Holland Elementary School Message
August 30, 2019
Hello HES Families,
It was so nice to see so many children and their families at our Meet and Greet activities on Thursday. The Holland staff and I appreciate everyone who was able to come to school to meet their new teacher and check out their classroom. We're putting the finishing touches on the school to make it all ready for children on Tuesday. And after working with the staff this week, I know that we're all so excited for the first day!
With the increase in the enrollment at Holland this year, we had our first experience with how parking will be at school-wide events. Overall, we managed to provide parking spots for all families, and the flexibility and patience from parents was very much appreciated. There was, however, one area that needs to improve, and that is with regard to the use of our school's reserved spots for handicapped parking. Several cars without handicap designations parked in locations reserved for those in need, and that can not continue. The school team and I will work at creating and communicating an efficient parking plan for future events. But I request that we take care of members of our Holland community by leaving handicapped parking spaces for those need these designated spots. Thank you.
New Access System for Entering Holland Elementary School
As part of Council Rock’s increasing focus on security, a new front entrance access system was added to our building over the summer. Please be advised that our front doors will always be locked now as a result of this new security enhancement. The new, secure entry system includes enhanced features that Front Office staff will use to verify visitor identity and permit front door entry.
In order to gain access to the Front Office of our building now, the following will occur:
- School visitors will push an audio intercom button located at our front door entry area.
- School visitors will use the front entry audio intercom system to communicate their identity and purpose of visit with a Front Office staff member.
- Front Office staff member will confirm visitor identity using the new system’s camera feature and permit Front Office access.
Once in the Front Office, visitors will sign in as a building guest, show ID, and complete the Raptor identification process to receive a visitor tag. Please always be prepared to show ID.
Soccer Balls, Footballs, and Basketballs
In prior years, students were permitted to bring soccer balls, footballs, and basketballs to school to use at recess. The children preferred to use their equipment as they felt that the items at school weren't to their liking.
However, these items were played with in the hallways and on the buses, and it caused many problems. In addition, some children lost their items or had them damaged.
This year, our school was able to get high quality soccer balls, footballs, and basketballs in several sizes, and I'm certain that the students are going to love using them. Consequently, students will no longer be able to bring this equipment to school. The children will have access to great equipment, and we'll eliminate the prior issues that we encountered.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Here are a few reminders about the arrival and dismissal of students:
- Parents are encouraged to double check bus pick-up and drop-off times on the Home Access Center during the Labor Day Weekend, as changes may occur with pick-up and/or drop-off times.
- Please be patient with our transportation department. It usually takes about two weeks to finalize bus routes. If you have any questions or concerns after the first couple few weeks of school, please contact the Council Rock Transportation Department at 215-944-1010.
- Typically on the first few days of school, dismissal can take a few extra minutes. It is really helpful when parents review the plan with their children regarding how they are going home (bus rider, car rider, walker, etc.).
- Please do not drop your children off at school in the morning before 8:50 a.m. as there is no adult supervision available until that time.
- During our arrival, children who are car riders should always exit on the passenger side of the vehicle to entirely avoid incoming traffic. In addition, parents are not permitted to pass another vehicle while children are attempting to exit.
- During dismissal, parents of children who are car riders should display a placard on the dashboard of their car so it is easily visible through the windshield to the supervising adults. Placards will be coming home during the first days of school and parents are asked to write their child's last name in marker so that the name can be easily read by the staff helping in the car-rider line. If a family needs additional placards, please contact your child's teacher.
Transportation Information
In addition, if you have questions regarding bus stops and times or other transportation-related issues, please call the transportation team at 215-944-1010. This is a fantastic group of people who are poised to assist, and they can best answer specific parent questions. As a general rule, buses aim for +/- 5 minutes on the arrival/drop-off time at the stop, so please note that the time on HAC is an estimate. Also, the transportation department make tweaks for at least two/three weeks after school has started…typically not wholesale changes, but times or stop locations may be adjusted for a number of reasons.
To access bus information for your child, simply log on to HAC through a link on the left side of the school district or HES home page. If you encounter any issues with logging into your account, there are email links for support at the bottom of HAC webpage.
PBIS - Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
This year we will be rolling out our new Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports plan. This plan will replace our previously used Four Pillars program and Feather rewards. Our new program is designed to improve classroom and school climate, integrate academic and behavior initiatives, improve support for all students, increase preventive management, and maximize academic achievement.
