Notes from the Nest

Welcome to Hawk Ridge Elementary School!

We are excited to welcome you and your child to The Nest! Hawk Ridge is a special place where students are encouraged to grow academically, socially, and emotionally while enjoying a positive and engaging school experience. Through our SOAR leadership initiatives, dedicated teachers, special area classes, and clubs, we strive to ensure every child experiences success and happiness.

Our school has a strong tradition of excellence. For the past four years, Hawk Ridge has been recognized as an “A” school, with students exceeding expected academic growth. Our teachers are committed to meeting the individual needs of every student through personalized learning and small-group instruction.

We encourage families to be active participants in our school community. Please remember to register annually as a CMS volunteer and select Hawk Ridge Elementary as your site. All visitors must bring a photo ID when entering the building to help us maintain a safe learning environment.

A little about me: I have called North Carolina home for the past 23 years and am proud to serve as principal of Hawk Ridge. My husband and I have two children, Andrew and Ruby, and I am passionate about providing every student and family with a high-quality school experience. My background includes teaching Kindergarten & 3rd Grade for 8 years and various leadership roles throughout CMS for the past 23 years, and I am committed to fostering high expectations, strong communication, and student success.

When I am not at school, you can find me at gymnastics with Ruby, on the soccer field with Andrew or doing Crossfit with my husband and friends. We enjoy an active lifestyle and spend time outdoors at the Whitewater Center, hiking, riding bikes and taking walks. I have a deep love for Ohio State football and never miss a game. Go Bucks!!!

I look forward to partnering with you throughout the school year. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at christyd.mccauley@cms.k12.nc.us or 980-343-5927.

Thank you for choosing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Hawk Ridge Elementary!

Christy McCauley
Principal, Hawk Ridge Elementary School

Welcome to a new school year at Hawk Ridge Elementary! I am excited to continue serving our students and families as the Assistant Principal.

This year marks my 26th year in education and my 4th year serving the Hawk Ridge community. Before moving into school administration, I spent the majority of my teaching career in the classroom as a 5th grade teacher.

I believe school should be more than just a place students attend; it should be a place where they belong. My goal is to help create a welcoming and inviting environment where every student feels seen, heard, safe, and respected. When students know they matter, they are more willing to take risks, build relationships, and reach their full potential.

When I’m not at school, you can usually find me spending time with my loved ones, exploring new places, or planning my next adventure. If I’m not traveling, I’m probably searching for concert tickets, checking out a new restaurant, or adding to my very serious ranking of cheeseburgers around Charlotte. I’m always willing to try a new spot and discover a new favorite!

I am looking forward to another amazing year at Hawk Ridge Elementary. Thank you for trusting us with your children. I can’t wait to see all that our Hawks accomplish this year!

We are excited your Hawk will be joining the Nest this school year. Meet the Teacher/Open House will be on Thursday, August 20th from 3:00pm - 5:00pm. Please join us the time that works best for you and your family.

During this event, you can visit your child's classroom. Meet the teacher is a drop-in event where you will visit the classroom, meet the teacher, and bring in any school supplies. Your child's teacher will be reaching out with a classroom introduction prior to the event.

• “Take Home” folders will be available during Open House or sent home on the first day of school. Forms are no longer being sent home but are now available via Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Please complete your account and all corresponding forms no later than Friday, August 28th.
  
• Also available at Open House: Representatives from Transportation, ASEP (After-School Enrichment Program), Cafeteria, PTA, and much more!
• You will receive a ParentSquare message from your child's assigned classroom teacher no later than Tuesday, August 18th by 4:00pm.

A separate Open House for Kindergarteners will be held on Friday, August 28th from 8:15 - 9:15am after classes have been finalized.

Tuesday, August 25th, Day 1

• First Day of School
• Staggered Entry for Kindergarten, Day 1: January, February, March & April ONLY
• Pre-K Home Visits/Virtual or In-Person Meetings, Day 1

Wednesday, August 26th, Day 2

• Staggered Entry for Kindergarten, Day 2: May, June, July and August ONLY
• Pre-K Home Visits/Virtual or In-Person Meetings, Day 2

Thursday, August 27th, Day 3

• Staggered Entry for Kindergarten, Day 3: September, October, November, December ONLY
• Pre-K Home Visits/Virtual or In-Person Meetings, Day 3

Friday, August 28th, Day 4

• 1st Day for ALL Kindergarten Students
• Kindergarten Open House: 8:15am - 9:15am
• Kindergarten Parent Boot Camp: 9:00am (Light Refreshments), 9:15am Event Begins
• Staggered Entry for Pre-K, Day 1

• Wear Your Favorite Black & Gold Spirit Wear!

