🍀 Bulldog Blast 🍀

Yearbook = Order Now!

Please see the details below to be sure to order your child's yearbook for this year. Paper fliers have also been sent home in Tuesday folders. We will not have any extras to sell after the order deadline closes. Yearbooks are on sale now for online orders until March 22! Don't miss out!

3-5 Families EOG Testing Dates - Save the Date!

Please go ahead and mark your calendars for May 30th, 31st, & June 3rd. We will be giving the EOGs in 3rd, 4th & 5th grades on those days. Thursday will be reading (grades 3-5), Friday will be math (grades 3-5) & Monday will be science (5th grade only). Should your child miss a day of testing we will schedule a make-up session after regular testing wraps and your child returns to campus.

$120 Grocery Cards Available

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will soon be mailing $120 “SUN BUCKS” grocery cards per child to all families who qualify for free or reduced price lunch as of March 28, 2024. The card will be automatically mailed to you if you qualify, but your address must be up to date with the school in order to receive it. For more information, see this website: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks

How can you make sure you get your $120 grocery card?

• First, your child must be receiving free/reduced price lunch. If you are unsure whether your child receives free/reduced lunch, you can contact our School Cafeteria Manager, Ms. Pam at pacostagarcia@wcpss.net.
• To see if your family qualifies to receive breakfast and lunch for free, the application is here: https://www.myschoolapps.com. After submitting the application and qualifying, then you will be eligible to automatically receive the grocery card. The financial limits have been raised this year to qualify for free lunch, so lots of families qualify when they haven't before!

• Second, your address must be up to date with the school before March 28, 2024. NCDHHS will not be using other addresses, such as an address you have on file for Medicaid or Food Stamps. To update your address or verify that we have the correct address, contact our Data Manager, Ms. Matias, at mmatias@wcpss.net. If you need to change your address, you will need to provide the school with proof of residence (this month’s gas/electric/water bill, or a lease or mortgage statement). You should start the address change process immediately because it can sometimes take a few days for proof of residence documents to be verified. If you are unable to provide this information but still need to change your address, or you have questions about this program, please contact our School Social Worker, Ms. Baez Santos, at nbaezsantos@wcpss.net

Kate Williams - Principal

kwilliams3@wcpss.net

The next Bulldog Blast will be sent on March 29th.

Please join me in welcoming a new staff member to the York staff/school community. We are excited to share that starting Monday, March 18th we have a new ECS special education teacher joining us! Ms. Megan Bernstein has been hired for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year and will serve as our ECS 1 teacher. Please read on to learn a little more about her:

Ms. Bernstein's Bio:

I am very excited to be teaching at York Elementary! I was born and raised in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. I graduated from Quinnipiac University with my B.A. in Sociology. I received my Master's Degree in General and Special Education from Touro College in NYC. I have taught Preschool and Pre-K for over 5 years and taught and worked one on one with special needs children for over 4 years.

I have been living in Raleigh for the past 10 years with my two children, Brandon and Jillian. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, reading and traveling.

My passion is working with exceptional children, and I can't wait to start this exciting journey here at York!

Muslims around the globe will begin observing the holy month of Ramadan, a period of deep spiritual reflection and fasting that takes place every year.

The festival begins with the sighting of the crescent moon, which usually appears one night after a new moon. In 2024, Ramadan will begin on Sunday 10 March. One of the five pillars of Islam - along with faith, prayer, charity, and the pilgrimage - Ramadan commemorates the Quran first being revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, a sacred moment honoured with abstinence between sunrise and sunset. The month of Ramadan will see Muslims all over the world fasting and praying, before breaking their fast at sundown alongside family and friends.

We are so excited to celebrate Women's History Month all this month. Here's some more information if you're looking to continue the conversation at home.

What is Women’s History Month?

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation naming the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. The following year, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution establishing a national celebration. In 1987, Women's History Month became a month-long celebration, observed annually, honoring women's contributions to the world.

In North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed March Women’s History Month to honor the legacy of women whose visionary leadership has shaped the state of North Carolina and the nation. “This month we take the time to celebrate strong women who have made our state stronger by their contributions,” said Governor Cooper. The 2024 national theme for Women’s History Month is Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Community Events

• March 17, 2024 Celebrate Women's History Month with Triangle Women in STEM - 201 West Martin Street Raleigh, NC 27601

Dear Parents of 3rd - 5th Graders,

We hope this message finds you well. As we gear up for another exciting session (Track & Field) of our Boys and Girls Rec Program, we are reaching out to invite you to play a crucial role in our scholars' athletic journey. Your support can make a significant difference!

Volunteer Opportunities:

Our program thrives with the support of dedicated volunteers. We are in need of at least 8 to 10 volunteers per day to ensure the smooth operation of our activities. Volunteering can involve coaching, assisting during games, or helping with administrative tasks. Your time and commitment can help create memorable experiences for our scholar-athletes.

Snack Support:

In our ongoing efforts to provide the best experience for our young athletes, we would like to offer them a snack during their activities. However, due to budget constraints, we are seeking assistance. If you are in a position to contribute, even a small donation can help us provide this essential nourishment.

