Cheetah Chronicles
March 28th, 2021
Important Dates
March 29th & 30th-Asynchronous Day
March 31st-April 13th-Track Out
April 14th-Welcome Students Back!
April 21st-Asynchronous Day
May 5th-Asynchronous Day
May 19th-Asynchronous Day
May 26th-Asynchronous Day
May 31st-Memorial Day-No School
June 21st-Last Day of School
School Calendar
Important: Bus Riders Requesting Transportation While Opting Out of Virtual Academy
Eligible bus riders currently in Virtual Academy returning to in-person learning must apply for bus service. The student must meet all transportation eligibility requirements. Students must also submit the daily attestation form. Bus assignments will not be provided until the attestation form is received. Parents should be guided to the transportation website to apply for service (wcpss.net/busrider) and to submit the attestation form (wcpss.net/busform). Requests made for transportation will be closed after three days if the attestation form is not received, and the parent will be notified. Students will be assigned to a bus as quickly as possible after the attestation form is received. Typically, riders are assigned within a few days after the department receives all required information. Depending on the volume of students returning to in person learning, it could be longer.
Yearbook Information
Cheetah Family, We need your help! With students learning from home for a large part of this school year, we want to be able to showcase our students learning from home this school year! Please submit your candid photos of your learners using the links below! Send us all the pictures that capture what this school year has meant for your student and family!
Kindergarten:
https://plicbooks.com/go/12z9U
First Grade:
https://plicbooks.com/go/C25qT
Second Grade:
https://plicbooks.com/go/QuqWr
Third Grade:
https://plicbooks.com/go/jQsfA
Fourth Grade:
https://plicbooks.com/go/AQ3Wb
Fifth Grade:
Single Subject Acceleration Information
Last Call! Parents interested in having their child evaluated for SINGLE Subject Acceleration (SSA): Please click HERE for the Spring 2021 SSA Parent Information presentation. Please review the entire SSA Parent Information presentation to determine if SSA testing is appropriate for your child. Embedded in the presentation is the link for the SSA Test Request Google form. Completed SSA Test Request forms will ONLY be accepted through MONDAY, March 22, 2021. 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).
Title 1 Pre-K in WCPSS
Apply Before April 30 for Pre-Kindergarten for the 2021-22 School Year
WCPSS offers a free, high quality pre-kindergarten program for children who will be 4 years old by August 31. Students spend the full day at school with their classmates learning skills appropriate for their age through exploration and discovery. The goal is to prepare children to enter kindergarten ready to learn and succeed. Information about WCPSS’s Pre-Kindergarten options can be found by clicking HERE. Applications must be submitted by April 30. (All pre-Kindergarten enrollment decisions are made at the district level.)
The Pre-K Title I application process opened in December. Holly Springs Elementary does not have this program, but there are other sites in WCPSS that do provide these services. Parents should follow the procedure below if they are interested in applying for the program:
Pick up the universal application from HSES or any WCPSS elementary school or print it from the Smart Start website (wakesmart.org) or from www.wcpss.net/PLTitleI
Complete the application
Attach the required documents
Mail or take the application to :
Wake County Smart Start
4901 Waters Edge Drive, Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27606
919-851-9550
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS April 30, 2021
Parents must attend a screening event to be eligible for Pre-K Title I placement
Documents/information for students returning to the building and for any family who has not completed the following:
Review the Student Accountability and Required Health Protocols and Technology Guidance
Student Accountability and Required Health Protocols Signature Page: This form MUST be signed and returned before your child’s first day.
Turn in/complete Bring Your Own Device Agreement Form, if you are planning to have your child bring a personal device (not the WCPSS Chromebook) to school.
Technology Guidance for returning to school can be found in the linked document
Turn in/complete Bus Attestation Forms if your child will ride a bus at any point this year,
You will need to submit a separate form for each of your children who plan to ride the bus during the 2020-21 school year. Submit form online | Español
Printable Health Attestation Forms in multiple languages (if needed)
If your child needs to take medicine at school, please bring the medication in the original medicine bottle and the completed WCPSS required 1702 form with you.
Lunches & Snacks: We need your help!
Reminder: Cafeteria Meals (2020-21) for Virtual Academy, Remote Learning and In-person
Restorative Practices & Community Building Circles What are they?
Counselor Connection
Fun Ways to Connect with Your Kids During Break
1. Camp Outdoors
What can be more enjoyable than camping outdoors to enjoy the beautiful spring weather? You don’t have to go far- just get a tent and pitch it in your backyard.
Kids always love to have their own worlds, and tents are a great way to fulfill that! You can also have storytelling sessions and a campfire to make it more exciting for your children.
2. Paint a Wall
Do you have a spare wall or fencing?
