Families,

Happy November!

While it hasn't felt much like fall weather lately, we have been enjoying some lovely recess times and field trips to the pumpkin patch. We love our students to be able to spend time outdoors and especially engaged in outdoor learning! I think there is no better weather anywhere around than November in North Carolina. I hope that you and your family have a fantastic fall weekend!

Today and always, thank you for your continued support of your children and our school. Together, we will help our children SOAR 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

Per the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Section 1111(d)(2), schools receive the federal identification of TSI-AT in North Carolina by having one or more of the following subgroups receive a subgroup performance grade score at or below the lowest 5% of schools across the state during the 2023-2024 academic year; and being identified as a consistently underperforming subgroup for the previous year. Subgroup performance scores are provided for the following subgroups of students: (1) Students with Disabilities, (2) Economically Disadvantaged, (3) Black, (4) White, (5) Hispanic, (6) Asian-Pacific Islander, (7) Multi-racial, and (8) English Learners.

As a designated TSI-AT school, Harris Creek Elementary School is required to develop a comprehensive improvement plan that specifically addresses how the school will improve student achievement for the subgroup(s) consistently underperforming. Please use the links below to access the family notification letters in both English and Spanish.

Students in Ms. Woodruff's 5th Grade Track 4 ELA chose a book to read and then created these beautiful pumpkins to represent characters from the story!

Recently and throughout the month of November, students have had and will have the opportunity to create a poster to honor a military service member that they know. Please encourage your student(s) to gather the needed poster paper from the main hallway and contribute a poster! Thank you to Art Teacher Kim Demartz for organizing this effort.

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!

Have an awesome school related photo you think would be best for the yearbook? Field trip pics? First day of school? Pics from Spirit nights at our community partner restaurants? ALL submissions should be sent for consideration directly to Jostens using this link!

Please consider uploading photos periodically rather than waiting until later in the school year.

Thank you in advance!

• Nov 3: Daylight Savings Time ends
• Nov 5: Election Day - No School For Students All Tracks
• Nov 8: Track 2 last day before track out
• Nov 11: Veterans Day - No School For Students All Tracks
• Nov 12: Track 3 returns
• Nov 13: School Tour 11:30-12:15 (no RSVP required)
• Nov 27-29: Thanksgiving Holiday - No School For Students All Tracks
• Dec 2-13: PTA Holiday Shoppe Open
• Dec 4: Winter Chorus Concert 6:30-7:30pm
• Dec 6: Track 1 last day before track out
• Dec 9: Track 2 returns

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.

Apply for Free and Reduced Price Meals 🍕🍴🍌

• Even if you were eligible last year, you need to re-apply each school. Applications submitted online will be processed quickly.

• 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.

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. Are you already a WakeTogether HELPS trained tutor? Then this is a perfect opportunity to help your own school community! 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 online school payment system starting next month 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.

• Book Fair Volunteer Sign Up
• October PTA Newsletter
• Upload Yearbook Photos
• [AMAZON WISH LIST] Help Stock The Teacher's Lounge! 😋
  
• Join the PTA
• Upcoming PTA Meeting Dates: 1/28/25, 4/1/25
• Teacher Breakfasts/Lunches: 12/2
• 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

YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW!

We are changing how we handle pre-orders and want to be sure EVERYONE hears the news!

1) PRE-ORDERS END MARCH 28th 2025 and are processed directly via our printer Jostens. You get all sorts of personalization options via the link below.

2) LIMITED GRADE 5 special graduation AD sales END FEB 13th 2025!!

Those purchasing grade 5 celebration ads will work directly with Jostens on their ads. Don’t miss out as space is limited. Once they are gone they are gone for good!

3) ALL pre orders will be processed and delivered when we receive the yearbooks. A SMALL amount of overages purchased for new students will be placed on sale via our pta site at the END of the school year.

We do not guarantee a specific delivery date of these so please choose the pre order option. Limited PTA staff have jobs and responsibilities and do their best to handle last minute orders. With this much advanced purchase time we hope to avoid a last-minute scramble!

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.

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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