If you are moving or transferring at the end of this semester, please make sure to return all library books, workbooks, locker locks, and textbooks to the school to avoid any charges.

Please join us for 2 special performances this week, as we continue to celebrate the season and showcase our talented students! The Chorus Concert will be Tuesday the 11th at 7 pm and the Band Concert will be Thursday the 13th at 7:30 pm. band concert is 7:30.  All band students should report to their reserved seats between 7 and 7:15 pm. Parents and visitors attending the performance may park in the back or front of the school. The two front gates will be unlocked & the one back gate where the buses unload will also be unlocked.

• Monday December 10–  A special thanks to all those who have already turned in their Angel gifts for the Giving Tree!
• Tuesday, December 11 -Dress down day for all pass holders. There will be a BOB test in the library during homeroom. BB Home vs. HM, Wrestling @ HM. Science Olympiad will meet from 2:40-4:00.
• Thursday December 13– Angel gifts from the Giving Tree are due today. Please deliver them unwrapped to Student Services by 2:40 pm. The Holiday Food drive collection also ends today. Please have all your donations turned in to your homeroom teacher today! BB Away@ WO, Wrestling Home v. WO. Science Olympiad will meet from 2:40-4:00.

Upcoming events and additional thoughts:

• Angels Needed: We need volunteers!  Volunteers with the School Angels Watch can assist the schools for as little as 30 minutes and/or up to the entire day. Volunteers will be required to pass a background check. Training will be provided by Kenny McKinnon with the Safety and Security office. Volunteers can sign up for the program by visiting: http://schoolwatch.ccs.k12.nc.us/ and clicking on the “Background checks” link. 
• Parents of Car-riders: Car-riders who wish to eat breakfast in the cafeteria must be in the cafeteria line no later than 7:20 am in order to be served and on time for class. Please help us start the day right by protecting instructional time and making sure students are well-fueled and ready to learn.
• Next week: Friday, December 21 is the end of the 2nd 9 weeks and end of the 1st semester. Please make sure your child has turned in all their work by the teacher’s deadline to get proper credit.
• Arbiter Athlete has changed their link.  The links have been updated on our web page www.arbiterathlete.com. Please change your bookmarks on your personal computers and phones.
• Please download the CCS App to your devices if you have not already done so. When have inclement weather, you will get alerts and the most current information this way.

Congratulations to Ms. Griffiths’ 7th grade homeroom for donating the most food in our Thanksgiving Food Drive!! Enjoy your pizza party! It is time for our Holiday Food Drive. This year we are asking for each homeroom to fill at least 1 box (about the size of a box of paper) containing 30 to 35 items. Please no opened containers, homemade food or expired products, and avoid any items in glass as they often break in transit. Our food drive will begin on Tuesday, November 27th and will end on Thursday, December 13th. 

• Monday, December 3-Builders’ Club will meet after school from 2:40-4:30 pm. Quiz Bowl team will practice until 4:00 in Ms. Cooper’s room.
• Tuesday, December 4 – Reading Rocks! RUSH Day. All students should bring a book of their choice to Differentiated Studies/Math enrichment today for “Read Until Something Happens” for Reading Rocks.   All Pathfinders field trip money is due today. Science Olympiad will meet from 2:40 to 4:00 pm. Please join us for our Winter Orchestra Concert in the Auditorium at 6:30 pm. Come early to get a good seat and view the gallery showing in the Art room (Room 4) before and after the Orchestra concert. Please come to see the artwork of our talented students! The PFHS Orchestra will begin the entertainment at 6 pm. Members of the PFMS orchestra should come to school dressed in their orchestra uniforms (Orchestra shirt and black pants).
  • Parents and visitors attending the performance may park in the back or front of the school. The two front gates will be unlocked & the one back gate where the buses unload will also be unlocked.
• Wednesday, December 5 – SIT Meeting in Rm. 12 at 2:40 p.m. There will be a Forensics Mini Tournament from 4:00-8:00 pm today.

