The Hawk
Holmes Elementary School Weekly Update - February 16, 2018
IMPORTANT DATES/THINGS TO REMEMBER
- President’s Day – No school – February 19
- Kindergarten Showcase – February 27
- Hawk Nest – February 28
- 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
PARCC Testing
Beginning in March 3rd, 4th and 5th-grade students will take part in the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers testing (PARCC). Students should make every effort to be present and on time for school during the testing window. Should an illness or unforeseen absence occur, the student will participate in make-up testing after the scheduled testing date.
Your child’s teacher will share their classes testing schedule in the
upcoming weeks.
As is required by law, every student who is eligible to take the PARCC assessment will receive a test ticket or test booklet. However, in accordance with our practice, anyone who elects not to take the assessment will be permitted to read a book after the teacher has read the directions to the class and students have begun the testing process. Since students will not be allowed to go to the school library during the administration of the test, we ask that you please make sure your child brings their book to class during the PARCC testing window (March 5, 2018 to April 20, 2018).
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…
1. Special thanks to:
o Thank you to all of the lovely parent volunteers who helped with this year’s Book Fair. We appreciate the efforts of Kim Daunis, our Book Fair Chair. Kim transitioned us from using Scholastic to Anderson, a local Chicago area bookstore, and did so with patience and eagerness to bring our school and students a better selection of quality books. Thanks, Kim!
o Pancake Breakfast was a HUGE success! Thank you to all the families and parents who attended and volunteered. Click here to see the pictures! A special thanks needs to go to Sue Mitra (Chair), Heather Korneck and Allyson Iwanski for organizing an amazing event in a snow storm! … If you’re interested in helping organize next year’s Breakfast, email sumida.nicole@gmail.com or Afshan Syed at afshan.syed@gmail.com.
2. What is ITOH Anyway? The International Taste of Holmes is a festive annual celebration of the many cultures represented at Holmes School. Families will taste food, experience cultural traditions, and see and hear from local artisans; African and Irish Dance, Hula, and Taiko (Japanese) Drumming will be featured. ITOH will take place on Saturday, March 10th from 4:30-7:00 pm! Please click here to sign up to bring a dish or help the day before or day of the event. Help pitch in to make this important event fun and engaging for all our kids!
3. Fifth Grade Parent Volunteer Opportunity - Author Visit 3/6
We've heard feedback that folks want hands-on volunteer activities with kids, so this is a great opportunity! A popular children's author, Marcus Emerson - will be visiting with the fifth grade on 3/6.
Author visits are very special days, and a chance for kids to learn about the writing and illustrating process.
We're looking for 2-3 fifth grade parent coordinators to help facilitate the visit. There is some needed work ahead of time, as well as day-of help (book signing, greet the author, spread the word, etc.). We know the timing is tight, but we just got confirmation this past Monday! The good news is, coordinators will be given a ton of resources and a contact at the Publishing Office who is an author visit expert.
As this is a quick turn around, please email Sarah Coleman (PTO - Academics) at sarahlcoleman@gmail.com ASAP if you are interested in volunteering!
4. We truly appreciate your ongoing support. In addition to opportunities listed above, here are some other ways to support Holmes School:
o Do you ever get frustrated because clothes go to school but never come back? Tired of losing things? Look no further, mark your kids clothes with Label Daddy! Click here and use Promo Code HOLMES at checkout to save 10% - savings goes back to the Holmes PTO.
o Don’t forget Amazon Smile! It’s simple. You already shop at Amazon, why not just click here, select “Holmes School Parent Teacher Organization” as your charity, and the money that you’re already spending will go back to Holmes School!
o There’s always time to donate to the Direct Drive. Click here to give back to our school!
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