The Principal's Desk

Dear Aldert Root Families,

Exciting Visitors

This week we had two exciting visitors:

David Crabtree not only visited our morning show but was a co-anchor with Meg Hardesty.  Meg held her own with Mr. Crabtree, a mainstay on television here in the Raleigh area. It made my day seeing Meg and Mr. Crabtree take turns reading “Love it, Learn it, the Root Way. 

Later on that day our 4^th and 5^th graders had the wonderful experience of listening to and interacting with Bill McArthur, an astronaut and an American hero.  Mr. McArthur talked about his experiences on the international space station and inspired us all to reach for the stars.  What an amazing week. 

EOG

The end of grade test start for most of our 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade children on Wednesday, May 16^th with the Reading examination.  Then on Thursday, May 17^th  students will take the math calculator active section and on Friday, May 18^th  they will take the math calculator inactive section.  5^th graders will take the Science End of Grade test on Monday, May 21^st.  Please remember to help your child get plenty of sleep and eat a hearty breakfast. 

Celebrations

Great job to all of the students who participated in the county wide track meet held this week.  The fourth place winners were:  Grace Ledford, Jon Benefield, Eleanor Becker, Sims Roberson, Cooper Thompson, Walt Tippet, Nigel Toster, Geneiveve Fortier, Katherine Parker Lowry, and Glen Sember

The third place winners were:  Chloe Horton, Kamoryn Dunn, Kyla King, Gracie Parrish, Walt Tippett, Aira Daughtery, Jack Lee, and Crawford Ramsey.

The 2^nd place winners were:  Duncan Coffey, Ben Lee, and Cooper Thompson

 The first place winners were:  Ben Lee, Jack Lee, Duncan Coffey, Kamoryn Dunn, Ellie Crowther, Cayla Harding, Chloe Horton, and Luca Hurst who won 3 first place ribbons.  Way to go boys and girls!

Have a great weekend and remember Root is a community that loves learning, loves learners and is a place where everyone works for everyone’s success.

Dear Aldert Root Families,

Early Release

Today we have an early release day.  Dismissal will begin at 1:15.

Disruptions to Class

We have noticed an increase in the times our front office staff has had to interrupt instruction by calling down to classes.  To help protect instruction, if you could follow these 3 procedures:

1)       If you have to pick up your child early, please send a note the morning of to the classroom teacher (remember you have to pick up your child by 3:15).

2)      If you need to change how your child is going home, please send in a note to your child’s classroom teacher. 

3)      If your child needs to be brought lunch, please wait until their lunch time, check in at the office, and bring them their lunch in the cafeteria.

Thank you so much for your help.  

EOG

The end of grade test start for most of our 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade children on Wednesday, May 16^th with the Reading examination.  Then on Thursday, May 17^th  students will take the math calculator active section and on Friday, May 18^th  they will take the math calculator inactive section.  5^th graders will take the Science End of Grade test on Monday, May 21^st.  Please remember to help your child get plenty of sleep and eat a hearty breakfast. 

Celebrations

Excellent job to all of the 3^rd graders who participated in the wax museum.  The breadth of understanding you had concerning historical figures was outstanding.

I also would like to celebrate the accomplishments of our 1^st graders who were amazing at their culminating performance in the gym this morning.  Way to go!

Ms. Welker’s and Ms. Strong-Smith’s students met their goal for following behavior expectations.  Great work boys and girls. 

Have a great weekend and remember Root is a community that loves learning, loves learners and is a place where everyone works for everyone’s success.

Dear Aldert Root Families,

Early Release

Next Friday, April 27^th will be an early release day.  Dismissal will begin at 1:15.

Teacher Appreciation

Don’t forget that next week is teacher appreciation week.

Track Meet

Next Tuesday, April 24^th at 4:00 Coach Ledford will have an information session for the parents of the students participating in the track meet.

STEM@Root

I would like to thank the STEM@Root committee for a wonderful event last night.  It was amazing to see so many children of all ages learning about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  Way to go Root Elementary.

Celebrations

Speedway Challenges Winners

For Distance Traveled

3^rd Place – Janie Jackson and Genevieve Fortier, 2^nd Place – Aydlett Gwyn and Meg Hardesty, 1^st Place – John Caviness,

For Most Creative Design

Enyia Webster and Christane Ortiz

Most Aerodynamic Design

Zach Coman

Most Attractive Design

Casey Currin

Coolest Design

Thomas Doerfler

Best Engineering Design

Hampton Dempster and Walker Thorson

Thank you to all the fifth graders who participated in the Speedway challenge.  Great work boys and girls. 

