Hawks Happenings

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It was wonderful to welcome all of our new students and welcome back all of our returning students last week! Each year we start planning and preparing for the new school year around March/April. It is exciting to see the hours of preparation become a reality and a bonus to see smiling faces along the way! Thank you for your patience while our school staff as well as parents get adjusted to school procedures, the car rider line and the bus routes! These are big systems that require us all to follow the guidelines so they flow smoothly. We appreciate YOUR support!

I was impressed with the welcome and level of instruction that our incredible teaching staff provided last week for your children. It is such an honor to work with an incredibly dedicated and talented group of educators!

Please read this newsletter and check out our school's website and Facebook page often so you can stay up to date with school events and happenings. We want to partner with you to ensure we are providing the highest quality of education possible for your child! Together we can achieve so much and your child will grow, learn and succeed at NBES!

Previous Hawks Happenings newsletters are linked here: https://nbes.buncombeschools.org/o/nbe/page/hawks-happenings-newsletters

-Mrs. Allison

• Remember that any parent who plans to walk their child to class at morning arrival will need to sign in at the office. You will need to wear a visitor sticker in a visible location as you travel through the hallways. Make sure to bring your ID to sign in!
• All students are expected to be in their classroom by 8AM. Any student who is not in the classroom by 8 AM will need a tardy slip to gain entry to the classroom. Check in at the main office to get a tardy slip.
• If you are late, please be sure to park in a parking space (not in the car rider circle) and walk your child into the office.
• Tardy students may NOT be escorted to class by parents since classroom instruction has already began. Staff will assist your child to their classroom if they are not sure of the way.
• Reminder for car riders: if your child gets out of the car on the driver's side, they MUST walk in front of your car to the sidewalk. You will look out for your own child walking in front of your car but the car behind you may not know to be on the lookout!

• PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR ID IF YOU ARE CHECKING YOUR CHILD IN TARDY OR CHECKING YOUR CHILD OUT OF SCHOOL EARLY.

The traffic cones in the car rider line are to prohibit cars from passing in the car rider circle. This is a school safety procedure. Every year, we have cars that run over our cones because they are not paying attention or they try to pass a car. This jeopardizes everyone's safety and it costs the school a lot of money to replace damaged cones. This takes money away from your child's classroom. Here is how you can help:

• Never park in the car rider circle. Always use a parking space to park on our campus. The car rider circle is a FIRE LANE and you can be ticketed for parking in this area.
• Be alert! Look out for the cones just like you would for children. The cones are about the same height as a child. Pay attention!
• Follow these same guidelines if you are picking up your child from the YMCA afterschool care or using the baseball field for Youth League practices and games. We often come back to campus the following day after community groups use our campus with damaged cones. We have requested more security cameras to help us hold those who damage our school property responsible.
• If you make a mistake and run over a cone, please bring it back and let us know. We've located our cones at the bottom of the driveway before. Let's work together to take care of our NBES school campus!

State law requires each school to have parent representatives on the School Improvement Team. At NBES we love having parent input and feedback so we can continually improve. This year Jessi White is the NBES PTO President so she will also serve as a parent representative on our School Improvement Team. If you would like the opportunity to serve on this team or you would like to nominate another parent, please reach out to Heidi Allison at heidi.allison@bcsemail.org. A Google Form for voting will be shared with parents/guardians once we have names of those willing to serve.

September 3 - Perimeter and Full Lockdown Drill in the morning

September 4 - Beginning of Grade 3 Reading Test for 3rd grade students

September 18 - NBES Open House and Title 1 Curriculum Night - 5:30 - 7:30

September 19 - PTO Meeting at 8:30 in Modular Trailer 6

September 23 - Fall Pictures

Last week we held our first fire drill and bus evacuation drills. The fire drill went incredibly smooth. During a fire drill, we quickly evacuate the building and then account for ALL students and staff members. Bus drills were held on Friday and all students participated even if they are a car rider. Bus safety rules were reviewed and students practiced quickly exiting the bus in a safe and calm manner. A HUGE thank you to our wonderful bus drivers and Mrs. Garcia for the time and attention to prepare our students to safely ride a bus daily or on field trips!

This Wednesday (September 3), we will practice our Perimeter and Full Lockdown procedures since this is a state requirement. When speaking with our students about these drills, we strive to use scenarios that do not scare our students.

