September

September 23, 2009

Dear Holmes Families:
The school year is off to an exceptional start. Our enrollment is up, we have hired a new teacher and a new teaching assistant since the year began and we are in the midst of planning some incredible, unique opportunities for you and your children.
This year one area of focus will be about getting you, the parent community, as involved as we possibly can in our efforts to make your child’s experience the best it can be. In order for this to be successful, we need a commitment from each of you to join us.

In collaboration with Response to Intervention (RTI) our School Improvement Team (SIT) and staff made a commitment to globally benchmark all of our students three times per year. This benchmarking information will give us details about our students progress so that we can meet their individual needs most successfully. If it is determined through benchmarking that a student is in need of instructional support either above or below grade level, our support team will work closely with classroom teachers to ensure that appropriate interventions are in place. Students who are below grade level will be progress monitored every 4-6 weeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the instructional changes.

Earlier this month, we successfully benchmarked every Holmes student. In grades K-2, DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) which is a standardized, individually administered test that provides a measure of risk in the areas of letter naming fluency (K-1), initial sound fluency (K), phoneme segmentation (1), nonsense word fluency and/or oral reading fluency (1-2) was given. In grades 3-5, AIMSWEB, a progress monitoring assessment in the area of oral reading fluency, was administered.

In the coming days you will be receiving your child’s benchmarking information. Your child’s teacher will be reviewing this with you and discussing support programs at conferences in October. If you have not signed up for a conference time, please be sure to do so soon. Many of you will also be receiving an invitation to our Family Literacy Night. I encourage you to partner with us as we work to help your children be successful readers. We can’t do it without you.

For those who will be involved in an intervention program, you will be notified of the support service for your child through the assessment information or by the support staff who will be working with your child. Our after school S.T. A. R.S program will be by invitation only and will begin in early October. If your child currently has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), the intervention program will support the need identified in the IEP.


We are fortunate to be a part of the Power of Partnership program, which is a guided study and after school enrichment program in partnership with OPRF High School, Dominican University and Holmes School and is led by Frances Kraft. More information about this program can be obtained by contacting Ms. Kraft at Holmes School.

As you can see, we are off to a busy and focused beginning. I look forward to seeing you in and around the building as we partner together for all of our kids.
If you have any questions about the information in this letter or want information about a specific program, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Stay Well,



Suzie Hackmiller, Principal

Welcome Back

August 4, 2009

Dear Holmes Families,

I hope that each of you is enjoying the remaining days of summer. I have enjoyed seeing many of you around town during the break. Whether you are a new family or a returning family, I am confident that this will be an awe-inspiring year at Holmes.

Our teachers and staff have been busy all summer preparing for the new school year. We are all anxious to see the children, to touch base with parents and guardians, and to carry on with the implementation of some innovative programs that will benefit our entire community.

In early September we will forge ahead with a new partnership between Dominican University, Oak Park River Forest High School and Holmes School. This partnership will involve strategic tutoring, as well as mentoring, by trained OPRFHS seniors and Dominican University graduate students. Look for more information about this exciting new opportunity soon.

As we continue our efforts to be “green” this coming school year we will take the next step with our recycling efforts, continue Waste Free Wednesday lunches and reduce the amount of paper that comes home. Please check our district and school websites as well as my blog (holmeshackmiller.blogspot.com) for most school related information. Remember to pay school fees on line as soon as possible. If you haven’t been by to see the Holmes School garden, it is worthy of a visit. I have already enjoyed a hearty helping of green and wax beans and am looking forward to squash and fresh garlic soon.

With the addition of full day kindergarten we are changing our lunch schedules a bit. Please pay close attention to this information in the “Ready, Set, Go” booklets that were recently mailed home. If you did not receive a “Ready, Set, Go” booklet please call the school office and we will be sure to get one to you.

Lunch times will be the same every day…11:00 a.m.

As many of you are aware, we had an exciting evening with our newest friends last week. About 50 of our kindergarteners and their families joined me, our kindergarten teachers and a few other staff, for popsicles and fun in the park. We all had so much fun that I am confident that “Popsicles in the Park” will be a long standing tradition each summer.

