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Patriots Family Newsletter September 11, 2026

Posted Date: 09/11/26 (02:00 PM)
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Soaring Redhawk

Patriots STEM Family News

September 4, 2026

Upcoming Dates

September 15th - Tasty Tuesday - Pelicans in Harrisburg 5-7pm
September 16th - 22nd: Book Fair
September 17th: Back to School Bash 5:30 - 6:30pm for Patriots Families, 6:30-7:30 for Prospective Program Choice Families, Book Fair Open 5:30 - 7:30
September 22nd: Tasty Tuesday - Chill Dogs in Harrisburg 4-9pm
September 25th: Teacher Workday, no school for students
October 2: Movie Night (sign ups going home soon)
October 5: PTO Meeting at 6pm
October 9th: Early Dismissal at 12pm
October 12th: Teacher Workday, no school for students
October 13th: Teacher Workday, no school for students 
October 20th: Fall Pictures
 

Skate night was so fun!

4 pictures of kids at skate night
 

Sign Up for Book Fair Help

If you could help volunteer with Book Fair, please sign up below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A4A622AAF4CF8-62804718-2026
 

Patriots Elementary Book Fair Directions

Patriots Elementary Book Fair Directions
September 16- September 22
Family Night: Join us on September 17th during STEM Night.
Shop Online: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/patriotsstemelemschool
Payment Guidelines:
  • Only e-Wallets, debit, and credit cards
  • Not Accepted: Cash or checks, e-gift cards/e-gift certificates.
Using e-Wallet: 
  • Purchase e-Wallet online via QR Code.
  • If using the same account as before, remaining funds will roll over.
  • e-Wallets can be used online or at in-person book fairs.
  • Unspent balances can be redeemed online or at future fairs.
  • Balances under $1.00 will be donated to All About Books for the Media Center.
Questions? Email Jennifer Nicholson at Jennifer.Nicholson@cabarrus.k12.nc.us. 
 
School Attendance Awareness month

Attendance Matters

September is School Attendance Month! We are having a contest! The classes with Perfect Attendance September 21st through September 30th will get an Ice Pop Party!!
Let's Make Everyday Count, Patriots!
 

Science Olympiad

Are you in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade and interested in joining the Science Olympiad for the 2025-26 school year? If so, please fill out this form by September 24th!

Click for Science Olympiad Info
 

Garden Club Applications Are Available

 ● 3rd - 5th Grade Students interested in joining the garden club can pick up applications on the window seal outside the STEM/Garden Classroom. (K-2 students can attend with an adult volunteer.) 
● First meeting will be Thursday September, 24. 
● Applications are due by Friday, September 18th. 
● There are limited spots, so get the application in quickly. There will be a wait list in case spots become available. 
● I’m also needing parent volunteers to help out with the club as well. County volunteer cards are very helpful so we can make small groups and work around campus. (Please send me an email or parent square message if interested in volunteering.
Maria Murray, STEM Teacher (email: maria.murray@cabarrus.k12.nc.us)
Garden Club Application
 

Back to School Bash - September 17th

Back to School Bash - September 17th

Join us for Back to School Bash on September 17th.
Visit Classrooms for Curriculum Information.
Join us for Book Fair, Food Trucks & Spirit Wear Sales too!
5:30 - 6:30pm for Patriots Families
6:30 - 7:30pm Info Session & Tours for Prospective Program Choice Families
5:30 - 7:30pm Book Fair, Food Trucks Open, & PTO Spirit Wear Sales for all
Back to School Bash September 17th
 

🎉 Help Us Celebrate Our Students! 🎉

Our 1st End of Quarter Celebration is Friday, October 16th, and we need your help to make it a blast! Every student gets to participate in fun stations based on their Dojo points during regular encore times.
How to help:
🎟️ Run a Station: Sign up for a quick block or stay for the day! (Please plan to stay for your full slot).
🎁 Donate a Prize: Can’t make it in person? Raffle prize donations are greatly appreciated! Find our wish list here 👉 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1XZFX16KW0YZI?ref_=wl_share 

 

P2 Character Trait

The P2 Character Trait for September 14-18 is Being Present See weekly P2 Family Newsletter linked here
 

Testing Dates for 2026-2027 School Year

  • August 26: 3rd grade Reading Beginning of Grade Test
  • October 28: Read to Achieve Test for some 4th graders
  • May 13: Reading EOG (3rd, 4th, 5th)
  • May 14: Math EOG (3rd, 4th, 5th)
  • May 18: Science EOG (5th)
 
lunch

Lunch Benefits

LINQ Connect is open for families to begin applying for free or reduced meals for the 2026-2027 school year.
Click here to apply for free & reduced lunch benefits. We encourage all parents to apply, just in case you qualify for meal benefits!
 

Lunch Visitors

For the week of September 14th -18th, students with the last names N-S may have visitors for lunch time. Visitors must be listed in Infinite Campus 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.
 

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..
 
parent square

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.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your ParentSquare account, you may report any issues here: ParentSquare Troubleshooting Form
 

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

Starting on the first day of school, August 12th, 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:
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.

Please note, in the mornings, if you arrive at the school after 8:15am, you will need to park and walk your child in. Students will be marked tardy if they are not in their classroom by 8:15. Drop off is allowed as early as 7:45am.
Additionally In the afternoons, if you arrive at the station where our staff is entering car rider numbers (by the Spirit Rock & gravel staff parking lot) after 3:15pm, you will need to park and come in to the office to pick up your student.
 
stem

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.
 
change

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..
 
bus

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:
 
subs

Substitute Teachers Needed

We always need great substitute teachers for Cabarrus County Schools. If you are interested in serving as a substitute teacher, the information about becoming a substitute teacher can be found here Substitute Teaching in CCS.
Let Mrs. Peters know if you apply, so we can follow up. Email - amy.peters@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
 
PTO

Parent Teacher Organization Links

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

Infinite Campus Parent Portal Access

Elementary staff will not use Infinite Campus for grades, so parents will not see grades within the Parent Portal. You can use this portal to monitor attendance and update emergency phone numbers.
See this link for directions: bit.ly/CCSCampusPortal
 
away for the day

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.
 
canvas

How to Set Up Parent CANVAS Account

Sync your student’s canvas account to your parent account. Directions linked here: bit.ly/CCSParentCanvas
Parents can see classroom information & resources on CANVAS.
 
rent rock

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
 
Person using a laptop

Patriots STEM Elementary

Location: 1510 Holden Avenue SW, Concord, North Carolina 28025
Phone: 704-260-6230