Danielle Clark, Principal
Main Office: 919-577-1300
Bell Schedule: 9:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year!
Dear Holly Ridge Elementary Families,
Welcome to a brand-new school year at Holly Ridge Elementary! We are excited to welcome both new and returning families to what promises to be an incredible year of learning, growth, and connection.
This year's theme is "Be a Marigold." Marigolds are known for helping the plants around them grow stronger and healthier. They remind us that each of us has the power to encourage, support, and inspire others. At Holly Ridge, we believe that when students, staff, and families choose kindness, celebrate one another's successes, and work together, everyone blooms.
As proud Holly Ridge Labs, we are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment where every child feels valued, respected, and challenged to reach their fullest potential. We strive to provide a school where every student feels a sense of belonging and is inspired to learn each day.
This year, we will continue to focus on:
- Building strong relationships and supporting students' social-emotional well-being.
- Providing high-impact instructional practices that actively engage every learner.
- Expanding the use of Kagan Cooperative Learning structures to strengthen collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
- Fostering a positive school culture where kindness, responsibility, respect, and perseverance are celebrated every day.
Our partnership with families is one of the greatest factors in student success. We encourage you to stay connected by reading school communications, participating in school events, volunteering when possible, and maintaining open communication with your child's teacher. Together, we can ensure every student has the support they need to learn, grow, and succeed.
As we begin this new school year, we invite every member of our Holly Ridge community to Be a Marigold—look for ways to encourage others, celebrate successes, lend a helping hand, and make a positive difference each day. Small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact, helping our entire school community grow stronger together.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We are honored to partner with your family and look forward to a year filled with meaningful learning, memorable experiences, and many opportunities to bloom together.
We can't wait to welcome our Labs back for another amazing year!
With appreciation,
Danielle Clark
Principal
Holly Ridge Elementary School
Be a Marigold. Grow Together. Bloom Together.
26-27-New Student Parent Information Session
2026-27 Carpool Registration
All Families Must Re-register. All families will register to receive a NEW carpool tag this year. Old tags will NOT be used. You will be asked to have photo identification with you if a carpool tag is NOT displayed, slowing the flow of carpool. Please plan accordingly and register for a tag even if you plan to only pick your child up one time this year.
2026-27 Walker Registration
Click below to register as a walker. Please note-Back Walker registration procedures have changed. Staff will no longer be coming outside into the back field. Before signing up, please make sure you are reviewing the NEW back walker procedures.
Back2School Bash
Discover Church is hosting a Back 2 School Bash for our students and families! There will be inflatables, snacks, and back to school supplies! Come on out and meet other LABS!
Volunteer Registration/Reactivation
Families who were approved to volunteer in the 2025-2026 school year received an email in June outlining the simple volunteer renewal process for the 2026-27 school year. Families are encouraged to renew their volunteer status during the renewal window, July 1-Oct. 1.
NEW Volunteer Registration Process is now open! Please take a moment and complete the registration process. You may begin the registration process today!
You must be registered as a volunteer if you are planning to support any of the below activities.
- Field trip chaperone
- Helping in classrooms
- Activity/club sponsor
- Room parent
- Field day worker
- Regular/recurring readers for classrooms
- PTA members assisting in volunteer activities
School Meals Price Increase for 2026-27
The Board of Education approved a 25-cent price increase for school meals for the 2026-27 school year. The increase is necessary to cover rising costs of food, supplies, and wages and benefits for staff.
Full-paid prices for next school year will be:
- Elementary breakfast: $2.25
- Middle and high breakfast: $2.50
- Elementary lunch: $4
- Middle and high lunch: $4.25
Even with the price increase, school meals continue to be a great value. Meals are nutrient rich and include low-fat dairy, whole grains, lean meats, and an assortment of fruits and vegetables with a variety of offerings for students to choose from daily. The meal prices remain reasonable compared to other school systems in North Carolina. Learn more.
Sign Up today!
Create a free account at MySchoolBucks.com or call 855-832-5226. You’ll need your child’s student ID. With MySchoolBucks, you can:
- Securely deposit funds into your child's account using a credit/debit card.
