Cheetah Chronicles
May 15th, 2022
Important Dates
May 17th: Field Day Tracks 1 & 3
May 20th: Tracks 3 & 4 Quarter 4 Interims Go Home
May 30th: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
June 1st: Track 1 Meet the Cheetahs for the 22-23 School Year
June 8th: Field Day Tracks 2 & 4
June 23rd: Tracks 2, 3, & 4 Meet the Cheetahs for the 22-23 School Year
Voting at HSES
Our school is a voting site on May 17, so please note that our parking lot may be a bit busier than usual for carpool. The gym is closed for students, as we do not mix our students with the public.
NCDPI’S DIGITAL CHILDREN’S READING INITIATIVE
NCDPI’S DIGITAL CHILDREN’S READING INITIATIVE PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES ORGANIZED BY SKILL AND GRADE LEVEL
LETTERLAND DAY
LETTERLAND DAY WILL BE MAY 2-27 IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS AROUND RALEIGH
Chalk the Walk for Track 1 EOGs
3rd, 4th & 5th Grade Track 1 Parents!
Join PTA to write encouraging messages on the sidewalk showing support for our Track 1 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders taking EOGs!
Monday, May 23rd at 2pm
Readministration of EOG’s
This school year, WCPSS is conducting district wide End of Grade (EOG) retesting for students in grades 3-5. What was formerly the last two days of school will now be used for remediation and retesting for students that qualify in grades 3-5. These remediation days will no longer be regular school days for the 21-22 school year.
The following dates are the NEW dates for the last day of school for ALL students:
⭐Track 1 Last Day of School: Thursday, June 2nd, 2022
⭐Tracks 2, 3, 4 Last Day of School: Monday, June 27th, 2022
Only the students in grades 3-5 who qualify for retesting AND choose to participate will be attending school on June 3rd and 6th for Track 1 and June 28th and 29th for Tracks 2, 3, & 4. You will be contacted by the school directly if you are eligible for retesting AND if you have opted in to test.
Since this is an optional opportunity for our students, we wanted to gauge the interest of our families in participating in this opportunity so we can adequately plan. If you have a child in grades 3-5, would you please use the link below to access a letter with more information about the remediation and readministration opportunity. The letter also contains a link (also listed below) for you to respond and let us know if you are interested or not, which will greatly assist us in planning. You will also receive a paper copy of this letter the week of Monday, May 9th.
Remediation and Readministration Parent Letter
Please complete this remediation and readministration response form by May 13, 2022.
Meet the Cheetahs for the 2022-2023 School Year:
Due to the recent changes in EOG retesting requirements and remediation, the last day of school for year-round schools was changed to June 2nd for Track 1 and June 27th for Tracks 2, 3, and 4. Therefore, our Meet the Teacher event for tracks 2, 3, and 4 has been changed. Please note the dates below:
Parents and students will meet with their next year's teacher, in the teacher's current classroom regardless of any track or grade level changes. Classrooms will not be set up for the new school year, families will be asked not to bring any supplies
Track 1 - Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Tracks 2, 3, 4 - Thursday, June 23, 2022
Please come at the following times by the first letter of your last name.
Last Name & Time
A-I 4:45-5:15
J-R 5:15-5:45
S-Z 5:45-6:15
School Calendar Change
We received details this week about a plan developed in response to the legislative requirement to offer remediation and retesting for some students after EOG tests are completed this school year. In order to accommodate the two days necessary for this, the district is adjusting the school calendar for all our students for the end of the school year. Using banked hours, the school year will end two days early for students in PreK-5, and those students who qualify for the remediation and retesting will be provided that opportunity on those last two days. The new dates for the last day of school for students are as follows:
Year-Round Track 1:
Last day of school for all students: June 2
Remediation/ Readministration Dates: June 3 and 6
Year-Round Tracks 2, 3 and 4:
Last day of school for all students: June 27
Remediation/ Readministration Dates: June 28 and 29
Students who are proficient in Reading (4th and 5th), Math (3rd, 4th, 5th), and/or Science (5th) on his/her report card but not proficient on the EOG in Grades 3-5 will have the option to receive remediation and retest the two days after the new last day of school.
These changes will affect our activities for the end of the school year. We plan on sending you any revised dates ASAP. In case you missed the announcement we sent out last week, here is a link to a letter from WCPSS sharing the information about the change in the schedule: https://bit.ly/3M7xKHp.
