Friday Message
Friday, February 17th
Principal Updates
Hello PUE Families,
Happy Friday! We were happy to welcome back Track 3 from their trackout this week and hope that Track 2 has a relaxing break. Thank you to all parents and students who came out to our PTAs Valentines Dance Last Friday. We had a great turnout and everyone had a lot of fun!
Even if your child doesn't have her as a teacher, we are excited that our very own Cassie Sigmon has been named a semi-finalist for WCPSS Teacher of the Year. This means that out of the almost 200 schools and their individual Teachers of the Year, Ms. Sigmon has made it to the top 20! This is such a huge honor for Ms. Sigmon; we are lucky to have her here at PUE. If you see her around, make sure to say congratulations!
Finally, we are beginning the planning process for the 2023-2024 school year. Please take a minute to complete this quick survey (Click on this link) regarding whether you intend for your child to continue at PUE next year, if you have not done so already. This is purely a survey to determine estimates for numbers; we will do track signups later in the spring.
A couple of highlights in this newsletter and the upcoming week:
- Science Fair Information
- Book Fair Coming Soon
- PTA Updates including how to join the PTA (click here).
- Important upcoming dates.
Please make sure to read through for more details and additional items. Everybody have a great weekend!
-Mr. Tunstall
Announcements
Rising 5th Graders going to Durant Road MS
The PTA at Durant Road MS wants to reach out to incoming families who are planning to attend next year. If you are interested in joining their PTA Board or simply interested in helping out starting next year, please reach out to the current president, Jennifer Finnell at j_l_finnell@yahoo.com.
Science Fair Trainings
For those that have signed up for the optional Science Fair, please make sure you attend at least one of the training sessions:
In-person Training Sessions:
Location: Ms. Brletic-Shipley's Classroom (AIG), PUE
Time: 8:00-9:00 am
Optional Dates:
- Tuesday February 21
- Tuesday February 28th
Virtual Training Sessions:
- Thursday February 16 - 6:00 -7:00 pm
- Wednesday February 22 - 6:00-7:00 pm
Virtual meeting links will be sent in advance of each meeting.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Stenik at bsetnik@gmail.com
Current 5th Graders
Is Pine Hollow Middle School your base or calendar option? Interested in a tour and info session? PHMS counseling department offers regular tours: please sign-up using https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4ea9a62da13-phms#/.
Science Fair Coming
PUE Parents will be once again hosting our annual Science Fair. Participation is optional and open for all students at PUE in Grades 2-5. The fair will begin with a training session for students (parents welcome to join) starting in February 2023. Please see this flyer for information, and to sign-up.
Bus Riders for 2022-2023
Please make sure to download the Here Comes the Bus App if you have not done so already to keep track of where the bus is on the route for the most up to date information.
Parents should also consider reaching out to the front office to be added to our Remind App list. When buses are extremely late or are cancelled completely, we will send messages out through that program which can be setup on your phone to be a text or push notification.
What to do when your child is sick...
Please keep sick children at home and do a Covid test (either PCR or at-home test) before returning to school. Send forward test results to rbritt@wcpss.net
COVID-19 SYMPTOMS include: Fever or chills | Cough | Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing | Fatigue | Muscle or body aches | Headache | New loss of taste or smell | Sore throat | Congestion or runny nose | Nausea or vomiting | Diarrhea
WCPSS When to Return Guidelines
For the latest information regarding guidelines for students with a symptom of illness, students who tested positive for COVID-19, or students who have been exposed to COVID-19, please visit the WCPSS When To Return Website. The link is available below.
PUE PTA Information
The first post-COVID PUE Valentine's Day Dance was a huge success and the attendance showed it to be wildly popular. A huge thank you to everyone who attended! It's impossible to overstate the planning and execution that goes into pulling off an event like this. For that reason, the PTA would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to the many volunteers, which included PTA members, their families and other parents. With too many to name, a few shout-outs are in order:
- Katelyn Steadman took the reins as lead organizer and shouldered the brunt of the planning work. She and her husband, Jordan, were also a couple of the biggest contributors on event day, from the time of set-up through clean-up.
