THE VOYAGER
QUARTERLY
New Hope Elementary School
Upcoming Events:
Fall 2016, Volume 17, Issue 1
From the desk of Mrs. Wilson…
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Read-a-thon: 9/16-9/30
Dear New Hope Families,
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Early Release: 9/21
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Latino Festival: 10/7
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Fall Book Fair: 10/7-
On behalf of the staff at New Hope Elementary School, I am happy to welcome you to
the 2016-17 school year! We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you
to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential. We recognize that in order to
be successful in school, our children need support from both the home and school. We
know a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s
education. As partners, we share the responsibility for our children’s success and want
you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities.
10/14
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Early Release: 10/19
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Red Ribbon Week:
10/24-10/28
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Teacher Workday:
10/31
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Fall Festival/Silent
Auction: 11/4
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Veteran’s Day Holiday:
11/11
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Thanksgiving Holiday:
11/23-11/25
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Early Release: 12/7
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Winter Holiday: 12/221/2
New Hope
Elementary School
1900 New Hope Church Rd.
Chapel Hill, NC
27514
919.942.9696
We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she:
1) Attends school daily and arrives on time, ready for the day’s
learning experience
2) Completes all homework assignments given by teachers
3) Reads daily to develop a love for reading and to improve literacy skills
4) Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her
school life
5) Informs you if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject
6) Knows that you expect him/her to succeed in school
Please consider joining our school volunteer program as our students can greatly
benefit from your involvement and contributions to the school’s program and its
operations. We seek volunteers to help us with the following activities:
1) Teacher-led instructional support, usually in the classroom
2) Reading with children who need extra help
3) School-wide events sponsored by the PTSA
4) Student recognition events
5) Outreach and recruitment of parent and community volunteers
Our theme for this year is “Building Our Foundation For Success”. As you tour the
building you will see various LEGO displays. We want the school to feel inviting and
welcoming to all families. Since arriving at New Hope 2 years ago, I have learned the
true meaning of a school family. Our staff consider each other family and even though
each student comes from a different family we are all one school family. Together we
will support, challenge, and help each other grow. We have added some new
members to our family this year and I encourage you to get to know each one
personally. The wonderful New Hope Elementary School staff and I feel privileged to
be a part of this school family. We thank you for your support and look forward to an
awesome year of learning!
Sincerely,
Ambra Wilson
Interim Principal
(919) 942-9696 ext. 44001
The 2016-2017 New Hope Staff
Tamara Bowers (Receptionist), Susan
Rivenbark (Nurse), Ambra Wilson
(Principal), Julie Mebane (Data
Manager)
Curtis Hatley (Psychologist),
Maggie Dejournette, Lillie Herman,
Rebekah Kincaid, Holly Fox (Speech),
Kalya Stalker, Amy Hagaman,
Matt Thompson, Cheryl Mitchell,
Tina Pulliam, Whitney Mallalieu (Physical
Therapist), Janelle Puckett (Speech)
Pre-K — Claudia Johnson,
Pam Zornick, Vonnie Jordan
1st grade — Judy Bruce, Emery Carlough,
Alli Kintner, Elain Evans, Kristen Lovette,
Cindy Pratt, Martha Anne Wright,
Jimmelisa Cooper
Kindergarten — Angela McLeod, Christine Lutz,
Shelby (Nelson) Steinhour, Rhonda Barlow,
Michelle Park, Lori Dwyer, Jennifer Richard,
Sharron Finch, Hope Pinnix, Carolyn Wilson
2nd grade — Cherfarrah Torain, Nancy Cheek,
Cassandra Davis, Angela Howell, Holli Wallace,
Kathryn West, Lora Wilder, Jamie Yeisley
3rd grade — Linda Poythress, Brenna Leonard,
Lena Tuñón, Abby Sullivan, Pattie Horne,
Tracy Rettig, Laurie Holloway
4th grade — Anna Gustaveson, Johanna
Johnson, Jessica Norris, Sandy Shaw,
Anna Wirzba
5th grade — Alysa Amato, Angela Breeze,
Ariana Chenlo, Carmen Oziogu
Specials — Sarah Jones (Art),
Kristin Mattison (Music), Kendal Davis (PE),
Phedora Johnson (Spanish)
Get Involved!
