Trailblazer Parents,
The winter months bring unpredictable weather patterns to NC. Please see below for information on how to access the latest school closing, delay or early release communication methods. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you, Mrs. Graf
In the event that schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, please monitor the Wake County Public School System’s own electronic media and local television, radio, and print news media for the latest information.
In the event a decision is made to dismiss early after students are already in school, parents will also be notified via the district-wide Emergency School Messenger telephone system. BRES will not send out an individual call via the School Messenger system in order to not overload the system and interfere with the system-wide WCPSS notification call.
Parents should use these resources to stay abreast of school closings, delays, and early dismissals:
Wake County Public School System Electronic Media
How to find it:
WCPSS Twitter www.twitter.com Follow @WCPSS
WCPSS Facebook www.facebook.com/WCPSS
WCPSS website www.wcpss.net
Emergency Notification Email Sign up at http://www.wcpss.net/signup/newsletters/signup/
Local News Media How to find it
WRAL, Channel 5 www.wral.com
WTVD http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/index
NBC 17 www.wncn.com
News 14 Carolina (TWC News) http://centralnc.twcnews.com/
News and Observer www.newsobserver.com
Area Radio Stations WRAL 101.5 www.wralfm.com
G-105 www.G105.com
AM 680 www.wptf.com
Foxy107.1 www.foxync.com
K97.5 http://hiphopnc.com/
WQDR www.947qdr.com
WUNC 91.5 www.wunc.org
LaLey 101.1 www.laleync.com
(additional radio stations will carry school announcements)
Monday, December 23, 2013
Winter Break Reminder
Our school will be on winter break from December 23rd - January 1st. We'll see Track 1, 2, and 3 back on January 2nd, and Track 4 back on January 23rd. A reminder that 2nd Quarter Report Cards will come home with Track 2, 3, and 4 students on Friday, December 20th, which is our last day before Winter Break begins.
Parents, please note that due to the technical difficulties with the North Carolina software used for creating the report cards, some grades may not populate. Teachers have been given permission to hand write the grades for any subjects that did not populate. Specialists have worked over the past two weeks to enter grades as well. Music, PE and Art grades that did not populate will be sent home during the week of January 6th.
As always, we want you to have the most current information on your child's progress. If you have any questions, please schedule a conference with your child's teacher by calling the school at 919-890-7333 or emailing the teacher directly.
My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf
Parents, please note that due to the technical difficulties with the North Carolina software used for creating the report cards, some grades may not populate. Teachers have been given permission to hand write the grades for any subjects that did not populate. Specialists have worked over the past two weeks to enter grades as well. Music, PE and Art grades that did not populate will be sent home during the week of January 6th.
As always, we want you to have the most current information on your child's progress. If you have any questions, please schedule a conference with your child's teacher by calling the school at 919-890-7333 or emailing the teacher directly.
My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf
School Assignment Information for 2014-2015
Trailblazers,
The Office of School Assignment has updated their webpage with great information about the assignment process, applying to magnet schools, requesting a different school calendar, and more. This blog post contains information regarding student assignment. Please do not hesitate to contact the Front Office should you have any questions regarding the assignment process.
Also, all Trailblazer students were sent home with a Student Assignment Strip. The strip contained the school assignment for your child for the 2014-15 school year. If you you have questions about this assignment or need to seek information about the school options for your family, please contact the Front Office at 919.89.7333.
Thank you, Mrs. Graf
(From the WCPSS Student Assignment Webpage: http://www.wcpss.net/parents/student-assignment/index.html)
In Wake County, students are assigned to a base school based on their "domicile" within the county. For more information about the concept of "domicile", see Board Policy 6201. To determine the base school for any address, use the address lookup tool.
Transportation is provided to a student’s base and calendar option schools unless the student lives in the walk zone of the school. School district transportation is provided to students who were grandfathered under the 2011-12 Choice Assignment Plan. Grandfathered students will receive district transportation through the grade span of the school or until the family has a change of address. Younger siblings who join their grandfathered sibling at the same school can receive district transportation until the older sibling moves to the next school level.
