Hawk Highlights
February 19, 2021
Dear Families and Friends of the Hollys,
At the Hollys, we value all types of diversity and are dedicated to creating a community enriched by young people of diverse backgrounds. Diverse perspectives and experiences are central to academic excellence because they expand creative thought and analysis, test unexamined assumptions, challenge accepted truths and broaden understanding of ourselves and our world. We must be able to draw from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives to foster a community marked by hope and love. I am proud of the many ways our students understand and appreciate different ideas and different perspectives. Your children listen, are empathetic and act wisely; they are well on their way to becoming leaders able to discern, articulate and promote justice for all.
Every February, we celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month. February was chosen for Black History Month because it is the birth month of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two figures instrumental in the abolition of slavery. Please join us for our February virtual P.A.S.S. event hosted by the Cherry Creek Schools Office of Inclusive Excellence on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 6pm-8pm. There is an amazing and informative meeting planned, celebrating Black History Month. Have your students tune in as well. We will hear from community speakers, including former CCSD students. The structure for the evening is as follows:
Please register in advance for this meeting: https://cherrycreekschools-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvfu2ppjIiHNxXzRfYnZqIQZQyGtlZWkRb
WINTER WEATHER REMINDERS
Cold temperatures and blowing snow generate questions regarding winter weather practices at the Hollys. Take a moment to review the answers to a few of our frequently asked questions.
Where can I find announcements regarding the closure and delayed start of Cherry Creek School District?
If classes are going to be delayed or cancelled, families will receive a phone call from the district via Blackboard Connect. The info will also be sent to local media outlets. If you do not get a call, please check your phone number at the my.cherrycreekschools.org website. Families can also call the district’s Weather Hotline at 720-554-4701 or visit the CCSD website at www.cherrycreekschools.org.
What does “Delayed Start” mean?
Cherry Creek School District will call a “Delayed Start” when early morning conditions are likely to delay the district bus schedule. When CCSD is on a delayed start, the elementary school start time is postponed by 1 hour (60 minutes). The Hollys will open doors at 8:35am and start school at 9:00am. Afternoon dismissal times will be the same as usual unless otherwise announced.
The Hollys’ before and after care program, Hawks Nest, will maintain normal hours on a delayed start day, but your child must be registered for the program and signed up on the day of attendance. Registration takes 24-48 hours to process and parents must submit attendance by 10pm each evening. You can contact Hawks Nest director, Sherri Somerville, for more information - ssomerville@cherrycreekschools.org (720)747-2754.
What does “Cherry Creek School District Closed” mean?
When weather, road conditions, and/or other emergency situations are deemed hazardous, Cherry Creek School District will announce closure of schools. If you see that Cherry Creek School District is closed, do not send your child to school. When school is closed, the Hollys’ before and after care program, Hawks Nest, and all extracurricular activities are also canceled.
What is our inclement weather recess policy?
When the weather shows signs of turning cold and wet, we monitor the weather through weather.com. Students come inside if they are getting wet due to snow or rain. If the actual or wind-chill temperature is 20 degrees or below, recess will be inside. Please make sure your child comes dressed appropriately for the cold weather.
Cold and wet weather often increase the volume of traffic in our parking lots and adjacent streets. It is our goal to make our school grounds safe for all students at all times. Please be patient and vigilant in our parking lot each day. Thank you for keeping our children safe!
Together in education,
Molly Drvenkar
Principal
Kindergarten Round Up Begins February 22nd!
A Message from the Office of Inclusive Excellence
Get Ready for Cherry Creek Reads 2021!
What’s your story?
Find out during Cherry Creek Reads 2021, a districtwide celebration of reading, coming up March 8-12!
The theme for the week is “Read Together, Share Our Stories Together!” and is based on the inspirational book Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal. It’s a heartfelt story about a little girl who deepens her understanding of her own identity and her own story by learning about the power behind her name.
Just like Alma in the book, students, parents and families are encouraged to have fun dinner table discussions about the books each family member is reading, think about their own name stories and ask questions like, What does your name mean? What does your name stand for? What do you want to be known for?
Cherry Creek Schools students, parents, teachers, staff, friends and family members are encouraged to read for 67 minutes or more. That’s one minute of reading for every CCSD school. Students may also participate in a variety of special activities, from student-created podcasts, videos or posters telling their own name stories, messaging a favorite author or illustrator or schoolwide “Drop Everything and Read” time.
So, grab a book and join us for Cherry Creek Reads 2021!
Parent Information Network Event
No Cost Meals for Colorado Students
A Message from Food and Nutrition Services
A Message from the Hollys PTCO
Wear Your Mask
Do I need to stay at home?
Please leave your child's first and last name and the reason for their absence. If you child is not feeling well, please describe in detail the symptoms they are experiencing. For example, do they have a fever? Do they have shortness of breath, cough, runny nose, upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea?
Thank you for your partnership as we work to keep our students and staff healthy.
Am I ready to go back to school?
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Additional Resources
Translation Services
English:
Please contact (name of liaison) at (email) for support with this resource in your language.
Amharic:
እነዝህን መረጃዎችን በተመለከተ በቋንቋዎ ዕገዛን ለማግኘት ከፈለጉ እባክዎን ተሊሌን በዝህ እሜይል ያግኙዋት thirpa@cherrycreekschools.org
Arabic:
يرجى الاتصال بـ (جميعة صباحي أو جاودة العلمي) على ( jsebbahi@cherrycreekschools.org أو
jdajanialami@cherrycreekschools.org.) للحصول على الدعم مع هذا المورد باللغة العربية.
Chinese:
如有需要,请经由ahan10@cherrycreekschools.org,与韩馥联系,以您的语言获得此资源的支持。
Korean:
귀하의 언어로 이 자원에 대한 지원을 원하시면 (리아 리) 에게 (llee6@cherrycreekschools.org) 로 문의하십시오.
Russian:
Пожалуйста, обращайтесь к Ларисе Бака по адресу: lbaca3@cherrycreekschools.org для получения поддержки с помощью этого ресурса на своём языке.
Somali:
Fadlan la xiriir Omar Nur cinwaanka emaylka-onur2@cherrycreekschools.org si aad u hesho macluumaad ku qoran luqadaada.
Spanish:
Si necesita ayuda con este recurso en su idioma, póngase en contacto con Ilse Chavez Maldonado en ichavezmaldonado@cherrycreekschools.org, Rosa Han en rhan4@cherrycreekschools.org, Helena Gognat en hgognat@cherrycreekschools.org o Milagro Nuanes en mnuanes@cherrycreekschools.org
Vietnamese: Vui lòng liên hệ với Thuý Ngọc tại Lchung2@cherrycreekschools.org để được hỗ trợ về tài nguyên này bằng tiếng Việt.
Holly Ridge Primary School
Website: cherrycreekschools.org/Page/53
Location: 3301 S Monaco Pkwy, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: (720) 747-2400
Holly Hills Elementary School
Website: cherrycreekschools.org/Page/53
Location: 6161 E Cornell Ave, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: (720) 747-2500