Message from Superintendent about School Safety

Please read the following message about school safety from Interim Superintendent Gainey:

http://www.wcpss.net/blog/2012/12/a-message-from-the-superintendent-about-school-safety/

If you would like to speak with Mrs. Culberson regarding any concerns you may have, please contact her at (919)773-9500 or kculberson@wcpss.net.

Barnes & Noble Bookfair

Please join us tonight at the Timber Drive Elementary Bookfair at Barnes & Noble in Cary.  Here is the schedule of events:

3:00PM-8:00PM Timber Art Gallery
5:00PM-6:00PM Scavenger Hunt
5:30PM Make a Bookmark
6:00PM Timber Drive Storytellers
6:30PM Timber Drive Chorus

Shop online using the Bookfair ID#10889392. For more information contact Karent Waller at (919)773-9508 or kwaller@wcpss.net.

Girls on the Run Update

Our fall Girls on the Run season is going very well!  Thank you to all the Timber Drive girls who are participating.  It is time to register for the spring season.  Please visit http://www.gotrtriangle.org/ for more information.  Girls on the Run is a character development program for girls ages 8 - 12. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Culberson at kculberson@wcpss.net.

Congratulations Ms. Lachenmayr!

Today Timber Drive Elementary celebrated excellence in teaching!  Ms. Tiffany Lachenmayr, fourth grade teacher, received a Milken Educator Award.  She was surprised in a school-wide assembly.  Visit the following links for more information:

www.milkeneducatorawards.org
http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/11/14/2483151/garner-elementary-teacher-wins.html
http://www.wral.com/garner-teacher-surprised-with-national-award-25-000/11773185/

Congratulations to Ms. Lachenmayr and thank you to all Timber Drive teachers and staff!

NC School Report Cards

Last Wednesday, parents received a summary of our 2011-2012 North Carolina report card and two Title I Focus School letters.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Culberson at (919)773-9500.  You may access the full report card at http://www.ncschoolreportcard.org/src/schDetails.jsp?pYear=2011-2012&pLEACode=920&pSchCode=570

Save the Date!

There are several important events scheduled over the next few months.  Please mark the following on your calendars:

Wednesday, October 24th - Parents pick up Cookie Dough orders near the front office after school.
Thursday, October 25th - Picture make-ups and clubs
Week of November 5th - Timber Drive Book Fair http://timberdrivelibrary.weebly.com/book-fair.html
Thursday, November 8th - Book Fair Family Night and K-2 PAC Night
Monday, November 12th - No School - Veterans Day Holiday for students and staff
Thursday, November 22nd and Friday, November 23rd - No School - Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday, Novermber 29th - PTA General Meeting 7:00PM- Common Core Math Content and Practice Standards Presentation
Tuesday, December 4th - Barnes and Noble Book Fair - Cary, NC
Thursday, December 6th - Chorus Concert 7:00PM
Friday, December 7th - Early Release
Thursday, December 13th - Spelling Bee 4:00PM-5:30PM
Thursday, December 20th - Last Day of School before Track-out

Please read all teacher newsletters for dates related to field trips, volunteer opportunities, and other school/classroom related events.

Walk to School Day!!!

Congratulations to all of our tracked out YMCA campers who participated in our Walk to School Day today.  Mayor Ronnie Williams issued a Garner Walk to School Proclamation, and campers participated in a variety of activities at White Deer Park prior to walking to Timber Drive.  Mr. Taylor and Mrs. Culberson joined the walk and are so proud of the students.  Visit the following websites to read about the exciting event:  http://www.advocatesforhealthinaction.org/2012/10/02/garner-mayor-proclaims-walk-to-school-day-tomorrow/ and  http://www.garnercleveland.com/2012/10/09/12629/kids-on-break-walk-to-school.html.  Thank you to the YMCA staff, Mayor and Ms. Williams, Garner Fire and Rescue, Wake Med, and Safe Kids of Wake County.  A special thank you to Jennifer Neighbors, a Timber Drive parent, for her leadership with the event.  Great job Timberwolves!!!!

