Hawks Happenings

It's hard to believe that 2023 is coming to a close. It is so easy to get overwhelmed this time of year with 'all the things'. I hope that you and your family are able to take time to enjoy each other and create memories that will last a lifetime. Sometimes these core memories that your child takes with them into adulthood are built on the most simple moments - cooking together, playing a board game, driving to see decorations in the community, etc. I wish you all a season of love and laugher filled with simple moments.

I'm looking forward to a great month of growing, learning and succeeding here at NBES!

-Mrs. Allison

Buncombe County Schools students have the opportunity to check out books from their school library. As an additional service, we offer parents the opportunity to OPT IN for a NC Digital Public Library card for their student. Students are then allowed to check out up to 10 books or 10 audiobooks (or a combination of both that adds up to 10 total) at a time from anywhere in the collections of the public library. They are not leveled, so students have access to all titles within the public library system. If you would like for your student to have a public library card, please fill out this form by December 15, 2023. The next opportunity to opt in will not be until the 2024-25 school year. If you have more than one student in Buncombe County Schools, a separate form must be filled out for each student. If you have questions, please email janet.frazier@bcsemail.org.

See the QR code below to sign up!

• PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR ID IF YOU ARE CHECKING YOUR CHILD IN TARDY OR CHECKING YOUR CHILD OUT OF SCHOOL EARLY.
• GUESTS USING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM TO SIGN IN SHOULD STOP BACK BY THE OFFICE TO SIGN OUT.

Students may participate in the Health Fair tomorrow with parent permission.

We have also been asked to share a copy of the 'Record of Health Screening' card that resides in your child's Cumulative Record folder. This card will be where the results of any assessment are listed after the Health Fair. Please see the images below for a reminder of the letter that was shared and to see a copy of the 'Record of Health Screening' card.

Looking for a way to give back to others this Holiday season? Here are two options - donate toys or food!

We have a collection boxes for donated toys and non-perishable food items located in the main lobby. Thank you in advance for your support!

The NBES Holiday Sale ends soon! This is the last week to save 20% on all spirit wear. Guaranteed delivery by Dec 23rd! Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list - from parents to grandparents and beyond! Visit: https://1stplace.sale/55816

What happens when we must close our buildings to students due to inclement weather?

• If a weather event is truly severe and impacts power or the internet in our area, the day would be a ‘no school’ day where no instruction would occur.
• For significant but less severe weather events, we are able to utilize a certain number of remote learning days that will count toward our state-mandated instruction per year. This means we will not have to make up those days later in the school year.

What happens during a delayed start?

Should a minor weather event cause us to delay starting school for students, you will receive more specific instructions that day to let you know when to drop your child off or have them at the bus stop.

• The bus schedule and campus opening adjust to match the time delay.
• For example if we are on a two hour delay, bus pick up times are two hours later and the building opens at 9:15 for student drop off.
• Breakfast is served on a two hour delay but not on a three hour delay.

What happens during an early dismissal?

Should we have to send students home early due to a weather event, students will eat lunch before they leave. The district will let families know when they can begin picking up students or expect them on the bus. We’ll also include information for after-school activities and athletics. If a parent is delayed in picking up their child from school, the child will be safe and supervised until the parent arrives.

Please note that it is our policy that if weather is impacting more than two districts, the schedule change will impact ALL BCS Schools.

We want to remind you of the various ways you can receive weather and emergency notifications.

• The fastest way to receive notifications is through the Buncombe County Schools app for your smartphone or tablet. Simply download the app and turn on push notifications. Visit buncombeschools.org/app to download the app for iOS or Android.
• Please follow Buncombe County Schools on social media. (@BuncombeSchools)
• Also, our local TV stations post the most up-to-date closings and delays on-air and online via their weather ticker.
• Please ensure your phone number and email address are correct. This information should be verified each school year. You can check that in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
• Finally, if you don’t have internet access, you can call our weather hotlines for updates: 828-255-5939 (English) or 828-255-5948 (Spanish).

Please log on to buncombeschools.org/notifications to learn more about the ways you can stay informed during severe weather or emergency situations! We also maintain a list of inclement weather daycare providers in our area.

Remote Learning can be used during inclement weather events to keep students learning even when they are at home. Remote learning would be asynchronous on the first day of the weather event and synchronous on all subsequent days of that weather event. Any work assigned must be made up within five days.*

• Asynchronous means that the teacher will assign tasks that will be completed online or on paper and there will be no live teaching.
• Synchronous means that there will be a blend of live virtual instruction and independent work.
• Should an isolated area of the county be severely impacted by a storm or your family has extenuating circumstances, please work with your school and teacher to make up the work.
• If we expect a weather event, all students to take their school-issued device home with them.
• This year we are using Google Meet for any live teaching.
• Right now our plan is to meet with students at 10 AM on Google Meet. Teachers will explain the assignments for the day which may include some lessons. Then the students will have time to work on their assignments. The class would meet back at 2 PM to check in on how their work time went and get answers to any lingering questions.

Here is another change with the time of our PTO meetings! We will now meet at 1 PM on the dates listed below. Everyone is welcome to attend PTO meetings!

• December 13
• January 10
• February 7
• March 13
• April 10
• May 8

📣Contact us at nbespto@gmail.com or on Facebook: North Buncombe Elementary PTO if you would like to help, have questions.

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

To attend a field trip, volunteers must have Level 2 status!

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

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.

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.

December:

4 - Health Fair

6 - Midterm reports!

8 - Staff Holiday Luncheon - Volunteers Needed!

12 - PTO Reward Field Trip - Please return permission slips ASAP!

13 - PTO Meeting @ 1PM in Room K04 (please sign in at the front office before going to the meeting)

15 - NBMS Music Department Performance at NBES - 10 AM

December 20 - January 2 - No School

January:

3 - Welcome Back to School!

3 - Dual Language Spanish Immersion applications open (applications posted on our school website)

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

X (Twitter): @NorthBuncombeES