BASKET RAFFLE (PTA)

In conjunction with PTA, each class (and some individuals, too) create a themed gift basket. The baskets are always elaborate, beautiful, and jam-packed with goodies pertaining to their theme. Tickets are purchased and then placed in a raffle box for any selected basket. The more tickets purchased, the better your chance of winning the basket, AND the more money raised for A.B. Combs PTA – a WIN-WIN!

BRACKET BREAKFAST

We celebrate the NCAA Tournament with a Bracket Breakfast. During this special breakfast event, family members are invited to purchase breakfast from our school dining room, complete an NCAA basketball tournament bracket, and enjoy it with their child.

CELEBRATE THE ARTS NIGHT

This is a night where we showcase each of our students as leaders in art.  Each student has their own matted art piece on display to showcase all of our student's artistic talents.  Our school chorus, Gator Ball Handlers, Cheerleading team, and Gator Thespians also perform as we “Celebrate the Arts” at A.B. Combs.

CELEBRATE SUCCESS

Celebrate Success Assemblies are held at least twice per year and are designed to spotlight the achievements of our students. Children at all grade levels are recognized for academic achievement, meeting their personal and academic goals, and outstanding performance in special classes (Art, Music, PE, etc.). Families are invited to attend and students also share their leadership notebook to celebrate their academic progress.

CHILDREN'S CHAT

Children’s Chat is a time when student representatives from all grade levels can meet with school administration to discuss student issues and concerns. This forum is designed to allow students the opportunity to provide the administration with feedback and ideas, as well as provide students with the power of defining the school’s core values. This is one of the ways students are empowered to become leaders at A.B. Combs!

CULTURAL ARTS ASSEMBLIES

AB Combs students are fortunate not only to have fabulous arts educators on staff and teachers who infuse the arts into other content areas, but a PTA that generously funds arts programming as well. In addition, Combs receives grant funding from the United Arts Council of Wake County to supplement PTA monies. Each year, all students have the opportunity to experience 4-5 arts performances by a range of professional artists, including actors, musicians, dancers, and storytellers. Combs students also participate in artist residencies and workshops each year that give them the opportunity to spend extended time in participatory arts exploration.

CURRICULUM NIGHT

During Curriculum Night, parents are invited to see their child’s classroom and hear more about the program offered for his/her child. Classroom teachers typically synergize to create informational sessions regarding the curriculum to be taught during the school year, field trips, classroom schedules, volunteer opportunities, and overall logistics of the classroom setting.

FIELD DAY

To celebrate physical fitness, our Team 8 specialists host the annual Field Day in the spring.  Students transition to various stations to participate in various activities.  Volunteers are welcome to help make this memorable event happen.

FIRST IN FITNESS

At the start of the school year, students in grades 2-5 are given the Presidential Physical Fitness Test to determine students' flexibility, strength, endurance, and agility. The scores are recorded and evaluated for research purposes and students have the opportunity to earn awards for their overall fitness scores. Based on their performance, a select number of students from each grade are chosen to represent A.B. Combs in the county-wide First in Fitness track meet in the spring.

GAME NIGHT

Do you love board games and other fun activities to enjoy as a family?  We host an annual game night where families can spend time together and get to know other families at A.B. Combs.

GATOR GALLOP 

This fun-filled event promotes fitness and exercise while also being one of the largest fundraisers to help finance our PTA programs including Technology, Cultural Arts, and Physical Education. Every class participates by running or walking laps around the track. Students collect pledges or flat-rate donations to raise money for our school. Students can also earn prizes for collecting the most pledges and classes can earn an ice cream party.

GRAND GATOR DAY

Grand Gator Day is a special day held annually in September. This day is to honor A.B. Combs’ grandparents and/or any special “Grand” friends in the lives of our students. “Grand Gators” are invited to eat lunch with students in our dining hall on that day. It’s always a special day when we can include our family and friends in our school routines!

INAUGURAL BALL

In the fall, students elect their own President and representatives from fifth grade, forming the A.B. Combs Lighthouse Team. Following these elections, we host an Inaugural Ball to celebrate our student leaders. This ball models the actual Presidential Inaugural Ball. At the ball, our President is sworn in and students perform dances learned in Team 8 classes. The parents and students always enjoy this celebration and dancing! 

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT

We are fortunate to have students from all around the world attend Combs.  We host an International Night to celebrate the similarities and differences between various cultures.  It is a great time to learn more about these cultures that represent our student body.