Safety Information
During this season where severe weather is common in North Carolina, we take time to discuss safety procedures for students and staff when we receive alerts of tornado warnings. We monitor local news stations, as well as our weather radio, in order to keep abreast of current conditions. If we have any tornado warnings during dismissal times, we would bring all students and staff back into the building and wait until it would be safe to resume dismissal.
The severe weather drill is in addition to the monthly fire drills, as well as the code red lockdown drills we practice two times per year. We have held one lockdown drill so far this year, and will hold another one in the near future. We always inform our students that these are practice drills that will help us know what to do in case of a real emergency. As always, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions!
2022-2023 Year Round Calendar
The 2022-2023 Year Round Calendar has been approved. It is added as an important link below so that you can always access it when needed.
COVID Updates
As of Monday, March 7, 2022, face coverings will be recommended but not required in schools for all staff, students, and visitors. Face coverings will be recommended but not required on morning and afternoon bus runs and on vendor transportation.
Important: COVID-19 When to Return guidance updated
Important: COVID-19 When to Return guidance updated
The wcpss.net/whentoreturn webpage was updated to remove the section mentioning household and non-household exposures. This change is part of the recent update of the StrongSchools NC Toolkit by the NC Department of Health and Human Services.Checking Students In/Out
HSES has a new system to check in/out students. The electronic system is Lobby Guard. Beginning Monday, March 14, 2022, we want parents/guardians to come into the reception area of HSES to check your child in/out of school.
You will still need to ring the outside visitor bell to be welcomed for entry & will need to have your photo ID with you to be buzzed into the building.
Come in! You will scan your ID and use the system to check your student in/out of our school!
Office Staff will be available to assist you.
There will be no student check-outs after 3:30 pm as the office staff must prepare for dismissal procedures.
EOG Testing Windows
Parents, please see the updated EOG Testing dates for 3rd - 5th grade. Families, please avoid scheduling time off from school (appointments, vacations, etc) during testing dates.
Bus Transportation Information
Meal Benefit Applications
Parents, please consider applying for meal benefits as soon as possible. By submitting a qualifying application, families will also support the district in qualifying for additional funds to support students and learning! Also, the NC Department of Health & Human Services is collecting student free and reduced lunch and attendance data from WCPSS to determine any additional Pandemic Electronic Benefits (P-EBT) that will be issued in the coming months! By not applying for these meal benefits, you will miss the potential opportunity to receive direct P-EBT funds for your family!
Yes, meals will still be free for all students through June 2022 but we still need you to complete a meal benefits application so our school can be eligible for this extra education funding next school year. Also, this ensures your student is covered for the first few weeks of school next year. Information about applying for Meal Benefits can be found at www.wcpss.net/meals. Help our school continue to receive this funding by completing an application online at MySchoolApps.com. Paper applications can be requested by calling 919-588-3535.
VOLUNTEERS
You can come to school to register as a volunteer anytime between 9:30-3:00. The office staff will provide an iPad for you to use to sign up right in the front of the school.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Resources Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit currently requires schools to limit nonessential visitors.
At HSES, we will communicate with our families as we have a need for essential volunteers. There are no visitors/volunteers at this time.
Reactivation for Continuing Volunteers for 2021-2022
If you did not reactivate your volunteer status by October 29, 2021 you must register as a new volunteer. All new volunteer applicants must register and have an approved criminal record check prior to engaging in volunteer work. To do this, you may go to any WCPSS work site and register through wcpss.net by selecting the Community tab, and then selecting Volunteer.
Applicants will be notified by email once their application has been approved.
Applicants who are not approved will receive notice from Employee Relations.
Current volunteers, who provided a valid email address, will receive an email 15 days and 30 days prior to the expiration of their volunteer status reminding them to reactivate.
New Registration Process for WCPSS Employees who Want to Volunteer
Although WCPSS employees do not have to go through a criminal record check to volunteer, they will now need to register.
Breakfast & Lunch Menu with Meal-Viewer
Monthly breakfast and lunch menu PDFs will no longer be posted on our district website.
Menus will now be available on our interactive website, MealViewer.
On the MealViewer website, families can:
- Set up multiple profiles at the schools of your choice
- See any menu changes posted by the manager at each site
- Choose menu items based on allergens
- View nutrients for each menu item
- Add nutrients for meals eaten, even partial meals
- Submit ratings on your favorite items
- Print menus
Has Your Phone Number/Email Changed?
Positivity Project: Track 1 - Student Led Morning Meetings
Allowing students to lead morning meeting is a great way to teach responsibility and leadership skills. It also helps address important speaking and listening standards.