STEM Fair Award Winners

5^th Grade

Best Methodology and References – Nathaniel Pascal

Most Practical application – Andrew Pyles

Best Science Journal – DeAndre McKnight, Brevyn Belfield

3^rd Place – Olin Brimberry, 2^nd Place – Rodney Alston and Jamante Williamson, 1^st Place – Lilly Beth Glenn and Meg Hardesty

4^th Grade

Most Interactive – Will Percy

Best Engineering Project – Jack Little

Best Science Journal – Macon Porterfield

3^rd Place – Caroline Johnson and Lindsay Anne McCall, 2^nd Place – Jett Taylor and Zoe Durland, 1^st Place – Sarah Brooks

3^rd Grade

Best Construction Project – Hannah Toster

Best Visual Display – Caroline Grace Barnhill

Best Science Journal – Madison Jackson

3^rd Place – Jennings Glenn, 2^nd Place – Will Hardesty, 1^st Place – Ginny Dempster and Ella Glover

Great Work to all those who participated in our STEM fair. 

Have a great weekend and remember Root is a community that loves learning, loves learners and is a place where everyone works for everyone’s success.

Dear Aldert Root Families,

STEM@Root

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Thursday, April 19, 5:30-7:30 PM to enjoy an evening of STEM Family Fun. There will be Moe’s Southwest Grill Dinner (this is pre order only-you MUST turn in your bright green reservation form by Monday, April 16th!!)   Students can dress up in clothes from a different country.  Families will follow their Amazing Race Maps and visit all the exciting STEM Stations.  Be sure to look on the STEM@Root website to see all the STEM Stations (there is a link on the Aldert Root website!) You can also enjoy seeing projects in the STEM Fair and Speedway Challenge from our students! You can even pretend you are a mixologist at the Kona Ice Truck by mixing different flavors and colors! ALL participants are eligible for our STEM @ Root Raffle and chance to win the Grand Prize which we found out today was a chance to ride a real Magic School Bus with Ms. T as Ms Frizzle to the downtown Krispy Kream to learn about how Krispy Kream doughnuts are made! 16 Root students will win!

The STEM @ Root Committee wants to also remind everyone that Speedway Challenge cars are due on Wed, April 18th and STEM Fair Projects are due by Thursday, April 19th. More information on check-in times can be found on the website.

Have a great weekend and remember Root is a community that loves learning, loves learners and is a place where everyone works for everyone’s success.

3/29/12

Dear Aldert Root Families,

Field Testing

We will be conducting field testing for next year’s EOG Testing.   Tuesday, April 10^th is 3rd grade Reading Field Test.  Wednesday, April 11th is 5th grade Reading Field Test.  Testing will begin at 9:30 and conclude by 12:30.

Dress Code

As we move towards the summer months please remember that students cannot have strapless shirts.  Their shorts also need to extend past their fingers if they are holding their arms by their sides.  If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Walk to Defeat ALS

The Root staff is participating in the Triangle “Walk to Defeat ALS” on May 5th in support of The Fortier Family. Our goal is to raise $1500, which will go toward research and awareness for ALS.  If you would like to make a donation, checks may be given to Kelly Currin or Grace Hancock. Checks are made payable to ALS Association.  Online donations can be made as well.

Celebrations

We have met our goal and have collected 26,363 Tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.  Great job student council and great job Root Elementary.

Ms. Paysour’s class has met their goal for following behavioral expectations.  Great work boys and girls. 

Have a great weekend and remember Root is a community that loves learning, loves learners and is a place where everyone works for everyone’s success.

Dear Aldert Root Families,

STEM @ Root

Parents of 3^rd through 5^th graders,

It is not too late to enter the STEM Fair@Root.  If you fill out an entry form and turn it in by tomorrow, Friday March 23^rd, your child is still eligible to receive a Mood Pencil!  If your child is doing a project with a partner we  still need an entry form from each participant.  You can get extra copies of the Entry forms on the STEM@Root website (linked off the Root website) or ask for one at the front desk.  Also – you may still order a STEM@Root T-shirt through Monday, March 26^th.  Thanks and I look forward to seeing those STEM Fair@Root entries from everyone. 

Art to Remember

We have extended our deadline for Art to Remember orders. Yeah! Our new deadline is Monday, March 26th, end of school day. No orders will be accepted after this date.

Book Fair

Our Book opened today and goes through March 29th. Our book fair family night is Tuesday, March 27^th from 5:30-7:30.  We will have an authentic Hawaiian band and hula lessons. The book fair will be open daily from 8:30-5:00.

Engineering with Legos
Because of a great response for our Engineering with Legos club, we will be offering a pre-engineering lego club for Kindergarten and 1^st graders starting on April 12. Check your Tuesday folder for registration information.

Lost and found

All of the lost and found has been removed from the closet and now sits on tables in our front lobby.  Please come by and claim anything that is yours.  We are going to donate everything we have left during Spring Break.

Walk to Defeat ALS

The Root staff is participating in the Triangle “Walk to Defeat ALS” on May 5th in support of The Fortier Family. Our goal is to raise $1500, which will go toward research and awareness for ALS.  If you would like to make a donation, checks may be given to Kelly Currin or Grace Hancock. Checks are made payable to ALS Association.  Online donations can be made as well.

Celebrations

Our 5^th graders represented Root last night with a wonderful performance at Meymandi Hall.  Great work boys and girls.

Have a great weekend and remember Root is a community that loves learning, loves learners and is a place where everyone works for everyone’s success.

