Greetings NBES Families,

It is hard to believe that summer is almost over and a new school year is almost here! I love NBES and it is such an honor to serve as the principal here! Welcome to our new students and families! You will find that NBES is a wonderful place to be!

Here is a little information about me. I began my career in education as a classroom teacher at North Buncombe Elementary before moving to Haw Creek and Hominy Valley Elementary schools as Assistant Principal. Years later I returned to the North Buncombe District for my first principalship at Barnardsville Elementary. I spent five years as principal at Barnardsville Elementary and seven years as principal at Weaverville Elementary before circling back home to North Buncombe Elementary School! I consider myself a lifelong learner and I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Mars Hill University and a Masters Degree in School Administration (MSA) from Western Carolina University.

At NBES, we have an outstanding staff, wonderful students and supportive parents! Our staff is committed to the success of our students and they work diligently to provide quality and engaging instruction. Our mission is, 'Growing, Learning, Succeeding'!

Communication between home and school is key! While I strive to not overload you with too much information, I do want you to be informed! Please look for a Hawks Happenings Newsletter to come out at least once a month. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NBuncombeES and follow us on Instagram @NorthBuncombeES. You can also find a lot of information on our school's website. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please reach out and we will be happy to help!

I look forward to partnering with you and your family for a successful and fun school year!

Please feel free to contact me at 828-645-6054 or heidi.allison@bcsemail.org.

Working Together,

Mrs. Heidi Allison

August 1 - PTO Zoom! Please join us at 6:30 PM to see how you can get connected!

August 25 - Meet Your Teacher

August 28 - First Day of School for all students in grades 1-4 and half of Kindergarten!

August 29 - First Day of School for other half of Kindergarten students

August 30 - All Kindergarten students come to school!

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. Potential volunteers may go ahead and start on this process by following the link below. Thank you in advance for your support!

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 requires a background check (conducted by Buncombe County Schools).

https://www.buncombeschools.org/o/bcs/page/volunteering

• Class Lists will be posted outside.
• Feel free to bring in school supplies with you to drop off.
• Bus Drivers will be on hand in the gym to answer questions.
• Meet Your Teacher is a drop-in event. You do not need to stay the entire time.
• We will have many staff members place around the school campus to help you find your way!

We are excited about our upcoming school year! Please review the list for your child's grade level to see what is needed. Click on the link to see each supply list.

2023-2024 School Supply Lists are found here: https://nbes.buncombeschools.org/o/nbe/article/1168397

Even though lunch is free, you can still send money/load money for your child to buy additional snacks and/or ice cream.

We even have exciting news for families who normally pack their lunch! Lunch boxers may 'complete your meal for free'! Lunch boxers can get at least 3 additional items to complete their meals (example: add a grain, a fruit and a milk)! This is a great support for families! We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity!

At this point, our School Nutrition Department is sharing that families do not need to complete the online Free and Reduced lunch application unless you need this status to help you quality for another community support.

The afternoon car rider line traffic pattern has changed! Share this information with anyone who is picking up your children! No one can line up to pick up students prior to 2 PM!

Click on the link on the 'Open Link' button on the pictures below to visit our Facebook page to read about each staff member.

*Please note that not all pictures have a link yet.

From attendance and grades to assignments and announcements, our parent portals allow you to more fully participate in your child's education. We welcome parent involvement and strive to keep you informed.

The PowerSchool Parent Portal
Looking for grades, attendance, custom notification options, and the ability to update your student's contact information? This is all part of our PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Parents also love the BCS district mobile app for staying connected to their child's education. Using your iOS or Android device, you'll have instant access to menus, school news stories, district weather and safety notifications, and more!

Kindergarten teachers will mail postcards on August 15th with your child's class assignment and which day your child is scheduled to attend (August 28 or August 29). Remember that Kindergarten has a staggered start - half of our Kindergarten students come on August 28 and half come on August 29. All Kindergarten students come on Wednesday, August 30th.