Let your kids get creative and bring out their talent on walls, fences, or any free space. You just need to provide paint and a brush, and your child stays busy for hours at a stretch.
3. Walk, Bike, Hike
Take your kids on a walk in the park or woodlands beside your town. Go for hikes on easy trails, and bike around the city discovering new places. Your kids will love the time outdoors and also get their share of exercise.
4. Treasure Hunt and All Those Games
Your backyard can turn into a great entertainment spot during spring breaks. Call over some friends of your children and arrange a treasure hunt in the backyard. You can also play all sorts of games like frisbees, volleyball, and more.
Add an inflatable swimming pool and watch your little ones have the time of their life.
5. Plant Some Trees
Kids love to dig, play with dirt, and do something new! Help your little ones utilize their energy by planting a garden. Let them choose their favorite plants and do everything by themselves.
Kids love the sense of accomplishment when they see their hard work paying off as a new sapling.
6. Movie Nights
Why not use track out to entertain kids with their favorite movies? Arrange the popcorn, sodas, and put a nice film on that the whole family can enjoy.
7. Explore Your Town
Track out can be the perfect time to familiarize your child with your town and its heritage. Most local towns in NC offer tours.
Holly Springs Elementary is looking for qualified staff for the following positions:
Substitute Teacher - https://www.wcpss.net/subs
Virtual Academy/Remote Learning Schedule
Scholastic Support Centers
The YMCA is offering Scholastic Support Centers at three convenient locations to assist families in our region. Our YMCA Scholastic Specialists do their very best to partner with parents and school staff to help all our students have a successful experience in remote learning.
See the flyer HERE
· Kraft Family YMCA – 7:30am-6pm
· Apex Baptist Church – 7:30am-3:30pm
· Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church – 7:30am-3:30pm
Registration Link: https://www.ymcatriangle.org/programs/school-programs/scholastic-support-centers
Financial Assistance Link: https://www.ymcatriangle.org/programs/financial-assistance-programs
Calendar Updates
The school board met Tuesday and made some updates to our YR calendar for the spring, which is great news for us! This means that although our April track out is a little shorter, it will provide a much needed break between the end of the year and tracks 1,2,3 start date for July 8 for the 21-22 school year. Please note that spring track out is March 31-April 13 (returning on April 14.) Our last day of school this year is now June 21.
Wellness Sessions for Families
Positivity Project: OPM2 Celebrating Other's Successes
This week students will return to the idea of the Other People Matter Mindset. This week, the focus of the OPM2 mindset is cheering on other's successes. Students will learn the importance of celebrating others even when it is not their own turn to be celebrated. Students will look to identify what makes each one of us special and unique and find qualities in one another that are something to be celebrated.
“You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everyone wins.”
-JIM STOVALL
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
Carpool Families
Thank you for your patience as we work to ensure social distancing and safety of your students. We are working to efficiently and effectively keep our carpool line moving. Please help us by doing the following.
Move car seats to the driver sides of the vehicles so that students may exit from the passenger side.
Ensure that your student knows how to buckle and unbuckle themselves into the car or their car seat.
Pull forward to the Holly Springs sign by the flag poles if you need to assist with a harness or seatbelt
Stay in your cars and do not exit vehicles during carpool. Once your student is loaded into the car, it is important that the car be ready to proceed forward.
Please do not drive around other cars to move forward, please wait in line until your car has been ushered forward.
Carpool Tag Registration for 2020-2021 School Year
Thanks!
Online Bus Attestation Form
If your child is going to ride a bus, you are required to submit this form stating that you and your child will abide by all health and safety protocols. Students are not permitted to ride the bus until this form has been submitted. Starting Monday, 11/30, if your family has not submitted this form, and your child is riding the bus, we will notify you of the need to carpool until the form is submitted. You will need to submit a separate form for each of your children who plan to ride the bus during the 2020-21 school year.
Here Comes the Bus App
Transportation Changes
YMCA-Before/After School Program at HSES
The YMCA will offer before & after school programs at HSES for the Spring 2021 (January-June). See the flyer below for more information and pricing!
Plan B Students: Preparing to Return to School
When your child returns to school, he/she will be expected to bring their Chromebook and any other materials we sent out at the start of the year to school with them. In addition, your child’s teacher has communicated if there are any additional supplies your child(ren) should need.
Please note, we cannot accept wipes, hand sanitizer, separate soaps or shared tissue boxes, as they do not meet the safety guidelines in place for the district.
