Holland Elementary School Message
June 12, 2020
Hello HES Families,
My final messages to families before the end of the school year are typically full of a lot of information. So, this is a long one. Sorry. It's packed with a lot of helpful information about the summer and next school year, so you may want to keep this one in your inbox.
Below, you'll find information on the following items:
- Summer Reading and Writing Resources
- Summer Math Resources
- Book Bowl and Reading Olympics Resources
- Virtual Summer Programs from the Northampton Library
- At-Home Camp Invention
- HES Yearbooks
- Play Book Drop-Off
- Sixth Grade End-of-the-Year Activities
- School Supplies for Next Year
- CR South Seniors Video
- Young Writers Spooky Sagas Books
- Charlie Turns 90!
- Spirit Days
- Free and Reduced Lunch Application
- Bucks County Library WiFi
Student Belongings Pick-Up Reminders:
Have a Sign with Your Child's Name
Practice Social Distancing and Remain in Your Vehicle
Simply Open Your Trunk or Hatch
Pick-up of Student Belongings - Friday, June 12th
I’m requesting that families follow the schedule below for the pick-up of these items:
- 8:00-900 – Last Names A – B – C
- 9:00-10:00 – Last Names D – E – F
- 10:00-11:00 – Last Names G – H – I – J
- 12:00-1:00 – Last Names K – L
- 1:00-2:00 – Last Names M – N – O – P
- 2:00-3:00 – Last Names Q – R – S
- 3:00-4:00 – Last Names T – Z
To the essential workers that won’t have the ability to get to Holland on this day or during their designated time frame, feel free to show up at any time between 8:00am and 4:00pm. If this day simply doesn’t work, email me directly (jmacclay@crsd.org), and I’ll try to coordinate another date and time. Thank YOU for all of your service during these difficult times!
This is new for all of us so there may be questions. Please be sure to read the following items before you come to school:
- As you enter Holland’s parking lot, please drive around counter-clockwise to the cafeteria. Traffic cones will be set up to assist. We will follow the procedures we utilize during the school year for car rider pick up.
- On a piece of paper, write down your child(ren)’s first and last names in LARGE print. This will allow us to visibly see everything we need to retrieve the students’ items.
- Please stay in your vehicle. Social distancing guidelines will be practiced during the distribution to families.
- Bags will remain closed and placed in vehicles with minimal (if any) contact, as the staff would like to place the bag(s) in an open trunk.
- Unfortunately, this won’t be a time to socialize with the staff. The staff that will be assisting with the retrieval of student items will be working quickly to keep the flow of traffic moving.
- This will not be a time for dropping off items to the school such as library books, text books, or Chromebooks. These items will be kept by families until school reopens.
Summer Math and ELA Resources
Children need a break in the summer, but it's a great idea to provide opportunities for them to maintain their skills during these months. Below you'll to find a list of resources available to students to help them stay sharp in Reading and Math. These are activities that the children may find to be very entertaining. I highly suggest that parents take time to view these and share them with their children.
2020 Summer Reading and Writing Resources
Click HERE to find the summer reading lists and programs. This includes the CRSD Summer Book List, Reading Olympics Book List (for upcoming fifth and sixth graders), Book Bowl List (for rising Second, Third, and Fourth Graders), PA Readers’ Choice Awards, and much more.
Also, please note that students in grade K-5 will have access to their Journeys materials in ThinkCentral until july 31st. Current sixth grade students will have access to Collections materials in myhmh until July 31st. And, current third and fourth grade students will have access to Typing Agent until July 31st.
In addition, you can find the packets for the ReadWorks Summer Reading Challenge, as well as the answer keys. They are recommended by grade level, however students may read and respond from a variety of these packets to gain extra reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Click HERE to find these packets.
From Our Friends at Northampton Library: Virtual Summer Programs
Click below to view Northampton Library's Virtual Summer Programs flyer
Click below to access Northampton Library's Virtual Summer Programs webpage
https://www.northamptontownshiplibrary.org/childrens-programs/
At-Home Summer 2020 Camp Invention Registration
If you are searching for a fun, hands-on, at-home STEM summer program for your rising K-6th grader, you’re in luck! Council Rock is hosting @CampInvention Connect™ virtually from June 22nd to June 26th. Check out invent.org/connect or call 800-968-4332 to register! We will group campers by CR school, grade and FRIENDS. Questions? Email cmarsden@crsd.org
HES Yearbooks
Due to current pandemic, the yearbook publisher, Tree Ring, has allowed HES to extend the deadline for adding memories in the yearbooks. The kids have missed out on so much that we really wanted to fill this yearbook up with as much as possible.
This means that parents can order and complete/rearrange their two custom pages, as well.
Make it fun and memorable! You can also allow your child/children to sign and send stickers to their friends yearbooks!
When yearbooks come in they will be broken down by class orders (as usual) and an announcement will be sent to families regarding how yearbooks will be distributed.
Thank you for sharing your photos throughout the year and purchasing the HES Yearbook. It wouldn't be possible without the help from families! Hawk parents are the BEST!
