Cheetah Chronicles
September 24, 2023
Important Dates
October 6: Report cards go home Tracks 1, 2 & 3, Walk, Bike & Ride to School & Cheetah Pride Friday & PTA General Meeting (after Walk to School)
October 19: STEAM Night
October 27: Report cards go home Track 4
What's New
Carpool in the AM: Carpool Parents Please Read
Administration has been monitoring AM carpool for quite some time as the traffic has increased with our student population increasing this year and the ongoing transportation shortages. This week, we have added a staff member to the entrance of the school where carpool enters.
Much like the afternoon, we are in need of moving cars through the staff parking lot in order to bring cars off of Holly Springs Road and keep carpool traffic flowing smoothly. As you know, in the afternoon, we institute a “No Left Turn.” We do NOT need to do this at this time for the morning, but will continue to monitor this. We ask that you cautiously follow staff directions to move through the parking lot and continue through the carpool line like we do in the afternoon.
Parents-Please do not park in the staff parking lot and walk children in as cars will now be looping through this area and will cause disruptions to the flow of traffic. We ask that you access School Days Lane if you need to do this. Otherwise, access the carpool line.
If you are turning left, we ask that you look at the staff member but proceed into the staff parking lot as well.
Thanks
Mrs. Clark
Select Holly Springs Elementary Families-Plan for Reassignment (1st Draft of New Enrollment Proposal)
On Sep. 19, staff members presented the first draft of a new Student Enrollment Proposal to the Board of Education. The draft includes proposed school assignment changes for the 2024-25 school year. Some students at our school are proposed to be affected by this plan. The link below provides you what was sent via school messenger on 9/19. Please use this document found HERE to document if your family may be affected.
https://bit.ly/enrollmentproposal
Holly Springs Elementary Scrambled Legs Run Club Registration
Reminder of the Student Device Agreement
Reminder of the Student Device Agreement (WCPSS issued chromebooks)
Please review the following link reminding everyone that the WCPSS issued chromebooks are to be used for educational purposes only and are the property of WCPSS.Picture Day Make-Ups Tracks 2 & 4 Tuesday, September 26th
Track 4 Kindergarten, CCK, and ECS1 ONLY
Digital Children’s Reading Initiative
Town Halls
HSES will be hosting Town Halls for students at different times throughout the year. During the month of August, the school focused on Positivity Project Character Strengths & Wellness for our students. During this time, our teachers are working collaboratively to improve teaching skills and students’ academic performance with each other and are not with our students. Our next Town Hall event will be during the month of October. The Holly Springs Emergency Services Department (Fire/Police) will be sharing valuable knowledge with our students and how they serve our community. We would love to have volunteers to support these events and oversee the students during the Town Hall so our support staff can also participate in these meetings. Volunteers are needed from 9:15-10:00 am. Volunteers MUST be an approved WCPSS volunteer.
Please use the sign-up genius to join us and help our staff and students! You can engage with our students as well during this time as we involve community stakeholders in our learning process!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849A9AB2FA3F4CF8-hses#/
Live Bus Updates
In the event that a bus is not running, Holly Springs Elementary will continue to send text and email messages through School Messenger, and post on Twitter. Text and email messages will not be sent through School Messenger if buses are running behind schedule. This is for both AM and PM routes.
Wake County Schools Transportation continually updates bus information for the Holly Springs area HERE.
Remember to refresh the page every 15 minutes in order to see the most up to date information.
If HSES is not listed, that means that all of our buses are running without any issue.
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!
Click the link below to start your volunteer registration: https://myvolunteer.com/wcpss/volunteer/login
Click create new account.
Complete the online form and select all the schools that you are requesting to volunteer or chaperone for the 2023-2024 school year.
It will then say pending.
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).
If you leave the CRC background site before completing your contact information, you will have to begin the process again.
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.
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.
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.
Positivity Project
Click the letter below to learn more about the Positivity Project and to view the yearly calendar:
Track 2 -Knowing That My Words and Actions Affect Other
Dear Families,
This week our school community will be focusing on the Other People Mindset of Knowing That My Words and Actions Affect Others. Everything that you say and do can affect others -- and your relationships with them.
