Every week, when I sit down to write this note, I think "Oh this will just take a minute."  Then I remember this and that and that and that!  It delights me to see how much we have going on in our school!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful week!
Marie Dexter


Positivity Project: Teamwork
This week in the Positivity Project, students will be learning about the character strength of Teamwork.

What It Means
You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal and sacrifice your individual desires for the greater good.


Why It Matters
For individuals, teamwork often means deferring or delaying individual accomplishments in order to ensure that the group maintains a high level of success. Their commitment
to the larger group effort makes them both good teammates and citizens.


Our ability to work effectively within group structures is tied directly to the group’s ability to succeed. In schools and workplaces across the world, commitment to teamwork and
to the “greater good” helps further learning and achievement for all group members. Maintaining the idea that “Other People Matter” is essential to any successful team environment.


Activities and Resources for Home:

• Kindergarten games: Untangle a human knot, Keep the balloon up
• 1st: The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane  DeRolf, Stone Soup by Jon Muth, Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
• 2nd: Tallest Tower challenge; Swimmy by Leo Lamm
• 3rd: Untangle a human knot; Stone Soup by Jon Muth
• 4th: Untangle a human knot
• 5th: Untangle a human knot

Take Your Parent to PE Week!
You are in for a treat this week!  It is national Take Your Parent to PE week.

Ms. Graves invites you to attend PE with your child this week.  In last week's Tuesday folder, you should have received a notification with your child's PE day and time.  If you are uncertain about when to attend, contact your child's teacher.

When you arrive at the school, go straight to the gym.  You do not need to check in at the office.  You will check in at the gym instead.  Be sure to wear your sneakers and some workout clothes.  Ms. Graves will definitely get your heart pumping and you will have a BLAST!

Goal: Healthy Snacks This School Year!

As we celebrate Take Your Parent to PE week, let’s also take this week to kick start healthy snacks and beverages throughout the school year! Each day this week, substitute one processed snack for whole foods such as sliced fruits and veggies. Make it fun by adding yogurt dip, hummus or ranch dip for the veggies. In the upcoming weeks, let’s be creative with new snacks like dried apricots and just generally snacks with less sugar or artificial ingredients.  

For more information about our Healthy Living programs, contact Maggie Howard.  For more information about advocacy, contact Lisa Kropliak.

Monday: Reflections Kickoff
Reflections is a National Art program for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.  Students create projects in these categories:

• Visual Arts 2D or 3D
• Photography
• Literature
• Dance
• Film Composition
• Music Composition

Entries for the Swift Creek competition are due Nov 8.  Some entries will then move to the county competition and who knows from there!

This week our Reflections chair, Carrie Fernandez, will be kicking of Reflections season!  Stay tuned to learn about this year's theme!

Tuesday:  Watch DOGs Kickoff 6:30pm
Dads, uncles, grandfathers, and father figures, the BIG kickoff party is finally here!  Join us on Tuesday at 6:30pm in the media center.

We will have a pizza party to celebrate the kickoff of this year's Watch DOGs program.  You are welcome to bring your favorite Swifties along.  

At this kickoff, you will learn how YOU can participate in this program.  You can sign up for a day to be a Watch DOG at our school!  Your Swifty will be SO, SO proud and excited to have you in the school building for the day.  And you will have your picture taken and put in our Watch DOG Hall of Fame, so every time your Swifty passes by they can remember this AWESOME time together.

RSVP as soon as possible to Head Dad, Sam Allen.


Thursday: Reading is Fundamental 6:00pm
Remember!  The Reading is Fundamental workshop that we were going to have the first week of Sept is now THIS THURSDAY at 6:00pm.

Reading is fundamental to function in today's society and in developing a good self-image. One of the most effective approaches to help their child develop literacy skills is having a home environment that encourages reading in daily life. The parents will learn how to support the development of their child's literacy at home.

Workshops will be presented in English and Spanish.

For questions, please contact ESL teacher, Carey Burkhalter at cburkhalter@wcpss.net  


Friday: Teacher Snack Cart and Box Top Collection Day!

• This year, the Hospitality committee is trying a new way to show our teachers appreciation throughout the year.

