Well mother nature made sure that we got our asynchronous day last week after all. And today there is a chance of more winter weather. Hope you and your family get to stay warm inside today. If you are looking for something fun to do today, celebrate Backwards Day!
Remember to check out Mr. Propst's message from Friday.
Did your child's class celebrate the 100th day of school? If so, we want your pictures for the yearbook. Send them to Sarah Wohldmann at [email protected].
Have a wonderful week!
Marie, Deb, Sarah, Dana, and Lauren
Highlights for this Week
- DUE TODAY (Sunday)! Complete Wake County Schools Survey.
Start the survey now. >
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- School Counselor Week!
- Monday, Feb 1:
- Beginning of Black History Month.
- World Hajib Day. The panelists and moderators come from a diverse backgrounds including 2021 Forbes 30 under 30 Honoree, authors, doctor, lawyer, athletes, award-winning activists, etc. Facebook event : https://fb.me/e/daBkOfZPL
- Wednesday, Feb 3: Asynchronous Day. No Live meets today. Check with your teacher for the day's assignments.
Positivity Project
This week in the Positivity Project, students will learn about the character strength: Integrity
What It Means
You are honest and speak the truth. You present yourself genuinely and sincerely.
Why It Matters
Integrity is vital to individual growth. It is correlated with a multitude of psychological well-being measures. Harmony in your feelings, thoughts, and actions makes you better able to personally grow and achieve goals. Authenticity, and a lack of pretense, also makes you more likable and
trusted by others, meaning your relationships will benefit.
On a group level, integrity is a cornerstone of high- functioning and sustainable teams, organizations, and societies.
For family resources, see the P2 website. The password is P2.
School Counselor Week
This week is School Counselor week. Thank you to our amazing school counselor, Mrs. Chadwick, who has always been there for our students but this year, she has been there more than ever. I don't know how many families have said "I just needed to talk to Mrs. Chadwick to help my child."
Thank you, Mrs. Chadwick, for keeping us strong and our children roaring during this challenging time. You can send a note to her at [email protected].
February is Black History Month.
During the month of February, we will be kicking off a Black History Trivia Contest on the morning announcements. Mr. Propst will give students a clue each day Monday through Friday about a very important person. Each week, the set of clues will focus on a different person.
At the end of February, your child (with your help) can enter the contest by emailing [email protected] with their guesses of the names of the four people. On the announcements during the first week of March, we will draw one winner from each grade level who will receive a prize from Swifty!
We will be keeping track of the clues (if we can) on the PTA page.
In addition, at lunchtime every day, the PTA will celebrate on Black History hero on FaceBook. From sports heroes to artists to doctors to judges . . . .Hopefully, you will learn about a new amazing person this month.
Programs at Wake County Public Libraries
Wake County Public Libraries is also having a month-long celebration called: Lift Every Voice: A Nationwide Celebration of African American poetry. There are many virtual programs available.
Kids and families will enjoy a 6 p.m, Feb. 11, session with children's book author Kelly Starling Lyons, who wrote "Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations" about the Black National Anthem. There's also an evening of storytelling with artist and songwriter Willa Brigham at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 17.
Reflections DEI Call for Artwork: Due March 1
National PTA is inviting Reflections artists of color and their allies to share artwork that expresses and affirms their beliefs and identities--as well as the importance of Black lives. Select works will be used to help us celebrate diversity. Please submit artwork by March 1. For more information about how to submit artwork, see the National PTA website.
5th Grade Dedications for the Yearbook
Thank you to everyone who has submitted your dedications!
Spaces for dedications are still available! Parents, grandparents, sisters, family friends are welcome to submit dedications for your 5th grader. Place your dedication now through our MemberHub store.
- Text only dedications cost $7.
- Text and picture dedications cost $10.
If you have questions, contact Yearbook Chair, Sarah Wohldmann, at [email protected].
Congratulations to Yearbook Cover Winners
Thank you to everyone who entered and voted in our yearbook cover contest.
Our first place winner is Grace D. Her picture will be the cover of this year's book!
Our 4 runner ups will have their pictures on the back cover of the yearbook.: Ava D., Hailey W., Guiliana S, Shannon F.
To view this year's winners, see Yearbook
Dates for Class Pictures
Here are the dates for spring pictures.
- March 11 for Virtual Academy students. A sign up with time slots will be sent out soon.
- March 16 for Plan B/in-person students.
DATE CHANGE! Submitting a Yearbook Picture for Your Child
Because class pictures are being taken so late in the yearbook, we will have very limited time to put class pictures in the yearbook.
If your child will NOT be able to make pictures at the school, you can submit your child's picture.
Please use these guidelines.
- White/Light Colored background
- Plain Background
- Take the picture 4 feet away.
- from waist up
Email the photo to [email protected] and/or [email protected] by April 18 with the Students name, Grade and Teacher.
We NEED Your Pictures!
As you can imagine, this year is challenging in gathering yearbook pictures. We need your help to make our yearbook a success!
All pictures are welcome:
- show your Swifty in their school gear
- did you participate in holiday spirit week in Dec?
- Share your picture from your virtual Fun Run
- Share your pictures of a school project
- Do you have a picture of your Swifty doing school work, art, PE, or recess?
We want them all! Send them to [email protected] or contact Yearbook Chair, Sarah Wohldmann, at [email protected].
We Need Your Help
Celebrating Our Teachers and Staff!
