Patriots Family Newsletter MARCH 24 - 28, 2025

Posted Date: 3/21/25 (6:00 PM)

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Patriots STEM Family News

March 24 - 28, 2025

Upcoming Dates

March 18th - Skate Night
March 25th- Tasty Tuesday- Cookie Co in Harrisburg
March 24 - 28: Book Fair
March 27th - STEM Night 5:30 -7:30
April 1st - Patriots Students invited to Hickory Ridge High School softball game at 6pm. See details below..
April 5th - Singing RedHawks are performing the National Anthem at Cannon Baller's game 7pm. Here is the ticket link: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Patriotsstem60
April 14th - Spring Pictures New Date

3rd graders Wax Museum

Book Fair March 24 - 28

We will be having a family night, on March 27th during the STEM Night.

Shop online at: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/patriotsstemelemschool

For the safety of our students and staff, this book fair will have a few guidelines:

We do not accept cash or checks! ONLY e-Wallets and debit and credit cards!
Students and families can use Scholastic e-Wallet to purchase from the book fair. e-Wallet can be purchased online via QR Code. If parents use the same account as before, all remaining funds from the previous fair will roll over.
e-Wallet can be redeemed online or at in-person book fairs.
Any unspent balance can be redeemed online or at future in-person book fairs.
Any unspent balance under $1.00 will be donated to All About Books (books for the Media Center).
Parent volunteers are needed- if you would like to sign up, please visit the website via QR Code to sign up for a date and time.
Students will be visiting the fair during their Special Class rotation. If you have questions please email Jennifer Nicholson at Jennifer.Nicholson@cabarrus.k12.nc.us.

Get Involved in the PTO

We are seeking interest for 2025-2026 PTO board positions! Please scan or visit the link below to get more information and express your interest. We need all the help we can get to help make our school a great place for students and staff!

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSc4RJ8cU9q.../viewform...

Cafeteria Meal Donations

Currently, Patriots has $2,045 in cafeteria meal debt. If these balances are not paid off, the school must use school funds to pay the balance at the end of the school year. If you or your business would be interested in donating to this cause please send in a check payable to Patriots Cafeteria, attention Amy Peters. We appreciate your support.

Hickory Ridge High - Softball Game - April 1st

April 1st - Patriots Students invited to Hickory Ridge High School softball game at 6pm.

Students who bring their school pass (The Patriots STEM Elementary Youth Night image attached here) School will receive free admission with a paying adult. They also will have the opportunity to run onto the field with the players before the first pitch.

Youth Wrestling Club at West Cabarrus High School

Reminder for Car Rider Drop Off

Please drive slow as you enter the school & be careful of staff / students crossing the drive. Thank you!

Explore Inclusive Summer Camp Options for Kids with Disabilities!

Explore Inclusive Summer Camp Options for Kids with Disabilities!

Looking for a fun, accessible, and supportive summer camp experience for your child? Check out the NC Summer Camp Directory for a variety of inclusive camps designed for children with disabilities!

✅ Camps for Elementary, Middle, & High Schoolers

✅ Adaptive Activities & Trained Staff

✅ Safe & Engaging Environments

Find the perfect fit for your child today!

🔎 Browse camp options here: FSNNC Summer Camp Directory

Kindergarten Registration has started for 2025-26

Kindergarten Enrollment Info

This website has info for kindergarten registration:

https://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/kindergarten

Save the Date for 5th Grade Promotion

Health Clinic Information:

P2 Character Trait

This week's P2 Character Trait isa review of P2 traits

Lunch Visitors

For the week of March 24 - 28 students with the last names O-S may have visitors for lunch time. Visitors must be listed in PowerSchool as approved contact. If you need to add a contact for your child, please contact the main office.

If you are celebrating a birthday, store bought cupcakes may be brought in . Cakes and balloons are not permitted.

Patriots Parent Handbook

The 2024-2025 Patriots Parent Handbook can be found at this link

Parent Teacher Organization Links

See new PTO website here for ways to get involved & support our school!

Absences

When your student is absent, please click this link to access absence form. This should be completed for all absences. The form for educational opportunities is also found at this link.

Transportation Change Link

in addition to letting you child's teacher know about transportation changes, please complete this online form by 1:30pm. Click here to send notification about a change in transportation..

