January Principal News

Oliver Wendell Holmes School   

INSPIRE CREATIVITY, CULTIVATE ACADEMIC GROWTH, NURTURE OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY                                                          

 January 09

 From the Desk of Ms. Hackmiller:

 What a better way to ring in the new year than a skating party.  Thanks to all of those who organized and attended the annual ice-skating party at Ridgeland.  What a blast!

 

ISAT Information Night was a huge success this year.  Information was shared about the testing process, the kinds of questions that are expected, preparation strategies and how results are used for school planning.  ISAT testing is scheduled March 3-13 for students in grades 3-5.  Third grade students will take Reading, Math and Writing.  Fourth grade students will take Reading, Math, and Science.  Fifth graders will take Reading, Math and Writing.

 

Family Reading Night was also a hit!  Thank you to Alanna Sullivan, the PTO chair of Rocket Into Reading, and Chris Fascione, actor/storyteller extraordinaire.  Chris shared some entertaining stories which of course required audience participation and resulted in lots of laughs while families enjoyed donuts and hot chocolate on  a cold, snowy Saturday night.

 

PBIS continues to be a main focus during our school day.  Congratulations to our awesome Holmes students who work hard to follow the Holmes expectations…be respectful, be responsible, and be powerful through peace.  Our weekly drawings of Fantastic Feathers earned by the students continue and many students are earning opportunities to wear pj’s to school, be a special helper or have lunch with the principal.  Congrats to Helena Harmon for earning the first citizenship award of the year.  Helena, a friend of her choice and I will be going out for lunch in the coming weeks.  We are having another (3^rd of the year) all school assembly on Friday, January 30 to celebrate the 2^nd citizenship honoree…I wonder who it could be?

 

Summer school for K-4^th graders has been scheduled for June 29-July 17.  Middle school academy for students going into 6^th grade next year will be held June 9-July 10.  This represents a change from last year’s schedule. School Daze, the optional enrichment program, will take place from June 9-26.  Keep an eye out for more information that will be coming soon from the district office.

 

We are working hard to keep safety a top priority in and around our school.  We ask that you remain mindful of the new traffic plan and do not drive down Kenilworth, South of Iowa, between the hours of 7:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. on school days.  When you are coming to school we ask that you enter through the main doors, sign in at the office and wear a visitor’s badge each time you visit.  We appreciate your cooperation and vigilance. 

 

The SIT (School Improvement Team) has been working diligently the past several months on the development of the Holmes Mission Statement.  Thanks to the team for their creativity, focus, cooperation and tenaciousness. 

The mission of Holmes School is….

Inspire creativity, cultivate academic growth, nurture our diverse community.

 

Zero Waste Update

The reusable lunchroom items have arrived, the dishwasher is being installed and the recycling program has begun.  Do your part as you pack a school lunch and reduce waste as much as possible.  We will be getting a lesson from a master composter in February as our worm bins have arrived and the worms are scheduled for arrival late Feb/early March!    Stay tuned.

 

With dressing in layers for winter weather comes an overflowing lost and found.  If your child is missing any articles of clothing, please check the lost and found in the main hallway.

 

Reminder:

February 5th—Family Math Night – Theme – Logic

February 12-13—Parent Teacher Conferences

Stay well,

Suzie Hackmiller