Hello parents,
Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year at New Hope Elementary! We’re so excited for another great
school year of watching our Voyagers grow!
The PTSA is already very busy making plans to create events that help support the school and build the
community that we’ve come to love here at New Hope. We’d love to have YOU participate in any way that
interests you. You may be wondering how you can get involved. (We’re glad you asked!)
Please join us at our next meeting on October 17th from 6 until 7. We meet 1 hour each month (3 rd
Mondays) to discuss ideas and make plans. Childcare is provided.
The #1 easiest way to help New Hope is by linking accounts where you already shop!
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Link your Harris Teeter VIC card using school code 2633
Link your Kroger card using school code 92951
Link your Weaver St. Market Scripp card using school code 237
Link your Amazon account by going to smile.amazon.com and choosing “PTA North Carolina Congress
New Hope Elementary School (Chapel Hill, NC)” as your charitable organization
And don’t forget to collect Box Tops!
How does the PTSA help support New Hope?
We provide reimbursement to teachers when they buy classroom supplies!
We send every child in the school home with a book to read over the summer!
We host lots of events to bring our community together!
We support arts enrichment activities for students!
We sponsor the Voyager Quarterly newsletter, Read-a-thon, a free ice cream for every student’s
birthday, monetary field trip assistance, 5th grade graduation, ground beautification and more!
We provide a Back to School luncheon for teachers, as well as teacher appreciation week events and a
gift to the Teacher of the Year and the Teacher Assistant of the Year!
We provide monetary assistance for one time supplies for the schools! (Past examples include:
document cameras for the Smart Boards, Smart Board bulbs, an information display organizer for
the front office, a new refrigerator for the Teacher’s Lounge, a basketball storage rack for the gym,
Flip video cameras, maps/globes for classrooms, etc.)
2016—2017 New Hope PTSA Officers and Committee Chairs
Presidents: Courtney Lawrence ([email protected]) & Natalie Bowden ([email protected])
Vice President: Jerrilyn Pisani ([email protected])
Treasurers: Dawn Atkinson ([email protected]) & Anitra Grove ([email protected])
Secretary: Michelle Castro ([email protected])
Our committees and events include the following:
Read-A-Thon: Heather Bower ([email protected])
Fall Festival: Sarah Yagnow ([email protected] ) & Karla Kennedy ([email protected] )
Box Tops: Dawn Atkinson ([email protected])
Staff Appreciation Events: Cherfarrah Torain
Coin Drive: Sabina Demarchi ([email protected])
Spring Fling: Meg Alverson ([email protected])
Science Extravaganza: Heather & Brad Bower (heather.a.bower @gmail.com)
Original Works: Sarah Yagnow ([email protected] )
Groundskeeping: VACANT
Duty Free Lunch Coordinator: VACANT
Silent Auction: VACANT
New Hope Gift Tree & Food Drive: VACANT
If there is a way you’d like to be involved or you have a new idea to share, please e-mail our officers and/or committee
chairs to connect with other PTSA parents. Please note that we are still looking for some volunteers to fill the
vacant positions above. If you’re interested, please reach out!
What is our PTSA Mission and Purpose?
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To support and speak on behalf of the children in the school, in the community and before governmental
bodies that make decisions affecting children;
 To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children;
To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.
Why should I get involved with PTSA?
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You can impact the education and well-being of every child in the New Hope community.
 It’s a great opportunity to connect with other parents and teachers.
 You can assist in planning fun & educational events for children & families.
It’s the best way to stay informed about all school activities.
If you have an addition or input for the Voyager Quarterly, please contact Allison Shultz
([email protected])