Cougars! We love you and miss you! We will walk through this together!! #LifeReadyatTheCreek!

Cougars,

Here is the latest information as we prepare the transition to virtual learning for the next two weeks.

– Information for Virtual Learning – Please bookmark this site as it is your one-stop shop to help support virtual learning over the next two weeks (and a lot of other resources). This site provides expectations for students, teachers, families, and leaders.

http://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/hlp/virtual-learning/

Today, every teacher walked each student through the student expectations for virtual learning so they are aware of the learning opportunities available from their teachers.  The students should be checking their Schoology courses for notifications of assignments and updates.

– If your Cougar has any prescription drugs that will be needed at home, these should be picked up from HCMS on Monday, between 8:30 AM and 3:15 PM.

The county will continue communicating directly with you regarding HCPS division-wide information.  HCMS will continue to update you with information that is specific to our school as events warrant.  

We will also post information on our school website, Schoology, and all HCMS social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Twitter: @HungaryCreekMS

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

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hungarycreekcougars

Concern about COVID-19 (coronavirus) has created a rapidly evolving environment where changes are being made quickly in the interest of public health.

Starting Monday, March 16, Henrico County Public Schools will be closed for students for two full weeks of school (through Friday, March 27). We will continue to assess the situation, and decide later if we need to extend this period of closure.

We realize this creates many questions about how students will continue their learning. We have a thorough plan in place, and detailed information about student learning will be communicated in a separate message.

Our teachers and staff will use Monday, March 16, to continue their preparations. “Virtual learning” experiences (digital and non-digital) will be available to students of all grade levels starting on Tuesday, March 17.

During this unprecedented experience, we will continue to do everything possible to ensure the health and safety of our community. The HCPS Facilities and Pupil Transportation departments will conduct additional cleaning of school buildings and buses, and continue to assess the best cleaning practices.

Additionally, for many of our students, the meals provided at our schools are a crucial part of their daily nutrition. Additional plans are being made to address this vital need across the Henrico Community.

Please know that this is not a decision that we make lightly. We realize that any change to educational schedules is disruptive and inconvenient. However, our priority must always be the health and safety of our students, staff members and community.

Again, more details about student learning will be forthcoming in separate communications. Visit the “COVID-19” page on our website for full information from HCPS.

Congratulations to Mr Gentry who is our Gillian Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Ritchie our Christie Teacher of the Year and Mr. Napier our New Teacher of the Year for 2019-2020! #LifeReadyatTheCreek

We are so proud of Zeyhabou M’bengue, who represented Hungary Creek MS as our “Light of Hope” at the 34th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Celebration on Monday. She was recognized by our administrative team for her excellence and good character. #LifeReadyatTheCreek

HCPS-TV stopped by Mrs. Herashchanka’s Life Science class, as they reviewed a cell lesson and wrote letters to help raise money for the MCV Massey Cancer Center

Over winter break, Reese Alexander a sixth grader at Hungary Creek Middle School had an experience of a lifetime in Barcelona, Spain playing with USA Youth Futsal in international matches. Reese spent eight days in Barcelona playing matches, training and immersing herself in the city and culture.

She played against Les Corts, the Catalan National Team, Penya Esplugues Futbol Sala and CET10.   Her U12 USA girls team was the only team from the U.S.A to go undefeated in international play.

In addition to games, she was able to train with FC Barcelona trainers and observe a professional FC Barcelona Futsal training. They also explored Camp Nou, the FC Barcelona stadium, and other cultural and historical sites such as Park Guell and Cathedral Barcelona!

Reese hopes to use her international experience this summer as she was invited to play with an older age group in The International U13 Soccer Tournament of Guerledan which is held in France.

Reese’s picture was featured when she was training with The FC Barcelona team in the www.soccertoday.com  article below:

https://www.soccertoday.com/anson-dorrance-and-keith-tozer-on-why-soccer-players-need-futsal/

Reese also kept the journal while she was in Spain. Here is an excerpt:

“My Experience on the USA National Team:

Day one I woke up at 5:00am to go to the airport.  Not the best day at all.  The plane rides were fine though.  Once I finally got to the airport, I got my euros and met the head coach.  Not my coach! Also, I checked in, as I was checking in, I met my roommates.  I also have a practice today.  The practice was awesome.  After that we had an orientation.  When we had dinner, I knew it was going to be a long week for me on the eating side.

