This week, all K-3 students will return to school and Cohort A of 4-5 graders will return. If you are coming back, remember to watch the Virtual Tour from Mr. Propst so students know what to expect.
https://www.wcpss.net/Page/46278.
This page can be found on the school webpage - Academics & Programs > Virtual Leaning Resources > Virtual Tour.
Did you miss Mr. Propst's latest message? See Mr. Propst Friday, Nov 13.
If you have well wishes for Ms. Graves, please add them to this form by Tuesday!
If there is anything that we as the PTA Executive board can do for you, please let us know!
Thanks,
Marie, Deb, Sarah, Dana, and Lauren
The Positivity Project
This week in the Positivity Project, students will be learning about the character strength of Gratitude.
What It Means
You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.
Why It Matters
Out of all 24 character strengths, gratitude is the single best predictor of individual well-being. It is correlated with increased energy, empathy, happiness and optimism. And, the great thing about gratitude is that it can be intentionally cultivated.
On a group level, gratitude is associated with reciprocity and social stability. Grateful people are more likely than their counterparts to feel a commitment to others – and believe in an interconnectedness of the world and its people.
Family Resources: To access these resources, use the password P2.
Highlights This Week
- Monday, Nov 16: All K-3 students in Plan B attend in person; 4-5 grade students in Cohort A of Plan B return to school
- Week of Nov 16: Michael Beadle will provide his annual writing residency work shop for the fourth grade.
This cultural arts program is possible because of a grant from United Artists of Wake County and YOUR Fun Run Donation. If you have any questions about Cultural Arts programs, contact April Bartley at [email protected].
- Tuesday, Nov 17: Deadline for sending your well wishes to Ms. Graves. See this form
- Wednesday, Nov 18: Remote Asynchronous Day
- Thursday, Nov 19:
- 5:00pm: WCPSS Virtual Magnet School Session
- 3rd Grade Plan B students: NC Beginning of Grade Test
- 2nd Grade: Billy Jonas will be providing his annual workshop residency for second grade. He will meet with each classroom over Google Meet to work with them on making instruments from recycled objects.
This cultural arts program is possible because of a grant from United Artists of Wake County and YOUR Fun Run Donation. If you have any questions about Cultural Arts programs, contact April Bartley at [email protected].
- Friday, Nov 20: Deadline for Reflections Entries. For information, contact Carrie Fernandez at [email protected].
PTA Meeting Minutes
Thank you to everyone who attended the PTA meeting last Tuesday. The minutes are now available for your review.
Key Highlights:
- Information about the Care Cottage from Mrs. Hizer
- Q&A time with Mr. Propst. Be sure to check this section out. If you h ave additional questions, please contact Mr. Propst by phone or email at [email protected].
3rd Grade Beginning of Grade Test
On Thursday, Nov 19, 3rd grade students in Plan B will be taking NC Beginning of Grade Reading Test.
From Mr. Propst's message:
This test is the first time a student in North Carolina is asked to take a state assessment. The purpose of the BOG is to establish how far a 3rd grader is at the beginning of the year from reaching proficiency on end-of-grade reading standards.
There's nothing to do to prepare to take the assessment. Just get a good night's sleep the night before, have a healthy breakfast, and show best effort. On Monday, please have your 3rd graders come to school with their school-issued Chromebook.
5th Grade News
Virtual Tours at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle
At Tuesday's PTA meeting, the principal at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle school, Mrs. Margaret Feldman, talked about the opportunities available at Dillard Drive and the new magnet program.
You can learn about all the new opportunities at Dillard from this flyer.
Virtual Tours will be held on these dates:
- December 1st & 17th, 2020
- January 5th & 20th, 2021
WCPSS News
- Return to School Guidelines
- Changes in Return to School Guidelines and If Your Child Goes Home Sick
- Applying to Magnet Schools for next year. Are you interested in attending a magnet or year round school next year? The deadline for applications is Jan 28, 2021. For information about a specific school, check that school's website. Many schools are currently conducting virtual tours.
We Need Your Help!
Food Donations for Families
During COVID, Macedonia United Methodist Church has been delivering food to some of our families in need. They are restocking their pantry to help provide these families with Thanksgiving meals. If you are interested in helping, sign up at Food Pantry for Swift Creek . If you cannot deliver your items to the church on Saturday morning, please contact Marie Dexter to arrange a pick up! Thanks for your help!
