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May 3, 2024: Staff Appr'n/Book Fair

Dear Hortons Creek Elementary Parents/Guardians,

 

Happy Friday Families! PLEASE READ the information below…we need your input and follow through!

 

But first, I wanted to share that I will be retiring July 1, 2024. I have had so much fun and enjoyed working with you and your students daily! This school community is a special place. I will certainly miss all of you! 

 

If you’d like to provide your input into the qualities you’d like to see from the next principal, please be on the lookout for communication from our PTA President, Ms. Allie Hartnett. She will be working with the Area Superintendent, Mr. Seydric Williams, on scheduling a virtual input session.

 

Next week is Teacher/Staff Appreciation week! Please see below all of the exciting plans our PTA has planned for us so that you can support your student(s) teacher and other adults in the building that support your student(s).

 

Complete The WCPSS Family Survey: 95 responses so far, we need more (CLICK HERE)

We want to make your student’s school experience as positive and beneficial as possible. In doing so, we encourage you to complete our family survey for each school where you have a student enrolled. Parents or guardians with more than one student enrolled at a school should only complete the survey for that school once. Please complete the survey by May 17.

 

KEEP PERSONAL ITEMS AT HOME

Families, students are bringing personal items to school that should be kept at home. Please review what’s in our Parent/Student Handbook below and ensure your student follows these procedures. Thanks!

 

WHAT TO BRING/WHAT NOT TO BRING TO SCHOOL:  

Students should be prepared each day with paper, pencils and other school supplies.  Any money brought to school - lunch money, picture money and book money - should be in a sealed envelope with the child’s name and the teacher’s name on front. Students should not bring extra money to school.

 

Students may NOT bring toys or athletic equipment to school. The school is not responsible for lost or damaged personal items. Toys and trinkets like: 

Rubix cubes, keychains with toys attached, tech decks(mini skateboards), fidgets, spinners, putty/slime, figurines, toy cars, stuffed animals, journals, pens with items that are distracting, excessive accessories (hair accessories, headbands with distracting attachments), slap bracelets, bracelets with toys attached, pop-its, fans, beyblades, cards (Pokémon, baseball, playing cards, etc). 

 

Radios (headphones, air pods), and hand-held games or other such items are not allowed. 

 

Personal devices like computers/tablets, phones, watches must be in sleep mode and/or theater mode so that screens are off.  Phones/computers/tablets must be in backpacks at all times.

If items are made visible, they will be confiscated by the administration. Items will be released to parents/guardians only. To protect our building and furniture, chewing gum is not allowed.  



Returning to Hortons Creek 24-25? 

Current K-4 FAMILIES please fill out this important form to confirm your intent to return to Hortons Creek Elementary during the 24-25 school year. If you are NOT intending on returning please ALSO fill out this form. We are hoping to get 100% of our K-4 families to respond to this survey! 


Returning to Hortons Creek and want to share your INPUT regarding the classroom environment?

Current K-4 FAMILIES please complete this form to provide your input into the classroom environment for next year. Please understand that your input is just that, and administration and classroom teachers will have the final say. 



PTA NEWS:

 

 

Teacher Appreciation is next week! The PTA is hosting the teachers almost every day, but we need your help. Please consider buying a teacher a book on their wish list or donate $ towards their wish list. Unable to donate, no worries! Have your students write them a note of gratitude! 

We LOVE our Hortons Creek Teachers!! https://hcepta.memberhub.com/store/items/849226

 

Book Fair starts next week! Check the schedule below for your student’s time slot during the week. We also have Family Book Fair night with Kona Ice for purchase on Thursday from 5:30-7:30. It will be your last time to buy spirit wear for the year. See you all next week!!


Interested in joining the PTA board or a committee for 2024-2025 year? Please fill out this link and we will be in touch:  https://forms.gle/WmTeMW3G5B7pKDQf8

Our last PTA General meeting will be held virtually on May 30th at 6pm. We will go over end of year information/recap and slated board for the 2024-2025 school year.

Google Meet Video call link: https://meet.google.com/cjd-rzsv-zqp  Or dial: ‪(US) +1 904-580-9829 PIN: ‪972 138 316#

 

Upcoming Dates:

May 6-10th: Teacher Appreciation Week AND Book Fair

May 9th: Family Book Fair Night with Kona Ice 5:30-7:30 pm

May 30th: 3rd General PTA Meeting 6pm https://meet.google.com/cjd-rzsv-zqp

 

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month! 