School assignment for current students
School assignment for new students
Current students will receive an Initial Notice of School Assignment for the 2014-15 school year in December, 2013. Students will be assigned to stay in their current schools with their current level of transportation through the final grade of the school, provided there is no change of address for the family. Rising 6th and 9th graders will be assigned to their base school. Students who wish to stay in their current schools do not need to do anything.
New student enrollment for the 2014-15 school year begins Jan. 13, 2014. Students new to the district and incoming kindergartners will be assigned to their base schools. To be eligible for kindergarten, students must be five years old on or before Aug. 31, 2014. Go to the base school for your address to enroll your student.
Capped schools
In some cases, a school may be "capped", meaning the school has reached the maximum number of students it can serve. If a student’s base school has an enrollment cap, they will be assigned to an overflow school. Transportation is provided to a student’s overflow school.
Request a change of assignment
Current WCPSS students, as well as students who pre-register for the 2014-15 school year, can participate in any of the 2014-15 school application processes.
Students with disabilities can participate in all school application processes. Students with disabilities who are served in regional programs will have school assignments based on their program needs as defined by their individual education plans (IEP). Contact Special Education at (919) 431-7334 for more information.
If you wish to apply for a change of school assignment, the following options are available:
Request an assignment back to your base school
Application period: Dec. 13 – Dec. 20, 2013. Base Declaration closes Friday, December 20 at 10:00 p.m. Complete the application now.
Students who are not attending their base school can apply for an assignment back to their base school. View Details >
How to apply: To apply, click here to complete the Base Declaration application online. The application will be available Dec. 13 – Dec. 20, 2013. Results will be available in the online application account after January 27, 2014.
How students are selected: Assignment to a student’s base school are granted based on space availability and are not guaranteed. Assignments may be denied if the base school has a cap on its enrollment. Students requesting assignment to a capped base school may be placed on a wait list, may request assignment to the overflow school for their capped base school, or may remain at their current school until a seat becomes available at their base school. Students who are not granted assignment back to their base school may not appeal the decision.
The Office of School Assignment has updated their webpage with great information about the assignment process, applying to magnet schools, requesting a different school calendar, and more. This blog post contains information regarding student assignment. Please do not hesitate to contact the Front Office should you have any questions regarding the assignment process.
Also, all Trailblazer students were sent home with a Student Assignment Strip. The strip contained the school assignment for your child for the 2014-15 school year. If you you have questions about this assignment or need to seek information about the school options for your family, please contact the Front Office at 919.89.7333.
Thank you, Mrs. Graf
(From the WCPSS Student Assignment Webpage: http://www.wcpss.net/parents/student-assignment/index.html)
In Wake County, students are assigned to a base school based on their "domicile" within the county. For more information about the concept of "domicile", see Board Policy 6201. To determine the base school for any address, use the address lookup tool.
Transportation is provided to a student’s base and calendar option schools unless the student lives in the walk zone of the school. School district transportation is provided to students who were grandfathered under the 2011-12 Choice Assignment Plan. Grandfathered students will receive district transportation through the grade span of the school or until the family has a change of address. Younger siblings who join their grandfathered sibling at the same school can receive district transportation until the older sibling moves to the next school level.
School assignment for current students
School assignment for new students
Current students will receive an Initial Notice of School Assignment for the 2014-15 school year in December, 2013. Students will be assigned to stay in their current schools with their current level of transportation through the final grade of the school, provided there is no change of address for the family. Rising 6th and 9th graders will be assigned to their base school. Students who wish to stay in their current schools do not need to do anything.
New student enrollment for the 2014-15 school year begins Jan. 13, 2014. Students new to the district and incoming kindergartners will be assigned to their base schools. To be eligible for kindergarten, students must be five years old on or before Aug. 31, 2014. Go to the base school for your address to enroll your student.
Capped schools
In some cases, a school may be "capped", meaning the school has reached the maximum number of students it can serve. If a student’s base school has an enrollment cap, they will be assigned to an overflow school. Transportation is provided to a student’s overflow school.
