Exploris PTO News

11/16 MM: School Pictures this week – Spirit Wear now online!

  1. Spirit Wear ordering online
  2. School Picture Days THIS WEEK!
  3. PTO Survey- please fill out
  4. Note from the PTO President
  5. Vote for Exploris!
  6. We need YOU for the PTO Board
  7. Yearbook Photos Needed
  8. Exploris School Directory
  9. Happy November birthdays to our faculty
  10. Upcoming Events
  11. Annual Fund- donate now!
  • No School Next Week:  Monday, November 23rd-November 27th. Happy Thanksgiving!

tshirt1. Spirit Wear- order now! 
We’ve got spirit yes we do! We’ve got spirit how bout you? 

It’s spirit wear time again folks!  Show the world that you attend the best school in the nation!  We have some of our tried and true Exploris favorites returning this year, plus some exciting surprises!  Can anyone say TIE DYE?! T-shirts, stickers, hoodies, you name it, whatever you need to show your pride, we’ve got it.
 
In light of the pandemic, prices have been set low – only to cover our costs of merchandise and credit card fees… this is not a fundraiser.

 

Orders need to be received by November 24 .  Please provide the Crew Teacher name with each item selected (Staff, choose the option that says Staff/Other). We anticipate your items will be ready for pick-up or shipped by the the week of December 14.

We are shipping via USPS – we wish we could make it more affordable, but we’re passing on the flat-rate cost.  Shop now:

 
effie2. Exploris School Pictures-  November 17th-20th (THIS WEEK!)  Signups below.
 
We are pleased to offer the chance for school pictures for the 2020-2021 school year.
 
Pictures will be used for the 2020-2021 school yearbook and can also be purchased for personal use. There is no sitting fee, and prices for individual purchases will be similar to last year’s prices.
 
We are excited to welcome back Amy Ames, who was part of the photography team last year.
 
Middle School: Tuesday and Wednesday
Elementary School: Thursday and Friday
Sign up: 
 
📸Middle school pictures will be on Tuesday, Nov. 17th and Wed. Nov. 18th, with appointments starting at 7:45 am. Pictures will be by appointment only, and appointment sign ups are found below.
 
  • Middle school pictures will be on Tuesday, Nov. 17th and Wed. Nov. 18th, with appointments starting at 7:45 am
  • Pictures will be by appointment only, and appointment sign ups are found here: Exploris Middle School Appointment Sign Ups.  We will add more times if needed– please email Deborah@Exploris.org if the sign up list is full 
  • Pictures will be outdoors only.  We will reschedule if rain looks likely 
  • Appointments will work like carpool.  Please line up along Hillsborough and Harrington street, and turn RIGHT ONLY into the parking lot behind the school.
  • Students should STAY IN THEIR CARS 
  • A staff member will greet you, check temperatures, and then escort the student from the car to the front of the building and the picture location
  • Drivers and all others should remain in their cars while the student is being photographed
  • Students must be MASKED and should remain masked until their photo
  • After their picture is taken, students will put their mask back on and return to the car
  • Cars are free to leave at that point!
 
📸 Elementary school pictures will be on Thursday, Nov. 19th and Friday. Nov. 20th, with appointments starting at 7:45 am
  • Elementary sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094BADAD2AA75-school1
  • Pictures will be by appointment only, and appointment sign ups are found here: Exploris Elementary School Picture Sign Ups We will add more times if needed– please email Deborah@Exploris.org if the sign up list is full 
  • Pictures will be outdoors only.  We will reschedule if rain looks likely 
  • Appointments will work like carpool.  Please line up along Swain St and turn RIGHT ONLY into the loop behind the school.
  • Students should STAY IN THEIR CARS 
  • A staff member will greet you, check temperatures, and then escort the student from the car to the front of the building and the picture location
  • Drivers and all others should remain in their cars while the student is being photographed
  • Students must be MASKED and should remain masked until their photo
  • After their picture is taken, students will put their mask back on and return to the car
  • Cars are free to leave at that point!
 
 
A few hints & tips:
  • Please be on time so we can complete the screenings and keep the line moving!
  • Some portraits will be head to toe, so think about the whole outfit, including shoes
  • Bright colors and solids often look best in photographs
We look forward to seeing everyone’s bright smiles! 

We will add more times if needed– please email Deborah@Exploris.org if the sign up list is full.

3.Survey Says!  
 
Want your voice heard? Have some great ideas?  The PTO has a unique opportunity this year and we want you to be a part of it.  While the pandemic has given many too much to do, and robbed many others of opportunities, we at the Exploris PTO have been looking at additional ways to help support our community.  What are your priorities this year? Supporting and thanking our teachers, maybe helping those in our community that may need a little extra due to unforeseen  pandemic layoffs?  Maybe you have some great ideas we haven’t thought of?
 
