
Dear Carrie Martin Families,
Welcome to the November edition of “PTA Connections,” your gateway to all things Carrie Martin! As we embrace the autumn season and transition into the winter months, our school community remains vibrant and dynamic. In this newsletter, we’re excited to share the results from our recent restaurant nights, invite you to our next engaging PTA meeting, provide a heartwarming recap of our inaugural Pumpkin Pounce event, introduce the upcoming Winter Stations initiative, and call on our wonderful volunteers for their invaluable support. Join us as we dive into another exciting month of togetherness, learning, and community-building at Carrie Martin! ๐โ๏ธ๐ซ #PTAConnections #CarrieMartinCommunity #WinterWonders
In this edition, you’ll find information on:
- Pumpkin Pounce Results
- Restaurant Night Results
- CM Night at Panda Express (11/14)
- Show your Stripes Fridays
- New Spirit Wear available for Purchase
- Winter Stations
- Winter Wonderland Shop Applications
- Next PTA Meeting (12/7)
- Teacher / Staff Spotlight
Warmest Regards,
Rachael Quantz
PTA President
๐ Pumpkin Pounce: A Gourd-tastic Success! ๐
Despite the less-than-ideal weather, our inaugural Pumpkin Pounce was a resounding success! We were delighted to see so many families braving the elements to pack our gym, creating an incredible atmosphere of camaraderie and fun. Kids of all ages had a blast playing games, socializing, and exploring the costume exchange. A special highlight was that the PTA was able to provide a FREE pumpkin to every student and their siblings, adding an extra touch of magic to the day. The overwhelming positive feedback from the event has filled us with enthusiasm, and we’re thrilled to announce that the Pumpkin Pounce is on its way to becoming a cherished Carrie Martin tradition! ๐๐๐งก #PumpkinPounceSuccess #CarrieMartinTradition #CommunityFun
๐ข Mark Your Calendars for Our Next PTA Meeting! ๐๐
We’re excited to invite you to our next PTA Meeting, which will take place on Thursday, December 7th at 5:30 PM in the Technology Lab. This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved, stay informed, and connect with our wonderful school community. Your presence and input are invaluable as we discuss important initiatives, plan future events, and work together to make a positive impact on our children’s education. We look forward to seeing you there and embarking on this incredible journey together! ๐๐๐ซ #PTAMeeting #GetInvolved #CarrieMartinCommunity
Delicious Success: Restaurant Nights Results Are In!
Thanks to your generous support, our recent restaurant nights were a big success! We’re thrilled to share that we earned $299.75 at Noodles Night and $230.16 at Chipotle Night. It’s fantastic to see friends and families coming together to enjoy these evenings out, all while contributing to the well-being of our school community. Your participation makes a significant difference, and we appreciate your continued support! Thank you for being a part of these wonderful community gatherings! ๐ฝ๏ธ๐๐ซ

๐ด Savor the Flavor: Join Us at Panda Express on November 14th ๐ด
Get ready for our third fundraising restaurant night at Panda Express on November 14th from 5 pm to 9 pm. When you dine in or order takeout, Panda Express will generously donate 20% of the sales to support Carrie Martin. Bring your family and friends for a delightful meal and help us raise funds for our school. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy some delicious food while making a difference in our school community. We can’t wait to see you there! Students will come home with a flyer as the night gets closer. ๐๐ฅ ๐ #PandaNight #Fundraiser #SupportOurSchool
Introducing Show your Stripes Fridays!

