The Eagle's Call π¦
Friday, March 4th, 2022
From Principal Tim Huber
Welcome Back Field Trips! We Missed You ππ
I had the distinct pleasure of joining 4th grade students, teachers, and family members for Harris Creek Elementary's first off campus field trip of the 2021-2022 school year on Wednesday March 2nd. The warm and sunny weather matched our moods as we crisscrossed Bicentennial Plaza in Raleigh to visit the Legislative Building, NC Science museum, and NC History museum. It was a truly special treat for me to meet many family members who graciously volunteered their time and energy to chaperone and ensure the success of the trip for all children. We are looking forward to future trips in other grade levels and I urge all interested parents and guardians to complete volunteer registration ASAP! The background check can take up to 8 weeks so please stop by the school anytime during regular hours to complete the application.
Check out the picture below of me with some 4th grade students at the NC Sports History exhibit at the NC Museum of History!
Thank you for your continued support of your children and our school. Together, we will help our children SOAR to reach their greatest potential!
Email: thuber@wcpss.net
Website: https://www.wcpss.net/harriscreekes
Location: Harris Creek Elementary School, Forestville Road, Raleigh, NC, USA
Phone: 919.217.5100
Facebook: facebook.com/HarrisCreekPta
Twitter: @MrTimothyHuber
[UPDATED] WCPSS Volunteer Registration
[NEW] March Madness Read Across America! π
Use the link below to access videos of read alouds (by Harris Creek staff members!) for all the books as well as the form for your child to vote and the form to enter the book giveaway contest.
[NEW] Kids Heart Challenge Has Started β₯πββοΈπββοΈ
Coach B has started the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge for 2022! It's the 15th year of this for him. Flyers went home this week and the goal is to raise $1000. A portion of the proceeds go to PE Equipment which will benefit the entire school.
Spring School Pictures π·
[UPDATED] PTA News π€
- Coin Craze Update; Second Grade Wins! All the money counted and determined that second grade won by over $100. Total received for calming corners was $1800! As a reward for the whole,we had a two minute dance party on 2/22/22.
- Eagle Fun Fest May 13th: volunteers will be needed! No rain date has been set
- Yearbooks are on sale now! Price is $15.00, Make Checks Payable to: HCES PTA or you can purchase online at: https://harriscreek.ptboard.com/ NOTE: Limited quantity of extra copies will be ordered and sold on a first come, first serve basis
- PTA Angel Fund: Please consider a donation to fund field trips for other Eagles! Click the link to donate: all donations go towards funding individual students for future field trips
- Check out the School Spirit Wear Online Store! Check out the sale on new Tie Dye options!
- Help Stock The Teacher's Lounge! π
- Join the PTA online
- Follow the Harris Creek Elementary PTA Facebook page
PTA Update For 5th Grade Families Only
Baby Picture (FREE): The yearbook committee is requesting a baby/younger picture for each 5th grade student for the 2021/2022 yearbook. Please send ONE picture (jpeg ONLY) of your 5th grade student to hcesyearbook1@gmail.com. **Please include the childβs full name and teacherβs name in the email so we can properly caption them** You do not need to purchase a yearbook in order to submit a picture and be included***
Student Ad ($25.00): The Yearbook Committee is selling 5th Grade student ads. You can purchase a yearbook student ad to send your best wishes or to congratulate your fifth grader. All ads are ΒΌ page, portrait orientation and can contain a picture (jpeg ONLY).
**YEARBOOK SOLD SEPARATELY**
For 5th Grade Families: Preparing for Middle School
Informational letters were sent to 5th grade families today 2/25. Use the links below to access the letter.
Letter to 5th Grade Families - English
Letter to 5th Grade Families - Spanish
To stay up to date on all Rising 6th grade information, including parent nights, deadlines, and course registration please visit our student services website: https://www.wcpss.net/domain/13757
Welcome New Staff Members! π
- Adriana Flores, Regular Education Instructional Assistant (start date 2/28)
- Mariah Dewar, COVID-19 Coordinator (start date 2/14)
- Cora Mitchell, PreK Track 4 Instructional Assistant (start date 2/14)
Read some new staff bios HERE on our school website!
