Hello, Powell Families! 

 

3rd Grade Beginning of Grade (BOG) Assessment

Parents of 3rd grade students, your student will participate in the Beginning of Grade Reading Test this Wednesday, September 10th. This test is part of Read to Achieve legislation and is approximately 120 minutes-180 minutes. Please make sure your student gets plenty of rest and has a good breakfast. If you have questions regarding Beginning of Grade Testing for Third Grade students, please email Mrs. Hart at mhart@wcpss.net. 

 

AIG Parent Information Session

Are you interested in learning more about the Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program at Powell? Join us for a virtual parent information meeting on Thursday, September 18 at 7:00 PM via Google Meet. During this session, our AIG teacher, Mrs. Poisson, will share details about how the program works at Powell and ways we support advanced learners. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about the AIG identification process.

AIG Informational Meeting:

Thursday, September 18 · 7:00 – 8:00pm

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/wip-zvzw-noj

With questions, please contact Ann Poisson, apoisson@wcpss.net

 

Fall Pictures - Thursday, September 25th

Students will take their Fall Yearbook pictures on Thursday, September 25th.

https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/powell-magnet-elementary-school/fall-pictures-9-25-2025-83/optIn 

This link will allow you to sign up to receive email updates about your child's school portraits after picture day. These emails are sent to announce important things like when images are ready for viewing online, when novelty items are available for purchase and when new deals and promotions are being offered. When entering student information, be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school.

Additional information can be found below:

Flyer

QR Code

Package Options

 

Powell Family Picnic & Curriculum Night RSVP 9/25/25

Save the date! We will be hosting our Powell Family Picnic & Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 25th, from 5:00-7:30 PM. To assist in preparing for our family picnic, please provide the number of family members attending. Only one response per family, please. Don’t forget to bring your own picnic blankets! Link to RSVP

Here is the tentative schedule for the event:

5:00 - 5:30 PM Picnic on Campus (please note: meal option is TBD)

5:40 - 6:00 PM Title 1 Presentation in the Powell Cafe

6:10 - 6:30 PM Classroom Session #1

6:40 - 7:00 PM Domain/Elective Session

7:10 - 7:30 PM Classroom Session #2

See you then!

 

Attendance

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

 

Partners Read Program - Parent Volunteers

“Partners Read” is a program that builds reading confidence and skills in first grade students. It trains volunteers to read with our students and provides books for our students to take home with them.The program runs 1st semester and 2nd semester for 10 consecutive Friday mornings. To learn more, please refer to the flyer below or contact Susan Elinki at Partners Read (selnicki@wakeed.org) and tell her you want to be a volunteer for Powell! We are looking for at least 5 volunteers this year. Thanks so much for your consideration! Link: Partners Read Flyer 24-25.pdf

Contact: Megan Hill 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

 

Have a great week!

Sierra Wooden, Principal

 

Upcoming Events (Subject to change):

9/8  Race for Ed Kick Off

9/10 3rd Grade BOG Testing

9/11 3rd Grade BOG Testing Makeups

9/12 AIG Parent Meeting, Rm. 301

9/15 1st Semester Domains and Electives Begin

9/18* (UPDATED) AIG Information Meeting, Virtual

9/23 Teacher Workday - No School for Students

9/25 Fall Yearbook Pictures

9/25 Family Picnic/Curriculum Night ( + Title 1 Annual Family Meeting), 5:00-7:30

9/29-10/3 Race for Ed Spirit Week

9/30 Race for Ed Ends

Hello, Powell Families! 

 

Thank you for an amazing first week of school! It feels great to have everyone back on campus and under one roof! Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we kick off another successful school year here at Powell!

 

No School- Monday Labor Day

Students will return to school on Tuesday, September 2nd.

 

Kindergarten Families, Tea and Tissues, PTA Event

After dropping off your Kindergartener this Tuesday, please join the Powell PTA and other Kinder families in the breezeway for “Tea and Tissues”! This is a great opportunity to meet and connect with other Kinder families, meet members of the PTA, as we send off our Kinders to school! This event will take place Tuesday, September 2nd, from 8:45-9:30 AM, in the breezeway near the front office.

 

For families new to WPCSS: Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) Test Request Window (optional) 

New to WCPSS? Students in grades 1–7 may request Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) testing within the first two weeks of enrollment. SSA allows students to advance in one subject. Current WCPSS students may request testing during the Spring window. For more information, please click here. Contact: Ann Poisson, apoisson@wcpss.net

 

Attendance

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

 

Partners Read Program - Parent Volunteers

“Partners Read” is a program that builds reading confidence and skills in first grade students. It trains volunteers to read with our students and provides books for our students to take home with them.The program runs 1st semester and 2nd semester for 10 consecutive Friday mornings. To learn more, please refer to the flyer below or contact Susan Elinki at Partners Read (selnicki@wakeed.org) and tell her you want to be a volunteer for Powell! We are looking for at least 5 volunteers this year. Thanks so much for your consideration! Link: Partners Read Flyer 24-25.pdf

Contact: Megan Hill mhill4@wcpss.net

 

Powell Online Magnet Registration for Domains & Electives is Open!

