Cheetah Chronicles
March 14th, 2021
Important Dates
March 14th-Welcome Back All In-Person 4th & 5th Grade Students!
March 17th-Asynchronous Day
March 29th & 30th-Asynchronous Day
March 31st-April 13th-Track Out
April 14th-Welcome Students Back!
April 21st-Asynchronous Day
May 5th-Asynchronous Day
May 19th-Asynchronous Day
May 26th-Asynchronous Day
May 31st-Memorial Day-No School
June 21st-Last Day of School
School Calendar
Letter from Mrs. Clark
Dear Staff, Students, and Parents,
Thinking back to one year ago, the feelings of shock, confusion, frustration, and what’s next?, all entered my mind. Schools were closed, daycares closed, and businesses were shutting down. Parents, me included, were scrambling to figure out how to work from home and teach their child(ren) as we didn’t know when schools would reopen. Now, we are a full year from the start of this pandemic, and schools have transitioned over and over again, parents/staff have been patient, flexible, and gracious. There was nothing easy about any of these shifts but needless to say we are excited to have ALL students whose parents have made this choice, return to our building on Monday, February 15, 2021.
We would like to celebrate our students and all the successes that every parent, child, staff member, and the community has had to face over this past year. Please have your child show their spirit on Monday morning by wearing their HSES spirit gear! Honk your horn to celebrate that our 4th/5th grade students are returning and all our of classrooms will have students!
Virtual Academy, please put on your HSES gear too! We love being connected with each of you, even from afar!
No one asked for this pandemic, but through the storm, we have an opportunity! As educators, we always triumph and thank you for all your patience, flexibility, and grace you have shown HSES over this past year.
Regards,
Mrs. Clark
Yearbook Information
Cheetah Family, We need your help! With students learning from home for a large part of this school year, we want to be able to showcase our students learning from home this school year! Please submit your candid photos of your learners using the links below! Send us all the pictures that capture what this school year has meant for your student and family!
Kindergarten:
https://plicbooks.com/go/12z9U
First Grade:
https://plicbooks.com/go/C25qT
Second Grade:
https://plicbooks.com/go/QuqWr
Third Grade:
https://plicbooks.com/go/jQsfA
Fourth Grade:
https://plicbooks.com/go/AQ3Wb
Fifth Grade:
https://plicbooks.com/go/naaMF
FINAL OPPORTUNITY!
If you have not yet submitted your students individual headshot (for students that did not have a fall school picture taken), Wednesday, March 17th is your FINAL opportunity. Please submit your candid photo using the following link. Please read the directions thoroughly before submitting a photo. https://plicbooks.com/go/zNfTK
Single Subject Acceleration Information
Parents interested in having their child evaluated for SINGLE Subject Acceleration (SSA): Please click HERE for the Spring 2021 SSA Parent Information presentation. Please review the entire SSA Parent Information presentation to determine if SSA testing is appropriate for your child. Embedded in the presentation is the link for the SSA Test Request Google form. Completed SSA Test Request forms will ONLY be accepted through March 22, 2021. The same SSA info can also be found on the school's homepage (https://www.wcpss.net/hollyspringses) and http://bit.ly/HSESAIG (access code AIG).
Documents/information for students returning to the building and for any family who has not completed the following:
Review the Student Accountability and Required Health Protocols and Technology Guidance
Student Accountability and Required Health Protocols Signature Page: This form MUST be signed and returned before your child’s first day.
Turn in/complete Bring Your Own Device Agreement Form, if you are planning to have your child bring a personal device (not the WCPSS Chromebook) to school.
Technology Guidance for returning to school can be found in the linked document
Turn in/complete Bus Attestation Forms if your child will ride a bus at any point this year,
You will need to submit a separate form for each of your children who plan to ride the bus during the 2020-21 school year. Submit form online | Español
Printable Health Attestation Forms in multiple languages (if needed)
If your child needs to take medicine at school, please bring the medication in the original medicine bottle and the completed WCPSS required 1702 form with you.
Attention Parents of ELL students in Virtual Academy
Lunches & Snacks: We need your help!
Reminder: Cafeteria Meals (2020-21) for Virtual Academy, Remote Learning and In-person
Restorative Practices & Community Building Circles What are they?
3rd Grade Read to Achieve Information
This information is for parents and guardians of current 3rd grade students.
In 2012, North Carolina passed the Excellent Public Schools Act, this legislation contains a component that speaks to reading proficiency and the idea that all students will be meeting reading proficiency by the end of their third-grade year. This legislation provides additional supports that allow schools to meet the unique and individual needs of students that are not demonstrating reading proficiency by the end of third grade. Students may demonstrate this proficiency through a number of means throughout their third-grade year; these include: beginning of grade assessment, monthly Overall ISIP score of 258 or greater, Lexile measure as designated by iStation at or greater that 725, the End of Grade Assessment, or the Read to Achieve assessment. Please see the resources linked below for more information. Please direct questions regarding your student's individual academic progress to your child's classroom teacher. If you have additional questions specific to the Read to Achieve Legislation or Good Cause Exemptions, please email me at apickrel@wcpss.net.
