Cheetah Chronicles
October 10th, 2021
Important Dates
October 11th: HSES Fun Run for Tracks 1&2
October 29th: Track 4 Report Cards Go Home
November 2nd: No School - School-Wide Teacher Workday
November 3rd: Fall Pictures Make-Ups Tracks 1, 2, & 4
Summer Learning at HSES: IMPORTANT
Carpool
Our carpool system is designed to offer safe and efficient arrival and dismissal of students who come to school in private vehicles. Safety for all is our primary concern, not speed. Please be patient and do not pull around cars unless directed to do so by a staff member.
According to NC law only law enforcement officials, firefighters, or traffic control officers are legally allowed to direct traffic. Since HSES staff members do not fall under these categories, we are instituting the right turn-only procedure at HSES to ensure the safety of all staff. As a visual reminder, we are placing cones/possible patrol car along the outside edge of the left turn lane until we all get used to this procedure. We are asking that if you approach the HSES carpool lane and you normally turn in the left turn lane, we ask that you proceed down Holly Springs Road until you can make a U-turn at the stoplight and join the carpool line. Please plan accordingly. Thank you for your cooperation to keep everyone safe in our HSES school community.
Decline Transportation Information
If your child is not accessing the school bus as a method of transportation but is currently registered, please use the link below to decline transportation services. This will help the transportation department make sure that the stops and routes assigned to drivers are as efficient as possible.
PTA: Spirit Gear
PTA: O'HOLLY NIGHT
We are excited to begin the planning process for O'Holly Night! Thank you to those volunteers who will be helping with our raffle baskets. Please know that more information will be emailed out after Boosterthon.
Boosterthon
Thank you SO MUCH to all our Cheetah Families for your amazingly generous support during our Boosterthon this year! Our Fun Run for Tracks 1&2 will be Monday, October 11th! We still need volunteers for this awesome event! Please sign up to volunteer and cheer on your Cheetah at:
VOLUNTEERS
New Information: Parents, please make sure that you are registered by October 29th, 2021 in order to volunteer in any future things we may have here at HSES. You can come to school to register 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
Reactivating volunteers may go to any WCPSS work site and register through wcpss.net by selecting the Community tab, and then selecting Volunteer.
Individuals previously approved to volunteer must reactivate by 4 p.m. on October 29, 2021.
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 Volunteers for 2021-2022
All new volunteer applicants must register and have an approved criminal record check prior to engaging in volunteer work.
New volunteer applicants 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.
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.
PTA: VOLUNTEER NEEDS
- The PTA is looking for an Outdoor Workday Committee Chair. Our big focus this year is cleaning up the school's outdoor spaces and we want to plan several outdoor workdays during the school year. We need a parent (or two) who would like to be the lead in planning/overseeing these days. The PTA will partner with you to let you know the needs, vision, help gather volunteers, etc. If you'd like more information please email hsesncpta@gmail.com.
- Calling all 5th-grade parents! The PTA needs a few 5th-grade parents to head up the 5th Grade Committee! The committee is responsible for fundraising money to pay for the end of year 5th-grade celebration (food trucks at O'Holly Night and selling yard signs), partnering with the 5th-grade teachers to order 5th-grade t-shirts, and collecting photos from parents to put together a video that is shown at the 5th-grade end of year celebration. Help make your 5th graders year a great one! Email hsesncpta@gmail.com if you are interested.
COVID-19 School Protocol Changes
HERE is a letter sent via school messenger on Friday, August 20th regarding COVID-19 school protocol changes. If you have not read the letter, please take the time to do so.
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
New Registration Process for WCPSS Employees who Want to Volunteer
HSES Scrambled Legs Run Club!
The 2021 HSES Scrambled Legs Run Club Spring season will run for 7 weeks on the following WEDNESDAYS from 4:15-5:30 > October 6th, October 13th, October 20th, October 27th, November 3rd, November 10th and November 19th. November 19th will be practice & a team dinner. The season will conclude with the Apex Turkey Trot on November 20th.
IMPORTANT: Registration will begin at 6:00 AM on Monday, September 20th and will close on Friday, September 24th. Run club will be limited to the first 75 runners who register through the website.
The Scrambled Legs Run Club is for 3rd - 5th grade students at any ability level from walkers to competitive racers. Due to the limited number of spots, please only sign up if you are willing to put in your best effort at each practice.
VOLUNTEERS/COACHES ARE ALSO NEEDED! More information can be found on the website.
https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/hsesslrc/home
Has Your Phone Number/Email Changed?
Positivity Project: Tracks 1, 2, & 3 Bravery
This week students will learn about bravery. Bravery refers to voluntary (not coerced) action in the face of a dangerous circumstance. This strength involves judgment; the brave person must have an understanding of the risks and consequences involved in acting. According to Socrates and Plato, forethought separates acts of valor from acts of rashness. This means that bravery isn’t simply fearlessness, but instead the overcoming of fear.
“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
-ROSA PARKS
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
Bus Riders
Due to a bus driver shortage, WCPSS Transportation has had to adjust many bus routes. HERE is a letter that was sent home with your child on August 18th. Please be sure to check your student’s AM and PM stop times (click here to view the bus routes).
Students should be ready and waiting for the bus at least 10 minutes prior to pick up. There is a lot of change at the start of the new school year as new students begin riding the bus and learning to use the bus service. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
Counselor Connection
October is National Bullying Prevention Month!
Every October, schools, and organizations across the country observe National Bullying Prevention Month. The goal: encourage communities to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on all children of all ages. Click here for more information.
October 20th is UNITY day & we will all wear ORANGE!
Shannon O’Neal at soneal2@wcpss.net
Martha Frank at mfrank@wcpss.net
Technology Tips & Resources
CHARGE! 🔋
Please help your child have a successful day during classroom instruction and specials by making sure their Chromebook is fully charged EVERY SINGLE night.
Thank you 😊 Mrs. Quigley
ESL Updates
Access Test Results have been sent to the school. If you are a parent of an ELL student you should be receiving these soon in your child’s purple folder.
If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Rodgers.
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: 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 Reflections Contest
The National PTA Reflections contest wants you to create and explain how YOU will change the world! Just turn in your artwork and entry form, which includes your artist statement, by October 25th. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include at least 10 words and not exceed 100 words. The artist statement is worth 40 out of 100 points and is just as important as the artwork. Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the current year’s theme may be submitted. Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student’s work and help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed. You can turn these items in by Oct. 25.
Sign up here if you'd like to participate: 2021-2022 Reflections Sign Up!
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!
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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!!