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Fred A. Olds Weekly Update: March 16th

24-25 Olds ES Family Campus Guide or https://bit.ly/OLDSFAMILY  

Link to WCPSS Calendar 

 

Upcoming Events:  

Saturday, March 22nd - Grounds Day 9 am

Friday, March 28th - End of Quarter 3

March 31st ~ April 4th - Spring Break

Monday, April 7th - Makeup day for previous school closure

Thursday, April 10th - Cultural Celebration Night at 5 pm

 

 

Growing and Glowing at Olds!

For our growing and glowing spotlight, I want to share an email I received from a presenter from a recent event on campus. 

 

“I travel to schools all over NC and there were things about your school that were so noteworthy, I felt compelled to share them with you. First of all, I received a very warm welcome from the front office and was immediately escorted personally to the stage; This is rare. Usually, it’s, “The gym is down the hall. I called the music teacher but they aren’t in. Someone will come check on you in a bit.” Next, your kids were very well behaved and well-mannered. They were energetic when needed, but calmed down when asked to listen. They had no hesitation about singing in a group regardless of age. This was also a welcome surprise. They showed lots of interest and were also very gracious after our sessions. The real treat, however, was your teachers. This is absolutely what separates great schools from average ones. Your teachers were engaged, supportive of their kids, willing to participate, and just fun to be around.”

 

Receiving this feedback from someone who has never been on our campus and who had the opportunity to work with all of our school community is amazing. This is a prime example of what glowing looks like. When you are shining bright, others can see it! Keep growing and glowing Olds! 

 

 

Student Dreambox Usage

This month our students will be completing a fun dreambox challenge with a focus on the whole school reaching the goal of at least 5 lessons completed a week. This is a reminder that Dreambox lessons should be completed at school as we want to ensure students are working on the tasks on their own. Your child’s teacher may give different guidance on outside of school usage based on individual student and class needs during the course of the school year.

 

 Lost and Found

Parents, please review these pictures to see most of the current items in the lost and found. There are a large number of items included, please make sure you retrieve your items as soon as possible. 

 

Pictures can be found at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19AUuXjK5wFMrNJ7vJCaM0MCTA0pAEtn8/view?usp=sharing 

 

 

PTA Updates

 

Mid-year PTA Board Review

 

What has the Olds PTA accomplished this year?

  • Listened to teachers’ and families’ priorities to help guide our spending

  • Applied for a grant with TowardZeroWaste to secure compostable lunch trays (after WCPSS went back to styrofoam trays) and contracted with CompostNow to save our lunch trays from the landfill 

  • Made our Fall Festival free and fun for everyone to attend

  • Made a stronger push for corporate donations this year and received $10,000+ worth of support! (see donors listed below!)

  • Funded 4 cultural arts performances & artists and writers in residence this school year

  • Treated our teachers to ongoing catered lunches, breakfasts, and goodies as well as our upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week in May

  • Purchased and installed a new bike rack to accommodate our biking community

  • Fostered a strong and collaborative relationship with teachers and staff and provided stipends to support student learning and offset personal expenses

  • Supported professional development of staff

  • Funded PACK cart items to support positive behavior initiatives

  • Provided financial assistance to students to participate in school programs and field trips

  • Hosted a successful Spelling Bee and Science Fair

  • 83 families and staff members have joined the PTA

 

Where is our PTA going?

  • Goal to reach 100 PTA members! You can join anytime during this school year. 

  • Plans to update outdoor learning spaces and playground 

  • In the process of ordering new sound-absorbing panels for our cafeteria

  • Increase volunteer engagement and diversify our pool of active PTA volunteers

  • Host community building events like Spring Fling (May 16) and Picnic in the Park (June)

  • Silent Auction fundraiser alongside a parent-teacher social at “Howl at the Moon” (April 26)

  • Work together to make our campus more beautiful on Grounds Day (March 22)

 

How can you help?

  • Get involved! Email oldspta@gmail.com. Our PTA doesn’t run without volunteers! Just jump in. We know this may be new for you!

  • Attend our upcoming events!

  • Read our weekly PTA News and stay up to date!

  • Follow us on social media

  • Support and Thank our Corporate Sponsors: Walton Orthodontics, Diversified Consulting Group, Clancy & Theys Construction Company, Oberlin Road Pediatrics, O’Neal & Company Realtors, Mitch’s Tavern, Hamlin Roofing, Peace Street Dental, Hodge & Kittrell Meg Hackley

 

Howl @ The Moon

 

Save the date for our Spring fundraiser!  

Howl @ The Moon- Saturday, April 26th. 

 

How can you help? 

We are currently looking for raffle and silent auction items, such as:

 

  • Hotel Accommodations

  • Art

  • Electronics 

  • Summer camp opportunities 

  • Sports or concert tickets

  • Vacation home stays

  • Museum memberships

  • Gift cards

  • Any other ideas you may have!

 

For event sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, please email katcannon514@gmail.com. 

 

Follow Us On Social Media

 

To keep you updated on exciting events, important announcements, and ways to get involved in our school community, we invite you to follow our PTA on social media!

 

Find us on:

- Facebook: Old’s Elementary PTA

- Instagram: @oldselementarypta

 

By following us, you'll stay in the loop about upcoming activities, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support our students and teachers. We love sharing photos from events, helpful resources, and community news that benefits our families.

 

Yearbook Pictures 

 

The Olds PTA yearbook is in need of pictures! We’re filling out the pages from the first half of the school year and could use more pictures from all kinds of events: choir, fall festival, field trips, first day of school, spelling bee, and walk/roll to school. And keep those pictures from the rest of the year coming in, too! It helps if you put the event or grade in the email subject. 

 

If you’ve been meaning to send pictures but haven’t yet, go ahead and email them to oldsptayearbook@gmail.com.

 

Book Giveaway

 

Heads up: Olds will be collecting books for a free summer book giveaway again this year at the end of May. There will be collection boxes at school the week before the event. We accept picture books through YA novels (no board books or workbooks). Contact Amy Weinberg (amy.weinbergnc@gmail.com) with questions or to arrange an early book drop off.

 

PTA Calendar

 

Click here to access this year’s PTA calendar of events! 

 

Spirit Rock

 

Interested in reserving the spirit rock?  Click here!

 

 

Please continue to visit our website at www.wcpss.net/oldses. As always, please reach out to the main office should you have any questions or need additional information. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Kristen McCollum

Your Proud Principal