LEADERSHIP DAY

Twice a year (in the fall and spring) educators from all over the world come to learn about our school. Students greet our guests, present flags from countries that are represented at A.B. Combs, give speeches, showcase their talents, present leadership notebooks, and share their experiences. The visiting educators learn from our students and staff what makes our leadership model so special.  Most importantly, it is a day to celebrate the leadership of our amazing student leaders.

 

LEAD WITH LOVE

We believe part of being a great leader is recognizing the greatness in others.  During a week in February, we celebrate Lead with Love Week to honor and celebrate our first responders in our community.  We culminate this week by hosting a breakfast for first responders and honoring their service with a schoolwide clap out.

MATH BEE

Students in grades 1st-5th are invited to participate in classroom math bees and then progress to grade-level spelling bees.  Once finalists are determined, a school-wide math bee is held to determine the math bee winners.  

MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT

This event is definitely one to mark on your calendars! It is an exciting time for our Combs families and staff as we kick off the new school year. This event offers families the ability to come in and meet the teacher and drop off any school supplies. Once families have visited the classroom, they will have the opportunity to visit information booths set up for Prepaid Lunch, Carpool Tags, Transportation Information, and YMCA's Before and After School program.  PTA will also have a booth where you can sign up to be a PTA member, fill out a volunteer interest survey, and purchase Combs Spirit Wear. Food trucks are set up outside the school so we can all visit one another and celebrate the start of the new school year!

MORNING NEWS 

A wonderful beginning to our school day starts with our morning news program! Student news anchors and tech crew spotlight special announcements, acknowledge student leaders, and discuss special newsworthy information such as current events, 7 habits focus, manner etiquette, science facts, vocabulary development and lots more! 

MOVIE NIGHT

Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy a movie on the school lawn near the track.  It is a great kickoff event to begin the school year and have a chance to get to know other families at A.B. Combs.

PANCAKES AND PJS

During this special breakfast event in May, family members are invited to purchase breakfast from our school dining room, wear their comfy PJs, and enjoy a special memory with their child.

PIECES OF GOLD

A county-wide talent showcase is held in the evening at Memorial Auditorium in March; arts teams from any Wake County school can audition in November; Combs typically auditions with a choral group under the direction of the music teacher.

READ ACROSS AMERICA/ BOOK FAIR

Around the end of February/ first week of March, we celebrate Read Across America Day. On a designated day, students and teachers dress as their favorite storybook characters and we have special guest readers visit each classroom for this special event. We are also hosting the annual book fair this week, with one evening being designated as Literacy Night where the book fair is open till 7pm.

SCIENCE FAIR

Every year in January, our leaders in science are showcased at A.B. Combs! Students submit science fair projects, which are judged based on outlined criteria. While participation is encouraged by students at all grade levels, students in 5th grade are required to participate. Historically, two-thirds of all Combs students have submitted projects! Students in grades K-3 receive written praise, suggestions from judges, and a participation ribbon. Fourth and fifth graders compete for 1st -3rd place and “Best of Show.”

SPELLING BEE

Students in grades 1st-5th are invited to participate in classroom spelling bees and then progress to grade-level spelling bees.  Once finalists are determined, a school-wide spelling bee is held to determine the spelling bee winner.  The winner is eligible to move on to regional and even national competitions!

SILVER TRAY LUNCHEON

Part of our leadership model is learning and practicing appropriate social etiquette skills.  As a way to reward student behavior in the cafeteria, staff members nominate students to participate in a Silver Tray Luncheon.  Silver Tray Luncheons are the same cost as regular school lunches, but always a treat as they are served on fine china in a festive atmosphere. This social etiquette practice is a treasured tradition for our students!

SUPER HERO SNACK

At the end of every quarter, teachers nominate 3 students per class that have worked hard to achieve their personal and academic goals.  Our school Super Heroes host a Super Hero Snack to celebrate student accomplishments and a dance party to honor their hard work! 

 

VOLUNTEER CELEBRATION

Part of what makes Combs so special is our amazing school volunteers.  In May, we honor our school volunteers with a special gift of appreciation.

WALK TO SCHOOL DAY

An event that celebrates fitness as the whole school begins the day by walking en masse to the campus for a special assembly. We often welcome many special guests, Athens Drive Band, and celebrate physical fitness.  Families are welcome! This event is normally held around the first Wednesday in October.

WAX MUSEUM

A 5th grade tradition at Combs is for students to research a chosen leader and memorize a monologue sharing their leadership traits.  Other Combs students can visit the Wax Museum and once they share a coin donation, the character comes to life.  Money collected is donated to local charities such as Meals on Wheels, Back Pack Buddies, and American Red Cross.