I just woke up from my sleep.  I have a game today.  I played CET10 and we won.  I scored two goals and had a great game. The place I played in was very cold even when I was sweating.  After the game we went to lunch.  All I’m going to say is that it was awful.  Now we are about to go get trained by F.C Barcelona coaches.  That was fun.

It’s Sunday we went to take a tour of the F.C Barcelona stadium.  It was cool how I got to sit in the subs chairs, and I saw all of Messi’s golden boots. The F.C Barcelona store was awesome too.  It had three floors filled from head to toe with F.C Barcelona gear.  Later we went to train again with Barcelona.

Today we went on a tour.  We went to Parc Guell.  It was fun learning how the park was a failure.  The parks history was extremely amazing. Now I’m getting pumped up for the game.  We played Penya Esplugues.  I had an awesome game and we won. What do you know it’s already time for bed.  The day was gone like that.

So I just woke up and were supposed to go to a beach session, but when we got there we were at a stadium.  Turns out we got to watch professionals’ practice.  It was cool.  We went on another tour, and that was my day.

I have two games left. The first game we played the Catalonia National team.  Who do you think won?  USA with the win!  Our last game is vs Les Corts, of course we won. Later we had our farewell meeting.  There were fireworks to celebrate.  Now we are going to watch F.C Barcelona play in a game.  They tied though.  That was my week in Spain.”

Congratulation to HCMS Art Teacher Mrs. Laura VanBylant! She has received her National Board Teaching Certification! She worked hard during this year-long process honing and reflecting on her classroom instruction while submitting videos and portfolios for review by the NBTC committee.

“The certification process requires that teachers demonstrate standards-based evidence of the positive effect they have on student learning in alignment with the Five Core Propositions. They must exhibit a deep understanding of their students, content knowledge, use of data and assessments and teaching practice. They must also show that they participate in learning communities and provide evidence of ongoing reflection and continuous learning.” (NBCT Website).

More than 122,000 teachers across the United States have achieved Board certification. Mrs. VanBylant was one of 20 who achieved this honorable status in Henrico County.

This is an important message for families of students who use bus transportation:

First day of school is almost here! Our drivers have been working hard to rehearse their routes and make sure Sept. 3 is the beginning of a great week. With that in mind, we ask for your patience next week as some buses may experience delays. Here’s why, along with answers to some other frequently asked questions.

What can I expect during the first week of school?

Thousands of Kindergarten and preschool students are riding a school bus for the very first time. We take extra care with these students, such as requiring authorized adults to show ID in order to get them off the bus in the afternoon. Afternoon delays are inevitable as parents become accustomed to our process, and as our drivers meet many of these families for the first time. In limited instances, bus delays may become very lengthy on the first couple of days, but those delays should quickly shorten as everyone gets used to the new routine.

We also realize that the first week of school can often be filled with emotional moments and “must get” photo opportunities. Sometimes this will result in buses being behind schedule.

Where can I find bus information?

Bus stop information is now available on our website as well as through Rycor Online Forms and PowerSchool. We recommend students be at their morning bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Please review bus stop safety procedures and follow the direction of bus drivers.

Will you let me know if the bus is running 10-15 minutes late?

Pupil Transportation staff makes every effort to notify parents of significantly late buses through School Messenger text messages. For more information on our automated communication methods, click here to visit the Communications and Community Engagement page 

What if I need to call someone in the Transportation department?

If you would like to speak to someone in our Transportation department, you can do that too by calling one of our zone offices. Henrico is a big county that is served by several different transportation zones. To find the zone office that is responsible for your student’s school, click here.

How do I make a formal request regarding my student’s transportation?

Transportation staff receives hundreds of written requests from parents in September. Parents should complete the “School Bus Request Form,” also linked on the web page.  Priority will be placed on assigning new or recently moved students. Requests for changes to bus stop locations will be addressed as a lower priority.

Here’s to a great 2019-20 school year!

Josh Davis
Director, Pupil Transportation