Dear Turner Creek Families, 

 

Happy New Year!  I hope you all enjoyed time with your family over the winter break and got to spend lots of time outside while it was uncharacteristically warm.  

 

First of all, I apologize for the length of the newsletter this week.  It is packed with important information that I hope you can find time to process.  We are already beginning to think about next school year so you will find multiple items below that will help us with the planning process.  

 

I want to send a special shout out to Jack (5th grade), Mikayla (3rd grade), and Ling (3rd grade) for taking the time to clean our playgrounds during winter break.  They were able to save 30 balls that were lost in the forest beside our school and clean up another 30 that were too degraded to save.  Thank you for taking care of our school.  

 

I also want to thank Nicole Alligood and the PTA for installing Spirit Rocks on our campus.  I am excited to see you all use your creativity as you decorate the rocks for special occasions.  

 

If you need anything at all, you can reply to this email or email me directly at ksmall@wcpss.net 

 

Updated 2022-2023 Year-Round Calendar

 

 

**New Announcements*

 

Welcome Christina Jenkins!  

Kelsey Tunstall, one of our Assistant Principals, will be out on maternity leave through February 20.  Ms. Jenkins has joined our school family to support our administrative team while she is out.  Ms. Jenkins is a retired Wake County assistant principal with a wealth of knowledge and experience in schools.  We are so happy to have her! 

 

 

Track Change Requests for the 23-24 School Year (form linked)

 

To request a track change for the 2023-2024 school year, please complete this form for EACH CHILD attending Turner Creek Elementary.  This form is only for 2023-24 Turner Creek students. (Track change requests for year-round middle schools must be submitted directly to the middle school.)  

Track Change Requests are not guaranteed.  The deadline for filling out the request form is Friday March 3, 2023.  Decisions for track change requests will be finalized and communicated no later than May 1, 2023 and will be based on availability at the requested track and grade level.  

 

 

23-24 School Year Planning (form linked)

 

The number of students enrolled in the new school year impacts many decisions we make while planning.  This includes the amount of instructional money we earn, the number of teachers we can hire, and the number of Specials (art, music, etc.) students will have.  If your child does not plan to return to Turner Creek next school year, please let us know by filling out the form linked above.  

 

 

Report Cards

 

Quarter 2 Report Cards will come home on Monday January 9 for Tracks 1 - 3.  Track 4 report cards come home on January 26.  Please review your child’s report card. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher to schedule a conference.  

 

 

NC Read to Achieve Overview for Families (Linked)

 

Our Literacy Coach, Michelle McDaniel, prepared a presentation to inform families about NC Read to Achieve legislation.  Use the link above to view and listen to the presentation.  

In this presentation you will learn about: 

• The Science of Reading

• The Excellent Public Schools Act

• The goal of NC Read to Achieve

• What the read to achieve legislation means for your child

  • Assessments

  • Reading interventions and supports

  • Specific skills students need to read proficiently

  • How to read Home Connect letters

  • Reading Camp

This school year, students have completed two mclass assessments, one at the beginning of the year, and a mid-year assessment.  Home Connect letters will come home on January 18th for tracks 1-3 and February 3rd for track 4 students.  If you have any questions about your child’s reading progress, please reach out to your child’s teacher.  

 

 

Counselor Connection (Linked)

 

Our school counselors will begin sending monthly newsletters to showcase the work they are doing with students at Turner Creek.  We hope this will be a great resource for our families. 

 

 

Technology Policies

 

I am noticing an increase in students wearing smart watches and bringing phones to school since the holidays.  While these are great tools to have, they are also becoming very distracting during class.  Cell phones should be kept in students’ backpacks during the school day, if they choose to bring them to school, and should be kept on silent. If a student needs to communicate with a family member (ex: feels sick, left something at home, etc) all communication should go through the teacher or the front office. This helps ensure that we are best supporting the student while they are in the building and that we are keeping them safe. 

Smartwatches are a little bit trickier, because students are able to wear them at school but cannot utilize them. Please read the board policy below about smart watches in schools.  The watches must be in Airplane mode and unable to receive messages during the day.  Please either have your child leave their smart watch at home or double check that these devices are turned on to Airplane Mode during the day.  No child should be able to receive text messages from anyone during the day on watches or be able to play games on the watch. 

________________________________________________________________

Smart watches are allowed only if put on Airplane mode in order to disable text messages and phone calls from being received by the watch/device.  The watch is considered a cell phone UNLESS airplane mode is activated.  Board Policy 3225 Technology Responsible Use states:

 

Students are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct and the applicable “Rules for Use of Technology Resources” set forth in this policy when students use a personal device on school property, at school sponsored events, on school-based transportation, or anytime a personal device is connected to school system technology resources. As an example, students using a personal device on school property, at school sponsored events, on school-based transportation, or when the device is connected to school system technology resources, shall not engage in creating, intentionally viewing, accessing, downloading, storing, printing or transmitting images, graphics (including still or moving pictures), sound files, text files, documents, messages or other material that is obscene, defamatory, profane, pornographic, harassing, or abusive.”

 

Late Field Trip Payments

 

The online payment window for field trips has passed. If you have not yet paid for your child’s field trip but would like them to participate, please either send in a check with your student or come to school between the hours of 9:45 AM- 3:00 PM to drop off a check. Make checks payable to Turner Creek Elementary. Please contact jhawkins@wcpss.net or rlumpkin@wcpss.net with any questions.

