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Cheetah Chronicles

August 6, 2023

Cheetah ChroniclesAugust 6, 2023

Important Dates

August 7: Tears & Cheers for Kindergarten Families for Track 4

August 24: Curriculum Night for Tracks 3 & 4

September 4: Holiday, No School

September 5: Fall Pictures Tracks 1& 3

What's New

WCPSS Volunteer Registration for Parents and Community Volunteers

All WCPSS parent and community volunteers are required to register through the new MyVolunteer system. Please complete your registration on a computer at home or school. It is very difficult to complete using a mobile phone. It can take several weeks for your registration to be approved so don’t wait until field trips to try and register. Register now so you are ready and able to volunteer in the classroom, volunteer for school events, or chaperone at any time this school year!

  1. Click the link below to start your volunteer registration: https://myvolunteer.com/wcpss/volunteer/login

  2. Click create new account.

  3. Complete the online form and select all the schools that you are requesting to volunteer or chaperone for the 2023-2024 school year.

  4. It will then say pending.

  5. Soon after you will receive an email with a customized link for you to complete next steps for your background check. This link expires 10 days from the day you receive the email. Follow the instructions in that email. You will fill out all items in red boxes and then you will review and digitally sign four documents (Summary of Rights Under the FCRA, Disc & Auth, NC Security Freeze Notice, and WCPSS Volunteer Agreement).

  6. If you leave the CRC background site before completing your contact information, you will have to begin the process again.

  7. You must include your social security number to register to volunteer. If you do not have a social security number, please contact volunteers@wcpss.net or call 919-694-8233.

  8. Great news is that this year you will be notified by the MyVolunteer system if you are approved to volunteer!

Please Note: If you are a WCPSS Employee seeking to volunteer/chaperone in the schools, you do not have to complete a criminal background check. However, employees will still need to register in the MyVolunteer system (https://myvolunteer.com/wcpss/volunteer/login) and complete the Wake County Volunteer Agreement and other required forms. Employees must select the “Current Staff of WCPSS” link on MyVolunteer to complete the volunteer registration process and must use their WCPSS email address to complete the registration. Visit the WCPSS website to learn more about Visitor & Volunteer status.

Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals

In order to receive free or reduced-price meals for the 2023-24 school year, families must submit a meal benefits application online at MySchoolApps.com. Paper copies are available in the front office. For families who completed the 2022-23 meal benefits application, the benefit continues for their student's first 30 school days of the 2023-24 school year. At elementary schools, full-paid breakfast will be $1.50 and lunch will be $3.25.

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Transportation:

This message below was also sent out to families of current bus riders on Thursday afternoon:


You are receiving this message because your child is a registered bus rider for the 2023-24 school year.

To keep you informed, the school board on Tuesday heard a plan for managing the severe shortage of bus drivers during the 2023-24 school year.

At this time, it appears we will begin the traditional calendar school year with more bus routes than bus drivers.

This means:

  • Some routes may not have a permanent driver, though it has not yet been determined which routes would be affected.

  • Aside from those routes, we expect more delays and uncovered bus routes this school year overall, because there are no substitute drivers to fill in when a driver is absent.

Transportation staff presented a plan to the board for providing service given the driver shortage. Based on board feedback, transportation staff is reviewing the plan and considering revisions.

We will share more information with you as soon as possible.

As a reminder, if you would like to provide your own transportation this school year, please complete the form at wcpss.net/declinebus as soon as possible.

Track 4 Kindergarten, CCK, and ECS1 ONLY

Your Fall Picture Day will be held on September 26th. This is also a make-up day for any students who missed taking their photo. Please let your classroom teacher know if you have any questions.

Decline Bus Transportation if Not Needed

If your student is assigned to transportation and is not a rider, please complete the information linked HERE so that WCPSS has the most up-to-date information for transportation planning. Note: Submitting this form will remove your student from both yellow bus and vendor (cab) transportation service.

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HAPPY 2023-2024 NEW SCHOOL YEAR

Please click on the link HERE to read important information from Mrs.Clark.

