Holbrook Weekly Newsletter
December 13, 2021
Warmest Winter Wishes to you!
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate our Golden Bell Award on Wednesday morning! An extra special thank you to our CARES Extraordinaire Mr. Jeremy, 3rd Grade Teacher Karen Hernandez, and our dedicated PFC! Also, thank you to our District office staff: Jennifer Sachs (Chief of Educational Services), Marji Calbeck (Director of Elementary Education), Carmen Garces (Director of English Learner Services), and Theresa Harrington (Public Information & Community Relations Officer) who began their morning celebrating with us!
Thank you for all that you do for our students and school! I hope everyone has a safe and joyful winter break, finds time to connect with family and friends, and enjoys some rest, relaxation, and the opportunity to recharge.
I look forward to seeing you all this week, at the Multicultural Winter Fest, and when we return in 2022!
At-Home COVID Test Kits
The California Department of Education secured millions of at-home, rapid response COVID test kits, and MDUSD has received 22,000 kits for staff and MDUSD students. Each school has been sent kits to be distributed on a first-come, first served basis.
**If you would like a test kit for your child, please submit this request form.
Each kit contains two tests and are intended to be used at home prior to returning from winter vacation to provide parents, staff and students with the peace of mind to know they have not tested positive for COVID. They should be used one and three days before school resumes:
Sunday, January 2, 2022 - Test #1
Tuesday, January 4, 2022 - Test #2
Wednesday, January 5, 2022 - School Resumes
These iHealth tests include instructions and QR codes, as well as reporting information. Please note:
- These one-time, at-home tests do not excuse any symptoms individuals may have.
- Tests cannot be used to shorten any quarantine or other timelines that are part of the MDUSD COVID protocol.
- Any positive test results must be reported to the school office as soon as possible.
Thank you!
CARES Updates
The CARES team is currently working with the providers at The Gardens at Heather Farm to adapt their curriculum Native Plants, Native People at The Gardens to work for our 2nd-3rd grade Girl Scouts Troop here at Holbrook.
Students will be able to take their first weekend field trip to learn about artifacts, games, stories, and crafts, that will bring the past alive and discover how the first Californians lived.
Students will also discover the unique ways Native Americans used native plants to improve their everyday lives. During this time, students focus on ways Native Americans minimized their impact on the environment and used natural resources. To top it off, we will travel back in time to discover how plants were used for medicine, cosmetics, food, dyes, and fibers.
Students will also have the opportunity to explore the Gardens to learn about the challenges involved in cultivating these plants. Students will problem solve and create artwork inspired by the beauty and bounty of the Gardens.
Teaching with CARES:
CARES is excited about the added support provided by our very own Holbrook staff members. Teachers have signed up to do a variety of intervention and enrichment classes in the after school program. Our kindergarten and first grade students will be taking on a Road Rally STEM challenge. In this challenge, they will be exploring energy, fuel and movement as they design their own vehicle. Some of our second grade students are participating in a small group Spanish class where they are learning vocabulary and story structure all while preparing a Reader's Theater production. Many of our older students are enjoying the opportunities to learn about dance and movement by participating in Zumba and Ballet Folklórico classes. We look forward to being able to offer more of these types of opportunities with our Holbrook staff in the new year.
Holbrook CARES Girl Scouts:
Our Girl Scouts have been working hard on earning their Girl Scout Way and Making Friends badges! Our Brownies at Discover Together will be receiving their official girl scout vests and pins on January 11th. A big congratulations to all of them! Also starting in January, our Girl Scouts will be embarking on their bronze and silver award project here at Holbrook. They will start the process of designing, and coordinating the execution of a greenhouse addition to the gardens here on the Holbrook grounds. We are so excited to begin this project! Thank you all for your continued support of our Girl Scouts here at Holbrook, we appreciate you so much!
Want all the Bells and Whistles? JOIN THE HOLBROOK TEAM!
If you have a few hours in the middle of your day to supervise lunch, then please consider applying to be a paid Noon Supervisor "Substitute" below:
https://www.edjoin.org/home/districtjobposting/1136453
Have you ever thought about becoming a substitute teacher? If you love to work with kids and want a job with flexibility, then please consider applying to be a Substitute Teacher below:
UPCOMING DATES
December
- December 13-17, Winter Spirit Week (See attachment below)
- December 14, Multicultural Winter Fest, 5:30-7:30PM
- December 14, Board Meeting, 6:00PM
- December 15, Early Dismissal (TK-3rd: 1:35PM; 4th-8th: 1:40PM)
- December 16-24, Las Posadas
- December 17, Follow Me Friday, 8:00-8:12AM (for students only)
- December 20-January 4, Winter Recess
- December 21, First Day of Winter
- December 25, Christmas
- December 26- January 1, Kwanzaa
January
- January 1, New Year's Day
- January 5, School resumes/ Early Dismissal (TK-3rd: 1:35PM; 4th-8th: 1:40PM)
- January 7, Follow Me Friday, 8:00-8:12AM (for students only)
- January 12, Early Dismissal (TK-3rd: 1:35PM; 4th-8th: 1:40PM)
- January 12, Board Meeting, 6:00PM
- January 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)
- January 19, Early Dismissal (TK-3rd: 1:35PM; 4th-8th: 1:40PM)
- January 19, Board Meeting, 6:00PM
- January 21, Follow Me Friday, 8:00-8:12AM (for students only)
- January 24-28, The Great Kindness Challenge
Our Vision
Email: rubioa@mdusd.org
Website: https://holbrook.mdusd.org/
Location: 3333 Ronald Way, Concord, CA, USA
Phone: (925)685-6446
Twitter: @HolbrookMDUSD