Lunch Benefits

Click here to apply for free & reduced lunch benefits. We encourage all parents to apply, just in case you qualify for meal benefits!

LINQ Connect opens July 22nd for families to begin applying for free or reduced meals for the 2024-2025 school year.

CCS Policy Code 4318 Student Use of Electronic Devices

On June 10, 2024, the Board of Education updated Policy 4318 Student Use of Electronic Devices. Policy 4318 is attached to this post. Please note the following important updates for the 2024-25 school year:

Elementary School: Students are not allowed to utilize electronic devices from arrival on campus through departure from campus. Students are required to power off and securely store their cell phones away from their person throughout the school day.
Middle School: Students are not allowed to utilize electronic devices from arrival on campus through afternoon dismissal. Students are required to power off and securely store their cell phones away from their person throughout the school day. Students engaged in after-school activities will have access to their electronic devices for communicating with parents/guardians.
High School: Students are not allowed to utilize electronic devices during instructional time. Students may use electronic devices during non-instructional times which may include arrival/dismissal, breakfast/lunch, and class change. During instructional time, students are required to power off and securely store their electronic devices away from their person.

Parent Square Communication App

ParentSquare is the official platform for school-to-home communications in Cabarrus County Schools. Our district, schools and teachers use ParentSquare to communicate directly with families on a daily basis and in case of emergency. We strongly encourage you to download the ParentSquare app and register your account today.

Please visit our ParentSquare for Parents information page to learn more about the free Mobile App, where you can customize notification preferences to fit your needs and schedule, set your preferred language for automatic two-way translation and so much more.

Car Rider Drop-off & Pick-up at Arrival & Dismissal

Starting on the first day of school, August 13th, all car rider traffic will need to enter at CC Griffin Middle School and travel down the newly paved road into Patriots.

Buses & Staff will still use the main Patriots drive.

Cars will exit the main Patriots drive.

Here are details about the route:

ROUTE MAP

VIDEO 1

VIDEO 2

Note: In afternoon only, we will use both lanes of newly paved service road to enter Patriots.

Also, please allow CC Griffin Staff to pass through to enter their parking lot.

School Bus Tracking App

CCS is continuing to use this school bus tracking app. Parents can track their student's bus location on this app. Currently the messaging portion is not active yet, so if a sub bus is running it won’t show the sub bus number or info. But otherwise should be working to track regular buses.

Here are some links to get started using this app:

Edulog English

Edulog Spanish

Edulog Info Graphic English

Edulog Info Graphic Spanish

Meal Payments on LINQ Connect

What is LINQ Connect?

LINQ Connect is a secure, online portal that allows families to:

• Make an online payment to their student’s meal account

• Remotely monitor their student’s accounts

• Set up automatic recurring payments

• Set up low balance email message alerts

• Submit an online application for free and/or reduced meals

• View online breakfast and lunch menus

How do I get started?

1. Register: Create an account at https://linqconnect.com and selecting Register.

2. Verify your Account: Verify your account by clicking on the email verification link sent to your email address.

3. Sign In: Now you can sign in at https://linqconnect.com using your email and password.

How do I add my children to my account?

You will need to add your student to your LINQ Connect account. Click on + then Type and complete the information to link your student. You will need to complete this process for each student you wish to add.

Where can I get more information or help?

Please see the attached FAQs for both desktop and app versions of LINQ Connect. Contact Maria Antunez in the Cabarrus County School Nutrition Department at (704)260-5554 for further information..

How to Set Up Parent CANVAS Account

See directions linked here to set up Parent Account for CANVAS.

Parents can see classroom information & resources on CANVAS.

Rent The Rock

The spirit rock allows you to recognize a student, share your school spirit, thank a staff member, or any other celebratory event. This is a great way to spread positivity at our school. The spirit rock is located across the main drive from the bus parking lot.

See info here to "Rent the Rock": https://sites.google.com/view/psespto/rent-the-rock

Patriots STEM Elementary

Email: amy.peters@cabarrus.k12.nc.us

Website: https://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/patriots

Location: 1510 Holden Avenue SW, Concord, North Carolina 28025

Phone: 704-260-6230