Your Exploris PTO has put together a survey to help everyone’s voices be heard. A few minutes of your time can greatly help us prioritize our efforts for the rest of the year and beyond.  
 
A quick click https://forms.gle/XykC8BPXK44u8qT18 and a few minutes is all it takes. The PTO board will be presenting and voting on the results at the next meeting.  
 
PTO meetings are every first Thursday of the month at 6pm, via zoom for now. CAst your vote and join us.   “”Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind.” -Stich 
 
Help us help our family. https://forms.gle/XykC8BPXK44u8qT18 
 
4. A note from your PTO President
 
It’s so funny how one’s whole world can change in a matter of a minute. News of a promotion, first cries of a newborn baby, a teenager asking you for your advice.  It’s the little things in life that long term challenges make you appreciate.  
 
This week I appreciate the wonderful leadership and counselors we are privileged enough to have for our schools. Since June, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with each and everyone of them. Not only through the PTO, but in the countless extra hours they have devoted, with no expectations, to figuring out how to best protect our children’s physical and mental health during these unique times. 
 
In my 25+ years of professional experience, I stretch to find another group of people more dedicated and passionate about their work than them.  I am grateful that no matter what challenge is presented to them, they jump to action.  Every request is met with compassion and a true desire to do what is best for every student, regardless of age, background, or time at Exploris. All children are equal. 
 
If you haven’t gotten to know our leadership and counseling team, I can not encourage you more. Furthermore, join the PTO, we are still looking for officers this year and will need more moving forward. A quick email is all it takes and you can show gratitude for all our teachers and staff do by lending a hand.  It only takes a few hours a month and can change so many people’s lives. 

Angelean Hendrix
PTO President
email: PTOPres@exploris.org
Website: https://explorispto.org/

35634705. PLEASE- Vote for EXPLORIS 
You may have missed it with that other election going on, but Exploris has been named a finalist in this year’s WRAL Voter’s Choice Awards for best middle school! 

Click below to vote!  Voting is open until November 22: 
https://wral5.secondstreetapp.com/2020-WRAL-Voters-Choice-Awards/gallery?group=357636 

ptologo6. We need YOU for the PTO Board!
Speaking of our great PTO board….we remain in search of a VP of Volunteers and a President elect.
Currently our VP positions are only a 2 year commitment. The president elect is a one-year commitment followed by a year leading the PTO. Please reach out to any of the boards members, or Angelean at ptopres@exploris.org if you or anyone you know would be interested in being a part of this great organization. We are also looking for a search committee of at least 3 parents and or teachers, who can help us this spring to fill next year’s open board positions. 

7. Yearbook Photos Needed!unnamed (6)

This week, Yearbook is creating pages about WHAT’S NEW!

Click here to fill in a google form to upload pictures and answer a few short questions about what’s new. Please fill in the form by Friday, November 20!

Miss the sports, covid, spirit week, pet photos, digital learning, summer or fall photo drop? You can always submit those and general photos to this link.

Here’s the link for purchasing your yearbook! 
 

8. The Exploris School Directory is online.   Please opt in.

Please list your family in the Exploris School directory!

1) Fill out the Form: Map and Directory Form

2) Use the directory: *Protected: Exploris School Directory

*Email news@explorispto.org if you need the password. 

9. Happy Birthday to all the November Exploris Staff!

Please join the Exploris PTO in wishing all of the November babies a great birthday!
 
November 1st – Michael Gilbert-Singletary
November 3rd – Kelly Fauth
November 7th – Lauren Connolly
November 13th – Tom Simmons
November 21st – Leah Perry-Lawless
November 19th – Jen Christian
November 26th – Allie Yun

10. UPCOMING EVENTS

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  1. Friday, November 20 – End of First Trimester
  2. Monday, November 23 – Tuesday November 24 – Teacher Workdays
  3. Friday, Nov 20 (3:15pm)- Monday, Nov 30 (8am) – Thanksgiving Break
  4. Friday, December 18 – Early Dismissal
  5. Friday Dec 18 (12:15pm) – Monday, Jan 4 (8am) – Winter Break
  6. Monday, Jan 18 – MLK Holiday
  7. Monday, February 15 – Teacher Workday – Conferences
  8. Friday, February 19 – Teacher Workday – Professional Development
  9. Thursday, March 11 – End of Second Trimester

10. The Exploris Annual Fund drive has started!  Please contribute 

The Exploris School Foundation has kicked off this year’s Annual Fund drive! Donate to help fund projects like the new outdoor classroom tent at the Elementary Campus! You can donate here: https://exploris.kindful.com

Thanks for reading the “Monday Minute”- the Exploris PTO blog post.

If you would like to submit information, please email your text (copy ready), photos, and links to Dana Deaton at news@explorispto.org by 9pm Sunday.