Families,

The Track 1 and 3 Book Blast program will begin on Monday March 31st! The sole purpose of this exciting program is for all students to receive at least 1 brand new and free book by the end of the program. There is an opportunity for students to receive up to 10 books as well as some great prizes. Track 1 and 3 families, please ask your child to show you their Treasure Map when they arrive home from school on Monday.

This is not a fundraiser for our school, rather it is a "bookraiser" where our community supports the goal of putting a new book in the hands of every Harris Creek student. See below for more information.

NOTE: Traditional calendar schools will be on spring break this coming week. This MAY result in less traffic and earlier arrival for buses and other transportation for Harris Creek. Please be sure to arrive for afternoon carpool by 4:00pm or sooner and use the Here Comes The Bus app to track your child's bus if applicable.

Today and always, thank you for your continued support of your children and our school. Together, we will help our SOAR children to reach their greatest potential!

Email: thuber@wcpss.net
Website: https://www.wcpss.net/harriscreekes
Location: Harris Creek Elementary School, Forestville Road, Raleigh, NC, USA
Phone: 919.217.5100
Facebook: facebook.com/HarrisCreekPta

At the WCPSS School board meeting on Tuesday 3/25, Track 1 5th grade student Iris Neal received with the special Spotlight on Student award which recognizes one 3rd-12th grade student at each WCPSS school each year who has demonstrated accomplishment personally and academically. The purpose of this recognition is to shine the spotlight on students who have demonstrated perseverance and a commitment to meet their social and academic goals in spite of challenges they may face. Iris was nominated for this award by her teachers Ms. Hickerson, and Ms. John.

Iris is pictured above with Assistant Principal Gwen McLean, School Counselor Jessica Krauss, and her 5th Grade Teacher Robin Hickerson. Congratulations Iris!

We will be running two yearbook pre-order contests that close when pre-orders close Fri 3/28. Drawings will take place the following week and names will be drawn from all pre-orders going back to the beginning of the school year.

Contest #1: The top pre-ordered Grade 5 class and the top pre-ordered class in our Prek-Grade 4 grade span will earn a choice of a pizza or popsicle party to be chosen by the class and teacher. (one winner from Grade 5) (one winner from Grades Pre-K-4).

Contest #2: every student who pre-orders a yearbook will be entered into a randomizer to win 40 Eagle Fun Fest game tickets! One Eagle per grade level will be selected for this prize!

The winner of this year's March Madness best book competition is Pluto! As read by STEM Specialist Ms. Roberson. Hear Ms. Roberson read this amazing book by clicking the video linked above!

View the whole bracket here: https://bit.ly/MarchMad2025

Recently, WCPSS Superintendent Dr. Taylor shared his proposed budget for the 2025 – 2026 school year with the school board. It was necessary for the district to propose cuts for the coming year. While most of these cuts mainly impact middle and high schools, some will impact elementary schools. If you are interested in learning more, use this link to review the proposed budget. Additionally, the school board will be offering three community input sessions in April (details at the link above) to gain feedback and answer questions regarding the proposals. Please feel free to contact Mr. Huber if you have questions specific to how Harris Creek may be impacted.

Registration for Kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year is now open. If you have a rising Kindergarten student, please complete the enrollment process as early as possible to help our school plan for next year. Thank you!

• Mar 28: Track 4 last day before track out
• Mar 28: Last day to pre-order yearbook
• Mar 31: Track 1 returns
• Mar 31-Apr 4: Book Blast Book Drive Program Tracks 1&3
• Apr 1: PTA General Membership meeting 6pm
• Apr 1: Class Picture Day Tracks 1&3
• Apr 2: Coffee With The Counselors 8:45am
• Apr 5: Makeup School Day Tracks 1 and 3 - 9:15am-12:45pm
• Apr 12: Spring Campus Beautification Day 9am-12pm
• Apr 18: Good Friday - No School For All Students All Tracks
• May 9: Eagle Fun Fest 5:30-8:30pm
• May 14: 2025-26 Kindergarten Orientation 5:30pm
• May 19-23: Career Week
• May 23: Career Fair 9:30am
• May 29: 5th Grade Celebration Track 1 11:00am
• June 3: 2025-26 Kindergarten Orientation 5:30pm
• June 26: 5th Grade Celebration Track 3 11:00am
• June 26: 5th Grade Celebration Track 4 1:00pm

