Greetings Powell Families,

 

Career Day: Thank you to the Powell parents, family members, and friends who presented at our Career Fair on Friday. Students in K-5 participated and learned about many different careers from over 25 presenters. Thank you to Mrs. Mullins and Mrs. Montague for organizing this awesome event. Be sure to ask your child which careers they learned about. 

 

WCPSS Science Olympiad Results: Our Science Olympiad team did an AMAZING job at the Wake County Science Olympiad Tournament yesterday!!  They had a ton of fun, and the kids' hard work earned them medals and a trophy!

 

Our whole team came in 2nd place overall.  We are bringing home a beautiful silver trophy for our trophy case!

 

These teams earned medals:

3,2,1 Blastoff - 2nd place

Data Crunchers - 2nd place

Codebusters - 3rd place

STEM Design Challenge - 3rd place

Super Sleuths - 5th place

Skyquest - 6th place

Bridge-a-roni - 7th place

 

Many thanks to our staff coach, Ann Poisson, and to the parents and staff who have volunteered their time and energy to helping our team, as well as the Powell PTA for their financial support.   We are grateful for you!

 

SSA Test Request Window Opens this Week: (March 20-24, 2023) Single-Subject Acceleration (SSA) allows students to skip a grade level of content in either English Language Arts or Mathematics.  All students (K-5) are eligible to test in one subject.  To learn more about SSA, please visit this website.

 

Bagels with Brower - Join us on Friday, 03/24/23 at 9:00 AM for our next Bagels with Brower.

 

Early Release Day - Friday, 03/24/23 at 1:45 PM. All students should be picked up by 2:00 PM. 

 

Classroom Group & Spring Pictures: Looking ahead to next Monday, 03/27/23, classrooms will have their class picture taken. Students wishing to purchase an individual picture will have their spring picture taken. 

 

Powell Pawlooza: Powell Pawlooza, our community-wide Spring Carnival is happening on Friday, April 14 from 5-7:30pm. This year, the PTA is asking families to RSVP by Tues, March 28th. Wristbands for the event can be purchased here for the suggested donation of $5 per child (ages 5-13). Please check out the volunteer slots and consider signing up. This is a great opportunity for middle school and high school students to earn volunteer service hours. It is a fun event for our students but it cannot run smoothly without the help of many volunteers. Our PTA thanks you in advance! 

 

Online School Payment for Field Trips: Did you know that you can pay for Field Trips online? No more worrying that your check or cash is not making it to the teacher! You can create an account and make payments at our Powell Store. You only need one account for all schools in WCPSS. We currently do not have a Lead Secretary/Bookkeeper, which means that I as the Budget Manager am responsible for receiving the funds from teachers and processing all collected payments each day. Making payments online takes a huge burden off of the teacher and me. We would be forever grateful if you would consider making your payment online for your convenience and ours.  Thanks in advance!

 

Have a great week!

 

Dr. Curtis M. Brower

Principal

Greetings Powell Families,

 

Magnet Track Meet: Good luck to our Powell Track Team. They will be participating in the Magnet Track Meet tomorrow, 03/13/23 at Southeast Raleigh High School. 

 

PTA Board Meeting: Tuesday, 03/14/23 at 7:00 PM.  Google Meet Video call link:                  https://meet.google.com/qim-cwej-zwt 

 

School Improvement Team: Wednesday, 03/15/23 at 7:40 AM.

 

WCPSS Science Olympiad: Good luck to our Competitive Minds Domain. They will be participating in the WCPSS Science Olympiad on Saturday, 03/18/23.

 

SSA Test Request Window Opens Soon:  (March 20-24, 2023) Single-Subject Acceleration (SSA) allows students to skip a grade level of content in either English Language Arts or Mathematics.  All students (K-5) are eligible to test in one subject.  To learn more about SSA, please visit this website.  

 

Career Day - We are excited for our students to participate in Career Day on Friday, 03/17/23 from 9:30 - 11:00 AM.  All K-5 students will be participating.

