Monthly Newsletter(Holladay ES)
December 2023 (Where the Arts Come Alive)
Message from the Principal
Warm Tidings
Winter break and the end of a calendar year gives us an opportunity to pause our busy lives, reflect on our proud accomplishments, and set goals for the new year. Our 2023-2024 school year started with a walk down the red carpet, photo booths and Pizza with Principal. We continued to build community and formed an Instructional Leadership Team, Parent Teacher Organization, Family Engagement Action Team and Site Council. Together, we planned and celebrated with Title I Art Night and the October Fall Fest. In November, students learned about community organizing, courage, and the school system during the AAA Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. We even had a student speaker and the founders of the African American Museum of Southern Arizona (Mr. and Mrs. Elliott) join us. Holladay's success continued when we received Magnet Certification, produced our creative arts after school program, performed the 5th grade musical, Seussical Jr., and the maintained the state letter grade report. While we have so many things to plan for in the new year, we also have so much to celebrate as a community!
The close of this year gives me an opportunity to say thank you to the entire school community for all of the support that you provide. Thank you to all of our families for their continued commitment to Holladay. Thank you for entrusting your most precious gift, your children, to our staff. Thank you to our students who come to school each day willing to lead with Respect, Optimism, Courage, and Kindness. Students, you R.O.C.K.! Many thanks to our proud Leadership Team, Parent Teacher Organization, School Council, and Family Engagement Action Team members! We are grateful for your time, talent, and treasure. It is your strategic planning and booster operations that keep our school culture vibrant and successful. I would be remiss if I did not thank the faculty and staff. We are all so grateful for our teachers and school based team members who teach with love and light each day.
Red Hawks... I hope you all have a joyous and special winter season with plenty of time to relax and enjoy family and friendships. Warm tidings to each and every one of you!
Love,
Principal Humphries
Shakenya Humphries-Gholson, M. Ed.
November Recap
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Event Nov. 14th
Honoring her Courageous Steps
5th Grader presents on the meaning of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
REMINDERS
End of Day Pick Up (1:45pm/2:45pm)
This is a friendly reminder that the traditional school day ends at 2:45pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and at 1:45pm on Wednesdays. For those picking up students on the K-2 side (33rd) the gates will open at 1:45pm/2:45pm.
To ensure smooth transitions and adherence to our school schedule and policies, please allow the monitors to wait until 1:45pm/2:45pm to open the gates.
School Attire
- Bring a sweater for the classroom! The heat is on, but it can still get chilly on cold days. Please write your child's name in their sweater so we can return it to them if they forget to grab it.
- CLOSED TOE SHOES are a must. For your child's safety, make sure they have on the appropriate foot wear so that they do not get injured at play.
- SEND A Water Bottle: When students use staff cups for water, they spill up and down the hallway making it very slippery. Please send a water bottle with your child's name on it.
CALENDAR
Calendar
December 5 - Optional Pictures with Santa
December 6 - STEP UP: This is an event school recruitment event. Perfect for 5th grade families.
December 7 - Creative Arts After School (CAAS) Title I Literacy Showcase
December 8 - CAAS Last Day of Programs
December 13 - Site Council
December 19 - PreK & K Play
Winter Break Family Activities
Winter Break Learning
During this gap of instruction, please connect with your child's teacher who can share with you various activities that students can do to continue learning and practice their skills. I recommend that each of our students spend 60 minutes a day reading, writing and practicing math. I also recommend engaging in the arts over break. Write a play. Draw holiday cards. Create a dance routine.
Math:
- Play board games that involve numbers
- Bake using step-by-step recipes where students can measure, mix, and divide ingredients and vary the number of servings
Reading/Writing:
- Visit a public library and check out books and e-reader titles
- Play Scrabble with friends and family members
- If traveling, students can keep a travel journal, including photos, captions, reflections, and descriptive impressions
- Writing projects based on specific themes
- Write short stories and poems
- Write to the president about current political issues or topics of concern
Science:
- Discover the great outdoors
- Outdoor nature walks, take pictures, create descriptions and blurbs for photographs
- Keep a lunar journal of moon observations and records of activity
- Watch documentaries and educational shows
- Conduct DIY chemistry activities
History:
- Conduct an Internet search on questions about the holidays such as their origin, how they are celebrated in other countries and other cultures, and the roots of holiday traditions
Art:
- Movie-making project: Take on the role of the versatile director in writing scripts, designing sets, rehearsing lines, filming, and editing
- DIY projects for home décor
- Paint, sketch
Winter break is the ideal time for students to enjoy learning activities that they can appreciate on their own or with their friends and family. Which FUN activity will you play with your family this winter break?
Become a Volunteer
Fill out the Volunteer Form Now
We can always use your support as monitors for recess and lunch or in the classrooms as readers.