The testing nomination window for Single Subject Acceleration for Spring 2025 is as follows:

• Track 1: February 17th- March 7th (by 5:00pm)
• Track 2, 3, and 4: March 10th-28th (by 5:00pm)

Click on the AIG/SSA tab under the Academics and Programs tab on the HCES website. Fill out the information on the WCPSS SSA website tab and notify your classroom teacher as well as AIG teacher (smatheson@wcpss.net). No late nominations will be accepted.

Testing will occur during the following testing windows:

• Track 1, 2, and 3: April 4th-17th
• Track 4: April 28th-May 9th

Link to SSA webpage: https://www.wcpss.net/Page/3799

Harris Creek Elementary School is aligned with our school system as well as many other school systems across the country and affirms support for all of our families who may be feeling concerned about recent federal immigration orders.

Harris Creek student and family immigration status is irrelevant to to our school and school system, and we will never ask for documentation of immigration status. All children, documented or undocumented, are equally valued and deserving of a free public education.

Students who are fearful of deportation or experiencing trauma related to immigration enforcement actions may be referred to school counselors for confidential counseling sessions. School social workers may be able assist families who need support navigating social services following the detention of deportation of a parent/guardian. Our school system leadership is currently developing lists of outside governmental agencies that may be of help to families facing these difficult issues.

The following linked webpage has been created to support families who have further questions and concerns: https://www.wcpss.net/Page/59230.

There's no better way to prepare your child for Kindergarten than Pre-K!

Families of children who will be 4 years old by Aug. 31, 2025 can apply for Pre-K services for next school year starting on January 13. The Wake Pre-K application will allow families to submit one application to determine their eligibility for one of three different services:

• WCPSS Title I Pre-K
• NC Pre-K
• Telamon Head Start

The online 2025-2026 Wake Pre-K Application will be available January 13. Eligibility for the Title I program is based on academic need. Eligibility for NC Pre-K and Telamon Head Start is based on financial need. Applicants will be considered based on how well they fit the program criteria. Applications are NOT first come, first served. The deadline to apply for a Wake County Public Schools Title I Pre-K is June 13. See the flyer below for more details.

Every 2 years, public schools in NC are required to create a School Improvement Plan based on state guidelines. Schools set goals based on historical data, future school vision, and the school district Strategic Plan. Our staff recently voted to approve the plan for 2024-2026. The plan is highly detailed and includes goals, action steps, and timelines. The graphic below, created by School Improvement Team Chair Emily Waters, captures a brief overview of the plan.

Harris Creek is qualified to receive federal Title 1 funding again this school year. If you were unable to attend the informational meeting on October 14th, please access the below linked presentation to learn more.

We are grateful for the outreach from many of our parents and community members asking how they can help support school meals and alternative food distribution efforts.

Individuals or organizations that want to donate to the Districtwide Angel Fund to help students who don't have enough money to purchase their school meals can complete this form to send with their donation, and those that want to engage others in their community in this effort can use this flyer for outreach.

WCPSS offers the Family Academy Parent Workshops to the WCPSS school and community to provide parents with the tool to help their children with their academic success.

Harris Creek Elementary is now recruiting tutors for our Parent and Community Team (PACT). PACT will be coordinated by Intervention Team Lead Dawn Zuccarini and will support the academic growth of students at Harris Creek during the 2024-25 school year. Did you know that many companies in our area (including WCPSS) offer "Community/Volunteer Leave" days/hours to employees? Be sure to check if your employer offers this type of leave which you can use to volunteer as part of PACT. Thank you for considering!

Did you know that our school has an online spirit wear store? Our school colors and logo can be found on items of all sizes and types at this online store. Check it out today!

HCES Carpool Expectations (updated for 24-25)

Please read the linked document in it's entirety.

