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

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