DOUGLAS DRAGONEER

Douglas A+ Creative Arts & Science Magnet Elementary School

Week of March 24 - 28

Upcoming Events

Mar. 31 – Apr. 7 Spring Break; No School!

April 8 Field Day, K, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grades

April 9 Field Day, 4th and 5th Grades

April 14-18 Book Fair week

April 15 Spirit Night, California Pizza Kitchen

at Triangle Town Center Mall

April 17 Choral Performance, Meymandi Hall

A Letter from our Principal

Dear Parents,

Spring is in the air! With the spring season comes new life, energy, and the excitement of realizing all the many accomplishments our children have experienced, as well as the anticipation of experiences and celebrations yet to comeJ. It is also a great time to observe the many wonderful additions to our facilities and grounds that have been accomplished. What a wonderful school community we have!!!

Here are just a few of the accomplishments and celebrations since August that I would like to share with you:

· A+ Summer Institute for new staff

· 1^st year implementation of the Positive Behavior Support initiative

· 5 Odyssey of the Mind Teams (including the addition of a Primary Team)

· B.A.R.K.S. reading program

· Fall Fund Raiser (Dragon Fire Campaign – special thanks to Annabelle, the pig)

· Book Drive

· 2 wonderful plays and choir performances

· Cultural arts performances

· Winter Carnival

· Variety Show

· Family Bingo Night

· Student participation in the World Math contest

· Arts Night

· Reflections Program – Local and District winners (with a Douglas student’s video entry highlighted as the Special Feature at the award ceremony)

· Student writing performance is “soaring”

· New computers for classrooms and labs

· New science and writing resources

· New track

· New landscaping across campus (check out the Learning Cottage area! – Thank-you Green TeamJ)

· New security cameras

· NCSU education partnership for student teachers

· New “Gray Dragons” volunteers from Heritage

· New website

· Magnet Schools of America – School of Distinction Award. WOW!

This list is just a small representation of all the successes that have taken place in our school for our children! These and the many other successes would not have been possible without the tremendous support you have providedJ J J. THANK YOU so much for all your time, hard work, support, and encouragement!!! I look forward to the 10 weeks of school remaining and your continued support in helping make Douglas a great place for everyoneJ. Keep your eyes on your calendar for future events both in and out of the classrooms!!

Wishing everyone a happy, safe, well-deserved Spring BreakJ

Dr Spivey

Spirit Night Change of Location

Our next Spirit Night will be on April 15th, and will take place at the Triangle Town Center Mall California Pizza Kitchen! (NOT Chick-fil-A)  California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is located at the South entrance to the Mall, across from Barnes & Noble and Champps.  Hope to see you there!

Keep Those Bags COMING!
We have turned in over 20 bins of plastic bags to Trex/Harris Teeter.  The "PLASTIC BAG CHALLENGE" is well under way.  We would love to win the 500 dollars and Trex bench for Douglas. We are also doing our part to celebrate Earth Day.  Thanks for all the support and continue to send those plastic bags to school with your children - we'll take care of the rest.

Ahoy Mates,

Field Days are Coming!

Pirate Fun Super Kid’s Day 2008 is right around the corner. We need many volunteers to make this a hit with our children. The theme this year focuses on pirates from North Carolina’s past. Please have your child come dressed as a pirate on their field day.

Parent support is important for this to be a successful event. Watch for volunteer signups coming soon. Your children will always remember you being there running a station! Put it on the calendar today and plan on helping out!

Dates for Pirate Fun Super Kid’s Day:

April 8 - K and 1st Grades, 9:30 – 11:30 am

April 8 - 2nd and 3rd Grades, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

April 9 - 4th and 5th Grades 9:30 – 11:30 am

Rain Dates:

April 10 - K and 1st Grades, 9:30 – 11:30 am

April 10 - 2nd and 3rd Grades, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

April 11 - 4th and 5th Graders, 9:30 – 11:30 am

We appreciate all your support and caring for our programs here at Douglas. Look for the volunteer sign up letter to come home with your children soon! For more information or questions, contact Tammy Clarke, Field Day Coordinator, at tclarke4@nc.rr.com or at 919 250-0146.

Box Tops Contest Update

The count is in! Mrs. Horner's class wins the Box Tops contest - again! A celebration for the class will be planned in the next couple of weeks.
 Thanks to all of our Douglas families who saved and sent in Box Tops. We receive 10 cents for each one we send in. Thanks to all of you, Douglas will be receiving a check for about $615! That's awesome!
 Extra special thanks go to our three top-collecting families: First place honors to Helen Grace and her family (from Mrs. Horners class) who sent in 520 Box Tops! Second Place goes to Matthew M and his family (from Ms. Rohwedder's class) and Third Place goes to Jack R. and his family (from Mrs. Shern's class). These families will be receiving prizes for their extra effort! Jack and his classmates will also be celebrating with a special treat as Mrs. Shern's class had the greatest participation!
 Keep clipping and saving those Box Tops. As you can see, they add up to big bucks for our school!

Coming Soon to a Gym near you.....

The After School Program will be having its 2nd Annual After School Parents vs. Douglas Elem. Staff Basketball Game on Friday, April 25th, at 5:30 pm in our school gym. Half time show will be The Dragon Steppers Step Team. Also, our famous Douglas Cheerleaders. This promises to offer lots of family fun!

BLUE JAY DAYS

Looking for some fun and educational activities for your children during Teacher Workdays, Saturdays and Summer time? Discover the many class offerings at Blue Jay Point County Park, in North Raleigh: www.wakegov.com/parks/bluejay. There are Nature Stories for 3-5 year olds, Eco-Kids for 4-5s, Nature Crafts for 6-8 year olds and Blue Jay Days for ages 9-12. There are also Adult workshops offered and a Family Wildlife series. So, if you like to get outside and learn about nature, check it out.