The Eagle's Call π¦ ππ
Friday, March 17th, 2023
From Principal Tim Huber π€
Volunteers Needed Very Soon!
Happy St. Patrick's Day Harris Creek Elementary School community! We had green everywhere at our school today to go along with the usual yellows and blues.
This week I am dedicating this space to a call for volunteers! Below you will see links for 2 different sign up forms which are for 2 exciting projects coming in the next month or so.
- On behalf of the PTA, I am thrilled to announce the upcoming installation of new classroom identification signs on March 24th and April 6th! New signs will replace the currently hanging colored flags. The new signs will allow for easy teacher customization and ensure that all classroom spaces are easy to identify for visitors. There are various tasks associated with this, so don't be deterred if power tools aren't your thing! Any and all help is appreciated. Work will begin immediately following dismissal and go until approximately 5pm (both of these days are Early Release Days; students dismissed at 1:45pm).
- Also on behalf of the PTA, you are invited to the annual Spring Campus Beautification Day on Saturday April 22nd from 9am-12pm. Join us in celebrating Earth Day by cleaning up the grounds at Harris Creek Elementary. We will be doing everything from trimming shrubs to picking up trash, so there should be tasks for the whole family! Please bring useful tools and equipment labeled with your name, child's teacher, and phone number. Don't forget your garden gloves! Also, if you have any perennials you are thinning from your own yard, we would love to have them on campus
Use the blue button links to SignUpGenius below to sign up for these volunteer opportunities! Thank you!
Today and always, 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
[CALENDAR REMINDER] Early Release Day Friday March 24th - Students dismissed at 1:45pm π
[REMINDER] Return Pink Family Intent Forms ASAP π
Track 1 families, you will receive the form shortly after returning from track out.
This information will help us to effectively plan for the 2023-24 school year. Thank you!
[UPDATED] March Madness (for Books)! ππ
At the link below, you will see 16 books that are in the competition! Take time to watch the links and read the books with your child. After you spend time watching the books, you can vote for which ones you think should move on to the Elite 8. Also, we are giving away FREE books! Put your child's name in the drawing using the link. One name will be drawn a day until the end of March. Email Mrs. Bonham at lbonham@wcpss.net if you have any questions.
The picture below is from the wall just outside our Media Center. Be sure to stop by the bracket wall when you're here to see which books are surviving and advancing throughout the month!
[ITEMS NEEDED] HCES Food Pantry and Toiletry Closet π±π§
Staff Meeting This Coming Week!!
Please take a moment to 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 our next meeting. Use the form below to send your shout- out π£[SAVE THE DATE] Eagle Fun Fest 2023: Bigger and Better Than Ever! Friday May 12th! πͺ
[ICYMI] Reminder of End of School Year Calendar π
- Track 1 last day of school is June 2nd
- Track 2,3,4, last day of school is June 28th
End-of-grade testing will take place within the last 10 days of school for each track. Remediation/retesting (for eligible students only) days for each track are as follows:
- Track 1: June 5th and June 7th
- Track 2,3,4: June 29th and June 30th
[IMPORTANT] Initial At-Risk for Retention Letters β
First, a reminder that if you receive a letter, it does not mean that your child will be retained.
WCPSS Board Policy 3420 requires schools to notify parents if their child is at risk of retention due to not making sufficient or adequate progress toward grade level benchmarks. These letters will be mailed or emailed by your childβs teacher by the end of the third quarter. (March 7th for Track 1, March 24th for Track 2,3,4).
We recognize these letters may increase stress and anxiety levels for our families and students. That is not the intention, however, we must notify parents of their childβs academic performance. If you receive this letter, it should not be the first time youβre hearing of your childβs struggles.
Again, if you receive a letter, it does not mean that your child will be retained.
There are many factors that go into the decision to retain a student and these factors will be considered by the school retention committee prior to deciding. If you have questions or concerns regarding receipt of the letter, please donβt hesitate to reach out to your childβs teacher
[ICYMI] School Yearbook Pre-Order π
[NEXT WEEK] Single Subject Acceleration Information π’
The testing nomination window for Single Subject Acceleration for Spring 2023 is as follows:
Track 2: March 20th-24th
Track 3: March 20th- 24th
Track 4: March 20th-24th
Fill out the linked form and send to your classroom teacher as well as AIG teacher (smatheson@wcpss.net)
No late nominations will be accepted.
Testing will occur during the following testing windows:
Track 1, 2, and 3: April 4th-19th
Track 4: April 18th-May 3rd
Need someone to talk to? Call the Parent Stress Line: 1.800.632.8188
Parents Helping Parents (PHP) prevention philosophy is grounded in a self-help model based on the belief that parents are capable of developing their own solutions when given the space, encouragement, and community resources that they need. Thus, it is the parents themselves who decide the direction a conversation will take during a Parent Support Group meeting or Parent Stress Line.
