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Call to Action Needed, Wake County Public Schools

posted Mar 8, 2010 5:12 AM by Conn PTA

Well, it seems that the Wake County School Board’s actions concerning our children’s futures is as unpredictable as the recent weather. In the month since Conn’s Town Hall Forum on the future of education, we have more questions than answers.

The school board has delayed voting on changes to school calendars for 2010-2011. With the resignation of Superintendent Del Burns, it faces added pressure to figure out how to finish this year and search for a new superintendent as well as fund changes they decide to pursue. As of this writing, Iremain optimistic that Conn will continue with the same magnet theme and the same traditional school calendar for 2010-2011.

However, it appears that a majority of our PTA members are communicating strong support of Conn and the Wake County Magnet Schools Policy. In addition to the 50 people at our forum in January, I have heard from twice that many Conn parents who strongly support making a statement in favor of the current magnet policy. Several PTAs at other magnet schools are joining forces to support a resolution urging the school board to continue its current magnet policy. This coincides with the unanimous opinion at our forum that our students and families benefit greatly from the socioeconomicdiversity found at our magnet school.

We really want to hear how you feel about the changes being considered for Wake County public schools.
 

All comments received by Monday, March 22, will be reviewed before the next full PTA membership meeting on Thursday, March 25.to register your comments in a survey that we hope will inform how we take action to represent the interests of our members. All comments received by Monday, March 22, will be reviewed before the next full PTA membership meeting on Thursday, March 25.

Project Enlightenment

posted Mar 2, 2010 8:37 PM by Conn PTA

Your urgent action is needed. The Wake County Public School System is
making $20 million dollars in cuts to Central Services, which includes
Project Enlightenment, an early childhood education and early
intervention program that serves families and teachers of children in
Wake County prior to school age.

http://www.projectenlightenment.wcpss.net/

These budget cuts will likely include deep cuts at Project
Enlightenment. Project Enlightenment is celebrating their 40th
anniversary this year and is a model program. People have traveled as
far as from Australia to see the work they do. Countless parents in Wake
County have received parenting support and classes through Project
Enlightenment, and countless preschool children have received help when
struggling in preschool with behavioral challenges. Project
Enlightenment trains so many teachers in the area on how to approach
children, better classroom management techniques, help for special needs
teachers... this is just absolutely unthinkable.

So far, this has not been reported anywhere. I learned about it from a
brief email posted on the front door of Project Enlightenment and by
speaking to several staff members (who were very concerned but unable to
speak publicly). It sounds like the announcement of what will be cut
will be made on Tuesday, and that will be the first time most of the
county hears about this.

This is the most short-sighted move the school system has made yet.
Early intervention for children with special needs and behavioral issues
saves the school district millions of dollars in special needs services
for elementary school children.

Nearly every preschool handbook in the Raleigh area includes a note that
if there are unresolvable issues with a child's behavior, Project
Enlightenment will be called in to observe and consult with the parents
and teacher.

And Project Enlightenment has a parent service where you can call at any
time and schedule a free appointment to receive help with discipline
strategies, disruptions to your child's life, etc. This service has
helped so many families in Wake County.

If you support the work being done at Project Enlightenment, or think
that parents have the right to know about these kinds of deep cuts
BEFORE they happen, please spread the word. Pass this email along to
your contacts. And take five minutes to call one or two members of the
school board. If you know someone who has been helped by Project
Enlightenment, tell their story, and if not, just ask them to please
reconsider any cuts to this organization.

Volunteer, proctors to be present during the ESL testing

posted Feb 11, 2010 8:50 PM by Conn PTA   [ updated Feb 11, 2010 9:00 PM ]

Ms. Ferrando needs proctors to be present during the ESL testing (EOGs only for ESL students).  

Proctors are the second adult present in the room while test is being administered.  You don’t have to do anything, except be present (make sure students don’t speak to each other).  Ms. Ferrando is administering the tests at the hours listed below and, rather than pull TAs out of their classes, she is asking for parent volunteers to come and sit in her classroom.

Thank you for supporting the ESL program. These are the dates and times for a proctor.
 
 
Thurs. 2/11 9:15 am
Thurs. 2/11 10:30 am
Mon. 2/15 1:30 pm
Tues. 2/16 9:15 am
Tues. 2/16 10:30 am
Tues. 2/16 1:30 pm
Thurs. 2/17 9:15 am
Thurs. 2/17 10:30 am
Thurs. 2/17 1:30 pm


 Lisa Ferrando lferrando@wcpss.net

Wake Schools Community Engagement Meeting this Thursday

posted Feb 9, 2010 5:24 AM by Conn PTA

Wake County Schools will host a Community Engagement Meeting this
Thursday, February 11th at 6:30pm in the gymnasium of Southeast Raleigh
High School, 2600 Rock Quarry Road. http://is.gd/7Wnnq

The Wake County School Board and members of the school system's leadership team will be present.

You may find out more about the Community Engagement Meetings and/or
sign up to speak here:
http://www.wcpss.net/news/2010_jan12_meetings/

A Southeast Raleigh meeting was not originally planned. 

Thanks to District 4 representative Keith Sutton for ensuring the views of Southeast Raleigh will be represented.

Family Fun Night, creating instant photos

posted Feb 7, 2010 9:07 PM by Conn PTA

Thank you to those who attended Family Fun Night.
We had our first experiment with creating "instant" photos
and discovered that the lone printer just couldn't keep up
with the overwhelming demand. Therefore, as many of you recall,
we got backed up. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

Today I faced the task of trying to remember the faces of
many of you in the "American Gothic" painting and discovered
the numbers that correlated to your pictures may not match any
longer due to technical reasons.