Read to Achieve Presentation Voiceover
Counselor Connection
Holly Springs Elementary is looking for qualified staff for the following positions:
Substitute Teacher - https://www.wcpss.net/subs
Virtual Academy/Remote Learning Schedule
Scholastic Support Centers
The YMCA is offering Scholastic Support Centers at three convenient locations to assist families in our region. Our YMCA Scholastic Specialists do their very best to partner with parents and school staff to help all our students have a successful experience in remote learning.
See the flyer HERE
· Kraft Family YMCA – 7:30am-6pm
· Apex Baptist Church – 7:30am-3:30pm
· Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church – 7:30am-3:30pm
Registration Link: https://www.ymcatriangle.org/programs/school-programs/scholastic-support-centers
Financial Assistance Link: https://www.ymcatriangle.org/programs/financial-assistance-programs
Title 1 Pre-K in WCPSS
The Pre-K Title I application process opened in December. Holly Springs Elementary does not have this program, but there are other sites in WCPSS that do provide these services. Parents should follow the procedure below if they are interested in applying for the program:
Pick up the universal application from HSES or any WCPSS elementary school or print it from the Smart Start website (wakesmart.org) or from www.wcpss.net/PLTitleI
Complete the application
Attach the required documents
Mail or take the application to :
Wake County Smart Start
4901 Waters Edge Drive, Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27606
919-851-9550
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS April 30, 2021
Parents must attend a screening event to be eligible for Pre-K Title I placement
Calendar Updates
The school board met Tuesday and made some updates to our YR calendar for the spring, which is great news for us! This means that although our April track out is a little shorter, it will provide a much needed break between the end of the year and tracks 1,2,3 start date for July 8 for the 21-22 school year. Please note that spring track out is March 31-April 13 (returning on April 14.) Our last day of school this year is now June 21.
Wellness Sessions for Families
Positivity Project: Humility
This week students will be learning about humility. Humble people have an accurate (not underestimated) sense of their abilities and achievements. They hold the capacity to acknowledge their mistakes and limitations, and are open to advice and new ideas. They do not show off their possessions or accomplishments.
“It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
-MAHATMA GANDHI
P2 for Families
P2 for Families is an easy and effective way for families to discuss the importance of character strengths and positive relationships. It is differentiated for grades Pre-K – 2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each character strength follows a 1-1-3 model: 1 quote, 1 video, and 3 questions to drive conversations around character at home.
Please choose your child’s grade level on the site linked HERE to be directed to all of the character strengths. CODE NEEDED: P2
Carpool Families
Thank you for your patience as we work to ensure social distancing and safety of your students. We are working to efficiently and effectively keep our carpool line moving. Please help us by doing the following.
Move car seats to the driver sides of the vehicles so that students may exit from the passenger side.
Ensure that your student knows how to buckle and unbuckle themselves into the car or their car seat.
Pull forward to the Holly Springs sign by the flag poles if you need to assist with a harness or seatbelt
Stay in your cars and do not exit vehicles during carpool. Once your student is loaded into the car, it is important that the car be ready to proceed forward.
Please do not drive around other cars to move forward, please wait in line until your car has been ushered forward.
Carpool Tag Registration for 2020-2021 School Year
Thanks!
Online Bus Attestation Form
If your child is going to ride a bus, you are required to submit this form stating that you and your child will abide by all health and safety protocols. Students are not permitted to ride the bus until this form has been submitted. Starting Monday, 11/30, if your family has not submitted this form, and your child is riding the bus, we will notify you of the need to carpool until the form is submitted. You will need to submit a separate form for each of your children who plan to ride the bus during the 2020-21 school year.
Here Comes the Bus App
Transportation Changes
YMCA-Before/After School Program at HSES
The YMCA will offer before & after school programs at HSES for the Spring 2021 (January-June). See the flyer below for more information and pricing!
Plan B Students: Preparing to Return to School
When your child returns to school, he/she will be expected to bring their Chromebook and any other materials we sent out at the start of the year to school with them. In addition, your child’s teacher has communicated if there are any additional supplies your child(ren) should need.
Please note, we cannot accept wipes, hand sanitizer, separate soaps or shared tissue boxes, as they do not meet the safety guidelines in place for the district.