Upcoming events and additional thoughts:

• Angel tree gifts are due, unwrapped, to Student Services by 2:40 pm on Dec. 13th.
• Reminder: Parents must sign in students who report after 7:30 a.m.
• The end of the semester is Dec. 21st. Please make sure your child has completed all their make-up work and submitted it by their teacher’s deadline.

NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN STARTS MONDAY MORNING

To improve safety for our students and help move the car lines along, we will start a “eight car” drop off Monday morning for car riders. The first four (4) cars in each car line will exit their children at the same time. Once the children are clear, the next four cars in each line will pull up. Parents: please make sure your students have all items in-hand and are prepared to exit the vehicle immediately.

When you exit,  all cars turning right onto Ramsey Street/401 South will need to be in the right lane. All cars turning left onto Ramsey Street/401 North will need to be in the left lane. Remember not to cross over the yellow line once you get to the flag pole. Hopefully we will see an improvement in the traffic congestion and save you some time.

Car riders may not be dropped off in the back parking lot.

• Monday, November 19 –It’s Motivational Monday at PF. Be sure to ask your child what they learned in homeroom! All 7th and 8th Grade Band students will complete their All-County Band Project.  Students will ride two buses to Mac Williams Middle School and parents will pick up their children from there at the conclusion of the project.  Good Luck Raider Band Members! Builders club will meet until 4:30 pm. Art club will meet in room 4 from 2:40-3:40. Please bring colored ornament sheets so we can assemble them. Please pick up out front promptly at 3:40.
• Tuesday, November 20 – Dress down day for pass holders. Battle of the books will test in the morning during homeroom. Progress Reports go home.  Our “Giving Tree” (formerly the Angel Tree) will be ready today. Stop by the lobby and adopt a PF child (or their sibling) today. All unwrapped gifts are due to Ms. Borkowski in Student Services on Friday, December 14th. No Science Olympiad practice today.
• Wednesday, November 21 – Make-up day / Regular school day. Battle of the Books (BOB) students should pick up their take-home test in the library before leaving for Thanksgiving.
• Thursday, November 22 –Happy Thanksgiving
• Friday, November 23 –  Holiday for students and teachers

When we return from Thanksgiving:

We would like to congratulate Mr. Starling and the 36 students who competed in all-county honors band auditions Nov. 19th. Eight (8) of our talented students secured FIRST CHAIR (1 alternate), 9 students secured 2nd Chair, and 2 secured 3rd chair. We are so proud of you!

• Monday, November 26 – BOB test due to Ms. Bozeman. Art Club will meet in room 4 from 2:40 – 3:40. Please pick up out front. Thank you.
• Tuesday, November 27 – the scheduled Science Olympiad events will meet until 4:00 pm. PFMS Skate night is tonight from 5:30-7:30 pm at Eutaw skating rink. This event is NOT a drop off event, parents need to hang out with their kids. Parents do not have to pay to sit with their kids. $7 fee for any skater, includes $5 entry/$2 skate rental… We’ll have spirit wear for sale that night.  The first 25 kids there receive a free bag of cotton candy.  Come support your school and “Burn off that bird”
• Thursday, November 29 –the scheduled Science Olympiad events will meet until 4:00 pm. BB @ NJ Wrestling Home
• Friday, November 30- Our students will compete in the school-wide Spelling Bee today at 12:45 pm

Upcoming events and additional thoughts:

• Parents: Sign up for Classtag with a an individual Code from your child’s teacher! https://www.classtag.com

Arbiter Athlete has changed their link.  The links have been updated on our web page www.arbiterathlete.com. Please change your bookmarks on your personal computers and phones.

