We hope your new week kicks off to a great start. So much news in this week's letter.
Some highlights:
- We hope you can join us on Tuesday night at 6:30pm for our February PTA meeting. We need a quorum so we can vote on a budget amendment.
- Also on Wednesday, Feb 10 from 11am-8pm, we hope you take a break and support our Spirit Night at Papa Murphy's Take and Bake pizza. NOTE: This was a date change. Originally it was scheduled for Thursday. However, Papa Murphy's had a conflict on Thursday so now this event is WEDNESDAY!!!!
- On Thursday, students will participate in our virtual cultural arts performance! Check out the details below!
Marie, Deb, Sarah, Dana, and Lauren
Highlights for This WEEk
- Tuesday, Feb 9 6:30pm: PTA meeting https://tinyurl.com/scesPTAMeet. See agenda below
- Wednesday, Feb 10 11am-8pm: Spirit Night at Papa Murphy's Take and Bake Pizza! Did you enjoy your spirit night in October? We are having a spirit night with Papa Murphy's Take and Bake Pizza on 161 SE Cary Parkway for Valentine's Day! Pick up a heart shaped pizza and help earn money for the Creek!
- Thursday, Feb 11: Cultural Arts performance for the entire school. Our last cultural arts performance will be about origami from Yasu Ishida. During materials distribution, your child will be receiving 10 squares of origami paper so he or she can participate in the performance.
Positivity Project
What It Means
You value close relationships with others and being close to people.
Why It Matters
Love is imperative to an individual’s happiness and fulfillment in life. Love allows us to be intimate with another
person. It allows us to open up to another person and be vulnerable. That openness gives us the ability to learn and
grow. Loving another person and sacrificing on his/her behalf produces positive emotions. And, it helps you
access strengths – and feelings – you never knew you had.
On a group level, love is vital for the well being of society The world is endlessly interconnected. We are all dependent upon each other for survival and happiness.
For family resources, see the P2 website. The password is P2.
Black History Month
Did you figure out who our famous Black American was last week? All of the clues are available from our Black History Month page.
This week, Mr. Propst will share clues about another hero! Be sure to take notes during morning announcements.
At the end of February, your child (with your help) can enter the contest by emailing [email protected] with their guesses of the names of the four people. On the announcements during the first week of March, we will draw one winner from each grade level who will receive a prize from Swifty!
Programs at Wake County Public Libraries
Wake County Public Libraries is also having a month-long celebration called: Lift Every Voice: A Nationwide Celebration of African American poetry. There are many virtual programs available.
Kids and families will enjoy a 6 p.m, Feb. 11, session with children's book author Kelly Starling Lyons, who wrote "Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations" about the Black National Anthem. There's also an evening of storytelling with artist and songwriter Willa Brigham at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 17.
Reflections DEI Call for Artwork: Due March 1
National PTA is inviting Reflections artists of color and their allies to share artwork that expresses and affirms their beliefs and identities--as well as the importance of Black lives. Select works will be used to help us celebrate diversity. Please submit artwork by March 1. For more information about how to submit artwork, see the National PTA website.
African American Landmarks in Raleigh: Driving Tour
Interested in learning more about African American connections in our area? WRAL has shared this article about local landmarks.
Check Out this Artist at the NC Museum of Art
Thank you to Mrs. McIntyre, our art teacher, for sharing this information with students and families this week. I cannot wait to check out this art piece!
Buy Flowers and Support our PTA
PLUS, when you order $2.25 goes back to the Swift Creek PTA!
Supplies are limited so order NOW!
https://swiftcreek.memberhub.store/store/s/ftd/ftd
PTA meeting on Tuesday 6:30pm
WE NEED YOU THERE so we can vote on an adjustment to the budget.
Here is our full agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. Approve January Minutes
3. Vote on $200 budget increase for Positivity Project for Next Year
4. Black History Month reminder
5. Nominating Committee
6. Reminder about applying for school lunches due Feb 26
7. Help the PTA -- Buy flowers through MemberHub
8. Principal's Report
Join the meeting using https://tinyurl.com/scesPTAMeet
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 846 4742 0301
Passcode: 557933
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Spirit Night at Papa Murphy'S Wed 11am-8pm
Thursday: Cultural Arts Performance
His performance will include Japanese storytelling, videos, and origami! All students were given origami paper during the last materials distribution so that they may participate during the performance!
He will perform at 1:20 for grades K-2 and then again at 2:30 for grades 3-5. (The performance is adjusted based on the ages of the children.)
This performance is possible because of a grant from United Arts and YOUR Fun Run donations and support of the PTA! Thank you!
