UPDATE FROM PRINCIPAL EVANS 10/29/2017
Salamander News for October 29, 2017
Read-A-Thon and Book Fair
The Read-A-Thon has encouraged our students to read like never before and raised money for the school. Students have also been excited to visit the book fair and purchase new books. The Read-A-Thon has raised $2,070, and the book fair has already raised almost $10,000 to support our school and media center. We appreciate the PTA's focus on helping support literacy at Salem this year.
Salem's Great Teach-In
- Early learning educator, Susan Radavanky, visited first and fourth graders to facilitate hands-on learning and science connections with a fun building and balancing activity.
- Nurse, Amy Lovato, spoke with a fifth-grade class about the field of nursing and body systems, a topic that reinforced students' latest science unit.
- Licensed social worker, Heather Cook, spoke to first graders about how to manage emotions. She facilitated discussions and engaging games about feelings and how to treat others, reinforcing S.P.O.T. behavior and encouraging problem solving and building positive relationships with others.
- Civil engineer, John Kinkle, demonstrated how to build a bridge and keep it strong with a kindergarten class, giving them a chance to practice!
- Six Sigma Black Belt, Kristy Burns, presented to fourth graders about having a growth mindset, problem solving, and facing challenges.
- WRAL Meteorologist, Nate Johnson, helped fifth-grade students make some real-world connections to their weather curriculum.
- Rebecca Evens Prip works in the area of refugee settlement. She read a picture book about a family’s journey from Syria to Europe and shared with students what it’s like to help refugees build a new life in the United States.
- Daisy Mae Jose read one of her favorite stories to a group of kindergarteners.
- William Gwinn visited a first and fifth grade class to share his STEM career. He specializes in the area of lung disease.
- N.C. State golfer, Sarah Bae, visited first-graders, read a fun story, and answered questions about college.
- Michael Keefe shared his passion for astronomy with third-grade students - even setting up his telescope!
It is exactly these sort of engaging, real-world experiences that we are looking for at Salem to supplement the meaningful instruction from our skillful and creative teachers and support professionals.
Salamanders on the Run Takes Off!
Recent Extracurricular Opportunities at Salem
- Read-A-Thon and book fair
- Adam Jones visited Salem to read his book Cecil and the Big Wave to all kindergarten, first-, and second-grade students
- Ganyard Farm kindergarten field trip
- Book Character Parade
- Morehead Planetarium first-grade field trip grade 1
- NC Symphony fourth-grade field trip
- Morehead Planetarium third-grade field trip
- Steward Theater (NC State) second-grade field trip
Thank you, PTA, for supporting the cultural arts at Salem this year! There are more exciting cultural arts opportunities coming our way!
Upcoming Dates
Our teachers and the PTA have been working overtime to provide a wide variety of exciting and engaging field trips and cultural events for our students. Please look below to get a sense of the many opportunities our students will have to extend their learning.
10/29, 6:00-8:00 PM: Science Under the Stars at Duke University. Open to all!
11/01: Guest Author Adam Jones for K-2 Tracks 1 and 4
11/02-11/03: Iowa testing for tracks 1 and 2 third-grade students only. Please ensure your children are at school by 9:15. The Iowa is one of the two primary tests used to determine eligibility for the gifted program (AIG) at Salem.
11/03: Interims sent home for tracks 1 and 3
11/07: Life & Science Museum field trip grade 5, tracks 2 & 4
11/10: Veteran's Day observed - no school
11/14: Life & Science Museum field trip grade 5, tracks 1 & 3
11/14: CogAt parent meeting for interested third-grade parents. The CogAt is one of the two primary tests used to determine eligibility for the gifted program (AIG) at Salem.
11/16, 5:30-6:30 PM: Third-Grade Read to Achieve Meeting. Parents whose children have not passed one of the gateways will be notified by letter about their child's participation in the program.
11/21: Early Release at 1:15. Please pick up your children from carpool on time if your child does not use the bus.
11/22-11/24 Thanksgiving break (no school for students)
11/28-11/29: Iowa testing for tracks 3 and 4 third-grade students only. Please ensure your children are at school by 9:15. The Iowa is one of the two primary tests used to determine eligibility for the gifted program (AIG) at Salem.
12/01: Interims sent home for tracks 3 & 4