This Friday, will be the first run of the Teacher Snack Cart.  If you have items that you would like to donate, please sign up ASAP using the link above.  If you have questions, contact Hospitality Chair, Sarah Wohldmann.

• On Friday, the Box Top Fairy will be making her first collection round of the year!  Be sure to turn in your Box Tops and Coke bottle tops!  The class with the biggest collection will be our Super Snippers for the month of September and win a small prize!

Remember that Box Tops are also moving to digital.  All you need to do is scan your receipt with the Box Top app and Swift Creek will receive the credit!  While paper Box Tops are still around, we even get double the credit.  For more information, see Box Tops Go Digital!

Cuties for the Fun Run
For the Fun Run snack, we are asking parents to donate boxes of Cuties and give them to your child's teacher.

Here is the sign up: Cuties sign up fun run
If you have questions, contact Healthy Lifestyles chair, Maggie Howard.

Water will be provided to the students on the field.

Help Donate Items for STEM Night
STEM Night is coming up (Nov 14) and we need your help to make it a success!  We have so many new experiments for students to try this year!

If you are interested and able, please help us by contributing some supplies for some fun activities.  You can find our wish list here:

https://www.walmart.com/lists/shared/a8318832-a4ac-4c0e-9241-c19e722c2fe5  


You can mail the items to the school (Swift Creek Elementary, 5601 Tryon Road, Raleigh, NC 27606).  Or have your child bring the items to school and we will put them in a bin in the front office. 

We also need volunteers for the evening.  We need at least one adult in each classroom (2 for the slime room) and we welcome middle schoolers and high schoolers who are looking for volunteer hours.

Sign up at 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094EAFAE2CA64-book4

Please let me know if you have any questions and thank-you for help make STEM Night a success!
Ashley Elliott - digsgeology@gmail.com

Upcoming Family Fun Nights!
Take the night off from cooking and help us earn a little money for the Creek!

• Tuesday, Oct 22 5-9pm -- Swift Creek night at Ruckus Pizza in Tryon Village.  Mention Swift Creek or show your flyer (which will be coming home soon) and Swift Creek will receive 20% of your meal!
• Thursday, Dec 5 5-8pm.  -- McTeacher's Night at the McDonalds on Walnut Street.  40% of sales between 5-8pm will go to the Creek!

Cougar Book Club

Do you have a 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader who LOVES to read?  He or she might be interested in the Cougar Book Club.  This activity is after school on the first Wednesday of every month from 4-5.  To participate, your child must either have a ride home at 5 or be a member of the after school program.

Our first meeting is Wed, Oct 2 4-5.  We will be discussing Smells Like Dog.  If you are interested, please contact Marie Dexter or AIG teacher, Suzy Krutsch ASAP.

Buy Your State Fair Tickets Online and Earn Money for Swift Creek
Is your family planning to go to the State Fair this year?  Did you know if you buy your tickets online that $1 will go to Swift Creek.

See Buying Tickets Online for more information.  Our school code is 568.


Mark Your Calendar!

• Monday, Sept 30 - Teacher Work Day
• Wed, Oct 2 
  • Walk to School.  Meet at the back of the Food Lion parking lot at 8:30am and we will walk to school together!  This is always a fun time.
  • National Custodian Appreciation Day!  Ms. Weathersbee, our school custodian, is nothing short of AMAZING!  Let's show her how much we appreciate her this week!
  • District 5 Board Advisory Council meeting: 9:30am at West Lake Middle School.  This meeting is open to all members of our community.  The agenda for this meeting is to discuss student reassignment for the next school year.  If you have questions, contact our school's BAC representative, Marie Dexter.
• Thursday, Oct 3 -- September Fun calendar is due to Ms. Graves
• Friday, Oct 4 -- Fun Run.  See tentative schedule off our PTA website.  A volunteer sign up will go out VERY soon.  Also, help provide snacks.  Cuties sign up fun run
• Tuesday, Oct 8 
  • Rain date for Fun Run.  (No rain please!)
  • 6:30pm PTA meeting and math curriculum night
• Wednesday, Oct 9 -- Teacher Work Day
• Tuesday, Oct 22 5-9pm  -- Swift Creek Night at Ruckus Pizza in Tryon Village.  Mention Swift Creek when you order and 20% of your meal will go to the Creek.
• Thursday, Oct 31 -- REGULAR school day
• Friday, Nov 1 -- Teacher Work Day

Hello everyone!