Please review the details in the Return to Campus handbook, as it contains updated information about processes, protocols and expectations for our students. In addition, here are additional resources to review prior to October 26th:
- Student Accountability and Required Health Protocols and Technology Guidance ○ Student Accountability and Required Health Protocols Signature Page: This form MUST be signed and returned before your child’s first day. (In the supply distribution materials)
- Technology Guidance for returning to school
- Bring Your Own Device Agreement Form can be found here. If you plan to send a personal device, (NOT a WCPSS Chromebook), to school with your child, this form MUST be signed and returned before your child brings the device to school. (In the supply distribution materials)
- Practicing all 3 Ws will be expected all day long for students and staff, so if you have not even started these practices at home, now is the time:
- Wear a mask (over your nose to completely cover the nose & mouth)
- Wash your hands thoroughly (i.e., use soap & water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer)
- Wait at least 6 feet apart, even when wearing a mask
Click HERE for the letter sent to Plan B families with more information.
Funding Available for Families Impacted by Remote Learning
To help support families impacted by remote learning, Wake County Government has launched a new assistance program called WakeSUPPORTS. WakeSUPPORTS provides funding to working parents, so they can afford to pay for their K-8th grade student to attend virtual school at a safe location with reliable oversight, or receive before and after school care. It also can pay for fees that accompany subsidized childcare for families who meet specific income criteria. To access this support fill out and submit the online form at wakegov.com/WakeSUPPORTS. The application is available in both in English and Spanish. Residents can also pick up an application in person at Wake County’s Swinburne, Northern Regional Center, Eastern Regional Center or Southern Regional Center. If you wish to obtain an application over the phone, you can do so by calling 919-212-7621 or you can email wakesupportschildcare@wakegov.com.
Technology Tips & Resources
Do you have questions about the Google tools your student is using at school? Do you want to know more about available features? Check out Google’s Tech Toolkit for Families and Guardians
Book Check Out/Pick Up-UPDATE
Library book request and pickup is going very well. We would like to extend the days books can be picked up to Monday-Friday 9:00-3:00. Book request and the book return is located near the bus loop under the front awning. On inclement weather days these items will be located in the front lobby. Students can check the "my Stuff" tab in their follet account to see when books have been checked out to them and are ready for pickup. How-to videos are located on the Follett page in the students Wakeid portal.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please feel free to email Ms. Dixon--sfdixon@wcpss.net.
ESL Updates
School Messenger Updates
You can opt-in to receive School Messenger updates via text message by texting YES to the shortcode 67587 or replying with a YES to the opt-in text message we will send to your phone.
More information on School Messenger, including how to manage the manner and devices you get messages delivered to you, can be found here.
Face Coverings Mandatory in North Carolina
North Carolina will require face coverings of your choice for all Central Office staff and school staff, adult visitors, and all school aged children when they are or may be within six feet of another person, including:
- inside school buildings and anywhere on school grounds, including outside;
- while traveling on buses or other WCPSS vehicles; and
- at all WCPSS work sites.
Updates from the Parent Teacher Association
VIRTUAL Scholastic Book Fair!
Book Fair Dates: Friday March 4th- Tuesday March 30th
Link to Order: https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/book-fair-2021/home
The QR code below links to the book fair site. You can also locate the link from our school webpage. The virtual fair will allow access to over 6000 books and products.
ALL FOR BOOKS- Dog vs. Cat
Our goal is to ensure that each and every student at HSES has the opportunity to choose at least one book that inspires them to read. We are seeking donations through the Scholastic All for Books program to help achieve that goal. Use this link to contribute and vote for Dogs or Cats! https://app.memberhub.gives/allforbooks
TEACHERS LOVE BOOKS!
Grow your class library! Purchase and donate a book to your teacher. You may also purchase gift cards for the teacher to purchase books for your classroom.
**FREE Standard Shipping applies to orders over $25 that ONLY contain books*. Consider placing 2 separate orders, if purchasing items other than books to receive free shipping on the book order. All orders are shipped to the purchaser's home, not to school.
“FREE STANDARD SHIPPING (BOOKS)” must be selected as the shipping method in checkout.
Please share with your family and friends.
Remember, all proceeds go to grow our library!
Cheetah Paws!
MARCH MADNESS SPECIAL...
BUY A PAW FOR $20! YOU CAN PURCHASE ON OUR APP OR HTTPS://HSESPTA.NEW.MEMBERHUB.STORE/STORE
All proceeds go directly to the PTA
Donations Needed
Your HSES PTA needs your help stocking the staff lounge with snacks! We have an Amazon wish list set up to make it easy. Any items ordered from the list will deliver straight to the school. If you have questions or need a pick up of items, please contact Melissa at melisllew@gmail.com. Thanks for your support!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/7uB3KFc?ref_=wl_share
HSES Child Face Masks
Time to Relink your Grocery Cards!
This is an easy way to earn money for our school while you shop. If you haven't linked your grocery cards this school year please take a minute to do so. You have to do it every year. You can find these links on our app also.
Lowes Foods: https://rewards.lowesfoods.com/Account/SelectCard...
Harris Teeter:
https://www.harristeeter.com/together-in-education#/app/cms
Publix:
http://corporate.publix.com/.../corporate.../publix-partners
And you can link your Amazon account too if you haven't already!
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2F
Thanks you for supporting our school!!