Request a change of assignment
Current WCPSS students, as well as students who pre-register for the 2014-15 school year, can participate in any of the 2014-15 school application processes.
Students with disabilities can participate in all school application processes. Students with disabilities who are served in regional programs will have school assignments based on their program needs as defined by their individual education plans (IEP). Contact Special Education at (919) 431-7334 for more information.
If you wish to apply for a change of school assignment, the following options are available:
Request an assignment back to your base school
Application period: Dec. 13 – Dec. 20, 2013. Base Declaration closes Friday, December 20 at 10:00 p.m. Complete the application now.
Students who are not attending their base school can apply for an assignment back to their base school. View Details >
How to apply: To apply, click here to complete the Base Declaration application online. The application will be available Dec. 13 – Dec. 20, 2013. Results will be available in the online application account after January 27, 2014.
How students are selected: Assignment to a student’s base school are granted based on space availability and are not guaranteed. Assignments may be denied if the base school has a cap on its enrollment. Students requesting assignment to a capped base school may be placed on a wait list, may request assignment to the overflow school for their capped base school, or may remain at their current school until a seat becomes available at their base school. Students who are not granted assignment back to their base school may not appeal the decision.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
School Messenger December 10, 2013
Good evening Trailblazers,
Happy Tuesday to you!
First things first, I have great news for you. I have shared all year how hard the Banks Boomers have worked on their audition for the Pieces of Gold. On Friday afternoon, we received news that we made the program. This is wonderful news for our Boomers and I want to congratulate them for their hard work and efforts. I also want to thank Ms. Loftin and all of you, our parents for bringing your child to rehearsals and supporting us every step of the way. Ms. Loftin will be sending home details regarding the upcoming rehearsals and information regarding the Pieces of Gold event.
Last week we conducted our school wide spelling bee. A big congratulations goes out to Mallory Ayers, our spelling bee winner and representative at the regional bee. A big congratulations also goes out to Cristal Delaguila, who is our runner up. Both of these students spelled extremely challenging words. I also want to thank all our student representatives who participated in the spelling bee. All of the children did a wonderful job. A special thank you goes out to Ms. Foxworth, who organized the event, our judges and our PTA who sponsors the event each year.
This week:
Thursday, December 12th: 1:00 PTA Meeting in the Conference Room & Annual Movie Night! This PTA sponsored event has become a favorite tradition here at BRES. Join us in the multipurpose room at 6:00 p.m. for our free movie and a bag of popcorn. You are welcome to bring snacks, drinks, blankets or sleeping bags. Students are permitted to wear school appropriate pajamas!
Student Council is collecting Winter Wear items (coats, gloves/mittens, scarves, and hats). All donations can be dropped off in the collection box outside of the front office. We will collect items from December 2 through the end of January 2014. Thank you!
Next week: Monday, December 16th: Track Out Academy begins. For students selected to attend, parent permission slips should be returned no later than this Friday.
Tuesday, December 17th: 4/5 Reindeer Games Rehearsal afterschool, Mural Club afterschool, Grades 2-5 Tracks 2-4 ELA Case Benchmark
Wednesday, December 18th: Grades 2-5 Math Case Benchmark Assessments, GOTR at 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, December 19th: Grade 5 Science Case Benchmark, Student Council Meeting at 8:00 a.m., Winter Performance begins at 6:30 in the Multipurpose Room
Friday, December 20th: Last of day of school before Winter Break!
Did you know we are TWEETING? It's true. :) Check out our updated website with the Bus Twitter account and my Twitter account. I am posting pictures of the learning and teaching process in action as I walk through classrooms, sending out information about events, sharing articles or research about education in general and even updating you with special moments here at BRES. You don't want to miss out on Ms. Livengood's bus posts either! She is posting when buses depart campus so you will know if a bus has been delayed or when to be at the bus stop to meet your child. Follow us at CarmenMonteroGraf@BanksRoadES and @BanksRoadBuses!
That's it Trailblazers. All of this information will be posted on the BRES school website and the Principal's Desk blog. Please call the school should you have any questions.
Always Trailblazer Proud, Mrs. Graf
Happy Tuesday to you!