1. I printed all the photos I believe correspond to my notes,
which will be in the office for you to pick up. Yours may well
be there, so check the office first!

2. If your photo is not found, please contact:
peggy@peggyhayes.com

Thank you for your great enthusiasm and patience.

Peggy Hayes and Tim McKay (Conn parent volunteers)

February 2010 CONNector Final - POSTED!

posted Feb 5, 2010 5:06 AM by Conn PTA

In our hope to save trees and printing funds, the Conn PTA is asking parents this year to choose whether or not they would like to receive the
monthly CONNector in hard copy form in their Tuesday folder or access the newsletter electronically. The newsletter will be posted each month on the PTA Conn website.

Go to: http://www.connpta.org/communications/connector

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Julie Snee, CONNector Editor.

"TOWN HALL" MEETING JANUARY 26

posted Jan 16, 2010 7:34 AM by Conn PTA   [ updated Jan 25, 2010 3:12 PM ]

From Linda Davis, PTA President

Conn Elementary PTA is hosting a Town Hall-style meeting on Tuesday, January 26, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Media Center. 

Our goal is to share information, discuss proposed ideas and answer questions that Conn families have about current education policy issues.



As Wake County’s only Active Learning and
Technology magnet school, Conn Elementary has
attracted a growing number of students from all
across the county in recent years. Our current
school population is 595 students from downtown
Raleigh, Garner, Holly Springs, and even Wake
Forest. Classes comprised of students who come
from rural and urban communities, wealthy and
economically struggling households, native and
ESL students – all these factors are enabling our
students to grow into stronger citizens ready to
compete in the 21st century global economy. The
families I’ve spoken with believe that Conn’s rich
diversity is key to the educational experience we
want for our children.

Another key to our success is the continuity of
the teachers and staff. The Conn Family is really a
community of people who care for and want the
best for each other. Don’t you love knowing that
our children are safe, happy, and able to do their
best every day?

Last fall’s school board elections resulted in a
new majority that were elected with a turnout of
only about 10% of registered Wake County voters.
At their first official meeting in December, the new
majority took quick actions that have raised
concerns and questions about the future of magnet
schools, the school calendar and eliminating
mandatory year-rounds in Wake County, and
ending early release Wednesdays (PLTs), which
Conn’s staff has found very beneficial.

In an effort to address these concerns, Conn
Elementary PTA is hosting a Town Hall-style
meeting on Tuesday, January 26, from 6:00 – 8:00
p.m. in the Media Center. Our goal is to share
information, discuss proposed ideas and answer
questions that Conn families have about current
education policy issues. We are inviting all
members of the Wake County School Board,
including Keith Sutton, who represents the fourth
district (which includes Conn) and is a Conn parent.

I hope you will mark your calendar and plan to
join us for the Town Hall meeting. Our involvement
in the discussion of these issues is vital to the future
of our children’s education. Continuing to improve
the quality of education at Conn depends on our 
willingness to voice our concerns with conviction.
The new school board majority says that, more than
anything else, they respond to the will of parents.
This event will be a great way to let them know
how we feel. I look forward to seeing you on the
26th.

OLD TIME FAMILY FUN NIGHT

posted Jan 16, 2010 6:32 AM by Conn PTA   [ updated Jan 20, 2010 6:56 PM ]


                            HAVE FUN playing games, 
                                ENJOY concessions, 
           DANCE and FROLIC at Conn Elementary School!

Friday, February 5; 6-8pm @ Conn Elementary School

FESTIVITIES INCLUDE:

FOOD: 
GAMES: Tug of War, Bowling, Dress-up Relay Race, Horseshoes

ARTS & CRAFTS: Shadow puppets, Paper dolls, String games

LIVE MUSIC & DANCE: Enjoy authentic regional music and spin yourself dizzy square dancing with old friends and making new ones.

CAKE WALK: The lucky winner(s) take home delicious baked treats!

PHOTO: Make this fun family event truly memorable - give yourself props or capture silly moments in our caricature cut-out board.


VOLUNTEER NEEDS


BECOME A Family Fun Night SPONSOR and you'll receive special privileges and other complimentary tokens of appreciation.

Contact: Jared Ollison JSO94@hotmail.com


** This event is proudly sponsored by the Conn Elementary PTA

Conn Student Directory is now available online for all Conn PTA members!

posted Jan 14, 2010 10:59 AM by Conn PTA   [ updated Jan 18, 2010 7:39 PM ]

The Conn Student Directory is now available online for all Conn PTA members! 

Click on "PTA Members" on the left navigation to access the directory.

The directory is organized alphabetically by grade and includes only the information parents provided early in the school year. Users can print the specific pages they need. If you would like your child's entry changed, or if you are a PTA member and do not have online access, please contact Adrienne Berney at awberney@bellsouth.net or 828-5599. 

Remember, an individual PTA membership is only $5.00.

Adrienne Berney
Student Directory Chair

January 2010 Special Edition CONNector - POSTED!

posted Jan 12, 2010 7:18 PM by Conn PTA   [ updated Jan 12, 2010 7:21 PM ]

In our hope to save trees and printing funds, the Conn PTA is asking parents this year to choose whether or not they would like to receive the
monthly CONNector in hard copy form in their Tuesday folder or access the newsletter electronically. The newsletter will be posted each month on the PTA Conn website.

Go to: http://www.connpta.org/communications/connector

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Julie Snee, CONNector Editor.

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