Early Release and Track-out

Yesterday, all Timber Drive staff participated in professional development following our early release.  We began a three year journey to increase our integration of global instructional best practices in all classrooms.  Our training was facilitated by VIF International Edcuation.  During the 2012-2013 school year, our teachers will focus on globalizing our classrooms, understanding cultures, investigating internet and society, connecting globally, and blogging in our classrooms.  This ongoing training supports our implementation of the Common Core Curriculum and North Carolina Essential Standards.

Thank you to our many parent volunteers who helped with dimissal in order to provide our teachers with time for professional growth.

We also wish to thank your PTA Hospitality Committee for providing us with lunch yesterday.  It was delicious!

Our students and parents loved the annual kindergarten Teddy Bear Parade.  It was great to see so many Timber Drive parents here for the event!

Finally, we wish all Timberwolves a happy and safe track-out.  Remember to HOWL everywhere you go and read EVERY DAY during track-out!  We look forward to seeing everyone back at school  on Monday, October 22nd at 8:45AM. 

Transportation Customer Service Center

Beginning September 24, parents with transportation questions may call our new, centralized WCPSS transportation customer service center at 919-856-7890 between the hours of 8am and 8pm.  Parents may also log on to wcpss.net and fill out our transportation feedback form or e-mail transportation@wcpss.net.

To request a new stop, parents may continue to use our current stop request form found at http://www.wcpss.net/forms/transportation-service-request-form.pdf . 

PTA Night at Ken's Corn Maze

We hope all Timber Drive families will join us this Friday, September 21st at Ken's Corn Maze between 4:00PM and 10:00PM.  You will have a great time in the maze, and your participation will help support PTA projects for the 2012-2013 school year. Be sure to say you are supporting Timber Drive when you purchase your tickets for the maze. If you would like more information, please visit the following special facebook page highlighting the event:  https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/283182245123509/. 

Request for Information About Teacher Qualifications

You are entitled to qualification information on your child’s academic teacher(s).  Please contact Mrs. Culberson at (919)773-9503 or send an e-mail to kculberson@wcpss.net if you would like to request this information.  Thank you!                                

Labor Day Weekend and Other Announcements

Timber Drive Parents,

Please remember that Monday, September 3rd is a holiday for all WCPSS students.  We look forward to everyone returning to school on Tuesday, September 4th.  Also, please send your students to school on Tuesday dressed for their Fall School Pictures.

Our PTA fundraiser ends on Friday, September 7th.  Thank you for your participation and for supporting our wonderful PTA. 

The PTA has extended Spiritwear orders to Wednesday, September 5th.  Please return the order form and payment by Wednesday if you would like a Timber Drive t-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, or hoodie.

Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Culberson

School of Distinction & High Growth

2011-2012 Accountability Results are now available for parent review.  This year, Timber Drive Elementary School was designated a School of Distinction with High Growth.  We met 17 out of 17 target goals. For more information related to student proficiency, growth, and AMOs at Timber Drive, please visit the following websites:

http://www.wcpss.net/test-scores/nc-end-of-grade/by-school/570.html

http://www.wcpss.net/test-scores/nc-abcs/by-school/570.html

http://www.wcpss.net/test-scores/amo/by-school/570.html

If you have any questions related to our school's results, please feel free to contact Mrs. Culberson at any time.

Thank you parents, students & staff!

Thank you to everyone who participated in today's Meet the Teacher/Open House activities.  We are all so excited about the first day of school.  If you were not able to attend the event, please look for important documents to come home in your child's bookbag on the first day of school.  If you are uncertain about your kindergarten student's staggered entry date or your child's class assignment for the 2012-2013 school year, please call (919)773-9500. 

- Mrs. Culberson and Mr. Taylor

2012-2013 Open House Dates

First through fifth grade class assignments for the 2012-2013 school year will be mailed during the third week of July.  Kindergarten students will receive class assignments following their staggered entry date.  If you do not have a staggered entry date assigned, please call (919)773-9500.  We look forward to a wonderful school year!

