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

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

 

Classroom Spelling Bees are coming soon!: 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

 

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):

• 12/5 Ligon Arts Showcase Field Tip
• 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
• 12/15-12/19 Bookfair
• 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