We've made it!  It is the last week before the winter break.  I am sure the children (and the teachers) are bouncing with excitement.

Whatever you do this Winter break, I hope it is full of family, friends, and love.  Look forward to seeing everyone back at the Creek on Jan 2.

Thanks for all you do!
Marie Dexter

The Positivity Project: Self-Control Week 2
This week, the kids will continue learning about self-control. What a relevant topic for this type of year, especially with so many yummy treats around.

Update on K-3 Class Size Mandate
At the Dec PTA meeting, the PTA shared more information and resources to help parents get informed about the planned unfunded K-3 class size mandate for the 2018-19 school year.  

The next session of the North Carolina General Assembly will start Jan 10.  There is a possibility that the legislators will address the mandate in that session.  More voices can make this possibility to a reality.

For more information about how you can get involved and the position statement from the Swift Creek PTA, see http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/uploads/2/4/2/2/24227387/ptapositionstatement.pdf

A helpful resource is the webinar from Public Schools First NC and the NC PTA. It is available at http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/.

Show Your Holiday Spirit This Week!
Join in on the fun by participating in holiday spirit week at school from 12/18 - 12/21. This is a great way to get ready for holiday break!

• Monday: PJ Day -- Wear your best pajamas. Holiday pajamas if you have them.
• Tuesday: Beanie Day -- Wear your toboggan/beanie
• Wednesday: Sock Day - Wear your most festive holiday socks
• Thursday: Sweater Day - Wear an ugly holiday sweater or your festive holiday wear!

Tuesday: Winter Glow Dance Party
To help get some of the pre-winter break excitement and wiggles out, the PBIS (Positive Behavior Instructional Support) committee is hosting a winter glow dance party for each grade level. Students must earn 16 (blue) Winter Glow party tickets to attend.  At the time for their grade level, the kids will be in the media center for some dance party fun!

Thursday: Early Release 1:15pm
The Winter Break officially begins at 1:15.  Make sure your students know how to get home on this day.

Can you help provide goodies for the Early Release luncheon?  A few spots are still available. See http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d45abad2ca6f94-december



Friday - Jan 1:
No school!  Be safe and have fun!  

Great Time to Do Your Science Fair Project!

If you are 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader, the winter break is a great time to work on your science fair project.  Entry forms are due Jan 12 and the projects are due Jan 18.  See http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/science-fair.html

We also need volunteers and judges for the Science Fair.  Please sign up at http://tinyurl.com/sces-science

Kindergarten Registration Begins Thursday, Jan 4, 2018 7:30am - 2:00pm
Know families of incoming kindergartners?  Registration begins in January.  You need these items to register: certified birth certificate, parent ID, immunizations, current electric/water bill, new signed lease/purchase agreement.

If parents are interested in a tour of the school with the principal, call 919-233-430 to schedule and appointment.

Mark Your Calendars!

• Jan 2 -- Back to school! Be in your seats by 9:15am.
• Jan 4 - Kindergarten registration starts
• Jan 9 6:30pm -- PTA meeting (tentative. Might be rescheduled to a later date.)
• Jan 12: Entry forms due for Science Fair.
• Jan 15 -- No school in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr holiday
• Jan 18: Science Fair for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.  All projects due in the cafeteria by 9:10am.

For Parents of WCPSS bus riders:
The Here Comes the Bus app did not display student stops this morning and will not be available this afternoon. App provider Synovia is working to resolve the issue and has indicated service will be restored for Tuesday.
A los Padres de los pasajeros de autobús de WCPSS:
...
La aplicación Aquí Viene el Autobús (Here Comes the Bus) no mostró las paradas de los estudiantes esta mañana y no estará disponible esta tarde. El proveedor de aplicaciones Synovia está trabajando para resolver el problema y ha indicado que se restablecerá el servicio para el martes.

Hope everyone enjoyed the surprise snow yesterday!  I just wish it had stayed around a little longer.  I hope you have a great week!

Marie Dexter
PTA President

The Positivity Project: Self-Control


For the next two weeks, the kids will be learning about the character strength of self-control.  With all the yummy goodies around this time of year, I could use some self-control reminders myself.

DEFINITION

You have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors.  You think before you act. Self-control is the act of managing behavior in a way that positively influences goal attainment and living up to standards.

WHY IT MATTERS
For individuals, self-control helps them delay the short-term gain in the pursuit of a greater, long-term success.

A group's ability to demonstrate self-control often appears in the form of "self-monitoring". This means individuals demonstrate honesty with one another about successful group practices.  It's a crucial strength in our modern society and its mentality of impulsivity and consumption.

Original Works Orders Are Here!
Did you order something through the Original Works program?  The orders have arrived.  If you do NOT want your items sent home with your child, contact Natasha Kirby nykirby@yahoo.com ASAP.  She will arrange to have your items available for pick up in the front office.

Tuesday: Dec 12 Edition of Swift Creek Current
In Tuesday folders, you will find the December edition of the Swift Creek Current.  Or take a sneak peak at 
http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/uploads/2/4/2/2/24227387/dec122017_english.pdf.

Tuesday: PTA meeting and Cougar Chorus Concert
Join us at 6:30pm in the gym for a brief PTA meeting followed by "The Sounds of the Season" concert from our Cougar Chorus.

At the PTA meeting, we will discuss what you can do for the K-3 class size mandate proposed by the NC legislator.  There will also be information about new Wellness opportunities in the spring and our plans for our surplus funds.

Friday: College Spirit Day!
Show your school spirit by sporting your favorite college gear!  I personally hope there is a lot of Wolfpack red in the house. :-)

Deadline is Friday:  Before/After School Care Service Drive
This year we will be collecting items to keep the elderly warm. These items include soft plushy gloves for indoor use, socks or slippers with a grip bottom, lap/throw
blanket, hats, scarves, puzzle/word search books (large print), and etc. We will be collecting these items for residents at the North Pointe Assisted Living in Garner, NC and Brian Nursing Home Center in Raleigh, NC. 

Please turn in all items to Before or After School Care by December 15.

Is Your Child Interested in Participating in the Science Fair?
Registration forms and project ideas are available from http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/science-fair.html

Mark Your Calendars!

• Dec 12 6:30pm: PTA Meeting and Chorus Concert in the media center
• Dec 15: College Spirit Day!  Wear your favorite school's colors!
• Dec 19: Winter Glow Dance party!  Between Thanksgiving and the Winter break is an antsy time of year.  To reward students for ROARing, each child who earns 16 coupons will be able to attend the Winter Glow Dance party and get some of those pre-holiday wiggles out.  This dance party is brought to you by PBIS (Positive Behavior Instructional Support) committee.  If you have questions, contact Mrs. Chadwick at cchadwick@wcpss.net.
• Dec 21 1:15: Early Release.
• Dec 22 - Jan 1: Winter Break