Our Welcome Night is August 20, 6:30-8:30 in the Multipurpose Room. Class lists, bus passes and other important information will be distributed then. Our first day (1/2 day) of school is August 25. Please refer to the “Ready, Set, Go” booklet for more detailed information about the first days of school.

Please join me in welcoming the following new staff members at Holmes:

Courtney Dohman-Kindergarten

Anne Kelly-Kindergarten

Shannon Saliny-Kindergarten

Angela Peterson-5^th grade

Deborah Mercer-Primary Developmental Learning Program

Sarah Chilton (Rose) - Special Education

Megan Libke-Speech

Jennifer Jaros-Teaching Assistant

Joy Hudson-Teaching Assistant

Keriaynn Strickler-Media Clerk

Margaret O’Malley, Administrative Assistant

Be sure to check my blog (holmeshackmiller.blogspot.com) for information regarding assignment changes among teaching staff.

Following are upcoming dates to keep in mind:

August 20 Welcome Night

August 25 First ½ day of school

September 10 Curriculum Night

September 12 Harvest Social

September 16 PTO Meeting

I am looking forward to another stellar year!

Stay well,

Suzie Hackmiller

Principal

Summer News

Good morning,

We had a terrific turn out for Popsicles in the Park last evening with our new kindergarten friends. It was so much fun meeting, playing with and enjoying a good Popsicle with friends.

I’m happy to share with you some information about new tutoring/mentoring opportunities for Holmes students beginning this fall. In collaboration with Dominican University and Oak Park River Forest High School we are piloting a program in the 09-10 school year that will have OPRFHS seniors working as tutors and mentors to students at Holmes Elementary School. OPRFHS seniors who participate will receive training in strategic tutoring, child development, and behavior management through Dominican University, and they will work with students at school, after school hours, on a regular basis over the course of a semester.

This opportunity for seniors is intended to provide additional leadership positions for OPRFHS students and valuable instructional assistance for other students. Tutor/mentor candidates will have demonstrated a commitment to their own academic success and will have a strong interest in helping and being a role model to younger students, particularly those who may struggle academically.

More information to come as the school year begins!

Stay well,

Suzie Hackmiller

2009-2010

Dear Holmes Families,

I hope this finds you and yours well and enjoying the best of summer.

We have been busy interviewing and hiring for the 2009-2010 school year.  It is with great pleasure that I introduce new staff to Holmes School and inform you of existing staff changes for the 2009-2010 school year.

As many of you know, we have two "looping"opportunities beginning this year with Ms. Jennings 3rd to 4th grade and Mrs. Merz 1st to 2nd grade.  "Looping" is a term used to describe the educational practice in which a single grade class remains with the same teacher for two or more years.  We are excited about these unique opportunities and are committed to exploring and offering other ways to enhance the educational experiences for our students.

As always, feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or to simply say "hi."

Stay well,

Suzie Hackmilller

2009-2010

Kindergarten 

Julie Bernstein

Courtney Dohman

Shannon Saliny

Anne Kelly

First Grade

Peggy Callahan

Jessica Colella

Rachel Griffith

Marissa Merz

Second Grade

Debra Holt

Ellen Johnson

Sue Merz

Third Grade

Michelle Anderson

Margaret Ndiaye

Stella Turi

Fourth Grade

Colleen Cushing

Jeff Gehrke

Marianne Jennings

John McCauley

Fifth Grade

Nancy Devito

Melissa Manuel

Angela Peterson

Deborah Mercer, DLP (K-2)

Sarah Chilton, Resource (K-5)

Also joining our staff:

Keriaynn Strickler, Media Clerk

Jennifer Jaros, TA

Student Placement for 2009-2010

Dear Holmes Families,

I hope that everyone had a restful break!  As we move forward with the remainder of the school year, the next two months will be full of activities.

