Hello, Powell Families!

 

Spelling Bee: Thank you to all of the students and families who participated in this year’s Spelling Bee! Congratulations to our winner, Asher Rubio! Let’s wish him well and cheer him on as he moves forward in representing Powell in the District Spelling Bee!

​​​​​​​

Monday, January 26 - Teacher Workday, No School for Students

 

Remote Learning Plan for Inclement Weather: Grade level teachers will communicate directly with families via TalkingPoints to share all plans associated with remote learning. Please contact your child’s teacher with any questions you may have. Please monitor all communication from the district as well as our school to be informed of any changes to in-person instruction due to weather. Stay safe and warm!

 

Awarded 2026 Magnet School of Distinction: It is an honor and privilege to share that Powell Center for Play & Ingenuity Magnet Elementary School has been named a 2026 National Merit School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America, the National Association for Magnet and Theme-Based Schools! Merit School of Distinction Awards are only given to a select group of Magnet Schools. These schools are judged and scored on their demonstrated ability to raise student academic achievement, promote racial and socioeconomic diversity, provide innovative, integrated curricula and instruction, and create strong family and community partnerships that enhance the school’s magnet theme. Thank you to our amazing school community for all contributions that have played a part in Powell receiving such distinguished recognition! A special ‘thank you’ to our outstanding Magnet Coordinator, Mrs. Cris Laurens, for all of her hard work and dedication!

 

Kids Heart Challenge - At Home Project for Snow Day! Our Kids Heart Challenge is here, and a snow day is a great time to support our school while you’re at home. Can you help us reach our goal to have 100% of our families learn Hands-Only CPR by completing Finn’s Mission? And, when students complete Finn’s Mission, they are entered for a chance to win TWO TICKETS to the 2027 SUPER BOWL! 🏈🏆 Five people will win this year!  

Join Our Team: If you haven’t already, sign up at heart.org/schools or download the AHA Schools App Complete Finn’s Mission to learn Hands-Only CPR and help us build a community of lifesavers!

This valuable community service-learning program provides interactive and engaging lessons, tools, and activities to support both mental and physical well-being for our students, families, and staff, while raising important funds to support research and medical advances to fight heart disease and stroke. Thank you for supporting our school and the American Heart Association! Please note: All Jump Rope for Heart donations must be in by January 30th. Contact Coach Rhodes with any questions.

 

Dogs on Campus: Please know that dogs are not permitted on campus unless they meet the exemption clauses. To learn more, you can review board policies such as "Policy Code: 4202/5029/7272 Service Animals in Schools" and "Policy Code: 4203/5031/7273 Other Animals in School". Thank you for your attention to this matter and your collaboration in keeping everyone safe while on campus!

 

Prohibited Street Parking: We are up against a challenge regarding street parking and traffic safety around our campus. As previously mentioned, there are designated times when street parking is prohibited during specific school hours. Please carefully adhere to all posted signage. There are “No Parking” signs posted along Marlborough Road that read: “No Parking School Days 8:45 - 9:30 AM, 3:30 - 4:15 PM.” When drivers park on the street during these prohibited times, it creates significant safety risks, including reduced visibility for drivers, blind spots for pedestrians and children, and increased traffic congestion during arrival and dismissal. To address these concerns, we will be collaborating with the Raleigh Police Department to ensure compliance with all posted signage as we work together to prioritize the safety of every individual on our campus. Our shared commitment to following these expectations helps ensure a safer and smoother experience for students, staff, and families.

 

World Read Aloud Day 2026 at Powell Center for Play and Ingenuity Magnet Elementary School! Wednesday, February 4, 2026 is World Read Aloud Day!  Powell will be celebrating with several read-alouds throughout the day in the Media Center or in our classrooms, hosted by staff, community friends, parents, and 4th and 5th grade safe play coaches! The read-alouds will feature new books, old favorites, and emphasize tie-ins with Black History month. Please sign up for a slot (or two, three, or more!) if you'd like to be a reader at this fun experience. Once a schedule is created, we will email you with more information about logistics for February 4th. Thanks for your time and dedication to our program! Sign Up Here Contact: Dr. Thomson (lthomson@wcpss.net) or Mrs. Fee (mhill4@wcpss.net)

 

Second Semester Domains/Electives Schedule Update: Thank you for supporting all our Powell Students and Staff at our Domain Showcases on Friday!  We had such a great turnout and so many happy faces in our building and courtyard! New class schedules were sent home in backpacks on Friday afternoon (small blue slip of paper). Second Semester Domains and Quarter 3 Electives will begin next week! We’re thrilled by the incredible student interest in our upcoming Domains and Electives this semester. Broadway Bound: Theatrical Adventures (Grades 3–5 Domain) received over 70 student requests for just 30 available seats - what a wonderful sign of enthusiasm for the arts!