We made it through the first full, normal week of school, a full moon, and a Friday the 13th!  I hope you've been able to relax this weekend for the busy week ahead!

Hope you have an excellent week!!!
Marie


Positivity Project (P2): Curiosity
This week, in the Positivity Project, our students will learn the first of the 24 character strengths that we all have.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN
You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn
more about anything and everything.

WHY IT MATTERS
Individuals with the character strength of curiosity are more likely to ask questions and try new things. Curiosity then is a form of courage. Asking questions exposes the fact that we don’t know and trying a new activity means we might fail. But, it’s only through asking questions and exploring new opportunities that we learn and grow.

On a group level, curiosity is crucial in making discoveries that bring important benefits. For example, exotic plants may yield new medicines and ancient artifacts may illuminate astonishing pieces of human history.

RESOURCES
Here are some of the materials that the grade levels might use this week in their studies or you can check these out at home.

• Kindergarten -- Curious George books!
• 1st grade -- Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty; Edmund the Emu by Sheena Knowles; The Curious Garden by Peter Brown; Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox
• 2nd grade -- A Dot in the Snow by Corrinee Averiss
• 3rd grade -- If.. By Sarah Perry;  Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty;  The Curious Garden by Peter Brown;
• 4th grade -- www.wonderopolis.org; At the dinner table, play the What If Game.  What if the Earth were flat? What if dogs could talk? Come up with your own questions. 
• 5th grade -- Mystery Science; Ted Ed

Monday: TA Appreciation Day
Did you know that at Swift Creek that we have 9 TA (or as they are now called Instructional Assistants)?  These men and women are EVERYWHERE helping our students succeed.  No matter what the job or what grade level, these folks give their all every day.

Monday is TA Appreciation Day.  Please take a moment to shower them with appreciation.  They work so unbelievably hard.

THANK YOU!

• Mrs. Jordan -- Ms. Lipe Kindergarten
• Ms. Owns -- Mrs. Hanna Kindergarten
• Mr. Steve -- Mrs. Herbert CCK
• Mrs. Hunt -- Mrs. Herbert CCK
• Mrs. Killius -- Mrs. Zardas Kindergarten
• Mrs. Hindi -- Miss Black Kindergarten
• Ms. Allard -- 1 st grade
• Mrs. Morales -- 2nd and 3rd grade
• Mr. Hubbard -- 4 and 5th grade

Fun Run Update
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Fun Run last week.  Our official new total will be announced on Facebook on Monday, but we've raised about $3000 so far. We still have a long way to go, but this is great for the first full week of school!

Every week that your child receives an online donation or turns in a donation he or she will be able to go to the Fun Run wagon on Monday morning!  The kids have so much fun picking out a small prize.

For more information about the Fun Run, contact Annie Pilz at funrun.swiftcreek@gmail.com or check out the PTA website: 
http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/cougar-fun-run.html


Take Your Parent to PE: Sept 23-27
Are you ready to join in your child's PE class with Ms. Graves?  I guarantee that you will have alot of fun and will get your heart rate up a little.

Take Your Parent to PE is next week.   Check with your child's teacher for their PE day and time.

When you arrive at the Creek, you can go straight to the gym to sign in and participate.

If you have questions, please contact Ms. Graves at sgraves@wcpss.net.

WatchDOGs Kickoff: Tuesday, Sept 24 6:30pm
Dads, uncles, grandfathers, father figures, you are an important part of our school community and we would love to see you in our school.

On Tues, Sept 24 at 6:30pm, you and your Swifty are invited to a pizza party. Our lead Dad, Sam Allen, will be kicking off this year's Watch DOG program.

You won't want to miss it.  To RSVP, email Sam at sfallenprc@gmail.com.

