Seawell Peek At the Week
October 6, 2024
Seawell Elementary School Updates!
Greetings Seawell Seahawk Families!
October Is Disability History and Awareness Month
In 2007, Senate Bill 753 declared October as Disability History and Awareness Month. Disability advocacy and self-advocacy has a rich history in the United States. This month, we will highlight the history of the Disability Rights Movement and the current advocacy groups dedicating resources to striving for equity, access, and inclusion for those with disabilities. Here in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, we celebrate and value our community members of ALL abilities and amplify the experiences of our students, staff, and parents with disabilities. The Special Needs Advisory Council (SNAC) is a group of parents, district staff, and community professionals working together for the continuous improvement of the CHCCS Exceptional Children (EC) program. Learn more about SNAC and get involved by subscribing to SNAC email updates.
Week 1: Not Just an IDEA, a Right: Understanding Disability, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Accommodation.
Children with disabilities have a right to a free, appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Sharing with your student: Talk to your student about disabilities. Some disabilities you are born with and others can be a result of an injury or illness. Some disabilities are visible and others are invisible. Having a disability is not uncommon (about 14% of people in the United States have some form of disability) but every individual has different accommodation needs.
Parents, join this week’s conversation: follow the SNAC Facebook page.
GPAC Representative Needed
Dear families,
We are looking for a few people who are willing to be Seawell's GPAC representatives for the 2024-25 school year. The purpose of GPAC is to meet with the Director of Advanced Learning and Student Leadership and to provide a communication link between specific school communities and district administration. This group will meet virtually quarterly and will support the implementation of the current 2022-2025 AIG Plan and contribute to the development of subsequent AIG Plans. If you would like to be a GPAC member please complete this application form. Please contact Seawell's Gifted Education Specialist, Holly Grant at hgrant@chccs.k12.nc.us if you have questions about this.
SEL UPDATES
The character trait for the month of October is RESPECT!
Respect-Showing high regard for self, others and property
PTA Updates
Seawell PTA News
Get Seahawk news and a calendar of events at PTA website and PTA Facebook
Check out the October edition of the Seahawk Scoop newsletter!
Join the PTA! Reminder: memberships expire each year so rejoin to stay current!
It’s easy to jump in on PTA activities! Check out the current volunteer opportunities—bring a friend or make a new one!
Teacher Appreciation Help
Throughout the year, the PTA plans a meal or snack bar for the teachers and staff to show our appreciation! Here is the calendar of events:
Wednesday, November 6th: Snack Bar
Wednesday, January 8th: Breakfast
February 5th: Snack Bar
Friday, March 21: Lunch
Friday, April 9th: Snack Bar
If you would like to join the team and help coordinate, please email Sarah at pilau22@gmail.com.
State of the Schools Address
The CHCCS PTA Council invites you to a State of the Schools Address by Superintendent Dr. Nyah Hamlett. “State of the Schools” will be an update about the current successes as well as challenges of our school district. The event will include an interactive “Q&A” session. Use this link for details, and to send your questions now!
When: This Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7-8 p.m.
Where: Guy B. Phillips Middle School Auditorium (606 N. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill)
Spanish interpretation services and livestreaming will also be available.
Family Fall Portraits
Only a few more days to sign up! Don’t miss your chance to get a great family photo. We’re happy to welcome back local photographer Trevor Holman for fall family portraits. Sign up for a 15-minute session on Oct 12,13,19 or 20. Any photos purchased, along with the $20 reservation fee, will support Seawell programs and staff via the PTA.
Family Night Out
Our October Spirit Night will be Wednesday, October 30 at Carrburritos in downtown Carrboro. Enjoy some good food before the Halloween candy arrives! No need to mention Seawell when ordering. 10% of all proceeds from dine-in and take-out orders will go to the PTA. If you’d like to help plan these Family Nights Out, we’d love your help! Let us know at ptaseawell@gmail.com.
Seawell’s Critter Corner is Orange County’s ONLY School Farmyard!
In operation for 30+ years and 100% parent-run. The Critter Corner benefits families in many ways from social emotional learning to biology and life skills. Bring the kids to get to know our furry & feathery friends. Questions or want to get involved? Email the Critter Corner crew at seawellcrittercorner@gmail.com.
Calling All Seahawk Families! Big Fall Play Day needs you!
Big Fall Play Day is happening on Sunday, October 27th, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Bring friends & family to play games, dance, meet special guests, and check out the recycled art each class has made! The cafeteria will be transformed into Snack Village and the Beauty Bar is open for business. The PTA is excited to bring back this beloved Seahawk tradition, but we can't do it without you!
The volunteer sign-up has a lot of empty spots. These shifts are only one hour long so that you can pitch in, and still have time to play! High school and middle school volunteers are welcome, too!
Sign-up here to volunteer for a shift to sell concessions, or help with games and crafts: BIG FALL PLAY DAY VOLUNTEERS Sign up here to contribute to the Bake Sale: BAKE SALE SIGN UP
If you have any questions, contact ptaseawell@gmail.com. Volunteers, please make every effort to attend one of these two zoom info sessions (linked here): Wednesday (10/9) at 7pm or Sunday (10/13) at 3pm.
VISITOR/PARENT CHECK IN POLICY
In order to keep all of our students safe, we must have any parent/visitor sign in at the front office. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this safety policy. The sign in process does require a government issued ID, i.e. driver's license.
SEAWELL WEBSITE / SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow our social media and school website to keep up with all of the amazing things happening with our students and staff at Seawell!
Instagram: sesseahawks
Twitter: @SeawellES
Website: https://www.chccs.org/SES
IMPORTANT DATES
October 27
Fall Play Day 2:00-4:00
October 31
- End of First Quarter
CLASSROOM CORNER
Parent Engagement Opportunity
Estes Elementary has partnered with the Winston Center to host a speaker on October 15, 2024 at 6pm for a parent discussion entitled The Adolescent Brain and Technology Use. This event will be held at Phillips Middle School and will be open to all K-8 parents in the district.
Greetings parents,
Please only complete the Parent communication OPT-OUT form if you do not want room parents to have your information. Note that our room parents only reach out in the event that your input/support is needed for specific activities/events related to your classroom and that your email will not be shared with anyone else.
LOST and FOUND
In the upcoming weeks this section will feature photos of items that have been found on our campus. Please monitor this section and alert your child that their lost item can be recovered in out lost and found area typically located in the cafeteria.