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Principal's Message, 5-27-22

Dear Stough Families,

Community.  What does a school community mean to you?  I have navigated strong emotions this past week as I contemplated this question and my role in our public school community.  I salute our students and staff and celebrate the joy that an evening like Art & Music Night can provide.  It was beautiful to see our school community come together Wednesday to showcase our students.  I love my role as your principal on evenings like this one.

 

Yet, I have also shed tears over a school community that I had never heard of before Tuesday.  With another senseless school shooting in our country, the Robb Elementary School Community in Texas will never be the same.  As parents and educators, we grieve with these families and school employees as they are living a nightmare.  

 

I feel compelled to offer a few quick reminders on heavy topics that I hope can offer you a small sense of peace in a tumultuous and emotional time:

  • At Stough, all exterior doors will remain closed and locked each day.  Through the pandemic, there had been conversations about propping classroom doors open for better airflow.  Please note we will no longer allow this practice.
  • Visitors must report to the main entrance and ring the bell to enter the school.  Any unrecognized visitors will be vetted by front office staff.
  • Any volunteers that work directly with children must be approved through the District procedures, which includes a background check.
  • We train our staff at the beginning of each year on school lockdown procedures.  With the assistance of Raleigh PD, we conduct lockdown drills for students and staff every fall.
  • The District provided all of you with this message earlier this week.  It includes a couple links on how to talk about violence with our kids.  Use as you see fit.  Also, our student services team is available to connect with you or your students as you see a need.  You can reach Mrs. Shaw at lshaw2@wcpss.net. 

 

Lastly, we thank the Raleigh Police Department for its increased presence on our campus this week.  We understand that this will be more consistent as we finish these last two weeks of school.

 

If you have any questions about the safety precautions or procedures on our campus, feel free to reach out to me directly.  On to the weekly updates:

 

 

1.  Next week is a four-day week for students.  There is no school for the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday.

 

 

2.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week are the main days for North Carolina EOG testing for third, fourth and fifth graders.  Please be sure your student gets plenty of rest and arrives to school on time.  Here's the schedule:

 

  • Wednesday, June 1: Reading EOG
  • Thursday, June 2: Math EOG
  • Friday, June 3: Science EOG (5th grade only)

 

Make-up testing for any students who miss an EOG will take place the following Monday, June 6.

 

 

3.   A reminder about books from our Media Specialist, Mrs. Galvan:

 

The end of the school year is coming quickly! It's time to return library books. Our last day for checkout will be Friday, May 27.  Students should return all books to the library by Friday, June 3. Email notices will begin coming soon, but your students can see what is checked out to them in Follett Destiny Discover in their Wake ID portal anytime.   Also, the library needs volunteers to shelve books. If you have time to help, contact Mrs. Galvan at agalvan@wcpss.net.  
 
 

 

4.  A note about Super Kids Day from our PE Teacher, Mr. Hooker:

 

Super Kids Day Volunteers Needed

This is one of the most fun school days of the year for students. The success of this field day is down to the wonderful parent volunteers who give their time to help run the events. Please join us on June 8th (Rain Date: June 9th).

Use the following link to sign up.

https://bit.ly/SuperKidsDay

Please sign up for as many time slots as you wish.

​**The weather may be hot, and there is one water game, so suncreen, water bottle, change of clothes, and a towel are recommended. 

 

 

5.  Finally, we are already actively planning for next school year.  If you are already certain that your K-4 student will not be attending Stough next year, please let us know.  Send an email to our data manager at bzetocha@wcpss.net.  This will help us to better plan for enrollments and class assignments for 2022-23.

 

 

6.  PTA Updates:

 

Auction Item Pick-up

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the auction! We know many of you were unable to pick up items on Monday afternoon due to the tornado warning. Auction items are now in the main office. Please contact stoughpta@gmail.com if you have any questions. Thank you for helping us raise over $11,000! 

June 2- Bronco Tacos Social 

We are teaming up with Bronco Tacos for a spirit night and a Laurel Hills playground get together from 5:00-7:00 pm. Bronco Tacos is a new restaurant at 3434 Edwards Mill Road. The entire fundraiser takes place from 2:00- 9:00 pm.  

June 10- Popsicles and Play Social 

Stop by the Laurel Hills playground on June 10 from 4:00-6:00 for popsicles and play time! PTA is supplying popsicles and renting the large shelter to celebrate a great school year. Hope to see you there!

 

Vision Martial Arts Fundraiser

This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to try Martial Arts! Vision is offering 6 weeks of classes (in person or online) for only $69. This includes a practice uniform! Vision will give Stough PTA $65 from each enrollment. Please use this form to sign up: Vision Martial Arts Training for Stough PTA (wufoo.com)

 

 

Have a great three-day weekend,
Chris Cox, Principal