Monday, May 26, 2014

May 26-30, 2014

Good morning Trailblazers,
This morning is a time of reflection for me.  As I sit here with my coffee it is really hitting me that this IS the last week of school of Track 1.  Yes, we completed the EOG's last week and that was a clear sign that the end of school for some Trailblazers was approaching, but honestly as I figure out outfits for the twins to wear to the 5th Celebration, the Mom in me asked, "How did this happen? Where has the time gone?"  As parents we often look at children and marvel at their wonder, their growth, their energy, their tenacity!  This morning I looked at my children and the tears popped into my eyes before I realized it!  It's funny how our biggest accomplishments in life are not the jobs we hold, but the children that grow up right in front of our eyes.  :)  I know I am sentimental this morning, but indulge me just a little...it's the last week of school for Track 1!

In putting on my principal and teacher hat, I am still amazed at the growth and progress of our students.  In talking with Kindergarten team this week, the teachers were reflecting on the progress of our Trailblazers and how much knowledge they acquire and use here at school on a daily basis.  What a huge amount of growth they make by the end of the Kindergarten year.  Overall, Track 1 students and teachers have that feeling of closure, accomplishments and excitement as they begin their track out and then the next steps in their educational journey.  It's a bittersweet time of year in a school.

This past week we were busy! We had Track 1 EOG's and 5th Grade celebrated their learning in the GREAT Program.  This program came out of our partnership with Fuquay Varina Police Department. All elementary schools in Fuquay Varina participate in the GREAT Program and on Friday Detective McDonald, Patrol Captain Jeff Dunn and Chief of Police Larry Smith presented BRES with an official GREAT school sign for the two years of program participation.  Students and teachers also were rewarded with cake, fruit and juice.  

Also on Friday we celebrated reaching our FUN RUN Goal by having the top grossing class SPRAY COLOR Ms. Livengood and my hair NC State red and UNC Blue.  I donned a State shirt all day (it was a challenge but I did it!) and Ms. Livengood wore UNC...she looked GREAT! We stood outside at the flagpole and thanked our families and students as they drove by in carpool or and waved to our students as the buses pulled away!  We raised over $18,000 that will be used to purchase additional technology in our classrooms!  Awesome Trailblazers!!! Check out the photo of the action at the flagpole:

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Please mark your calendars for these important dates this week:

May 27th-30th:  Read to Achieve Camp Track 2
May 28th:  4th Grade Track 3 & 4 In-House Field Trip
May 29th:  Track 1 Testing Make Ups
May 30th:  Track 1 5th Grade Celebration in the Multipurpose Room at 9:45 a.m. & 2nd Annual Family Fancy Dance.  Admission is FREE, family photographs will be taken by our Trailblazer parent Diane McKinney, a photo booth will be available, DJ will be spinning music, light refreshments and FUN from 5:45-7:45 p.m.  What a way to end the year for Track 1!  Tracks 2-4, what a way to kick off the last few weeks of school! Remember that all students must be accompanied by a Trailblazer parent! Please call the school if you have any questions.  

Upcoming Dates:
June 2nd:  Track 2 Track In
June 2nd:  No Internet ALL Day due to Server Update
June 9th:  2nd Grade ELA Case Benchmark Assessments & 5th Grade Tracks 3 & 4 Science Benchmark
June 10th:  2nd Grade Math Case Benchmark
June 16th:  3rd Grade ELA EOG, NC Extend 2
June 17th:  3rd Grade Math EOG, NC Extend 2
June 18th:  4th & 5th Grade ELA EOG
June 19th:  4th & 5th Grade Math EOG
June 20th:  5th Grade Science EOG

Remember that last week I shared that Parent Student Reports would be mailed out by WCPSS in June for Track 1 families and traditional and then again in July for students on Tracks 2-4 due to the changes with the testing window and the state's certification of the results.  

That's it Trailblazers! Please call the school if you have any questions.  

Always Trailblazer Proud, Mrs. Graf