Cheetah Chronicles
November 1st, 2020
Reminders
October 26th-October 30th-Cohort A Returns for a Week (K-3)
November 2nd-November 6th-Cohort B Returns for a Week (K-3)
November 3rd-Election Day-No-In Person Instruction-Asynchronous Lessons Posted
November 9th-November 13th-Cohort C Returns (K-3)
November 11th-Veterans Day-No School
November 16th-All K-3 Plan B Students Return to School for In-Person Instruction
November 16th-November 20th-4th/5th Grade Cohort A Returns for a Week
November 23rd & 24th-Synchronous Remote Learning Days
November 25th-27th-No School-Thanksgiving Holiday
Positivity Project: Bravery
This week students will be learning about Bravery. Bravery refers to voluntary (not coerced) action in the face of a dangerous circumstance. This strength involves judgment; the brave person must have an understanding of the risks and consequences involved in acting. According to Socrates and Plato, forethought separates acts of valor from acts of rashness. This means that bravery isn’t simply fearlessness, but instead the overcoming of fear.
“I learned that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
-NELSON MANDELA
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
Bus Riders: Required 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. 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
If needed: Printable Health Attestation Forms in multiple languages
Breakfast & Lunch during In-Person Instructional Days
All students have the ability to have free breakfast and lunch on school days. If you choose to send in lunch or snacks with your child, please make sure they can open all containers themselves.
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
Bus & Cohort Tags
Transportation Changes
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)
Here Comes the Bus App
WCPSS Virtual Academy Registration Window
Carpool Tag Registration for 2020-2021 School Year
Thanks!
Water Bottles- Plan B Students
Students will need to bring their own bottled water and/or reusable water bottles to minimize use and touching of water fountains. All water bottles should be clearly labeled with your child’s name. It is your child’s responsibility to keep track of their water bottle and take it home for regular cleaning.
If someone wants water and does not have a water bottle, they may ask a staff member for a cup to get water from the water fountain and drink from the cup as only filler stations are accessible at this time.
Parent Letter w/ Plan B Information
Social Stories for Students
Social Stories can be helpful in supporting student’s learning when assisting with understanding difficult issues. These social stories for special education students focus on wearing face-coverings, social distancing, and hand washing. Click HERE for resources provided by WCPSS.
Using Timers
WCPSS Board of Education Return to School- Plan B Students
For Plan B students who will begin returning to school on October 26th, please make sure you are practicing the 3Ws with your child.
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 maskClick HERE for the letter sent to Plan B families on Friday with more information.
Counselor Connection
As we prepare for a new quarter, whether your child is participating virtually or in-person, this article is helpful in navigating your child’s emotions.
October Book Recommendations
K-3
Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler
Topics it covers: Friendship, Social Problem Solving & Anxiety
This charming story is about a little skeleton boy who is afraid to go to school. His friends come alongside him and help him solve his problem so that he can go to school confidently!
4-5
My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig
In this powerful book on relational aggression, Monica’s friend Katie is nice to her when they are alone, but has started to be mean to her in front of others. Monica isn’t sure how to handle this, and turns to her mom who helps her stand up for herself.
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
Updates to Food and Lunch Distribution
Students in all grade levels can receive a free breakfast and lunch from an operating location until December 31*. Please visit https://www.wcpss.net/food for a list of operating sites. Students are not required to visit their assigned school and do not have to be present to receive meals. The curbside meal service will operate Monday through Friday from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Students will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost! No student ID number required to receive meals. *Or until funding is depleted.
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
BOOSTERTHON STARTS THIS WEEK!
Holly Springs families!
We're 3 days away from officially kicking off our fundraiser for Technology Upgrades! Donating is open. Give us early momentum by SHARING ONLINE. Here's how:
-REGISTER your student on funrun.com
-SHARE with friends and family using the SHARE button.
-GIVE if you are able to.
Boosterthon runs from November 4-13th. DANCE FIT event will be the 13th either in class or through google meet during school hours.
HSES Child Face Masks
Reflections Art Program!
Does your student enjoy art, music and dance, or have an interest in writing, creating films or taking photos? HSES PTA invites your child to have fun unleashing their inner artist and participate in the 2020-21 Reflections Art Program!
This year’s theme is “I Matter Because…” Students are invited to create a unique work of art based on this year’s theme in one of six categories -- literature, film production, visual arts, music composition, dance choreography, and photography.
If your student is interested in participating fill out this form https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfidUnnxsZ.../viewform and we will email you the Student Participation packet with all the details! Projects are due November 13th.
Virtual O'Holly Night: Coming Soon!
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!!