Hollymead Buzz
A Newsletter for Parents
November 12, 2020
Dear Hollymead Families,
It certainly has been an interesting year. Prior to the weather today, we had students in the building for a day on Wednesday. It was great to see them and to have them learning in the building.
I have also been so impressed with how the new PreK-3 virtual rooms, and the 4-5 virtual rooms have started and continued their great learning. I know that it was hard for teachers and students to say goodbye last week, and it speaks to the strength of relationships that have been formed virtually.
Having different opportunities for students in this time is important, and hopefully the health of the community will continue to allow us to have so many options.
We continue to strive to provide meaningful learning, and are looking forward to quickly establishing a new rhythm. Your support is so helpful, and we couldn't do it without you!
Have a great weekend, and stay safe!
Craig
Hollymead CARES
The Hollymead community practices Cooperation, Assertiveness, Respect, Empathy, and Self-Control (CARES). Each year, we have a Hornet Helper day when we display CARES, and support the community around us. This year - Hornet Helper Day(s) will be next Wednesday- Friday November 18-20. We are choosing projects to support people who have been effected by COVID19 and those helping to respond to it.
We will deliver large thank you posters featuring the traced hands of our students to the police department, fire department, and UVA emergency room. We will be making cards to be sent to Rosewood Village and to members of our Military stationed abroad. We will be decorating water bottles to donate to the homeless in Charlottesville and Albemarle, and we will be decorating rocks to leave positive messages in the immediate community. Here are the steps for each student group:
K-2 Virtual Students - If you need supplies for the first two projects, you may pick some up from the school tomorrow, but if you have supplies at home (paper and markers) there is no need to pick up supplies from the school. Bring your products from the first two back to school on Friday November 20th, and pick up your rock for the third project! Please wait for more detailed instructions from your teacher next week.
1. Trace your hand and write a message of thanks to a police officer for taking care of our community.
2. Make a card for a resident of Rosewood Village to help brighten their day and let them know people are thinking about them
3. Decorate a rock with Sharpie or paint to decorate a rock with a kind word. Then, leave the rock somewhere someone will find it. - https://www.thekindnessrocksproject.com/
3-5 Virtual Students - If you need supplies for the first two projects, you may pick some up from the school tomorrow, but if you have supplies at home (paper and markers) there is no need to pick up supplies from the school. Bring your products from the first two back to school on Friday November 20th, and pick up your rock for the third project! Please wait for more detailed instructions from your teacher next week.
1. Trace your hand and write a message or draw a picture of thanks to a firefighter for keeping our community safe
2. Make a card for a military service member who is stationed away from their family, to let them know how thankful we are for their service.
3. Decorate a rock with Sharpie or paint to decorate a rock with a kind word. Then, leave the rock somewhere someone will find it. - https://www.thekindnessrocksproject.com/
Hybrid In Person students will complete their projects on Wednesday or Thursday at school.
1. Water Bottles - Decorate a label to go on the water bottle- Picture and or words that would brighten someone’s day.
2. Trace your hand and draw a picture or write a message to thank a hospital worker for caring for others.
3. Rocks- Decorate a rock with Sharpie or paint to decorate a rock with a kind word. Then, leave the rock somewhere someone will find it. - https://www.thekindnessrocksproject.com/
Please let us know if you have any questions, and thank you for helping us continue with our tradition of Hollymead CARES Day!
Hybrid notes
Arrival beginning at 7:40 and dismissal at 2:25 went well yesterday. Please be patient when picking up. We are exiting the students one at a time, and on a rainy day, it can be a little slow. It took about 15 minutes yesterday in total.
Kids were phenomenal at wearing their masks. It did seem that sending a second if possible might be helpful. Especially when going outside in the colder weather, they may get damp, and a dry one after lunch may be appreciated.
Each year, Hollymead collaborates with the Toy Lift Charities to assist families in need of holiday gifts for their children. This year, families need to go to the following link, bit.ly/32Co8QT , to complete the application by NOV 3rd ! If you have questions about Toy Lift you can contact our School Counselor, Megan Kopley, at mkopley@k12albemarle.org or 434-973-8301.
If you family is interested in donating to Toy Lift, you can purchase an item from their Amazon Wish List – https://zurl.co/JHfd
Library Checkout
We are very excited about starting library circulation next week. Checking out books from the library will be different this year. The Hollymead library will be using a system of picking up and dropping off books on Fridays from 10:30 to 2:30 at the front of school. This system is similar to one used by the public library.
How many books may students check out and how long may they check them out for?
Each student will be allowed to check out five books at a time and the books will be checked out for one month. Please be considerate and return your old library books so that other students may read them.
How will the students select books?
Students will select books by using our library catalog. You can find it by going to the Hollymead library webpage and clicking on the Follett Destiny Library System icon. Once you are in the catalog, you will need to log in using your school username and password. After that you can search for the books that you want to check out. You will notice a hold symbol in the corner of the book cover icons. When you click on that hold symbol, the book will automatically be placed on hold for you and a notification will be sent to the librarian. The hold message may include a date that you should ignore.
You may also email the titles of the books that you want to the librarian to check out for you. It is important to place your books on hold or email the librarian before Thursday at 2:30.
How will the students know if their selections were available and checked out to them?
The librarian will check out your selected library books and place them in a bag with your name on it. She will email you to confirm that your book selections were available and checked out to you. She will also tell you the date of when the books may be picked up. Library book pick-up and drop-off will be held every Friday from 10:30 to 2:30 in the front of school.
How will we return the library books?
We will also be collecting those on Fridays from 10:30 to 2:30. Remember to return your old library books so you may check out new ones.
Will the library circulation system always work this way?
In the future, we may need to make adjustments to this library circulation system depending on the demand for library books and other factors like the weather. We will send out updates as appropriate.
What if I need help or have questions?
If you have questions or need help, you may email me at jcrone@k12albemarle.org. You may also come to the Library Help Time Zoom sessions. They are held Monday through Thursday from 11:00 to 11:30 and from 2:30 to 3:00. Check Seesaw for the links.
Hollymead Virtual Student Learning Handbook
Seesaw and Zoom
Zoom for Computers (school laptops in particular)
If there are technology hardware or software issues with your device, please call the school, or ACPS technology support directly at 434-975-9444 and we can work to get a repair ticket started for you.
Student Meals - 2020-21
To register, please follow this link:
https://survey.k12insight.com/survey.aspx?k=SsUTPVsQQTXsPsPsP&lang=0&data=
