Please see the following items highlighting upcoming events:

HCMS Pick-up:

Interested in additional school supplies?  Need to pick up a cool library book?  Still need to grab your yearbook from last year?  We will host a drive-through in the bus loop on Monday, September 14th from 1:30 PM – 5 PM.

Meals at The Creek:

Breakfast & Lunch Service

*Please note HCMS will be distributing meals from our bus loop. 

Distribution of free meals will take place at all elementary, middle, and high schools.

Monday through Thursday (Friday meals are distributed on Thursdays.)

7 AM – 9 AM:  Hot breakfasts (when available) and cold lunches.

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM: Hot lunches as well as cold breakfasts for the next day.

Virtual Back to School Night:

We will host our Virtual Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 22nd, at 6 PM.  We will be sending out the finalized schedule next week but I wanted you to be able to put the date on your calendar.

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to the entire HCMS community for making week one AWESOME!!! We worked together as a team to persevere and overcome any challenges that came our way.  The patience and collaboration to overcome technical issues were beautiful to see!!!  This truly exemplified #CougarsTogether.  I hope each of you has a wonderful weekend!!!

Robbi Moose

HCMS Principal

#CougarsTogether

Below, I have provided information highlighting several items. We will continue to provide updates as we transition into the first days of school.

Logging on for the first time?  Follow this process:

1. The only thing on the taskbar is Internet Explorer, not Chrome. That means that when the student clicks on it, s/he does not see the option to log into Clever; which leads to Schoology and other applications.
2. To fix this, the student needs to go to the Windows search bar, on the home screen of the computer, and search for Chrome.
3. Once the student finds it, they should pin it to the taskbar so that it is easy to access and then remove Internet Explorer from the taskbar.
4. Once Chrome is on the taskbar, the student can open Chrome and immediately log into Henrico County’s Clever application.
5. If students log straight into Clever, they won’t have to worry about re-logging into other student applications individually.

Day 1 Navigation

Please click on the link below which will walk you through the process of accessing your Cougars teachers Schoology pages and Microsoft Teams link.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-lqHrYMQz1gTHY-66D6JeU4B-MpOgicB/view?usp=sharing

Planning for 2020-2021 School Year:

Please visit HCPS 2020-21 Mission Forward at https://henricoschools.us/returntoschool/  to learn more about online learning for the first 9 weeks.

The link below will provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding the learning plan for the 2020-21 school year.

HCPS 2020-21 Learning Plan: Family and Student Handbook

Online Services:

Do you have questions about Schoology, PowerSchool, RYCOR, or On-line payments? Links for all of these services are available on one webpage: https://henricoschools.us/online-services/

Also, if you need assistance with your student’s login/password or student I.D. number, please email helpdesk@henrico.k12.va.us and a member of the HCPS Technology team will respond within 24 hours to assist.

To keep up with updates from The Creek follow us on:

Twitter: @HungaryCreekMS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hungarycreekmshcps/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hungarycreekcougars

School Website: https://hungarycreek.henricoschools.us/

Have a great weekend!!!

This is just a quick message letting you know that students will be able to access their classes on the first day even if you were not able to perform the update.  If you need additional support and assistance with this update, please contact the front office at 527-2640 to make an appointment and we will provide that support.

Have a great day!!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cougars,

HCPS will have its final laptop distribution the week of 8/31.  See the distribution table below for our school’s dates, deployment location, and times.  This laptop distribution is for HCPS Middle and High School students that do not have an HCPS laptop for remote learning this coming school year.  Please read these instructions below carefully for details about borrowing and caring for the Laptop.

Laptop pick-up:

Go to HCMS to pick up a Laptop on Monday 8-31-20 thru Friday 9-4-20 between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Device Distribution Dates:

8-31-20 thru 9-4-20 (M-F)- Any HCPS Middle School and High School students w/o an HCPS Laptop

Questions and answers:

We are recommending that:

• If your student’s last name begins with the letters A-L, please go to the pickup location between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

• If your student’s last name begins with the letters M-Z, please go to the pickup location between 1:30-5:30 p.m.
• Please know that the first day of distribution has been our busiest day and you could experience long wait times. We do have enough Laptops for every HCPS Secondary student.
• We will also be using the same distribution hubs to deploy Elementary technology devices.

Who is eligible to receive a Laptop? 

• Any Henrico Middle School and High School student who is registered at an HCPS secondary school and does not have a laptop currently.  Secondary students enrolled last year should already have their issued Laptop and Charger.

What can I expect when I pick up the Laptop for my student?

• Please follow the established traffic pattern.  Pull into the bus loop to get in line. There will be an individual directing traffic. During the pick-up process, remain in your vehicle at all times.
• Clearly write/print your student’s first and last name(s) on a sheet of paper and bring it with you.  You would then show that paper when it’s your turn to receive a Laptop.  Our staff will reference the sheet of paper and locate the name(s) in our system.
• A staff member will approach your vehicle and ask for your child’s name and school, and your name. You will need to show valid identification and the individual picking up the device must be the student (if driving) or a contact in HCPS’ PowerSchool student information system and associated with the student being assigned a device.
• You will be asked if you have internet service in your home, and if you do not, you will be offered a Wi-Fi hot-spot device, if available (supplies are limited).
• Proceed to receive a Laptop and charger. You’ll receive information about the Laptop and the conditions of borrowing one. If you agree, the laptop will be placed in your vehicle’s back seat or trunk.
• Throughout this process, all staff members will minimize contact and exercise safe practices.

What is needed for a Laptop to work?

• Internet service is required for the Laptop to fully function and connect to digital resources that will be provided to students by their teachers.

Where should I go if the Laptop is broken or does not work?

