February 2, 2025
Dear Rogers Lane Families:
ROGERS LANE ELEMENTARY CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY
February is Black History Month, and at Rogers Lane, we’re excited to honor the achievements, history, and contributions of Black individuals through engaging classroom activities and school-wide events.
We’re especially proud to host our Black History Career Expo on February 27th, where students will have the opportunity to learn from inspiring professionals who reflect the rich diversity of our community.
World Read Aloud Day on February 5th: This special event will celebrate the stories and voices of Black authors and individuals.
Classroom Door Decoration Contest: Students will collaborate with their classmates to create themed door decorations.
Black History Month Career Expo on February 27th: Students will join the Rogers Lane community to learn from inspiring professionals.
Classroom Activities: Teachers will engage students in meaningful lessons and activities focused on Black history and culture.
READ AROUND THE WORLD DAY
We are excited to participate in World Read Aloud Day at Rogers Lane Elementary School on Wednesday, February 5th. We will use this event to kick off our Black History Month celebration. This special event is designed to celebrate the stories and voices of Black authors and individuals, and we would love for you to contribute to making this day meaningful for our students.
On Read Around the World Day, readers will select a book that either highlights Black individuals or is written by a Black author.
We have invited district and community partners to take part in this event.
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
Rogers Lane Elementary School is partnering with the American Heart Association for our Kids Heart Challenge Event beginning in February. Your child will have the opportunity to raise awareness and critical funds for things like congenital heart defects and mental wellbeing. To register and get your child started, follow the steps below:
FAMILIES – HERE’S HOW TO GET STARTED
Step 1. Sign up online! Visit our school’s Kids Heart Challenge page: HERE OR download the AHA Schools app for iPhone or Android to search for our school and sign up!
Step 2.  Complete Finn’s Mission!
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON CELL PHONE POLICIES IN SCHOOL AT OUR NEXT BOARD ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025
STUDENT HEADPHONES
We want to remind you that students are not allowed to wear headphones while moving throughout the building. Headphones may only be used when directed by a teacher for school-related activities. This policy helps ensure students remain focused, engaged, and safe during the school day.
Additionally, please note that the school is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or missing personal items, including headphones. We encourage students to keep such items secure in their backpacks when not in use for instructional purposes.
Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a focused and safe learning environment.
NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR WEEK
This week we are celebrating National School Counseling Week, recognizing the incredible contributions of our school counselor(s) to our students’ success and well-being. School counselors play a vital role in helping students achieve their goals, develop strong social-emotional skills, and navigate challenges.
We encourage you to join us in showing appreciation by sharing a kind word or note of thanks with our counselor(s). Let’s make this week special as we honor the impact they make every day!
K-2 Counselor – Ms. Kayla Cockrell – kcockrell@wcpss.net
3-5 Counselor – Ms. Alexia Ali – aali19@wcpss.net
PARTNERS IN PROGRESS: YOUR ROLE IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEAM
WHO IS THE EVENT FOR: Families of Students with IEPs
WHEN AND WHAT TIME: February 12, 2025 - 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
DETAILS
-
- This evening will be hosted by the SPED Department.
- Learn about your role on the IEP team and strategies to help your child succeed.
AGENDA FOR THE NIGHT:
Whole Group Session:
- Meet the SPED Team
- Learn about the parents’ role on the IEP Team
- Learn about homework strategies
Breakout Groups:
- Pre K: Preparing for Kindergarten
- K-2: Developmental Delay Reevaluation
- 3-5: State Testing & Transitioning to Middle School
FEBRUARY 17, 2025 IS NOW AN INSTRUCTIONAL DAY FOR STUDENTS
Due to last week’s inclement weather, combined with RLES students dismissing early in August for HVAC issues, students will need to make up the missed school day on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
Additionally, there will be school for students on Monday, February 17, 2025. More details about this day will be shared soon.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CAREER EXPO
Join Rogers Lane Elementary School as we celebrate Black History Month by learning from experienced African American professionals as they educate us about their careers and the historical impact that African Americans have had on them! We look forward to seeing you on Thursday February 27th, 2025 from 6pm-8pm at 201 N Rogers Lane located in Raleigh, North Carolina 27610.
Please let us know if you’re planning to join us >> RSVP to Rogers Lane Career Expo
HAVE YOU JOINED OUR PTA?