Get ready to “Show Your Stripes” every Friday! “Show Your Stripes” Fridays are all about building a strong sense of unity and camaraderie among our students. It’s as simple as wearing your favorite Carrie Martin gear or the color blue to school each Friday. Not only does this show your school pride, but it also helps strengthen the bond within our school community.
Here’s how it works: Each class has its own dedicated student Lighthouse Representatives who play a vital role in this tradition. They’ll count the number of students present in their classes and, most importantly, the number of students proudly showing their stripes in Carrie Martin gear or blue attire.
Why “Show Your Stripes” Fridays? This tradition offers several fantastic benefits. It fosters school spirit, creating a sense of belonging and pride within our community. Plus, the friendly competition adds an exciting element to the mix, motivating students to participate and encouraging their peers to join the fun. You’ll also have a chance to be recognized as the winning class, and the results will be announced in our school news each week, celebrating the dedication and unity of our amazing students. Join us in building a stronger, more connected school community โ it’s time to “Show Your Stripes”! ๐๐๐ซ #ShowYourStripes #SchoolSpirit #CarrieMartinCommunity
Elevate your Spirit: New Gear Alert!
Exciting news, Carrie Martin community! Just in time for “Show Your Stripes” Fridays, we have an array of new spirit gear available for you. Whether you prefer shirts in short or long sleeves, socks, stickers, key chains, (Coming soon: bracelets, earrings, hairbows and hats), we’ve got it all to help you showcase your school pride with style. Get ready to elevate your spirit game and join the fun on Fridays โ it’s the perfect opportunity to show your stripes and be part of our close-knit community! Don’t miss out on these fantastic spirit gear options, and let’s make every Friday a celebration of our school spirit. ๐๐๐๐ซ #SpiritGear #ShowYourStripes #CarrieMartinPride
โ๏ธ Calling all Vendors: Winter Wonderland Shops Applications Now Open โ๏ธ
Exciting news! The Winter Wonderland Shops are back, and applications are now open. This year, the shops will be open on December 6th, and we’re thrilled to extend this special opportunity to our school community first. The Winter Wonderland Shops provide our students with a fantastic chance to purchase gifts for their friends and family right at school. Plus, 95% of all offerings will be priced under $5, ensuring affordable and heartwarming choices for everyone. Don’t miss out on this wonderful tradition; apply today and make this holiday season even more special for our students! ๐โ๏ธ๐๏ธ #WinterWonderlandShops #HolidayGifts #CarrieMartinTradition
Snow Much Fun: Winters Stations Await!
It’s time to get into the winter spirit as we kick off the planning for our beloved tradition, Winter Stations! This festive event, held the day before winter break, is all about creating fun-filled memories for our students. They’ll have the chance to journey through six exciting stations, each packed with engaging activities. To make this day truly special, we’re calling on our dedicated volunteers for both the planning process and the day of the event. Your support will help ensure that Winter Stations is a fantastic experience for our young learners. Stay tuned for more details and opportunities to get involved in spreading the holiday cheer! Or email CarrieMartinPTA@gmail.com to get involved with planning. โ๏ธ๐๐ซ #WinterStations #HolidayFun #CarrieMartinTradition #VolunteerOpportunities
๐ Teacher/Staff Spotlight ๐
๐ Mrs. Julie Elliott – Nurturing a Love for Learning ๐
Meet Mrs. Julie Elliott, our inspiring 3rd-grade teacher at Carrie Martin. She brings warmth and kindness to her classroom every day. Mrs. Elliott’s favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, and she has a sweet tooth for chocolate, Twizzlers, and ice cream. When she’s not sharing her love of learning with her students, you can find her exploring new things, or if she had the chance to learn any skill, playing the ukulele. Her love for fresh air and nature fuels her travel dreams, and she cherishes words of affirmation and acts of service as her love languages. If you ever want to surprise her, consider checking out her Amazon Wishlist. Mrs. Elliott’s dedication to her students and her passion for teaching make her an invaluable part of our school community.

๐ Mrs. Anna Flynn – Building bridges and Inspiring Minds ๐
Introducing Mrs. Anna Flynn, our dedicated Learning Center Teacher and Special Education professional. Her commitment to inspiring young minds shines through her passion for inclusive teaching. She embraces the outdoors through hiking and appreciates the calming scent of cinnamon apple. With her affinity for the color blue and a love for lilies, Mrs. Flynn brings a sense of tranquility to her work. Her favorite snacks include chips and dip and Reese’s candies, adding a touch of sweetness to her journey. Mrs. Flynn’s commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment makes her an integral part of our school community.

๐ Mr. Alex Lindsey – Discovering Excellence ๐
Meet Mr. Alex Lindsey, our Gifted & Talented Teacher extraordinaire at Carrie Martin Elementary. With a passion for learning and creativity, Mr. Lindsey’s hobbies include immersing himself in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, a testament to his imaginative spirit. When not leading students on a journey of academic exploration, you’ll find him savoring the flavors at Torchy’s Tacos, where his culinary journey takes flight. His commitment to fostering the love of learning makes him an invaluable part of the Carrie Martin community.

๐ Stacey Nelson: Our Creative ILC/Para Professional ๐
Get ready to be charmed by our own Stacey Nelson, who brings a sprinkle of magic to Carrie Martin Elementary every day. As a devoted Macrame artist she knows how to weave together an array of talents and interests. Stacey’s warm, earthy heart is captivated by all shades of green and brown, while the scent of vanilla sends her on a delightful sensory journey. When she’s not busy enchanting her space, she enjoys the art of billiards and bowling. And her dream? To develop an after-school theatre program. Stacey’s captivating spirit adds an enchanting touch to our school community.