• Monday, November 12th is a holiday in observance of Veteran’s Day. There will be no school for students or teachers. The Pine Forest family would like to thank the men and women who serve or who have served our country and fought to protect our freedoms. We know service sometimes comes at a great personal cost- from personal comfort to time away from home and loved ones, and we thank you for your sacrifice. There are a number of wonderful, free activities downtown for families. Learn more at:  http://www.heroeshomecoming.com/
• Tuesday, November 13 – the scheduled Science Olympiad events will meet until 4:00 pm and pickup is in the back of the school. Winter sports begins. PTO fundraiser event is tonight at Freddy’s  from 5-8 pm. Please come in when you grab a bite and visit our table. Make sure you say you’re here for PFMS!
• Wednesday, November 14 – Our Thanksgiving Food drive ends today. Winner will be announced soon! The first Battle of the Books test will be today during homeroom. Please check in with your teacher before reporting to the library.
• Thursday, November 15 – No science Olympiad practice today.
• Friday, November 16 -Substitute Educator’s Day! Holiday Hearts applications for eligible military families are due today. If you have questions, please call Ms. Barbour in Student Services.

Additional thoughts / Upcoming:

• Mark your calendars! The PTO is planning a PFMS Skate night on November 27th from 5:30-7:30 pm. The first 25 people in line get a free bag of cotton candy!
• The county has upgraded our security and we have a new system for entering the building.
  • FRONT DOORS: As you approach the doors, there will be a button on the LEFT for us to buzz you in. Each person must be buzzed in separately, so please do not hold the door for the next person. We know this is what manners dictate, but it does not assure our students safety. Please do not cover your face and be prepared to remove your hat.
  • NEW FENCE: The new fence makes it impossible for students to be dropped off early and cut through the yard to get to their building. The only point of entry will be the front doors at the top of the stairs.
  • What can drivers do? Please give yourself some extra time in the mornings. We hope that will help prevent an increase in tardies. And as always, please do not let your child exit the car before it is safe to do so. We are excited about the new security, but are sure there will be growing pains as we work out the kinks in our day-to-day affairs. We appreciate your patience while we do our best to adjust to these changes!

• Parents: Sign up for Classtag with a an individual Code from your child’s teacher! https://www.classtag.com

You don’t have to cook tonight! Grab some delicious take-out for a good cause.

Join us for Freddy’s spirit night on Tuesday, November 13th from 5:00-8:00 pm.  The PTO will be hosting. Make sure to mention PFMS  before you pay.  Invite your family and friends!

Added Bonus: We are giving away prizes. Make sure you come inside and visit our table.

Thanksgiving “Kids helping Kids” Food Drive Nov. 5 – Nov. 14^th:

We are asking for each homeroom to fill at least 1 box (about the size of a box of paper) containing 30 to 35 items. If each student donates 1 to 2 items this goal can be reached quickly. We have put together a list of foods that are needed the most. The first Homeroom to turn in a completed box will win a pizza party!!

We are asking for each homeroom to fill at least 1 box but PLEASE feel free to fill as many boxes as your homeroom can. Please no opened containers, homemade food or expired products, and avoid any items in glass as they often break in transit.

Recommended Items:

*** 2—$5.00 Food Lion gift cards per box, so we can purchase turkeys***

• Cereal – 1 box
• Oatmeal (single service sizes) – 1 box
• Pancake Mix w/ Syrup – 1 of each
• Muffin Mix – 2 boxes
• Fruit Snacks – 1 box
• Pasta and pasta sauce – 1 of each
• Ramen Noodles – 5 packs
• Granola Bars – 1 box
• Macaroni and Cheese – 2 boxes
• Beef Stew – 2 cans
• Jelly (in plastic jars) –
• 1 jar
• Peanut Butter (in plastic jars) – 1 jar
• Boxed Mashed Potatoes – 1 box
• Hearty Soups – 2 cans
• Pudding cups or
• Jell-O cups – 1 pack
• Bottle juice – 1 bottle
• Stuffing -2 boxes
• Powdered Milk – 1 box or canned Milk – 2 cans
• Chicken broth -2 cans
• Cake Mix w/ Icing – 1 of each
• Flavor Drink Packets – 5 packets
• Canned Fruit – 2 cans (Examples: Peaches, Pears, Pineapple, Mixed fruit)
• Canned Meat – 2 cans (Examples: Tuna Fish, Chicken, Ham, Turkey, Beef, Spam, Vienna Sausages)
• Canned Pasta – 2 cans (Examples: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Lasagna, Beefaroni, Ravioli, ABCs and 123s)
• Chili Mac
• Rice – 2 boxes or 2 small bags (Examples: Rice-a-roni, Uncle Ben’s Minute Rice or Store Brands)
• Canned Vegetable– 5 cans (Examples: Beans (kidney, pinto, refried or black beans), Green Beans, Corn, Yams, Peas, Carrots, Mixed vegetables)