 

Kids Heart Challenge/Jump Rope for Heart:   Our students have raised $2,976.15 online. We can’t wait to see how many donations are submitted. All donations should be turned in ASAP.

 

Online School Payment for Field Trips: Did you know that you can pay for Field Trips online? No more worrying that your check or cash is not making it to the teacher! You can create an account and make payments at our Powell Store. You only need one account for all schools in WCPSS. We currently do not have a Lead Secretary/Bookkeeper, which means that I as the Budget Manager am responsible for receiving the funds from teachers and processing all collected payments each day. Making payments online takes a huge burden off of the teacher and me. We would be forever grateful if you would consider making your payment online for your convenience and ours.  Thanks in advance!

 

Have a great week!

Dr. Curtis M. Brower

Principal

Greetings Powell Families,

 

School Social Worker Appreciation Week: This week we take time to celebrate the work of our School Social Worker, Mrs. Cathy Mullins. School Social Workers are a hard-working and humble group of professionals. They spend much of their work time advocating for others. Working alongside our teachers and school administrators, Mrs. Mullins supports students and families by promoting positive change and eliminating barriers to student learning. She provides a critical link between the home, school, and community through support services that positively impact the development of the whole child. Mrs. Mullins, we appreciate you and thank you for your commitment to our Powell students and families!

 

Teacher Workday: this Tuesday, 03/07/23 is a Teacher Workday. No school for students. 

 

North Carolina Severe Weather Preparedness Week:  March 5 - 11, 2023  We will participate in the statewide Tornado Drill on Wednesday, 03/08/23 at 9:30 AM. 

 

Artists in Residence: We have had three awesome visiting artists in the last week. Our 5th grade students learned from Anna Podris & Keith Norval in their NC Backyard Birds Sculpture Project. Students researched, designed, and painted birds. Be sure to stop by the school and check out these birds hanging in the trees of our main entrance. 

 

5th grade students also began working with "Larry & Joe" Venezuelan Harps. As a duo they perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, maracas, guitar, upright bass, and whatever else they decide to throw in the van. The program they offer features a distinct blend of their musical inheritances and traditions as well as storytelling about the ways that music and social movements coalesce.  All students will experience an all school assembly with Larry & Joe on Thursday. 

 

We had an all school assembly on Friday where students experienced “Leopard’s Tale” by the Ballethnic Dance Company. Ballethnic’s signature production, this ballet eloquently fuses classical ballet and African Dance into a high energy, action-filled, and powerful performance.

 

A big shout out goes to Ms. Gina Ali, our Orchestra Teacher and Cultural Arts Chairperson. Ms. Ali works tirelessly to make certain that our students are exposed to many artists and experiences. Thank you, Ms. Ali for your hard work organizing these amazing performances and residencies. 

Career Day - Our next Career Day is coming up on Friday, 03/17/23 from 9:30 - 11:00 AM.  We are still in need of presenters.  We are looking for professionals and trade careers.  If you or a family member are available the morning of March 17th, please reach out to our School Social Worker, Cathy Mullins ccodispoti-mullins@wcpss.net. 

 

Kids Heart Challenge/Jump Rope for Heart: Our Kids Heart Challenge is happening now.  Students participated in Jumping Rope this past week. Donation forms were sent home with students. All donations need to be turned in by March 10th. Students can register and raise funds on the Powell Kids Heart Challenge page. Our students have raised $2,180.83 online. Our school goal is $5,000. We can do it! Kudos to our top 3 fundraisers - Emma C, Shelby B, & Eric G.

 

Sign Up Today! 

