Principal Smith Updates

Today was a successful first day of implementation for our new EVOLV Express System. Students entered our building with ease and we had a small amount of alerts. The items that alerted the system were eye glass cases and binders and a thick link chain. To avoid having the same item alert again, students that need these personal items should remove them from their book bag and pass the item to the staff member on their left as they enter the building. This will allow the student to pass through the system without being alerted. The item will be given back to the student and they will go to class.

Parents and other visitors had success with our new system today. The most effective practice was leaving unnecessary items in the car except keys, change, and ID. This eliminated alerts for visitors so they did not have to stop and be checked.

Tomorrow is our first Awards Day this year and we expect a high volume of visitors. I would suggest entering with your child if you are coming in the morning and heading to the gym. For Awards Day only, parents and visitors will pass through the system and then be allowed to go straight to the next hallway without going into the main office. A visitor pass will be issued to every visitor. If you are asked to move to the threat table, please be understanding as we work to ensure safety measures are fully checked.

County employees are not required to pass through the system because they already have badge access to our building at multiple doors. If they are walking in with their child, they will also walk through the EVOLV system. If you see others walking in the side door, they are entering with an approved badge. ALL students including staff children will walk through the EVOLV system daily. Any student entering our building that has been screened on the same day at another school will still be required to be screened at our campus.

Thank you for checking your child's bag to remove unnecessary items that may be more sensitive to the system and slow down their progress when entering our building. We are thankful for this advanced technology that has been provided for our safety.

Parents are welcome to attend most field trips with students. There are some trips with limited seating which prevent parents from attending. When you attend a field trip as a chaperone you must be an approved volunteer with Harnett County Schools. If you are not an approved chaperone, you may attend the trip, but will not be allowed to follow the class closely or chaperone a group. No children are allowed to accompany a parent chaperoning a field trip.

This week on Halloween, students made crop cover monsters. This was an extension of classroom learning about the plant life cycle and crop cover planting. Soil and Water Director Lynn Lambert and Assistant Morgan Pope joined us for a day of experiential learning. This event had to be done inside due to the weather, but nevertheless, students and staff learned why farmers plant cover crops in the off season to help prevent erosion. These silly monsters are made with a knee high filled with grass seed, and soil. The students decorated their crop cover monsters and put water in the cup to allow the hose to absorb the water so the soil would become moistened. They will begin to sprout in 4-7 days as the seed germinates.

When your child brings home their plant, please remember to keep water in the cup and spritz the top to keep it moist. Place in a window sill to allow the sun and warmth to help the plant grow.

This is the beginning of our Outdoor Learning at Northwest Harnett. We are excited to continue our Outdoor Learning for students in the coming months ahead as we write grants for a new greenhouse, raised beds, seating, and other items to help students have experiential learning activities that will extend their classroom lessons. Mr. Avilez with Avilez Roofing will transfer the writing shed his company made and donated to our new school and students will be able to have resources outside to allow them to write about their findings, measure, draw and analyze the growing process.

If you are interested in helping make this project flourish by providing resources, volunteering with outdoor events, or simply helping to tend our garden; please sign up in our front office and we will let you know how to become more involved. Togeter we Grow!

The PTO is sponsoring a Dewey's fundraiser. The fundraiser runs from Oct. 24th - Nov. 13th. All money is due on Monday, Nov. 13th to ensure delivery prior to Thanksgiving. One classroom from each grade level with the highest sales will win a cake party from Dewey's. We appreciate your support of our school. Please keep all money and turn in on the final day of the fundraiser and remember to write check payable to LES PTO. The PTO is changing over their name to Northwest Harnett and this process requires the Secretary of State's approval. Thank you again for supporting our school.