📢 Beginning of the Year documents are to be completed prior to the beginning of the year! Please click the link below, take a few minutes, and get these documents completed today!
Click here: www.johnston.k12.nc.us/beginningoftheyeardocuments
📢 Documentos de inicio de año deben completarse antes del comienzo del año escolar. ¡Haga clic en el enlace a continuación, tómese unos minutos y complete estos documentos hoy mismo!
Haz clic aquí: www.johnston.k12.nc.us/beginningoftheyeardocuments
Click here: www.johnston.k12.nc.us/beginningoftheyeardocuments
📢 Documentos de inicio de año deben completarse antes del comienzo del año escolar. ¡Haga clic en el enlace a continuación, tómese unos minutos y complete estos documentos hoy mismo!
Haz clic aquí: www.johnston.k12.nc.us/beginningoftheyeardocuments
Beginning of the Year documents are to be completed prior to the beginning of the year! Please click the link below, take a few minutes, and get these documents completed today!
Click here: www.johnston.k12.nc.us/beginningoftheyeardocuments
Documentos de inicio de año deben completarse antes del comienzo del año escolar. ¡Haga clic en el enlace a continuación, tómese unos minutos y complete estos documentos hoy mismo!
Haz clic aquí: www.johnston.k12.nc.us/beginningoftheyeardocuments
Click here: www.johnston.k12.nc.us/beginningoftheyeardocuments
Documentos de inicio de año deben completarse antes del comienzo del año escolar. ¡Haga clic en el enlace a continuación, tómese unos minutos y complete estos documentos hoy mismo!
Haz clic aquí: www.johnston.k12.nc.us/beginningoftheyeardocuments
Johnston County Public Schools is committed to providing quality education to its students and professional learning environments for its staff, free of distractions, and supporting high-quality teaching and learning, enhancing student well-being, and maintaining a safe and focused school environment.
Recent studies indicate that cell phone use, particularly for social media and interaction, can interfere with students' ability to focus on learning and negatively impact students in many ways. Excessive use of cell phones and social media has been linked to lower academic performance, increased behavioral issues, and other conditions that hinder students' ability to excel.
In recent legislation, House Bill 959, Session Law 2025-38, revisions were made addressing clear guidelines for the use of cell phones to include educational purposes. The Johnston County Board of Education has adopted Policy Code: 4318 Use of Wireless Communication Devices.
Families are strongly encouraged to review the policy in its entirety.
Visit the JCPS website for more information and links: HERE.
The JCPS 2025 Leadership Conference is in the books! 📚
The final day began with the announcement of our 2025-2026 Principal of the Year Dr. Takicey Dunston of Benson Elementary School, and Assistant Principal of the Year Lauren Strickland of Polenta Elementary.
Attendees then participated in Grade Alike sessions which allowed for synergistic planning and thought sharing.
During his closing remarks, Superintendent Dr. Pearce charged the administrators with sharing and applying what they learned with their teams and carrying the vision forward. ➡️
“When leaders rise, kids win!” -Thomas Murray
#ForwardConference2025
#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS
We are ecstatic to announce that Dr. Takicey M. Dunston, Principal of Benson Elementary and Mrs. Lauren Strickland, newly appointed Assistant Principal of Polenta Elementary (formerly Assistant Principal of Pine Level Elementary) have been recognized as the JCPS 2025-2026 Principal and Assistant Principal of the year, respectively. 🎉
JCPS is grateful that you have chosen to bring your passion for education to the students and staff in our school district!
Congratulations to both of these forward-focused leaders on this honorable recognition! 👏
#ForwardConference2025
#GreatThingsAreHappeninginJCPS
JCPS is grateful that you have chosen to bring your passion for education to the students and staff in our school district!
Congratulations to both of these forward-focused leaders on this honorable recognition! 👏
#ForwardConference2025
#GreatThingsAreHappeninginJCPS
📢It has been reported that JCPS students have received more than 66.2 million in scholarship offerings for the 2024-2025 school year! This is an amazing 18 million more than scholarship offerings received during the 2023-2024 year!📢
A great deal of the offerings have been accepted and will cover tuition costs as these students continue their educational journeys!
💲JCPS is proud of the efforts that go into securing scholarship funding, and we celebrate the students, staff, and parents who work hard to make it happen! 💲
Great things are truly happening in JCPS!
North Carolina is home to a large population of active duty, guard, reserve, and veteran armed services members, and the state’s public schools reflect that.
In 2019, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction launched the Purple Star Award Designation initiative to recognize the state’s strong military presence and support for military families.
The Purple Star designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate military-friendly practices and a commitment to military students and families. JCPS had 17 schools receive the Purple Star Award Designation. They are as follows:
Benson Middle
Clayton High School
Cleveland High School
Corinth-Holders Elementary
Corinth-Holders High
Four Oaks Elementary
Meadow School
McGee's Crossroads Elementary
Polenta Elementary
Princeton Elementary
Princeton Middle/High
Smithfield-Selma High
South Johnston High School
South Smithfield Elementary
Swift Creek Middle School
West Johnston High School
Thanksgiving Elementary
We are proud of these designations and honored to recognize our military families in this way!
🎉 Last Day of School! 🎉
To our amazing students and families—what a year it’s been! Today we close the chapter on a school year filled with growth, joy, and unforgettable moments. Whether you're moving up to middle school or returning next year, we are SO proud of each and every one of you. 💙
To our 5th graders—congratulations! You’ve led with heart and shown what it means to be a true Puma. We’ll miss you dearly, but we know you’re ready for this next big step!
And to our families—thank you for your endless support, partnership, and love. We couldn’t do this without you.
Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and fun-filled summer! ☀️📚 Don’t forget to laugh, explore, and always… Be Kind.
💛 With gratitude,
Staff of Polenta Elementary
#LastDayOfSchool #PumaPride #BeKindAlways #ThankYouPumas
It is the last day of school, which means we are just minutes before our students will be enjoying a summer full of fun!
Here's to wishing everyone a safe break!
See you next year!!!
We are excited about the end of year and the awards ceremonies that will be taking place the last couple of days. Please note the day and time your child has their award ceremonies. We will begin to check ID's, 45 minutes before the time listed and will start letting parents in 15 minutes before. If you have any questions please reach out to your child's teacher.
Thursday, May 15th (11:15 am) - Kindergarten ( Schenker, Parker, Taggart, Benson)
Thursday, May 15th (1:15 pm) - Kindergarten ( Marsland, Gonzalez, LeBoeuf, Boyd)
Friday, May 16th (10:00 am) - First Grade (S. Adams, Yandun, Bartholow, Sampson)
Friday, May 16th (12:00 pm) - First Grade (Lester, Simon, LIttle, J. Adams)
Monday, May 19th (10:00 am) - 2nd Grade (Sousa, Duran, Lee, Walfall, Arrabaca)
Monday, May 19th (12:30 pm) - 2nd Grade (Vaughn, Vero, Boggs, Glenn)
Tuesday, May 20th (10:00 - 10:30) - 4th Grade Awards
Tuesday, May 20th (1:00 - 1:30) - 3rd Grade Awards
Wednesday, May 21st (10:00 am) - 5th Grade (Brown, Carraway)
Wednesday, May 21st (11:30 am) - 5th Grade (Salemo, Roe)
Wednesday, May 21st (1:00 pm) - 5th Grade (Kapusta/Ferrell/Moreno)
Miss Parker's EC classroom at Polenta Elementary was filled with love, laughter, and the sweet smell of brunch!💕
The students celebrated Mother’s Day a little early by hosting a heartwarming Mommy & Me Brunch, where they proudly presented handmade gifts created just for their amazing moms. 🥰
It was a moment filled with smiles, hugs, and unforgettable memories. Thank you to all the wonderful mothers and grandmothers of these amazing children. You are truly cherished! 💐💖
Thank you to Ms. Kenyatta Echard and Ms. Erica Manley for the beautiful decorations and delicious food.
all testing is finished for today.
On Saturday, May 17th the delicious and generous City Barbeque (110 Cabela Drive) is donating back 20% of Dine-In, Takeout, Delivery, Drive thru & Pick up orders to support a great cause -- Polenta Elementary PTA!
On behalf of Polenta Elementary PTA you’re invited to join us and eat out, not only in support of the organization, but to show one of your Garner restaurants some love too!
We ask that you RSVP here: https://grouprai.se/e301264 (even if you’re not completely sure) so City Barbeque knows roughly how many orders to expect & so you have access to all the event details.
We hope you can make it, and please feel free to forward this invitation to your friends and family. Thanks in advance for your support!
Kristy
Polenta Elementary PTA
Happy Mother’s Day to all of our Puma Family Moms!
We hope you enjoy a fabulous weekend filled with love, laughter, and special moments with your children and families.
Thank you for all you do—today and every day!
Today is National School Nurse Day and JCPS is excited to celebrate those who are committed to the well-being of our students each day!
Please help us celebrate and champion these dedicated healthcare leaders today and every day of the year!
#SND2025 #SchoolNurses
🍎🎉 Happy National Teacher’s Day! 🍎🎉
Today, we celebrate the mentors, guides, and everyday heroes who shape our world.
Whether in the classroom, online, or behind the scenes, your dedication and passion for education light the path for generations to come. You don’t just teach lessons, you inspire dreams. 🌟
To every JCPS teacher who’s making a difference, we thank you!❤
#ThankATeacher
Summer is nearly here and May holds a lot of important events! 🎓📚
Make sure you don't miss a thing!📅
#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS
We just wanted to take a moment to remind you that if you are planning to participate in the Free Summer Meal Packs must be pre-ordered by today, Monday, April 28th. Complete your pre-order using the link below:
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLScONf.../viewform
🎶🌍 Get Ready for an Unforgettable Night! 🌍🎶
📅 Thursday, April 24, 2025
🕠 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Mark your calendars and bring the whole family! 🎉
We’re kicking off the evening with a show-stopping performance from our incredible Puma Treble Maker Chorus in the cafeteria at 5:30 PM! 🎤🎶 You won’t want to miss these rising stars! Then the celebration continues in the gym with our Annual Multicultural Night! 🌎✨
Get ready to take a trip around the world without leaving campus — explore diverse cultures through music, food, displays, and interactive fun! 🌍🥁🍜🎨
This is more than an event — it’s a celebration of who we are! 💛
Come celebrate culture, community, and creativity! 🎉🌟
#PumaPride #MulticulturalMagic #TrebleMakersLive #CelebrateTogether #FamilyFunNight
Puma Family- It's almost time for Staff Appreciation Week and our PTA needs your help!
Staff Appreciation will be held May 2nd- May 8th this year! We have the best staff in Johnston County, let's show them some love.
May 2nd is our Duty Free Lunch we provide for the teachers! If you can help cover a shift, please check out this link in ways to help cover lunch duty!
Can't be here in person and still want to help? Our PTA has created an Amazon wish list and has a Venmo if you would like to make a monetary contribution.
Duty Free Lunch: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4CA5AB22ABFA7-55947139-staff
Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2KMZ169734J92?ref_=wl_share
Venmo @polenta-elementarypta
Email: Polentaelementarypta@gmail.com for any questions.
Thanks in advance!
