Originally delivered on 8/28/2025 9:00 am

SUBJECT: SGE PTA News ☘️ September Edition

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Hello, SGE Families!

Happy new school year from your SGE PTA (Shamrock Gardens Elementary Parent Teacher Association)! We're excited to bring you the first edition of Dragon News for the 2025–2026 school year. Each month, this newsletter will land in your inbox with important updates, upcoming events, and helpful reminders. We do our best to keep things accurate and clear—but if anything’s ever confusing, don’t hesitate to reach out: yourshamrockpta@gmail.com. Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Take a deep breath, scan what’s relevant for you, and know we’re here to help every step of the way!

Join Us in Supporting SGE!

The SGE PTA represents everyone in our school community—and that includes you! We invite all parents and caregivers to join the PTA to stay connected to key school updates, resources, and community events.

While volunteering isn't required to become a member, we’d love for you to explore the many ways you can get involved. Every helping hand strengthens our Shamrock Gardens family.

Thanks for being part of what makes SGE so special!

Back-to-School Basics

PTA WELCOME PACKET

Don’t wait—take a few minutes to check out our PTA Welcome Packet! It’s your one-stop guide for getting connected this year.
Visit shamrockpta.org and click LOGIN in the top right corner to get started.

  • New families: Create a free account and follow the prompts to join our Membership Toolkit.

  • Returning families: Just log in and update your scholar’s teacher assignment.

Once you're signed in, you'll have access to:

  • Our optional, private school directory

  • The full-year PTA calendar

  • Sign-ups for fun things like Rent the Rock


MEDICATION REQUIREMENTS

If your scholar needs any medications at school—prescription or over-the-counter—you’ll need to submit a CMS Medication Authorization Form, signed by both a doctor and a parent/guardian.
This includes creams, cough drops, oral rinses, and liquid/pill medications.

Questions or need the form?


SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Still need supplies? You can find updated grade-level supply lists on our Edukit site.
(Note: The deadline to order directly from Edukit has passed, but you can still use the list to shop on your own.)


TRANSPORTATION LOGISTICS

Bus Riders
We recommend downloading the Here Comes the Bus app for GPS tracking.

  • CMS District Code: 73877

  • You'll need your scholar’s student ID

Visit the CMS Transportation Services webpage for more info!

Car Riders, Walkers & Bikers
Find everything you need—carpool maps, drop-off/pick-up procedures, and walking/biking routes—on our Car Line Procedures page.


LUNCH INFO

Lunch = fuel for learning! Here’s how to prep if your scholar plans to buy lunch at school:

  1. Free or Reduced Lunch – Submit a CMS meal application online or pick up a paper form at the front office.

  2. Prepay for Lunch – Load funds to your scholar’s cafeteria account at PayPAMS.

  • Lunch Cost: $2.75

  • Breakfast: Served free every day to all students

Questions? Contact CMS School Nutrition Services at 980-343-6041 or visit their website.

Meet Your PTA Board!
Volunteers Make the Magic Happen

We love our volunteers and truly value any amount of time you're able to give. Whether it's five minutes or five hours, your involvement makes a big difference—and it's a great way to give back while having fun!

There are plenty of ways to jump in: chaperone a field trip, help out at events, support staff appreciation efforts, read to a class, or even just enjoy lunch with your scholar.

Planning to volunteer? Don’t forget to register (or renew your registration) at cmsvolunteers.com—it's required every school year!

CLICK HERE FOR PTA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

JOIN OUR HELPING HANDS TEAM!

Helping Hands is a weekly PTA committee dedicated to supporting our incredible teachers and staff. From making copies and prepping learning materials to assembling bulletin boards, our volunteers help free up valuable time so teachers can focus on what they do best—creating engaging and impactful instruction for our scholars.

We’re looking for new Helping Hands for the upcoming school year!

  • Current volunteers: 4

  • Goal: 8 volunteers total

  • Commitment: Just three hours every other Wednesday

  • Time frame: Most tasks happen between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., but we’re flexible!

This is a simple, meaningful way to get involved—even if your time is limited.
Interested or have questions? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out and help us make a big impact, one small task at a time.

Featured Events
Upcoming First Friday: September 5th

☕ Coffee with Principal Legra
All families are invited! Join Principal Legra and the PTA at 8:15am on the first Friday of each month. She’ll share updates from the state, district, and school, and there’s always time for your questions.


👕 Donate to Dress Down
The first Friday of every month is Dress Down Day! Scholars can donate to enjoy a uniform-free day—we suggest $2 or more each month.


Families can make a one-time lump sum donation to cover all ten Dress Down days (e.g., $20 for the year at $2/day, or $50 for the year at $5/day). 

Donations can be made online or sent with your scholar in cash.