Here are a few items about the program:
- During the opening days of school, the teachers will be introducing the students to the program through a variety of lessons. Teachers will cover the three positively stated school rules: Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Kind.
- Students will learn the specific behaviors necessary to follow the rules across all environments in the school.
- A school-wide reinforcement plan will be implemented and data will be collected.
- Individualized behavioral interventions and reinforcements help us meet the students’ needs.
- HES works together as a positive community with consistent expectations.
Summer Resources for Children
It's not too late for students to work on their skills before school starts. Below you'll find a list of resources available to students to help them stay sharp in Reading and Math. These are activities that the children may find to be very entertaining.
In addition, you'll also find summer reading lists at the following links:
Back to School Nights
Our annual Back-to-School Nights are scheduled for Wednesday, September 4th for grades fourth through sixth, and on Thursday, September 5th for grades first through third.
Parents are invited to meet with their child(ren)’s teachers and learn about classroom protocol and procedures. Our format is listed below and it is designed to provide parents with an opportunity to see at least two teachers who work with your child, and I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to meet them.
6:00-6:50 – Non-Homeroom Teacher Presentations
7:00-8:00 – Homeroom Teachers presentations in their assigned rooms.
Please note that Learning Support teachers will be available on the evening of their assigned grade. In addition, teachers in the Intensive Learning Support and Autistic Support programs will be available on varying evenings and will communicate with parents regarding their schedules.
More information about these events can be found here:
PTO Back to School Social
Reading Rocks! Summer Reading Challenge!
Don't forget about our Reading Rocks! Summer Reading Challenge! Students who complete this challenge must return their completed and signed reading logs no later than September 5th.
The class with the most signed and completed forms will be entered to win new books for its classroom library.
Also, all completed logs will be entered into a drawing to earn gift cards to the Newtown Bookshop and Friends Grille in Newtown. Only one student in grades K-3, and one student in grades 4-6 will earn these exciting rewards.
More details and reading logs can be found at the following link:
https://sites.google.com/crsd.org/reading-rocks-summer-reading-c
Girls on the Run Program
The Girls on the Run program at Holland is looking to begin the fall session. However, the program can be facilitated only if coaches can be found to help out. The program will run from September 16th to November 29th, and practices are twice per week. However, interested parents do not need to attend all sessions, and the organizers just need some help in covering all of the practices this fall. This is a great opportunity to make a difference and help out the girls in our school community. If you have an interest in helping, please contact Colleen Sager at colleenmsager@me.com. Thank you.
School Supply Lists
Supply lists are available for families looking to find supplies for the 2019-2020 school year. Click HERE to find links to the lists for your child.
Here is some information to know about using Yubbler:
- One-click ordering makes back-to-school shopping simple.
- All lists are aligned with the supply lists created by the HES teachers.
- Parents can customize orders (buy only what you need).
- There are quality, name-brand products.
- There is free next-day shipping to your home.
- Prices are comparable to those of Office Depot and Target.
- The school gets half the profits.
Many children enjoy shopping for school supplies, and the activity can help them get excited about the next school year. But if parents would like to explore the online option at Yubbler, they can access the site at https://www.yubbler.com/Yub/Details/30822.
Pennsylvania Free and Reduced Lunch
Please click on this LINK to learn more about Pennsylvania’s Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Applications will be distributed in hard copy to students during the first week of school.
Chartwells Lunch Prices
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 2nd – Labor Day
- Tuesday, September 3rd – First Day of School
- Wednesday, September 4th – Back to School Night – Fourth through Sixth (7:00 pm)
- Thursday, September 5th – Back to School Night – Grades First through Third (7:00 pm)
- Thursday, September 5th - Last Day to Turn in Summer Reading Logs
- Friday, September 6th – PTO Back to School Social (6:30 pm)
- Friday, September 13th - Picture Day
E-Friday Folder
Here are the latest flyer on our school's E-Friday Folder:
Girls on the Run Program Call for Coaches
2019-2020 Free and Reduced Application Packet
The end of summer can be a bitter-sweet time of the year for children and their parents. And there are often butterflies the night before the first day of school. Remind your children of all of the wonderful memories that they made at school last year while reinforcing that they'll have a chance to see old friends and opportunities to make new ones.
The staff and I are really looking forward to such a great school year with the children, and we'll see parents next week at our Back to School Night activities. Enjoy the Labor Day weekend!
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