Monday, August 31st, Day 5

• Staggered Entry for Pre-K, Day 2

Tuesday, September 1st , Day 6

• Staggered Entry for Pre-K, Day 3

Wednesday, September 2nd, Day 7

• 1st Day for ALL Pre-K Students

Thursday, September 3rd, Day 8

• Happy Thursday

Friday, September 4th, Day 9

• Wear Your Favorite Black & Gold Spirit Wear!

Infinite Campus is up and running. If you do not have an account then please complete a new Parent Portal for Infinite Campus. Infinite campus is where you will receive the digital document delivery. This is the secure electronic distribution of important student documents directly to families through infinite campus. This process eliminates all the paper copies that you have received in the past. This ensures a faster, more efficient communication process between school and home. You will receive notifications when a new document is available and they get stored securely in a centralized location, easy to access anytime. At this time, you will need to sign-up for the Parent Portal via Infinite Campus, if you have not already done so last year. I have attached directions below. You can access the Parent Portal HERE.

Please follow the instructions below to get started:

English Version

Spanish Version

If you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out directly to your student's school.

Additionally, we will be continuing our use of ParentSquare. Click HERE for more information if you have not already created your account. This is a direct communication link between you and the school. Please download today so that you don't miss out on any communication between you, the teacher and the school.

School Improvement Team (SIT) is a group of staff and community members who work together on continual school improvement. The team's work is aligned to the school improvement plan and district goals. The team will meet in person/virtual the last Tuesday of the month from 4:30-5:30 to review progress towards goals and discuss any other topics pertinent to the continued growth and success of Hawk Ridge Elementary. School Improvement Teams must be a 50/50 balance between staff and parents. Parent membership must reflect the racial, geographical, and socioeconomic status of students in that school. Please complete the self-nomination form below if you are interested in serving the school community in this capacity.

August 6 - August 16: SIT Self Nomination form open

August 19 - 23: SIT Voting
August 25: Announce SIT members

Link to School Improvement Team Self Nomination Form

Staggered Entry (Your Child Will ONLY Attend School on their designated day that aligns with their birth month):

• Tuesday, August 25th -- January, February, March & April ONLY
• Wednesday, August 26th -- May, June, July and August ONLY
• Thursday, August 27th -- September, October, November, December ONLY
• Friday, August 28th -- See below

Friday, August 28th (Kindergarten ONLY):

• Open House 8:15am - 9:15am
• Kindergarten Boot Camp 9:00 (light refreshments) Start time: 9:15am - 10:00am

1st Day of Kindergarten for ALL Students:

• Friday, August 28th

We would like to welcome you and your family to the Hawk Ridge Elementary Community! We look forward to working with you and your child during the coming year.

The schedule for the first week of school will help your child have a good start to this new and exciting adventure. One of our main goals in kindergarten is for each child to achieve his/her greatest potential. Our staggered entry schedule will help us to reach this goal with your child. Each of the first three days of school (August 25th - August 27th) 33.3% of the kindergarten students will report each day. During this special time, we will be assessing the children on communication, motor skills, and early reading and math skills indicators. Our speech clinician may administer a brief speech screening on those days as well. The students will also participate in activities that facilitate awareness and generate excitement for the school year.

Your child’s scheduled staggered entry day is based on their birth month. Please see the schedule below.

• Tuesday, August 25th: January, February, March, April

• Wednesday, August 26th: May, June, July, August

• Thursday, August 27th: September, October, November, December

Staff members will be on hand to direct you to the kindergarten staggered entry doors. Please help with this process by bringing your child to school on this staggered entry day. Please arrive by 7:45 am. Afternoon pickup will be from 2:00-2:30 pm. Please be on time, as regular school dismissal will begin at 2:40!

