The Cultural Arts Committee has arranged for Cindy Biles to be an Artist in Residence and provide a clay workshop for the students in K-2 grades. Mrs. MacDonald, MCES Art Teacher, has requested parent volunteers to assist with this workshop. Please sign up for one of the time slots below if you are able to volunteer your time. Thank You for helping to make this a successful experience for MCES students. www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F084CAFA82CA7FA7-cultural
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Welcome back to school! Hope you all had fun in the snow. As of last WCPSS posting, this coming Friday, March 6th, will not be an early release day. It will be a full day of school to make up for some of the snow days. Stay tuned to wcpss.net for details regarding all make up days.
Mother Son Extreme Night of Fun is scheduled for Friday, March 6th at 6pm. Remember to drop your cakes off at school if you singed up to donate. The Teacher Luncheon scheduled for March 6th has been moved to March 27th due to the change to a full day of school on March 6th. The MCES Spring Carnival will be held on Saturday, May 9th from 4pm-8pm. Like our Facebook page and receive updated information on the fun filled activities planned for the day. https://www.facebook.com/middlecreekcarnival2015 As part of the Carnival, MCES PTA holds a Silent Auction to help raise money for our next Big Project-renovation of the K-2 playground. If you have a business or connections with a local business and would like to donate an item to the Silent Auction, please contact AnnMarie Marchese at [email protected]. The PTA can provide you with a letter of our tax exempt status. Thank You to everyone who donated books to the Wake Up and Read Program. On March 2nd, to celebrate "Read Across America Day," and to mark the close of the Wake Up and Read book drive, all four Barnes and Noble stores in Wake county will host special events starting at 5:30pm. Visit Barnes and Noble on March 2nd starting at 5:30 for fun activities for children, special performances, story times with guest readers and more. If you make a purchase while you are there, mention the book drive and a portion of the proceeds will go to support the book drive. We can't run our fabulous PTA programs without parent help. There is a lot you can do with even a little bit of time. Not everything on the PTA is a huge time commitment! We need help taking pictures for the year book, calling back interested companies who want to donate money or chairing Mother Son Event. Below are listed a few open positions for the 2015-16 school year. Corporate Sponsorship~ job can be done from home. We have companies who want to donate, we just need someone to call them back and explain the next steps Co-Chair Bookfair ~ our September Bookfair needs a Co-Chair. This is a four week commitment. Ideal candidate would be track 2,3,4 (during track 1 track-out) Our Bookfair raises lots of needed funds for our library! Science Olympiad ~ two openings for a chair and co chair. Run the established Science Olympiad at the school. Lots of help from PTA, NCSO, past chairs and parents! Would be great for parent who's children participate in the science Olympiad. Spelling Bee Chair (2) run our schools spelling bee in the fall. Fun event at the school every fall. All children have a chance to participate. Program is run through PAGE of Wake County. For a complete list, please check the signup genius at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4ca4a723a2ff2-open Thank you so much for thoughtfully considering giving your time and talent! MCES is now on the Digital Leaning Day map and will participate in Digital Learning Day on March 13th. Visit the Digital Learning Day website for more information. http://www.digitallearningday.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=11 Now that the PTA has completed its work with Mrs. Parrish, Ms. Holland, and Ms. Fountain to help create the Learning Commons Area and equalize the distribution of computers in the classrooms, the PTA is ready to move forward with its next "Big Project." A few years back, the PTA matched WCPSS grant money to build a new playground for the 3-5 graders. The intention was always to address the K-2 playground needs, but technology needs took priority for the past few years. The PTA is now in a position to raise funds to again match WCPSS grant money to renovate the K-2 playground. Wake County has already be contacted regarding approved vendors. A playground committee needs to be formed to listen to the proposals of the various vendors, narrow down options, and decide on a company to use. Kendra Kelley, Beth Lewis, Jill Schwadron and Leigh Canulli have taken the lead on this so far, but need more parents to listen to the vendor presentations and provide input to help decide who to use. If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Kendra Kelley at [email protected]. Mrs. Fillard need a parent from Tracks 2, 3, and 4 to volunteers to pack the snack bags for needy children. This volunteer opportunity would be for about an hour every two weeks. Please contact Mrs. Fillard for details [email protected]. The March General PTA Meeting will be Tuesday, March 24th at 7pm. Please join us in the Media Center. The Durham Bulls "Bully Busters" Program was cancelled last week due to school being out. The assembly for Monday March 16th is still scheduled. The Durham Bulls have been contacted to reschedule the cancelled assembly. Details regarding the program can be found at http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20141208&content_id=103499404&sid=t234&vkey=team4. Hope you all enjoyed the extra time at home last week!