2012-2013 Open House for Grades 1 – 5

Thursday, July 26^th

Session 1 – 5:00PM

Session 2 – 5:45PM

*Two 45 minute sessions will be offered to allow parents with more than one child at Timber Drive to visit two classrooms. Parents and students should attend to become familiar with curriculum and classroom expectations.  Supply lists will be available at this time.  Parents will be notified of class assignments via letter from administration in July.  Please note that this is not a drop in event.  Plan to arrive on time and stay for the entire presentation.  Thank you!

Kindergarten Open House for Students and Parents

Thursday, July 26^th from 2:00PM-3:00PM

Students will have the opportunity to visit and explore a kindergarten classroom.  Kindergarten classroom assignments will be made following staggered entry day.

*The YMCA of Garner will be present at all events to explain registration procedures for before and after school care as well as track out camp.  The YMCA can be contacted at 919) 773-3621.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all Timber Drive students and staff on the last day of the 2011-2012 school year.  Our students have worked very hard all year, and we are proud of them.  We wish our fifth grade students well as they transition to middle school.   We know you will HOWL wherever you go!

Thank you PTA Board Members!

Thank you to our PTA Board members for your service during the 2011-2012 school year.  We appreciate you devoting your time, energy, and talents throughout the year.  You help make Timber Drive a great place for students and staff.  

Kindergarten Parent Information Night

All 2012-2013 Kindergarten parents are invited to come to an information meeting this Thursday, June 7th at 6:30PM in the media center.  Please call (919)773-9500 if you have any questions.  This is a parent only session.

WCPSS Community Survey

Please visit http://www.wcpss.net/news/2012_may18_survey/  to participate in a community survey regarding the choice slection process that recently ended for 2012-13.  The survey is available in English and Spanish through June 15th, 2012.  If you need a paper version of the survey, please contact the main office at (919)773-9500.  Thank you for your feedback!

Girls on the Run at Timber Drive - Sept - Dec. 2012

We are excited to announce that "Girls on the Run" is coming to Timber Drive in September 2012.  Parents of Timber Drive girls ages 8 - 12 are encouraged to visit http://www.gotrtriangle.org/programs/gotr-timber-drive-elementary-school for program and registration information.  If you need more information, please contact one of the Timber Drive Girls on the Run Coaches - Karen Owens, Tiffany Lachenmayr, or Kendra Culberson.  Get ready to run!

Open House Dates for 2012-2013 School Year

Please include the following dates on your calendar as you plan for the 2012-2013 school year:

Kindergarten Parent Information Night

 June 7^th, 2012 at 6:30PM

The kindergarten team will present important information related to kindergarten procedures, expectations, curriculum, and staggered entry.  This is a parent only event.

2012-2013 Open House for Grades 1 – 5

Thursday, July 26^th

Session 1 – 5:00PM

Session 2 – 5:45PM

*Two 45 minute sessions will be offered to allow parents with more than one child at Timber Drive to visit two classrooms. Parents and students should attend to become familiar with curriculum and classroom expectations.  Supply lists will be available at this time.  Parents will be notified of class assignments via letter from administration in July.  Please note that this is not a drop in event.  Plan to arrive on time and stay for the entire presentation.  Thank you!

Kindergarten Open House for Students and Parents

Thursday, July 26^th from 2:00PM-3:00PM

Students will have the opportunity to visit and explore a kindergarten classroom.  Kindergarten classroom assignments will be made following staggered entry day.

*The YMCA of Garner will be present at all events to explain registration procedures for before and after school care as well as track out camp.  The YMCA can be contacted at 919) 773-3621.

12-13 School Assignments & Dancefest

Parents -

Please note that your children have two important documents to share with you:

1.  2012-2013 School Assignment Notifications
2.  July Open House Dates and Intent Survey for Administration (Grades K-4 - Please return to your classroom teacher.)

Parents with students in Grades 3-5 -
Please return the EOG Retesting Letters to your child's classroom teacher.

Dancefest is tomorrow at 2:00PM.  Parking procedures will begin at 1:15PM.  Please follow the directions of the parking attendants as we are protecting a PTA grounds beautification project.  Thank you!

Teacher Appreciation Week

May 7th - 11th is Teacher Appreciation Week.  Our PTA will provide our teachers with a small token of appreciation each day this week.  We are so thankful for the dedicated teachers and assistants at Timber Drive!