First things first, I have great news for you. I have shared all year how hard the Banks Boomers have worked on their audition for the Pieces of Gold. On Friday afternoon, we received news that we made the program. This is wonderful news for our Boomers and I want to congratulate them for their hard work and efforts. I also want to thank Ms. Loftin and all of you, our parents for bringing your child to rehearsals and supporting us every step of the way. Ms. Loftin will be sending home details regarding the upcoming rehearsals and information regarding the Pieces of Gold event.
Last week we conducted our school wide spelling bee. A big congratulations goes out to Mallory Ayers, our spelling bee winner and representative at the regional bee. A big congratulations also goes out to Cristal Delaguila, who is our runner up. Both of these students spelled extremely challenging words. I also want to thank all our student representatives who participated in the spelling bee. All of the children did a wonderful job. A special thank you goes out to Ms. Foxworth, who organized the event, our judges and our PTA who sponsors the event each year.
This week:
Thursday, December 12th: 1:00 PTA Meeting in the Conference Room & Annual Movie Night! This PTA sponsored event has become a favorite tradition here at BRES. Join us in the multipurpose room at 6:00 p.m. for our free movie and a bag of popcorn. You are welcome to bring snacks, drinks, blankets or sleeping bags. Students are permitted to wear school appropriate pajamas!
Student Council is collecting Winter Wear items (coats, gloves/mittens, scarves, and hats). All donations can be dropped off in the collection box outside of the front office. We will collect items from December 2 through the end of January 2014. Thank you!
Next week: Monday, December 16th: Track Out Academy begins. For students selected to attend, parent permission slips should be returned no later than this Friday.
Tuesday, December 17th: 4/5 Reindeer Games Rehearsal afterschool, Mural Club afterschool, Grades 2-5 Tracks 2-4 ELA Case Benchmark
Wednesday, December 18th: Grades 2-5 Math Case Benchmark Assessments, GOTR at 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, December 19th: Grade 5 Science Case Benchmark, Student Council Meeting at 8:00 a.m., Winter Performance begins at 6:30 in the Multipurpose Room
Friday, December 20th: Last of day of school before Winter Break!
Did you know we are TWEETING? It's true. :) Check out our updated website with the Bus Twitter account and my Twitter account. I am posting pictures of the learning and teaching process in action as I walk through classrooms, sending out information about events, sharing articles or research about education in general and even updating you with special moments here at BRES. You don't want to miss out on Ms. Livengood's bus posts either! She is posting when buses depart campus so you will know if a bus has been delayed or when to be at the bus stop to meet your child. Follow us at CarmenMonteroGraf@BanksRoadES and @BanksRoadBuses!
That's it Trailblazers. All of this information will be posted on the BRES school website and the Principal's Desk blog. Please call the school should you have any questions.
Always Trailblazer Proud, Mrs. Graf
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Going shopping on Black Friday? Here is how you can fund BRES PTA...
Trailblazers,
Thanksgiving is fast approaching and so is the holiday season. Many of you will consider making purchases on line. If you do, here is a simple way to support our school and PTA. Thank you for all that you for BRES.
Principal (and Black Friday Shopper), Mrs. Graf
Do you shop at Amazon.com?
If you do, you can help raise money for Banks Road PTA. It’s simple, Click Here and click on “Start Shopping at Amazon.com”. Amazon will send Banks Road Elementary PTA a check for 6% of all money spent at Amazon.com using this special link (4% on electronics). Since we teamed up with Amazon, Banks Road PTA has raised $45.97. With your help and the holidays fast approaching, our goal is to raise $250 during the next quarter. Please think about “Fund Your PTA” the next time you are shopping at Amazon.com!
Thanksgiving is fast approaching and so is the holiday season. Many of you will consider making purchases on line. If you do, here is a simple way to support our school and PTA. Thank you for all that you for BRES.
Principal (and Black Friday Shopper), Mrs. Graf
Do you shop at Amazon.com?