If you are interested in helping decorate the school grounds once a month, new dates have been added for the second semester.
- DATE CHANGE Monday, Feb 15 3:00 -- Our Staff Is All Heart!
- Sunday, March 14 3:00 -- We're Lucky to Have You!
- Sunday, April 11 3:00 -- You are the Spring In Our Step!
Sign Up NOW!
Note: Dates are subject to change based on weather.
We Need You in the PTA!
The Nominating committee is looking for members to help identify officers and committee chairs for next year.
We are also looking for committee chairs in these areas for next year:
- Advocacy
- Reflections
Please contact Nominating committee chair, Sarah Lewis at [email protected].
International Night: March 25
On March 25, we will have our annual International Night. Our Swift Creek community is very diverse. Our families come from all around the world and have a variety of family traditions!
Even though we cannot hold this event in person this year, we still want to celebrate our community!
All you need to do to participate is record a FlipGrid video.
- showing your favorite meal
- walk us through a craft
- sharing a story
- teach us a dance or a game
- teach us some words in your native language, such as Hello, Good-bye, How are you?
If you have questions, contact Marie Dexter at [email protected].
Sign Up at https://tinyurl.com/scesInternational2021
Mark Your Calendars
- Tuesday, Feb 9 6:30pm: PTA meeting
- Thursday, Feb 11:
- Cultural Arts performance for the entire school. Our last cultural arts performance will be about origami from Yasu Ishida. During materials distribution, your child will be receiving 10 squares of origami paper so he or she can participate in the performance.
- 1-8pm: Spirit Night at Papa Murphy's Take and Bake Pizza! Did you enjoy your spirit night in October? We are having a spirit night with Papa Murphy's Take and Bake Pizza on Cary Parkway for Valentine's Day! Pick up a heart shaped pizza and help earn money for the Creek!
- Monday, Feb 15 and Tuesday, Feb 16: Calendar Out Day and Teacher Work Day
- Wednesday, Feb 24: Asynchronous Day
Wake County Public Schools
DUE TODAY! WCPSS Survey
As we move into second semester, we want to learn more about students' and families' experiences this year. Please take a few moments to complete our anonymous survey. Your feedback is essential as we work to improve teaching and learning for all students. The survey will close on Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. If you had more than one child enrolled in WCPSS this past semester, you may complete this survey separately for each child.
Start the survey now. >
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Important: Complete a Meal Benefits Application by Feb. 26, 2021
ALL Parents, please consider applying for meal benefits by Feb 26.
- For every student that turns in the free and reduced lunch application and qualifies, the school receives federal funds that benefit the student and teachers at the school. These funds provide additional teachers and staff for the school which means more services for students, especially students that are struggling in reading or math. These funds also are used for materials and supplies for students and teachers. These are valuable resources that teachers can use to improve student achievement.
- Another important reason to apply is the direct benefit of receiving additional stimulus funds for families in the coming months. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will begin collecting free and reduced lunch data from us to determine the families that will receive Pandemic Electronic Benefits (P-EBT) that will be issued in the coming months. The P-EBT program helps families purchase food for children whose access to free and reduced priced meals at school has been impacted by COVID-19. If you do not apply and qualify for meal benefits, you will miss the opportunity to receive direct P-EBT funds for your family.
Information about applying for Meal Benefits for the 2020-21 school year can be found at www.wcpss.net/Page/1849. Help our school continue to receive this funding by completing an application online at MySchoolApps.com. Paper applications can be requested by calling 919-588-3535 or 919-856-2920.
National PTA
One of the goals for the National PTA for 2021 is to be more inclusive and celebrate all the families in our communities. The more we learn about one another, the more understanding and inclusive we can be. So throughout the year, we will be highlighting multicultural events and celebrations.
World Hijab Day, Feb 1, 2021
#EndHijabophobia—Please attend the World Hijab Day 2021 virtual conference next Monday, February 1st, 2021 starting at 8 am-9:15 pm EST on Facebook & YouTube LIVE @WorldHijabDay. Free to all! No registration required.
The panelists and moderators come from a diverse backgrounds including 2021 Forbes 30 under 30 Honoree, authors, doctor, lawyer, athletes, award-winning activists, etc. Mark down your calendar and inform your family and friends!! This is going to be an epic event, inshaAllah!!
Join #WorldHijabDay 2021 conference Facebook event : https://fb.me/e/daBkOfZPL
Wake Up and Read: Annual Book Drive Jan 23 - February 28
Do you have books that your child has outgrown? The 8th annual Wake Up and Read book drive is underway.
There are several ways that you can help:
- Shop the Wake Up and Read Wish List or donate money.
- Donate gently, used books, especially books for boys! Contact Marie Dexter at [email protected] if you have donations.
- Volunteer. Volunteer opportunities will be announced beginning in Feb. If you want to go as a group, contact Marie Dexter, [email protected]. Swift Creek has volunteered as a group a couple of times. Students are welcome to help!
NC Legislative Agenda: 2021
Did you miss our conversation with Representative Julie von Haefen & Senator Wiley Nickel about the new legislative session including the new two-year budget process, public education funding and priorities, challenges with Leandro implementation, and more? Tune in here.
Free Dental Care for Kids
Saturday, February 20, 2021 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.After Terrific Teeth Day, put learning into action with a visit to the dentist. The American Dental Association is offering free treatments for children ages 4-16: x-rays, exams, cleanings, sealants, fillings, and more. Appointments required. Call (919) 390-6497.