- Hanukkah begins tonight and last through Dec 26.
- Christmas Day is Dec 25.
- Kwanzaa is Dec 26 - Jan 1.
This will be the last newsletter for 2022. The next newsletter will be Jan 1, 2023.
As we close out on another calendar year, I reflect on how fortunate my family is to be part of such a loving community. Every one of you is part of that. We are grateful for all you give to our Swift Creek community.
If you have any questions or concerns or simply want to say "Good job", feel free to reach out to any board member.
President, Marie Dexter, [email protected]
Vice President 1, Sarah Wohldmann, [email protected]
Vice President 2, Jessi Andricks, [email protected]
Treasurer, Rebecca Simpson, [email protected]
Secretary, Tina Chadwick, [email protected]
Highlights This Week
- Wednesday, Dec 21 -- Early Release. Students are dismissed at 1:45pm
- Dec 22 - Jan 2 -- Winter Break. No School for students and staff.
The Positivity Project: Make Up/Wild Card
Minutes from Dec Pta Meeting
Here are the full minutes to the meeting, taken by our secretary Tina Chadwick.
Highlights to the meeting include:
- a terrific presentation from 4th grade where we learned about their week with writer-in-residence Michael Beadle. They had some video clips showing the fun the kids had with Mr. Beadle.
- updates from various PTA committees, including the kick off of the Science Fair
- In his Principal's report, Mr. Propst mentioned that the dates for our move to the temporary space for next school year has shifted to January 2024. The delay is due to the issues with Cary annexing the land where the school currently sits.
Weekly Wellness
I recently came across this AMAZING article from Experience Life Magazine on ways to limit cell phone use. Many of our students do not have a phone but the biggest take away from this article is that children learn from our habits.
“81% of Americans own smartphones, and adults spend almost four hours a day looking at them.” “According to a report by Common Sense Media, tweens spend just under five hours a day on their screens, and teens average just under seven and a half hours.”
Our increased screen time is also affecting our posture and mental health. We lead by example and if we are always on our phones, looking down, scrolling or not giving full attention to others when they are speaking, children will learn that same behavior.
The article has 18 WAYS we can break cell phone habits – Please take a moment to review!
One of the ways includes tracking your screen time. Did you know Facebook, Instagram and other APPs have settings where it can help you limit your usage? Give it a try! The APP will remind you upon opening that it’s in QUIET MODE! Other ways include taking phone breaks, getting in the habit of keeping phones out of bedrooms and charging them in one central location and taking more movement breaks such as outdoor walks.
We can be the change! We can modify our own cellphone habits and our children our kids will in turn learn from these new healthy habits.
Science Fair: REgistration due Jan 10
Looking for something to do over the Holiday break? Why not help your 3-5 grader with a science and engineering fair project! Details for the Science and Engineering Fair, including online registration, can be found on our PTA website:
http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/science-fair.html
Important dates for the Science Fair:
- January 10, 2023: Deadline for Registration. Register online
- January 17, 2023: Science and Engineering Fair Projects due at Swift Creek Elementary before the first bell for judging. Award ceremony to be held during STEM night.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094CA8AF22A7FA7-judging
Questions can be directed to the Science Fair chair, Ashley Elliott, at [email protected]
Yearbook Cover Contest: Due Feb 17
Mark Your Calendars
- Wednesday, Dec 21: Early Release Day. School dismisses at 1:45.
- Thursday, Dec 22 - Monday, Jan 2: Winter Break.
- Tuesday, Jan 10
- Deadline to register for the Science Fair
- 6:30: PTA meeting
- Monday, Jan 18: Martin Luther King Jr Holiday. No School for students or staff.
- Tuesday, Jan 17
- 9:10am Science Fair projects are due
- 5:30-7:30: STEAM Night
- Friday, Jan 17: Teacher Work Day
- Monday, Feb 20: Presidents' Day. No school for staff or students.
This WEek in Pictures
Interested in joining us? Contact our Top Dog, Tim Sutton, at [email protected] for more information!
A very special THANK YOU to all the volunteers who attended and made sure the party ran smoothly.