Welcome Back & Happy New Year, Powell Families!

Happy New Year, and welcome back! We hope you and your family enjoyed a restful and joyful winter break. As we begin the new year, we are excited to continue partnering with you to support your child’s learning, growth, and success. Thank you for your continued support and trust in our school community. We look forward to a strong and productive second half of the school year together. Wishing your family a happy, healthy, and successful new year!

School Recognition: Pieces of Gold Performance: We are proud to share that Powell Elementary School has been selected to be featured in this year’s Pieces of Gold, a prestigious Wake County Public School System performance that showcases exceptional arts education across the district. This honor reflects the hard work, dedication, and talent of our students and the outstanding leadership of our dance teacher, Mrs. April Labadie. With more than 45 schools applying, selection was highly competitive, making this recognition especially meaningful. The Pieces of Gold performance will take place on March 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. Schools from all nine regions of Wake County will be represented, celebrating the strength and excellence of arts education throughout our district. Tickets will go on sale in January. Please join us in congratulating our students and staff on this remarkable achievement!

 

Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) Family Information Session: Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) allows WCPSS students in grades K–8 to move ahead in either Math or English Language Arts (ELA). Students must be currently enrolled and attending a WCPSS school during the nomination and testing window to participate. Families are invited to join Mrs. Poisson for an online informational session on Wednesday, January 7 at 7:00 pm to learn more about SSA.  Video call link: https://meet.google.com/fin-nuud-zao Contact: Ann Poisson, apoisson@wcpss.net

 

Reminder about Arrival, Dismissal, and Street Parking Guidelines: The safety of our students is always our top priority, and we need everyone’s help to keep traffic on campus running smoothly and safely. Please remember:

• All students should be dropped off and picked up through the designated carpool line. Do not let children exit vehicles in the parking lot or cross through traffic without an adult escort.
• Do not bypass the carpool line or stop mid-lot to drop off children. This creates unsafe conditions for students and disrupts the flow of traffic.
• Follow staff directions and established procedures. Our shared patience and cooperation ensure carpool remains safe and efficient for everyone.
• No Parking Zones: Please be aware of the No Parking signs posted along Marlborough Road during pick-up and drop-off hours (8:45 - 9:30 AM and 3:30 - 4:15 PM). These areas are restricted to ensure clear visibility and access for all vehicles.
• Street Parking Availability: If you must park on side streets, make sure to do so in designated areas only. Parking in no-parking zones, even briefly, can cause delays and potential safety issues for students and families.

We appreciate your partnership in keeping every child safe during arrival and dismissal. Thank you for modeling safe practices and following campus safety expectations each day.

Sick or not feeling well: When students are sick or not feeling well, the information below should be used by parent/guardian(s) when deciding if a student should attend school or if in attendance, used by school staff to notify parent/guardian(s) of the need for the student to be picked up from school.

 

Symptoms

• Fever of 100.4 or higher (Remain home until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication)
• Diarrhea (Remain home until free of symptoms for 12 hours)
• Nausea and Vomiting (Remain home until free of symptoms for 12 hours)                                      
• Severe headache
• Red, watery eyes with yellow discharge
• Undiagnosed rash
• Inability to attend learning activities
• Change in a student’s typical medical status

 

PTA Website: Families can explore the PTA website to stay up to date on PTA events and happenings. Visit www.powellpta.org

 

Cultural Observances and Celebrations for January: 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 20, 2025: The third Monday in January is observed as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States and celebrates the life and achievements of Dr. King as well as recognizing the Civil Rights Movement that he championed. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is both a federal and a WCPSS holiday. 

 

National Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jan. 27: January 27 is recognized as Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah in Hebrew) and is a day set aside for remembering the victims of the Holocaust and for reminding Americans of what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred, and indifference reign. This specific date was selected as it also commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the Nazi death camps. 

 

 

Have a great week!

Sierra Wooden, Principal

 

Upcoming Events (Subject to change):

1/12-1/16 Jump Rope for Heart

1/13 Orchestra and Band Concert, 6:30-7:30

1/23 School Spelling Bee, 12:00-1:30

1/23 Domain Showcase

1/26 Teacher Workday - No School for Students 

1/27 Q3 Electives/2nd Semester Domains Begin

1/30 Report Cards 

Hello, Powell Families!

 

Nutcracker Performances: Tis’ the season! It is almost time for our highly anticipated Nutcracker Performances! The performance dates and times are as follows:

• Tuesday, December 16th, at 6:30 PM
• Wednesday, December 17th, at 6:30 PM

We hope to see you there!

 

Deployment of Remote Instruction Days: For the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, in alignment with state law and WCPSS Board Policy 3102, the Superintendent may, when warranted by an emergency, direct temporary remote instruction (up to five days or thirty hours). As a school, we are working through our School-wide Remote Learning Plan. Once established, this plan will be shared with all families via email, TalkingPoints, and school website.

 

Winter Break for Students: Winter Break for students begins Monday, December 22nd and ends Friday, January 2nd. Ahead of the break, please be sure to check the lost and found for any and all of your student’s belongings. Students will return to school Monday, January 5th. From all of us at Powell, we want to wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable Winter Break!

 

Birthday Celebrations for Students: We love celebrating our students! To help keep our school day running smoothly, please plan to bring birthday treats during lunchtime, unless you have made other arrangements with your child’s teacher. All birthday treats must be store-bought for safety and allergy considerations. Please also remember that balloons and gifts are not permitted at school. Thank you for helping us make celebrations fun and manageable for everyone! 

 

Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) Family Information Session: Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) allows WCPSS students in grades K–8 to move ahead in either Math or English Language Arts (ELA). Students must be currently enrolled and attending a WCPSS school during the nomination and testing window to participate. Families are invited to join Mrs. Poisson for an online informational session on Wednesday, January 7 at 7:00 pm to learn more about SSA.  Video call link: https://meet.google.com/fin-nuud-zao Contact: Ann Poisson, apoisson@wcpss.net

 

Science Reasoning Elective Needs 2 Liter Soda Bottles: Mrs. Poisson’s Science Reasoning elective is collecting empty 2-liter soda bottles for an upcoming project. If you have any to spare, please send them in with your child or drop them off in the office. Thank you for your support! Contact: Ann Poisson, apoisson@wcpss.net

 

Yearbook Recognition Ads: Yearbook recognition ads are a unique way to celebrate your student. There are several ad sizes available. The cost of the ad does not include a yearbook; this must be ordered separately. The ad deadline is December 31st. Reserve your copy of the 2025- 2026 Powell Yearbook. The Powell PTA creates the yearbook each year. Yearbooks will be distributed at the Yearbook Ice Cream Social. This event is typically held on an evening in May. Create your yearbook ad by clicking this link. Order your yearbook here. 

 

PTA Website: Families can explore the PTA website to stay up to date on PTA events and happenings. Visit www.powellpta.org

 

Cultural Observances and Celebrations for December:

• Kwanzaa: Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa “first fruits” is an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated annually from Dec. 26-Jan. 1.

 

Have a great week!

Sierra Wooden, Principal

 

Upcoming Events (Subject to change):

12/15 Nutcracker Dress Rehearsal, Entire Show 9:30-11:30

12/11, 12/12, 12/15 Nutcracker Domain Rehearsals

12/16 The Nutcracker, 6:30-7:30

12/17 The Nutcracker, 6:30-7:30

12/18 The Nutcracker Assembly 2:00

12/22-1/2 Winter Break

1/12-1/16 Jump Rope for Heart

1/16 School Spelling Bee, 12:00-1:30

1/13 Orchestra and Band Concert, 6:30-7:30

1/23 Domain Showcase