Raise Craze is Here!

Our Raise Craze fundraiser is live and some classes are already off to a running start! Raise Craze is an online fundraising platform fueled by Acts of Kindness (AOK). This unique concept is breaking down the barriers of the traditional fundraiser and putting kindness back into our culture. No selling. No pressure. Just kindness. While not every child can raise money, every child CAN spread kindness. Spend time serving — not selling!

We picked this fundraiser because we believe giving back to the community helps shape the character of our students, gets everyone involved and teaches the value of gratitude. Curious how fundraising through kindness works? Check out this brief video.

If you haven’t started already, in just three easy steps your student will be all set for Raise Craze:

  • Visit http://my.raisecraze.com/A86MVAP to set up your account.
  • Select at least three AOK on your page as the ways you will give back this Raise Craze season. Students can choose from the list or enter their own! No act of kindness is too small.
  • Add emails (optional). As an option, Raise Craze allows your family and friends to double your child’s impact by “paying it forward” through inspired giving. Add email addresses for friends and family who would be supportive of your kindness efforts! Don’t worry if you don’t have all the email addresses right away, you can always go back and add more later OR skip this step by leaving the fields empty and click on “Send Emails.” Emails will never be shared with third parties or used for marketing.

In 2022, our Dragons accomplished 1,018 AOK in our school and local community. We had 100% participation and our families and friends paid it forward by fundraising $26,279, which supported our students, teachers and staff. Can we beat last year’s totals? This year’s fundraiser ends March 30.

Let’s go, Dragons!

Unleash Your Dragons at Defy Gravity on March 22 for a Spirit Night Fundraiser

Burn off some steam and fly high with the whole family at DEFY trampoline park! A portion of the proceeds goes back to the school. Be sure to fill out a waiver ahead of time at defy.com/defy-raleigh and show the flyer below when you purchase your tickets. See you there!

Douglas Magnet Elementary Named Magnet Schools of America 2023 School of Distinction

Douglas Creative Arts & Science Magnet Elementary School has earned recognition from Magnet Schools of America (MSA) for their academic excellence, commitment to diversity and community engagement. Douglas Magnet Elementary School was named a 2023 National Magnet School of Distinction by MSA, the national association for magnet and theme-based schools.

MSA national merit awards are given to magnet schools that demonstrate a commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful desegregation and diversity efforts, and strong parent and community involvement. To be considered for a merit award, member schools must submit an application that is scored by a panel of educators.

MSA is a nonprofit organization that provides support and assistance to magnet schools across the nation and represents approximately 4,300 magnet and theme-based schools nationwide. 

Way to go, Dragons!

Spelling Bee Time!

If your child would like to participate in this year’s spelling bee please fill out this Google Form, which is their permission slip to participate. Please submit your permission slip by January 30. The school-wide Spelling Bee takes place on February 3 at 9:30 a.m. in the Media Center. Parents are welcome to attend.

The top speller from Douglas Elementary School will advance to the District Scripps Spelling Bee on February 10, 8:30 a.m. at Ligon Magnet Middle School.  If your child is the District champ, he/she will represent Douglas/Wake County at the state level competition which is in Charlotte on March 5. The final step is the Scripps National Spelling Bee which will be held in Maryland scheduled for the week of Memorial Day 2023

If there are any questions or if there is a parent that would like to learn more about the Spelling Bee and chair the event next year, please email Heather Watts at heatburn@gmail.com.  

Practice words can be found here (beginner) and here (advanced). Good luck, Dragons!

Thank You For Supporting Dragon Fire + PAJAMA DAY!

Dragon Fire officially ended on November 30, but we still have some incoming donations trickling in. As of today, we have raised $13,000 which was just shy of our goal of $16,000 in 16 days. We greatly appreciate all of the donations, as well as everyone who participated in the coin College Challenge Week (N.C. State brought home another win the second year in a row!). Because of your generosity, here are a few examples of items we are able to fund now:

  • Staff Appreciation
  • Campus Interior and Exterior Beautification
  • Teacher Grants
  • Soccer Goals
  • Cultural Arts Programs
  • Portable Projectors
  • Decodable Texts for Students

Our next fundraiser, Raise Craze, will occur in the Spring and will help us fund our Science Center as well as update the media center furniture. We will also be working on finding company sponsors, matches, and donations, too.

Because we were so close to achieving our goal, Ms. Faison-Bullock has graciously agreed to give ALL students a PAJAMA DAY on Friday, December 9 to celebrate!

Thanksgiving Pies for Teachers

Any way you slice it, we’re thankful for our Douglas teachers and staff! Show your gratitude to them this Thanksgiving and gift a Douglas teacher or staff member a delicious pie.

Pies are $11 and sales support our neighbors at Sanderson High School’s Academy of Finance. The specific flavor of pie will be determined by the PTA. Pies will be delivered directly to the school on Nov. 21. You do not need to do anything after finalizing your purchase! Easy peasy!

We have close to 85 employees and we’d love to show our thanks each and every amazing Douglas staff member with a pie. Please purchase your pies by the end of the day, Wednesday, Nov. 9.

Thank you for supporting our awesome teachers and staff!