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

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