• Greetings,
    This message is from Gary Duvall the proud principal of Holly Springs High School and I would like to welcome you to a new upcoming school year! Please take a moment to review this edition of the Hawks Connection, our weekly communication designed to keep families informed about important school updates, events, and announcements throughout the year. We’re excited to welcome students back in just a few weeks and we hope this information helps you and your family feel prepared for a successful start to the year. 
     
    Classroom Electronics Device Policy - As we prepare for the new school year, we want to ensure families are informed about our updated electronic device policy.
    Students will be permitted to use their personal electronic devices before school, during lunch, during class transitions, and after school. However, once students enter the classroom, all devices must be stored either in their backpacks or in the teacher’s designated cellphone caddy.
    No electronic devices may be on a student’s person during instructional time. This includes cell phones, earbuds, and iPads. Students who violate this policy will receive an initial warning. Continued violations will result in the device being confiscated for the remainder of the day. For the first offense, the student may retrieve their device at the end of the day. For subsequent offenses, a parent or guardian will be required to pick up the device. We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain a focused and distraction-free learning environment.  
     
    Flight Academy - - Our annual Holly Springs High School Flight Academy freshman orientation is scheduled for Thursday, August 14 from  (Students A-K 8-11a.m.) (Students L-Z 1-4 p.m.) along with another evening parent session from 6-7 p.m.  We are excited to officially welcome our new freshman Hawks to the Holly Springs Family.  Students will have the opportunity to network with new classmates and participate in rotating orientation sessions.  Families will also have an opportunity to hear an informational session on the High School transition and what to expect this school year. 
     
    Meet the Teacher Night, Thursday, August 21 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
    Please come out to meet the teachers and staff of Holly Springs High School.  This is a “free flowing event” where you are welcome to arrive at any point during this time period to:
     
    • Explore the building and “walk the schedule”
    • Meet your student’s teachers.
    • Receive information for parent volunteer opportunities
    • Sign-up for Parent Portal / PowerSchool Accounts
    • Receive bus route information
    • Access information about PTSA, Parent Booster Groups, Student Council, Clubs, Athletics, and other student activities
    For more information on this event, please call the front office at (919) 577-1444.
     
    Infinite Campus Sign Up - If any parent doesn't have access to their parent portal account or is having issues accessing it, please email our Data Manager, Ms. Dawes at adawes2@wcpss.net.
     
    Arrival at School.  Students should not arrive before 6:45 a.m.  Students who arrive prior to 6:55 a.m. will remain in the cafeteria until 6:55 a.m.  Students will not be permitted to loiter in the commons or hallways. Those who arrive via carpool will need to be dropped off in the front circle.  Please be sure you pull all the way up around the circle to keep the line moving.  After 7:05 a.m., carpool may also drop off in the bus loop.  No students will be permitted to be dropped off in the student parking lots for safety reasons.  A visual image of our carpool procedures is available on the school website and at the following link:  https://www.wcpss.net/Page/12524
     
    Bell Schedule.  We begin at 7:25 a.m. and end at 2:18 p.m..  Classes are 85 minutes with a 55-  lunch between 2nd and 3rd period.  Once a month, we will have an Advisory period for 25 minutes. A complete bell schedule including delay and Advisory schedules is available
     
    Bus Routes.  Our bus routes will be posted online closer to the first day of school.  They can be accessed at the page below.  This will also be linked to the HSHS website. http://webarchive.wcpss.net/school-directory/bus-routes/455.html.  Additional information about WCPSS transportation can be viewed on the WCPSS website by clicking on the “Transportation” icon on their main page.  Please talk with your student about bus expectations.  Students are expected to meet all school expectations on the bus and at the bus stop.  

