Cheetah Chronicles
October 18th, 2020
Reminders
October 19th: Welcome back to Online/Remote Learning!
October 21st-Asynchronous Learning Day
October 21st-HSES Car Parade
October 23rd-Asynchronous Learning Day
October 26th-October 30th-Cohort A Returns for a Week
November 2nd-November 6th-Cohort B Returns for a Week
November 3rd-Election Day-No-In Person Instruction-Asynchronous Lessons Posted
November 9th-November 13th-Cohort C Returns
November 11th-Veterans Day-No School
November 16th-All K-3 Plan B Students Return to School for In-Person Instruction
Student Materials Distribution-October 22, 2020
We will be having a supply distribution this Thursday, October 22nd! This supply distribution is for all students, both Virtual Academy and Plan B. The bags will consist of materials needed for 2nd Quarter, as well as documents Plan B students will need to have filled out and returned to school on their cohort week. You will need to drive through the carpool line to pick up supplies, please wear a mask when communicating with school staff. It is also helpful and expedites the process if parents display their student's name, grade, and teacher on piece of paper in the front window. We ask that EVERY family come by school during one of the designated pick up events to collect the materials for your student. Please see the pick up times below. If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to Arielle Pickrel at apickrel@wcpss.net.
Please see the schedule for Thursday below.
Last Name: Letters A-G
9:00-10:00
Last Name: Letters H-N
10:00-11:00
Last Name: Letters O-S
1:00-2:00
Last Name: Letters T-Z
2:00-3:00
Open Session: All Last Names
3:00-4:00
Evening Times:
Last Name: Letters A-N
5:30-6:15
Last Name: Letters O-Z
6:15-7:00
Virtual Return to School Information Session w/ Classroom Teachers: Friday, October 23rd
Friday, October 23rd:
The purpose of this session is to orient families to return to school guidelines and procedures. All classroom teachers will schedule a Google Meet with their Families within the time frames listed below/ Your classroom teacher may schedule an additional time to meet with families on their own.
Fifth Grade
9:00-10:00
Kindergarten
10:00-11:00
First Grade
11:00-12:00
Second Grade
1:00-2:00
Third Grade
2:00-3:00
Fourth Grade
3:00-4:00
HSES Car Parade
It’s time for a HSES Parade!
Come see your teacher and celebrate with us! Click here for more information regarding our HSES parade on Wednesday, October 21st! This day will be asynchronous learning so all students and staff can participate! Use the link below to find your child's time for the parade!
NEW Asynchronous Learning Days added to our Calendar-Wednesday October 21, 2020 and Friday October 23, 2020
In response to the WCPSS Board of Education Meeting on 9/23/20 and to the needs of families/staff, schools may now schedule remote learning days between now and October 26, 2020. After October 26, 2020, we will transition to district-wide days that will be the same for all WCPSS schools. Once the district provides these days beginning in November, they will be shared with you.
HSES has chosen two for the week we return from track out. Wednesday October 21, 2020 will be our first one as we are planning a very special drive through parade for all of our families which you can find in this week’s Cheetah Chronicle. In addition, Friday, October 23, 2020 will be other one. This day was chosen in order to prepare for all student cohorts which will begin on Monday! This will also allow our staff the time needed to adequately plan for in-person and online instruction. We are excited about being able to offer this flexibility for students and staff! While specifics for these days are still being finalized at the district level, here are some general guidelines on what to expect:
There will NOT be live instruction on asynchronous learning days.
Teachers are not required to hold office hours on these days, as they will be engaged in team and individual planning all day, safety protocols, etc.
The assignments students are to complete on asynchronous days will not be more than what has been assigned on normal instructional days, meaning additional assignments will not be given to take up the time that would have been spent in Live sessions on the other days.
Attendance on these days will be recorded if the student completes required assignments.
LIVE Specials October 22nd
During the Week of 10/19, specials will be as follows: Monday: Posted Lesson for Movement (K-2), Media/Tech (3-5) Tuesday: Posted Lesson for Art Wednesday: Posted Lesson for Music Thursday: LIVE specials (link in Specials Google Classroom) Friday: Posted Lesson for PE Starting the week of 10/26, specials will be LIVE everyday and can be accessed through the link in the Specials Google Classroom for students who are learning virtually. Students who are in person will receive face to face specials each day.
Carpool Tag Registration for 2020-2021 School Year
Thanks!