Single Subject Acceleration Testing Requests Due Soon β
Students meeting qualifying criteria in grades Kβ7 can take advanced academic content in mathematics or English Language Arts through Single Subject Acceleration (SSA). This ensures opportunities for appropriate levels of academic challenge. Only students who are currently enrolled and attending a WCPSS school during the open nomination and testing window are eligible to be considered for SSA. More information can be found at https://www.wcpss.net/Page/3799
Test Request Deadlines
Test Requests for the 2022-23 school year must be submitted during your schoolβs calendar deadline.
Leadership Academies, Modified and Year-Round Track 1: Feb. 25, 2022
Traditional Calendar and Year-Round Tracks 2, 3 and 4: March 25, 2022
The SSA Contact at Harris Creek is our AIG Teacher Sherri Matheson: smatheson@wcpss.net
Media Center Additions! π
We're Hiring! π«π
Current Vacancies
- Bus Drivers for our area! Learn more at https://www.wcpss.net/busjobs
- Special Education (ECS2) Instructional Assistant, Track 4
- Special Education (ECS1) Instructional Assistant, Track 4
[UPDATED] Health and Wellness Reminders β₯
To read details about how schools and our school system are responding the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit https://www.wcpss.net/covid19.
MASKS: The WCPSS Board of Education recently voted to make masks βrecommended, but not requiredβ in schools, effective March 7th. Masking is a decision that each family and staff member will make. Please talk with your children about this change and reinforce that it is a personal and private choice whether to wear a mask or not. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach March 7th.
ON-CAMPUS COVID-19 TESTING:
Wake County Public School System, in partnership with MAKO Medical, will begin offering weekly, on-campus COVID-19 testing for students and staff. COVID-19 testing is an effective way to reduce transmission, especially when layered with other precautionary measures.
We strongly recommend all families participate in this free program. Participation helps safeguard the wellbeing of the entire school community and gives you information to help you keep your children healthy.
Participation in the program is voluntary. A parent or guardian must register any student under 18 years old in order to participate. To learn more about COVID-19 testing, visit www.MAKOstrongschoolsNC.com
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES: If your child or a household member receives a positive COVID test or if they are exposed to someone with COVID, please emails to your child's teacher and to hces-covid19@wcpss.net right away. An office staff member will reach out to assist with next steps.
View wcpss.net/WhenToReturn for requirements to return after a COVID-19 diagnosis, exposure, or symptoms. Be sure to review recent updates which include that students are no longer considered exposed while at school as schools are following all health precautions. Students will only be sent home if they are showing symptoms of illness.
Communication: Send ALL COVID-related emails to your child's teacher and to hces-covid19@wcpss.net
Virtual Academy: Virtual Academy remains closed and there are no exceptions.
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.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our kids in school!
Resources to Support Health And Wellness π
Family Support Awareness Month February 2022
Families have been presented with unprecedented challenges over the last two years, underscoring the importance of community-wide access to support, information and positive connections. Home visiting and parent education programs build a system of support for families and ensure children are ready to learn and remain healthy and safe.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed February to be Family Support Awareness Month, a time to shine a spotlight on the valuable work of home visitors and parent educators across our state. In recognition of Family Support Awareness Month, the Growing Resilience Movement and SAFEchild will offer several free virtual events throughout February. Click here for the flyer with all the event information.
Transportation Reminders ππ
AM Carpool Efficiency Reminders
Currently, with Tracks 1,3, and 4 in session together, the volume of cars in morning carpool is much greater than usual. Please remember to pull forward as far as possible, have your student(s) open their own door, and put on your hazard lights if assistance is needed. Thank you!
Please Display Carpool Number Tags Every Afternoon
In order to ensure an efficient carpool process, please remember to hang carpool number tags to display clearly from your vehicle's rearview mirror. Please reference the image below for proper placement. This is a critical step to ensure students leave their classrooms and come outside to the correct location on the sidewalk to be picked up. Thank you!
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.
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!
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
- Mar 4: Quarter 3 Ends (Tr 1 only)
- Mar 7: Track 2 students return
- Mar 13: Daylight Savings Time ends
- Mar 24: Quarter 3 Ends (Tr 2,3,4)
- Mar 7-27: Track 1 Track out
- Apr 4: PTA Meeting 6pm
- Apr 12: Spring Pictures (Tr 1,2)
- Save the Date: May 13 - Eagle Fun Fest!
Harris Creek Elementary School π¦
Website: https://www.wcpss.net/harriscreekes
Location: Harris Creek Elementary School, Forestville Road, Raleigh, NC, USA
Phone: 919-217-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarrisCreekPta
Twitter: @harriscreeekelem