Everything we do, say, text, tweet, snap, or post can positively or negatively impact other people. Our words and our actions are our choices to make, but they can have ripple effects long after we make them. Words and actions have the power to lift others up or tear them down, but, our words and actions also impact ourselves. When a group is comprised of individuals who are thoughtful about their words and actions -- individuals who show respect and consideration for the people around them -- we’re likely to have a happier and healthier culture.
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.
Track 3 - Perspective
Dear Families,
This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Perspective. Perspective means you appreciate when people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.
Perspective is also referred to as wisdom and is distinct from intelligence. People with this strength are sought out for advice because they see the big picture and can make sense of the world’s complexity. This strength of perspective gives individuals the ability to see to the heart of difficult matters and achieve clarity. Most importantly, they are honest and behave in an ethically consistent manner.
Perspective helps an individual make sense of the world. It provides clarity on what matters and what does not. Being able to see things from multiple angles helps individuals remain calm and learn from mistakes; they are typically highly self-aware. Reflecting on their own feelings, thoughts, and motives helps them understand and empathize with other people. These individuals are strong listeners and ask great questions. Individuals with the strength of perspective help their group get through difficult or uncertain circumstances because they’re poised and can identify opportunities for success.
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.
Track 4 - Open-Mindedness
Dear Families,
This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Open-Mindedness. Open-mindedness means you like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.
Open-mindedness is the willingness to actively search for evidence that goes against one’s favored opinions, plans, or goals. Open-minded individuals are able to weigh all evidence fairly, when it is available. They see the other side and fight the tendency to have a bias for their own views. And, rather than favoring the socially dominant views, they give attention to those that are less dominant.
Open-minded individuals are often good listeners and called upon to provide a balanced viewpoint. Both listening and the ability to deliver reasonable and practical advice are marks of good friends and confidantes. This strength helps individuals form meaningful and lasting relationships.
To practice and encourage the character strength of open-mindedness 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.
Counselor Connection
Social Emotional Learning
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Video for more information from casel.org https://casel.org/what-is-sel/.
Linked are some fun SEL activities you can do at home with your children to reinforce these concepts.
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
Walk, Bike & Ride to School - Friday, October 6th
Cheetah Pride Weekend at Needmore Farms - October 14 & 15
2023-24 Reflections Projects
NC State Fair Tickets (HSES: Code 447)
Science Fair
How do I do a science fair project?
1. Get your idea and do some research
2. Ask a testable question
3. Design and conduct your experiment
4. Examine your results
5. Make a conclusion based on your results
ALL HSES Students grades K-5 are invited to participate!
Click HERE if you are interested in participating in the 2023-24 HSES Science Fair.
WalMart Spark Good
Boosterthon
Hey Cheetah Families! We are so excited to be welcoming back Boosterthon this year. Our program will kick off on September 21st.We need your help! Click HERE to volunteer during the Fun Runs (we need lots of hands to throw color for 4th/5th grade run)!
Boosterthon is HERE for Tracks 3 & 4! Thank you to all the families who pre-registered. Our FunRun dates are:
Track 3 & 4: Friday, September 29
Track 1 & 2: Tuesday, October 10
K&1: 9:35am
2&3: 10:45am
4&5 COLOR RUN: 11:55am
We have Volunteer spots open: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044CAEA92EA6FB6-boosterthon9#/
Yearbook Photos!
First Day: https://plicbooks.com/go/GDE3B3
FamilyFest: https://plicbooks.com/go/8Z89M1
Pokemon Go: https://plicbooks.com/go/XP3RPV
Salamanders Game: https://plicbooks.com/go/2WG3LJSave the Date - Friday, October 6th!
School Store
Rent the Spirit Rock!
YES, you read that right! We have a NEW SPIRIT ROCK! Our new rock is directly behind our Carpool rock & sits facing the Bus loop. Now our bus and van riders will have a front row view of even more celebrations! Please pay close attention to CARPOOL or BUS LOOP when making your reservations. Choose either the CARPOOL LOOP or BUS LOOP. We cannot guarantee that your week will be available if you rent the wrong rock.
https://app.memberhub.gives/hsesspiritrock
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).