    Communication.  We seek to communicate frequently and proactively with our parents and students.  Some communication strategies that you should be aware of include:
    • Weekly Email/Text  Message will be sent a minimum of every Friday If you have not received one yet, please email Ms. Dawes (adawes2@wcpss.net) so that she can update your information. 
    • Interim Progress Reports are at the halfway point of each quarter.  They will be electronic in Infinite Campus. Infinite Campus will be updated weekly.
    • All teachers will be utilizing Canvas as their online student learning portal.  Families can view their student's course content and progress by creating a Canvas Observer Account. If you have multiple students, you can link all your students under a single Observer account.  Please visit this link for information on how families can create their observer account. Please reach out to Mr. Miller with Canvas questions using jmiller21@wcpss.net.

     

    Departure from School.  After the 2:18 p.m. bell, students are expected to depart campus immediately unless they are under the supervision of a staff member for sports, academic support, or other after-school activities.  Students riding the bus will move directly to the bus loop.  It is important that students riding the bus move purposefully to the bus as they will leave at the designated time of 2:26 p.m. so that we do not delay dismissal at other schools.  Students who ride carpool in the afternoons will get picked up in the main circle in front of the building.  Any student who remains on campus after 2:45 p.m. will be expected to be under the supervision of an adult or they will be asked to leave campus. 
     
     Dress Code.  Students are required to comply with dress code starting on the first day of school.  While students and parents are encouraged to review WCPSS Board Policy 4316.  The following are some of the most common violations of dress code policy:
    • Hats, hoods, and headgear are not permitted in the classroom during instructional time.  Any hats or attire that obscures the face is not permitted at any time.
    • Attire cannot advertise materials that are inappropriate for students to have at school or could reasonably create a substantial disruption to the educational process or operations of the school.
    • Students must wear clothing that covers their skin from chest to mid-thigh with opaque fabric in front, back, and on the sides
    Students who do not meet the dress code will be removed from the learning environment until they can meet the dress code.  Students are permitted to wear hats in the hallways and during lunch, but hats and other related apparel (except as it relates to religious observance) are prohibited in the classroom.  Any student who wears a hood or hat that obscures their face or causes disruption will be asked to remove it.  Please talk with your administrator about any specific questions regarding the dress code.
     
    Lockers.  Students are not automatically assigned a locker as many students opt not to use one.  If your student wants a locker, please see Ms. Slocum.  Requests can be made in person via the front office as well.  It is good to have your schedule prior to making this request so that your locker is near your classes.
     
    Lunch.  Our students have one lunch period between 10:25 – 11:18a.m. .  Please see the enclosed handout on HOT Lunch.  Students can pre-pay their lunch accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com.  More information is available on the WCPSS website by going to “Parents” and “School Meals.”  You are welcome to email our cafeteria manager as well, Ms. Vercilli Sibunga (vsibunga@wcpss.net). We will use the 3-lunch schedule until Friday, September 8.  HOT Lunch begins Monday, September 11. 
     
    Parking on Campus.  Only juniors and seniors who have purchased a parking pass are able to park on campus.  There may be consequences for student vehicles that are parked on our campus or the neighboring schools repeatedly without a parking permit.
     
    Student Activities Calendar.  Please refer to the calendar on our website for an up to date schedule of student activities.  The calendar can be found midway down our website. (www.wcpss.net/hollyspringshs).
     
    Student Code of Conduct / Student Handbook.  Providing a school experience where students grow and feel happy, healthy, and safe requires a student-centered environment but it also requires a safe and orderly environment.  We encourage every student to read the WCPSS Student / Parent Handbook and the HSHS Student Handbook thoroughly prior to the first day of school.  While each handbook provides important information, the following guiding thoughts will help get you started in a positive direction.
    • Students should be where they are assigned on time.
    • Students are expected to be respectful of their peers, the staff, and their surroundings.
    • Students should always keep their hands to themselves.
    • Students who violate the drug & alcohol policy, the weapons policy, the gang & gang related activity policy or assault another student or adult will be recommended for long-term suspension on the first occurrence.  Students who fight, threaten others, or cause significant disruption to the school day can be recommended for long-term suspension on the first occurrence.