Treat Yourself and SGE!

Join SGE families and a special surprise guest at Two Scoops Creamery (Plaza Midwood) on Friday, September 5th from 5:00–8:00pm. 

📍 913 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Mention SGE when you order, and 10% of all sales (dine-in or take-out) will be donated back to Shamrock. A sweet way to support our school! There will be a special guest or two popping in to say hello to SGE families!

Back-to-School Yoga with Ms. O'Brien & Lucky!

Join Ms. O’Brien and Lucky on Monday, September 22 from 5:00–6:00pm in the SGE Gym for a free, family-friendly yoga session hosted by the PTA. Bring your own mat if possible (limited supply available). 

Come early from 4:00–5:00pm to enjoy ice cream from Sprinkle Joy powered by Two Scoops—10% of sales benefit SGE! 

Scholars are also encouraged to bring gently used, age-appropriate books (K–5) to help stock Lucky’s Library.

Save the Date: Fall Carnival

Mark your calendars! Join us for an evening of fun, games, and community at the SGE Fall Carnival on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 6:00–8:00pm. Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Queens Pharmacy!

First SIT Meeting of the Year

Join us on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 5:00pm in the SGE Media Center for our first School Improvement Team (SIT) meeting. All SGE community members are welcome! Be part of shaping and supporting the school improvement plan while engaging in decisions that impact all of our scholars. 

SIT meetings are typically held on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:00pm.

First PTA Meeting of the Year

Join us on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 6:00pm in the SGE Media Center for our first PTA meeting! All SGE families and community members are welcome. Kids are always welcome and pizza will be provided for them! Come learn how the PTA supports our teachers and staff, discover ways to get involved, and connect with other families.

Mark Your Calendars

Click on any event below to see end times and more details!

Thursday, August 28
PreK Staggered Entry
9:00a Kindergarten Open House
5:00p Kindergarten Open House
Friday, August 29
PreK Staggered Entry
8:00a First Day of School for Kindergarten
Monday, September 1
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
Tuesday, September 2
PreK Staggered Entry
Wednesday, September 3
8:00a First Day of School for PreK
Thursday, September 4
Thursday Folders Go Home (all grades)
Friday, September 5
Donate to Dress Down
8:15a Coffee with the Principal
5:00p Spirit Night at Two Scoops Creamery (Plaza Midwood)
Tuesday, September 9
NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday
Thursday, September 11
Thursday Folders Go Home (all grades)
Support SGE Every Day!

You can help Shamrock Gardens just by doing your everyday shopping!
Check out these simple, no-stress fundraising opportunities that give back to SGE—all at no extra cost to you.

Harris Teeter VIC

Link your VIC card to SGE (code 3961), and a portion of your Harris Teeter purchases will be donated back to Shamrock! This must be done each year. Log in to HT's Together in Education, and cross this off your list.

We've got spirit! How 'bout you?

Visit our spirit store anytime! Grab magnets, yard signs, and spirit wear, including spirit shirts that can be worn as part of the school uniform. Plus, NEW styles are available NOW! And you can select free delivery to the school. Happy shopping!

Rent the Rock

You can also Rent the Rock any week of the year for just $20, which raises money for SGE and shows off our community's creativity and spirit.

App Wrap-Up: What You’ll Actually Use

Hey new parents—this one's for you. Here’s a quick roundup of the go-to apps that’ll help you navigate daily life with your SGE scholar:

  • Infinite Campus (NEW!) – This year, CMS is moving to Infinite Campus as the new student information system (replacing PowerSchool). You’ll find announcements, assignments, attendance, grades, schedules, and more all in one spot.
  • ParentSquare – The primary way teachers and staff communicate with families.
  • Here Comes the Bus – When it’s working, this app lets you track your scholar’s bus in real time. A game-changer for those of us who survived the 80s/90s without GPS.
  • Nutrislice – One-stop shop for school menus. Super easy to use—though getting your kid to eat the rotini is a different story.
  • PayPAMS – Load funds to your scholar’s lunch account and peek at their food choices (yes, including that daily bag of Doritos).

Keeping up with everything can feel like a lot—but these tools make it a little easier. You've got this!

Shout-Out to Our Sponsors!

These amazing sponsors are part of our school team—go show them some love!

Birth Story Boutique

Williams Subaru

The Culture Shop

Country Club Heights Neighborhood Assoc.

Undercurrent Coffee

Sprinkle Joy Powered by Two Scoops

Holt School of Fine Art

Dentistry on The Plaza

Concord Pediatric Dentistry

Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Assoc.

Midwood Craft Builders

The Maids of Queen City

Menya Daruma

MoveStudio

Modern Cottage Interior Design

Tip Top Daily Market

Open Door Studios

Mezzo Market

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