Here is the link for purchases and/or editing.
https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1014103733333969
Passcode= 1014103733333969
Attention Parents of Students in the Play
The message below is for families of fifth and sixth grade students who were part of this year's play. It was unfortunate that the children didn't have the opportunity to put on a performance of "Summer Camp", but we know that there will be opportunities in the future for them to showcase their talents. The information below provides direction on how to return the play books and how to receive the funds returned for the play fee.
Book Collection
We do need to collect the books back from those students who had a part in the play. So, we will have a bin out to receive those books on Friday, June 12th when all the students' materials are being returned to them.
The bin will be under the main entrance overhang, so after you have received your child's items from the car line, please turn right into the bus circle and drop the play book in the bin there - it will be labeled. Please make sure your child's name is written already on the inside cover of their play book. If not, please just affix a sticky note with their name on the book so we know which children turned in their books.
Play Fee
We also would like to return your $10 to you. All of the money will be at the school in individual envelopes ready for returning on June 12th. When you are picking up your child's school items, please tell the teacher assisting you that you are picking up money from the school play and they will retrieve it for you.
If you prefer to just donate that money to the HES PTO, you are welcome to do that, although there is no obligation to do so. If you would like to do this, please reach out to Marji Harding before June 10th. Thank you.
Sixth Grade End-of-the-Year Activities
We are excited to announce to end-of-year activities that will be taking place for our sixth graders on June 16th.
It has been a Holland tradition to facilitate a clap-off for our sixth graders on the last day of school. In order to honor this tradition, we have organized two separate clap-off activities:
- June 16th at 10:00 AM - We will have a Zoom meeting with the sixth grade students. We will be watching a clap-off video created by Mrs. Bailey. This video contains footage of the hallway and teachers clapping and sending messages to the students.
- June 16th at 6:30 PM - We will have a car clap-off at Holland Elementary. The staff at Holland will be parked around the parking lot and will stand by their cars. Families are invited to drive through the parking lot and staff will cheer and clap for the students.
Please plan on arriving at Holland Elementary between 6:30 and 7:00. If you arrive before 6:30 please pull up along the curb on Beverly or Crescent Roads.
At 6:30 cars may enter the parking lot. Please drive through the parking lot as you would for car rider pick-up and continue into the bus circle. Staff members will be parked in the lot and standing outside their vehicles while giving the students an energetic sendoff.
Once in the bus circle, the sixth grade teachers will distribute a t-shirt to your child. Simply roll down a window or open the trunk/tailgate for the teachers to provide the t-shirt.
Families and students must remain in their cars the entire time as we maintain safe practices for social distancing. Please consider placing sixth grade students on the passenger side of the car for best teacher viewing.
It is our sincere hope that your child will be able to take part in these activities and this will help them to remember and celebrate their year(s) in Holland.
Sincerely - The Sixth Grade Team
School Supplies for Next Year
CR South Seniors Video
A video was created by seniors at Council Rock South sharing their favorite memories at Holland Elementary School and what HES meant to them. Take a look at the video to see these special moments for these former HES Hawks
Spooky Sagas 2019 - Authors From Pennsylvania
There was a delay in the publication of Young Writers USA, Spooky Sagas 2019- Authors from Pennsylvania.
Charlie Turns 90!
Beloved Charlie Woolson, our crossing guard at the corner of Mallard and Crescent, turns 90 in July. Families in the HES community found out last year and had planned a block party style party for the last week of school. But with the current situation, an alternative celebration took place this week to honor Charlie along with his wife, Sandra, and the kids from the neighborhood. Charlie is an icon - Happy Birthday!
Weekly Schedule of Spirit Days - Week of June 15th
Monday, June 15th: Hawks at Home: Finish strong and show your Hawk pride!
- Tuesday, June 16th: Wear whatever you like! It’s the last day of school!
Free and Reduced Lunch
To apply for free lunch during the COVID-19 school closure, you may:
- Download the Free and Reduced Lunch Application, fill it out, and email back to Karen Moody kmoody@crsd.org. DO NOT send your application via US mail to the district office as there is no mail being delivered to our buildings during this time.
- Apply online by visiting: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/compass.web/Public/CMPHome (website offers language options other than English)
You will only need to submit one application per household, even if your children attend more than one school in Council Rock School District. Eligibility determination is made using federal income eligibility guidelines and applicants will be informed of a decision within two business days of submission.
Throughout the duration of the COVID-19 school closure, Council Rock School District is offering a “grab and go” food service. If your family qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, you will be given instructions as to how to access these meals when you are notified your child is eligible.
For questions, please email kmoody@crsd.org
Bucks County Library - WiFi
Library WiFi access in branch parking lots and outside of buildings – BCFL’s WiFi network is on and can be accessed for free in the branch parking lots and areas outside of the buildings. The library reminds users that it is a public network and asks that they practice social distancing while using the WiFi. To see the best areas to access the WiFi, visit https://buckslib.org/you-can-access-our-wifi-in-our-branch-parking-lots/.
I look forward to seeing families during the pick-up at school!
Joe MacClay
Principal
Holland Elementary School
597 Beverly Road
Holland, PA 18966
Email: jmacclay@crsd.org
Website: http://www.crsd.org/Domain/1212
Phone: 215-944-1500
Twitter: @HollandElem