Holly Academy News & Views
September 25, 2020
We are so pleased that we have successfully made it through four weeks of school in this challenging environment! Our in-person reopening has gone even smoother than we anticipated. Opening school for F2F teaching and learning was a decision made using data and research from the Oakland County Health Division, as well as using the responses we received regarding the preferences of our families.
The same amount of research was conducted as we vetted virtual programs in the spring and summer. During this process, Odysseyware received many positive comments when we spoke to other districts that use a virtual platform. In conversations with Odysseyware representatives, we believed that this platform would be an excellent fit for our Huskies in grades 3-8. Whether our HVA students are receiving instruction through Google Classroom (Y-2) or Odysseyware, we realize that the virtual environment envisioned by some of our families is not their everyday reality. We are committed to finding solutions that work to everyone’s advantage.
As the saying goes, “hindsight is 20/20”. To be fair and compassionate to our families that might be struggling with virtual learning, we are opening up a window for your Huskies to return to in-person learning on October 5th. We are still allowing virtual to in-person changes at the beginning of each marking period (including November 2nd). Please understand that this is a one time only offer beyond what we have already communicated for returning to in-person learning.
Our in-person Huskies and staff have internalized health protocols and they now come as second nature. Due to the diligence of our school community, we are confident that this one time additional cohort change will not create health issues for our Huskies.
Should you be a virtual family that would like to return on October 5th or November 2nd, please fill out the Google Form below. There is a very short window for completion of the survey due to the work that will have to be done to prepare for additional in-person students. The survey must be completed by noon on Wednesday, September 30th. Power of the Pack!
Communication
Morning Drop-off
If your child arrives after 8:00am please come through the main office entrance and sign them in. A parent must accompany the student to the office. Thank you!
HEALTHY HUSKIES
Please remember that if your Husky is showing signs of COVID symptoms or is sent home from school with symptoms your child may not return to school without one of the following:
- A negative COVID test
- 10 days isolation, improvement of symptoms, and no fever for 48 hours without fever-reducing medications
- A physician's note stating that the student is okay to return to school
Many of you have asked about your children with allergies. Some allergy symptoms are on the list of COVID symptoms. Please provide us with a physician's note if your child has chronic allergies. We do not want to have your child staying home if it is not necessary.
Thank you for keeping all our Huskies safe!
Thank you for joining our virtual curriculum nights over the past two weeks! It was great to see so many of our Husky families participate. We are looking forward to a great year!
Beginning the week of September 28th, NWEA testing will begin for Young 5 through 8th grade students. Grade level teachers will communicate testing dates to you. If your Husky is a blended student, they may come to school on testing days that fall on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
NWEA testing is beginning soon.
Our Young 5’s - 2nd graders will take the reading and math assessments.
Third through eighth graders are assessed in math, reading, ELA, and science.
Testing is a requirement from the Michigan Department of Education. In order to help parents have a better understanding of the testing process, Mrs. Potteiger will be hosting parent information meetings on Wednesday, September 30th. Please plan on attending your child’s grade level meeting.
Young 5’s through 2nd grade:
8:30 am - 9:15 am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71155179574?pwd=T3p2OHVwUjBGZmZHRG1hME5RcGFaQT09
Meeting ID: 711 5517 9574
Passcode: PZ23a0
3rd grade through 5th grade:
9:30 am - 10:15 am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71930553846?pwd=aURWL1FzUGlHbyt2T0pPZkNtZ1hKQT09
Meeting ID: 719 3055 3846
Passcode: WQJCT6
6th grade through 8th grade:
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76440554749?pwd=ckZuaTFtbE5qWmdQdzFOS3pLbnJSQT09
Meeting ID: 764 4055 4749
Passcode: 97XNqe
We are extending the opportunity for our HVA students to come into HA to take their NWEA tests in person, rather than taking those tests from home. In order to create a schedule, all HVA families are being asked to fill out the following form by noon on Wednesday, September 30th.
Parents who opt to have their student test from home will need to adhere to the following:
Run a diagnostic test on the device their student will be using to take NWEA.
Take a screenshot of the diagnostic result and send to the HVA teacher
Turn off any pop-up blockers on the testing device
Testing will be scheduled at specific times. All tests will be proctored by HVA/HA staff.
Testing times are not optional, either remotely or in person.
Should you have any questions regarding testing, please email Mrs. Potteiger at potteigj@hollyacademy.org.
Picture Re-take Day
Picture re-take day is Monday, October 5th for all Huskies. Uniforms are required. In-person pictures will be taken in the morning. HVA students will have their pictures taken in the afternoon following the last name schedule below to allow for social distancing.
A-I 1:00-1:30pm
J-R 1:30-2:00pm
S-Z 2:00-2:30 pm
Pictures will be taken in the main gym. HVA families should arrive at the gym at your scheduled time (masks, please). Only students will be allowed into the gym for pictures, parents must wait outside. Thank you for your support and cooperation. This is how we continually dare to be remarkable!
Lucas for LUCAS
Food Distribution
The USDA has extended the free meal program for all children 18 years and under and students with special needs through age 26. Holly Area Schools in partnership with Chartwells will be providing meals seven days per week. Children do not need to be present for a parent to pick up meals and students do not need to be enrolled in Holly Area Schools.
Meals may be picked up two days each week:
Monday - three meals (breakfast and lunch)
Thursday - four meals (breakfast and lunch)
Site times for meal pick-up:
Holly High School: 3:00-5:30pm
Groveland Manor: 3:30-4:00pm
Springrove: 3:30-4:00pm
Holly Elementary: 3:45-5:30pm
Oakhill Estates: 4:00-4:30pm
Hawaiian Gardens: 4:15-4:45pm
Meadow Lake: 4:45-5:15pm
Holly Hills: 5:00-5:30pm
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Oct. 2 - PTO dress down day - $1.00
- Oct. 5 - Picture re-take day
- Oct. 7 - Count day
- Oct. 8 - PTO meeting at 8:15am - via Zoom
- Oct. 9 - Half day, dismiss at 11:30am - free dress down day
- Oct. 16 - PTO dress down day - $1.00
- Oct. 21 - Unity Day - wear orange or Stand Up to Bullying t-shirt to dress down
- Oct. 21 - Coffee & Conversation 8:00am - via Zoom
- Oct. 21 - Hearing re-test day for K, 2nd and 4th grades
- Oct. 23 - HAEF dress down day - $1.00
- Oct. 26-30 - Spirit Week
- Oct. 28 - Board of Directors meeting at 5:30pm - in the auditorium
- Oct. 30 - Half day, dismiss at 11:30am - free dress down day
- Oct. 31 - Happy Halloween
- Nov. 5 - PTO meeting at 8:15am - via Zoom
- Nov. 6 - PTO dress down day - $1.00
- Nov. 12 - Report cards go home
- Nov. 13 - PTO dress down day - $1.00
- Nov. 18 - Board of Directors meeting at 5:30pm - in the auditorium
November Pizza slingers
Virtual Families
It’s Art to Remember time! Once again Holly Academy PTO is teaming up with Art to Remember to raise funds. Art to Remember transfers children’s artwork onto wonderful keepsake items. If you would like to participate, please stop by the office to pick up the paper necessary.
All artwork is due back to the office on or before 10-5-2020 end of day.
Birthday Marquee
Follow our Husky Pack!
Email: info@hollyacademy.org
Website: www.hollyacademy.org
Location: 820 Academy Road, Holly, MI, USA
Phone: 248-634-5554
Facebook: facebook.com/hollyacademymi
Twitter: @hollyacademymi