Hello, Powell Families!

 

Kindergarten End of Year Celebrations: We are so excited to celebrate all that we have accomplished in Kindergarten this year! Families are invited to join their Kindergarten student in the classroom on Wednesday, June 10th, at 2:15 PM. Please be on the lookout for a TalkingPoints from your child's teacher with additional information and a SignUp Genius.  

 

1st Grade End of Year Celebration: Mark your calendars! Our 1st-grade End of Year (EOY) celebrations will take place on June 11, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 1:20 PM right in your child's homeroom. Your classroom teacher will share more details through TalkingPoints in the coming weeks. Our First Grade Teachers would like to invite you to view their “Firstie Fun Days” activities planned for the final days of school. Information can be found here. 

 

2nd Grade End of Year Celebration: We are planning a special celebration for our amazing students! On June 11, we will be hosting a class pizza party complete with a special sweet treat. Please note that this event is for students only.

A Sign-Up Genius link will be sent out soon for any food donations or volunteer spots. In the meantime, please message your child’s teacher directly with any questions.

 

Third Grade End of Year Celebrations: Please see the messages sent via TalkingPoints regarding Third Grade’s End of Year events.

 

5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony: Please see the messages sent via TalkingPoints and or contact 5th Grade Teachers regarding details for this event scheduled on June 10th at 10:00 AM. 

 

Summer at the Library! The Wake County Public Library Summer Reading Program runs June 7 – Aug. 15. Visit wake.gov/summer-reading for more information and to find your closest kickoff event happening Saturday, June 6 or Sunday, June 7! Don’t miss out on the fun—come in to pick up your Reading Tracker and start earning prizes! Read and earn awesome prizes! Kids can win library swag, passes to Marbles Kids Museum and more! Join the fun and win! Leslie Thomson, lthomson@wcpss.net

 

Powell Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast: Dear Powell Volunteers, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your time, energy, and unwavering support. Your kindness and dedication make our school a warmer, brighter, and more joyful place for every child. We couldn't do it without you!

If you volunteered during the 2025-26 school year, we invite you to a special Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on June 8th from 8:30 to 9:30 AM before Play & Ingenuity Day. Join us in the Media Center as we celebrate and thank you for all you’ve done! We hope to see you there! With heartfelt thanks,

Your Powell Magnet Elementary School Family Click Here for Flyer 

 

EOG Testing Information: Please review the upcoming End-of-Grade (EOG) testing schedule and important reminders below to help your student do their absolute best!

Testing Schedule

• Friday, May 29th: 5th Grade Science EOG
• Monday, June 1st: 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Reading EOG
• Tuesday, June 2nd: 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Math EOG

Morning Reminders & Prep

• Arrival: Please ensure your student arrives at school before the 9:15 AM tardy bell.
• Rest & Food: Make sure your child gets plenty of rest each night and enjoys a nutritious breakfast on testing mornings.
• Snacks: If you would like to send in healthy snacks or breakfast items for the class on test days, please reach out to your child's teacher.

Important Retest Information: This year, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students who do not demonstrate proficiency on the reading or math EOG will have the opportunity to retest between June 2nd and June 10th.

• Permission Required: Parent permission is mandatory for retesting.
• What to do with the slip: If you want your student to retest, please sign and return the permission slip to their teacher. If you prefer to wait for the initial test results before deciding, please hold onto the slip for now.
• Need a new slip? Just let your child's teacher know, and they will send another one home.
• Questions? If you have any questions regarding EOG testing, please contact Mrs. Hart.

 

Planning for the 2026-2027 School Year: As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, I want to thank our families for their passion, advocacy, and commitment to ensuring the best possible experience for all Powell students. At this time, staffing allocations, enrollment projections, and class configurations for the 2026-2027 school year are still being reviewed. As is the case each year, school and district leaders carefully monitor enrollment trends and student needs throughout the spring and summer months. Adjustments may be made as enrollment changes and additional information becomes available. Please know that decisions regarding staffing and class placements are made through a collaborative process that considers projected enrollment, available resources, class size guidelines, and the needs of students across the school. Because these factors can change over time, preliminary projections should not be considered final. I want to assure our families that we are committed to creating learning environments that support student success and to advocating for the resources needed to meet the needs of our school community. As plans for next year become finalized, we will communicate updates directly with families through our official school communication channels. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust as we prepare for another successful school year.

 

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 June:

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month: Commemorates the events of the June 1969 Stonewall Uprising and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for LGBTQIA+ Americans.
• African-American Music Appreciation Month: In 1979, President Jimmy Carter designated June as African-American Music Appreciation Month (formerly called Black Music Month). African-American Music Appreciation Month celebrates the creativity and worldwide influence of African-American musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters.
• Caribbean American Heritage Month: Caribbean American Heritage Month honors the rich and diverse culture of people from the Caribbean or of Caribbean descent. During this month, recognition of the music, culture, and cuisine of the Caribbean is celebrated. 
• Juneteenth, June 19: A federal holiday celebrating the emancipation from slavery in the United States, held on the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Union Army general Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom from slavery in Texas. 