For Students in Grades 1-4:

Parents of students in grades 1-4 will be able to check the Parent Portal the week of August 21st to see class teacher assignment. The portal will open on Monday, August 21st (See directions above regarding how to sign up). We will also have tables set up outside the school at Meet Your Teacher with class lists.

At this time, no class lists have been shared with parents.

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

We realize that for some parents dropping your child off in his/her classroom on the first day of school is a fond tradition. Here are some suggestions to make this go smoothly.

Keep in mind that securing a parking spot may be an issue if you choose to walk your child inside. Arrive in plenty of time to complete any drop-off activities. At 8 AM, class will begin and parents will need to exit the classroom at this time so the school day can begin.

To speed up the drop off process, we will not have parents sign in at the main office in the mornings until Friday, September 1st. Please note that on this day and any day afterwards, visitors will be required to sign in at the main office prior to going anywhere in the building.

We ask that you help us begin our day by quickly exiting the building after you have taken your pictures. While it may be difficult to leave your child (especially Kindergartners), children typically calm quicker and engage in activities if their parents are not lingering outside the door.

Here are some drop off guidelines:

• Kindergarten parents are asked to avoid lingering the pod area after you complete your drop off. A 'Boo-Hoo or Yahoo' Breakfast will be set up in room 502 for any Kindergarten parents who need a few extra minutes to collect yourself before you exit our campus. We will have some food items as well as plenty of tissues available for you. The breakfast will be set up between 7:30 and 8:15 AM so you can enjoy some treats, wipe happy/sad tears and/or connect with other Kindergarten parents.
• Starting on Friday, September 1st, parents should drop off all students in the car rider line.

One of our top priorities here at NBES is to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. This includes the car line pick-up of children during afternoon dismissal. Cars should not form a car line anywhere on campus prior to 2:00 PM! It is the parent's responsibility to share this information with grandparents or others who are picking up your children.

Car rider name cards are issued for car riders. This card is to be placed in your car window for afternoon pick-up. If you need additional cards, please contact the school office.

If there have been any changes in pick-up information or custody issues related to your child’s pick-up, please contact the school office to make us aware. Please also make us aware anytime there is a change during the school year.

Please print your child’s (children’s) FIRST and LAST name on the card in large, dark letters. This card should be displayed in view on the driver’s side of the card (on the dashboard, sun visor, etc.). If you arrive at school without your official NBES car rider card, you will be asked to park and office staff will need to approve the pick-up. Please remember this is not meant to be an inconvenience to anyone, but an additional way to help protect our students. Please do not ask staff members on duty to compromise this policy and risk the safety of our students.

Car riders are held in the building until their name is called. At that time your child (children) will come out and wait for you at the curb occupied by one of our staff members. All car riders must be picked up in the car rider line.

NBES staff cannot buckle or unbuckle seatbelts/child restraints. Please teach your child how to buckle up so the car rider line can move quickly and efficiently.

Traffic will move more smoothly, quickly, and safely in the afternoon by following these dismissal procedures. Thank you for your cooperation as we all work together to ensure student safety.

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 15th. 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.

August 28 - First Day of School for all students in grades 1-4 and half of Kindergarten!

August 29 - First Day of School for other half of Kindergarten students

Kindergarten has a staggered school start to give more time for the adjustment to school.

August 30 - All Kindergarten students come to school!

September 4 - No School - Labor Day

September 9 - School Improvement Team Meeting

September 26 - Fall Picture Day!

September 28 - Title 1 Open House and Curriculum Night

• Session 1 - 5:45 - 6:15 PM
• Session 2 - 6:30 - 7:00 PM

October 2 - No School - Teacher Workday

October 3 - No School - Teacher Workday

October 19 - Health Fair

October 20 - PTO Dance-a-Thon Glow Party Kick-Off! (PTO Fundraiser)

November 3 - PTO Dance-a-Thon Glow Party!!

Growing, Learning, Succeeding at NBES!

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/www.facebook.comNBuncombeES

Instagram: @northbuncombees

Twitter: @NorthBuncombeES