Holland Elementary School Message
September 27, 2019
Hello HES Families,
As a parent, I have many tasks to complete related to getting my own children back to school: make sure that they have funds in their lunch accounts, sign up for the November parent-teacher conference, pay for my family's PTO dues, etc. One of the other annual tasks that I complete is updating my children's demographic information with their school district. This one is really important, as I don't want there to be a situation in which school officials need to reach me and they have incorrect contact information.
At the start of every school year, parents in Council Rock are also required to update their child's demographic information, and this is very important. Unfortunately, there have been situations when the HES staff tried to reach parents and emergency contacts, and we had incorrect phone numbers.
The school district requires parents/guardians to verify their demographic information through Home Access Center (HAC). Only one parent/guardian should complete a demographic form for each child.
District/School Notifications, Emergency Contacts, Medication Authorization information etc. are directly dependent upon your completion of this form. Thank you, in advance, for taking care of this important task.
Students' Pictures Have Arrived! They'll be Coming Home on Friday!
This Week in Pictures
Reminder - No School on Monday, September 30th & Tuesday, October 1st
PTO Soft Pretzel Sale on Fridays. $0.50 each
From the Holland Elementary School PTO President
Hello Holland Families,
The HES PTO Executive Board made a decision last spring to hold off on PTO Board elections with redistricting taking effect in the fall, giving new families an opportunity to join the PTO and consider a board position.
Currently, there are two openings: President and Recording Secretary. These positions will be open to any current PTO member who would be interested in taking on the position. If two people become interested, we will have an election to pick the seats. The term is for two years.
Stated in our bylaws: If there’s no viable replacement, the current seated board member can remain, if they choose to do so.
The role of Recording Secretary, held by Katharine Levin Kelly, is open as this falls under the two-year term which mirrors the term of the President. Katey has served for four years and has done a wonderful job.
I currently hold the role as President and I can honestly say it’s been an honor to serve in the role as President of the HES PTO for the last four plus years. I have enjoyed it, it’s been a lot of work, but in the end, it’s always been about the kids, and for me it’s been rewarding and well worth the time and effort. I’ve and have become friends with some great people and staff at HES.
I’m extremely proud of this PTO team of board members and its event and committee chairs. We have done a tremendous job at raising money for HES and proud to say that we have over $25,000 in our bank account for future needs. The amount is after spending a considerable amount of money on staff requests and Chromebooks in the last four years, which virtually brought us to 1:1 ratio. We do plan to add an additional 30 Chromebooks as requested by the staff this year as well.
If you are interested in any of the open positions or have questions, please email me at ed.salamon@gmail.com or Janet Cole at barclay@aol.com.
Thank you,
Ed Salamon
PTO Membership
Our programming and activities at school depend greatly on the support of the PTO, and there are huge benefits to the partnership between the staff and the organization. This year alone, the PTO has purchased white boards for math classes, additional lunch wagons, Chromebooks, Chromebook cart, online subscriptions for students, and the Holland folders provided to each child. Supporting the Holland PTO means that you are supporting the academic programs and activities for our students.
The HES PTO subscribes to the Membership Toolkit service for our family and faculty directories, online store, PTO and school calendar, volunteer signups and email communications. It's secure, easy to use, and free to families.
If you haven't registered, please go to the site below to create an account. You can
specify what information you'd like to appear in the directory - or choose not to appear
at all.
https://hespto.membershiptoolkit.com/home
The online directory is only available to paid PTO members. You can purchase a PTO
membership when you register or any time during the year through the online store.
Foreign Language Program
A before-school foreign language program (Spanish) is being offered to students at HES that will take place on Monday mornings. Classes will be held once a week for 45 minutes, and the program's goal is to introduce the Spanish in a simple format. Language instructors will teach the children how to speak and understand the new language using games, songs, and activities. The students will learn the new language via verbal repetition. Students will receive a work book and a CD to use for practice at home. It is a 20-week program that runs from from 10/21/19 to 04/20/20, and the program costs $200.
If you would like to sign your children up for the program but they will be in Advanced Band Practice on occasional Monday mornings, the program director is offering a reduced rate of $118 to attend on those Mondays when band practice is not in session. Please use the original registration form and write the word "band" at the bottom of the form.
The registration form can be found at the following LINK.
Follow HES on Twitter
Teacher newsletters allow parents to know more about what goes on at school, as the HES staff and I realize the importance of providing parents with information as it allows them to most effectively support their children.
Using Twitter, the HES staff and I try to capture moments taking place at school each day to help provide glimpses of the great activities and ongoing successes. We encourage parents to follow us on Twitter, and you can do so by clicking the following LINK.
Spirit Wear Store is Now Open!
You can click the following link to access the PTO Spirit Wear Store: Hawks Store
The store will be open through September 27th! If you have not yet created an account, you will need to do that first. You will then have the option to purchase PTO memberships, sign up for volunteer opportunities, or purchase spirit wear.
Cell Phones
Student cell phones are to be used for emergency purposes only. Cell phones are not to be used in school or on school buses. Cell phones must be turned off and kept in the students' backpacks. Please be advised that the school is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen items.
In today's world, there are many reasons why students carry cellular telephones, but we have to collectively remind students about their appropriate use. Please see the Student-Parent Handbook for more information.
Fire Safety in the Home Contest
The Fire Safety in the Home contest is open for any interested K-6 grade student. The deadline for the contest is Wednesday, October 16th. Last year, HES had several prize winners, and it would be great if that happened again.
More information can be found here: Fire Safety in the Home Contest
Title 1 Applications for Free and Reduced Lunch Pennsylvania Free and Reduced Lunch
Families must re-apply every school year before October 1st for the Title I Applications for Free and Reduced Lunches. The application does not roll over for any families that received this service last year.
Online application access can be found at: 2019-2020 Free and Reduced Application Packet Packet.
2019-2020 Council Rock Calendar
The School Board recently approved the 2019-2020 district calendar. You can find it at the following LINK.
Announcements
Please visit the Volunteer link regarding information on volunteer clearances.
Click on the following link to access the monthly menu online: http://crsd.nutrislice.com/.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, September 30th & Tuesday, October 1st - No School
- Friday, October 4th - Fourth Grade Trip to Churchville Nature Center
- Wednesday, October 9th - No School
- Wednesday, October 16th - Early Dismissal (AM Kindergarten Attends)
- Friday, October 25th - PTO Holland Harvest
- Thursday, October 31st - Halloween Parade/Parties
- Friday, November 1st - Picture Re-Takes
2020 PSSA Dates
To help families with long-term planning, here are the scheduled dates for the facilitation of PSSA tests:
- English Language Arts - April 20-24, 2020
- Mathematics, Science and Make-ups - April 27-May 1, 2020
E-Friday Folder
Here are the latest flyer on our school's E-Friday Folder:
New Flyers:
You Be the Chemist Flyer 2019-2020
Previous Flyers:
CR Elementary Safety Presentation
Northampton Township Miracle League Fundraising Presentation
2019 Miracle League Halloween Bash Invitation
Foreign Language Program at HESWishes for blessings and a Happy New Year for families celebrating Rosh Hashanah with loved ones. 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