A special thank you to Cultural Arts chair, April Bartley, for coordinating all of our cultural arts events this year! It has been challenging but she went the extra mile and made these events happen!
5th Grade Dedications Due Feb 28
Spaces for dedications are still available! Parents, grandparents, sisters, family friends are welcome to submit dedications for your 5th grader. Place your dedication now through our MemberHub store.
- Text only dedications cost $7.
- Text and picture dedications cost $10.
If you have questions, contact Yearbook Chair, Sarah Wohldmann, at [email protected].
Nominations Open for Next Year
We are also looking for committee chairs in these areas for next year:
- Advocacy
- Reflections
Please contact Nominating committee chair, Sarah Lewis at [email protected].
MArk Your Calendars
- Monday, Feb 15 and Tuesday, Feb 16: Calendar Out Day and Teacher Work Day
- Wednesday, Feb 16: Return to in-person instruction for Plan B students in K-3. 4 & 5 graders will return in these cohorts:
- 4th & 5th graders in Cohort 2 will be on campus for in person learning February 17-19
- 4th & 5th graders in Cohort 3 will be on campus for in person learning February 22, 23, 25, 26
- 4th & 5th graders in Cohort 1 will be on campus for in person learning March 1-5
- Wednesday, Feb 24: Asynchronous Day
Distribution of EL Materials on Feb 16
This will be for VA students in grade 3, and for all students in grades 4 & 5.
On February 16 (a teacher workday), you will turn in the EL books your child has been using and exchange them for new books.
The hours for the distribution on February 16 are 9:15 - 4:00. The following are the books you will need to return:
- 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
Before and After School Care: Returns Feb 17
Before and After School Care will resume on February 17th.
- If you have registered your child and are still interested in the program, please send Mrs. Kress an email at [email protected] to inform her that you are still interested.
- If you would like to register, information about fees and procedures can be found on our school website. To register, print the application from our website and drop off the completed application along with the $15 application fee (personal check or cashier’s check only) by end of the school day on Thursday, February 11, 2021.
Wake County Public Schools
ALL Parents, please consider applying for meal benefits by Feb 26.
- For every student that turns in the free and reduced lunch application and qualifies, the school receives federal funds that benefit the student and teachers at the school. These funds provide additional teachers and staff for the school which means more services for students, especially students that are struggling in reading or math. These funds also are used for materials and supplies for students and teachers. These are valuable resources that teachers can use to improve student achievement.
- Another important reason to apply is the direct benefit of receiving additional stimulus funds for families in the coming months. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will begin collecting free and reduced lunch data from us to determine the families that will receive Pandemic Electronic Benefits (P-EBT) that will be issued in the coming months. The P-EBT program helps families purchase food for children whose access to free and reduced priced meals at school has been impacted by COVID-19. If you do not apply and qualify for meal benefits, you will miss the opportunity to receive direct P-EBT funds for your family.
Information about applying for Meal Benefits for the 2020-21 school year can be found at www.wcpss.net/Page/1849. Help our school continue to receive this funding by completing an application online at MySchoolApps.com. Paper applications can be requested by calling 919-588-3535 or 919-856-2920.
Family Engagement
Please accept this invitation to a personal conversation with me about what the school/family partnership has looked like for you, thoughts about how we could strengthen our partnership, and celebrations of our partnership. Our conversations will be kept confidential, but the ideas, suggestions and any developing themes will be used to help us continue to strengthen our community through powerful partnerships. Please contact me via phone or email! I look forward to talking and learning with you.
Heather Holt Hill, School Psychologist
Google Voice – 919-289-9585 / Email – [email protected]
Advocacy Alerts
In the news, we've been hearing lots about vaccinations and the desire to have our teachers and staff vaccinated. The North Carolina Association of Educators have created a petition to ask Governor Cooper to move teachers higher up in the priority list for the vaccine.
If you are interested in learning more, see NCAE's petition.
Wake Up and Read: Annual Book Drive Jan 23 - February 28
Do you have books that your child has outgrown? The 8th annual Wake Up and Read book drive is underway.
There are several ways that you can help:
- Shop the Wake Up and Read Wish List or donate money.
- Donate gently, used books, especially books for boys! Contact Marie Dexter at [email protected] if you have donations.
- Volunteer. Volunteer opportunities will be announced beginning in Feb. If you want to go as a group, contact Marie Dexter, [email protected]. Swift Creek has volunteered as a group a couple of times. Students are welcome to help!
Saturday, February 20, 2021 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.After Terrific Teeth Day, put learning into action with a visit to the dentist. The American Dental Association is offering free treatments for children ages 4-16: x-rays, exams, cleanings, sealants, fillings, and more. Appointments required. Call (919) 390-6497.