Classroom teacher assignments won't be finalized until staggered entry days have been completed. We make adjustments as necessary during these days. A special Kindergarten Open House will be held on Friday, August 28th from 8:15am - 9:15am. A list will be posted on Thursday, August 27th by 5:00pm to confirm your child's final placement. You are welcome to come to the school that evening or wait until Friday morning. All kindergarten students will begin the full kindergarten schedule in their classroom on Friday, August 28th @ 8:15 am.

Please remember that all kindergarten students are required to have a physical before starting school. Your physician must fill out the child’s Medical Report Form that includes an up-to-date record of your child’s immunizations. Forms are available in the front office or can be accessed on the CMS website. This information is of utmost importance for your child’s admission to school.

If you have any questions regarding staggered entry, please call the school at 980-343-5927. We look forward to our partnership with your family!

Sincerely,

Christy McCauley

Principal, Hawk Ridge Elementary

Open House

• Thursday, August 20th from 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Mandatory Orientation (Hawk Ridge Media Center)

• Monday, August 24th @ 10am
• Monday, August 24th @ 5pm
• Must be done before you may begin Pre-K

Home Visits

• Tuesday, August 25th
• Wednesday, August 26th
• Thursday, August 27th

* All PreK parents will receive a phone call from their assigned teacher to set-up a home visit, virtual or in-person meeting for one of the following dates: August 25th, 26th or 27th.

Staggered Entry

• Friday, August 28th
• Monday, August 31st
• Tuesday, September 1st

1st Day of Pre-K

• Wednesday, September 2nd

*Please reference the Kindergarten Corner for additional information.

Please review our morning arrival and afternoon dismissal procedures below.

• Students may enter the building each morning at 7:15am. They should be in their classroom seated and ready for instruction at 7:45am.
• A warning bell will ring AND the car rider gate will close at 7:40am.
• The tardy bell rings at 7:45am.
• Announcements and instruction begin promptly at 7:45am each day! Students arriving at 7:45am or after must be escorted to the front and signed in at the tardy desk by a parent or guardian. Please have your car riders here early!
• Parking and walking up to drop your child off prior to 7:45am is NOT PERMITTED. All students arriving through the front of the building MUST be dropped off through the car rider line! This is a safety priority!
• Early dismissals must be signed out by 2:00pm; otherwise you will be asked to wait until the regular dismissal time.
• Hawk Ridge promotes independence and leadership! Every student enters the building and walks to class independently. There are SEVERAL staff members stationed throughout our campus to assist your child in getting safely to class!

Important Opening of School Information

• Eligible students who are enrolled in CMS by August 11TH and have registered for transportation services, should have a stop for the first day of school, Tuesday, August 26. Note: Registered means the student has been entered in Infinite Campus and requested transportation via Alpha Portal by 6:00 PM on August 11.

As Transportation continuously strives to provide the best possible service to our students and families, a critical part of our commitment is allowing schools and families the ability to access bus stop information electronically and faster. In the 2026–2027 school year families will be able to access their student’s bus stop information through the following methods beginning on August 17, 2026: Alpha Route. Please see the Transportation section below to access directions on downloading the app, Alpha Route.

1. Create your AlphaPortal Account (you can request transportation, alternate stops, and unsafe stops).
2. Add your student(s) to the account.
3. Download the AlphaPortal app beginning June 10 (iOS and Android) or access it via the secure website.
4. Bus information will be available on August 18, and live tracking will be available on August 24
5. Already have the app? Make sure it's updated to access all new features.

CMS AlphaPortal Poster - Transportation at Your Fingertips (PDF)

AlphaPortal Tutorial for Parents and Students:

Video Tutorials:

• Alpha Portal Desktop Tutorial
• Alpha Portal Mobile Tutorial

Step-by-Step Presentations:

• English Instructions (PPT)
• Spanish Instructions (PPT)

