I must confess that today is one of my favorite days of the year, not because I am a nerd, but because I love PIE! This is a day where my family has fun in the kitchen and sees how many ways we can eat "pi" today.
I hope you remembered to turn your clocks forward this morning. My body has been ready for the time change for a couple of weeks, but I must confess the darkness this morning is rough! But it will get better. Spring is here!
A couple of changes to routine this school week:
- First, all Plan B students (K-5) will return to daily in-person instruction. 4th and 5th graders will no longer attend school in cohorts. This does not apply to students in Virtual Academy. They will continue working in Virtual Academy.
- Second, this week we have school ALL 5 DAYS! There is no asynchronous day this week. Our next asynchronous day is March 24.
We hope you have a wonderful week! If you need anything, please let us know.
Marie, Deb, Sarah, Dana, Lauren
Highlights for This Week
TODAY! Sunday, March 14:
- Daylight Savings Time Begins. Did you remember to move your clocks forward one hour?
- 3:00pm: We are lucky to have you! Come decorate the school grounds and show our staff how much we appreciate them. Sign up here. If you don't want to attend in person but would still like to contribute, you can make posters that we can hang up. Contact Marie Dexter ([email protected]), if you have items to pick up.
- All 4 & 5 graders in Plan B (students who are attending in-person) return to school. Now K-5 grade Plan B students will be attending daily in-person instruction.
Tuesday, March 16
- Picture Day for in-person students.
- 5-8pm Spirit Night at Ruckus Pizza in Tryon Village. The proceeds from this event will help pay for 5th grade shirts. (See more details below.)
- Regular School Day. There is NO asynchronous day this week. Students will have school all 5 days this week.
The Positivity Project
What It Means
You master new topics on your own or in school.
Why It Matters
Developing a love of learning is highly beneficial for an individual. It means that they are intrinsically motivated to deepen their existing skills and abilities, or learn something completely new. Since intrinsically motivated action is correlated with positive emotions, those who act on their love of learning may also have enhanced mental and physical health.
On a group level, love of learning is crucial. The best leaders have an insatiable desire to learn. It’s love of learning that compelled Benjamin Franklin to fly a kite and make significant advances in electricity. It’s love of learning that led Nelson Mandela to study Afrikaans (the language of his oppressors) and read a smuggled copy of Shakespeare, while locked in Robben Prison. And it’s only by learning and experimenting that we continue to grow.
For family resources, see the P2 website. The password is P2.
Minutes from March PTA meeting
Ms. Griffith and Mr. Berrigan (two of our student teachers this year) gave a very interesting presentation on Tier 2 and how parents can incorporate math and reading into every day life.
Here are the minutes and slides from the meeting.
Our April PTA meeting is April 13. At this meeting, we will be presenting the slate of officers for the 2020-21 school year. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else for a position, contact Sarah Lewis at [email protected].
March is Music in Schools Month
From Ms. Sutton, our music teacher:
Did you know that March was "Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM)?" MIOSM is a celebration to recognize the amazing musical work that our students participate in and create all year-round. At Swift Creek, we actively engage in music learning in a variety of ways. This month students will continue to create and participate in the music making process. We hope that you can participate with us throughout the month.
During the month of March, music will be playing in the hallways as students enter the building. Ms. Sutton is looking for your suggestions to help create the Morning Playlist. Share your suggestions in this form.
Opportunity to Join Dillard Drive Middle School Band/Orchestra
Do you have a 5th grader going to a middle school? Are they interested in band or orchestra? If so, sign up using this interest form. Ms. Sutton will be happy to help answer any questions or support you and your students transition into middle school music.
Last Week of the Book Fair: Ends Sunday, March 21
You can participate at: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/swiftcreekelementary2020
The fair ends Sunday, March 21!
IMPORTANT UPDATES ABOUT E-WALLETS:
- Starting with the spring fair, students and teachers can set up e-wallet accounts with $0.
- The link to create an e-wallet is on the book fair link page.
- CHANGE IN REMAINING E-WALLET FUNDS! Previously, any unused amounts would be credited back to the parent's credit card when they funded the account. Now any unused funds are NOT credited back. Rather any overage goes to a gift card that can be used in the scholastic store or future fairs. After the Book Fair, the balance will be available to spend at The Scholastic Store Online or future book fairs at the school.
- Teachers can also create e-wallets. When teachers create their accounts, they must use same email they would use to log into the scholastic store website.
