Check your child's Tuesday folder this week for many upcoming events and RSVPs.
Also, the PTA meeting has been moved to Thursday night at 6:00 (right before the awards ceremony for the Science Fair at 6:30). Our agenda will be brief.
Have a great week!
Marie
The Positivity Project (P2): Perseverance
This week, we get back into the Positivity Project routine and study the character strength of Perseverance (my own #1 character strength. Never give up! :0)
What Does Perseverance Mean?
You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.
What Does It Matter?
For individuals, persistence can be directly connected to an individual's ability to be successful throughout their life.
On a group level, perseverance can be contagious! A single group member's ability or willingness to persevere can have a substantial impact on those working with him/her and the team. Groups that show high levels of perseverance are able to achieve goals they may not have believed possible.
Positivity Project Thoughts
I want to share this little side story about the success we are seeing at the school with the Positivity Project.
At the Winter Glow dance, students had the option of creating cards for troop members who couldn't be home for Christmas. With the ever popular DJ Burkhalter running the dance, we didn't expect many students to be interested in making cards.
Boy, were we wrong! The students flooded the card making tables, and we ended up with two buckets of cards. In fact, we had so many cards that we were able to send them to two different groups. The students are really understanding that Other People Matter!
http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/winter-glow.html
And one more note . . . Did your child come home talking about getting his or her hand painted on Friday? We created an Other People Matter mural in the west stairwell (the stairwell between 2nd and 3rd grade). Every staff member and every student is being asked to add this hand print to this mural. Then whenever we walk through the stairwell, we are reminded that EVERYONE at Swift Creek matters.
http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/p2-at-swift-creek.html
Monday, Jan 7: Kindergarten Registration Opens
Well technically registration started Oct 15 now that the county has an online system. But Jan 7 is the big kickoff for incoming kindergartners. You can register your child at school from 10-2. For information about the documents required, see the school website. https://www.wcpss.net/swiftcreekes
Tell your friends how wonderful our school is. Have them call the office to schedule a tour with Mr. Propst or Mrs. Smith.
Tuesday, Jan 8: Science Fair forms are due
If your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader is planning to participate in the Science Fair, registration forms are due TUESDAY.
For the registration form and project ideas, see the PTA website: http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/science-fair.html
There is NO PTA meeting on TUESDAY night. It has been moved to Thursday.
Thursday, Jan 10:
- Deadline for Girls on the Run registration -- This program is open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. The deadline for registering is THURSDAY. You can register at http://www.gotrtraingle.org.
For more information about the program, see the flyer or contact Ms. Miller [email protected] if you have questions.
- PTA Meeting at 6:00 in the media center -- Our meeting will be brief. Here is the agenda:
- Update from PTA on upcoming events -- Showing of Resilience (Jan 31), Swift Creek night at City Barbeque (Jan 23), Father / Daughter Dance (Feb 22)
- Presentation from Mr. Propst about what being a Title 1 school means. Swift Creek is identified a Title 1 school because 43% of students qualify for free or reduced lunches. This number is determined by the county in March for the next school year.
- Science Fair! -- This program is sponsored by the PTA and is open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.
- Students must turn in their projects before the 9:15 bell. Projects should be brought directly to the cafeteria.
- The awards and recognition ceremony will begin at 6:30pm. Everyone is encouraged to come support our winners and be WOW'ed by science!
- For the registration form and project ideas, see the PTA website: http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/science-fair.html
Friday, Jan 11: Are You Interested in Helping with International Night?
The first planning meeting for International Night (March 21) will be Friday at 8:00am in the office conference room. If you cannot attend but are interested in helping (we are looking for families to share their heritage with us), simply reply to this email.
Our December Super Snippers are . . . Mr. Krauter's 2nd grade class!
They raised $6.50 for the school! Mr. Krauter and his class will receive a small prize on Monday.
The next Box top collection date is Jan 31. Remember we also collect Coke Bottle Tops!
You can see your class standings at http://swiftcreekeswcpssnetptahtml.weebly.com/painless-fundraisers.html
Our January Spirit Winner is . . . Mrs. Fallon's 4th Grade Class!
Wow! Mrs. Fallon's class had 70% participation this month! That is fantastic. And we had many classes this time with participation over 50%. I think this might have been our best month yet.
The next spirit day is Friday, Feb 1.
Reminders:
Registration Period for Magnet or Year Round School Is Now Through Jan 30
The WCPSS registration period for applying to a magnet school (or year round school) is through Jan 30. For more information, see the Wake County Web site.
Advocacy Update: A Showing of Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope, Thursday, Jan 31 6-7pm
As the new documentary Resilience reveals, toxic stress can trigger hormones that wreak havoc on the brains and bodies of children, putting them at greater risk of disease, homelessness, prison time, and early death. While the broader impacts of poverty worsen the risk, all children can be negatively impacted.
Resilience, however, also chronicles the dawn of a movement that is determined to fight back. Trailblazers in pediatrics, education, and social welfare are using cutting edge science and field- tested therapies to protect children from the effects
of toxic stress - and the legacy of a childhood no one would choose .
I have heard from many, many people how powerful this documentary is and that everyone should watch it. We have a rare opportunity to show this at our school. Everyone in our community (not just current Swift Creek families) are welcome to view this film. The film runs for 45 minutes and then there will be a brief discussion led by Public Schools First.
This film is for adult viewing only. Childcare WILL be provided! If you plan to attend, please RSVP ASAP.
Need Help with the Father / Daughter Dance
The Father / Daughter Dance will be Friday, Feb 22. Look for RSVPs in the next Tuesday folder.
Can you help make this night a success? We are looking for volunteers, decorations (if you like to be crafty), and food.
Sign up today at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4DA8AF2CA6FE3-father
Mark Your Calendars:
- Monday, Jan 21 -- No School. Martin Luther King Jr holiday.
- Wednesday, Jan 23 -- Swift Creek Night at City BBQ in Cary. More details to come.
- Thursday, Jan 31 6-7pm: A showing of Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope