Cheetah Chronicles
February 13th, 2022
Important Dates
February 24th: Talent Show @ 6:00 PM
February 25th: Tracks 3 & 4 Quarter 3 Interims Go Home
March 1st-11th: Book Fair
COVID Testing
WCPSS is implementing a voluntary COVID testing program. We received some information this week on how that will be implemented in our school. Testing opportunities in our school will be weekly on Thursday afternoons from 2:00-3:00. We are anticipating that testing will begin here on Thursday, March 3rd.
Please note that this testing is completely voluntary. No one will be required or coerced to participate. If you wish your child to be tested, then you must register them using the link provided below, as those registered will be the only ones tested. (For those of you who have already registered based on the WCPSS communication to families, you will not need to register again.) If you do not wish your child to be tested, you do not have to do anything.
The testing will be done by Mako Medical, NOT our school staff. We are working with them to ensure that testing will minimally impact instruction for our students. The following link will take you to the WCPSS webpage that explains how the testing will work, including a link to the form allowing you to sign your child up for the testing: https://www.wcpss.net/Page/50523
If you still have questions after reading through the information on the web page linked above, please feel free to contact the school and ask for Jennifer McKinnon, Assistant Principal. More information will be coming as we get closer to March 3rd.
Single Subject Acceleration
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). If you have questions regarding SSA please contact Kiersten Bashor (kbashor@wcpss.net), AIG teacher.
Track Change Request Form for 2022-2023
Book Fair Volunteers Needed
Our Book Fair cannot be a success without volunteers! Please visit our Sign Up Genius to see how you can help.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f044caea92ea6fb6-scholastic
Shopping days will be March 1st - March 11th.
Special Dates to Remember:
Grandparent Event for Tracks 1 & 4 - March 3rd
Grandparent Event for Tracks 2 & 3 - March 8th
Family Night – March 10th
Visit our website to get a preview: Come to Our Book Fair!
PTA: We Need Your Pictures!
It's that time of year again HSES families, Photo Collection for the 2021-22 Yearbook. If you have photos to share of your children at any of the events listed, please take time to upload them to the website. This helps us include more photos and more students! When choosing pictures to share please be sure they contain only HSES students. Photos will be collected through March 18.
Boosterthon https://plicbooks.com/go/7KD46M
Cheetah Pride Nights https://plicbooks.com/go/3FWW3R
Outdoor Workdays https://plicbooks.com/go/28CRAN
O'Holly Night https://plicbooks.com/go/EZYKGF
Spirit Days/Dress-up Days https://plicbooks.com/go/GWVGNZ
Walk to School https://plicbooks.com/go/BQXBZB
Talent Show https://plicbooks.com/go/APEK57
Buy Your Yearbook Online!
NEW RESOURCE: Literacy at Home (Digital Children’s Reading Initiative)
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Office of Early Learning is pleased to announce the newest resource to support young readers in North Carolina, “Literacy at Home.” As part of current legislation, Senate Bill 387 directs NC DPI to develop and share a digital children’s reading initiative designed to support the continued growth of North Carolina’s youngest readers. The site is home to easily accessible resources in the foundational areas of reading supported by the science of reading. Developed for each grade level, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, resources are available to support phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language. To easily locate the resource, click here. ( Literacy at Home Flyer for Parents & Introduction Video )
EOG Testing Windows
Based on the information we have received to this point, the End of Grade (EOG) tests for students in grades 3-5 will take place during the last 10 days of school as in previous years. There are a lot of guidelines we are required to follow for the EOG testing that will impact our final schedule, but we wanted to provide you with the tentative testing windows. In the upcoming months we will provide you with the HSES specific testing schedule. Here are the testing windows:
Track 1: May 23 - June 3
Tracks 2, 3, & 4: June 16 - June 24
Face Coverings
We are seeing an increase in the number of students who are entering the building without a mask. We provide a disposable one, but having one that is their own makes it easier. Please take time this weekend to make sure your child has their mask in their bookbag and maybe also a backup in case one breaks. We can continue to provide emergency disposable masks and do have some student sized cloth ones provided by WCPSS. If your child needs a new, basic cloth one, let your teacher know. District guidelines for face coverings are as follows:
Face coverings should:
● Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
● Fit snugly against the sides of your face without gaps
● Be reasonably comfortable
● Allow you to breathe easily
● Be secured safely over nose, mouth and under your chin and completely cover your nose and mouth
● Be changed if it becomes soiled or wet
● Cloth face coverings should be washed as needed
- Wash face covering in washing machine using soap and water
- Dry face covering in a dryer or allow to air dry
Face coverings should not:
Have exhalation valves or vents which allow virus particles to escape.
Be constructed of mesh fabric
Updated Health Guidelines
Over the break, WCPSS sent us updated health guidelines. I wanted to send key highlights for you, but please bookmark the WCPSS guidelines to read all the details. Also, reach out if you have questions about individual cases and we will be glad to help you navigate:
Students who are experiencing symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should stay home and get tested. Students must have a negative PCR COVID test or alternate medical diagnosis to return to school. Symptoms include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.
When Can Students Return to School:
No medical diagnosis or COVID Test - after five days from the start of symptoms and symptoms have improved
Positive COVID test - after five days from start of symptoms or positive COVID test
Alternate medical diagnosis (example: stomach ache, earache, etc.) or negative PCR COVID test - can return to school
Exposure to Someone with COVID-19:
Students are required to stay home and quarantine if someone living with them is diagnosed with COVID-19.