- Both teachers and students can share their e-wallet link to whomever they wish to get contributions. This is a great way for you to buy a teacher a book! Simply donate to their e-wallet.
VA Students ONLY: Materials Distribution March 24
You will pick up all the materials that your child needs for the rest of the year.
Please return any EL books that you have:
- 3rd: Rain School, Nasreen’s Secret School, Everything You Need to Know about Frogs, Bullfrog at Magnolia Circle
- 4th: Love That Dog, Animal Defenses
5th: The Most Beautiful Rood in the World, Esperanza Rising
Order your 5th Grader a Class Shirt
Parent, Erin Galloway, has worked hard to design a 5th grade class shirt with our spirit wear vendor. The shirt will be purple with the Swift Creek logo over the left breast. On the back will be the first name of every 5th grader.
We would like to provide every 5th grader with a shirt. You can help us in these ways:
- If you have a 5th grader, complete this Google form to specify your child's t-shirt size.
- Donate to help purchase a t-shirt for a child. You can do that through our fundraising campaign or donation tool in MemberHub.
- Attend SCES Spirit Night on March 16 5-8pm at Ruckus Pizza in Tryon Village.
If you have questions about 5th grade t-shirts, contact Erin Galloway at [email protected].
Spirit Night at Ruckus: Tuesday, March 16 5-8pm
Several 5th grade parents have expressed an interest in celebrating these students in a special way.
Erin Galloway ([email protected]) is working with our spirit wear vendor to create a custom class shirt for our 5th grade class. The front of the shirt will the Swift Creek logo and the back will have the FIRST name (only) of each 5th grader.
Typically, these shirts cost about $10 but we want to make sure that EVERY 5th grader can receive a shirt.
Here is how you can help:
- On March 16 5-8pm, we will be having a spirit night at Ruckus Pizza in Tryon Village.
- A portion of the sales will go to the purchase of these shirts.
- If we fundraise more than we need, the remaining funds will go into the PTA budget to fund our staff assistance and student programs.
- 3rd party deliveries (such as GrubHub, Ubereats) will NOT count for this event.
- If you are ordering online through the Ruckus website, enter SCES after your name, for example, "Jane Doe SCES".
- Recent spirit nights have had MANY To-Go orders. Some patience will be needed as the kitchen gets bombarded!
In-Person Picture Day, March 16
Make UP Picture Day, March 26
If your child missed picture day, the make up picture day is March 26. Sign up for a spot today!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4BAEAE2FA3FE3-1069121
Need Presenters for International Night on March 25
Because we cannot hold this event in person this year, we want your vidoes!
All you need to do to participate is record a FlipGrid video. You can also upload videos to FlipGrid!
- 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
REcycling Updates
Recycling chair, Megan Holler, reports that we have recycled the following so far this year!
- Squeezable pouches: 51 lbs
- Foil lined snack wrapper: 11 lbs
- Plastic Film (Grocery bags): 58 lbs
For more information about our recycling programs and how you can participate, see Recycling Programs or contact Megan Holler at [email protected].
Purchase your Yearbook or Provide a Yearbook Picture!
Yearbooks for the 2020-21 school year are on sale NOW!
Yearbooks can be purchased from TreeRing at tr5.treering.com/createAccount/1015281241841003
Do you want to donate to our Care & Share Program? This program helps the PTA purchase yearbooks for students in need. There are two ways that you an participate.
- Purchase the yearbook through TreeRing. For the student name, specify Swifty (first name) Cougar (last name).
- Donate to our Care and Share Program through MemberHub!
Thank you for your support!
How to Share a Yearbook Picture
Did your child miss picture day? And your child won't be able to attend make up day on March 26.
Please use these guidelines to provide a yearbook picture for your child:
- 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 18th with the Students name, Grade and Teacher.
Mark Your Calendar
- Sunday, March 21: Last Day of Book Fair
- Wednesday, March 24:
- Deadline for videos for International Night
- 9:15-4:00 Materials Distribution for Virtual Academy students
- Asynchronous Day for all students
- Thursday, March 25: Virtual International Night
- Friday, March 26: Make Up Picture Day
- March 29-April 6: Spring Break
- Tuesday, April 13 6:30pm: April PTA meeting
- Wednesday, April 14: Asynchronous Day
Advocacy Alerts
Please feel free to register to watch this documentary that is being sponsored by the West Cary Middle School PTA! Pre-registration is required to watch the documentary from the comfort of your own home. The documentary will be live starting this Monday - Tuesday, 3/16.
Register here