Saturday, February 28, 2015 is a scheduled make up day for 2/17/15 Winter Weather Day. Leigh Canulli will contact parents about plans for the cancelled Jr, Science Olympiad. Thank You to everyone who donated books to the Wake Up and Read Program. 25,000 books have been donated county wide so far. MCES will continue to collect books throughout this last week of February. Books can be dropped off during school hours in the box outside of the office. On March 2nd, to celebrate "Read Across America Day," and to mark the close of the Wake Up and Read book drive, all four Barnes and Noble stores in Wake county will host special events starting at 5:30pm. Visit Barnes and Noble on March 2nd starting at 5:30 for fun activities for children, special performances, story times with guest readers and more. If you make a purchase while you are there, mention the book drive and a portion of the proceeds will go to support the book drive. Now that the PTA has completed its work with Mrs. Parrish, Ms. Holland, and Ms. Fountain to help create the Learning Commons Area and equalize the distribution of computers in the classrooms, the PTA is ready to move forward with its next "Big Project." A few years back, the PTA matched WCPSS grant money to build a new playground for the 3-5 graders. The intention was always to address the K-2 playground needs, but technology needs took priority for the past few years. The PTA is now in a position to raise funds to again match WCPSS grant money to renovate the K-2 playground. Wake County has already be contacted regarding approved vendors. A playground committee needs to be formed to listen to the proposals of the various vendors, narrow down options, and decide on a company to use. Kendra Kelley, Beth Lewis, Jill Schwadron and Leigh Canulli have taken the lead on this so far, but need more parents to listen to the vendor presentations and provide input to help decide who to use. If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Kendra Kelley at [email protected]. Mrs. Fillard still needs parent volunteers to pack the snack bags for needy children. This volunteer opportunity would be for about an hour every two weeks. Please contact Mrs. Fillard for details [email protected]. The Durham Bulls "Bully Busters" Program will be coming to MCES in February and March. Assemblies will be held on Tuesday, February 24th and Monday March 16th to allow all tracks to attend. Details regarding the program can be found at http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20141208&content_id=103499404&sid=t234&vkey=team4. Now that the PTA has completed its work with Mrs. Parrish, Ms. Holland, and Ms. Fountain to help create the Learning Commons Area and equalize the distribution of computers in the classrooms, the PTA is ready to move forward with its next "Big Project." A few years back, the PTA matched WCPSS grant money to build a new playground for the 3-5 graders. The intention was always to address the K-2 playground needs, but technology needs took priority for the past few years. The PTA is now in a position to raise funds to again match WCPSS grant money to renovate the K-2 playground. Wake County has already be contacted regarding approved vendors. A playground committee needs to be formed to listen to the proposals of the various vendors, narrow down options, and decide on a company to use. Kendra Kelley, Beth Lewis, Jill Schwadron and Leigh Canulli have taken the lead on this so far, but need more parents to listen to the vendor presentations and provide input to help decide who to use. If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Kendra Kelley at [email protected].
Due to the winter weather and school being closed today. The PTA meeting for tonight is cancelled.
Welcome back Track 3!
Thank You to everyone who donated books this week to the Wake Up and Read Program. MCES will continue to collect books throughout the month of February. Books can be dropped off during school hours in the box outside of the office. The next General PTA meeting will be held Tuesday, February 17h at 7:00 in the Media Center. Childcare is available. Now that the PTA has helped transform the Media Center into the Learning Commons, plans for the next "Big Project" will be discussed. Information about Boosterthon and Carnival will also be presented. The March General PTA meeting has been moved from March 17th to March 24th. The Durham Bulls "Bully Busters" Program will be coming to MCES in February and March. Assemblies will be held on Tuesday, February 24th and Monday March 16th to allow all tracks to attend. Details regarding the program can be found at http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20141208&content_id=103499404&sid=t234&vkey=team4. Mrs. Fillard is leading MCES to partner with the Holly Springs Food Pantry to provide snacks for needy children. Thank You for the donations of paper bags and spoons. Mrs. Fillard also needs some parent volunteers to help pack the snack bags to donate. This volunteer opportunity would be for about an hour every two weeks. Please contact Mrs. Fillard for details [email protected]. Thank You to everyone who donated books this week to the Wake Up and Read Program. So far MCES has filled four boxes with books. MCES will continue to collect books throughout the month of February. Books can be dropped off during school hours in the box outside of the office.
The next General PTA meeting will be held Tuesday, February 17h at 7:00 in the Media Center. Childcare is available. Now that the PTA has helped transform the Media Center into the Learning Commons, plans for the next "Big Project" will be discussed. The March General PTA meeting has been moved from March 17th to March 24th. The Durham Bulls "Bully Busters" Program will be coming to MCES in February and March. Assemblies will be held on Tuesday, February 24th and Monday March 16th to allow all tracks to attend. Details recarging the program can be found at h ttp://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20141208&content_id=103499404&sid=t234&vkey=team4. Mrs. Fillard, school counselor, who was recently honored at the White House as a semi finalist for National Counselor of the year, and MCES are partnering with the Holly Springs Food Pantry to provide snacks for needy children. She needs donations of paper bags and spoons. Please drip these off in her office. Thank You to Paige Pavlik, Mo Lydon and Missy Balleydier for your time and effort in coordinating the Father Daughter Dance that was held last Friday Night. It was a fun and memorable event. Additional thanks goes to the volunteers who helped make sure the event ran smoothly: Sandi Armfield, Kerri DeLair, Regan DeLair, Allyson Arp, Jennifer Jury, Angela Haddon, Cheryl Sova, Jolene Linehan, Heather Lynch, Susan Mayhorn, Taryn Jessup, Kimberly Martinez, Lynette Zarrett Elizabeth Williams and Mrs. Bowser. Thank You to the parents who donated water and snacks. Thank You to the all teen volunteers who also donated their time. Mothers of sons: your event will be X-treme and held on March 6th. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details. Thank You Amy Berryman for creating a new logo for the Carnival this year. Check it out on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/middlecreekcarnival2015?ref=aymt_homepage_panel The Carnival is still in need of volunteers to help with organization of the event. A volunteer to help with Silent Auction Donations is needed. This is a great "do at home" job. A list of organizations is provided to email and ask for a donation. This is an easy volunteer job that does not take more than a few hours work, but helps to raise money for our school. A volunteer to help organize and run the Cake Walk is also needed. This job does not take place until the mid April/ May. It involves creating sign up for cake donations, collection of cake donations, set up of cake walk and monitoring the running of the cake walk during the Carnival. Caroline Bird is returning to oversee this event, but she could use two people to assist her.