To get more details about these opportunities and to access the documents related to volunteering and snack support, please click on the following links:

[Link to Program Overiew]

[Link to Volunteer and Snack Support Document]

[Link to Key Dates for the Program]

Your involvement and support are vital to the success of our Boys and Girls Rec Program. Together, we can create a positive and enriching experience for all our scholar-athletes.

If you have any questions, would like more information, or are ready to volunteer or contribute to snack support, please don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Tracy (information in signature below).

Thank you for being an essential part of our Boys and Girls Rec Program community. Your commitment helps us nurture the talents and dreams of our young athletes.

Warm regards,

Dr. Mark Tracy

Assistant Principal

York Elementary School

Office: 919-881-4960 Ext 26277

Cell: 919-441-3534

Students don't forget we have an exciting STEM Challenge out to help Ms. Riggert with some musical instruments! You planned them, now it's time to create them! For all the details please check out the website! If you have any questions reach out to Coach O.

Families - did you know we have a WeatherBug on campus? When you drive through the carpool lane, you will see it on the roof line at the end of the building off of the kindergarten wing! The Weather Bug provides us with live weather data for students/teachers to access and use. Students LOVE looking at real time weather information that is viewable on the TV hanging in the Sunshine Lobby Stairwell!

• You can follow at home with this link.
• Thanks to the PTA for funding this amazing opportunity and helping us to get this system reinstalled from our old building! I can only imagine how many meteorologists in training we will inspire later in life thanks to this awesome resource.

A HUGE Bulldog HOWL and Congratulations to Jovie H. (4th grade). She won the following recognition award below. We are so proud of her as a student and writer! Here is her submission.

TRAVIS TUCK JORDAN AWARD

Jovie H. 4 th grade, York Elementary School, Raleigh, NC

Kitty Kitty

Kitty kitty smart little one

Riding roombas

Oh what fun

Purr, hiss, meow

5 a.m. wake up

Food, they cry

Purr, hiss, scratch

Clawing at my door

But you are sure

a cute little fella

Kitty kitty

Sniggle me

When I am scared

Making biscuits when you’re happy

I love you kitty kitty meow meow meow

THIRD PLACE

Monthly PTA newsletter for March

Traditional School Calendar 2023-2024

March is Women's History Month

March 18-22 = PTA Fundraiser Penny Wars

Monday, March 18th = PTA event - Bulldog Bites - during lunches 11:00 am - 1:00 pm.

• Families have the opportunity to RSVP to come join their child during lunch.
• RSVP required.

Friday, March 22nd =

• Monthly school tour @ 9:45 am
• PTA Cultural Arts Assemblies in Gym "Footworks Percussive" K-2 = 1:15 pm/ 3-5 = 2:15 pm
• Staff Appreciation luncheon provided by PTA and Kindergarten Families "Picnic Themed"

March 25-29 = SPRING BREAK! Building will not be open!

March 31, 2023 = César Chavez Day

The birthday of César Chavez, a Mexican-American civil rights activist who fought for the rights of America’s poorest migrant farm workers and had a lifelong commitment to social justice and dignity for all human beings.

As always, remember you can check out all our upcoming calendar events and happenings on our school website.

Visit us on social media via Facebook and Twitter.

KidzArt drawing classes Session 4 begins on Apr 16. Every week is a new project and returning students are welcome! Classes meet on Tuesdays at 4-5 pm in the Art Room for K-5th grades students. Your child will bring home a finished artwork that he/she will be proud of each week! For more info contact Chen the owner at cjiang@kidzart.com.

To register please visit www.northraleigh.kidzart.com.

Please join us to participate in the upcoming UNC Science Expo, hosted by Morehead in partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill!

The UNC Science Expo is a signature annual North Carolina Science Festival event and has become one of our state's most significant celebrations of science. This year's event is particularly special as Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is celebrating its 75th anniversary, promising an even more thrilling and engaging experience for all attendees.

Here are some key details about the event:

• Date and Time: April 6th | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Location: Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, UNC-Chapel Hill

• Highlights: Science demonstrations, booths, lab tours, food trucks, stage shows, and much more!
  

Save the date for the Family and Community Engagement Summit on April 27

Join WCPSS for the Family and Community Engagement Summit on April 27 at Athens Drive Magnet High School from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The summit is the culmination of the Family Engagement Professional Learning Series, and will feature a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and more. All WCPSS staff, families, and community members are invited to attend!

This year's camp will run from Monday, 6/24 to Friday, 6/28 and is open to boys and girls in rising 4th - 8th grades.

Fastbreak Football Camp is unique in that it focuses on character, general athletic development, and weight room fundamentals in addition to football specific instruction. This is a NON-CONTACT/EQUIPMENT camp. Coaches at Fastbreak Football Camp will teach young athletes the key character traits required of good teammates, the fundamentals of the game of football, and the athletic postures and movements necessary to excel in any sport. Instruction will be clear and concrete. Activities will be fun and fast-paced.

Register and pay today by visiting www.fastbreakfootballcamp.com. Financial Aid is available. No camper will be turned away for financial reasons.

More questions? Please email Coach McGuire at fastbreakfootballcamp@gmail.com.

Tom McGuire

Healthful Living/Varsity Football Head Coach

Needham B. Broughton High School

broughtonfootball.com