Happy Sunday, Mustang Families. We are excited to have everyone on The Ranch for a full week of school! As a reminder, Tuesday, March 7^th, is a teacher workday and Martin will be closed to students. Staff will be engaged in professional learning on March 7^th.

 

 

Spring Pictures: All students will have spring pictures taken on Friday, March 3^rd, during their social studies classes. Students should have brought home an order form last week. Pictures can also be ordered online at mylifetouch.com using the picture day ID: EVT8JR4G9.

 

Yearbook: Now is the time to order your 2023 Martin Yearbook! The link to order is: Martin Yearbook

 

Interim Reports: We have reached the midpoint of the 3^rd Quarter and this is a good time to check academic progress in PowerSchools/Parent Portal. Families are encouraged to review grades on Friday. Reach out to teachers for questions and to schedule conferences.

 

Art Club: Art Club meets on Tuesday from 2:20-4pm in the art rooms. Members are reminded to have their rides pick them up in the bus loop parking lot near the art patio at 4pm.

 

Carpool Procedures: Families are again asked to follow our Carpool Procedures for both morning and afternoon. We are seeing an increase in the number of adults not following those expectations so they will be reviewed here:

• Students are to be dropped off and picked up in the parking lot only along the gym side of the building.
• Students are not to be picked up or dropped off on either side of Horton Street or Ridge Road.
• Families are to make right hand turns into and out of the parking lot on Horton Street to maintain traffic flow.
• The entrance to the lot near the bus loop is reserved for vendor transportation vehicles and is not a carpool entrance.

We ask that all adults set a positive example for their students by following our stated expectations.

 

Second Step: All students will participate in a Second Step lesson this week through Corral. Topics and conversation starters are:

6^th Grade: How Emotions Affect Your Decisions: Your student will analyze how strong emotions can influence their decision-making abilities, as well as how those decisions can affect their relationships.

Conversation starter: Ask your student what sorts of things trigger strong emotions in them. Ask them how you can support when those things happen.

7^th Grade: Reframe the Situation: Your student will learn ways to reframe a situation by turning unhelpful thoughts into helpful ones.

Conversation Starter: Ask your student to explain the difference between helpful and unhelpful thoughts. Share an unhelpful thought you had and how you changed it to a helpful one. Ask how you can support them changing unhelpful thoughts to helpful ones.

8^th Grade: Where Does Stress Come From: Your student will learn where stress comes from, identify stressors in their life and examine which stressors they can control.

Conversation Starter: Ask your student if they have any stressors they can’t control. Talk about what they do have control over.

 

Debate Club: Debate Club members should mark their calendars for the next meeting, Thursday, March 9^th, from 3-4, in Ms. Snider’s room. Contact Ms. Snider, asnider@wcpss.net, for more details.

 

8^th Grade Families: Ms. Rowell will finish up registration presentations on Monday with students in Ms. Young’s science classes.   

Upcoming Open Houses:

• Broughton                   2/28 at 5:30pm
• Southeast Raleigh      2/28 at 6pm    
• Enloe                           3/2 from 6-8pm

There were conflicting dates in this communication and the High School Registration information Ms. Rowell shares with families regarding the Panther Creek Curriculum Night. I have linked the course selection information that Panther Creek has shared with us here. I am also sharing the presentation and registration information here. I apologize for any confusion this caused.

 

Spring Sports Information: Spring Sports tryouts begin on Monday, February 27^th. Contact Coach Basaldu (jbasaldu@wcpss.net) with any questions.

 

From the PTA:

Mustang Madness: Mustang Madness is right around the corner (March 13-17) and we have a week of fun and excitement in store for all our students! The event culminates on Friday, March 17^th, in the Martin Gym and auditorium with a variety of student performances, staff vs students competitions, art display and sale, raffles, prizes and more! If you or someone you know can donate a good, service or experience, email us at silentauction@martinpta.com

 

Thank you, Mustangs, and have a wonderful week.