• If you do not have a bus assignment and feel that you should, please contact the front office for assistance. You may need to complete the bus ridership form and this link is provided below. We encourage all parents to take advantage of the opportunity to use school transportation; it is the safest and most reliable from of transportation to and from school.
• You will also need to know your child’s bus number(s) when calling the office. There may be more than one bus in your neighborhood so please make sure your child is on his/her assigned bus. Please have your child at their stop at least 10 minutes prior to the designated pick-up time. The bus can come as early as 10-minutes prior and 10-minutes after the designated pick-up time.
• We ask for your partnership as we work through any details related to transportation. Please be flexible with the bus schedule during the first several weeks of school. During this period CMS transportation department will evaluate bus routes. Additionally, if you’ve moved over the summer, please contact the school office so that we can make those changes.
• It is important that parents maintain a presence at bus stops in the morning and afternoon and work with each other to ensure student safety at the stop. Parents are also asked to talk with your child about the importance of remaining on the bus if his/her stop is missed. Those students will be returned to Hawk Ridge or be brought back to the stop after communication is established with parents.
• You will receive a Student Transportation Information Form (Golden) from your child's teacher. This must be completed and returned, ON or BEFORE the first day of school. Any and all changes in transportation must be made in writing (physical signature) in your child's agenda. Changes must be received by the office the morning of the change.
• Please note that transportation changes will NOT be accepted via email or over the phone!

• All car riders will enter campus via the driveway beside the fire station (to the right of the fire station in-between the YMCA). The main entrance of the school will be closed. We are NOT permitting any individuals to drive up to the school, park their car and walk the child to the door. You may only be a car rider, walker, or bus rider.
• Car rider drop off begins at 7:15am and concludes at 7:40am.
• If you are in line at 7:40am you may be asked to drive around and park. You will then be required to walk your child to the tardy desk to have them formally signed in to school.

• We begin calling students at 2:45pm. Please plan to arrive earlier than 2:45pm to get in line. We move very quickly in the afternoon and in previous years we have concluded around 3:00pm at the latest. We are going to attempt to do the same this week. Please have patience with us during this process.
• All afternoon car riders will be picked up in the front of the school. You will travel in the car rider line as you did for AM drop off.
• When you approach the turn into our front driveway, you will be greeted by an adult with a walkie talkie, they will ask for your child's name. We will call their name and assign them a color flag. You will be motioned to travel to that color flag so that you may pick them up where they are assigned.
• If your child is not present when they are called you may be asked to pull forward to wait for your child outside of the car pool area.
• You are required to complete a golden rod transportation paper for your child. You are also required to return your child's blue card for the main office.
• If you have ANY transportation changes then it must be written in your child's agenda with a signed signature that can be brought to the front office. We will not accept transportation changes via email or over the phone. This is a huge safety issue and we appreciate your compliance with this request.

• If you plan to walk, then you will enter the main entrance of the school on the sidewalk along the fire station. The parking attendant will hold the car pool traffic and permit you to walk across the street. As the parent, that is where you will say goodbye to your child.
• For afternoon pick-up, you will need to enter by-foot the same entrance and walk along the sidewalk to the front of the school building. You will be greeted by an adult and your child. The carpool attendant will assist with the safe transport of your child across the road.

The application for free and reduced price lunch benefits will be available beginning August 1st. Families are encouraged to complete the application online. Locate the application by going to the CMS website, clicking on the MEALS icon and APPLY for Free/Reduced Lunch. A link to the application is also provided below.

We are excited to return to full capacity in the cafeteria this year and will be working with our students on fostering their independence and leadership skills!

Safety remains a priority, therefore parents/guardians will not be permitted to eat lunch with their students during the school day. This will be revisited at a later time.

Once they register, they will use the same login and password throughout their child’s school years or until they discontinue the service. By registering online, parents can make a payment, view account balances, and view student purchases.

You can access the PayPams site HERE or at www.paypams.com. Payment on accounts can be made by check, cash at the school or through PayPams online prepayment system. Parents of students leaving CMS have up to 90 days to request a refund of account money or have it transferred to another student.

There are no longer spaces in our ASEP program! There is a waiting list at this time. You can register and be placed on the waiting list. To register go to the CMS website, click on Departments and then ASEP. The registration link can be found on the left side along with the payment link.

If you have questions please contact Jennifer Swart at jennifer1.swart@cms.k12.nc.us or call (980) 343-5927.

• Black & Gold
• Any Color Hawk Ridge Shirt

Jaclyn Davis, President

• president@hawkridgepta.org

Samantha Seibert, Treasurer

• treasurer@hawkridgepta.org

Marisa DeSanti, Secretary

• secretary@hawkridgepta.org

Liz Hernandez, Vice President

• vicepresident@hawkridgepta.org

https://hawkridgees.cmsk12.org/

https://www.facebook.com/HawkRidgeElementaryPTA/