Holland Elementary School Message
April 17, 2020
Hello HES Families,
This seemed like a really nice week for the children as they had a chance to connect with classmates and teachers through their distance learning. Of course, we experienced a few hiccups as this process is so new to all of us. But the teachers were amazing at planning meaningful activities and responding the concerns from students and parents. Equally amazing were the children who participated in the activities and submitted some impressive work. There are still many children who are not completing work, and the teachers are reaching out to families to see if any assistance is needed.
Our new educational platform and the entire situation is certainly unique for all of us. Many of us are working and trying to assist our own children. I realize that this brings a variety of emotions to all of you. Please know that the HES staff and I are here for you and will offer as much support as possible. Many of our staff members are also parents and understand the complexity of this new learning environment. Please continue to reach out to your child's teacher if your family is in a situation where you need a level of assistance. Please know that my thoughts are with all of you…especially for the families battling this virus within their homes.
Distance Learning Spirit Day Pictures
HES Distance Learning Hub
In order to place resources in one place for families on the HES website, a Distance Learning Hub was created. You can find it under the "ABOUT HES" tab or at the following LINK. The staff and I will be updating and adding to this part of the website each day with pictures and new information.
Students and their families can use this part of our school's website to look for activities, find help to questions, and see pictures of themselves and classmates learning and having fun at home. Resources include:
- At-Home 'Recess Activities" (see below)
- Digital Citizenship
- Spirit Week (see below)
- Chromebook Support
- At Home Resources
- Brain Break Board (see below)
- Virtual Hawkeyes (see below)
(Another) Video Message for Students from Me!
Last week, I created a humorous video for the children to view with the attempt to have the children reconnect with me and remind them to be Safe, Responsible, and Kind. I provided students with an idea for how they could help out around the house by making their bed. I didn't realize that I would get so many pictures and videos of children making their bed. Awesome!
There were also requests for another video, so I created another one with an additional lesson on how to help around the house. Sorry that the video is so long, but I think that the kids may enjoy it and they may even help with another household chore. Feel free to send me more pictures or videos - they were fantastic!
Your children can view the video at the following LINK. And by the way, a scene was cut from the video during post-production. The answer to the question that I ask in the video is nine (not ten).
Student Attendance in Distance Learning
While Council Rock students are engaged in Distance Learning, the following procedures will be implemented to track student attendance:
- Beginning Monday, April 20, 2020, students/families will be responsible for recording their attendance each day.
- ALL teachers will be provided with a link to post in their Google Classroom for students to be able to access.
- Students will click the link ONCE per day to record their attendance for that day.
- Students are NOT required to record their attendance for each class.
- Teachers are encouraged to remind their students to record their daily attendance within their weekly updates.
- Attendance secretaries will email the link community-wide every day at the start of each school day.
- If a student is absent, parents/guardians can reply to the attendance secretary reporting the absence. Those who do not fill out the Form will be marked absent; excused absences should be emailed to the attendance secretary.
- Each school day, students and/or parents will access the link to the Attendance Form, and enter a valid email address (students are encouraged to use their school address), and their student ID number.
- Attendance is being recorded from 12:00AM to 11:59PM on a school day. Students and parents CANNOT record attendance in advance - this must be completed each day.
- Parents/guardians of multiple CR children MUST complete this Form once for each of their students; students CANNOT be combined into a single record.
- The Attendance Form needs to be completed once each day in order for a student’s presence in Distance Learning days to be recorded; however, no issues will occur if a student and/ or a parent records the attendance several times.
- If students do not know their student ID number, families can log into HAC, click the registration icon, click the demographic tab, and in the top left corner is the student ID.
Here is the link that will be provided by the HES Attendance Secretary and the homeroom teachers: HES Form.
I know that this is all new and sort of odd. So please feel free to reach out to me or your child's teacher if you need any help or have questions. Thanks.
Weekly Schedule of Spirit Days - Week of April 20th
- Monday, April 20th - Favorite Color Day: Sport your favorite color!
- Tuesday, April 21st: Dress Like a Teacher Day: Dress up like your favorite Holland teacher.
- Wednesday, April 22nd: It’s Earth Day! Wear green and blue and other Earth tones! Don’t forget to practice eco-friendly habits!
- Thursday, April 23rd: Lounge Day: Wear your coziest sweats, slippers or whatever makes you comfy.
You can send a picture of your child to Mr. MacClay to be posted on Twitter or the HES website.
Virtual Haweyes!
Each day at school, Hawkeyes are given to ten different students when recognized for meeting expectations for being Safe, Responsible or Kind. Students can also be recognized by an adult at home or by a staff member through their distance learning activities.
An adult can give a child a Virtual Hawkeye by completing the form found at the following LINK. Students who are recognized with a Hawkeye will have their name posted on the Distance Learning Hub of our website.
Here is a list of this week's recipients of Virtual Hawkeyes:
- Chase Gould - RESPONSIBLE: Chase is finding ways to get work done, even when links/attachments aren't working right.
- Delilah Kennedy - RESPONSIBLE: Delilah has been getting all of her work done and giving such high quality effort!
- Connor Rosenthal - RESPONSIBLE: Connor has been getting his work done, staying positive, and encouraging his classmates.
- Matthew Orsini - RESPONSIBLE: Matthew has been getting his work done early in the day.
- Kaya Haverkamp - RESPONSIBLE: Kaya has been taking care of her puppy and helping her sister with her school work.
- Madison Schlemmer - RESPONSIBLE: Madison has shown perseverance and determination to complete all of her tasks.
- Attalie Smith - RESPONSIBLE: Attalie helped her Grandmother clean out kitchen cabinets and made a salad for dinner.
- Amandine Olart - RESPONSIBLE: Amandine made her bed, following the instructions from Mr. MacClay.
- Shane Thomas - KIND: Shane was kind to his mom and helped her feel better when she got a splinter in her arm.
Brain Break Board - Updated Each Week with New Activities!
Young, growing brains need lots of breaks during the day to let the learning sink in! Children should take time once or twice an hour to rest their busy brains. Click HERE to find links to some new ideas to keep your child's brain breaks fresh!
New Student Registration
On-Line Registration is now fully open! Please go to the CRSD site at www.crsd.org and click on the Student Registration tab.
You can submit your completed registration by using instructions listed on the site. Once your file is reviewed, we will be in contact to complete the process via e-signature. Please do not forget applications must be submitted by June 1st to guarantee a spot in your student’s home school!
If you have any questions please reach out to our registration department at registration@crsd.org.
Spanish Foreign Language Program Update
The Spanish Foreign Language Program will be continued through distance learning, and parents can expect an email with information from the director before the end of the day on Friday.
Fun 4 Recess Crew
The teachers of Recess and Lunch have been going through websites to find some neat activities that will make the children laugh or get them moving. Each week, these activities will be updated to provide fresh ideas for getting the children to "at home" recess opportunities.
For next week, activities include:
- Spring Scavenger Hunt
- Sidewalk Obstacle Course
- Paper Plate Ring Toss
- Grandma’s House
- The Alphabet Game
- Recipe for Chicken and Bacon Roll-Ups
Click on the following LINK or go to the HES Distance Learning Hub for more details on each activity.
Support from Our School Guidance Counselor
I hope that weekends are still enjoyable for you and your family. Enjoy!
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