Cheetah Chronicles
Mid-Summer Update: July 26th
Hello Cheetah Families, I hope this email finds you doing well! With the decision on Tuesday by the WCPSS Board of Education to move to online learning to start the new school year, that obviously impacts all of us. We are working at the school level now to adapt to this new plan. I hope the information below is helpful to you, and we will continue to update you with more details as we get closer to the beginning of the school year.
I want to thank you for your patience as we navigate through these latest changes. We are trying to adapt to new information as quickly as possible, and put into place a plan that provides your child a positive environment and opportunity to learn. I am thankful for the tremendous support from our school community!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions. Please stay safe, stay cool, and stay tuned for more information to come!
Starting School Remotely
The decision was made for all students in WCPSS to begin the school year with online instruction. The first two weeks of school for all students will focus on orientation, meet and greet opportunities, and distribution of supplies. As we just received this information Tuesday as well, we are currently working through the details of what that may look like at our school. We hope to share more information with you very soon. The return to school for students in both the Virtual Academy and Plan B Transition options is scheduled for August 17.
The district also announced that their hope is to bring students back in the building as soon as practical for face-to-face instruction for those not enrolled in the Virtual Academy. There is a target date of September 8 to bring the Pre-K students and special education students served in regional programs back to the building first – with the hope to get other students back as quickly as feasible. (Please note that the special education students in regional programs are not the students in the general education classroom supported by the CCR teachers.) Of course, the return of any student to campus is contingent upon the ability to provide a safe learning environment and the current situation related to the spread of COVID-19.
Q&A- Be on the lookout!
Update for the Virtual Academy
We’ve had a very large percentage of our students enroll in the WCPSS Virtual Academy. However, with the change in plans enacted on Tuesday the district is going to reopen the window to enroll (or if desired, unenroll) in the VA.
If you wish for your child to be enrolled in the VA, the window to enroll will reopen on July 27 at 12:01 am and will remain open through July 29 at 5:00 pm. You can access updated information and the enrollment link here: VA Website.
If you previously enrolled but wish to change your choice and unenroll, then please email me at dclark2@wcpss.net and copy our assistant principal, Ms. McKinnon, at jmckinnon@wcpss.net. However, please do so by the July 29 deadline as noted above – we will need to finalize our class lists and teacher assignments quickly.
Technology Needs
Parents (excluding Pre-K families) have received a survey from WCPSS regarding any technology needs. The WCPSS Technology Department is asking ALL parents to please respond to this survey when you receive it, since all students will participate in some form of remote learning. The distribution of Chromebooks and internet hotspot devices will be handled directly through the WCPSS Technology Department – not the school.
In response to parent feedback from the survey provided during our last round of remote learning, the district is streamlining the remote learning platforms that will be used. For both the remote learning and VA, all HSES teachers and students will be using Google Classroom for their platform. In addition, there will be information and processes put in place to provide technical support to teachers, students, and families as they engage in the virtual learning opportunities.
Updates to Food and Lunch Distribution
Plans for curbside service at strategic locations are being determined along with designated service times for food distribution for students engaged in remote learning and the VA. Please know, however, that after August 31, 2020, based on current federal regulations, the following items would apply to meals:
Students eligible for free and reduced-price meals will receive free meals. Remember that you have to apply each year for free or reduced-price meals. You can find the online application and more information here: https://www.wcpss.net/meals.
Students not eligible for free and reduced-price meals will have to pay.
Under current regulations, a student ID number will be required for meals as proof of enrollment and the adult must prove they are the parent/guardian if the student is not present.
Face Coverings
Tuesday, in his announcement about the reopening of schools, Governor Cooper shared new information regarding elementary children and face coverings. The previous information we had was that face coverings would be optional for elementary, and mandatory for middle and high school. (Employees are also required to wear face coverings.) Here is the information we received:
“All students will be expected to wear face coverings when they are anywhere on school grounds and while traveling on buses, vendor transportation or other WCPSS vehicles. Exemptions will still be allowed for individuals who cannot tolerate a face covering due to developmental, medical, or behavioral health needs or due to a sincerely held religious belief. The state announced it will provide five face coverings for every K-12 student and school employees.”
Return to School Additional Information
I know that you have a lot of questions about the return to school. We are waiting on additional information as well so we can begin to plan for the new school year. Right now, some of the areas that we are waiting on more information include kindergarten staggered entry, as well as guidelines for recess, lunch, and specials classes. We are also expecting some information in the coming days for our adjusted bell schedule, as we know that we will have 15 minutes added to our school day to make up for the days of instruction that were lost when we were unable to start in July. Once we get this information, we can then finalize some plans and share that information with you.
As previously shared, students who return to school on Plan B will be in school one week and then work remotely for two weeks.
Timeline for Decisions
Return to School Information for Spanish Speaking Families
Resumen del Guía de Regreso Escolar Completo: https://youtu.be/xvKlohNnog8
Los Padres de WCPSS obtendrán información sobre el Guía de Regreso Escolar 2020-21
Plan B De Instrucción Combinada Para El Año Escolar 2020-2021 https://youtu.be/ZXHPGoGrxG0
Los padres recibirán información sobre el Plan “B” de Instrucción Combinada que se llevara a cabo para el Año Escolar 2020-21
Información de la Academia Virtual: https://youtu.be/Vpg65ZuV1hQ
Los padres de WCPSS se informarán sobre la Academia Virtual de WCPSS y cuál es el proceso para aplicar.
1. Plan B de Instrucción Combinada para el Año Escolar 2020-2021.
Los padres recibirán información sobre el Plan B de Instrucción Combinada para el Año Escolar 2020-2021. https://youtu.be/PWnOgBUmlFY
2. Información sobre la Academia Virtual de WCPSS
Los padres de WCPSS se informarán sobre la Academia Virtual de WCPSS y cuál es el proceso para aplicar. https://youtu.be/Vpg65ZuV1hQ
3. Requisito de Revisión de Salud para Entrar la Escuela
Los padres recibirán información sobre el proceso de la revisión de salud para que los estudiantes puedan entrar al escuela todos los días. https://youtu.be/Ze387GwqVVg
4. Requisitos de Revisión de Salud para Abordar el Autobús
Los padres recibirán información sobre el proceso que los estudiantes tienen que seguir para poder abordar el autobús escolar todos los días. https://youtu.be/TfezbihTRIA
5. Requisitos sobre el Protector Facial, Distanciamiento Social y Lavado de Manos
Los padres recibirán información sobre los requisitos que los estudiantes tienen que seguir con el protector facial, distanciamiento social y levado de manos. https://youtu.be/GAbEVXldeag
6. Resume del Guía de Regreso Escolar 2020-21
Resume del Guía de Regreso Escolar 2020-21 https://youtu.be/xvKlohNnog8
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.
Did you miss Yearbook Distribution?
Office Hours:
Tuesdays from 8:00-2:30
Wednesdays: 9:00-3:00
Holly Springs Elementary School Office Hours
Please be aware that during the school closure, access to our school remains limited as cleaning and preparations for the new school year are in full swing. However, should you have school business that must be handled in person, please be aware of the school Office Hours:
Tuesdays: 8:00-2:30
Wednesdays: 9:00- 3:00
These hours will remain in place until students are back in the building for learning or until an alternate announcement has been made. Please reference the face covering requirements below and know that in order to protect our staff and for your safety, a mask must be worn while on campus. Please also limit individuals entering the building with your party to only those necessary for the visit.
Face Coverings Mandatory in North Carolina
Starting Friday at 5 p.m., North Carolina will require* face coverings of your choice for all Central Office staff and school staff, adult visitors, and children 11 years-old and older 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.