2010/11 Month 1 in Review

To set the tone for an upbeat, positive year, we began with a welcome back luau celebration in place of the traditional welcome night.

New students arrived each day for the first two weeks. Our current enrollment is 475. The third grade class is the largest with 85 students, while this year's kindergarten class has just 68.

It has been fun to watch the kindergarteners adjust and adapt to their new environment. They are now seasoned veterans, proudly walking the halls and operating independently in the lunch room.

Our fifth graders have stepped-up to become the school leaders. Along with helping the K and first grade students as bus buddies we introduced lunch buddies this year. The lunch buddies were a huge help not only to their young charges but to the lunch room supervisors as well. There's only so many milk cartons and yogurt tubes I can get to in 30 minutes.

During the first month we've had two PTO meetings, curriculum night, the Fall Festival and picture day. If you weren't able to participate in these events, we encourage you to join the Holmes community in future events. Check the Holmes calendar for upcoming dates and times.
http://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/op97.org/embed?src=op97.org_ek8lltkip29tp311h6qd5l22v0%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicago

A few classes have ventured out into the neighborhood on field trips. Mrs. Kuhr's class takes a weekly trip to Trader Joe's, where they apply their math skills to practical experience. When they return, they cook up a treat with the groceries they've purchased.

The second grade social studies curriculum focuses on neighborhoods. Ms. Shearrill's class took advantage of a perfect fall day and took a walking trip around the Holmes neighborhood.

Two teachers welcomed additions to their families. Katie Richardson (DLP), a daughter in August and Jeff Gehrke, a son in September.

The first round of benchmark testing was completed for all students in both reading and math. This assessment data will be used to help inform instructional decisions throughout the year.

The year is off to a good start. We look forward to continuing this momentum into the coming months.

Mission Accomplished

Our students set a new record for hours read during Rocket into Reading. They logged 5,122 hours of extra-curricular reading during a six week period that began with winter break. It was quite a site to watch the flight progress board fill with rockets and stars.

The overall school winner was Ms. Manuel's fifth graders. The leading classes per grade are as follows:

K - Ms. Dohman 163.5 hours
1st - Ms. Merz 248
2nd - Ms. Holt 307.5
3rd - Ms. Ndiaye 369.5
4th - Mr. Gehrke 442.5
5th - Ms. Manuel 484.5

The winter break competition resulted in a tie between 4th grader, Grace Farnham & 5th grader, Rongzhen Zhou, each having read 36 hours.

Holmes welcomed 24 guest readers on Guest Reader Day, including the police chief, two firefighters, Senator Don Harmon, several District 97 administrators, Dan Haley, publisher of the Wednesday Journal, student athletes from Dominican University and several friends & staff of the Holmes community.

Rocket into Reading wrapped up with 70 students and family members enjoying family reading night and the storytelling of Chris Fascione.

A special thanks to Donna Myers for an outstanding job with this years Rocket into Reading program. She put forth a tremendous effort. The staff and I applaud your hard work.

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ISAT Testing Schedule

Students in Grades 3-5 will be taking the ISAT tests next week. It is important for your child to be in school next Tuesday through Friday. A good night's sleep and a nutritious breakfast will help your child be better prepared for the tests.

Grade 3 - Tests will take place in the morning. Session 1 from 8:30-9:25. Session 2 from 9:45-10:40

Tuesday 3/2
Reading 1
Reading 2

Wednesday 3/3
Reading 3
Math 1

Thursday 3/4
Math 2
Math 3

Friday 3/5
Writing 1


Grade 4 Tests will be given in the morning and afternoon. Session 1 from 9:45-10:40. Session 2 from 1-2.

Tuesday 3/2
Reading 1
Math 1

Wednesday 3/3
Reading 2
Science 1

Thursday 3/4
Reading 3
Math 2

Friday 3/5
Science 1
Math 3


Grade 5 Tests will be given in the morning and afternoon. Session 1 from 10-11:15.
Session 2 from 12:45-2.

Tuesday 3/2
Reading 1
Reading 2

Wednesday 3/3
Reading 3
Math 1

Thursday 3/4
Math 2
Math 3

Friday 3/5
Writing 1

Hope for Haiti Recap

Hurray for Holmes! Our students made me proud. They emptied piggy banks. They brought in Dad's change jar. They found change on the playground. They gave unselfishly. Ms. Merz ans Ms. Bingaman spent 45 minutes feeding the change machine at a local bank. The grand total $1,800. The Holmes donation was sent to Hopital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti.

