Weekly Update

Room 215:  As many of you are aware, Mrs. Anderson, third grade teacher, will be welcoming a new addition to her family very soon.  Last night we welcomed Ms. Sheila Barabad to our Holmes family as she prepares to take over in Mrs. Anderson's absence.  

Ms. Barabad is a graduate of Dominican University with a Masters in Education.  She enjoys photography and playing the violin.  Please introduce yourself to Ms. Barabad if you see her and help us to make her feel welcome.  She will be in the building soon to begin learning the routine in third grade and getting to know the super star students.

Spirit Wear: Check out the new Spirit Wear items being sold by the Holmes Student Council!  Spirit Wear order forms are due February 27.  

5th Graders:  Don't forget that the 6th Grade Brooks Exploratory/Elective forms are due by Friday, April 17, 2009. Please turn these in to the 5th grade homeroom teachers.  If your 5th grader is interested in shadowing a current 6th grade student, please call Mary Lee Henricks, Brooks 6th grade AP, to schedule after March 16.

Stay well,

Suzie Hackmiller

Illinois Standards Achievement Test/Illinois Alternate Assessment

ISAT & IAA:  The beginning of March marks the beginning of ISAT/IAA testing across the State of Illinois.  In an elementary school, the testing is in third, fourth and fifth grades.  More information will be forthcoming regarding the testing schedule, but the window of mandated testing is the first two weeks of March.  Due to Casmir Pulaski Day on March 2^nd, a day for testing within the window is lost.  

How can you help your child and us?  Please make sure that your child is at school everyday and is ON TIME.  Once a testing session has begun, any child arriving late must remain in the office because no room is to be disturbed.  PLEASE do not have a doctor or dentist appointment during these weeks.  If you pull a child for an appointment, his score will be based ONLY on what was done.  There is no opportunity for a child to return to a test started during an earlier session. 

I believe that all of our students are being well prepared for ISAT, and we will do all that we can to boost their confidence prior to testing.  We need parents to partner with us on three fronts. 

*Help encourage your child.  This assessment tells us how well the teachers have prepared them to meet the standards the state has identified for each grade level.  It does not determine whether a student will progress to the next grade.

*Make sure that your child has a good nights sleep and enjoys a healthy breakfast before coming to school.

 *Be sure your child comes to school unless illness prevents their attendance.  There will be limited time for make up testing but we prefer not to rely on these.

Your cooperation is appreciated.

Stay well,

Ms. Hackmiller

February 12 Principal News

From the Desk of Ms. Hackmiller

As this school year flies by, you may find it hard to believe that spring break is just around the corner. The second trimester will end on March 6, and report cards will come home on March 20.  Spirit week begins March 23 and spring break follows, beginning March 30 and ending as we return to school on April 6.

Full Day Kindergarten:

Full day kindergarten is coming to the final four elementary schools in D97, which includes Holmes for the 2009-10 school year.  Registration for Holmes kindergarten will be February 24th 9-12, February 25th 1-4,

May 19-20, July 15-16 and August 19 from 9-12 and 1-4 at the District office located at 970 Madison. Please check the District website for details on what items you must have with you to register.  We encourage you to visit our Kindergarten Open House on May 1 at Holmes School.

Climate Survey:

Please remember to take  a few minutes to complete a District Climate Survey before February 20.  

Paper copies are available in the school office or you can find the link on our school website.

Pancake Breakfast:

The annual Holmes Pancake Breakfast is this Saturday, February 14, 9-11.  Bring your sweetheart in for delicious pancakes this Valentines.

Girls On the Run:

The spring session of Girls on the Run will begin in March for girls in grades 3-5.  Be on the look out for more information.  

District 97 Climate Survey for Parents and Guardians

District Climate Survey for Parents and Guardians:

The District 97 Climate Survey is now available online through February 20 on your school’s website, the District website, or at the following address:

 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=mEqFrT5HuiujKh3AYOBZcQ_3d_3d

Please take a few moments to complete the survey now.  It should not take more than 10 minutes.  You may complete one survey for all of your children attending the same school, but you will need to complete a second survey if any of your children attend a different school and you wish to provide feedback.

You may complete the survey at home or you can use a computer station located in the main office at school.  In addition, paper copies are available upon request at the school office.

 Results of the survey will be used to guide our school improvement efforts and are used in the evaluation process for administrators.  District results will be shared with the Board of Education in April, and individual school reports will be shared in school communities in May.

Your input is valued and appreciated.

 Regards,

Suzie Hackmiller

100 Days in Kindergarten!

Today our Holmes kindergarten friends celebrated the 100th day of school.  

Perfect Attendance Trimester #1

Approximately 70 students were recognized for earning perfect attendance during the first trimester of the school year.

The students were awarded with a "perfect attendance" certificate and sticker.

Keep up the great work boys and girls!

Ms. Hackmiller

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