If you do, you can help raise money for Banks Road PTA. It’s simple, Click Here and click on “Start Shopping at Amazon.com”. Amazon will send Banks Road Elementary PTA a check for 6% of all money spent at Amazon.com using this special link (4% on electronics). Since we teamed up with Amazon, Banks Road PTA has raised $45.97. With your help and the holidays fast approaching, our goal is to raise $250 during the next quarter. Please think about “Fund Your PTA” the next time you are shopping at Amazon.com!
Read to Achieve Information
Trailblazers,
With second quarter coming to a close after the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to bring back to forefront the expectations for our students in reading. Students must make sufficient gains in their reading skills and be reading at benchmark to be considered proficient. Students who are working on the regular standard course of study are held to the same proficiency standards with few exemptions. While reading behaviors and skills are learned over time, students must master grade level targets/ benchmarks each year in kindergarten, first grade and second to be on track for proficiency. Third grade growth in skills and proficiency at each benchmark is especially critical, as promotion from third grade is contingent upon reading proficiency beginning this school year.
Have questions? Please contact me via email at cgraf1@wcpss.net or call me 919-890-7330. I want to be sure you are informed and I have resources to share with you to support your child at home.
My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf
NC Read to Achieve Program
The Read to Achieve Program is a part of the Excellent Public Schools Act which became law in July of 2012 and applies to all schools at the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year. Watch the Implementation of the North Carolina Read to Achieve Program Parent Guide video >
The State Goal § 115C-83.1A.
The goal of the State is to ensure that every student read at or above grade level by the end of third grade and continue to progress in reading proficiency so that he or she can read, comprehend, integrate, and apply complex text when needed for secondary education and career success.
The 7 Components of Read to Achieve
Developmental Screening and Kindergarten Entry Assessment (KEA)
Elimination of Social Promotion
Successful Reading Development for Retained Students
Parent/Guardian Notification
Accountability Measures
Comprehensive Reading Plan
Facilitating Early Grade Reading Proficiency
Read to Achieve Parent Resources
Read to Achieve Parent Letter
Read to Achieve Glossary
Read to Achieve Parent Information (color) - (black and white)
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Read to Achieve Guidebook
Comprehensive Reading Plan K-12
Reading Rockets - Reading Rockets is a national multimedia literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.
Colorín Colorado - Colorín Colorado is a free web-based service that provides information, activities and advice for educators and Spanish-speaking families of English language learners (ELLs).
U.S. Department of Education - Reading tips for parents
With second quarter coming to a close after the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to bring back to forefront the expectations for our students in reading. Students must make sufficient gains in their reading skills and be reading at benchmark to be considered proficient. Students who are working on the regular standard course of study are held to the same proficiency standards with few exemptions. While reading behaviors and skills are learned over time, students must master grade level targets/ benchmarks each year in kindergarten, first grade and second to be on track for proficiency. Third grade growth in skills and proficiency at each benchmark is especially critical, as promotion from third grade is contingent upon reading proficiency beginning this school year.
Have questions? Please contact me via email at cgraf1@wcpss.net or call me 919-890-7330. I want to be sure you are informed and I have resources to share with you to support your child at home.
My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf
NC Read to Achieve Program
The Read to Achieve Program is a part of the Excellent Public Schools Act which became law in July of 2012 and applies to all schools at the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year. Watch the Implementation of the North Carolina Read to Achieve Program Parent Guide video >
The State Goal § 115C-83.1A.
The goal of the State is to ensure that every student read at or above grade level by the end of third grade and continue to progress in reading proficiency so that he or she can read, comprehend, integrate, and apply complex text when needed for secondary education and career success.
The 7 Components of Read to Achieve
Developmental Screening and Kindergarten Entry Assessment (KEA)
Elimination of Social Promotion
Successful Reading Development for Retained Students
Parent/Guardian Notification
Accountability Measures
Comprehensive Reading Plan
Facilitating Early Grade Reading Proficiency
Read to Achieve Parent Resources
Read to Achieve Parent Letter
Read to Achieve Glossary
Read to Achieve Parent Information (color) - (black and white)
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Read to Achieve Guidebook
Comprehensive Reading Plan K-12
Reading Rockets - Reading Rockets is a national multimedia literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.
