Paw Prints
September 13, 2026
Dear Jaguar Families,
Encouraging Growth
We are thrilled to celebrate North Chatham’s outstanding EVAAS growth index of 5.5—the highest our school has achieved since 2013! Every reported student subgroup met or exceeded expected growth. This accomplishment reflects the dedication of our students, staff, and families. We are incredibly proud of what our Jaguars achieved together!
Fostering Community
Please also join us for Back-to-School Night this Thursday, September 17. To accommodate families’ schedules, we will offer two identical sessions:
- Session 1: 6:00–6:40 p.m.
- Session 2: 6:45–7:25 p.m.
Families may attend whichever session works best. Teachers will share important information about classroom routines, expectations, grading practices, school safety, and ways to support your child’s success.
Chef Sera Cuni of The Root Cellar is hosting a Free Community Dinner next Tuesday, September 15, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. The dinner will be held at The Local Church: The Evergreen Campus, 11098 US Highway 15-501 N, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. All are welcome to attend!
Cultivating Commitment
Strong partnerships between home and school help every child thrive. Thank you for your continued encouragement, involvement, and commitment to our students. We look forward to seeing you this week!
With Jaguar pride,
Nikki Murchison
Principal
Monday, September 14
- CORRECTION from flyer
- Jaguar Dine Out - Fratelli's 1481 Richardson Rd. #107, Apex, 5-8pm
Wednesday, September 16
- WIZE Robotics Afterschool Academy for enrolled students, 3:05-4:05 pm.
Thursday, September 17
- Back to School/Curriculum Night: Staff will present the same information at both sessions.
- Session #1, 6:00-6:40
- Session#2, 6:45-7:25
Thursday, September 24
- Chess Club for grades 2-5 (must be signed-up), 3:15-4;30 in the gym
Tuesday, September 29
- School Leadership Team Meeting, 3:30-4:45 in the library
Tuesday, October 13
- NCE PTA Meeting, 6-7 pm in the library
- Here is the link to join virtually: https://meet.google.com/vbx-wouy-vqi
- North Chatham's Got Talent/Fashion Show, 6-7:30 pm
Wednesday, October 21
- Read to Achieve (RtA) Test for select 4th grade students
- Unity Day: Staff and students wear orange clothing
- North Chatham Trunk or Treat, 4-6 pm
October 26-November 6: Apex Leadership Fundraising Event
October 27-29: NC Check-in A for 3-5 students only
Friday, November 6
- Apex Leadership Fun Run Event
Tuesday, November 10
- NCE Science Fair, 4:30-6:00
🎨 NCE YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST! 📚
Calling all NCE student artists!
We want YOU to help design the cover of our 2026–2027 NCE Yearbook!
✏️ THE GUIDELINES:
Pick up a yearbook cover template from Mrs. Marino in the library or Mrs. S in the art room.
Your design must be completed on the template so we can make sure it fits the cover.Use colored pencils or markers for your artwork.
Your design must include:
Our name: North Chatham Elementary or NCE
The year: 2026–2027
Color, including the background
Text should stay away from the edges
Most importantly… HAVE FUN & BE CREATIVE! 🌟
⭐ YOUR DESIGN COULD BE FEATURED!
We will choose ONE design to be featured on this year's yearbook cover!
But don't worry—ALL student designs will be displayed at school so everyone can see your creativity!
📅 DEADLINE: OCTOBER 10
Turn in your completed design to your teacher or to Mrs. Marino or Mrs. S.
We can't wait to see what you create! 🎨✨
NCE Cora Pantry Food Drive
Our dedicated Student Service Team (SST) will be hosting a food drive Monday September 21 - Friday September 25 to support CORA Food Pantry!
All donated items will go directly to CORA to help provide food for local families who receive monthly CORA Packs for food assistance.
Every donation makes a difference and helps ensure that families in our community have access to the food they need.
Thank you for supporting our students, families, and community!
.
🐾 THIS WEEK WITH NORTH CHATHAM PTA!
September is rolling along, Jaguars! 💛🐆 We have another easy way to support NCE this week, volunteer opportunities coming up, and lots to look forward to this fall!
🍝 TOMORROW NIGHT: DINNER = DONE!
