Open House

We are happy to announce that our Open House will be held on August 22nd on a flexible schedule between 5:00 - 7:00 pm.  Families are asked to come to Polenta Elementary and visit their homeroom teacher any time between 5 - 7pm.  While visiting classrooms, parents will be asked to complete simple paperwork to help the teacher prepare for the first day of school.  

Support staff will be located throughout the building to answer questions and provide assistance.  All classroom listings and bus assignments will be posted around the school.  In the cafeteria, parents and students will be able to visit stations about school clubs, transportation, and PTA.  We look forward to seeing all of our families.  

Supply List for 2017-2018

The school supply list was sent home with report cards on the last day of school. If you misplaced that paper, you can click here to see the list.

First Day of 2017-2018 School Year

August 28th is the first day of the 2017-2018 school year.  We look forward to seeing all of our students back.  Dates for orientation and other important events for the beginning of the year will be shared as soon as they become scheduled.

Before & After School Care Applications

We are now accepting applications for the 2017-2018 school year for Polenta Elementary's Before & After School Care Program.

June 8 - Last Day

June 8th is our last day for students to attend school. It will be an early dismissal that day, so our carpool dismissal will begin at 1:45pm.  Report cards for the 4th quarter go home on June 8th.

Last Week Lunch Menu

Our cafeteria manager has shared her choices for food selections for the last week of school.  Manager's Choice was written on the county calendars from our child nutrition department for June 5th through 8th lunches, but Mrs. Watson has our meals planned.  Click to continue to read to know what to expect for each day.

End of Year Awards Update

All grade levels will have awards assemblies to recognize the accomplishments of the students.  First grade's awards were June 1st.  Second grade's assembly will be held June 2nd.  Third grade's will be held on June 5th.  Fourth grade will have their assembly June 6th.   Kindergarten and Fifth grades will have their awards assemblies on June 7th.  The assemblies will be throughout the day for each grade level, so check the master calendar for specific times.

End of Year Testing

Our 5th graders have a Science EOG on June 1st.  We could use some parent volunteers to proctor for that morning.

Memorial Day Holiday

There will be no school on May 29th for Memorial Day.

Book Drive

We will be giving students books to take home and read over the summer break.  In order to have enough books for every student to take home, we will need some help from everyone in the community to donate books.  We are looking for gently used books for elementary ages students.  If you have books for children from the ages 5 to 11 that you would like to donate, you can drop them off in our office during the month of May.

End of Grade Testing

Third, fourth and fifth grade Students will be taking part in the EOG assessments on May 25th, May 26th, and June 1st and makeup sessions on May 30th, May 31st, and June 2nd.   Polenta is in need of volunteer proctors for upcoming End of Grade tests in  Reading, Math, and Science​. (Proctors assist a certified teacher in maintaining a quiet testing environment.)   You do not have to have a 3rd, 4th or 5th grader in order to assist but must be registered as a volunteer in order to proctor.
 Continue to read if you are interested in being a proctor...

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Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 1 - 5.  PTA will be having a luncheon on May 3rd to show how much we appreciate the staff's commitment and hard work.   We ask that students show their appreciation that week by doing little things each day.

Summer Reading Survey

Please let us know if you would be interested in having the Polenta Media Center open during the summer by completing this brief survey.

Stuff The Bus Food Drive

We will have our annual "Stuff the Bus" food drive April 29th.  Students can bring in can or box food items the week of April 24 to 28 for the event.  Our Student Council will collect the items and put them onto the bus Saturday, April 29th, from 10am to 2pm.  Items can also be able to dropped-off on the day of the event by driving through the Polenta Elementary parking lot.

Walk to School Event

Mark your calendar for April 21 for Walk to School Day!   On this day, our Special Olympics athletes will lead our event, as we walk to school. We hope that students and their families will meet staff at the C3 parking lot to walk to school. Meet between 8:00 - 8:15 am, so we can begin our walk promptly at 8:15 am. Let's show our support for our Special Olympics athletes with a crowd behind them as they lead us to the front of the building.

Report Cards

The third quarter report cards go home on April 17th.  Please be sure to review your child's report and sign the envelope to be returned.

Spring Break

Spring Break is the week of April 10th to 14th.   We hope everyone has a fun, safe week.  Students and staff return to Polenta April 17th.

Spring Pictures, April 6th

All students will be photographed on April 6th by Strawbridge photographers.  No need to send money on the day of the pictures.  Each student will receive a Spring Pictures Package that can be purchased or returned.

Spring Catalog Fundraiser

The Springtime Treasures Catalog has gone home in a packet from  our PTA.  This fundraiser ends on Monday, April 3rd.

Kindergarten Registration for 2017-18

Staff will be in the media center on March 31st to assist parents who are needing to register their child for kindergarten.  To be eligible for kindergarten for the 2017 - 2018 school year, the child must be 5 years old by August 31, 2017.  Parents must complete registration for their child at their district assigned school.

Teacher Workday March 31st

Please note that March 31st is a teacher workday. There will be no school for students on that day. Teachers will be busy preparing third quarter report cards.  Third quarter ends March 30th.

Spring Blood Drive

Polenta will host a blood drive for the American Red Cross on March 31st from 2:30 to 7:00 pm.  To schedule an appointment, visit  redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: Polenta

Contact StephanieEasley@johnston.k12.nc.us for more information.  More information will be sent home with your child. FREE American Red Cross Ball Cap to each student sponsor!  Click on the flyer in our banner for more information and direct links.