ID Checks Take Place in The Front Office

Family members who do not have a carpool tag will be required to park (disabled spots) and come into the front office to have their ID checked to verify they are a student contact. This is a return to pre-pandemic procedures and to address staffing shortage. In addition, cars without carpool tags will remain in the carpool line rather than advance past the cones. If you need a new carpool tag, please come to the front office anytime during school hours. Thank you!

Students May Not Be Dropped Off Until 8:45am

Please be reminded of the expectation that students may not be dropped off until 8:45am. Students may not line up at the front door. (except while Tracks 1,3,4 are tracked in together and an adult is present - until September 6th)

Carpool Efficiency Reminders

Please remember to pull forward as far as possible in both AM and PM carpool, have your student(s) open their own door, and put on your hazard lights if assistance is needed (AM). If needing to help your child get in the seat, please pull forward and into a parking space so that the line can keep moving. Thank you!

Please Display Carpool Number Tags Every Afternoon

In order to ensure an efficient carpool process, please remember to hang carpool number tags to display clearly from your vehicle's rearview mirror. Please reference the image below for proper placement. This is a critical step to ensure students leave their classrooms and come outside to the correct location on the sidewalk to be picked up. Thank you!

Bus Tracking App

Please use the Here Comes the Bus app (App Store or Google Play Store) to monitor the location of your student’s bus and when it is approaching his/her stop. To sign up: https://herecomesthebus.com/parents/get-started/ . The WCPSS school code for school bus tracking is 67500. You will need to use your child's student ID number as well.

You can also follow @HCESBuses on Twitter to confirm when your child's bus leaves campus each afternoon.

If your family needs more than 2 carpool tags or you have lost one, please use the link below to submit payment for additional tags. Tags may be picked up in the front office after payment has been processed.

If you are a first time carpool user, you can stop by the front office to get 2 carpool tags for free.

Some areas for attention for all families as we establish routines:

• Please drive slow (less than 15mph) at all times through carpool lanes
• The carpool loop fills up early and usually around 3:15pm or sooner. Please do not park and expect to get out of your spot after this time. Other options include parking in a higher row or parking in the bus loop parking lot
• During afternoon carpool, always WAIT until the car in front of you starts moving. Families may not pull out and go around the car in front of them even if their child is already in the car as it creates unsafe conditions
• After 3:45pm when the carpool line has started moving, drivers should not use their phone to ensure they are always ready to drive forward when it is time

The new online school payment system is called School Cash Online. Here is the description of the new service:

SchoolCash Online is an easy to use and safe way to pay for your children’s school fees. Now, with a few clicks, you can pay for your child’s yearbook, class trips and so much more from your own home. All you have to do is register an account, attach your children and in no time you will be able to make payments online. We accept many different payment forms so come in and check us out!

Families can register now by clicking the image below. When it comes time to pay for field trips and other needs, you'll be all set up!

Although opportunities to attend meetings and to volunteer are available and will be offered, it is not a requirement for PTA membership. Please consider joining the PTA and supporting our school in whatever capacity you are able.

• March PTA Newsletter
• Upload Yearbook Photos
• [AMAZON WISH LIST] Help Stock The Teacher's Lounge! 😋
  
• Join the PTA
• Upcoming PTA Meeting Dates: 4/1/25
• Teacher Breakfasts/Lunches: TBD
• PTA Angel Fund: Please consider a donation to fund field trips for other Eagles! Click the link to donate: all donations go towards funding individual students for future field trips
• Check out the School Spirit Wear Online Store!
• Follow the Harris Creek Elementary PTA Facebook page

HCES School Counselors Jessica Krauss and Mark Speight have created this excellent resources for parents and caregivers to support their child's and their own mental wellness. Use the links below to access the video and attachments. The goals of the workshop are:

1. Understand why mental wellness is important for Elementary School Children
2. Identify mental health warning signs and how to address them early on
3. Learn ways to support your child’s mental health and wellness

The second half of the school year can be a time of exponential academic growth for students! When it's time to help your child at home, be sure to use the below linked Google Site to support you.

