Holland Elementary School Message
June 5, 2020
Hello HES Families,
I typically open my messages expressing hope that you and your family are doing well. I echo the same this week but more emphatically given the week that we’ve had with all that is going on in the nation.
The closing of schools has been challenging for everyone, as the students and teachers just wanted to be together in school over the last few months. After recently speaking with many teachers, they seemed to universally share that this was the hardest week to be away from the children as they weren't able to better support them if they needed it.
In a partnership with families, the teachers and I at HES teach values of respect, kindness, and patience. Further, one of the most important themes in our school has been that our differences are not only accepted - they're celebrated. And the limitations of distance learning couldn't stop that.
Although we are apart and nearing the end of the school year, the teachers and I would still like to understand the concerns of the students and sincerely listen to them. Multiple teachers used time during their virtual meetings this week to facilitate conversations with the children about what they’re hearing and seeing in the news.
Overall, I just wanted to let families know that we are available if you or your children need to talk. The conversations could be uncomfortable, but they could lead to meaningful dialogue to let the children be heard and ask questions.
There is routine evidence that HES is a loving and caring community. Most of the messages that I received from parents when schools closed were with regard to how they could help another family that could be in need. And there were so many students who spent their time being part of projects that provided assistance to other families and essential workers. Even with such a strong community like this, we all need to lean on one another during difficult times. So please reach out to me or any of the teachers if you or your child would like to talk. Thank you.
This Week's Distance Learning Pictures!
Weekly Video Message!
There's one final video for the children to view. This one encourages the students to recall all of the great memories that they made at HES this year. Check out the video HERE.
When is the REAL last day of school?
It was announced that the last day of “new” learning for K-11 students will be Tuesday, June 9th. This means that next Tuesday will be the final day that new learning activities will be posted by the teachers. However, the final student day is Tuesday, June 16th.
On June 10th-12th and 15th-16th, the students will be encouraged to submit any distance learning assignments that they have yet to complete. In addition, the teachers may be planning special activities with the children on these final days. The teachers will generally be available to assist children after June 9th, but please know that during this period of time the teachers will be in school on a rotating basis to close out their classrooms.
Lastly, student attendance should still be submitted until the final day of school, June 16th.
Pick-up of Student Belongings - Friday, June 12th
I’m requesting that families follow the schedule below for the pick-up of these items:
- 8:00-900 – Last Names A – B – C
- 9:00-10:00 – Last Names D – E – F
- 10:00-11:00 – Last Names G – H – I – J
- 12:00-1:00 – Last Names K – L
- 1:00-2:00 – Last Names M – N – O – P
- 2:00-3:00 – Last Names Q – R – S
- 3:00-4:00 – Last Names T – Z
To the essential workers that won’t have the ability to get to Holland on June 12th or during their designated time frame, feel free to show up at any time between 8:00am and 4:00pm. If June 12th simply doesn’t work, email me directly (jmacclay@crsd.org), and I’ll try to coordinate another date and time. Thank YOU for all of your service during these difficult times!
This is new for all of us so there may be questions. Please be sure to read the following items before you come to school on June 12th:
- As you enter Holland’s parking lot, please drive around counter-clockwise to the cafeteria. Traffic cones will be set up to assist. We will follow the procedures we utilize during the school year for car rider pick up.
- On a piece of paper, write down your child(ren)’s first and last names in LARGE print. This will allow us to visibly see everything we need to retrieve the students’ items.
- Please stay in your vehicle. Social distancing guidelines will be practiced during the distribution to families.
- Bags will remain closed and placed in vehicles with minimal (if any) contact, as the staff would like to place the bag(s) in an open trunk.
- Unfortunately, this won’t be a time to socialize with the staff. The staff that will be assisting with the retrieval of student items will be working quickly to keep the flow of traffic moving.
- This will not be a time for dropping off items to the school such as library books, text books, or Chromebooks. These items will be kept by families until school reopens.
The materials that will be returned to your child(ren) will be the belongings in their desk and cubby. Items not retrieved on June 12th and items that have no identification will be stored in the school until school reopens.