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
Wake County Health and Human Services offers a variety of programs that can provide assistance to families. Programs and assistance include benefits such as employment assistance, energy assistance, child care subsidy, food assistance, Medicaid, seasonal programs, transportation, Work First/CCS and other programs. Families can apply for multiple programs with one application: NC ePASS. This application is available in many languages and interpreters are available to assist families in completing the application if needed. More information about available programs and eligibility can be found here: https://epass.nc.gov/login.
SAVE THE DATE FOR UPCOMING FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
Our leadership team is excited to announce a series of upcoming family engagement workshops designed to support our diverse school community. Each workshop is tailored to meet the unique needs of specific groups of families, focusing on strategies to empower parents in fostering student success. Whether you’re navigating multilingual learning, partnering as part of the special education team, supporting early learners, or preparing for end-of-grade assessments, we have something for you. Save the dates and stay tuned for more details!
- Coming Soon! February 12, 2025 – Partners in Progress: Your Role in the Special Education Team
- March 20, 2025 – Home-School Connection: Empowering K-2 Learners Together
- April 10, 2025 – Excelling Together: EOG Preparation for Families and Students
- DATE CHANGE: May 15, 2025 - Bridging Success: Supporting Multilingual Learners at Home
DO YOU WANT TO JOIN YOUR CHILD FOR A FIELD TRIP?
As we plan for upcoming field trips, we want to share some important guidelines regarding chaperones based on Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) policy. The safety and supervision of all students is a priority/
Chaperone Expectations:
- To serve as a chaperone, you must be an approved WCPSS volunteer. This process includes completing the volunteer application and background check.
- Non-approved parents/guardians are discouraged from attending field trips. For safety and logistical reasons, unapproved parents who show up at field trip destinations will not be allowed to chaperone.
- When an unapproved parent joins a trip, it limits the opportunity for their child to fully engage with classmates and benefit from the group experience.
If you are interested in chaperoning, please complete the WCPSS volunteer application at your earliest convenience. This ensures that all field trips are safe, organized, and enriching for our students.
INFORMATION FOR PIECES OF GOLD FAMILIES
Sponsorships/Program Ads
We are happy to give small and large businesses a chance to reach a broader network in a meaningful way! You can also buy an ad to congratulate your students!
The deadline for sponsorships and ads is NEXT FRIDAY, January 31.
More information can be found at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/pogpa. Please contact Lee Posey Pike at Lpike@unitedarts.org with any questions.
T-Shirts
The deadline for t-shirt pre-sales is February 5th at 5 pm. After that, a limited stock will be available for purchase during rehearsals and show day. Ordering T-shirts ahead of time is recommended as they will be on a first come first serve basis while supplies/sizes last.
Click here to purchase.
T-shirts will be available for pick up on the following dates:
- Rehearsal - Saturday, February 22, 2025, Martin Middle School, Auditorium Lobby
- Dress Rehearsal - Tuesday, March 4 2025, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Inner Lobby
- Final Performance - Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Inner Lobby
Shirts not picked up by intermission on March 5, 2025 will be donated to the WCPSS Arts Ed Office.
Flowers
Flowers will be sold on a first come first serve basis on March 5th at the final performance.
*Please remember that all orders and transactions for t-shirts & flowers are cashless to make operations quick and easy. We will accept checks and debit or credit card payments
If you have any questions or concerns regarding t-shirts or flowers sales, please feel free to email me at Awilliamson@unitedarts.org with the subject line 'POG 2025'.
A REMINDER ABOUT BIRTHDAYS & CUPCAKES
Families are welcome to send in healthy snacks for their child and his/her classmates to eat during lunch time. This year we are not permitting sweets (cupcakes, cookies, etc) to be passed out during the school day.
Our goal is to encourage healthy eating habits among students. Encouraging nutritious snacks supports students' overall well-being and aligns with the school's commitment to fostering a healthy environment.
Not all students can consume sweets due to allergies, dietary restrictions, or personal and religious beliefs. By avoiding sweets, the school ensures that all students feel included, and no one is left out or made to feel different because of their dietary needs.
The primary purpose of school is education. Birthday celebrations with sweets can be distracting and take away from valuable instructional time. By keeping celebrations simple and focused on the student rather than on the food, the school maintains a learning-focused environment.
SUPPORT HOW YOUR CHILD ‘ROCKs IT’ AT ROGERS LANE