Panda Family News
We Learn. We Collaborate. We Celebrate.
It is back to school for our #PandaFamily and we have been busy preparing for the #PES2021 school year! Thank you to everyone who completed any CCS or PES surveys this summer. Your input was instrumental in planning for this year. We will continue to revise our plans as needed and welcome any feedback for improvement. We are still enrolling new students and finalizing class lists. You should expect an email from your child's teacher by 5PM this Thursday, August 13th introducing themselves and welcoming your family to Pandaville!
#PAWSome Things to Check Out
- Welcome Back with Mrs. Haithcox and Mr. Chutz via Zoom: Thursday, August 13th @6:30PM or Friday, August 14th @10:30AM - Learn more about how the #PES2021 school year will begin and what to expect! Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/94108199334?pwd=WFNQNFZIYkhjaXR1SFUrYWlZRUppdz09 Meeting ID: 941 0819 933 Passcode: 76bUw4
- Device Distribution: Friday, August 14th from 9AM-3PM for families that have completed the Device Distribution Sign Up form by August 10th. There will be future distribution days as needed. Please enter the carpool loop and remain in your car. Staff will bring the device to your car.
- 1st Day of School: Monday, August 17th - Zoom Instruction begins at 9AM.
- Virtual Meet the Teacher with Teachers via Zoom: Thursday, August 20th - Teachers will share Zoom links with families next week.
- Kindergarten Families
- Welcome our new #PandaFamily Staff
- Counselor Update
Please continue to #StaySafe and if you leave home, know your Ws! So excited to hear what #PandaMemories your family has made these past few months.
Wishing you well #PandaFamily,
Mrs. Haithcox
Mrs. Haithcox and Mr. Chutz share their #PandaSmiles before required Mask Wearing
Panda Family!
Device Distribution Sign Up
Using the link above. Please complete a form for each student who will be receiving a CCS device for 2020-21. This form will help Chatham County Schools provide a more contact-free device distribution process for schools and families.
Parents/Guardians - Please provide your email address below. Upon submission, you will receive an email confirmation. Please save this email to show at the school site to collect your student's device.
PES is anticipating our 1st Device Pick Up Day to be Friday, August 14th. You will be contacted when your device is ready for pick up.
Kindergarten Families
We know we are not starting the year out exactly like we had hoped, but we will #KeepItPAWSome through this like all Pandas do! We are most concerned with getting to know your child, getting to know your family, becoming an ally in helping your child succeed, and making sure your child’s basic needs are taken care of. We look forward to getting to know your child and getting this year started! If you have any questions or concerns please let us know.
More information to come for our Kindergarten Families. Be sure to check your email Monday, August 10th for information from our #PAWSome #PandaK Teachers!
Welcome our newest #PandaFamily Staff!!
Hannah Forbes
Hannah Forbes is from Kernersville, NC but she’s lived in Chapel Hill for the last 7 years or so. She loves listening to music and being outside- whether that means working in her garden, exploring, or practicing her newest hobby…roller skating! She also enjoys thrifting and looking for cool vintage goods. She has 1 cat, Mr. Binx- you’ll probably hear her talk about him at some point this year. Hannah graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with her bachelor's degree in Public Policy and she recently finished her Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). Ms. Forbes is passionate about social justice and views her job as a true privilege, to be able to teach students who will one day be change-makers in our world. She is very excited to join the team at Pandaville for the 2020-2021 school year!’
Samm Francucci
Justine Hilbert
Mrs. Hilbert is from Kansas City, Missouri but has called North Carolina home for over 4 years. She has dedicated her life to teaching children and knew that becoming an elementary teacher was her passion. She graduated in June 2020 from Western Governors University with a Bachelor's degree in Special Education. She is dual-licensed in elementary education as well! Mrs. Hilbert has three children who are 12, 8, and 5! She also loves animals and has 13 pets! In her free time, she enjoys playing board games, drinking coffee, and exercising. Most importantly, she loves motivating students to learn while having fun, too!
Amy Rogers
Mrs. Rogers is originally from Texas but became a North Carolinian 27 years ago when she married her husband. Amy has spent the last 2 years as a literacy coach with NC State (Wolfpack WORKS) coaching beginning teachers across North Carolina. She has 20 years of experience teaching K-8 in Chatham County Schools. Throughout her teaching career in Chatham County, she has served as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, and AIG Specialist.
She lives in Silk Hope with her husband Michael and 4 kids. She is passionate about helping kids find their joy in reading and supporting and learning alongside teachers. In her free time, she loves reading survival stories, gardening, and scrapbooking.
Lynne Henning
Deana Weaver
Mrs. Weaver is excited to join Pittsboro Elementary School this year as a third-grade teacher. She has been teaching for 8 years and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Cal Poly Pomona and a Master’s degree in Education from National University.
Mrs. Weaver is passionate about helping all students reach their full potential and believes that there is no one-size-fits-all method of learning or teaching. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, going on “easy” hikes, and spending time with her family. Her family has recently relocated to Pittsboro from the San Diego area, and she is looking forward to serving her new community.
Cameron Thompson
Ms. Thompson is a first year teacher and is SO excited to be joining the #PandaFamily!! She just graduated from UNC Chapel Hill this past May and is eager to implement what she learned through her college career in the classroom and Pittsboro community. She has been a nanny for the past 6 years, and thrives on making strong relationships with all of the little ones in her life. For fun Ms. Thompson loves to cook, decorate, and play any kind of sport/game. She lives in Fuquay Varina with her fiancé (who is also a teacher) and her chocolate lab puppy, Salem!
Whitney Busenlehner
Mrs. Busenlehner has been an Instructional Assistant at Pittsboro Elementary for 2 and half years. This year will be her first year teaching. Mrs. Busenlehner has her Bachelors of Science in Marketing from NC A&T State University. She is excited about this career opportunity. She loves kids and truly values education. Mrs. Busenlehner lives in Snow Camp with my husband Scott and their smart, sassy, and outgoing daughter Arianna. She enjoys spending time with my family, shopping and helping others in her spare time.
Counselor Update
What’s up Panda Families!
Although we won’t be seeing each other in person soon, I am super duper pumped to see some of you all virtually! I hope everyone is doing well!
I am looking for a few returning Pandas who will be headed into 4th grades and might be interested in helping me welcome our newest Pandas into our school community! The plan for how we’ll welcome our new students is still evolving but it will most likely include
Attending and helping plan a welcome zoom for new students
Writing/Decorating cards for new students
And more!
If you have a 4th grade child who may be interested in helping me welcome new students, shoot me an email at ocdobbin@chatham.k12.nc.us and let me know!