1. Download the Kids Heart Challenge app or visit the link above to register.  

2. Help your student choose a daily health challenge: MOVE MORE or BE KIND. 

3. Set a fundraising goal with your student and send emails to invite friends and family to support it.  

 

Online School Payment for Field Trips: Did you know that you can pay for Field Trips online? No more worrying that your check or cash is not making it to the teacher! You can create an account and make payments at our Powell Store. You only need one account for all schools in WCPSS. We currently do not have a Lead Secretary/Bookkeeper, which means that I as the Budget Manager am responsible for receiving the funds from teachers and processing all collected payments each day. Making payments online takes a huge burden off of the teacher and me. We would be forever grateful if you would consider making your payment online for your convenience and ours.  Thanks in advance!

Have a great week!

 

Dr. Curtis M. Brower

Principal

Greetings Powell Families,

 

Last Day to Preorder Yearbook: The yearbook preorder deadline is tomorrow, Monday, February 27th. Preordering is the only way to guarantee a yearbook—the total number of yearbooks printed is determined by preorders, and we will only order a handful of extras. To guarantee your yearbook, order by Monday, February 27th at this link. If you would like to submit photos for the yearbook, please email them to powellptayearbook@gmail.com.

 

Quarter 3 Interims Go Home - 02/28/23

 

Club Pictures - 03/01/23

 

Pieces of Gold: Congratulations to our Powell Dance Ensemble for being selected to participate in the 40th annual Pieces of Gold on Wednesday, 03/01/23. Pieces of Gold is an annual arts extravaganza produced by the Wake County Public School System and Wake Education Partnership, featuring over 800 students performing to a packed auditorium of over 2,000 parents, teachers, and community leaders. We wish them well as they perform their “Rock Around the Clock” tap dance.

 

Kids Heart Challenge/Jump Rope for Heart: Our Kids Heart Challenge is happening this week on Feb 27th-28th. All students will be jumping on one of those days. Be on the lookout for donation forms that were sent home. All donations need to be turned in by March 10th. Students can register and raise funds on the Powell Kids Heart Challenge page. Kudos to 3 of our students who have raised $660.65. Our school goal is $5,000. We can do it!

 

Sign Up Today! 

1. Download the Kids Heart Challenge app or visit the link above to register.  

2. Help your student choose a daily health challenge: MOVE MORE or BE KIND. 

3. Set a fundraising goal with your student and send emails to invite friends and family to support it.  

 

Kindergarten Letterland Parade: Thursday, 03/02/23 at 9:30 AM. Kindergarten students will dress as their favorite letterland character and parade through the school. Be on the lookout for a special guest leading the parade!

 

College Colors Day: - 03/03/23

 

Read Across America Spirit Week: Join us next week in celebrating Read Across America Week from February 27 through March 3.  On Monday, February 27, we will be saying Hats Off To Reading by wearing our favorite hats to school.  On Tuesday, February 28, it will be Read My Shirt day.  On Wednesday, March 1, it will be Get Comfy In My PJs day. On Thursday, March 2, we will have story walks with a class buddy and our Kindergarten Letterland Parade.  On Friday, March 3, we will end by Dress As Your Favorite Book Character and/or bring your favorite book day!

 

Online School Payment for Field Trips: Did you know that you can pay for Field Trips online? No more worrying that your check or cash is not making it to the teacher! You can create an account and make payments at our Powell Store. You only need one account for all schools in WCPSS. We currently do not have a Lead Secretary/Bookkeeper, which means that I as the Budget Manager am responsible for receiving the funds from teachers and processing all collected payments each day. Making payments online takes a huge burden off of the teacher and me. We would be forever grateful if you would consider making your payment online for your convenience and ours.  Thanks in advance!

 

Bagels with Brower:  We covered two important topics this past week, Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) and Read to Achieve. Check out the replay here!

 

Wake Up and Read Campaign: The 10th annual WAKE Up and Read Children’s Book Drive is a community coalition made up of 30+ committed organizations working together toward one common goal — improving childhood literacy.  January 27th - February 28th.  Powell ES is a collection site. Drop your book donations on the bin in the lobby.  Find other collection sites here.

Have a great week!