Join us in spreading awareness by participating in HCES Spirit Week (May 13th-17th). Each day focuses on a different component of overall well-being, reminding us of the importance of taking care of ourselves and each other! #TogetherIsBetter

​***Please remember that students must still comply with the dress code during this week! Please direct any questions to Mr. Moffe (amoffe@wcpss.net) & Ms. Cooper (tcooper5@wcpss.net)

 

 

EOG Summer Remediation/Readministration Program:

Students in grades 3-5 will take the End-of-Grade (EOG) State Tests at the end of this school year. Should your child meet the criteria for our EOG Remediation and Readministration program you will receive an invitation for your child to attend the program after the Reading and Math EOG testing has concluded (by June 6). For your planning purposes, the program dates for the end of the school year are Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14. Transportation will be provided, and breakfast and lunch will be available. A more detailed explanation of the program can be found here. 

 

Policy 4316: Student Dress Code

**Please ensure shorts for all students are no shorter than mid-thigh**

Please click on the link above to familiarize yourself with the WCPSS Student Dress Code. As the weather begins to warm; we will hold students accountable for adhering to this dress code. Specifically, the yellow highlight below:

Students must wear clothing that covers their skin from chest to mid-thigh with opaque (non-see-through) fabric in front, back, and on the sides.

Please read, and reread this information.

 

Upcoming Events (Please note PTA events above):

  • Monday, May 6-Friday, May 10: WCPSS Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

  • Thursday, May 9: 24-25 KinderHawk Information Session 5:30 PM & PTA Family Night 5:30-7:30 PM

  • Monday, May 13-Friday, May 17: Spirit Week!

  • Monday, May 27: NO SCHOOL, Holiday

  • Thursday, May 30: READING EOG (Grades 3-5)

  • Friday, May 31: EOY Celebrations for Kindergarten (Teachers will share specific classroom times soon)

  • Monday, June 3: EOY Celebrations for First Grade (Teachers will share specific classroom times soon)

  • Tuesday, June 4: MATH EOG (Grades 3-5)

  • Wednesday, June 5: SCIENCE EOG (Grade 5)

  • Thursday, June 6: EOY Celebrations for Second Grade (Teachers will share specific classroom times soon)

  • Friday, June 7: EOY Celebrations for Fourth Grade (Teachers will share specific classroom times soon)

  • Monday, June 10: EOY Celebrations for Third Grade (Teachers will share specific classroom times soon)

  • Tuesday, June 11: EOY Celebrations for Fifth Grade Students ONLY

  • Wednesday, June 12: Last day of school; Grade 5 Moving up ceremony 9:45 AM

  • Thursday, June 13: EOG Summer Remediation/Readministration Program

  • Friday, June 14: EOG Summer Remediation/Readministration Program




REPEATED INFORMATION:

 

2024 End-of-Grade Testing DATES! **No early testing** 

Please do all you can to ensure your student attends school daily. Also, if you have a student(s) in grades 3-5, please make note of mandated End-of-Grade testing dates and ensure your student is on time and present daily. We will not give any tests early. Thank you. 

Thursday, May 30 - Reading

Tuesday, June 4 - Math 

Wednesday, June 5 - Science (grade 5 only)

 

Please take time to read Superintendent Dr. Taylor’s Resolution to promote safe storage of firearms. https://www.wcpss.net/ 

 

WCPSS Issued Computers for students in Grades 2-5

Students in grades 2-5 are expected to have their WCPSS issued device at school daily. Students have the option to leave it at school (with the charger) in a locked cart if they choose to. This will be enforced after spring break.

 

From our Lead Secretary

Beginning July 1, 2024, SchoolCash Online (SCO) will be the district’s preferred online payment system, allowing parents to pay for student fees and all other items except Before/After School Care, Drivers Education, and game tickets. 

 

The new system will save time for teachers and staff when planning, processing, and handling payments. This system will replace Online School Payments (OSP). 

 

Please help our school get to 100% family registration and create your account now. 

https://wcpss.schoolcashonline.com/

Steps: 

  1. Click Register

  2. Fill in your information to Create Your Profile

  3. Check for Confirmation Email: "SchoolCash Online: Confirm Your Email Address" and click the link to complete your registration. 

  4. Sign back in and begin to "Add Student"

    1. You can go to Step 2 and select "Hortons Creek ES-459" as your student's school. 

    2. Enter Student ID Number by unchecking the box "I don't have the student number". 

    3. Enter Student Last Name, and Date of Birth, then click "Confirm". 

    4. Confirm student information

    5. Add another student, view items for students or view my students. 

 

Should you have any questions, please email our bookkeeper/lead secretary Jessica Garcia, jkgarcia@wcpss.net.  Thank you! 

