ABCs of Combs

//AB COMBS DAY - the spring day each year when children are treated to snow cones and an outdoor dance party with DJ! // ADVOCACY - the real mission of your PTA in fighting for greater public schools, as drafted by the national organization

BASKET RAFFLE - a hugely popular spring PTA fundraiser where classes put together a themed basket to raffle off to lucky winners // BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND - Covey Habit // BRACKET BREAKFAST - spring gathering of dads and other special family friends to enjoy breakfast at the school with their students and fill out March Madness basketball brackets // BOOK FAIR - annual celebration of reading with a week of events and book sales in the library (don’t miss out on family night with a special pizza dinner!)

CHICKENS - the sweetest group of egg-laying ladies who live on campus, find their coop in the courtyard near the 2nd grade cottages and gardens // COVEY - none other than the great Dr. Stephen Covey himself, leadership pioneer and author of the international bestseller “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” the model that Combs’ magnet theme is based upon // CULTURAL ARTS ASSEMBLIES - periodically throughout the year, students are treated to an assembly for everything from a bluegrass band to a short play // CELEBRATE SUCCESS – semi-annual celebration of each student’s individual successes

DEPOSITS - merit “points” that each individual classroom collects and earns throughout the year, as awarded by teachers themselves, staff and specialists as an incentive for making good choices and exemplifying the Covey Habits, each class votes on a celebration when they reach a certain threshold of deposits! // DRESS FOR SUCCESS - on a few occasions each year (see Leadership Day), students are asked to come to school in attire that makes them feel like a success (often a shirt/tie or dress/skirt)

EOG RUMBLE – Pep rally for 3rd- 5th grade LEADERS in education as they prepare for annual state mandated testing//ENGAGEMENT – the PTA supports family engagement/education nights

FIELD TRIPS - Combs has a rich history of each grade level enjoying thoughtfully-planned and engaging field trips, everything from the N.C. Zoo to the Outer Banks and Washington, D.C. //FIND YOUR VOICE - Covey Habit

GATOR GALLOP - immensely popular fall PTA fundraiser, a grand and full day of each grade level running around the outdoor track with an award going to the class with the highest number of laps // GRAND GATOR DAY - special day each fall near the start of the school year when grandparents or other special friends are invited to join their student(s) for lunch

HOT LUNCH - the Combs cafeteria serves a hot lunch every day and the menu can be found on the school website along with a link to add funds to your student’s account or inquire about applying for the free/reduced lunch program

INAUGURAL BALL - celebratory event each year where the newly-elected student body president is sworn in, followed by a school dance with each grade level performing a special dance that they’ve learned in PE class JOIN PTA - only $10 for the year (membership must be renewed annually), with membership forms coming home early in the school year or available on MemberHub, and membership doesn’t require you to volunteer!

KINDERGARTEN STAGGERED ENTRY - incoming kindergarten students will only come to school one day during the first full week of classes when older students are otherwise present

LEADERSHIP DAY - events usually twice each year where teachers and administrators from across the world visit Combs to see and learn the origin story of the Covey Educational Leadership Model and see our students embodying and growing through the Habits// LEADERS - Each student is a leader of their education and in their community.

MEMBERHUB - no- cost communication tool where the PTA keeps you informed on school happenings, calendars, events and where school spirit wear can be ordered, join the PTA today at https://abcombs.memberhub.com/join/qghut9

NEIGHBORHOOD - roughly 50 percent of Combs students come from a base population near the school, so please drive safely and respect the property of our school neighbors by not littering, speeding or blocking driveways // NO SCHOOL - check the Combs website or Wake County Public Schools website early in the year to add holidays and teacher workdays to your family calendar

OPEN CIRCULATION – Students visit the Media Center as a special, but are also allowed to visit the library daily to self-checkout on their own (meaning they should always have something to read).

PLAYGROUNDS - Combs has several playgrounds scattered throughout campus, and grade levels try to rotate during the course of the year so that students have a chance to experience all of them // (BE) PROACTIVE - Covey Habit // PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST - Covey Habit

QUESTIONS - you can always call the school’s front desk at (919) 233-4300 or email your PTA at ptacombs@gmail.com

READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK - a fun week of activities related to growing our love of learning, ask your teacher or our media specialists for more information!

SCIENCE FAIR - annual celebration of science and experiments with submissions from students at all grade levels // SPELLING BEE - annual competition across all grade levels // SPIRIT WEAR - Combs t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc., all available in the School Store on MemberHub (abcombs.memberhub.store)// SUPERHERO SNACK – fun celebration with superheroes for students who have worked hard to meet their goals

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK - annual week of recognition and gratitude in the spring for our hardworking teachers and specialists, each day with a different theme for showing our thanks // THINK WIN/ WIN - Covey Habit (SEEK FIRST TO)

UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD - Covey Habit

VOLUNTEERS & VISITORS - remember to sign in (and out!) at the front desk, all classroom volunteers and field trip chaperones must be approved annually through a brief background check conducted by Wake County Public Schools sign in/out at office

WALK TO SCHOOL DAY - fun event each fall when all students are invited to walk to school, culminating with a big school celebration with invited speakers // WAX MUSEUM - annual 5th grade fundraiser where students choose a historical or current figure to research and dress as, then lining the hallways for visitors and other students X-WALK/CROSSWALK - many Combs students walk to school each day, so please drive 25 miles per hour in the school zone, don’t park in the crosswalks, and remember that pedestrians have the right of way YEARBOOK - delightful and memorable keepsake from the school year, for sale in the spring (PTA fundraiser)

ZZZZ - and now it’s time to rest and SHARPEN OUR SAW (Covey Habit).