 

Have a great week!

Sierra Wooden, Principal

 

Upcoming Events (Subject to change):

6/8 Volunteer Breakfast 8:30-9:30 AM

6/8 Play & Ingenuity Day 

6/8 5th Grade vs. Staff Kickball Game 2:00 PM

6/9 Play & Ingenuity Day (Rain Date)

6/9 5th Grade vs. Staff Kickball Game (Rain Date) 2:00 PM

6/9 Third Grade End of Year Celebrations

6/10 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony 10:00 AM

6/10 Kindergarten End of Year Celebrations 2:15 PM

6/11 Last Day of School, Report Cards Go Home

6/11 First Grade’s End of Year Celebration 12:30 PM

6/11 Second Grade’s End of Year Celebration

 

Many End of Year events are being finalized. Information will be shared as soon as it is available. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.

Hello, Powell Families!

 

First Grade Families: Our First Grade Teachers would like to invite you to view their “Firstie Fun Days” activities planned for the final days of school. Information can be found here. 

 

 

EOG Testing Information: Please review the upcoming End-of-Grade (EOG) testing schedule and important reminders below to help your student do their absolute best!

Testing Schedule

• Friday, May 29th: 5th Grade Science EOG
• Monday, June 1st: 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Reading EOG
• Tuesday, June 2nd: 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Math EOG

Morning Reminders & Prep

• Arrival: Please ensure your student arrives at school before the 9:15 AM tardy bell.
• Rest & Food: Make sure your child gets plenty of rest each night and enjoys a nutritious breakfast on testing mornings.
• Snacks: If you would like to send in healthy snacks or breakfast items for the class on test days, please reach out to your child's teacher.

Important Retest Information: This year, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students who do not demonstrate proficiency on the reading or math EOG will have the opportunity to retest between June 2nd and June 10th.

• Permission Required: Parent permission is mandatory for retesting.
• What to do with the slip: If you want your student to retest, please sign and return the permission slip to their teacher. If you prefer to wait for the initial test results before deciding, please hold onto the slip for now.
• Need a new slip? Just let your child's teacher know, and they will send another one home.
• Questions? If you have any questions regarding EOG testing, please contact Mrs. Hart.

Powell Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast: Dear Powell Volunteers, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your time, energy, and unwavering support. Your kindness and dedication make our school a warmer, brighter, and more joyful place for every child. We couldn't do it without you!

If you volunteered during the 2025-26 school year, we invite you to a special Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on June 8th from 8:30 to 9:30 AM before Play & Ingenuity Day. Join us in the Media Center as we celebrate and thank you for all you’ve done! We hope to see you there! With heartfelt thanks,

Your Powell Magnet Elementary School Family Click Here for Flyer 

1st Grade End of Year Celebration: Mark your calendars! Our 1st-grade End of Year (EOY) celebrations will take place on June 11, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 1:20 PM right in your child's homeroom. Your classroom teacher will share more details through TalkingPoints in the coming weeks. 

Kindergarten End of Year Celebrations: We are so excited to celebrate all that we have accomplished in Kindergarten this year! Families are invited to join their Kindergarten student in the classroom on Wednesday, June 10th, at 2:15 PM. Please be on the lookout for a TalkingPoints from your child's teacher with additional information and a SignUp Genius.  

Third Grade End of Year Celebrations: Please see the messages sent via TalkingPoints regarding Third Grade’s End of Year events. 

Drop-In Ice Cream Social: Join us Wednesday, May 27, after the Dance & Friends performance (around 7pm) for the PTA Yearbook Ice Cream Social near the front entrance/PLAY letters! Students can pick up yearbooks, collect autographs, and enjoy ice cream. Students unable to attend will receive yearbooks later that week in class. Pre-order by Tuesday, May 26, to reserve a copy. Limited extra yearbooks will be available for purchase at the event while supplies last. You can access the link to Jostens 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 May:

• Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month: Celebrates the contributions Asian/Pacific Americans have made to American history, society and culture.
• Jewish American Heritage Month: Celebrates the contributions Jewish Americans have made to America since they first arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654.

 

Have a great week!

Sierra Wooden, Principal

 

Upcoming Events (Subject to change):

5/25 Memorial Day, No School

5/27 Dance & Friends Concert, 6:30-7:30 PM

5/29 All Arts Assembly 2:00 PM

6/8 Volunteer Breakfast 8:30-9:30 AM

6/8 Play & Ingenuity Day 

6/8 5th Grade vs. Staff Kickball Game 2:00 PM

6/9 Play & Ingenuity Day (Rain Date)

6/9 5th Grade vs. Staff Kickball Game (Rain Date) 2:00 PM

6/9 Third Grade End of Year Celebrations

6/10 Kindergarten End of Year Celebrations 2:15 PM

6/11 First Grade’s End of Year Celebration 12:30 PM

 

Many End of Year events are being finalized. Information will be shared as soon as it is available. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.