NC EOG Testing

Please note that our 3rd - 5th grade students will participate in the NC EOGs on the following dates:
5th Grade Science - June 1, 2012
3rd - 5th Grade Reading - June 4, 2012
3rd - 5th Math Active - June 5, 2012
3rd - 5th Math Inactive - June 6, 2012

We thank all of the wonderful volunteers who helped today with field day.  It was a HUGE success and the children had a wonderful time.  If you are a registered volunteer and are interested in serving as a testing proctor on any of the above dates, please e-mail our testing coordinator, Lisa Johnson, at ljohnson1@wcpss.net.  There will be proctor trainings on Tuesday, May 15th at 8:15AM or 3:30PM.  You must attend the proctor training to serve as a proctor for the EOG.  You may also call (919)773-9500 if you have any questions.  Thank you in advance for your help!

Spring Chorus Concert & Field Day

Please join us tomorrow night at 7:00PM in the multipurpose room for our Spring Chorus Concert.  Our fifth grade chorus students have worked very hard over several months to prepare for the performance.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Also, please remember to contact Mr. Trey Robinson if you are interested in volunteering for field day.

Early Release Tomorrow

Please remember that tomorrow is our last Early Release Professional Development Day for the 2011-2012 school year.  Our teachers will focus on the Common Core Mathematics Content and Practice Standards.  I will share information related to the Common Core Curriculum and NC Essential Standards with parents at our next PTA meeting.  Please access http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards  and/or http://www.ncpublicschools.org/acre/standards/common-core/ to read about the Common Core Standards and http://www.ncpublicschools.org/acre/standards/new-standards/ for the NC Essential Standards.

Howlabration is here!

We hope all students and parents will join us tonight for our third annual Howlabration!  The celebration begins at 5:30PM this evening. 

Parents may wish to continue family activities this weekend by attending the 24 hour Open House at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and touring the new wing.  Visit http://naturalsciences.org/ for more information.

Facebook Social Media Safety Education

(Cary)  The Wake County Public School System is partnering with Attorney General Roy Cooper’s office and Facebook to host a town hall for parents on social networking safety on Tuesday, April 17 at 7:00 PM at Panther Creek High School in Cary.

Experts from Facebook, the Attorney General’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation Computer Crimes Unit will show parents and students how to be safe when using social networking websites and answer questions from the audience.

"As we continue to provide and encourage students to use new technology it is imperative that those students and their families know how to use the tools effectively and safely," Superintendent Tony Tata said.

For those who can't make it out the event will also be streamed live on the Wake County Public Schools Facebook page, the Attorney General's Facebook page, and on WRAL.com.

You can also submit questions ahead of time via the Attorney General's Facebook page or Twitter.

Panther Creek High School is located at 6770 McCrimmon Parkway in Cary.

Wake County Public School System Partners with Attorney General’s Office and Facebook Social Media Safety Education

Track in

We look forward to seeing all Timber Drive students on Wednesday, April 18th. 

Healthier US Schools Challenge Award

Congratulations to all Timberwolves!  We have been recognized by the US Department of Agriculture, the NC Department of Public Instruction, and WCPSS with the Silver Award based on our commitment to healthy meals and opportunities for physical education and physical activity for elementary school students.  A special thank you to Ms. Terri Guttery for her leadership in our Child Nutrition Services program and to Mr. Robinson for encouraging all of us to keep moving!

Middle School Events

North Garner Middle School is hosting a Sixth Grade Open House on Tuesday, April 17th at 6:30PM.

East Garner Magnet Middle School is hosting their first annual Cultural Explosion this Friday, April 13th from 3:30PM-9:30PM.

Timber Drive PTA HOWLABRATION!

We invite all families to attend our third annual PTA HOWLABRATION  and Wolf Walk on Friday, April 20, 2012 from 5:30PM-8:30PM.  Join us for dinner, a silent auction, and lots of games and activities.  Thank you to all PTA volunteers who are working hard to make this year's HOWLABRATION a huge success!

Welcome to the Timber Drive Blog!

We are excited to offer our students and parents a weekly blog to keep up with school events.  There are lots of exciting things happening every day at Timber Drive, and we look forward to sharing them with you!