• Perimeter Lockdown: we explain that a perimeter lockdown is when a 'mean dog' or animal is outside so we all have to stay in the building. Anyone in the trailers come inside during a Perimeter Lockdown but instruction continues as normal. Schools often have a perimeter lockdown if there is a bear on campus or if there is something going on with law enforcement in the area but there is no threat to our school campus.
• Full Lockdown: we practice what to do if the 'mean dog' gets inside our building. Students are directed to a secure location in the classroom and must stay as quiet as possible. Once locations are checked, the drill is over.

As a school staff, we use these simple scenarios that are more developmentally appropriate for students. We want all students to feel safe when they are at school. Students who bring up more involved reasons for these drills will be redirected and asked to speak with their parents regarding this topic.

Please do not be alarmed if you see police cars on campus on Wednesday as this is a state required safety drill and we partner with our local law enforcement during these drills.

We had a great turnout at our PTO meeting last week. It is not too late to be part of the NBES PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)! The group is gearing up for their first big fundraiser and community event - the NBES Fall Festival! Please mark your calendars for Friday, October 3rd! More information about volunteering and how you can support this event will come home soon!

The next PTO meeting is Friday, September 19 at 8:30 AM in the PTO Modular/Trailer #6. Please join us!

The NBES PTO meets every third Friday at 8:30 AM. Mark your calendars with these dates below! Everyone is always welcome to join the meeting in person or virtually!

September 19

October 24 *Note change in date!

November 21

December 19

January 16

February 20

March 20

April 17

May 15

June - TBA (if needed)

At North Buncombe Elementary, clubs give our students a chance to collaborate and learn outside of the classroom environment! Clubs are offered by school staff as a way for students to enrich their interests and/or talents in specific areas.

Clubs are facilitated by NBES staff members. Some clubs require try-outs and all clubs have space limitations. Each club identifies the grade levels appropriate for the club. For example, some clubs welcome students in grades 2-4 while others may only be focused on grades 3-4. We do not hold school sponsored clubs for students in grades K-1.

At times, NBES may host outside user groups on our campus for private pay clubs.

Information for the Running Club has already been sent home and the club has been filled. Check out our website and/or Facebook page for information regarding other clubs.

NBES Website: https://nbes.buncombeschools.org/o/nbe

NBES Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NBuncombeES

Have a Mindcraft fan? Consider signing your child up for the Zaniac Minecraft: Engineering & Design After-School Program. This club is private pay and offered on Thursdays from 2:35 until 3:35. Flyers will come home soon!

September 3 - Perimeter and Full Lockdown Drill in the morning

September 4 - Beginning of Grade 3 Reading Test for 3rd grade students

September 18 - NBES Open House and Title 1 Curriculum Night - 5:30 - 7:30

September 19 - PTO Meeting at 8:30 in Modular Trailer 6

September 23 - Fall Pictures

September 23 - NBHS AG Day for 2nd graders

September 25 - Midterm reports go home for grades 1-4

September 26 - NBES Advisory Council Meeting at 7:45 AM in NBES Conference Room

October 1 - K Field Trip (some classes attending)
October 2 - Early Dismissal Day - School dismisses at 12:25
October 3 - PTO Fall Festival - 5:00 - 8:00 PM
October 6 - K Field Trip (some classes attending)
October 7-9 - 1st Grade Field Trip (some classes attend each day)
October 10 - 2nd Grade Field Trip
October 13 - No School
October 14 - No School

October 17 - PTO Meeting at 8:30 in Modular Trailer 6
October 20 - 24 - Book Fair!
October 27 - October 31 - Eblen Charities Spirit Week

• Monday - Silly Sock Day

• Tuesday- Twin Day

• Wednesday- Wacky Tacky Day

• Thursday- School Spirit/Sports Day

• Friday- Freaky Friday (teachers dress like kids, kids dress like adults)

October 29 - End of 1st Nine Weeks Grading Period
October 30 - 4th Grade Program at 6 PM
October 31 - Early Dismissal Day - School dismisses at 12:25

NBES welcomes volunteers! There are many ways for individuals to volunteer at our school. All volunteers must fill out an online volunteer application and be on the approved volunteer list before volunteering.