Have a good track out Track 3! Looking forward to Track 4 coming back to school on Wednesday!
Dr. Margot Holloman spoke at the general PTA meeting on January 20th and provided information on how to help your child be organized for school. Dr. Holloman offers workshops on Enhancing Your Skills Parenting Your Elementary School Child and Enhancing You Elementary School Child's Quality of Life. Information regarding these workshops, and other services provided by Dr. Holloman, can be found on her website at http://drmargotholloman.com or by calling 919-363-4701. Thank You to all of you who have contributed to the fundraising efforts of the PTA. The conversion of the Media Center into the Learning Commons Environment was the direct result the collaborative effort between Ms. Holland and Mrs. Fountain to create a modern, exciting learning environment for MCES students. Money obtained through PTA fundraising helped make this vision a reality. New furniture and updated technology was purchased to create this new space. Read more about the changes at MCES: There has been a whirlwind of activity in the media center/technology lab in recent months. During the fall, Susie Holland attended The North Carolina School Library Media Association Conference in Winston-Salem, a Literacy in the Early Years Seminar at NCCAT on Okracoke Island, and EdCamp at Cullowhee. Laura Fountain and Susie Holland attended the WCPSS Fall Convergence in November. The recurring message at each of these learning experiences was the need to re-structure media/technology programs to meet the changing needs of our students. We learned that the most effective and promising programs involve change along with a program focused on student learning, with the students taking the lead. We have developed an active, comfortable space where students can discover, create, and collaborate with peers, a space that inspires them to be more productive and successful. We are sharing space and team teaching to develop an atmosphere of collaborative learning. Rather than focusing on the role that the library has played in the past, our goal was to design a space for what students need now and what our school envisions for the future. As a result, the media/technology program at Middle Creek has a new focus and a new look. The first step was updating and re-structuring programs and facilities. Proceeds from the book fair were used to update the space. We have added moveable tables that are wired for computers and iPads, child friendly seating, and laptops have been ordered. We also freshened up the space with a new coat of paint. Response from the students has been very positive. On a typical day in the Learning Commons, classes begin with a brief lesson or read aloud involving the entire group. Students then proceed to centers or learning stations. Some center choices include iPad activities, an interactive Mimeo activity, word work, logic puzzles, library games, research projects, computer activities, book check-out, Read to Self, and Read to Others. Students then switch to a second center or station for the remainder of the class time. This is a work in progress and we are all having a great time in this new adventure. We look forward to having a Learning Commons demonstration at out March 24th General PTA meeting. Note-the March general PTA meeting will be moved from March 17th to March 24th. It will remain at 7pm. The next general PTA meeting will be on Tuesday, January 20th at 7pm in the Media Center. The meeting will last ten or fifteen minute, then the PTA will host a guest speaker, Dr. Margot Holloman, who will offer information on how to keep your child organized.
The Nominating Committee is currently looking for volunteers to help with next year's programs. We have many dedicated volunteers leaving for middle school and are in need of new parents to take over and keep out programs moving forward. Contact Diane Hayes at [email protected] to volunteer. Does your child need help with organization? On Tuesday, January 20th, the PTA will host a guest speaker at the general PTA meeting at 7pm in the Media Center. Margot Holloman, PhD will provide information on "How to get your child organized." She will discuss the most critical times of the day that your child needs to be organized; how to decide if your child needs help with organization and deciding which problem to tackle first; and how to use prompts and rewards effectively. Dr. Holloman is a Clinical Psychologist located in Apex, North Carolina. Carnival The Carnival committee is looking for parent volunteers in the following areas: Cake Walk- Help with sign up for cake walk donations; collection of cake walk donations, set up of cake walk display at Carnival, help with running cake walk at Carnival. We already have one volunteer returning form last year to lead the cake walk team. Silent Auction- Help will emailing/calling from list of donors. Since the job primarily involves emailing, it can be done at any time form the comfort of your own home. This is about a two hour commitment for 2-3 three weeks in February/March. If you would like to help out, please contact AnnMarie Marchese at [email protected]. |
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