Please review the details in the Return to Campus handbook, as it contains updated information about processes, protocols and expectations for our students. In addition, here are additional resources to review prior to October 26th:
- Student Accountability and Required Health Protocols and Technology Guidance ○ Student Accountability and Required Health Protocols Signature Page: This form MUST be signed and returned before your child’s first day. (In the supply distribution materials)
- Technology Guidance for returning to school
- Bring Your Own Device Agreement Form can be found here. If you plan to send a personal device, (NOT a WCPSS Chromebook), to school with your child, this form MUST be signed and returned before your child brings the device to school. (In the supply distribution materials)
- Practicing all 3 Ws will be expected all day long for students and staff, so if you have not even started these practices at home, now is the time:
- Wear a mask (over your nose to completely cover the nose & mouth)
- Wash your hands thoroughly (i.e., use soap & water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer)
- Wait at least 6 feet apart, even when wearing a mask
Click HERE for the letter sent to Plan B families with more information.
Funding Available for Families Impacted by Remote Learning
To help support families impacted by remote learning, Wake County Government has launched a new assistance program called WakeSUPPORTS. WakeSUPPORTS provides funding to working parents, so they can afford to pay for their K-8th grade student to attend virtual school at a safe location with reliable oversight, or receive before and after school care. It also can pay for fees that accompany subsidized childcare for families who meet specific income criteria. To access this support fill out and submit the online form at wakegov.com/WakeSUPPORTS. The application is available in both in English and Spanish. Residents can also pick up an application in person at Wake County’s Swinburne, Northern Regional Center, Eastern Regional Center or Southern Regional Center. If you wish to obtain an application over the phone, you can do so by calling 919-212-7621 or you can email wakesupportschildcare@wakegov.com.
Technology Tips & Resources
Do you have questions about the Google tools your student is using at school? Do you want to know more about available features? Check out Google’s Tech Toolkit for Families and Guardians
Book Check Out/Pick Up-UPDATE
Library book request and pickup is going very well. We would like to extend the days books can be picked up to Monday-Friday 9:00-3:00. Book request and the book return is located near the bus loop under the front awning. On inclement weather days these items will be located in the front lobby. Students can check the "my Stuff" tab in their follet account to see when books have been checked out to them and are ready for pickup. How-to videos are located on the Follett page in the students Wakeid portal.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please feel free to email Ms. Dixon--sfdixon@wcpss.net.
ESL Updates
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 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
CHEETAH PRIDE EVENT
VIRTUAL TALENT SHOW SIGN UP
HSES 3rd -5th Graders:
Introducing HSES first ever Virtual Talent Show! You can sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes and even use your video editing skills to make a unique talent video you could never do live! Here are a few rules:
*One act per person
*Group acts only allowed if members from the same household
*Must be in 3-5th grade
*Only appropriate music can be used and will be approved
*Videos can be no more than 3 minutes
Use this link below to sign up! We can't wait to see your talent! Talent Show will air the night of April 29th.
VIRTUAL Scholastic Book Fair!
Book Fair Dates: Friday March 4th- Tuesday March 30th
Link to Order: https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/book-fair-2021/home
The QR code below links to the book fair site. You can also locate the link from our school webpage. The virtual fair will allow access to over 6000 books and products.
ALL FOR BOOKS- Dog vs. Cat
Our goal is to ensure that each and every student at HSES has the opportunity to choose at least one book that inspires them to read. We are seeking donations through the Scholastic All for Books program to help achieve that goal. Use this link to contribute and vote for Dogs or Cats! https://app.memberhub.gives/allforbooks
TEACHERS LOVE BOOKS!
Grow your class library! Purchase and donate a book to your teacher. You may also purchase gift cards for the teacher to purchase books for your classroom.
**FREE Standard Shipping applies to orders over $25 that ONLY contain books*. Consider placing 2 separate orders, if purchasing items other than books to receive free shipping on the book order. All orders are shipped to the purchaser's home, not to school.
“FREE STANDARD SHIPPING (BOOKS)” must be selected as the shipping method in checkout.
Please share with your family and friends.
Remember, all proceeds go to grow our library!
Cheetah Paws!
MARCH MADNESS SPECIAL...
BUY A PAW FOR $20! YOU CAN PURCHASE ON OUR APP OR HTTPS://HSESPTA.NEW.MEMBERHUB.STORE/STORE
All proceeds go directly to the PTA
Donations Needed
Your HSES PTA needs your help stocking the staff lounge with snacks! We have an Amazon wish list set up to make it easy. Any items ordered from the list will deliver straight to the school. If you have questions or need a pick up of items, please contact Melissa at melisllew@gmail.com. Thanks for your support!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/7uB3KFc?ref_=wl_share
HSES Child Face Masks
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 cards this school year please take a minute to do so. You have to do it every year. You can find these links on our app also.
Lowes Foods: https://rewards.lowesfoods.com/Account/SelectCard...
Harris Teeter:
https://www.harristeeter.com/together-in-education#/app/cms
Publix:
http://corporate.publix.com/.../corporate.../publix-partners
And you can link your Amazon account too if you haven't already!
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2F
Thanks you for supporting our school!!