STEM @ Root

All Entry forms for the STEM fair are due by March 23^rd.  We are encouraging all 3^rd through 5^th graders to participate. 

Book Fair

Our Book fair starts on Thursday, March 22^nd and goes through March 29th. Our book fair family night is Tuesday, March 27^th from 5:30-7:30.  We will have an authentic Hawaiian band and hula lessons. The book fair will be open daily from 8:30-5:00.

Engineering with Legos
Because of a great response for our Engineering with Legos club, we will be offering a pre-engineering lego club for Kindergarten and 1^st graders starting on April 12. Check your Tuesday folder for registration information.

Lost and found

All of the lost and found has been removed from the closet and now sits on tables in our front lobby.  Please come by and claim anything that is yours.  We are going to donate everything we have left during Spring Break.

Walk to Defeat ALS

The Root staff is participating in the Triangle “Walk to Defeat ALS” on May 5th in support of The Fortier Family. Our goal is to raise $1500, which will go toward research and awareness for ALS.  If you would like to make a donation, checks may be given to Kelly Currin or Grace Hancock. Checks are made payable to ALS Association.  Online donations can be made as well.

Celebrations

We had 49 students do a wonderful job representing Root at First in Fitness.  We had a number of students who placed in their individual events. 

In 4^th place we had Christane Ortiz, Maleyah Webster, Ren Fortier, Robert Smith, and Jack Lee.  In 3^rd place we had Cooper Thompson, Damien Ford, Garis Fussell, Ella Caviness, and Duncan Coffey.  In 2^nd place we had Chloe Horton.  In 1^st place we had Crawford Ramsey, Cayla Harding, and Luca Hurst.  Great work boys and girls.  I also want to thank Coach Ledford and all the parent volunteers who made this event possible. 

Ms. Moore’s class met their goal for following behavioral expectations.  Excellent job boys and girls. 

Have a great weekend and remember Root is a community that loves learning, loves learners and is a place where everyone works for everyone’s success.

Dear Aldert Root Families,

Lost and found

All of the lost and found has been removed from the closet and now sits on tables in our front lobby.  Please come by and claim anything that is yours.  We are going to donate everything we have left during Spring Break.

Walk to Defeat ALS

The Root staff is participating in the Triangle “Walk to Defeat ALS” on May 5th in support of The Fortier Family. Our goal is to raise $1500, which will go toward research and awareness for ALS.  If you would like to make a donation, checks may be given to Kelly Currin or Grace Hancock. Checks are made payable to ALS Association.  Online donations can be made as well.

Tornado Drill

We will have a tornado drill next Monday morning. 

Early Release

 We will have an early release next Friday, March 16^th.  Dismissal will begin at 1:15. 

Celebrations

McKenzie Cole, a Kindergartner in Ms. Welker’s class, participated in a piano competition called Young Artist Auditions this past weekend.  She was chosen as one of the winners in her level and will be performing in an honors recital this coming Sunday at Peace College. McKenzie, we are very proud of you.

CeCi Holden did an amazing job competing in the regional spelling bee this weekend.  Excellent work representing Root Elementary.

Ms. Fenimore’s, Ms. Lawrence’s, and Mr. Fehling’s classes met their goal for following behavioral expectations.  Great job boys and girls. 

Have a great weekend and remember Root is a community that loves learning, loves learners and is a place where everyone works for everyone’s success.

Dear Aldert Root Families,

Lockdown Drill

This Tuesday, March 6^th we will have a Lockdown Drill.  During this drill we will practice what the students and staff are to do if there is a possibly dangerous situation near or on school campus.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

ENGINEERING FUNDAMENTALS WITH LEGO CLASSES

I am pleased to announce that there will be an ENGINEERING FUNDAMENTALS WITH LEGO Club offered on Tuesdays starting April 10^th.  Information about how to register and pay should have gone home in this week’s Tuesday folder. 

First in Fitness

A First in Fitness parent informational session will be Monday, March 5^th at 4:15 in the gym.

Donations

If you have any new or slightly used prizes you would be willing to donate for our weekly drawings on Friday, please drop them off at the media center.  Thank you.

Celebrations

African American Quiz Bowl

Please join me in congratulating Root’s 1st African American Quiz Bowl Members – Deavay King (captain), Dabreyn Belfield, and Nathaniel Pascal.  These gentlemen competed against 13 other elementary schools in Wake County this past weekend and placed 5th in the event.  If you see these young men throughout the building, please let them know how proud Root is of them.

Brevyn Belfield, Lilly Beth Glenn, Emily Clark Joyner, and Josiah Terribili joined 140 students from 33 other schools to perform this weekend as members of the Wake County Honors Chorus.  It was a fabulous concert thanks to our Root participants. 

CeCi Holden will be participating in the regional spelling bee this weekend.  Everyone be sure to wish her luck.

Ms. Welker’s class met their goal for following behavioral expectations.  Great work boys and girls. 

Have a great weekend and remember Root is a community that loves learning, loves learners and is a place where everyone works for everyone’s success.