β
Through a combination of trust, mutual support, honesty, and collective wisdom, involvement with PHP can become the foundation for a parent's own personal growth and change.
[FOR REFERENCE] How Can I Help My Child With Math? βββ
PTA News π€
Please Join the PTA online!! Although opportunities to attend meetings and to volunteer are available and will be offered, it is not a requirement for PTA membership. Please consider joining the PTA and supporting our school in whatever capacity you are able.
- PTA Meeting Dates: 4/4/23, 4/26/23, 6/6/23
- Yearbook Pre-Orders open now
- 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!
- Help Stock The Teacher's Lounge! π
- Follow the Harris Creek Elementary PTA Facebook page
[PLEASE REVIEW] Transportation Reminders ππ
ID Checks Take Place in The Front Office
Family members who do not have a carpool tag will be required to park (disabled spots) and come into the front office to have their ID checked to verify they are a student contact. This is a return to pre-pandemic procedures and to address staffing shortage. In addition, cars without carpool tags will remain in the carpool line rather than advance past the cones. If you need a new carpool tag, please come to the front office anytime during school hours. More info here. Thank you!
2022-23 School Year HCES Carpool Expectations
Please read the linked document in it's entirety if you have yet to do so.
Students May Not Be Dropped Off Until 8:45am
Please be reminded of the expectation that students may not be dropped off until 8:45am. Students may not line up at the front door unless a Harris Creek staff member is present and invites them to do so.
Carpool Efficiency Reminders
Please remember to pull forward as far as possible in both AM and PM carpool, have your student(s) open their own door, and put on your hazard lights if assistance is needed (AM). If needing to help your child get in the seat, please pull forward and into a parking space so that the line can keep moving. 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.
[ICYMI] Welcome New Staff Members! π
This week we welcomed the following new staff members:
- Angela Bell - 3rd Grade Track 4 Teacher
- Elizabeth O'Neil - Title 1 Preschool Teacher
Both teachers will be offering Meet the Teacher opportunities to families soon!
Check the Welcome New Staff page on our school website frequently for newly added staff bios!
Volunteer Registration and Volunteer Opportunities π€
Families: especially if you plan to chaperone for a future field trip, urgent action is required in order for you to be approved. The background check process often takes 6-8 weeks.
If you have not yet registered to volunteer at our school, be sure to stop by as soon as possible to complete the volunteer application which must be completed online at a WCPSS campus.
If you completed registration and became an approved volunteer for last year (21-22 school year), then you are all set for 2022-23! There is no need to renew at this time.
District policy regarding volunteers can be accessed here.
School Meals π΄ π½
Cafeteria Menus: Menus are available on the interactive website, MealViewer.
- School Cafeteria Angel Fund: Our school cafeteria maintains a special account for when students forget to bring money for school meals on a day here and there. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please send cash or check in with your child or drop it off at the school with Cafeteria Manager Rachel Shepard. Thank you for your generosity!
MySchoolBucks App: With a MySchool Bucks account paying for school meals is easy. Go to www.MySchoolBucks.com or call (855) 832-5226 to enroll. You'll need your child's Student ID number, available in your registration materials or at your school. Once your account is established you may:
- Securely deposit funds to your child's account
- Check balances
- Set spending limits
Health and Wellness Reminders β₯
General health guidance can be viewed here: https://www.wcpss.net/Page/168
View wcpss.net/WhenToReturn for requirements to return after a COVID-19 diagnosis, exposure, or symptoms.
Communication: Send ALL COVID-related emails to your child's teacher
and to hces-covid19@wcpss.net
Thank you for doing your part to keep our kids in school!
WCPSS Technology Webpage π»
WCPSS Technology Webpage: Acces information regarding:
- Smartphone/Device Safety
- Consent For Technology And Digital Resource Use
- Technology Related Policies
- Student Device Program
- Online Safety at School
- Online Safety at Home
- Digital Wellness
Reminder: Students should restart their WCPSS devices once per week.
Restarting also can resolve many other common issues impacting student devices. Always restart a WCPSS device before contacting the Help Desk. Thank you!
Harris Creek Student Device Data as of November 2022: 88% on first device, 9.2% on second device, 2.5% on Day Use Only device
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 17: St. Patrick's Day
- Mar 24: Early Release Day: students dismissed at 1:45pm
- Mar 24: End of Quarter 3 for Tracks 2,3,4
- Mar 24: Track 4 last day before Track out
- Mar 27: Track 1 returns
- Apr 6: Early Release Day: students dismissed at 1:45pm
- Apr 7: Good Friday - No School
- Apr 10-14: WCPSS Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
- Apr 12: Spring School Picture Day Tracks 1&2
- Apr 21: Teacher Workday All Tracks - No School for Students
- Apr 22: Spring Campus Beautification Day (also Earth Day!!)
- Apr 24: Track 4 returns, no school for Tracks 1,2,3
- May 1-5: WCPSS Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 12: 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