Reflections Kickoff Is Next Week!
Reflections is a PTA-sponsored national arts program.  3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students are invited to create a project in visual arts, photography, dance, music composition, literature, or film.

Reflections Kick Off will happen the week of September 23. The goal will be to reveal the theme and build excitement for the students during that week. Be on the lookout for displays, a video announcement, and participation forms that week. Students will have the month of October to work on their entries with an entry deadline of 11:59 p.m. November 8th.

Please contact Carrie Fernandez if you have questions or wish to help out with this wonderful program.
cfernandez@wcpss.net

Minutes from Sept PTA Meeting
Wow! What an awesome turnout we had at the first PTA meeting of the year.  We had a great discussion and passed this year's budget.

For more information and to see a copy of the budget, see http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/uploads/2/4/2/2/24227387/sept102019.pdf

Sign Up to Help with the Snack Cart
Hi Amazing Parents -

Below is a Signup to collect individual snacks, drinks or anything else that you can think of that you would think the teachers and staff would enjoy.  We will be putting these items onto a cart and will be pushing the cart up and down the halls on Friday, September 27th.  I would love to do this “Snack on Wheels Cart” every month, if possible.  I tried to explain it in the description of the signup but if we have any items left over, I will save them for the next month.  Please let me know if you would be interested in helping push the cart one Friday afternoon.  

You are more than welcome to drop off anything you get off at my house (3908 Headwater Court, Raleigh 27606) or I would be more than happy to pick it up from you anytime.

Call or Text (314)495-1027

Sarah Wohldmann


https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A4FACA92AAB9-snacks


Like Us on FaceBook
The best way to stay in the loop about what is happening day-to-day at the Creek is to follow us on FaceBook.  Join us today! 
https://www.facebook.com/swiftcreekespta

Mark Your Calendar:

• Sept 23 - 27: Take Your Parent to PE; Reflections kickoff for 3-5 grades
• Tuesday, Sept 24 6:30pm -- Watch DOGS kickoff.  Join us for pizza and learn more about this awesome program.  RSVP to Sam Allen at sfallenprc@gmail.com.
• Thursday, Sept 26 6:00pm -- Reading is Fundamental workshop.  If you have questions, contact Carey Burkhalter, our ESL teacher, at cburkhalter@wcpss.net.
• Monday, Sept 30 Teacher Work Day. No school.
• Tuesday, Oct 2 -- Walk to School day! Meet us at the back of the Food Lion parking lot and we will walk to school together!  More information from Ms. Graves is coming home soon.
• Friday, Oct 4 -- Fun Run!
• Tues, Oct 8 -- PTA meeting and Math curriculum night
• Wed, Oct 9 -- Teacher Work Day
• Fri, Oct 11 -- Deadline for Fun Run donations
• NEW: Tues, Oct 22 5-9pm -- Swift Creek Night at Ruckus Pizza in Tryon Village.  20% of your sale will go to the Creek when you mention Swift Creek to your server or show your flyer (which is coming home soon!).  More details to come! ​

Hello everyone!


Well, I think it is fair to say that last week was unexpected.  We hope everyone is well!  Please note the make up days for Thursday and Friday are Nov 1 and Dec 20.

Here's to a normal week, so we can all get back into a normal routine!

Have a wonderful week!
Marie Dexter


The Positivity Project (P2): Other People Matter
This week, Swift Creek kicks off its third year of participating in the Positivity Project.  This movement has been amazing for our community.

The mission of the Positivity Project is to empower America's youth to build positive relationships and become their best selves.  Research shows that between the early 1980s and late 2000s, narcissism in college freshmen increased by 30% and empathy decreased by 40%.

The Positivity Project focuses on the idea that positive relationships are the cornerstone of health, happiness, and resilience . . . and jobs of the future.  Their motto is Other People Matter.

Throughout the year, Swifties will be learning about 24 character strengths.  Everyone has these strengths. Some strengths are stronger than others.  It is important to recognize the strenghts in yourself and in others.

For more information about the Positivity Project, see https://posproject.org/
Also check out the letter for parents that will be coming home in this week's Tuesday folders.

