Principal's Message 9.11.2022
Hello Pleasant Grove Families! This is Principal Batten. I hope that you and your child have enjoyed the weekend. We are excited to kick-off the PTA Booster DanceFit program on Thursday this week. It will be the biggest PTA fundraiser of the year.
Here is useful information to know to support your child this week:
Arrivals: This week we encourage all new families to let their child enter independently into the school each morning. We look forward to celebrating your child’s growing independence and confidence with school routines.
Transportation Changes: If you have a transportation change that you can’t request in writing, please call the school office at 919-694-8770 prior to 2:30 PM so we can notify your child’s teacher. Please do NOT e-mail the teacher during the school day to request a transportation change. He or she might not read your e-mail until after dismissal.
Carpool: Help students learn their carpool number. Parents make sure your child exits & enters from the passenger side. You may need to slide your passenger side front seat up so your child can enter or exit from the passenger side.
Bus Transportation: Check https://www.wcpss.net/Page/41148 for updates about bus routes and services. Each afternoon we post bus departure times on our school bus twitter @pgesbuses.
Early Checkout: If you find it necessary to check your child out of school early, you must do so before 3:15 PM. You must show a photo id when you arrive to check your child out of school. For the safety of all our students, our office staff will ask to see a photo ID before releasing a child to anyone.
Airport Boulevard Road Construction: There are upcoming ramp closures at the I-40 & Airport Boulevard interchange. Read more https://bit.ly/3qewOIh
Volunteers: If you completed the WCPSS volunteer registration process in the 2021-2022 school year your status is still active. If you are a new family, or did not register last year, you need to complete volunteer registration. You can complete this process at any WCPSS school.
SPOTLIGHT FOR THE WEEK:
Literacy at Home: To support our youngest readers, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Office of Early Learning has developed a digital resource for “Literacy at Home”. It provides literacy activities at each grade level, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Families can use this resource for activities that specifically target the literacy skills of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and oral language. When children grow in each of these skills they are well on their way to becoming proficient readers.
Here is the full link to this great resource: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/parents-corner/literacy-home-digital-childrens-reading-initiative
School Improvement Parent Ballot: Several families have contacted me and shared that the link provided for the School Improvement Team Ballot was not working. Please try this link instead: https://forms.gle/G1DwnXXRBXhjsxUq5
School Yearbooks: Now is the best time of year to order a school yearbook. The cost is $20 until September 30. Order online at https://bit.ly/PGESYB2023
Feed a Flyer Angel Account: The Feed a Flyer Angel Fund we’ve set up in the cafeteria is currently empty. If anyone would like to make a contribution, please see the Cafeteria Manager, Ms. Beniamen. Checks can be made out to Pleasant Grove Elementary School Cafeteria. Any contributions can help feed students if they forget their lunch at home or if their meal account runs out rather than the alternative meal of fruits & vegetables.
INFORMATION FOR ALL FAMILIES
Student Meals: Visit https://www.wcpss.net/Page/21563 for information about student meals. Families can apply for free or reduced-price meals online by visiting www.MySchoolApps.com . Paper applications can be requested by calling 919-588-3535 or emailing cnsmealbenefits@wcpss.net .
Birthday Parties: Pleasant Grove cannot accommodate requests for birthday parties at school. Adults should plan birthday parties, special treats, cake, cupcakes, and candies for their children at home or at a non-school location.
Student Technology Questions or Concerns?: If your child has trouble with their district assigned device call Student Tech Help at 919-664-5700 or visit https://staform.wcpss.net
Student Accident Insurance: Each school year, parents have the option to purchase accident insurance for their child through a WCPSS-contracted provider. Visit www.wcpss.net/insurance for more information.
Bus Conduct: WCPSS will enforce a Code of Conduct for students who ride school bus transportation. Students who cannot follow the code of conduct will lose bus riding privileges.
Student & Family Handbooks: Copies of the Pleasant Grove Student & Family Handbooks are available online at https://www.wcpss.net/domain/10455
Wellness: If your child is not feeling well, or experiencing COVID-like symptoms, then they should stay home. Isolation requirements are listed online at wcpss.net/whentoreturn. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and healthy!
STUDENT INTERESTS
Girls on the Run: Girls on the Run meets on Tuesday and Thursday this week, 4 PM – 5:15 PM. Girls should be picked up at 5:15 PM in the school carpool loop. Families who have registered will receive a confirmation email.
First Tee: The First Tee Golf program begins September 21. Families who are interested should email jeanna@firstteetriangle.org
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION UPDATES
Parent Teacher Association (PTA): Most families join the PTA to support their child’s school. I hope you can too! The PTA organizes special activities for students, provides resources for teachers, and hosts events for families. Join for $5. Visit https://pges.memberhub.com
PTA DanceFit Fundraiser: Pleasant Grove Elementary families! This is a quick reminder that registration is officially open for our Pleasant Grove Elementary DanceFit!
Our goal is to raise $16,000 for a new sun shade for our playground. You can do 3 things to help support our school through this fundraiser.
1. Register on mybooster.com tonight. It’s so easy!
2. Share about our fundraiser with family and friends using the SHARE BUTTON on mybooster.com.
3. Give to help our school, if you are able to. Thank you again for your support!
⭐️ Register Now On MYBOOSTER.COM ⭐️
Just for registering, you can enter our PARENT SWEEPSTAKES to win a Goodberry's gift card and an adult size school t-shirt! In order to be eligible for the drawing, you must register before 09/15/2022.
The DanceFit event for students will occur September 23. Thank you for working with us to make our school stronger. We are grateful for your support!
Let’s make it a great week! Email me if you have questions. You can reach me at bbatten@wcpss.net.
Sincerely,
Burt Batten, Principal