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

Hello, Powell Families! 

 

Attendance Reminders: To help us keep accurate attendance records and ensure student safety, we kindly ask that all absences be reported promptly each day your child will not be in school as scheduled. After 3 days, the absence will be considered unexcused. Please email attendance536@wcpss.net with the following information:

• Your child’s full name and grade
• Date(s) of the absence
• Reason for the absence (illness, doctor notes, appointments, travel, etc.)

If your child will be out for multiple days, please include the expected dates whenever possible. If plans change, just send us an update. Timely communication is important not only for record-keeping, but also for student safety. If we do not receive notification, the school will need to follow up with families to verify a student’s whereabouts. Thank you for your cooperation and partnership in making sure our attendance records are accurate and up to date. Contact: Paula Bodette pbodette@wcpss.net

 

5th Grade Families - Magnet Application Window: Please remember: 5th and 8th-grade students, especially those with magnet status, that want to continue in a magnet school at the next grade level, MUST submit an application at wcpss.schoolmint.com. The deadline is January 22. Notification of results is February 19. Students with magnet status have highest priority, Priority 2, in an application to the pathway school listed as an option for their address, and should be selected for the pathway school. They can apply to any other magnet school and will have priority 3, but selection is not guaranteed.  Base and transfer students have priority 4 in an application to the pathway school, but selection is not guaranteed. They can find their pathway school at wcpss.net/pathways. Questions? Contact: Tamani Anderson-Powell, magnetcenter@wcpss.net

 

Book Fair: The Scholastic Book Fair is here! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child over the thrill of bringing home new books to dive into again and again. Studies show that kids read more when they choose books for themselves. Fostering a love of independent reading leads to a wide variety of benefits, including academic success and improved mental health. Dates: December 8-17. For more information and to set up your child’s eWallet, visit the fair website: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/powellelementaryschool2

 

Classroom Spelling Bees: We are excited to announce that Powell will be participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee program again this year.  Thanks to our PTA for being our sponsor! Your child will bring home a study list before Thanksgiving. Classroom Spelling Bees will take place during the week of December 8-12, 2025.  Every student is encouraged to participate in their classroom Bee. Please see this letter  for more details. You can also check out the Spelling Bee website (https://spellingbee.com/parents) for helpful tips. Happy spelling! Contact: Ann Poisson

 

Marbles Film Festival: The Marbles Film Festival is where filmmaking meets PLAY!  Marbles encourages filmmakers of all talents and skill levels to submit. Whether your student's masterpiece was filmed with a cellphone or professional equipment, they want to showcase it! The Marbles Film Festival will spotlight short films created by kids, teens and young adults on Raleigh's BIGGEST Screen! Submissions due by: March 1, 2026 | Film Festival Date: October 10-11, 2026.How awesome would it be to have one of Powell's own students featured in the Marbles Film Festival? If you want to participate, but you're not sure how to get started, please reach out to Megan Hill, Play Integration Curriculum Specialists, mhill4@wcpss.net

 

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): 

• 12/8-12/17 Bookfair
• 12/8-12/12 Classroom Spelling Bees
• 12/11 Nutcracker Dress Rehearsal, Act 1 9:30-11:00
• 12/12 Nutcracker Dress Rehearsal, Act 2 9:30-11:00
• 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