Happy Sunday Mustang Families! We are looking forward to a full week of learning on The Ranch. Report cards will be distributed to students on Monday. Please ask your student for a copy of their report card when they get home.

Magnet Schools of America: We learned last week that we earned Magnet School of Distinction recognition through Magnet Schools of America. This designation reflects the commitment to the Gifted and Talented Magnet Program by our entire school community and we are thrilled to have this honor. Thank you for continuing to support our program and school community. This is a total school recognition!

Carpool Reminders: I am, again, asking carpool families to follow our carpool procedures for drop off and pick up. All students should be dropped off and picked up in the parking lot along the gym. Do not drop off or pick up your student on Horton Street. This is unsafe. This also slows down carpool for all families who are following the stated guidelines and expectations. The entrance to the parking lot from the “pool side” near where the yellow buses line up is reserved for school transportation. Do not enter the carpool line from that side of the parking lot to cut the line. Again, it is unsafe for our walkers, delays school transportation and slows down the carpool line for all families.

Black History Month: February is Black History Month. It is important to recognize the contributions of Black Americans throughout the year and in February we honor how they helped and continue to shape and strengthen North Carolina and change the course of American history. 

Martin Family Coffee: Our 1^st February Coffee will be this Friday beginning at 8am. The focus will be High School Registration so our target audience will be 8^th grade families. The meet link for the coffee is: https://meet.google.com/xwf-hkxi-rsu. It can also be found on the by navigating to the calendar of the Martin website and clicking on the event.

School Counselor Appreciation Week: This week marks School Counselor Appreciation Week and we have three of the best! Please take a moment to send a note of thanks for all Ms. Rowell, Ms. Leech and Mr. Strader do to support our students, families and staff.

Congratulations: The Choral Department hosted WCPSS All County Chorus this weekend and was well represented on stage. Ms. Thomas and the students were not only wonderful hosts, but they were outstanding performers!

Yearbook: Attention 8^th Grade families: February 9^th is the last day to complete and purchase a student recognition ad. Use the link below to create and purchase a yearbook ad for your 8^th grade student. For questions about this, please contact Ms. Bricker (tbricker@wcpss.net).

8^th Grade Student Recognition Ad

8^th Grade Families: Please join us on February 10^th at 8am for a virtual Parent Presentation on High School registration. This session will cover general information about WCPSS High Schools as you begin to work with your 8^th grader to plan for high school. To help prepare for the presentation, Ms. Rowell has asked that you share any questions that you want the team to be sure they address by submitting them here.

Upcoming Open Houses:

• Apex Friendship          2/9 from 6-8pm (Drop-In Event)
• Leesville Road            2/9 from 6-7:30pm (Parent Only)
• Millbrook                      2/9 from 6:30-7:45pm (AP Info session from 6-6:30pm)
• Sanderson                   2/9 from 5-6:30pm (RSVP Here)
• South Garner              2/9 from 6-7pm
• Garner                         2/16 from 6-7:30pm
• Green Hope                2/16 from 5:30-7:30pm
• Heritage                      2/16 from 6:30-7:30pm
• Holly Springs               2/16 from 5:30-7:30pm
• Knightdale                   2/16 from 5:30-8pm
• Middle Creek               2/17 (Virtual) and 2/22 from 6-7pm
• East Wake                  2/22 from 5:30-7pm
• Athens Drive               2/23 time TBD
• Cary                            2/23 from 5:30-8pm
• Panther Creek             2/23 from 5-7pm
• Broughton                   2/28 at 5:30pm
• Southeast Raleigh      2/28 at 6pm    
• Enloe                           3/2 from 6-8pm

Art Club: The Art Club will meet on Tuesday from 2:20-4:00. Students are reminded to have their rides pick them up in the bus loop near the Art Patio at 4pm.

Athletics This Week: Our last home basketball game of the year is on Thursday. Fifth quarter begins at 4pm, unless noted otherwise. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets online at https://gofan.co/app/school/nc67640

• Thursday        Basketball vs Carnage

Spring Sports Information:  Spring Sports registration ends Thursday, February 23^rd at 10pm. Please double check your student’s Dragonfly account to make sure it is 100% complete and accepted. Contact Coach Basaldu (jbasaldu@wcpss.net) with any questions.

From the PTA:

Love the Bus: February is Love the Bus Month and the Martin PTA would like to celebrate our hard-working drivers. We plan to have a small celebration for them on Friday, February 10^th, and provide each driver wit a small treat bag. Please consider donating to this cause. We need candy and treats for the gift bags and would love donations of Chick-Fil-A nugget and cookie trays. Cash donations are always appreciated. Links to sign up and donate are: CFA and Treats and Cash Donations.

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Thank you, Mustangs, and have a wonderful week.