Positivity Project: Tracks 3 & 4 - Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence Character Card
This week students will learn about appreciation of beauty and excellence. Appreciation of beauty and excellence is the ability to identify and enjoy that which is admirable in the world. There are three types of goodness in which positive psychology focuses: physical beauty (e.g. a sunset, song, or building); an exceptional skill or talent; and moral goodness (e.g. a character strength). Appreciation of beauty can generate awe; appreciation of a skill can generate admiration; and appreciation of moral goodness can generate moral elevation. All of these feelings (awe, admiration, and moral elevation) help us forget ourselves and find increased joy and meaning in the world.
“Appreciation is a beautiful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” -VOLTAIRE
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
Here Comes the Bus App
Counselor Connection
Because May is Mental Health Awareness Month, we’ve included a list of the top 44 recommended books for kids with topics from ADHD-Trauma.
https://childmind.org/article/best-childrens-books-about-mental-health/
Shannon O’Neal at soneal2@wcpss.net
Martha Frank at mfrank@wcpss.net
Technology Tips & Resources
Literacy News
Watch this short video for ideas on how you can support literacy at home.
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.
Updates from the Parent Teacher Association
PTA Newsletter
PTA: Spirit Gear
PTA: Box Tops for Education
Did you know Box Tops are digital now? All you have to do is download the Box Tops app and take a picture of your receipt containing participating products for our school to get credit. Much easier than cutting Box Tops out and sending them into school. After you take a picture of your receipt you can give credit to your child's classroom. We will reward the class with the most Box Top submissions with a fun prize at the end of the year! Watch the video below for instructions.
Doing all your shopping online? Here are instructions on how to submit digital receipts: https://www.boxtops4education.com/emailgroceryreceipts
**Still have physical Box Tops? We are collecting all non-expired box tops too! Just send them in to school in a plastic baggie, envelope, etc.**
PTA: AMAZON WISH LIST & AMAZON SMILE
Help us show our teachers and staff some LOVE! We have created an Amazon Wish List with snacks, treats, drinks, k-cups, and more. You can order and pay through Amazon and have it sent directly to the school. We strive to keep the teacher’s lounge stocked with snacks, coffee, and tea. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. Check out the list on Amazon. Make sure you shop with smile.amazon.com and make Holly Springs Elementary School PTA your charity. Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases - at no cost to you. Thank you!
HELP US STOCK OUR STAFF BATHROOMS!
PTA is on a mission to stock our teacher/staff bathrooms with small, one-use toiletries for our teachers/staff to have on hand whenever needed. Think toothbrushes, toothpaste, flossers, face wipes, deodorant, sanitizer… We would like to provide our teachers with the opportunity to freshen up throughout the day. But we need your help! Ideas of toiletries have been added to our Amazon Wish List (Check out my list on Amazon). We greatly appreciate anything donated! THANK YOU!
Download our App!
It's never been easier to access archived Cheetah Chronicles, Teacher Websites, Teacher Favorites, Cafeteria Menus, Volunteer and Fundraising Information, and so much more! AND, by installing our app, you will receive important announcements and friendly reminders about what’s happening at our school.
Simply search for our school in your App Store or use these links to download our app today. You'll have a handy icon on your phone and with just a tap or two, you can be connected to our school! Don't forget to accept push notifications so that you receive our text alerts!
iTunes: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1481853108
GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details...
Thank you to our sponsors: Blue Water Pediatric Dentistry and Mathnasium!
Become a PTA Member!
Why should you join the PTA?
- Get Involved: The #1 reason why every parent should join the PTA is for the benefit of your child! Research shows that children perform better when parents are involved both at home and at school.
- Advocacy: Power in numbers
Access resources: Free e-learning courses, e-newsletter Be in the know: PTA Takes Action Network provides updates on legislative issues Becoming a member of the PTA shows that you want to help support the programs and events that help enhance students' experiences at school. It does not obligate you to attend the PTA meetings or volunteer. You can join for $10 for an individual or $15 for a family here: https://hsespta.memberhub.com/store?category=Memberships or look for a form to come home with your child this week or when you track ba
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 accounts from Harris Teeter, Lowes and Publix this school year please take a minute to do so. You have to do it every year. Fill out this form and the PTA will link your account for you: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13XF20vPRsc1Phx29UeE-7JQs--fBKCTSWEMyxPadznA/edit
Thanks you for supporting our school!!