Colorín Colorado - Colorín Colorado is a free web-based service that provides information, activities and advice for educators and Spanish-speaking families of English language learners (ELLs).
U.S. Department of Education - Reading tips for parents
2014-15 Kindergarten Registration Is Coming!
Trailblazers,
The new school year will be here before you know it. It is time to mark your calendars for information regarding enrolling rising Kindergarten students. This will be the first of many reminders. Please below for the required documents need to get your child enrolled in school.
Trailblazer Proud, Mrs. Graf
Enroll for the 2014-15 school year
Rising Kindergarteners can pre-enroll beginning Jan. 13, 2014 at their assigned base school. To view the school assigned to your address, visit http://www.wcpss.net/preview. Parents can sign up to receive an email with the latest events and news.
Families whose primary language in not English should visit The Center for International Enrollment, Crossroads 1, 5625 Dillard Drive, Cary, NC 27518 to get assistance with paperwork.
Required documents:
Completed registration forms
Parent/legal guardian photo ID
Proof of residence in the form of a current electric, city gas or city water bill, signed lease agreement or closing statement in the name of the parent(s) or court-appointed guardian with a closing date within 45 days. Telephone, cable television bills and driver's licenses do not qualify.
A certified copy of the child's birth certificate, which can be obtained from the county or state health department where the child was born.
Immunization records. For a list of all required immunizations, visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. If you do not have a certified immunization record, contact your physician or the Wake County Human Services. A new series of shots can be administered. If a record of completed immunizations is not received after 30 days, the principal is required by law to suspend the child from school on the 31st day until evidence of immunizations is presented.
Additional items needed later:
A completed Kindergarten Health Assessment. North Carolina law requires that a kindergarten health assessment be completed on or before the first day of school before a child can enter kindergarten. The health assessment must be completed no more than 12 months prior to the date of entry. Physical examination forms are available at Wake County schools, area doctors' offices or at the Wake County Health Department. Parents whose children do not have a regular physician can get health assessments and immunizations through the Wake County Health Department. First-time appointments should call (919) 250-3947.
If coming from another school system, a completed Discipline Status Enrollment form is required.
The new school year will be here before you know it. It is time to mark your calendars for information regarding enrolling rising Kindergarten students. This will be the first of many reminders. Please below for the required documents need to get your child enrolled in school.
Trailblazer Proud, Mrs. Graf
Enroll for the 2014-15 school year
Rising Kindergarteners can pre-enroll beginning Jan. 13, 2014 at their assigned base school. To view the school assigned to your address, visit http://www.wcpss.net/preview. Parents can sign up to receive an email with the latest events and news.
Families whose primary language in not English should visit The Center for International Enrollment, Crossroads 1, 5625 Dillard Drive, Cary, NC 27518 to get assistance with paperwork.
Required documents:
Completed registration forms
Parent/legal guardian photo ID
Proof of residence in the form of a current electric, city gas or city water bill, signed lease agreement or closing statement in the name of the parent(s) or court-appointed guardian with a closing date within 45 days. Telephone, cable television bills and driver's licenses do not qualify.
A certified copy of the child's birth certificate, which can be obtained from the county or state health department where the child was born.
Immunization records. For a list of all required immunizations, visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. If you do not have a certified immunization record, contact your physician or the Wake County Human Services. A new series of shots can be administered. If a record of completed immunizations is not received after 30 days, the principal is required by law to suspend the child from school on the 31st day until evidence of immunizations is presented.
Additional items needed later:
A completed Kindergarten Health Assessment. North Carolina law requires that a kindergarten health assessment be completed on or before the first day of school before a child can enter kindergarten. The health assessment must be completed no more than 12 months prior to the date of entry. Physical examination forms are available at Wake County schools, area doctors' offices or at the Wake County Health Department. Parents whose children do not have a regular physician can get health assessments and immunizations through the Wake County Health Department. First-time appointments should call (919) 250-3947.
If coming from another school system, a completed Discipline Status Enrollment form is required.
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