JAGUAR NIGHT OUT AT FRATELLI’S!
Give yourself a night off from cooking and support North Chatham Elementary at the same time!
📅 Monday, September 14
⏰ 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Fratelli’s in Apex
Grab the family, enjoy dinner, and help support our Jaguar community. It’s one of the easiest—and tastiest—ways to give back to NCE! 🐆💛
🍝 EAT LOCAL • SUPPORT NCE • SKIP THE DISHES!
📚 OUR BOOK FAIR IS COMING!
Get ready for the North Chatham Elementary Book Fair — October 5–9! 📖✨
And don’t miss Family Night!
📅 October 6
⏰ 5:00–7:30 PM
Bring the family, browse together, and find some great new books to take home!
There are two ways to get ready now:
🙋 SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44ACAF22A3F85-65641211-north#/
We’d love your help making the Book Fair a success!
💳 PREVIEW THE FAIR & SET UP AN eWALLET:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/northchathamelementarysch
Browse books ahead of time and set up an eWallet so your child can shop without needing to bring cash.
We can’t wait to see our Jaguars at the Book Fair! 📚🐆
🎤👗 CALLING ALL NCE STARS!
TALENT & FASHION SHOW — OCTOBER 15!
Does your Jaguar have a talent they’d love to share? Or would they rather take a turn on the runway? Our NCE Talent & Fashion Show is coming! 🌟
📅 Thursday, October 15
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 North Chatham Elementary
Students can participate in the Talent Show or Fashion Show, and parents/guardians can sign them up using the form below.
⭐ STUDENT SIGN-UPS ARE DUE OCTOBER 5!
🎤 Sing, dance, play an instrument, perform a special talent—or team up with friends for a group act!
👗 Prefer the runway? Sign up to participate in our Fashion Show!
SIGN UP YOUR STUDENT HERE:
https://forms.gle/VHjeqZaJRYyRX7Jt5
We can’t wait to see our Jaguars shine! 🐆🌟
🛍️ YOUR NEXT CHANCE TO HELP NCE EARN!
PTA THRIFT SHOP VOLUNTEER NIGHT — SEPTEMBER 25
Have two hours to give? Those two hours can make a real difference for our school!
Volunteering at the Chatham PTA Thrift Shop helps NCE earn money that comes back to support our students, staff, programs, and school needs.
No special skills needed. Grab a friend and join us!
📅 September 25
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
SIGN UP FOR A SHIFT:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4BAFA923A7F85-50974513-ptathrift#/
Every volunteer. Every shift. Every hour counts! 💛
🎁 HELP US BUILD A BRAND-NEW NCE TRADITION!
THE NCE WINTER SHOP IS COMING! ❄️🎁
This December, we’re opening our inaugural NCE Winter Shop with one very special goal:
Every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy of choosing a gift for someone they love. ❤️
Our goal is for every NCE student to receive a Jaguar Dollar they can use to choose one gift at no cost. Additional low-cost items will also be available for students who would like to shop for more loved ones.
But before we can open the doors, we need your help filling the shelves!
🎁 Donate new or lightly used giftable items in the collection box in the front office.
🛒 Purchase an item directly from our Amazon Wish List.
Think mugs, candles, fuzzy socks, notebooks, keychains, picture frames, small tools, kitchen gadgets, jewelry, toys, pet gifts, ornaments, wrapping supplies and other items a child would be excited to choose for someone special.
🛒 SHOP OUR AMAZON WISH LIST:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1JFDH99UR0PH5?ref_=wl_share
One donated item can become one very special gift from a Jaguar to someone they love. 🎁🐆❤️
💛 NOT A PTA MEMBER YET?
It’s never too late to join! Your membership supports the work PTA does for our students, staff, and school community—and joining doesn’t mean you have to volunteer.
🐾 JOIN NCE PTA:
https://northchatham.givebacks.com/shop?category=5885
📱 STAY CONNECTED WITH NCE PTA!
Follow North Chatham Elementary School PTA on Facebook, @northchatham_pta on Instagram, join our GroupMe, and visit our PTA website for upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, sign-ups, and the latest PTA news.
🐾 DINE • VOLUNTEER • DONATE • CONNECT
However you choose to participate, you’re helping us do more for our Jaguars! 💛🐆