Dexter to arrange a pick up!  Thanks for your help!
 
Purchasing Supplies for Staff
 
Also, we've been asking teachers about supplies that they need now that students have returned to school.  We have created this Amazon Wish List for anyone who'd like to donate.  Anything you order off this list will be shipped directly to the school.
 
Due by Friday!!! Loving Our Staff Is As Easy As Pie!
 We are wanting to show how "Thankful" we are for all of our Swift Creek Elementary Teachers and Staff.  We are collecting STORE BOUGHT already MADE and COOKED pies for all of the amazing teachers and staff for Thanksgiving.  We will put them on a table and all of them will be able to chose one to take home and enjoy.
Please make sure they are STORE BOUGHT and MADE / COOKED Pies.  They can be any flavor you decided to buy, the more flavors the better.  I know that a lot of grocery stores right now sell them for $5 or less.  
Please drop the pies off at my house, 3908 Headwater Court, Raleigh 27696 or I can also pick them up from you anytime.  I will set up the table on Friday (11/20), I would love to get them a day or two before.  

 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A4FACA92AAB9-pieexchange
 
If you have questions, contact Hospitality Chair, Sarah Wohldmann at swohldmann@hotmail.com.
You can now donate using Venmo!  www.venmo.com/Sarah-Wohldmann


 Shout Outs

Thank you so much to all the families who attended our Fall Clean Up day on Saturday.  We got so much done!  More than we anticipated because of our hard working crew!  We hope to hold another day in the spring.
 
A special shout out to Landscaping chair, Tracey McCloud, for organizing this event!  We appreciate all you do to keep our school looking its very best.  You can see more pictures on our Landscaping page.
 
 


News from the Garden
 
The abundance of rain last week didn't seem to dampen the garden. When students return to school this week, they might take a visit to the garden.   You can check out the garden from our Garden Journal.
 
 
Reflections: I Matter Because . . .

 
Friday, Nov 20: Reflections Deadline
Reflections is the PTA's National Arts program.  3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are welcome to participate.  This year's theme is "I Matter Because . . .".  Entries can be in one of six categories:  Visual Art 2D, Visual Art 3D, Literature, Music Composition, Dance, and Film.
 
To compete in Swift Creek's program, entries are due by Nov 20.  For more information and questions, contact Reflections Chair, Carrie Fernandez at cfernandez@wcpss.net.

Entry forms are available from the Reflections page on the PTA Website.

Join the PTA

You can still join the Swift Creek PTA.  Information on how to join is available from the Membership page on the PTA website.
 
If you have questions, please contact Membership chair, Danielle Davis, at daniellemdavis06@gmail.com.


Mark Your Calendars

• • Monday, Nov 23 & Tuesday, Nov 24: Remote Learning Days

On these two days, all students will attend school remotely.  There will be no in person instruction.

• • Wednesday, Nov 25 - Friday, Nov 27: Thanksgiving Holiday.

No school!  We hope you have a joyful and memorable holiday with your families.

• • Monday, Nov 30 -- School returns after Thanksgiving holiday.
    • Plan B students: All K-3 in person, 4-5 Cohort B
    • All Virtual Academy students continue online
• 
  
  • Wednesday, Dec 2: Asynchronous School Day.  All students are remote.
• 
  
  • December 2-9: Registration period for Virtual Academy for Spring

• 
  
  • Thursday, Dec 3: WCPSS Virtual Magnet Info Session
• 
  
  • Friday, Dec 11: Remote Learning Day
• 
  
  • Monday, Dec 21: Teacher Work Day
• 
  
  • Tuesday, Dec 22 - Jan  1: Winter Break

 
  
Advocacy Alerts
Wake Up and Read Survey
Wake Up and Read is a community coalition that is working to ensure all children are reading on grade level by 3rd grade.
 
Over the past few years, Swift Creek has collected for the annual Wake Up and Read book drive. These books were then distributed to students in about 10 elementary schools (and local community centers) in Wake county.
Wake Up and Read is asking all families to participate in this survey to help plan for the future! Please complete this survey and give your feedback!
 

TODAY!!!!  Sunday, Nov 15: America Recycles Day
 Celebrate America Recycles Day all November long with Wake County! Use this Bingo card to explore the many ways that you can help us protect the environment through recycling and waste reduction activities.
Complete and submit this Bingo card by November 30 to be eligible to receive a free, stainless steel, reusable straw with cleaning brush and pouch. You'll also be entered in a drawing to win a two-compartment recycling/trash bin or a compost bin! The contest is limited to one entry per household, per year, and it's available to Wake County residents only.