Families can also request that another family pick up items. This will be done only with an email sent to me prior to June 12th.
Virtual Hawkeyes!
Students can also be recognized by an adult at home or by a staff member for meeting expectations for being Safe, Responsible or Kind through their distance learning activities or home activities.
An adult can give a child a Virtual Hawkeye by completing the form found at the following LINK. Students who are recognized with a Hawkeye will have their name posted on the Distance Learning Hub of our website.
Here is a list of this week's recipients of Virtual Hawkeyes:
Kunaal Shukla - RESPONSIBLE: Kunaal goes the extra mile on his distance learning work.
Simran Shukla - RESPONSIBLE: Simran is working hard every day to focus and complete her distance learning work.
Kellen Greenberg - RESPONSIBLE: Kellen has stayed engaged with his schoolwork & completed his work in a timely manner.
Hailey Greenberg - RESPONSIBLE: Hailey has stayed engaged with her schoolwork & completed her work in a timely manner.
Third Graders - RESPONSIBLE: The Wax Museum presentations are AWESOME! Thank you for all the hard work & effort!
Sofia Pretkel - RESPONSIBLE: Sofia is doing a great job completing her reading assignments.
Dominic McCrane - RESPONSIBLE: Dominic is doing a great job working in his reading clubhouse!
John Fullenkamp - RESPONSIBLE: John is doing a great job working in his reading clubhouse!
2020 CR Seniors - RESPONSIBLE: CONGRATULATIONS to all former HES Hawks who are graduating! We wish you the BEST!
Chloe Cross - RESPOSIBLE: Chloe did a great job logging into her Clever account!
Xzavier Diaz - RESPONSIBLE: Xzavier chose to work on an activity while he waited for his teacher to join a Google Meet.
Peyton Sagata - KIND: The girls started GIVING GIRLS. They do nice things for their neighbors and community.
Morgan Sagata - KIND: The girls started GIVING GIRLS. They do nice things for their neighbors and community.
Attalie Smith - KIND: The girls started GIVING GIRLS. They do nice things for their neighbors and community.
Sunday Smith - KIND: The girls started GIVING GIRLS. They do nice things for their neighbors and community.
Jack Reynolds - RESPONSIBLE: Jack has been a huge help around the house cooking, mowing, dog care, & cleaning dishes.
Kellen Greenberg - RESPONSIBLE: Kellen adds extra details, including photos, on open-ended slides/tasks
Layla Dickerson - KIND: Layla is always 1st in Ms. Hackett's Zoom waiting room & helps try out tasks before the class does.
Delilah Kennedy RESPONSIBLE: Delilah has done an amazing job on her work, especially her very detailed reading work.
Aubrey Bogarde - RESPONSIBLE: Aubrey has been helping around the house, and also completing all of her school work.
Julian Plantarich - KIND: Julian has been very kind to his brother and helped him with his school work.
Attention Parents of Students in the Play
The message below is for families of fifth and sixth grade students who were part of this year's play. It was unfortunate that the children didn't have the opportunity to put on a performance of "Summer Camp", but we know that there will be opportunities in the future for them to showcase their talents. The information below provides direction on how to return the play books and how to receive the funds returned for the play fee.
Book Collection
We do need to collect the books back from those students who had a part in the play. So, we will have a bin out to receive those books on Friday, June 12th when all the students' materials are being returned to them.
The bin will be under the main entrance overhang, so after you have received your child's items from the car line, please turn right into the bus circle and drop the play book in the bin there - it will be labeled. Please make sure your child's name is written already on the inside cover of their play book. If not, please just affix a sticky note with their name on the book so we know which children turned in their books.
Play Fee
We also would like to return your $10 to you. All of the money will be at the school in individual envelopes ready for returning on June 12th. When you are picking up your child's school items, please tell the teacher assisting you that you are picking up money from the school play and they will retrieve it for you.
If you prefer to just donate that money to the HES PTO, you are welcome to do that, although there is no obligation to do so. If you would like to do this, please reach out to Marji Harding before June 10th. Thank you.
Sixth Grade End-of-the-Year Activities
We are excited to announce to end-of-year activities that will be taking place for our sixth graders on June 16th.
