Paw Print

March 1st, 2023

 

Message From Our Principal

 

Hello, Highcroft parents and families!  What a great week we are having celebrating ‘Read Across America Week’.  Many kids donned their crazy socks on Monday and brought a reading buddy stuffie on Tuesday.  We will finish the week on Thursday with ‘Books Bring out our WILD Side’ by wearing favorite animal print or favorite animal clothing.  Friday is ‘Sleep Book Day’.  Students can dress in comfy clothes or PJs. 

 

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.  Have a great rest of your week! 

 

Catherine Shearin, Principal

kshearin@wcpss.net

 

 

Risk of Retention Letters

Students who are not meeting grade level expectations in reading or math and reading at the middle of the year are sent a ‘Risk of Retention’ letter.  This letter was mailed to homes last week. This letter serves two purposes - to let families know that a student is not meeting benchmarks at the middle of the year (this should not be news to any parent) and to inform families that their student is at risk of retention.  This does not mean a child will be retained, it means the student is at risk as of the middle of the year.  Parents will work closely with teachers to make improvements during the remainder of the school year.  At the end of the year, a committee composed of teachers, counselors, and administration will review the data at the end of the year (grades, benchmark scores, formal testing, etc.), parent, and teacher input to determine if retention is in the best interest of the student.  The final decision will be communicated to the families during the last few days of school.  

 

Single Subject Acceleration (SSA)

Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) is the practice of skipping a grade level of content in ONE SUBJECT AREA, or assigning a student to a higher-grade level than is typical, given the student's age, for the purpose of providing access to appropriately challenging learning opportunities. Testing for eligibility is required during the WCPSS mandated testing window.  A student must be enrolled AND attending a WCPSS public school to participate in SSA Testing. 

 

Students are only able to TEST AND QUALIFY in ONE SUBJECT AREA...either ELA OR Math. Prior to requesting SSA Testing, it is imperative to your child's success that you consider all of their traits and abilities, not just an academic strength in one subject.

 

*A virtual parent information session will be held on Wednesday, March 15 at 6:30pm. The link will be sent via the Wednesday 15^th Paw Print and will also be posted on Mrs. Walters' website. Please plan to attend this session if you are considering SSA for your child.

 

*The SSA Test Request Window for Highcroft Drive Elementary is Monday, March 20 - Friday March 24. The link for the SSA Test Request form will be posted on Mrs. Walters' website on Monday, March 20^th . Test Requests will not be accepted after 4:00pm Friday, March 24. SSA Testing will take place April 18^th through May 3^rd . Specific dates and times will be sent to parents who submit a Test Request form.

 

Please visit Mrs. Walters' AIG & SSA Website for more SSA information, or email Mrs. Walters directly at dwalters1@wcpss.net with questions about SSA.

Thank You!

 

‘Wake Up and Read’ Book Drive

Wow!  Highcroft students and families donated 1,110 books for the ‘Wake Up and Read’ book drive.  These great books will be given to students in schools and daycares in our county who need resources.  Way to go, Huskies!!   

 

Kids Heart Challenge Success!  
Once again, the Highcroft community has stepped up and made a difference!  Our school raised over $24,342.44 for the American Heart Association.

 

Classroom Picture Day
Thursday, March 16th is Class Picture Day as well as Individual Spring Picture Day.  The Spring Pictures will be sent home and you can decide if you would like to purchase them or return them back.  The Class Pictures will need to be paid for in advance.  Not everyone will get a class picture.  Only those that have pre-paid $10 will receive a class picture.  Envelopes for payment will be coming home soon.

 

Yearbooks
There is no order necessary for the yearbook.  In May every student will receive a yearbook.  If you would like to keep it, you  just need to send in $17.  If you do not wish to keep it, please return the book back to school.

 

 

 

 

-Visit the HDE Website for more details - www.wcpss.net/highcroftdrivees

-Follow us on Twitter @HighcroftDrive @HighcroftBuses

-Text Reminders: text the message YES to 67587