School Fees Due

School Fees for the 2009-10 school year must be paid by the end of February. If you have an outstanding balance you received an invoice in the mail. Please contact Ms. Hackmiller if you need to make payment arrangements.

Coming & Going at Holmes School - Important News for Incoming Kindergarten Students and Transitioning 5th Grade Students

If you have a child who will soon be joining the Holmes Family, Kindergarten registration is being held at the district office, 970 W. Madison, on February 24 & 25, April 6 & 7, May 4 & 5, June 29, and July 28 & 29. Please check the district site www.op97.org, for additional information. Students must be five by September 1, 2010 to enter kindergarten for the 2010-11 year.

The time has come to begin the transition to middle school. This week the fifth grade class attended a BRAVO preview performance of Charlotte's Web. You should have received an information packet from Brooks outlining upcoming events and important dates. Please keep this information handy as there are several deadlines to be met within the next few months. Orientation for students entering Brooks in the Fall is set for Thursday, February 19th at 7:00pm.

Hope for Haiti

If you've been asking yourself - What can I do to help? Here's an answer for the Holmes Student Council. Donate your loose change between now and February 5th. Each class has a collection jar. Donations will be sent directly to Hopital Albert Schweitzer. (hashaita.org) With your help, we can make a difference for those suffering from the unfathomable tradgey in Haiti.

Fun While Learning

Rocket into Reading

Settling in with a good book is one of my favorite pastimes. It seems many of our Holmes students share a passion for reading as well. The PTO Rocket into Reading program encourages independent reading along with a little friendly competition. Each class receives a book of their choice. The winning class in each grade level receives a popsicle party and the class with the most hours read overall receives a pizza party with Ms. Hackmiller. As of January 20th Holmes students have read 3,212.5 hours, thirteen classes have logged more than 100 hours and seven classes have reached the 200 hour mark. Rocket into Reading runs through January 29. Let's aim for 4,500 hours. Grab a book, get comfortable and read. Rocket into Reading culminates with Family Reading Night on January 30th from 6:00-8:00 pm in the school's multi-purpose room.

Geography Bee

Everyone talks about the world getting smaller, so it's even more important than ever to have a firm grasp of world geography.
Sixteen Holmes students participated in the school's National Geographic Bee last week. Peter Gonzalez, a fourth grader in Mr. McCauley's class edged out the competition.

How would you have done?

1. The port of Rotterdam is built on the delta of which major European river?

2. What is the term for a part of the ocean or sea that cuts far into the bordering landmass and may contain one or more bays.

3. Which Canadian island is the tenth largest in the world?
a. Queen Victoria b. Newfoundland c. Nova Scotia d. Eellesmere e. Baffin

4. Name the mountain range that extends from Maine to Georgia.
a. Rocky b. Sierra Nevada c. White d. Appalachian Rocky Balboa

5. Pick the answer that contains three Baltic countries.
a. Sweden, Denmark, Spain b. Greece, Italy, Malta c. Finland, Estonia, Norway
d. Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia e. Portugal, Spain, Andorra

Math Con

MathCon, a PTO sponsored contest, will take place for ten days in February. Each day students will have fun, grade-appropriate math challenges to complete. the goal is to show how math is used in every day life. Students earn points and raffle tickets for participating. Raffles are help for small prizes throughout the ten days of MathCon. the class from each grade with the most points will win a class prize. Work together with your children to solve these problems. This is meant to be a fun activity - no pressure.

Answers to geography quiz.

1. The Rhine River

2. gulf

3. d. Ellesmere

4. d. Appalachian

5. c. Finland, Estonia, Norway

January 2010

Heavy Snow Forecast for the Chicago Area

Do you remember when you were excited by a news story like that? Thoughts quickly turned to sledding and fort building. You prayed for a snow day.

Well the snow came, just not the snow day. But that didn't dampen the excitement of the Holmes students. Nothing beats a snowy recess. PTO funds were used to purchase snow toys which are proving to be a huge hit with our students.

So next time your hear the forecast for snow, think like a child. It can be truly delightful.

The Holmes policy regarding outside recess is that we will be outside when the windchill temperature is above 0. Between 0-20, there will be a warming center available. Students are encouraged to go outside for at least ten minutes before heading into the warming center. Since we are outside on most days, please make sure your children are appropriately dressed. Children must have hands and head covered to go out for recess. Snow pants are greatly encouraged.

Please do not call the school office to enquire about a school closing. Call District 97 VoiceLink at 708.524.5830. Consult your school handbook for additional information on school closings.

First one down the hill is the winner!