Feel free to contact Student Services 910-488-2711 if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your generosity. GO RAIDERS!

Report cards went home October 30th. If you did not get a report card, please contact the school at 488-2711. We will gladly provide one for you. You may have a fine report attached to their report card. Our librarian is happy to help get your books to the correct school for you. Please send the book or fees as soon as possible.

November is Military family appreciation month.  We are asking students to bring in photos of family members in the military to place on our recognition wall.  Also, we are focusing on the them of family for Think Kindness this month!

It’s time to “Fall back!” Remember to turn your clocks back one hour Saturday night for daylight savings.

• Monday, November 5 –Builders Club will meet from 2:40-4:30 pm. Please pick your students up in the BACK of the school from now on. The annual Thanksgiving food drive starts today and runs through Tuesday the 13th.  As many of you know, the meals provided at our school are the only meals that some students have all day. These meals go directly to our Raider families. This year we are asking for each homeroom to fill at least 1 box (about the size of a box of paper) containing 30 to 35 food items. Please no opened containers, homemade food or expired products, and avoid any items in glass as they often break in transit. More details and suggestions are available on our webpage.  The first Homeroom to turn in a completed box will win a pizza party!! Soccer game @ home vs. Anne Chesnutt. Both teams are undefeated and we anticipate quite a game! Starts at 3:30.
• Tuesday, November 6 – Election day. Dress down day for pass holders.  Volleyball Strength Game-Away. The scheduled Science Olympiad events will meet until 4:00 pm please pick your students up in the BACK of the school from now on. Students can check google classroom for the event dates.
• Wednesday, November 7 – SIT Meeting. Football Strength Game-Away.
• Thursday, November 8 –Awards Day will be held today in the auditorium. 6th grade will be at 8:00 am, 7th grade-9:00 am, and 8th grade-10:00 am. Remember all visitors must check-in before entering campus. There is a new security gate installed, so it may take a little longer than usual to get in.  The scheduled Science Olympiad events will meet until 4:00 pm. The Quiz Bowl team will practice from 2:40 – 3:40 in Ms. Cooper’s room. It’s Freddy’s spirit night from 4:00-9:00 pm. Make sure to mention PFMS Science Olympiad before you pay.  Invite your family and friends!
• Friday, November 9 –  Fall make-up picture Day.

Upcoming events and additional thoughts:

• Donors Choose Classroom request: Support Ms. Janson’s Donor choose project by clicking here https://bit.ly/2NZLGo7. She only needs $73 to complete her project!
• Mark your calendars! The PTO is planning a PFMS Skate night on November 27th from 5:30-7:30 pm. The first 25 people in line get a free bag of cotton candy!
• Parents: Sign up for Classtag with a an individual Code from your child’s teacher! https://www.classtag.com

Join us for Freddy’s spirit night on Thursday, November 8th from 4:00-9:00 pm.  Science Olympiad will be hosting. Make sure to mention PFMS Science Olympiad before you pay.  Invite your family and friends!

Added Bonus: We are giving away 4 starbucks gift cards and 2 starbucks go cups as prizes. Make sure you come inside and visit our table.