The Eagle's Call π¦
Friday, December 17th, 2021
From Principal Tim Huber
Making Learning Leaps
The end of quarter 2 is coming on December 22nd for Tracks 2, 3 and 4. Our teachers and instructional support staff have been working hard to assess student academic growth and early data is showing learning leaps! I was recently stopped in the hallway by a teacher who excitedly described how students have demonstrated significant reading skills progress since the beginning of the school year. These are the moments that have me beaming with pride for our students, staff, and families. The collective efforts of our community will continue to help our children be successful. Be sure to spend some time celebrating your child's success this weekend and into the holiday break.
Thank you for your continued support of your children and our school. Together, we will help our children SOAR to reach their greatest potential!
ACTION REQUESTED: Label Items Dropped Off
As is typical around this time of year, many families are dropping off items at the school for students, teachers, and other staff members. Please be sure to label any items with your child's name and teacher. Please do this even if you have communicated with the teacher in advance of dropping off items. Thank you!
Welcome New Staff Members! π
- [NEW] McKenzie Emmons, Kindergarten Track 3 Instructional Assistant (starts 1/3/22)
- Hannah Namkung, 1st grade Track 4 Teacher (started 12/14)
- Kathy Jannotta, Track 3 CCR Teacher (former HCES Kindergarten Instructional Assistant)
- Mikaylynn Tinnerman, Track 1 5th grade Teacher (replaces Crystal Wilson, starts with class on 1/3)
- Gabriela Arroliga, 4th grade Track 4 Teacher (starts with newly formed class on 1/24)
- Jordan Poole, Dance/Yoga/Mindfulness Teacher (classes, titled "Creek Core", began last week)
Read some new staff bios HERE on our school website!
UPDATED: We're Hiring! π«
Are you or someone you know interested in joining the staff of the best school in the district?! See below for our current and future vacancies and use this
link to apply:
Current Vacancies
- 1st grade Instructional Assistant, Track 3
- Special Education (ECS2) Instructional Assistant, Track 4
- Special Education (ECS1) Instructional Assistant, Track 4
Future Vacancies
- Kindergarten Instructional Assistant, Track 3, available 1/1/2022
- [NEW] School COVID-19 Coordinator, 12 Month, available 1/1/2022
The Creek Core Specials Class Has Begun! π§ββοΈπ§ββοΈ
From Creek Core Teacher Ms. Poole:
I am so thrilled to get to know you and your students more as Creek Core classes begin.
We will be focusing on things like mindful movements (dance, yoga, breathing exercises) & mindful thinking (practicing gratitude/SEL incorporated lessons).
Please remind students to wear/bring socks (if possible) on Creek Core days so we can get as much out of the yoga mats as possible!
My hope is that students will be able to take things learned inside my classroom and apply them to other areas in their life. Whether that looks like practicing grounding techniques or showing kindness and empathy for others- overall we plan to do a lot of moving so they should be relaxed and ready for the day!
ACTION REQUESTED: Restart Your Child's WCPSS Chromebook Weekly π»
WCPSS Technology Services has seen an increase in security issues due to WCPSS devices not being restarted regularly. Restarting a device allows updates for new security and productivity features.
Students and staff should restart their WCPSS devices once per week. Consider setting a specific day for this, such as a Restart Wednesday or Restart Friday. (Important: Closing the lid only locks the device and does not shut it down.)
Restarting also can resolve many other common issues impacting student devices. Always restart a WCPSS device before contacting the Help Desk.
Thank you!
Resources to Support Health And Wellness π
In addition to the many services and supports that our school offers with the help of our school counselors, psychologist, social worker, and other specialists, the resources at the link below may provide additional help to students and families to improve their health and wellness. We are here to assist you with connecting with these and other programs and services. Visit
https://www.wcpss.net/wellness Transportation Information ππ
Carpool Procedures
We have made the following updates to the morning carpool procedure:
- Students exit vehicles starting at 8:42 and wait at the door until 8:45
- Students who are able to exit vehicles on their own will do so; if your student needs assistance, please turn on your vehicle's hazard lights
- The entire sidewalk all the way up to the light pole will be used to allow as many cars to be unloaded concurrently
Remember that students arriving after 9:15 must be signed in by an adult upon arrival.
Bus Tracking App
Please use the Here Comes the Bus app (App Store or Google Play Store) to monitor the location of your studentβs bus and when it is approaching his/her stop. To sign up: https://herecomesthebus.com/parents/get-started/ . The WCPSS school code for school bus tracking is 67500. You will need to use your child's student ID number as well.
You can also follow @HCESBuses on Twitter to confirm when your child's bus leaves campus each afternoon.
WCPSS Volunteer Registration
In the near future, we are planning to welcome limited numbers of parent and community volunteers for a variety of opportunities to include lunch and recess duty coverage. In order to volunteer, you are required to be a registered and approved volunteer. Volunteer registration must be completed on a computer at any WCPSS school and should take no more than 10-15 minutes. Please stop by as soon as you are able and we will have a school device available for you to use. Thank you for your support!
Tell us how a Harris Creek staff member has helped or made an impact on you or your child. This shout-out will be shared with the staff at a future meeting! Use the form below to send your shout- out π£
Health and Wellness Reminders β₯
Please do not send your child to school when they are sick or experiencing ANY of these symptoms of illness:
Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea
COVID-19 VACCINE: Vaccines are now available for children ages 5+. Wake County Public Health encourages parents to protect their children aged 5-17 with the COVID-19 vaccine β it's safe, effective, and available at no cost. Read more about the vaccine for kids: Pfizer-BioNTech (ages 5+). Wake County Public Health is offering special kids-only vaccine days. Families can go to WakeGov.com/kids to sign up. Pediatrician offices, pharmacies and children's hospitals are also providing vaccine appointments for children in Wake County. Visit https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/kids to find a vaccine near you.
NOTIFICATION REMINDER: If your child or a household member receives a positive COVID test or if they are exposed to someone with COVID, please notify your childβs teacher and an administrator right away. An administrator will reach out to assist with next steps. View wcpss.net/WhenToReturn for requirements to return after a COVID-19 diagnosis, exposure, or symptoms.
TYPES OF APPROVED FACE COVERINGS: The link to guidance on approved types of face coverings can be found here. Mask compliance (over the nose, covering mouth, under the chin) is important. You can continue to help by ensuring your childβs mask is as comfortable as possible, while meeting the criteria for an approved face covering.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our kids in school!
How to Easily Set Your WCPSS Communication Preferences
We recognize that you may be receiving a large volume of communication and we want to make sure you always see the information you need the most!
Set your SchoolMessenger message preferences by creating a SchoolMessenger Parent account. With this account you can select what information you receive and how you would like to receive it. You can create your account by downloading the SchoolMessenger app on your mobile device or go to https://go.schoolmessenger.com/.
Notes:
- Use the email address entered for your student in PowerSchool to sign up.
- Most messages from Mr. Huber and WCPSS are sent as email and text using the General School Info broadcast.
- To receive text messages, text YES to 67587.
- For more information and instructions on how to create an account, visit: https://www.wcpss.net/schoolmessenger.
Upcoming Dates to Remember π
- Dec 23-Jan 2: Winter break (no school for students)
- Jan 3: Track 4 students track out begins, Track 1 students track in
- Jan 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school for students)
Harris Creek Elementary School π¦
As Harris Creek Eagles, we SOAR!