It has been a Holland tradition to facilitate a clap-off for our sixth graders on the last day of school. In order to honor this tradition, we have organized two separate clap-off activities:
- June 16th at 10:00 AM - We will have a Zoom meeting with the sixth grade students. We will be watching a clap-off video created by Mrs. Bailey. This video contains footage of the hallway and teachers clapping and sending messages to the students.
- June 16th at 6:30 PM - We will have a car clap-off at Holland Elementary. The staff at Holland will be parked around the parking lot and will stand by their cars. Families are invited to drive through the parking lot and staff will cheer and clap for the students.
Please plan on arriving at Holland Elementary between 6:30 and 7:00. If you arrive before 6:30 please pull up along the curb on Beverly or Crescent Roads.
At 6:30 cars may enter the parking lot. Please drive through the parking lot as you would for car rider pick-up and continue into the bus circle. Staff members will be parked in the lot and standing outside their vehicles while giving the students an energetic sendoff.
Once in the bus circle, the sixth grade teachers will distribute a t-shirt to your child. Simply roll down a window or open the trunk/tailgate for the teachers to provide the t-shirt.
Families and students must remain in their cars the entire time as we maintain safe practices for social distancing. Please consider placing sixth grade students on the passenger side of the car for best teacher viewing.
It is our sincere hope that your child will be able to take part in these activities and this will help them to remember and celebrate their year(s) in Holland.
Sincerely - The Sixth Grade Team
Weekly Schedule of Spirit Days - Week of June 8th
- Monday, June 8th: Council Rock Strong: Wear blue and white today.
- Tuesday, June 9th: Cozy Clothes: Because you can never have too many of these spirit days.
- Wednesday, June 10th: Future’s so Bright, I Gotta Wear...shades today! Wear your sunglasses, visors or hats.
- Thursday, June 11th: Throwback Thursday: Dress in the decade’s attire of your choice.
Student Wellness Activities
In order to help promote student wellness, the district is providing optional activities for all grade levels that can be completed individually or with families on Fridays. The activities address the physical health, mental health, and social connectedness of our students. Due to the current events in our society, it is important that we encourage the appreciation of diversity in order to fully respect each other and make our community a better and safer place; thus, this week’s activities focus on learning about worldwide cultures through music, games, cooking, and literature. Please click the following link for this week’s student wellness activities: https://www.smore.com/kjwpt.
Free and Reduced Lunch
To apply for free lunch during the COVID-19 school closure, you may:
- Download the Free and Reduced Lunch Application, fill it out, and email back to Karen Moody kmoody@crsd.org. DO NOT send your application via US mail to the district office as there is no mail being delivered to our buildings during this time.
- Apply online by visiting: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/compass.web/Public/CMPHome (website offers language options other than English)
You will only need to submit one application per household, even if your children attend more than one school in Council Rock School District. Eligibility determination is made using federal income eligibility guidelines and applicants will be informed of a decision within two business days of submission.
Throughout the duration of the COVID-19 school closure, Council Rock School District is offering a “grab and go” food service. If your family qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, you will be given instructions as to how to access these meals when you are notified your child is eligible.
For questions, please email kmoody@crsd.org
Bucks County Library - WiFi
Library WiFi access in branch parking lots and outside of buildings – BCFL’s WiFi network is on and can be accessed for free in the branch parking lots and areas outside of the buildings. The library reminds users that it is a public network and asks that they practice social distancing while using the WiFi. To see the best areas to access the WiFi, visit https://buckslib.org/you-can-access-our-wifi-in-our-branch-parking-lots/.
Updated Resources and Activities from Our School Guidance Counselor
During our distance learning, there may still be times in which students may need the support of our guidance counselor, Mrs. O'Neill. She is available all of the time to help students and their families. Mrs. O'Neill crafted a letter about how parents can reach out to her, and you can read the letter at the following LINK.
In addition, Mrs. O'Neill has resources and weekly activity calendars on her Distance Learning site. She has new content added weekly and that there are resources and activities provided.
Enjoy the time with your children this 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