• Remember, to function well, all Laptops and chargers must be cared for appropriately.

• If Laptops develop problems, they can be brought to a mobile technology hub to be turned in for repair. For the weeks of the August 24th and 31st, the hours of support for the 4 mobile support hubs will change to all day from 8:30-4:30 and support will be Monday through Friday.

• Deep Run High School (4801 Twin Hickory Road, Glen Allen, Va.)
• Douglas Freeman High School (8701 Three Chopt Road, Henrico, Va.)
• Hermitage High School (8301 Hungary Spring Road, Henrico, Va.)
• Highland Springs High School (15 S. Oak Ave., Highland Springs, Va.)

• Friday, September 4th, will be the last day of technical support for all students at the 4 remote support hubs and support for all students will transition to all secondary schools the following week.
• Starting September 8th, Tuesday –  Support for students will be available at secondary school locations during the typical school hours.    Secondary students will go to their assigned school for support and elementary students can go to the closest high school for technical support.  This support will include student device repairs, device swaps, and any other needed support.  Hotspots for internet access will also be available at each secondary school while supplies last.  Please call the school and make an appointment if you require face to face technical support.

What if I don’t have internet service in my home for the Laptop?

• HCPS will loan you a Wi-Fi hot-spot device while supplies last. Additionally, Comcast is offering free and low-cost internet at this time for qualifying families. To see if you qualify for their promotion, visit Comcast’s “Internet Essentials” website. The website for the promotion is internetessentials.com/covid19.  If you want to apply for Internet Essentials over the phone please call 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376).  Comcast’s call center hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
• HCPS will issue Wi-Fi a hot-spot device, if available (supplies are limited) for those students without internet.

Is the Laptop set up to safely avoid access to inappropriate web content?

• Yes. Every Laptop is filtered by HCPS’ web filtering system to provide as secure an environment for students as possible. Students should use technology responsibly at all times.

When do I need to return the Laptop and charger my family has received? 

• A date will be announced later for the return of each Laptop. Until then, each Laptop and charger must be properly cared for.

Thank you for reading,

Robbi Moose

Below, I have provided information highlighting a number of items. I will continue to update you over the next week as more information becomes available regarding the school year.

Planning for 2020-2021 School Year:

Please visit HCPS 2020-21 Mission Forward at https://henricoschools.us/returntoschool/  to learn more about online learning for the first 9 weeks.

The link below will provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding the learning plan for the 2020-21 school year.

HCPS 2020-21 Learning Plan: Family and Student Handbook

Laptop Camera Activation for Rising 7th and 8th Graders – Reminder:

To improve engagement and to learn with peers and teachers in the 20 – 21 school year, Henrico County Public Schools will be activating the cameras on secondary laptops for middle and high school students.  To activate the camera, the computer needs to be serviced at the student’s home school.  The total time to perform the work is about 5-10 minutes.

At HCMS, the technical support staff will be available to re-configure secondary laptops for middle and high school students in preparation for the 20/21 school year.

When:    Monday – Friday

Time:      8:30 AM – 12 PM and 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Each location will practice safety precautions for COVID-19.  The technical support staff will be wearing masks and practicing additional safety precautions.  Each person that arrives to have their HCPS laptop serviced is requested to wear a mask and to practice social distancing.  Each line will have tape on the floor about 8 feet apart to help with social distancing.

Only one individual (parent, student, or guardian) should enter the school to receive service.  The only thing that needs to be brought in to complete the work is the laptop to be reconfigured (no charger, no username/password).

The location at the school to go to for the activation of the laptop camera is the Front door, main foyer in front of the library. This support at each school to reconfigure secondary student laptop cameras will continue into August up until the start of school.

Computers for Rising 6th Graders and Students New to HCMS:

If you have not been able to pick up your computer, you may come to HCMS on August 31st – September 4th from 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM to retrieve your laptop and charger.  This process will take place in our bus loop, located on the right side of the building (facing the school).

Yearbooks + 8th Grade T-Shirt:

For our rising 7th and 8th graders plus our outgoing 8th graders, we will deploy our yearbooks and 8th-grade t-shirts on August 31st – September 2nd from 9 AM – 3 PM.  Please drive through the parent drop-off loop in front of the school where we will be stationed to deliver these items to you.

Online Services:

Do you have questions about Schoology, PowerSchool, RYCOR, or On-line payments? Links for all of these services can be found on one webpage: https://henricoschools.us/online-services/

Also, If you need assistance with your student’s login/password or student I.D. number, please email helpdesk@henrico.k12.va.us and a member of the HCPS Technology team will respond within 24 hours to provide assistance.

6th Grade Virtual Cougar Camp:

This is a reminder that we will drop the video, tomorrow,  August 27th at 9 AM for you to view at your convenience.  We will post this information on our website, social media accounts, as well as send out a School Messenger with the link.  We hope you enjoy it!!!

Schedules:

Student schedules for the 20-21 school year will be finalized and posted on PowerSchool on Friday, August 28th after 4 PM.  We are in the process of creating a virtual open house where you will be able to see introductory videos of the HCMS faculty and follow your Cougars student schedule to prepare you for the first day of school on September 8th.  We will be creating a voice-over video that walks you through, step by step, of this process and how the virtual experience will work.  This informational video will be shared with you on September 3rd at 9 AM via our website, social media accounts and School Messenger.  With the process in place, we hope that you will have a smooth transition to the 20-21 school year.

To keep up with updates from The Creek follow us on:

Twitter: @HungaryCreekMS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hungarycreekmshcps/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hungarycreekcougars

School Website: https://hungarycreek.henricoschools.us/

Have a great day!!!

Robbi Moose

HCMS Principal

#CougarsTogether