Level 1 Volunteers - General volunteer - never supervising students

Level 2 Volunteers - Volunteer who supervises/gives directions to students or serves in a leadership role (such as PTO board). This level is required for any parent attending a field trip. This level requires a background check (conducted by Buncombe County Schools).

Parents may get a link to complete a volunteer application by calling the main office at (828) 645-6054. Mrs. Honeycutt will be happy to assist you with this process!

The NBES is ready to rent! Read below to learn more about this opportunity.

Click here to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044EAAAA22A5FA7-57297079-nbes

Payment must be made in the main office with Mrs. Honeycutt or Mrs. Clubb. Do NOT send money to your child's teacher.

The NBES Spirit Rock is a great way to send a message for all to see! Congratulate your favorite student on an accomplishment, wish a student a Happy Birthday, show appreciation to your favorite teacher or staff member, celebrate a team win or let everyone know how much you love your school. The rock is available to reserve for the day or multiple days.

Reservations will be made only to a custodial parent or guardian of a current student, and NBES staff for their use and enjoyment.

Please read below for more information:

• The cost to rent the rock is $10.00 per day. The day is a 24 hour period and runs from 3:30 PM on the day before your rental day (time to get it painted) until 3:30 PM on your rental day.

• Reservations for Mondays include painting time on Friday afternoons after 3:30 PM. The campus gate will not be unlocked for weekend painting.

• Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Your reservation is not confirmed until payment has been received.

• Cash or Checks only. Checks should be made out to NBES. Payment should be turned in to the main office.

• No refunds will be given, even in the event of inclement weather.

Painting Tips (The entire process normally takes about an hour, depending on design):

You will need 2-3 cans of spray paint to completely cover the entire rock (Advice: Do not waste your time or money with the $0.99 cans, they don't work). Paint the "face" of the rock first, and then by the time you finish with the sides and back, the face will be dry and ready for your message.

Get small bottles of acrylic paint in each of the colors you choose for your message (usually less than a $1 each) and paint on with paint brushes.

Please adhere to the following guidelines:

*You must wait until 3:30 PM on the day before your rental to begin painting.

*No obscene or foul language or messages.

*No political, religious or other taboo messages – Administration reserves the right to remove any slogan or message that is not consistent with the intent of the rock and refunds will not be given.

*Keep area around rock clean and free of paint and trash.

Cost: $10 to reserve the rock for 24 hours - parent paints the rock base and message. You may reserve more than one day if you want your message to last longer!

When completing your online reservation, please include your name, child's name* and your phone number*.

*These items will not be visible to the public.

All proceeds will go directly back to NBES to support students and staff.
Questions? Please email Heidi Allison @ heidi.allison@bcsemail.org.

We are asking for your assistance in keeping our schools safe. As you know, our schools are usually bustling with activity such as visitors dropping by for various reasons. As a reminder, here are our guidelines when multiple people are arriving at the same time.

If you have buzzed in and are being screened and you notice another visitor is arriving, please don't hold the door and allow anyone in without being screened first.

If the other visitor is 15 feet or less from the door, please buzz in and be screened together. If the visitor is more than 15 feet from the door, please buzz in and ensure the door is closed completely after you enter.

We certainly want to encourage politeness and our visitors understand that it is unsafe to hold doors and allow visitors in without being verified by front office staff first. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Safety of students and staff is the top priority of schools. NBES follows all state and local guidelines regarding school safety. In order to provide a safe learning environment, it is extremely important that all parents, grandparents and visitors to our school follow all safety guidelines. If a grandparent participates in your child's drop off/pick up routine, please make sure that you share all of the information above with them.

Part of having a safe school is making sure that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. NBES has a safety plan that is updated at least yearly. We have a well trained School Resource Officer provided by Buncombe County Sherriff's Department. Staff members participate in safety training yearly. Part of our training with students involves classroom discussions and safety drills. Please see the list below for more information.

Classroom discussions focus on:

• keeping hands, feet and other objects to self
• following teacher directions
• students not opening outside doors for anyone
• staying with the class when transitioning through the building
• how to exit the school quickly when the fire alarm is heard

Safety Drills include:

• monthly fire drill
• bus safety drills at the beginning of each semester
• perimeter and full lockdown drills
• bomb threat/evacuation drill (we won't actually leave campus)
• tornado drill

During safety drills students are assured that we are just practicing what to do in case we have an emergency.