Positivity Project

Click the letter below to learn more about the Positivity Project and to view the yearly calendar:

P2 Family Information Letter


Tracks 1, 2 & 4 Being Present and Giving Others My Attention.


Dear Families,


This week our school community will be focusing on the Other People Mindset of Being Present and Giving Others My Attention. This means when I’m with other people, I’m present and give them my full attention.


This element of the Other People Mindset is so important today due to the increasing number of distractions vying for our time and attention. Phone calls, text messages, emails, social media notifications all have the dangerous capacity to pull us away from the present moment and, what’s most important -- our relationships with other people.


Just like plants need sunlight to grow, our relationships need attention. If we don’t give our attention to the people we’re building relationships with -- whether family members, close friends, or even distant colleagues -- we can’t build those relationships. It’s vitally important that we pick our heads up from our cell phones and truly listen to other people when they’re talking. A positive culture is built on positive relationships -- and we can’t build positive relationships without attention.


To practice and encourage the character strength of perspective with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.


Have a wonderful week!

Counselor Connection

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Beginning of Year Tips for Parents

  • Start the year with a new perspective-give the new teacher your support

  • Focus on the positive-it’s easy for us to get caught up in our children’s worries or concerns. Be their voice of reason and positivity!

  • Plan ahead for daily routines-prepare the night ahead to decrease chaos the next morning.

  • Encourage healthy habits regarding food, snacks and exercise.

  • Make sleep a priority–students with little sleep have a difficult school day.

  • Limit ALL screen time.

  • Make time for play & relaxation every day.

  • Talk to your kids & let them tell you everything they want to about their day.

Technology Resources

Parents, please take a moment to watch the following video on how to properly care for your child's WCPSS device. [video link]


For kindergarten and first-grade students, their devices will be left at school. Students from second to fifth grade should bring their device to school every day, ensuring it is fully charged. Establishing a regular habit of charging Chromebooks at home will contribute to your child's success and readiness for school.

Parent Teacher Association

PokemonGo Meet-Up - Friday, August 18th

Tears & Cheers - Track 4

School Store

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GoPlaySave

Our HSES GoPlaySave coupon book fundraiser starts July 24th (tracks 1, 2, 3) and August 7th (track 4)! Be on the lookout for a GPS envelope (with QR code) and informational flyer sent home with your student. Our goal is to raise $5,000 to help fund our Cultural Arts programs for the 2023-24 school year. GPS ends for ALL tracks on August 21st. Thanks for your support!

www.GoPlaySaveTriangle.com/HSES2024

Become a PTA Member!

Becoming a PTA member shows that you want to support the programs and events that help enhance students’ and staff experiences at school. It does not obligate you to attend PTA meetings or volunteer.

Parent/Guardian (1) Membership, click HERE!

Family (2) Membership, click HERE!


Why join the HSES PTA?

  • Get involved: The #1 reason why every parent should join the PTA is for the benefit of your child. Research shows that children perform better when parents are involved both at home and at school.

  • Advocacy: Power in numbers.

  • Access resources: Free e-learning course, e-newsletter.

  • Be in the know: PTA Takes Action Network provides updates on legislative issues.

  • Deals: Special offers and discounts from corporate sponsors via our MemberHub site.

  • Be able to vote in general meetings, have access to minutes from monthly board meetings, as well as receive emails from the PTA about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Put your PRINT on the HSES Walk of Fame!


For JULY ONLY! Purchase a PAW PRINT for $15 (regular price $35) and display your child’s name, family’s name, business name, favorite teacher’s name for the entire school year! Click HERE!

Rent the Spirit Rock!


The HSES Spirit Rock is a great way to send a message for all to see! Congratulate your favorite student on an accomplishment, wish a student a Happy Birthday, celebrate a team win or let everyone know how much you love our school. Reserve the Spirit Rock HERE ($25/week).

Want to be a SPONSOR of the HSES PTA?

Click HERE for more information