Cheetah Chronicles
August 30th, 2020
Reminders
Positivity Project: Curiosity
This week, students will be learning about the Positivity Project character strength of Curiosity. Curiosity is a crucial component of one's character. Our innate urge for discovery and exploration is a key element of our human desire for wisdom and knowledge. Students will further understand why their curiosity is an important part of their learning process. Positivity Project offers many great discussion opportunities for your family, so be sure to ask your student what they are learning in regards to P2 each week!
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious...and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
-WALT DISNEY
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.
eLearning Virtual Family Night- September 2nd
Please join Ms. Clark (Principal), Ms. McKinnon (Assistant Principal), Ms. Pickrel (Instructional Facilitator), Ms. Quigley (Technology and Virtual Academy Contact), and Ms. Dixon (Library Media Coordinator) for an eLearning Family Orientation Night on September 2nd at 5:30 pm. We will cover general school information as adapted for eLearning, curriculum updates, important technology information, and library services available during eLearning.
We will also have a time in which specific questions submitted by families will be addressed. We ask that you submit those questions prior to our session using the link found HERE.
Please find the information for joining the sessions below. The session is limited to 250 participants, so we ask for only one login per family.
Joining info:
https://meet.google.com/waw-sxee-xrs
Dial-in: (US) +1 475-549-0381
PIN: 183 950 304#
Master Schedule
Beginning tomorrow, Monday August 31st, students will follow the master schedule found HERE. Teachers will be sharing information with each student/family about which small group their child will attend. Independent practice or asynchronous work times will also be shared as these vary by class
Updates to Food and Lunch Distribution
Effective September 1, families are required to provide a student ID number and pay for their meals based on their meal benefits status. Families are encouraged to use MySchoolBucks to prepay for meals to reduce any payment collections at curbside. Free and reduced-price meals will be available for eligible students. Families may pick up meals at our curb-side locations without a student present if they can provide the student’s name and ID number. Visit wcpss.net/food for updated food distribution location information. Families may still apply for free and reduced-price meals. Eligibility and application information is posted on wcpss.net/meals. For the 2020-21 school year, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. Meals will not be distributed for the Labor Day Holiday. Due to our transition to the National School Breakfast Program, students’ names and student ID numbers will need to be provided beginning Monday, August 31 to receive breakfast for Tuesday, and beginning Tuesday, September 1 to receive breakfast and lunch.
Chromebook and Hotspot Distribution
**The district continues to work hard to get devices in to the hands of our students. If you have not yet received an email stating that your device is ready, continue be on the lookout this week for your email.
You will receive information from WCPSS on technology pick-up sites and procedures. Please wait to go collect your device until you have received an email from WCPSS stating that your student's device is ready to be picked up. (Please note that our school is not one of the pickup sites.) Apex High School appears to be the closest distribution site to our school at this time. The distribution date for the devices is scheduled to begin the week of August 17th. You will also be provided with information to support your use of the devices, and how to access additional help if needed. All students in the household should have access to their own device with a keyboard. If you need a device and did not complete the survey, please call us at 919.557.2660 as soon as possible. You may also email Emily Quigley at equigley@wcpss.net.
Deadline Extension for Immunizations and Health Assessments
Childcare During Remote Learning
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
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.”
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 and anywhere on school grounds, including outside;
- while traveling on buses or other WCPSS vehicles; and
- at all WCPSS work sites.
Updates from the Parent Teacher Association
There is an APP for that!
DID YOU KNOW THE PTA HAS AN APP?
With the school year starting off virtual our app will be the best way for you to stay updated. It's never been easier to access the school calendar, class & teacher information, district information, fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, purchase spirit wear & paw prints, and so much more! AND, by installing our app, you will receive important announcements and friendly reminders about what’s happening at our school.
Search for our school 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! You can do this by clicking on the symbol in the top left corner of the app.***
iTunes: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1481853108
GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app_hollyspringses.layout
Go Play Save
The PTA is selling Go Play Save books this year for $30! Paper book orders will be filled mid September but mobile books are ready to use immediately! If you purchase a paper book you will be contacted with dates you can them pick them up. PTA earns 50% profit on all sales!
Use this link to start selling/purchasing books: www.goplaysavetriangle.com/store/HSES2021 or the Holly Springs Elementary School PTA App on your phone!
Click here- https://bit.ly/2DwnZUZ to check out what vendors are participating this year! Thanks for supporting our PTA and the local businesses that participate in the Triangle Go Play Save books!
Boosterthon
This year, in light of HSES starting off online, we will be holding our annual Fall Boosterthon Fun Run in a Virtual manner! More details to come as the date gets closer! Reserve your free T-shirt before August 31st for a tentative pickup on September 17th. We’ll email you more detailed info at a later date.