A tree fell on a power line causing the alarm to go off at the high school. We were trying to avoid drills and alarms until the Snapchat threats are calmed. Fire and police responded. All students and staff are safe and back inside. The superintendent, school administration, and top law enforcement officials are meeting today to generate solutions around this. Please report, do not repost any threats you may see. There is no credible threat at this time.
HCPS is aware that spam messages continue to surface. None of them are credible at this time. Please DO NOT repost the messages. Report them to school officials and law enforcement.
Interim reports for the first nine weeks are available for viewing on the Campus Portal. If you need assistance with the portal or need a paper copy of the report, please contact your child's school.
HCPS Families and Staff,
As you are aware from previous communications this week, HCPS has been investigating rumors of threats and social media posts that look like threats of violence to our schools. Together with law enforcement, we have looked into each of these accounts. Our investigations have revealed that none of these threats have been targeting schools in Halifax.
We received an email from the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) addressing the mass distribution of a SnapChat image combined with an added on-screen text being distributed across North America via TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. Analysis of this image and the mass reproduction indicates this is a spam Snapchat image and is not specific to any school or division.
These are obviously frightening messages and are designed to cause panic and disruption in communities.
So, what should you do if you see something concerning like this?
1. Immediately contact law enforcement and/or school officials to share what you have seen. We will investigate EVERYTHING that comes to us and we want people to share concerning messages so they can be investigated fully.
2. Report, don't Repost- Reposting these images instead of reporting them directly to officials is delaying our investigation and response to the concern. Reposting is causing panic and disrupting our schools and community before the legitimacy of the concern can be determined. If it is reported to us and is determined to be a legitimate threat, we will take immediate action and you will be informed about what we are doing to keep everyone safe.
Halifax County Public Schools and the Halifax County Sheriff's Department are diligently working to investigate every concern in an effort to keep our students and staff safe from any threat of violence. We need your help in these efforts. Please continue to communicate with us directly when you see or hear concerns.
Thank you.
Amy D. Huskin, Superintendent
Please save the date for the second annual CTE Showcase on Thursday, October 17, 2024. This event provides an opportunity for all students and families, including elementary to learn more about Career and Technical Education in Halifax County. Participants will be able to tour lab spaces and participate in live demonstrations. The first 100 attendees will receive a voucher to one of the on-site food trucks. Doors open at 5:15 PM, and the kickoff is at 5:30 PM. For more details and to register, please visit the Halifax County Public Schools website and Facebook page. View more details and register online at https://www.svhec.org/showcasecte/.
Mr. Martin's 5th graders are working hard to understand matter and volume. They are demonstrating the difference of the volume of a dice and a marble if dropped in a graduated cylinder with 50ml of water. They demonstrate that science can be fun while they learn.
Mr. Martin’s students are studying matter in Science. They did an experiment to see if air has mass and weight.
Lexia® is proud to partner with families and the Virginia Department of Education to help fulfill the state’s ALL In Tutoring priority! We are excited to announce we are now offering information sessions specifically designed for Virginia families. Click on the link below to learn more information.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zIhLUlBU1XY4-nLs0Vq1XOaCII4jgQDb/view?usp=sharing
What is a literacy screener? Have you heard about VALLSS? Click on the link below for an informational sheet for families.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oJjA4ir1O-Ydg5SOuiqWKfEnf3spzMTI/view?usp=sharing
Mr. Martin's class uses center time to practice Spelling Words for the week.
They are really enjoying learning fun this year.
The YMCA of South Boston/Halifax is offering a swim clinic during the month of September. The clinic is a fantastic opportunity to swim in a team environment and participate in the camaraderie, challenge, and excitement that comes with being part of a team. Swimming is not only a skill that stays with you for life but also promotes physical fitness, builds endurance, and boosts confidence.
As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed Monday, September 2, 2024 in observance of Labor Day.
Students in Mrs. Grant's kindergarten class continued learning about shapes. Students used play-doh to form their shapes, making the sides, vertices, and angles.
Mr. Martin's 5th grade is learning about adding and subtracting decimals by learning a song.
They are really enjoying learning with music.
https://youtu.be/iZj7cVBiEGw
Mrs. Martin's 1st graders are working on sorting and classifying objects in math. Today they worked in groups to combine and sort manipulatives from the class STEM bins. Everyone enjoyed this hands-on activity!
In compliance with Virginia State Law and the Virginia Department of Education’s Frequency of Fire and Lock Down Drill requirements, students in Halifax County Public Schools will participate in required fire and lockdown safety drills during the next two weeks.
Students in Mrs. Powell's third grade were modeling place values with base ten blocks.
Mr. Martin’s 5th grade students are learning to use Scientific Method to analyze questions in science class. They used different brands of glue to determine if there was a difference in the quality of the different names of glue sticks by adding weight with coins to the box to see if the glue would hold.
Thank you to Southern Piedmont Land and Lake Association of Realtors Public Relations Committee for the donation of school supplies.
Clays Mill welcomed students back on their first day!