ALL parents and visitors to campus must sign in at the office and obtain a visitor sticker (or a volunteer pass if applicable). Please note that you must sign in even if you are only visiting the cafeteria. Your cooperation in helping us to follow Central Office policy and ensuring the safety of all children is expected and appreciated.

If you have an appointment or scheduled time to be at school in the morning, and wish to walk in with your child, please still plan to follow the established procedure of coming to the office, signing the visitor registry, and obtaining a visitor tag.

Visitors will only be allowed to visit a classroom (during instructional time) if the visitor has scheduled the visit with the teacher beforehand or if the visitor is a scheduled volunteer.

Parents are invited to eat with their child in the cafeteria; however, as a courtesy to other students, we ask that you do not bring outside food such as fast food and/or sodas into the school cafeteria. Parents should arrive at school in time to get a visitor’s pass and report to the lunchroom hallway five minutes before the scheduled lunch time. Please always let the teacher know ahead of time if you plan to eat with your child.

Parents are welcome to join their child during lunch AFTER September 12th. This gives our school time to teach the procedures and expectations of cafeteria behavior to our students. Special holiday meal lunches will be scheduled for specific grade levels throughout the school year. Parents of identified grade levels will be invited to attend these lunches.

The daily lunch menu will be read during morning announcements. Occasionally there will be a menu change due to late deliveries or snow days. You can find links to BCS menus here: https://www.buncombeschools.org/page/menus-and-pricing

Should you desire to bring in a special snack for your child’s birthday or another event, please coordinate this with your child’s teacher so as not to conflict with our lunchroom policies. In addition, any food brought into the school to be shared with students must be store bought with ingredients listed. Please allow school staff to distribute snacks due to their knowledge and understanding of students’ allergies and dietary needs. Our school also encourages healthy snacks and choices.

The Buncombe County Board of Education and North Buncombe Elementary School staff believe that regular school attendance is of the utmost importance to the educational achievement of each student.

When students are absent from school for an acceptable reason (illness, death in the family, doctor’s appointment, etc.), a written note explaining the absence is required upon the student returning to school. Doctor/parent notes must be received within three days of the student’s return to school in order for the absence to be excused.

Family trips are not considered excused absences. The following absences must have prior approval by the principal to be excused:

• The observance of an event required or suggested by the religion of the student or the student’s parents/guardians.
• The student/student’s parents/guardians want to take advantage of a valid educational opportunity.

The NB District Educational Leave form must be completed at least two weeks prior to the trip and submitted to the principal. Parents/Guardians must request an Educational Leave form from the NBES main office or follow the link below.

Attendance letters will be sent from the Principal and School Social Worker to the parents of students who accumulate 3, 6 and 10 unexcused days of absence. Excessive and unexcused absences will be reported to the proper authorities. Elementary School students may only have a maximum combined total of eighteen (18) excused and unexcused absences in a school year. Students missing in excess of 18 days may be required to attend an attendance make-up program. Doctor’s notes may be required for multiple health related absences or a history of absences. The school social worker will contact parents of students who have excessive tardies or absences. Please make every attempt to schedule vacations, medical appointments, and other activities during non-school times.

Students must attend one-half of the school day (11:30 AM) to be counted present for the day. To be in attendance during asynchronous remote instruction days, students must complete

assignments that are posted by the teacher within 5 days. Students will be counted present

for the day/class period upon completion of the assignment. To be in attendance on synchronous instruction days, students must participate in synchronous instruction and complete assignments within 5 days. School officials shall communicate the attendance procedures to students and families before the first day remote instruction begins. Families with extenuating circumstances should contact the school. The complete Board Policy 4400 is located online at https://www.buncombeschools.org/o/bcs/page/district-policies

Sign up for Ingles Tools for Schools and give back to NBES!

Link your Advantage Card to NBES to help support our school each time you shop! Remember to sign up EACH year!

https://www.ingles-markets.com/tools-for-schools-link

Growing, Learning, Succeeding at NBES!

Click here for previous editions of the Hawks Happenings Newsletters!

Email: heidi.allison@bcsemail.org
Website: https://nbes.buncombeschools.org/o/nbe
Location: 251 Flat Creek Church Road, Weaverville, NC, USA
Phone: (828) 645-6054
Facebook: facebook.com/NBuncombeES