It's Arts in Education Week!
A big thank you to Ms. Sutton (music teacher) and Mrs. McIntyre (art) for all they do to bring music and art to our students!  For more information about this celebration, see https://artsnc.org/get-ready-for-national-arts-in-education-week/


Tuesday: Very Important PTA Meeting 6:30pm
The math curriculum night that was originally scheduled for this Tuesday has been moved to October 8.

However, we still have a VERY important PTA meeting at the Creek on Tuesday.  We will be reviewing and voting on the PTA budget for this school year.  The PTA pays for activities such as:

• the Positivity Project (which has done so much for our school community!)
• cultural arts performances
• staff appreciation and assistance
• family engagement events
• school clubs, such as the Cougar Chorus, Drama, Science Fair, Safety Patrol

If you have questions about the budget, contact PTA President Tara Batemon at tmbatemon@yahoo.com.

We will have board games and coloring sheets available for the kids, if you need to bring all your favorite Swifty.  See you there!

Wednesday:  Cougar Counter Opens 8:45-9:10
This year, the Cougar Counter will be open on Wednesdays from 8:45-9:10 in the front hall.  The counter is available to 1-5 graders.  Most items range from 0.25 to 0.50 cents.  Items range from fun smelly erasers, highlighters, pencils, and pens.  It is a fun way to teach kids about the value of money and the kids really enjoy it!

If you have questions about the Cougar Counter, contact Helen Bass at helenbass@gmail.com.

Fun Run Update: We've Raised $290 So Far!
The Fun Run is our annual PTA fundraiser.  This is a no selling event.  Students get donations and then on Oct 4 we celebrate as each grade runs around the track for 20 minutes.

Our fundraising goal this year is $18,000.  So far we've raised $290!  According to our online donation site, we've received donations from 4 different states to far!  Thanks to everyone who is sharing Fun Run information with their families!

For more information about the Fun Run, contact Fun Run chair, Annie Pilz at funrun.swiftcreek@gmail.com, or see the PTA website at http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/cougar-fun-run.html.

Sign Up to Help with the Snack Cart
Hi Amazing Parents -

Below is a Signup to collect individual snacks, drinks or anything else that you can think of that you would think the teachers and staff would enjoy.  We will be putting these items onto a cart and will be pushing the cart up and down the halls on Friday, September 27th.  I would love to do this “Snack on Wheels Cart” every month, if possible.  I tried to explain it in the description of the signup but if we have any items left over, I will save them for the next month.  Please let me know if you would be interested in helping push the cart one Friday afternoon.  

You are more than welcome to drop off anything you get off at my house (3908 Headwater Court, Raleigh 27606) or I would be more than happy to pick it up from you anytime.

Thank you again for helping with the Teachers Breakfast last month, it turned out amazing!!!

Call or Text (314)495-1027


https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A4FACA92AAB9-snacks

Rescheduled: Reading is Fundamental Sept 26 6:00pm
Because of hurricane Dorian, we had to cancel the Reading is Fundamental workshop last Thursday night.

This event has been rescheduled for Thurs, Sept 26 from 6:00-7:30pm.  We hope you can attend.  If you have questions, contact Carey Burkhalter, our ESL teacher, at cburkhalter@wcpss.net.


Dads, be a Watch DOG! We Want YOU at School!


Dads, uncles, grandparents, brothers . . . we want YOU at the Creek! Join us Tuesday, Sept 24 at 6:30 to learn about the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program and sign up for a day to be at the Creek! Your child will be so excited to have you at school for the day!

If you have questions, contact our head dog, Sam Allen, at sfallenprc@gmail.com.




Mark You Calendars

• Monday, Sept 9 -- Kickoff for Positivity Project.  More details coming home soon.
• Tuesday, Sept 10 6:30pm -- PTA meeting
• Wednesday, Sept 11 8:45am -- Cougar Counter  Opens
• Tuesday, Sept 24 6:30 -- Watch DOGS Kickoff meeting in the media center
• Thursday, Sept 26 6:00pm -- Reading is Fundamental
• Friday, Oct 4 -- Fun Run.  Be on the lookout for  volunteer information soon!

Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone!  We hope your first week of school went well!  Get plenty of rest this weekend because next week is going to be BUSY!  But so much fun!


Have a wonderful week!
Marie Dexter


Monday: Labor Day. No School!
No school on Monday as we observe the Labor Day holiday!  See you at the Creek on Tuesday!


Tuesday: School for EVERYONE; Keys to Kindergarten 9:15 in media center
On Tuesday, all students (including kindergartners) should be in their classrooms by the 9:15 bell.  We hope all our kindergartners have a great official first day.

Parents and guardians of kindergartners, join Mrs. Chadwick, our school counselor), in the media center at 9:15-9:55am for a presentation and discussion about the Keys to Kindergarten. Not only will you get some great information but you'll have an opportunity to meet other kindergarten parents.

If you cannot attend, the presentation will be posted on the school's website or you can contact Mrs. Chadwick at cchadwick@wcpss.net


Tuesday / Wednesday:  Check Your Child's Tuesday Folders
Because we don't have school on Monday, Tuesday folders will probably come home on Wednesday this week.  There is a lot of important information coming home!  For example:

• the Sept 3 edition of the Swift Creek Current, our school newsletter.
• Fun Run packet. For more information about the Fun Run, check out our PTA website or contact Annie Pilz at funrun.swiftcreek@gmail.com.
• PTA membership form. For questions about membership, contact Ashley Camerino, our Membership chair.

Be sure to check it out!

Thursday: Reading is Fundamental presented by Family Academy 6:00-7:30pm in Media Center
Reading is fundamental to function today and in developing a good self-image. One of the most effective approaches to help their child develop literacy skills is having a home environment that encourages reading in daily life. The parents will learn how to support the development of their child's literacy at home. 


If you have questions or have not RSVPed, please contact Carey Burkhalter, our ESL teacher, as soon as possible.

Friday: Grubs with Grands  -- Join us for Lunch!

We LOVE having our families at the Creek.  This Friday, we are having a special lunch date with our Swifty's favorite senior.  We'd love for our grandparents to come join their student and friends for lunch.

Here is the lunch schedule:

• 11:20-11:50 Kindergarten
• 11:40-12:10 1st grade
• 12:00-12:30 2nd grade
• 12:20-12:50 3rd grade
• 1:00-1:30 4th grade
• 12:40-1:10 5th grade

And of course family members are always welcome to join their student for lunch when you can!

We Want YOU at the Creek!
There are many opportunities throughout the year to volunteer inside and outside the classroom at the Creek.

We will need lots of volunteers for upcoming events, such as the Fun Run, Book Fair, and STEM Night.

To volunteer with the PTA, complete this interest form: https://tinyurl.com/scesPTA1920 or contact Delores Ragsdale, Volunteer Coordinator, at dmragsdale@yahoo.com.  


Note: For many school volunteer activities, you must be a registered volunteer with Wake County Public Schools.  You must complete this online application at the school.  Go in today and fill it out!

Mark Your Calendar!
So much excitement still to come this month!

• Tues, Sept 10 6:30pm: PTA meeting and Math Curriculum night.

• Wed, Sept 11 8:45-9:10am: The Cougar Counter opens!  The Cougar Counter is our school store and is open in the front lobby usually one day a week. (This year, it will be open on Wednesdays.)  We sell pencils, fun erasers, highlighters, etc.  Most items range between 25 cents and $1.  The counter is open to 1-5 graders and they enjoy stopping by.  If you have questions about the Cougar Counter, contact Helen Bass.

• Sept 23-27:  Take Your Parent to PE Week.  Ms. Graves invites all  families to come join their Swifty during PE class.  More information will be coming home soon, but check out the flyer, which will go home with the newsletter on Tuesday.

• Tues, Sept 24 6:30pm: Kickoff meeting for Watch DOGS program.  Dad, uncles, grandfathers, brothers, cousins, come spend the day with us the Creek.  Your favorite Swifty will be so proud.  RSVP to Sam Allen at sfallenprc@gmail.com.

• Mon, Sept 30: Teacher Work Day!

• Fri, Oct 4: Fun Run.  Rain Date is Tues, October 8.