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Patriots Family Newsletter November 13, 2026

Posted Date: 11/13/26 (02:00 PM)
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Soaring Redhawk

Patriots STEM Family News

November 13, 2026

Upcoming Dates

November 16th: Pajama Data to Celebrate Red Hawk Run
November 17th: Tasty Tuesday at Panera Bread in Harrisburg 4-8pm
November 25-27: Holidays, no school
December 4th: Urban Air School Spirit Night
December 7th: PTO Meeting at 6pm
December 18th: Early Dismissal 12pm for students 
December 21st - January 4th: Winter Break - no school for students
January 4th: PTO Meeting at 6pm
January 10th: UNC Charlotte Basketball School Spirit Night
January 13th: Q2 Report Cards
 

Patriots was proud to celebrate our Veterans!

Veterans day flag
Staff serving breakfast to Veterans
Kids singing, veteran's day decorations
veterans at the celebration
veterans at the celebration
veterans at the celebration
 

Sweet Potatoes from Patriots STEM Garden

Sign up is open if you are interested in purchasing a 5 lb bag of sweet potatoes from our PES STEM Garden class. Due to the smaller harvest this year, we are asking that families only sign up for 1 5lb bag.
$5.00 per bag. Proceeds will go towards the STEM/Garden class to purchase needed items for garden care and food tastings. Cash or Check will be accepted in the front office. 
Pick up sweetpotatoes Wednesday - Friday, November 18 - 20 from the front office. Money must be brought by 10:00am.
You can also send with your student, but please make sure to leave clear instructions for them to take them to the office. The student will be responsible for bringing the sweet potatoes home if you send the money with them. 
 

UNC Charlotte Basketball - Patriots School Spirit Night

UNC Charlotte Men's Basketball is excited to welcome Patriots families for their January 10th game at 4pm. 10% of tickets sales go to Patriots PTO & kids get a chance to high five players before the game! Tickets can be purchased at this link: Patriots STEM Elementary School
UNC Charlotte Men's Basketball School Spirit Night is January 10th . See info below.
 

Donation Opportunity

If you would like to donate snacks for our next Patriots STEM Staff meeting. 
Please see link below:
 

Future CCS kindergarteners

Big beginnings start with first steps!
Have a future CCS kindergartener starting in Fall 2027? This is for YOU! Join our Incoming Kindergarten Communication Group on ParentSquare to stay connected and receive helpful tips, important updates, and information to prepare your little learner for kindergarten! 
We can't wait to welcome our future kindergarten families to CCS!
Join our ParentSquare group here: Fall 2027 Kinder Communication Group
 

CCS Future Makers

You can nominate a CCS team member who exemplifies service, excellence, innovation, and commitment by visiting this site: https://forms.gle/GYPHSXpGiBCPZsXZ6https://forms.gle/GYPHSXpGiBCPZsXZ6
 
 

5th Grade Yearbook Ads


5th grade Parents! It's that time again! Your child is now in 5th grade and the opportunity to recognize them in a special way in their  2026 -2027 yearbook is available! Create a space in the yearbook just for your child — this is a rare chance to celebrate their passions, inspiring achievements and unique perspective in a BIG way. They’ll flip through the yearbook for years to come just to revisit your heartfelt ad.
 

P2 Character Trait

The P2 Character Trait for November 16-20 is Gratitude (see link 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 November 16-20, students with the last names T-Z 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