Greetings Washington Families,

Happy Monday! Just a reminder that there is no school today, October 14, due to a Teacher Workday. We’ve got an exciting week ahead, packed with fun events for the whole family!

First up, don’t forget Picture Day is THIS Thursday, October 17.

Then, join us on Friday, October 18, for Washington’s first annual Fall Picnic and Carnival, benefiting the Shining Star Fundraiser! This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community while raising funds for our amazing school. The event is filled with fun activities for all ages, so grab your family and friends and get ready for a fun-filled evening!

Let's make it a great week at 1000 Fayetteville Street!

Magically,

Catie Burnette

Principal

Join us for Washington's first annual Fall Carnival benefiting WES PTA's Shining Star Fundraiser!

Don't Forget:

• Blanket or Chair
• Cash! (You will need cash for food and all the fun games and activities.)
• Your bike or scooter AND A HELMET (Helmets are REQUIRED to participate in the Bike Rodeo.)

Event Highlights

• Music and Dancing
• Face Painting
• Sidewalk Chalk
• A Fire Truck from Raleigh Central Fire Station #1

Games:

• Duck Pond
• Ring Toss
• Frisbee Tic Tac Toe
• Fishing Game
• Potato Sack Race
• Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt

Plus! A Bounce House and Bike Rodeo on the track!

PTA will be selling pizza and drinks, as well as pie and NC State ice cream for dessert.

Bio: I am honored to be a part of the Washington Elementary family. I teach fifth grade math and science! I am a product of Wake County schools kindergarten through 12th grade. I graduated from Agnes Scott Women's College in Decatur, Georgia in 1997 with a BA in Sociology and Anthropology in addition to my K-6 teaching certification. After graduation,I returned home to Raleigh to begin my teaching career at York Elementary. I received my Master of Education from Meredith College in 2000. I earned my National Board Teaching Certification in 2003. During my over 25 years of teaching, I have taught 4th, 5th and 6th grade. I was also a reading teacher for grades K-2. Teaching 5th grade is my passion. I love this age group’s sense of humor, inquisitive nature, as well as their desire for independence! My goal is to make the classroom environment an active place where students feel comfortable taking risks. My style of teaching math and science lends itself to hands-on exploration and problem solving. My husband and I have two sons. We love traveling and enjoy spending time at our lake house, boating, fishing and birding.

Alumni: Agnes Scott College and Meredith College

Favorite Quote: How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. - George Washington Carver

Favorite Children's Book: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech and From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by EL Konigsburg

Gifts & Talents: Sewing, Cooking, Snow and Water Skiing, Maintaining a family calendar

Washington GT Magnet Elementary can receive a portion of your North Carolina State Fair admission ticket!

For every Advance Adult Gate Admission Ticket purchased using a school code, the State Fair will donate $2 to the school. For every Advance Child Gate Admission Ticket purchased using a school code, the State Fair will donate $1 to the school.

To support Washington, simply enter your school code (596) under "Membership" at check-out on the Tools for Schools link.

This promotion is only available online in advance of the Fair. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17.

We need YOU to design the cover for our 2024-25 Yearbook! Read below for the guidelines:

• This is a contest for students in 5th grade.
• Cover is front page only 8.5 inches x 11 inches.
• Can use pencil, paint, chalk, crayon, digital or other art medium.
• Cover must include out school name "WashinGTon Magnet Elementary" and "2024-2025."
• Cover theme should represent "Gifted & Talented" and/or "Reach for the Stars"
• Must be original art. No copies or duplication. Be creative!
• Ensure your name and homeroom teacher is on the BACK of the cover.

Covers should be submitted to the front office by October 25th.

Covers will be displayed in the Media Center and voted on by all grades. YOU could be the next WizKid yearbook cover creator! **Brought to you by WES PTA**

Our lost and found is filling up quickly! To help us return items to their owners, please make sure all jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, and other personal belongings are clearly labeled with your child's name. A quick label can save time and ensure your child’s items make it home safely. Thank you for your help in keeping things organized!

As part of our commitment to supporting students’ well-being, we will be administering a universal screener using the BIMAS-2 tool. This will help us identify students who may benefit from additional social and emotional supports. The screener will be completed by your child’s homeroom teacher based on observations of behaviors over a one-week period.

If you do not want your child to participate, please return the Opt-Out Form by Tuesday, October 22. For more information, visit our website or contact our school counselor, Mary McDonough, at mmcdonough@wcpss.net.

Read more here or check your child's Monday folder TOMORROW.

We are continuing to raise funds for our Shining Star Fundraiser! Our goal is to raise $24,000 to support our students and school programs. Thanks to your generosity, we've already raised $3,882! Let's keep up the momentum and continue to *REACH FOR THE STARS*! Every donation, big or small, helps us get closer to our goal. Thank you for your support!

Our PTA is looking for a few volunteers to help run carnival games and sell food at our upcoming Fall Carnival. This event is part of our Shining Star fundraiser, and your support will have a big impact on our school! To make this carnival a success, we need your help. Please sign up for a timeslot using the Sign Up Genius. Many, many thanks for your time and support!

We're excited to celebrate our diverse community at International Night on November 21st and need your help! If you’re interested in performing or sharing information about your culture, please sign up using the link below. We look forward to an amazing night of cultural exchange and fun!

Washington families are invited to join the fun and support a great cause at Enloe Charity Ball's Trunk or Treat event on Sunday, October 29th, from 4:00-6:00 PM at Enloe High School. This event is free to attend, but a suggested donation of $5 per family is encouraged to help raise funds for Enloe Charity Ball and their beneficiary, Neighbor 2 Neighbor. Parking will be off Bertie Drive, with the Trunk or Treat activities taking place in the stadium parking lot. As a feeder school for Enloe, it would be great to see our Washington Wizards come out to enjoy the festivities while supporting a great cause!

K: Lia

1st: Nainika

2nd: Aurora

3rd: Dreamz

4th: Arnav

5th: Mariyah

Staff: Mrs. Johnson, Kindergarten Teacher

• Monday, October 14: Teacher Workday, No School for Students
  
• Tuesday, October 15: Kindergarten First Day of Electives
• Thursday, October 17: Fall Picture Day
• Friday, October 18: Washington Fall Picnic/Carnival, 5:30pm-7:00pm
• Thursday, October 31: Dress like your favorite book character!
• Friday, November 1: Teacher Workday, No School for Students
• Tuesday, November 5: Teacher Workday, No School for Students (GO VOTE!)

• 2024-25 Student/Parent Handbook (English)
• 2024-25 Student/Parent Handbook (Spanish)