Purchasing Supplies for Staff
Also, we've been asking teachers about supplies that they need now that students have returned to school. We have created this Amazon Wish List for anyone who'd like to donate. Anything you order off this list will be shipped directly to the school.
Due by Friday!!! Loving Our Staff Is As Easy As Pie!
We are wanting to show how "Thankful" we are for all of our Swift Creek Elementary Teachers and Staff. We are collecting STORE BOUGHT already MADE and COOKED pies for all of the amazing teachers and staff for Thanksgiving. We will put them on a table and all of them will be able to chose one to take home and enjoy.
Please make sure they are STORE BOUGHT and MADE / COOKED Pies. They can be any flavor you decided to buy, the more flavors the better. I know that a lot of grocery stores right now sell them for $5 or less.
Please drop the pies off at my house, 3908 Headwater Court, Raleigh 27696 or I can also pick them up from you anytime. I will set up the table on Friday (11/20), I would love to get them a day or two before.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A4FACA92AAB9-pieexchange
If you have questions, contact Hospitality Chair, Sarah Wohldmann at [email protected].
You can now donate using Venmo! www.venmo.com/Sarah-Wohldmann
Shout Outs
Thank you so much to all the families who attended our Fall Clean Up day on Saturday. We got so much done! More than we anticipated because of our hard working crew! We hope to hold another day in the spring.
A special shout out to Landscaping chair, Tracey McCloud, for organizing this event! We appreciate all you do to keep our school looking its very best. You can see more pictures on our Landscaping page.
News from the Garden
The abundance of rain last week didn't seem to dampen the garden. When students return to school this week, they might take a visit to the garden. You can check out the garden from our Garden Journal.
Reflections: I Matter Because . . .
Friday, Nov 20: Reflections Deadline
Reflections is the PTA's National Arts program. 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are welcome to participate. This year's theme is "I Matter Because . . .". Entries can be in one of six categories: Visual Art 2D, Visual Art 3D, Literature, Music Composition, Dance, and Film.
To compete in Swift Creek's program, entries are due by Nov 20. For more information and questions, contact Reflections Chair, Carrie Fernandez at [email protected].
Entry forms are available from the Reflections page on the PTA Website.
Join the PTA
You can still join the Swift Creek PTA. Information on how to join is available from the Membership page on the PTA website.
If you have questions, please contact Membership chair, Danielle Davis, at [email protected].
Mark Your Calendars
- Monday, Nov 23 & Tuesday, Nov 24: Remote Learning Days
- Wednesday, Nov 25 - Friday, Nov 27: Thanksgiving Holiday.
- Monday, Nov 30 -- School returns after Thanksgiving holiday.
- Plan B students: All K-3 in person, 4-5 Cohort B
- All Virtual Academy students continue online
- Monday, Nov 30 -- School returns after Thanksgiving holiday.
- Wednesday, Dec 2: Asynchronous School Day. All students are remote.
- December 2-9: Registration period for Virtual Academy for Spring
- Thursday, Dec 3: WCPSS Virtual Magnet Info Session
- Friday, Dec 11: Remote Learning Day
- Monday, Dec 21: Teacher Work Day
- Tuesday, Dec 22 - Jan 1: Winter Break
Advocacy Alerts
Wake Up and Read Survey
Wake Up and Read is a community coalition that is working to ensure all children are reading on grade level by 3rd grade.
Over the past few years, Swift Creek has collected for the annual Wake Up and Read book drive. These books were then distributed to students in about 10 elementary schools (and local community centers) in Wake county.
Wake Up and Read is asking all families to participate in this survey to help plan for the future! Please complete this survey and give your feedback!
TODAY!!!! Sunday, Nov 15: America Recycles Day
Celebrate America Recycles Day all November long with Wake County! Use this Bingo card to explore the many ways that you can help us protect the environment through recycling and waste reduction activities.
Complete and submit this Bingo card by November 30 to be eligible to receive a free, stainless steel, reusable straw with cleaning brush and pouch. You'll also be entered in a drawing to win a two-compartment recycling/trash bin or a compost bin! The contest is limited to one entry per household, per year, and it's available to Wake County residents only.