Dear Trailblazer families, 

We trust that everyone had some quality family time over the recent break. This is a busy time of year for everyone - in and out of school. This is the last week for Track 1 before they leave on Saturday. We welcome back Track 2 on Monday, December 9.  Much of the information in this edition of the Trailblazer Times is a continuation from our 2 day week, but there are some additional dates to note. 

• Scholastic Book Fair Begins...Volunteers needed | The Scholastic Book Fair, A Blizzard of Books at Banks Road ES, beginning Monday, December 2 - Friday, December 13. We need parent volunteers to help students make selections and then purchase items from the Book Fair. Ms. Floyd, the media specialist, will be working with the PTA to advertise through the Sign Up Genius  to fill our volunteer needs. There is a link to the sign up genius on our website. We would also like to encourage our parents to order online and use ewallets instead of sending money to school with the students. 

• OPPORTUNITY for Parents of K-3 students on December 7: We will be hositing some 10-15 minute parent information sesisons on December 7, beginning at 9:30 on I-Station. I-Station is the new literacy assessment tool that was purchased by the Department of Public Instruction to replace mClass. Ms. BraccoCox will be hosting these sessions between 9:30 - 12:00. Please feel free to join us for one of these sessions if applicable to you.  Flier for December 7   Also, our Scholastic Book Fair will be open for you to shop that morning if you want to purchase any books for the holidays (and don't want the kid to know!). We encourage all families, regardless of tracks, to take advantage of these opportunities.

• Student Council - 8 Spirit days for A Blizzard of Books | The Banks Road ES Student Council is sponsoring 8 Spirit day in celebration of our Book Fair. These expanded spirit days will allow all tracks to participate as we shop at the book fair. Keep this schedule handy!!
  
  • Wednesday, December 4 - White Out Wednesday: wear all white
  • Thursday, December 5 - Thermal Thursday: Wear Winter PJ's (with regular shoes)
  • Friday, December 6 - Fantasy Football Friday: Wear your favorite team jersey/spiritwear
  • Monday, December 9 - Merry Monday: Show your school spirit! Wear blue and green!
  • Tuesday, December 10 - Too Cold Tuesday: Bring a small, cozy blanket
  • Wednesday, December 11 - Winter Wear Wednesday: Hats, gloves and scarves
  • Thursday, December 12 - There's Snow Much to Read! Dress as your favorite storybook character
  • Friday, December 13 - Festive Friday: Holiday colors, holiday hair, holiday socks! Be creative!

• Boomers Performances | Our very own Banks Road Boomers will perform on December 5 at 6:30 PM at the Fuquay Christmas Tree Lighting! Their next performance is on December 12 at 6:30 PM in front of Memorial Auditorium.  Then, they will also perform in front of the school from 8:45 - 9:10 on December 20. Finally, their last December performance will be at PNC Arena at halftime during the Canes game on December 21. Come out and support them in these efforts. We are proud of their hard work. Thanks to Ms. LaPlace and the parents for your support of our chorus.

• Saturday School | December 7, 2019 is our last Saturday School for 2019 for tracks 1, 3 and 4. The doors will open at 8:45 and we will dismiss at 12:45. We will serve breakfast, but not lunch on this day. Please send a substantial snack with your child. School buses will operate as usual in the morning. If your child is going home a different way on December 7, please send a note in to his/her teacher about the chnge. 

• School Improvement Team Meeting | On Wednesday morning, December 4, we will have committee meetings for our School Improvement Plan. This meeting begins at 7:45 and we have had several parents volunteer to serve on our Team. These meetings are open to anyone, but we appreciate our volunteers. See you Wednesday!

Finally, I would like to give a BRES shout out to the Banks Road PTA, parents and school community in advance for the Holiday luncheon for the faculty and staff at the end of the week!  We are very fortunate to have such a supportive community. We look forward to seeing many of you throughout the week at the book fair and other events. 

Yours,

Jan Hargrove, Interim Principal