 

Dr. Curtis M. Brower

Principal

Greetings Powell Families,

 

2023 MSA Magnet School of Distinction: Have you heard the news? We are so excited to once again be recognized as a 2023 MSA Magnet School of Distinction! Together, our school community works diligently to make our magnet school one of the best in the country! We are very proud of this honor!

 

Bus Driver Appreciation Week: Our Bus Drivers take pride in their work. They are entrusted with the safety of our students, and they are the first and last representative of our district that students see each day. This week is National Bus Driver Appreciation Week. Let’s show our Powell Bus Drivers some love this week.

• Monday, February 13th- Bring a flower to your bus driver. 

• Tuesday , February 14th - Bring a valentine to your bus driver. 

• Wednesday, February 15th - Bring a sweet treat to your bus driver. 

• Thursday, February 16th - Bring an “I love the school bus driver because” sheet. (These will be distributed to bus students by Mrs. Hart.) 

• Friday, February 17th - Give your bus driver a 'Love The Bus' coloring sheet with a note of thanks on the back.

 

Online School Payment for Field Trips: Did you know that you can pay for Field Trips online? No more worrying that your check or cash is not making it to the teacher! You can create an account and make payments at our Powell Store. You only need one account for all schools in WCPSS. We currently do not have a Lead Secretary/Bookkeeper, which means that I as the Budget Manager am responsible for receiving the funds from teachers and processing all collected payments each day. Making payments online takes a huge burden off of the teacher and me. We would be forever grateful if you would consider making your payment online for your convenience and ours.  Thanks in advance!

 

Random Acts of Kindness Week: Random Act of Kindness Day is on February 17, 2023. We are celebrating National Random Acts of Kindness all week long. Be on the lookout for information coming from our School Counselor, Mrs. Montague. You can also find ideas and resources on the link above.

 

PTA Board Meeting: Tuesday, 02/14/23 at 7:00 PM.Google Meet Video call link:                  https://meet.google.com/qim-cwej-zwt 

 

PTA Spirit Night: Our next PTA Spirit Night is at Gumby’s Pizza and Wings on Friday, 02/17/23 beginning at 11:00 AM through the entire day. 

 

Presidents Day Holiday: No School for staff or students on Monday, 02/20/23.

 

Wake Up and Read Campaign: The 10th annual WAKE Up and Read Children’s Book Drive is a community coalition made up of 30+ committed organizations working together toward one common goal — improving childhood literacy.  January 27th - February 28th.  Powell ES is a collection site. Drop your book donations on the bin in the lobby.  Find other collection sites here.

 

Yearbook: Time is ticking to pre-order your yearbook before 02/27/23. Purchase a yearbook for $25 here. A limited amount will be available to purchase in June. It will be first come, first serve. Pre-ordering is the only way to guarantee a yearbook. If you would like to submit photos for the yearbook, please email them to powellptayearbook@gmail.com.

 

HELPS Tutoring Program: Are you interested in working to restore interrupted learning from the pandemic?  The HELPS (Helping Early Literacy with Practice Strategies) program is a tutoring program that provides 1:1 tutoring for students to improve reading fluency and confidence and accelerate learning. Powell needs your help! See steps below for getting involved. Thank you for everything you do to support teaching and learning at Powell. More Information here.

 

Step #1: Interested volunteers attend a virtual informational meeting to learn about the initiative, understand the time commitment, and complete the volunteer forms (including WCPSS background check).

Upcoming info sessions: 

• 2/9 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

• 2/16 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Sign up for an info meeting here! 

 

Step #2: Volunteers complete 4 hours of virtual HELPS 1:1 training. The sign up for this is distributed during the information session (see above). The upcoming training sessions are:

• 2/15 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

• 2/23 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• 3/7 9:00 - 1:00 PM

 

Step #3: Trained volunteers are placed based on their preferences and the availability at the school. Once the school has confirmed times and entered student names, volunteer tutors can begin.

 

Have a great week!

 

Dr. Curtis M. Brower

Principal