Students who are exposed to someone with COVID-19, and
Not vaccinated – stay away from others for 5 days, get tested on day 5 after exposure, and if they test negative, return to school.
Vaccinated, and have either received a booster or are not yet eligible for a booster – individuals do not need to stay away from others.
Vaccinated and eligible for a booster, but not yet been boosted
Quarantine (stay away from others) for 5 days
The 5 days of quarantine begin on the day after the last known close contact with the COVID-19 positive individual
Complete 5 days of strict mask use when returning from 5-day quarantine
Should test on day 5, if possible
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.
HSES SOCCER CLUB
The 2022 spring HSES soccer club season will held for 6 weeks on the following WEDNESDAYS from 4:15pm-5:15pm
March 9th, March 16th, March 23rd, March 30th, April 6th & April 13th
On April 13th, we will have a season celebration by playing a parents/staff vs students game.
IMPORTANT: Registration will begin at 6:00 AM on February 21st. Soccer club will be limited to the first 50 players who register through the website. Registration will close once all spots are filled OR on Friday, February 25th.
*The HSES Soccer Club is for 2nd - 5th grade students at any ability level from beginners to competitive players.
*Due to limited number of spots, please only sign up if you are willing to put in your
best effort at each practice.
*Cleats and shin guards are preferred
VOLUNTEERS/COACHES ARE ALSO NEEDED!
For more information and registration go to the HSES Soccer Club website:
https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/hsessoccerclub/
Questions can be e-mailed to HSESsoccerclub@gmail.com
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: Tracks 1, 3 & 4 - Love
This week students will learn about love. The character strength of love represents the way we think, feel, and behave towards the people with whom we have close relationships. When one person loves another person, that person: comforts and makes the other feel safe; sacrifices on the other’s behalf; supports the other during struggles; and places the other’s needs ahead of his/her own. If you love a person, that person makes you feel safe and secure. You can be yourself with that person. You miss that person when he/she is not around.
“7x7 + love = An amount Infinitely above 7x7 - love.”
-LANGSTON HUGHES
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
The Importance of Sleep!
Did you know that it is critical to your child’s well-being to ensure that your child gets enough sleep? Children’s health, quality of life, and ability to function well in school will be negatively impacted if they don’t meet their sleep requirements on a regular basis. Research shows that children who do not get adequate sleep are more likely to perform poorly or below their potential at school. Additionally, they are more apt to injure themselves, to have trouble controlling their emotions, to make poor decisions, or to simply not feel good or be happy.
Sleep researchers say that people cannot “get used” to doing with too little sleep. Rather than adjusting, the body simply becomes more and more sleep-deprived. People who do not get enough sleep should look at making whatever changes are necessary to sleeping more instead of trying to adjust to doing without. Sleep is not time wasted – it’s time well spent to maintain good health and quality of life.
A sufficient amount of sleep is different for children of different ages. Children in pre-kindergarten through second-grade need about 11 or 12 hours of sleep per night. Those in the upper elementary grades need a good 10 hours per night. Middle school students need at least eight and a half to nine and a half hours per night and high school students need a minimum of eight to nine hours of sleep per night.
Here are some things to keep in mind in helping children form and maintain good sleep behaviors:
Have a regular bedtime and a regular wake up time in the morning. Making a lot of exceptions to the sleep schedule is damaging to the child’s ability to become rested and to perform well in school.
Provide a sleep-friendly environment. The ability to sleep is affected by a combination of complex biological and behavioral factors that include the lowering of body temperature and reactions to light and sound. Make sure your child sleeps in a peaceful location that is dark, cool, quiet, and free from interruptions during the time set aside for sleep.
Maintain healthy routines for meals, study, recreation, entertainment, and family time to form a good sleep schedule. Children need routines set by the parent.
Avoid stimulating activities shortly before bedtime. That includes television, using the computer, video games, and listening to stimulating music.
It’s good for children to engage in quiet activities such as reading, listening to soothing music, or taking a relaxing, warm bath shortly before bedtime.
Do not discuss stressful subjects or try to deal with difficult issues close to bedtime. That should be done earlier in the day.
Avoid foods and beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea, colas and other soft drinks, and chocolate at night. Beware of Mountain Dew – though not a cola, it is loaded with caffeine.
Show you care. When young children have trouble sleeping or experience nightmares, it is good to reassure them. Hugs and soothing words from a parent can do a lot of good. However, it is not a good idea to take the child to the parents’ bed or give the child treats to soothe him or her. This sort of behavior tends to “reward” the problem and form habits that are difficult to break.
The gift of healthy, restoring sleep is priceless. If your child is having trouble with sleep or any other aspect of health, talk to his or her school nurse or the healthcare provider of your choice.
Sweet dreams!
Article by Deborah Hayes (Happy
Shannon O’Neal at soneal2@wcpss.net
Martha Frank at mfrank@wcpss.net
Technology Tips & Resources
ESL Updates
Access Testing
This year’s Access Testing period is January 24 - March 11th. At HSES, ELL students on tracks 1, 2, & 4 will test the week of January 31st. Students on track 3 students will test the week of February 14th. Please contact Ms. Rodgers if you have any questions.
If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Rodgers.
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.
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
- while traveling on buses or other WCPSS vehicles; and
- at all WCPSS work sites.
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!
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!!