To keep placements fair and inclusive, we use the following process:

- Priority is given to upper-grade students (5th grade, then 4th grade, then 3rd grade, etc.).

- Remaining spots are filled through a lottery, with consideration given to balancing all other classes.

This approach helps keep Domain and Elective class sizes balanced and ensures that every student has opportunities to explore creativity through our Play & Ingenuity program. Contact: Cris Laurens, claurens@wcpss.net

Makerspace Volunteer(s) - Calling all interested parent volunteers: Our Makerspace, located at the top of the media center, has been quite the popular space this semester! We have enjoyed seeing the creative projects and learning that has taken place. We are looking for a committed volunteer or volunteers, who would be willing to help organize our materials, label them, and help teachers and students with project work in the space. You would also have the opportunity to help Mrs. Fee create learning games for teachers and students to use at school and home. You would be working with Dr. Thomson and Mrs. Fee in the media center. There are no set volunteer times, so the days and times you would volunteer would be flexible based on availability. If this seems like a volunteer opportunity for you, please reach out to Dr. Thomson (lthomson@wcpss.net) or Mrs. Fee (mhill4@wcpss.net). 

 

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

 

Wake County PTA Council Event: The below information was shared with me and asked that I share it with our school community.

 

“Free Event with Dinner and Child Care - Wed, Jan 28 6-8pm: Join us for a meaningful evening focused on youth mental health led by medical experts and renown athletes (See their bios below.) You do not have to be a current PTA member to attend.  All who are interested in the well being of children are welcome. Space is limited so registration is required. Register by clicking here. Note: If schools are closed on Wednesday because of the inclement weather, we are planning to reschedule this event. So you should still register! We'll reach out with the new date ASAP.

 

Evening Agenda:

6:00–6:30 PM: Free dinner for families

6:30–8:00 PM: Program

Free child care will be provided for school aged children and door prizes!

 

Bios of the Athletes: 

 

Natasha Hastings: Natasha is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most accomplished 400-meter sprinters in U.S. track and field history. A standout scholar-athlete at the University of South Carolina, she won both the Indoor and Outdoor NCAA 400m titles in her junior year, setting collegiate records and finishing undefeated. Turning professional in 2007, she made every U.S. World Championship team, earning multiple 4x400m relay gold medals and capturing the U.S. national title in the 400m in 2013. She returned to the Olympic stage in 2016 to win her second Olympic gold medal, running the fastest split in the 4x400m relay and helping Team USA secure its sixth consecutive gold in the event.

 

Chasity Melvin: Chasity is a former WNBA All-Star who played 12 seasons with the Cleveland Rockers, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky after leading NC State to its first-ever Final Four. She later broke barriers as the first female coach in the Charlotte Hornets’ organization and has held coaching roles with Loyola-Maryland University, UNC Asheville, the Phoenix Mercury, and internationally in Mexico. Off the court, Chasity has volunteered as a Sports Envoy for the U.S. State Department, served as an ambassador for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, and mentors young athletes through leadership and life skills programs. She is also the author of the devotional memoir At the End of the Day.

 

Carla Overbeck: Carla is a former soccer player who is currently an assistant coach for the Duke Blue Devils women's soccer team. She was captain of the United States national team from 1993 to 2000 and helped lead the team to two FIFA Women's World Cups and an Olympic gold and silver medals. She played collegiately for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1986 to 1989, where she won the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship each of her four seasons. She was a four-time member of the NCAA All-Tournament Team, a two-time All-ACC selection and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006.”