In addition to the excitement that the end of the year brings, it also reminds us that it is time to plan ahead for fall.  Soon we will begin the process of developing class lists for the 2009-2010 school year.  Special attention is given to having the same student body for each class, i.e., same number of students in each achievement group, behavior, gender, special programs, and learning style.

Input from parents is valued in the placement process.  If you would like to provide specific information that will impact your child’s achievement, please complete the Student Profile Worksheet.  Student Profile Worksheets are due to the classroom teacher by Friday, May 1st.  Specific teachers cannot be requested.  Rather, share the knowledge you have about your child, and the Holmes School staff will do the very best to place each student in a class that will best meet his/her needs.

The Holmes Staff will develop class lists based on the number of students at each grade level.  The process of creating class lists will ensure a fair and equitable process for all students.  Students and parents receive class placement information in late August.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts and for working with us as a team to make the best placement decisions for all students.

Sincerely,

Suzie Hackmiller, Principal

Letter for students in Ms. Jennings's 3rd grade

Oliver Wendell Holmes School   

INSPIRE CREATIVITY, CULTIVATE ACADEMIC GROWTH, NURTURE OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY                                           

 April 13, 2009

 Dear Parents/Guardians:

I hope that this note finds each of you enjoying the beginnings of the spring season.  In addition to the usual excitement that comes at the end of every school year, we also spend time planning in advance for the coming year.  Soon we will begin developing class lists for the 2009-2010 school year.

We are exploring an exciting opportunity that is available to us this coming school year.  Due to the large number of 3^rd graders moving to 4^th grade our current enrollment will require an additional teacher in 4^th grade.  Therefore, we are considering looping Ms. Jennings current class to 4^th grade.  “Looping” is a term used to describe the educational practice in which a single grade class remains with the same teacher for two or more years.  This practice is also known and referred to a continuous learning.  There are many advantages and academic benefits to this practice including a decrease in student anxiety for the coming year, an increased sense of community, less review of practices and procedures at the beginning of the year, as well as greater academic performance.

I would like to invite you to join Ms. Jennings and myself for an evening of discussion around the topic of “looping” on Tuesday, April 21^st from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in Ms. Jennings class, Room #218.

I look forward to seeing you on the 21^st.

Sincerely,

Suzie Hackmiller, Principal

From the Desk of Ms. Hackmiller

PTO Auction:  Thanks to Kim Allgood and her auction committee for the hosting the best Holmes PTO Auction Event yet!  The official numbers aren't in but I am confident that many of you bid on and won some really terrific items.  Thanks to everyone who donated time, goods or services to be auctioned. Your continued support of our efforts to provide the best educational opportunities for our kids is appreciated.

ISAT:  ISAT testing comes to an end this week. Many of our students finished testing last week and did a fine job.  I am very proud of our students.  Their positive attitudes and great effort will surely be reflective in their scores.

Report Cards:  Trimester 2 ended March 6 and report cards can be expected March 20.

Attendance:  Research shows that children who are in school most of the time perform at a higher level.  Being late for school hurts a child's learning.  A student who is 10 minutes late every day misses 30 hours of instruction during the year.  Children can copy notes or make up assignments, but they can never get back what's most important: the discussions, the questions, the explanations by the teacher and the thinking that makes learning come alive.    Your child's success in school depends on having a solid educational background-one that can only be gained through regular school attendance.  

Spring Food Drive Challenge:  The Holmes School Student Council is sponsoring a Spring Food Drive Challenge.  Donations are being collected in individual classrooms through April 22.  Donations will be given to the Oak Park and River Forest Food Pantry.  Help us reach our goal by helping others!

GOTR:  The spring session of Girls on the Run has begun.  Girls on the Run is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to educating and preparing girls for a lifetime of self respect and healthy living.  We use experiential learning programs which combine training for a 5k (3.1 mile) race with a lesson plan designed to promote good choices and an active lifestyle.  

This session I, along with Mrs. Cushing and Ms. Jennings, have the privilege of working with 17 3rd, 4th and 5th graders for 11 weeks as we prepare for the race on June 6 at Montrose Harbor in Chicago.

Stay well,

Suzie Hackmiller