PTA Spring Fundraiser

Our PTA will have a spring catalog sale as a fundraiser starting March 20th.  Be on the look out for the packet to come home.  We will send more details through social media when they become available.

Experience our Ellis Island

Our third grade students have been learning about Ellis Island. They will be hosting a Reenactment Ellis Island Experience on March 16th and 17th. The grade level is looking for assistance in running the centers that students will rotate through as they experience life as an immigrant.  If you are available and interested in experiencing this event with out students, please contact kristinroe@johnston.k12.nc.us.

Spring Book Fair

Our school media center will hold a spring book fair from March 10th to 17th.  Students will have the opportunity to visit the book fair with their class. Please check the flyer that went home in weekly folders to know the data and time for your child's visit.  This Spring our book fair provider will be Bedford Falls.

Mark Your Calendar

Mark your calendars for the 100th day of school on Wednesday, February 22nd.  Also, make sure that you have plans for our early release day on Thursday, February 23rd.

Read Across America Events

Starting Monday, February 27th, we will celebrate Read Across America with a week of events. Monday, February 27th, we will kick off the week with a Family Reading event at 7:00pm. We will have a students spirit week, where students can dress up each day. Finally, we will have a social media challenge through our Facebook page PolentaES.

American Heart Association Update

We are half way through our American Heart Association Program.  You still have time to send in the pledge coupon or go online to sign up.  Each child will participate in a variety of basketball and jump rope activities on the Thursday in their PE rotation during the month of February.  Therefore, each child will have one day for their event:  Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16, or Feb. 23.  There is a coupon as a part of the envelope to pledge to raise at least $5, and they can turn in that completed form to earn their lanyard and Rory McFiercely.  Only turn in any money or the envelope with the total donations when it is completely finished by the end of the program.  All money is due February 28th.

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Perfect timing for our students to recognize Random Acts of Kindness Week, which is February 13 to 17th.  Students can show an act of kindness in many ways.  One idea for an act of kindness is to do something nice for their bus driver for the Love the Bus week.  Another idea for an act of kindness is to do something nice for a classmate or teacher for Valentine's Day, which is also this week.  Let's spread the love and "Turn the World Around" starting with random acts of kindness at home and school this week.  Let's make all of our Polenta Family feel appreciated!

Love The Bus 2017

February 13 to 17 is Love The Bus week.  It is the week that we take time to show our appreciation for our school bus drivers.  Any hand written thank you note, hand picked flower, or student artistic drawing can be given to the bus driver as a way to show appreciation.

Science Olympiad Optional Practice

Thursday, February 23rd is an early release day for students.  The Science Olympiad Team will have an optional practice.  The Team will work in groups to practice their competition areas from 2:45 to 4:15 pm.

School Counselor Week

School Counselor Week is recognized February 6th through 10th. Polenta will be doing some fun activities this week in recognition.

Wednesday (2/8/17): Wear something to represent what college you want to attend or what job you want to have when you grow up! 

Thursday (2/9/17): Our Counselor, Mrs. Stone, will be giving all Polenta students and staff a Random Acts of Kindness Challenge.

Friday (2/10/17): Wear as much purple and yellow as you can to show how much we all love learning at Polenta! 

Picture Day Feb. 9

February 9th Strawbridge will be at Polenta capturing the smiles of all of our groups.  Thursday  is our class pictures and club pictures day.  Please have your child dress nicely.  If you would like to purchase one of these pictures, please send in the order envelope with the money enclosed on or before Thursday.

American Heart Association Program

Information has gone home for our American Heart Association Program. Students can choose to select either Hoops for Heart or Jump Rope for Heart.  Please indicate your child's selection on their sheet, so the correct prizes can be ordered.  Each child will participate in a variety of basketball and jump rope activities on the Thursday in their PE rotation during the month of February.  Therefore, each child will have one day for their event:  Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16, or Feb. 23.  There is a coupon as a part of the envelope to pledge to raise at least $5, and they can turn in that completed form to earn their lanyard and Rory McFiercely.  Only turn in any money or the envelope with the total donations when it is completely finished by the end of the program.  All money is due February 28th.

New Swift Creek Middle School

A public hearing to discuss the proposed boundary lines for the new Swift Creek Middle School has been set for Tuesday, Jan. 24.  This proposal will have all Polenta Elementary students attending Swift Creek Middle starting in 6th grade. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. and will be at Cleveland Middle School, located at 2323 Cornwallis Rd. in Garner.

PTA News

The PTA would like to thank all families and staff for their participation in the recent McDonalds
Spirit Night. Our next spirit night is Feb. 7 at Firehouse Subs.

Second Quarter Ends

January 25th marks the end of the second quarter. Report cards for the 2nd quarter will go home on February 6th.  There are two teacher workdays on January 26th and 27th to allow teachers to complete mid year and end of quarter tasks.

Show Your Spirit Jan. 19

PTA will host a spirit night January 19th at McDonalds at the McGees location.  Eat at McDonalds at the McGees Crossroads area on NC210 between 5pm to 8pm and McDonalds will give Polenta Elementary a percentage of the sales to go toward our fundraising goals for the year.