Families: please use the below linked Google Site to access math curriculum information and resources for all grade levels K-5th. Information and resources are grouped by unit and lesson. To find out which unit and lesson your child is currently learning and/or which unit/lesson they need more practice with, please contact your child's teacher.

• Apply for Free and Reduced Price Meals 🍕🍴🍌

• Click this link for full details: Free/Reduced Meals. Please allow 10 business days for processing. For every student that turns in the free and reduced meals application and qualifies, the school also receives federal funds that benefit the students and teachers at the school. If you have not completed a free or reduced-price meal application and think your child may be eligible, pick up an application at your child’s school or apply online.

• Cafeteria Menus: Menus are available on the interactive website, MealViewer.

• School Cafeteria Angel Fund: Our school cafeteria maintains a special account for when students forget to bring money for school meals on a day here and there. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please send cash or check in with your child or drop it off at the school with Cafeteria Manager Rachel Shepard. Thank you for your generosity!

• MySchoolBucks App: With a MySchool Bucks account paying for school meals is easy. Go to www.MySchoolBucks.com or call (855) 832-5226 to enroll. You'll need your child's Student ID number, available in your registration materials or at your school. Once your account is established you may:
  

• Securely deposit funds to your child's account
• Check balances
• Set spending limits

• Questions about applying for free and reduced meals:

  (919) 856-2920 (English)

  (919) 588-3535 (English and Spanish)

  cnsmealbenefits@wcpss.net

REPLACEMENT CHARGER POLICY

Each student is issued a charger with their Chromebook. If that charger breaks, or goes missing, we will replace it at no cost to you ONE time. After that, Media and Technology Committee along with HCES Administration, has determined it is necessary to pass along replacement costs to the students.

At this time, if your student loses or breaks their second charger, they will need to see the tech office. They will be advised to have you pay a $20 replacement fee on our payment portal (School Cash Online) to receive a new charger. Use the button below to order

For safety reasons, it is not advised to order your own replacement as standards must be met for wattage, manufacturing guidelines etc. Once paid for, we will handle securing a charger for your student.

Please note: we have a running record of all replacements that have been made to date that will be used to determine eligibility for a replacement charger.

WCPSS Technology Webpage: Acces information regarding:

• Smartphone/Device Safety
• Consent For Technology And Digital Resource Use
• Technology Related Policies
• Student Device Program
• Online Safety at School
• Online Safety at Home
• Digital Wellness

Reminder: Students should restart their WCPSS devices once per week.

Restarting also can resolve many other common issues impacting student devices. Always restart a WCPSS device before contacting the Help Desk. Thank you!

Parents Helping Parents (PHP) prevention philosophy is grounded in a self-help model based on the belief that parents are capable of developing their own solutions when given the space, encouragement, and community resources that they need. Thus, it is the parents themselves who decide the direction a conversation will take during a Parent Support Group meeting or Parent Stress Line.

​

Through a combination of trust, mutual support, honesty, and collective wisdom, involvement with PHP can become the foundation for a parent's own personal growth and change.

General health guidance can be viewed here: https://www.wcpss.net/Page/168

We recognize that you may be receiving a large volume of communication and we want to make sure you always see the information you need the most!

Set your SchoolMessenger message preferences by creating a SchoolMessenger Parent account. With this account you can select what information you receive and how you would like to receive it. You can create your account by downloading the SchoolMessenger app on your mobile device or go to https://go.schoolmessenger.com/.

Notes:

• Use the email address entered for your student in PowerSchool to sign up.
• Most messages from Mr. Huber and WCPSS are sent as email and text using the General School Info broadcast.
• To receive text messages, text YES to 67587.
• For more information and instructions on how to create an account, visit: https://www.wcpss.net/schoolmessenger.

As Harris Creek Eagles, we SOAR!

Website: https://www.wcpss.net/harriscreekes
Location: Harris Creek Elementary School, Forestville Road, Raleigh, NC, USA
Phone: 919-217-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarrisCreekPta
Twitter: @harriscreeekelem