- Check balances
- Set spending limits
- Check your student's purchases
- Receive free alerts when your student needs funds to make purchases
Meal Benefits
If your child received meal benefits for the 2025-2026 school year, the benefits will expire 30 days into the new school year. Families must reapply each year. You can apply online anytime during the school year. The application is available in multiple languages, and it's mobile-friendly. Paper applications will be available at Meet the Teacher in August.
School Supply Lists
School supply lists can be found on our school website. They are also linked below.
Save the Date-Meet the Teacher
We have worked with other Holly Springs and Fuquay Schools to align our Meet the Teachers to provide families in multiple schools alignment that will assist families with students in multiple levels. Parents of 1st-5th Graders will receive an email no later than the end of the day on Monday, August 17, 2026 with their classroom assignment for the year.
Kindergarten Staggered Entry
We’re excited to welcome our newest LABS to HRES! Kindergarten staggered entry means students start school in small groups over the first few days instead of all at once, allowing teachers to get to know each child in a calm, supportive setting. After each child has attended their assigned day, the full class begins coming to school together on a regular schedule starting August 31, 2026.
Classroom teacher assignments are made after staggered entry.
- Monday, August 24, 2026-Wednesday, August 26, 2026-Staggered entry from 9:30-2:00. Your child's staggered entry day was provided to you in May during K orientation. The date is located on the front of your RED folder. If you registered after, you should have been notified to come to the school to pick up your child's red folder.
- Please email dclark2@wcpss.net and Teresa Gomez at tgomez@wcpss.net if you do not have a staggered entry date.
- Kindergarten families will receive an email by the end of the day on Thursday, August 27th notifying them of the class assignment for the school year.
Friday, August 28, 2026-12:00pm-1:00pm-Meet Your Kindergarten Teacher
Kindergarten students will begin their first FULL day of school on Monday, August 31, 2026. Parents are welcome to walk their child to class.
PreK
Staggered Entry Days-September 1-September 3, 2026 **Preschool students will come 1 day during this time period. Ms. Riddle will notify families of dates on August 17, 2026.
Family School Partnership Day-September 4, 2026
First Day of School for Preschool students-September 8, 2026
Bus Information Notification
The district will directly notify families via text and/or email when there are disruptions to bus service. Parents will need to be signed up to receive messages via SchoolMessenger. Up-to-date bus delay information also will be conveniently posted to the transportation page on your school’s website.
You can also visit the district webpage for more information:
Sign Up for Transportation
Please make sure you have signed up for transportation if you wish to utilize this service at the beginning of the school year. Follow this link for more information.
Bus Routes will be published the week prior to school starting and posted on our website. We will communicate with families once the information is available.
Soccer Stars are BACK! Sign Up TODAY!
Soccer Stars Spring Spirit League is back starting September 08th! Enrollments are now OPEN, GRAB YOUR SPOT!! This season, we’re bringing even more soccer to our players with more practices, more game days, and even more opportunities for kids to play with their friends, represent their school, and build unforgettable memories on the field.
Our School Spirit League is all about friendship, fun, and friendly competition. Players get to practice together after school, then compete in exciting weekend Soccer Festivals against other local schools — all while proudly representing Holly Ridge - Labradors!
Cell Phones & Smart Watches - Supports Student Focus & Well-Being
- Smartwatches and Cell Phones: The only electronic device students should bring to school is the district-issued Chromebook. Personal technology (e.g., smartwatches, cell phones) should be turned off during school hours. Parents can call the front office to relay a message to their child. . Find more information and a full cellphone policy overview.
Register for Marbles Kick-off to Kindergarten event
Do you have a child starting kindergarten? Then mark your calendar for our Kick-off to Kindergarten event! This free event, held at Marbles Kids Museum, is a great way to help students and their families get ready to start school! Families on the year-round calendar should register for the event on June 25 from 3 to 7 p.m. Those on the traditional calendar should register for the event on Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spaces fill up fast, and registration is required. Learn more and register for the event online.
🤝 Support & Resources for Families
2026-27 WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook Only Available Online
Due to budget reductions, the district will not print or distribute paper copies of the 2026-27 Student/Parent Handbook. The online handbook can be found at www.wcpss.net