YMCA-Before/After School Program at HSES
The Kraft Family YMCA is thrilled to join the Holly Springs community by offering Before School and After School Programs right here at Holly Springs Elementary. Due to the changing climate of our current world and changes from WCPSS, Holly Springs Elementary will shift from operating its own staff-run program to having the YMCA run the program here at HSES through December 2020. The YMCA Program will begin at HSES on October 26, 2020!
The Kraft Family YMCA offers Before and After School programs on-site at Holly Springs Elementary. Our school programs include dedicated homework time in a quiet environment, active indoor and outdoor games and activities. As you can imagine, our programming is adapted to operate in full compliance with local and state health department guidelines and to include social distancing practices. However, students will still enjoy a wide range of activities including arts and crafts, active games, plenty of outside time, and STEM activities.
Registration opened Friday, October 16th at www.YMCATriangle.org.
The Before School Program runs from 7:00a.m.-8:45a.m. and the After School Program will run from 4:00p.m.-6:00p.m.
Here are two documents to read more information.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact THe Youth Associate Executive Director Katherine Vance at Katherine.Vance@YMCATriangle.org or via phone at 919-815-9136.
Looking forward to meeting you all and joining the awesome Holly Springs community!
Positivity Project: Creativity
This week, students will be learning about the Positivity Project character strength of Creativity. Creative people can look at the world in original ways. They are open to new experiences, and have an imaginative and independent thought process. They generate lots of different ideas and can pursue them with energy and enthusiasm. Creativity is a process that takes courage. Anytime you share your original ideas with the world, you risk being criticized or even ostracized.
“There is no innovation and creativity without failure.”
-BRENE BROWN
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
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
Recording Live Sessions
On September 24, 2020, all families should have received an email message from WCPSS with information about recorded class sessions. (It can be found at https://www.wcpss.net/Page/45799 ) The message sent is in response to a decision made at the 9/15/2020 WCPSS Board of Education meeting that will now allow teachers to record online classes. Please note this does not mean all live sessions will be recorded, as this will still be the teacher’s decision.
As shared in the email, there are two reasons an online session may be recorded:
To provide “catch up” opportunities for students who are unable to access online classes in real time due to factors beyond their control, or
To provide opportunities for students to review online class sessions to reinforce materials covered.
You have until October 15th to decide if you want your child to opt out of being recorded in live audio/video recordings. The link provided above contains the directions for you to opt out. We will NOT be recording or providing access to any pre-recorded lessons until after October 15th.
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.
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.
Extension Granted for Student Immunization and Health Assessments
KINDERGARTEN & NEW ENROLLEES ONLY
A new Executive Order issued this past Wednesday by Governor Roy Cooper suspends but does not waive documentation deadlines for proof-of-immunization and health assessment requirements for school. In typical years, proof of required immunizations and health assessments were required within 30 days of the first date of attendance of school. After the 30 days, children are to be excluded from school until the family provides documentation of requirements. All immunization requirements and health assessments are now due by September 30th, 2020. Students will be granted a 30-day grace period which expires on October 30th, 2020.
Counselor Connection
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.
Technology Tips & Resources
Specials: Please remind your students to click the “Mark as Done” or “Turn In” buttons for Specials to show participation in these Google Classroom lessons.
Dreambox: Please keep in mind that the Dreambox program is designed to automatically adjust to student actions and responses while they are on the program. Students need to complete Dreambox independently in order for the program to work and provide individualized support for each student.
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.
Childcare During Remote Learning
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
Virtual Boosterthon is Coming!
Holly Springs families!
Our Holly Springs DanceFit fundraiser will kick off in just 3 weeks on Wednesday, 11/4. Our goal is to raise $25,000 for Technology Upgrades and to strengthen our school community. This year, fundraising is more critical than ever to provide learning resources and fund our school budget. We’ve asked our friends at Booster to power our fundraiser to make it more profitable, fun, and easy for everyone. We have worked closely together to ensure this event follows the safety and health guidelines of our school.
Here’s what all students can get excited about:
• Fun, engaging character development lesson
• A high-energy event to give our school a much needed boost of fun!
If your family feels it’s not in the position to financially support the school, that’s ok. Families can actually support our school by also SHARING about our fundraiser with friends and family online. Sharing IS supporting.
Key dates to remember:
• Donating Opens – 10/21 Register on FUNRUN.COM, SHARE, & GIVE!
• Fundraiser Kick Off – 11/4
• Event Day – 11/13 SAVE THE DATE!
Thank you for supporting Holly Springs through the Holly Springs DanceFit!
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!!