  

2024-2025 Kindergarten registration

Kindergarten registration is OPEN! For more information, click HERE.

 

2024-2025 PreK registration 

Families of children who will be 4 years old by Aug. 31, 2024 now can apply for Pre-K services for next school year. The Universal Application will allow families to submit one application to determine their eligibility for one of three different services: WCPSS Title I Pre-K, NC Pre-K, or Telamon Head Start. Deadline is June 16. Applications are not first come, first served. More information and resources are on WakeConnect. 

 

We need Crossing Guards:

The Town of Cary is in need of Crossing Guards to help with the safety of students and families as they arrive on campus and depart campus. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested, please click here for more information.

 

Student Attendance Policy 4400 R & P specifically Chronic Absenteeism

Just sending a reminder about school absences. In this regulation and procedures portion of the policy; it states “Any combination of excused and/or unexcused absences above 20 or 10% of school days are excessive.” PLEASE do all you can to ensure your student(s) are at school on time and ready to learn daily. To clarify, total absences include excused and unexcused absences. Having an absence excused doesn’t negate the fact that the student is not in class getting instruction. Students will still receive excessive absence letters.

 

Extended absences

Parents, please know that once a student is enrolled in school, attendance is compulsory. Each day a student misses school is missed instruction. No amount of work sent home can replace direct instruction. Please do your best to make daily attendance a priority at home.

 

For the entire school year, students can be excused from school for educational purposes (or other excusable reasons listed in board policy) for only 5 days, no more. Daily school attendance is important and attending school (once enrolled) is mandatory per North Carolina Law.

 

While I understand many of you may schedule family trips during the school year; it is important that I explain our school, district and North Carolina attendance policy/law. I also want to make sure you are aware of the potential academic impact unexcused absences could have on your child.

 

Teachers are only required to give students work for excused absences that are approved by me. 

 

Students with multiple absences due to being sick will require a doctor’s note after five (5) sick absences and for subsequent sick absences in order to be considered excused.

 

Here is WCPSS information on School Attendance and Absences: https://www.wcpss.net/attendance-absences

Here is Board Policy 4400 on School Attendance: https://boardpolicyonline.com/bl/?b=wake_new#&&hs=260203

How to Purchase the 23-24 Yearbook? 

You can use this link or the QR Code below to purchase our 23-24 Yearbook. You will have to sign up by completing the form through the TreeRing website before you can purchase a yearbook. If you have any questions, please reach out to Amanda Morton at amorton@wcpss.net.  



Things to Note:

  1. Please connect to our school calendar on our webpage. All of our school events are listed on our school calendar located on our school’s website on the left side of the home page. 

 

Sandy Chambers, Ed. D. Principal





Previous Information

 

Registering to Volunteer

VOLUNTEERS:  

We welcome volunteers to our campus to support our instructional program (non-teaching roles) however, your visit must be pre-arranged. All volunteers must sign-in at arrival and sign-out after duties are completed. In order to volunteer in the capacity of supporting field trips or in-class events, you will need to be deemed CLEARED by the WCPSS volunteer system.  This system conducts a criminal background check on all applicants. The volunteer registration process can now be completed at any location by using the information below. 

Current/New Volunteers for 2023-2024

  • All current & new volunteer applicants must register  through the WCPSS Volunteer Registration Site and have an approved background criminal record check prior to engaging in volunteer work. 

    • Create an account through the  WCPSS Volunteer Registration Site for families. This can be completed at any location. 

    • An email link will be sent within a couple hours with next steps and you must complete all required steps and submit it before the verification process is complete. This process includes the verification and background check application. 

  • Although WCPSS employees DO NOT have to go through a criminal record check to volunteer, but they still need to register through the WCPSS Volunteer Registration Site

    • WCPSS Staff need to create an account on the  WCPSS Volunteer Registration Site using their WCPSS Email. This can be completed at any location. 

    • An email link will be sent within a couple hours and you with next steps and you  must complete all required steps and submit it before the verification process is complete. 

  • Please visit https://www.wcpss.net/volunteer for more information.

For the safety of our students, all non-Wake County Public School personnel will be required to sign-in at the main office and questioned regarding visit purpose, in order to obtain a nametag. Any person not wearing a nametag or badge will be directed to the front office. While volunteers, supporting our instructional program (non-teaching roles), are encouraged, spontaneous (and non-spontaneous) classroom visits and observations are NOT ALLOWED. The Hortons Creek staff are committed to ensuring and protecting the instructional day from disruptions.

  • Applicants who are not approved will receive notice from Employee Relations.