- All along the way, Principal Tunstall and Vice Principal McNeill helped us navigate administrative and logistical considerations to help get a green light for the event and keep it running smoothly the evening of.
- If you had a chance to enjoy the Quiet(er) Room, Rebecca Olsen was instrumental in pulling that together.
~Greg Peterson, PTA President
BOOK FAIR
February 27 to March 10-If you haven't heard, the Scholastics book fair is coming soon! Teachers and room parents received detailed information on Monday about the book fair this week so please coordinate with your teachers and room parents to ensure they have the support needed for the book fair.
- VOLUNTEER! Sign up here to volunteer for your child's classroom during their preview and shopping day. Our students will need help creating their wish list to bring home. Also, sign up here to volunteer to help with book fair set-up, teacher breakfast, spirit event and clean-up. We need LOTS of help to make this happen!
- eWallet-We highly recommend that eWallet be used. Families can create a digital wallet and share with family and friends to add funds. Outstanding funds aren't refunded but it can be used for Scholastic online. Don't forget to include additional funds to cover tax. Create an eWallet here. Cash will be accepted but NO checks.
- Donate-Don't forget to check your email from your teacher with a link to contribute to your classroom library eWallet. Teachers will also have book recommendations at the book fair.
- March 2-National Read Across America Day-Dress Up as your favorite book character. PTA will also be hosting "Donuts with Grown-Ups" from 7:45 am to 8:30 am. $1 Krispy Kreme donuts and free refreshments sponsored by Raleigh Orthodontics. Families are invited to shop after breakfast.
- Shopping Online? The online book fair begins on 2/24 to 3/9. Orders made here will be shipped home. Purchases made in the online book fair also count towards the book fair proceeds.
SPIRIT EVENTS
February 24-Graze Charcuterie will be hosting a PUE Spirit Event. Orders will need to be placed by February 22. Graze is owned by a PUE parent. 15% of sales will be donated back to PUE. Information on how to order and pick-up times at the school picnic tables here. Minimum order does NOT apply to PUE orders.
March 2-"Donuts with Grown-Ups" Spirit Event at PUE from 7:45am to 8:30am. Come have a $1 donut with a grown-up in the school cafeteria and then shop at the Book Fair! Refreshments to be sponsored by Raleigh Orthodontics.
- *NEW*~We are now offering gift certificates for 1 dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts. Each certificate will be $15 each. Proceeds will support the school. They can be picked up at the "Donuts with Grown-Ups" event on 3/2 from 7:45am to 8:30am. If they are not picked up then, they will be delivered to the students classroom. They can be purchased until Sunday, February 26 at 10:00 pm. Order here.
February is Love the Bus Month
We are celebrating the month and PUE PTA will be specifically recognizing our school bus drivers next week. We would love for families to give homemade cards, flowers or treats to recognize our school bus drivers.
PUE Media Center Volunteers Opportunities<-NEW
We have two sign-ups. Please make sure you have done your background check before signing up.
1) Help shelve books before/after school. Sign Up Here.
2) Help assist kindergarteners in selecting and checking out books. Sign Up Here.
Sponsor of the Week
Thank you to Austin Law Firm for being a 2022-2023 PUE Silver Sponsor! We appreciate your generosity and support!
Join PTA membership
Help us get to 300 members! Thank you for supporting students, teachers and families! Join online here.
Donation Links
· Harris Teeter-link your VIC card online with PUE (returning families-add PUE again for this school year)
· Lowes- link your Lowes Food Fresh Rewards card with PUE
· Giveback in MemberHub gives amazing deals that donate back to PUE
Social Media
Like and follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
PUE PTA Website
Mark Your Calendar
2/21- Interims for Tr 3 & 4
2/27-3/10- Scholastic Book Fair
3/2- Donuts for Grownups 7:45am-8:30am