 

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: 

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):

1/26 Teacher Workday - No School for Students 

1/27 Q3 Electives/2nd Semester Domains Begin

1/30 Report Cards 

2/4 World Read Aloud Day (in-school library slots)

2/16 Unprotected Teacher Workday - No School for Students

Hello, Powell Families!

 

Dogs on Campus: Please know that dogs are not permitted on campus unless they meet the exemption clauses. To learn more, you can review board policies such as "Policy Code: 4202/5029/7272 Service Animals in Schools" and "Policy Code: 4203/5031/7273 Other Animals in School". Thank you for your attention to this matter and your collaboration in keeping everyone safe while on campus!

 

Prohibited Street Parking: We are up against a challenge regarding street parking and traffic safety around our campus. As previously mentioned, there are designated times when street parking is prohibited during specific school hours. Please carefully adhere to all posted signage. There are “No Parking” signs posted along Marlborough Road that read: “No Parking School Days 8:45 - 9:30 AM, 3:30 - 4:15 PM.” When drivers park on the street during these prohibited times, it creates significant safety risks, including reduced visibility for drivers, blind spots for pedestrians and children, and increased traffic congestion during arrival and dismissal. To address these concerns, we will be collaborating with the Raleigh Police Department to ensure compliance with all posted signage as we work together to prioritize the safety of every individual on our campus. Our shared commitment to following these expectations helps ensure a safer and smoother experience for students, staff, and families.

 

Single Subject Acceleration Test Request Window: 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. The SSA Test Request deadline is Friday, January 23.  Learn more by clicking here. Contact: Ann Poisson apoisson@wcpss.net

 

World Read Aloud Day 2026 at Powell Center for Play and Ingenuity Magnet Elementary School! Wednesday, February 4, 2026 is World Read Aloud Day!  Powell will be celebrating with several read-alouds throughout the day in the Media Center or in our classrooms, hosted by staff, community friends, parents, and 4th and 5th grade safe play coaches! The read-alouds will feature new books, old favorites, and emphasize tie-ins with Black History month. Please sign up for a slot (or two, three, or more!) if you'd like to be a reader at this fun experience. Once a schedule is created, we will email you with more information about logistics for February 4th. Thanks for your time and dedication to our program! Sign Up Here Contact: Dr. Thomson (lthomson@wcpss.net) or Mrs. Fee (mhill4@wcpss.net)

 

Upcoming Magnet Reminders: 

1. Magnet Application Deadline THIS WEEK – January 22, 2026

• Families with rising Kindergarteners and rising 6th graders: The WCPSS magnet application window closes on January 22, 2026. Please be sure to complete and submit your magnet application by this date. You can find more information and apply here: https://www.wcpss.net/enroll/magnet-schools

2. End-of-Semester Domain Showcases – THIS Friday, January 23, 2026

• We are excited to invite families to join us for our End-of-Semester Domain Showcases! This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the hands-on learning, collaboration, and creativity your child has experienced during their first semester Domain.
• Showcase Schedule:
  • 9:35–10:10 AM: Grades 3–5 Domain Classroom Visits
  • 10:35–11:10 AM: Grades K–2 Domain Classroom Visits
• We look forward to celebrating your child’s learning with you!

3. Second Semester Domains & Electives Begin Tuesday, January 27th!

• Please be on the lookout for new student schedules for second semester Domains and Electives --- These will come home Friday afternoon in backpacks!  
• We are excited to begin these new classes on January 27, 2026.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon! Contact: Cris Laurens, claurens@wcpss.net

Makerspace Volunteer(s) - Calling all interested parent volunteers: Our Makerspace, located at the top of the media center, has been quite the popular space this semester! We have enjoyed seeing the creative projects and learning that has taken place. We are looking for a committed volunteer or volunteers, who would be willing to help organize our materials, label them, and help teachers and students with project work in the space. You would also have the opportunity to help Mrs. Fee create learning games for teachers and students to use at school and home. You would be working with Dr. Thomson and Mrs. Fee in the media center. There are no set volunteer times, so the days and times you would volunteer would be flexible based on availability. If this seems like a volunteer opportunity for you, please reach out to Dr. Thomson (lthomson@wcpss.net) or Mrs. Fee (mhill4@wcpss.net). 

 

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. 19, 2026: 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):

1/19 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday - No School

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