 

 

22-23 EOG Dates for 3rd - 5th Grade Students

Attendance is important during EOG testing.  Please do not plan trips or appointments for these days. 

 

Track 1: 

• Math: May 24

• Reading: May 23

• Science: May 19

Track 2, 3 & 4:

• Math: June 21

• Reading: June 20

• Science: June 16

 

 

Technology Update

 

Turner Creek Technology is getting a much needed upgrade!  New promethean boards will be delivered on Monday January 9 and will be installed in classrooms that do not have large screen televisions on January 11.  This installation comes as part of our district’s efforts to equip all schools with the latest technology.  We look forward to seeing how these new devices will enhance our instruction at Turner Creek.  

 

Read-a-Thon

 

Dates: February 8 - 22

How can you support this event?

Help us recruit donations and sponsorships.  Email fundraising@tce-pta.org for support or more information.  

 

Help your child create and submit book themed artwork to feature on our Read A Thon bookmarks.  Students can turn artwork into their classroom teacher.  The deadline for submissions is January 23.  ***Bonus points will be awarded to any student who uses Ms. Small’s favorite author, Mo Willems, as inspiration for their book art.***  

 

 

BackPack Buddies Update

 

Thank you to everyone who has given to our food pantry! We were able to provide 50 students with Holiday boxes, to help support families with food over the 2 week winter break (or 4 week break for track 1 and 4 students)! Because of the holidays, our pantry has become really empty recently.

If you are interested in supporting this program, here is a link for our current needs:

 

(Items in red are in HIGH need) 

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zG8HKy1-9zCJcQYo0gRXVuN1nOe2kdTIcyn8q1Ql7tw/edit?usp=sharing.

 

You can drop food off at the office at any time, or use the links to have donations directly shipped. Target has a much better deal on our high need items, if you want to support: 

 

https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/treefrogfoodpantry 

 

If your family is in need of food support please send an email to jhawkins@wcpss.net saying that you are interested, your child's name, and the number of children under the age of 18 in your household. We will send home a permission form with your student and food home on Fridays.

 

 

Attend Magnet Mini Fairs on Jan. 7 and Jan. 12

 

Explore your magnet program options and learn about the magnet application process at these upcoming events.

• K-8 Virtual Magnet Mini Fair: Saturday, Jan. 7 from 9 to 11 a.m. Register here

• Magnet Elementary Mini Fair: Thursday, Jan. 12 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Farmington Woods Magnet Elementary School. 

 

Apply for magnet or year-round schools by Jan. 25  

 

Apply for magnet or year-round schools for the 2023-24 school year by Jan. 25.

 

Visit wcpss.net/magnet to learn about magnet themes and the application process. Use the magnet lookup tool to see which application schools are options for you. Review the timeline for all applications and events for the 2023-24 school year.

 

 

Positivity Project

 

This month one of the character strengths our school community will be focusing on is the character strength of Optimism. Optimism means you expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.

 

Optimism represents a state of hopefulness and confidence about the future (both short and long term). People with this strength are future-oriented. They have a positive vision of what the future holds and maintain confidence that they will get there. Despite setbacks, they keep a positive attitude and often find ways to convert what seems like an obstacle into a stepping-stone to achieving their goals.

 

Optimism is not about wearing rose-colored glasses and rolling over when the going gets tough. It’s about staying focused on the good in any situation -- allowing you to be aware of opportunities and accountable for your emotions. Optimists are strong leaders. They find meaning in hardship and can create a vision for the future. Optimists are inspiring; their example is contagious. And, by sharing and achieving their vision -- despite setbacks -- they help us all achieve more.

 

To practice and encourage the character strength of optimism with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.

Repeat Announcements

 

Purchase a 2022-2023 Turner Creek Yearbook

 

The cost of the yearbook is $20 until January 31st. The price will then be $25.

 

 

Register for Kindergarten for 2023-24

 

Kindergarten registration for the 2023-24 school year is now open. All families with children who will turn five on or before Aug. 31, 2023 should register your child online. Use the address lookup tool to find your base school and view your year-round and magnet application school choices. Learn more about the registration process at wcpss.net/kindergarten. 

 

 

Celebration Books Flyer Linked

 

Donating a book is a very special way to honor your child while promoting a love of reading and supporting the Turner Creek Media Center. If you would like to participate in this program, you can fill out this online form.

 

Staff’s Favorite Things (Linked)

 

I ask staff to share their favorite things so we can show them we care throughout the year.  

 

2022-2023 Caregiver/Student Handbook (Linked)

 

Please bookmark our handbook.  It will be a “first stop” as you have questions about the everyday operations at Turner Creek.  This handbook will always be in “draft” form as we are in a world where change is the new norm.  I hope it will be a good resource for you and your family. 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Monday January 9: Quarter 2 Report Cards come home for Tracks 1, 2, 3

Wednesday January 11: School Choice Tour 4:30-5:30 pm

Monday January 16: Holiday, No School

Wednesday January 18: Track Out Day for Track 3

Thursday January 19: Track In Day for Track 4, School Choice Tour 4:30 - 5:30pm

Thursday January 26: Quarter 2 Report Cards come home for Track 4

Tuesday February 14: Track Out Day for Track 2

Wednesday February 15: Track In Day for Track 3

 

Take Care,

Kristin Small, Principal