Reminder: Powell Magnet Registration for Domains & Electives is open Fri 8/29–Wed 9/3. Check your Talking Points message (sent Fri at 4 PM) or visit the Powell Website > Magnet > Magnet Implementation to make your child’s course choices for the year! Cris Laurens, claurens@wcpss.net

 

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

 

Have a great week!

Sierra Wooden, Principal

Welcome back, families!

 

The start of a new school year is an exciting time! New beginnings, new adventures, and new challenges; all things that help us grow independently as well as together! We look forward to the journey ahead and consider ourselves fortunate to have you along for the ride!

 

Important Times to Remember 

• Arrival: Students will begin entering the building at 8:45 AM daily. Any students arriving on campus prior to that time must be supervised by an adult. Please do not leave students unattended.
• Dismissal: Dismissal begins at 3:45 PM. Early check out for students ends at 3:15 PM. 
• Instruction: Instruction begins at 9:15 AM. Once instruction begins, we make every effort not to interrupt nor disturb. For all important matters following the start of instruction, please contact the Front Office for assistance.
• Before and Afterschool: Powell’s Before and Afterschool Care Program begins at 7:00 AM until school starts, resumes after dismissal and ends at 6:00 PM. For information on this program, please contact Mrs. Jacobs and Mr. Stevenson.
• Walkers: With a few tweaks to dismissal procedures, we anticipate Walkers will be dismissed closer to 4:00 PM. 
• Transportation Changes: Transportation changes should be communicated no later than 12:30 PM daily.

 

Communicating with Teachers

In addition to email, families have access to connect with teachers via TalkingPoints messaging system. Due to the demands of the instructional day, please communicate time-sensitive information with the Front Office so that information is not missed. We ask for your grace and patience with any delayed responses you may experience as we begin to open school. When communicating transportation changes, please do so as early as possible to eliminate the opportunity for missed communication. Transportation changes should be communicated no later than 12:30 PM daily.

 

Kindergarten Staggered Entry Schedule

What is Staggered Entry? During the first week of school, Kindergarten students will attend one full day of school in a small group environment. This will allow teachers time to assess social, physical, and emotional development, as well as basic literacy and math skills. Your student's schedule to attend depends on the first letter of their last name.

• Tuesday, August 26 (A-G)
• Wednesday, August 27 (H-R)
• Thursday, August 28 (S-Z)

All Kindergarten students will begin attending school daily beginning Tuesday, September 2nd. Families can walk their students to class on your designated staggered entry day and will dismiss normally that day. On the first full day of school (Tuesday the 2nd) we ask that students be dropped off their normal way and walk in themselves and dismiss normally.

 

Transportation Information 

If your student will be transported to and from school on WCPSS transportation, click here for important transportation information. 

 

Walker Procedures

Walkers will continue to dismiss near the stairs by the gym. With a few tweaks to dismissal procedures, we anticipate Walkers will be dismissed closer to 4:00 PM. Once we release Walkers, we ask that families closely monitor their children as you depart from campus. 

 

Carpool Procedures

Families will hang their carpool tag on their rearview mirror. Students will stand at a designated cone to be picked up in the order that families arrive. Please drive carefully and pay close attention to ensure safety for everyone. The carpool route is as follows:

 

School Website

Thank you for your patience as we work to update our school website and staff directory!

 

Meet the Teacher Feedback

It was great seeing everyone at Meet the Teacher! Share your experience with us by clicking here.

 

PreK Orientation

PreK Orientation is scheduled for Monday, August 25th in the Media Center. From 11:00-12:00 PM we will host Spanish-speaking families, with the support of a virtual interpreter. From 1:00-2:00 PM, we will host English-speaking families. Please be sure to have your ID on hand. 

 

For families new to WPCSS: Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) Test Request Window (optional)

New to WCPSS? Students in grades 1–7 may request Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) testing within the first two weeks of enrollment. SSA allows students to advance in one subject. Current WCPSS students may request testing during the Spring window. For more information,  click here.

Contact: Ann Poisson, apoisson@wcpss.net

 

Powell Online Magnet Registration for Domains & Electives:

It’s almost time to make your choices! Online registration will be open Friday, 8/29/25 - Wednesday 9/3/25

• On Friday at 4:00 PM, you will receive a Talking Points message with instructions and direct links to select your top 3 choices for your child’s Domains and Electives this year.
• The same information and links will also be available on the Powell Website under the “Magnet” tab.

Please complete & submit your online forms during this window so we know which Domains and Electives your child would like to take this year!

Contact: Cris Laurens, claurens@wcpss.net 

 

PTA Website:

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

 

Have a great week!

Sierra Wooden, Principal