The Hawk
Holmes Elementary School Weekly Update - March 2, 2018
IMPORTANT DATES/THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Int’l Taste of Holmes — Mar 10 - 4:30-7pm
- PTO Community Meeting — Mar 14 - 6:30-8pm
- Nando's Dine out — Mar 20 - 11a-11p
- Chipotle Dine out — Apr 16 - 4-8pm
- HamBINGO at Hamburger Mary's — May 15 - 8-10pm
Expansion Update
Update for the week of February 26
- The mobilization of the site is complete
- All activities related to demolition, tree removal and clearing the site have been finished
- Nicor's work related to the relocation of a gas main is expected to be completed by Friday, March 9
- Work on the foundation for the addition is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 12
- The construction of the steel structure that will support the addition is scheduled to begin following the completion of the work on the foundation
Our expansion webpage is updated regularly. Here is the link so you may visit it frequently http://www.op97.org/holmes/expansion
What’s Happening in the Library?
REMINDER: Upcoming author visits from Anderson's Book Sellers!
Next Wednesday (3/6) best selling author and illustrator Marcus Emerson will visit with Holmes 5th graders. Marcus creates beautifully illustrated graphic novels like Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja, Recess Warriors, and The Super Life of Ben Braver. You can see more about Marcus's work here: https://www.marcusemerson.com/
We'll have a limited number of signed copies of Marcus' books. If you preorder, Marcus will do a personalized inscription!
Link to Marcus Emerson order form: https://goo.gl/Q6qXVb
5th Grade highlight...
5th grade engineers practiced following the design process with a challenge this week: construct a bridge, at least 8" long that can support the weight of a stapler. Oh, and your only tools are a stack of 15 index cards! Take a look at some of the highlights attached.
A note from the Language Arts Specialist - Lisa Hanna
As our winter assessment window comes to a close, we have learned so much about our students! With the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System, we have learned about students’ accuracy, fluency, and comprehension of questions about the text, beyond the text, and within the text.
Fountas and Pinnell offer the following steps for parents to support in their students’ success:
1. Visit your local library together. Encourage your child to select books that interest and excite them at their instructional level.
1. Your child’s teacher may have shared with you a letter level which corresponds with the level of text that would be best for them to read. When visiting the library or shopping for books, you might keep your child’s instructional level in mind and encourage them to choose books at their level. You can ask your child’s teacher to share their current instructional reading level with you. Scholastic provides a good explanation of the importance of reading levels: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/leveled-reading-systems-explained/
2. Read books to or with your child and talk about them together.
· When discussing books, you can ask your child to think within, beyond, and about the text. This website created by our Instructional Coach could help guide you in your comprehension discussions with your student. https://sites.google.com/op97.org/holmes-family-connection/reading-at-home-what-to-discuss
3. Most importantly, enjoy your time together reading, writing, and talking!
If you’re looking for a list of books at your child’s instructional level check out https://www.goodreads.com/shelf or https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bookwizard/ for a list of leveled titles.
PBIS Update
Our school staff continues to teach our PBIS expectations to Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe. Please continue to reinforce these expectations with your child when talking about their school day.
Being Safe
Work related to the construction of our school addition has begun. Please be cautious of the construction barriers and additional vehicles that are present. Remind your students to never enter the construction zone, or to attempt to go beyond the safety fencing.
Hawks Nest
Students enjoyed meeting with their Hawks Nest groups on February 28th.
The theme for the session was team building.
Students also participated in a peace circle to answer the question, “What makes a good team member?” The nest groups played two team-building games and reflected on how they could be team players at Holmes.
Don’t Be Late - Win Something Great
Thank you for your efforts to get your children to school by 8:00am.
There are still too many students arriving after 8:00am, which can be disruptive to the morning routine of our classrooms.
The names of students who weren’t tardy in February were entered into a drawing for gift cards from local businesses. Twelve students enjoyed being acknowledged for being on time by having their names drawn on February 28th.
Click here for the benefits of arriving on time to school and some suggestions to eliminate tardiness.
PBIS Check-In, Check-Out
Students are responding well to our Check-In, Check-Out intervention. They remain excited to connect with their adult mentor, celebrate their progress, and to experience positive successes through their hard work.
Congratulations to the five students who will be “graduating” from this intervention.
Second Step -Child Protection Units
Our first Child Protection lesson was taught to students on February 21st.
Child Protection Unit Lesson #2 will be taught on March 7th. You’ll receive a Second Step Home Link via email that day. Please take time to review the Home Link with your child. It’s a simple, fun activity for you to complete together. It will also provide you with an understanding of what your child is learning through these very important lessons.
Celebrate Holmes Staff
Families, have you noticed a Holmes teacher or staff member who deserves a compliment or a thank you? Has this person made a difference for your child? Please share the reason in a brief email to me (czelaya@op97.org) so that we may recognize and thank them!
A FEW NOTES FROM YOUR PTO…
District Diversity Council Event
1. We all Have Culture, Yes We Do!! The International Taste of Holmes is Saturday March 10th from 4:30-7pm! We will have performances by Kuumba Kids (African dance), Foy School of Irish Dancers, Halau i Ka Pono (hula) and Tsukasa Taiko (Japanese drumming).
We still need help: One of the best parts of the event is the opportunity to share your personal stories, backgrounds and cultures with other parents, our children and others in the Holmes community. Can you bring a tasting dish to share with other families? Want to share a game or craft with students? Can you help set-up or take a volunteer shift? Please consider signing-up here and, most importantly, please come join us -- EVERYONE welcome!
Questions, contact Nicole Sumida and Afshan Syed (sumida.nicole@gmail.com and afshan.syed@gmail.com).
2. At our next PTO Community Meeting, on March 14th at 6:30p, Dr. Zelaya, teaching staff, and parents of the Holmes F.A.C.E. (Family and Community Engagement) Team will take you through a Community Engagement Exercise to get your input about the type of school we collectively want Holmes to be. As our school changes and grows, we want your input on how to make it the best it can be! Flyer here
3. This past Wednesday, author Linda Ragsdale presented to first and second graders. She discussed her writing process, inspiration, and left the students with great messages around being an advocate for peace! We still have some signed copies of Linda's books, if you'd like to order please complete this form by next Wednesday. The form is available online in the digital backpack: http://www.op97.org/holmes/dp
4. Come to this amazing event and go beyond “Hidden Figures” on March 10th, 1-4:30p at Brooks Middle School. This DivCo event will include a free screening of the movie followed by a discussion of the film for parents on practicing equity. The discussion will be presented and facilitated by noted social justice scholar and journalist ShaRhonda Knott-Dawson. There will also be an interactive workshop for kids led by local women of color who work in the fields of tech, science, and medicine.
Register here: http://bit.ly/DivCoEvents7
5. Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge Continues! To date, Holmes has recycled 438 pounds of plastic film and we’re in the LEAD! The challenge lasts until April 15, 2018. Our plastic film recycling bins are located near the office. Don’t forget!
Dr. Christine Zelaya
Email: czelaya@op97.org
Website: http://www.op97.org/holmes/
Location: 508 N Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park, IL, United States
Phone: 708-524-3100
Facebook: facebook.com/christine.zelaya.96
Twitter: @ChristineZelaya