Elementary Newsletter

2025 January Newsletter

Greetings from the Principal: Mrs. Andrea Kammer Phone: (970) 854-3411 Email: kammeran@hcosd.org

January

Important

Dates

  • 1/2-3 - No School -
      Winter Break

  • 1/10 - No School  

  • 1/13 - No School -Inservice Day

  • 1/16 - Family Night at the Elementary School at 7PM

  • 1/17 - School Day!

  • 1/20 - 30 - NWEA Benchmark Testing (K-6)

  • 1/21 - School Board Meeting at 7 PM 

  • 1/24 - No School

  • 1/31 - No School -Inservice Day

Happy New Year! 

Thank you for all the help in making sure your child(ren) brought canned food or non perishable items before our winter break. We were able to collect 24 full boxes of items that our 5th & 6th grade student council delivered to our local food pantries. What a heartwarming moment to see our students help our community. During our January assembly, we will recognize students who have earned SOAR tickets. We will have a large SOAR ticket drawing during the May assembly as well. 

If you have any questions or would like to visit with me, please call the elementary office 854-3411 or email me at kammeran@hcosd.org.

Thank you, 

Mrs. Kammer

Preparing for the ESL ACCESS TEST and NWEA Benchmarking

  1. Get good sleep each night before testing. 

  2. Eat a healthy and full breakfast. Avoid super sugary items.

  3. Dress for success. It is proven when you look your best you do your best. 

  4. Utilize positive self talk.

  5. Know that this test does not impact your report card. This is to show you how much you have gained in English.

  6. Respect the rights of others. Be honest! No one ever got ahead by cheating.

  7. Keep your Chromebook charged. We have limited outlets in awkward spots so plugging in is not an option. 

Know that we support you! We will do all in our power to ensure you have a great testing week.

Family Night - Thursday, January 16th!

Please mark your calendars for Thursday, January 16th as we will host a family night where parents and students have the chance to win prizes! The prizes include a BIG screen TV, a squishmellow, and other various prizes! This night is for all elementary students and families to learn more about math, literacy, and NWEA testing. Come join us at 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM for a night of learning and enjoy an ice cream sandwich!

Healthy Snack 

Please make sure to send a healthy snack with your child(ren) to school. We are seeing an influx of takis, chips, cookies, and other unhealthy items being brought. The purpose of snacks is for our kids to get an energy boost and help support their brain. If your child is in need of a healthy snack and does not get breakfast daily, he or she can get breakfast and have that as a snack later in the day! It’s free and healthy!
There is no soda allowed in the cafeteria, so if you are bringing lunch for your child or if your child brings a sack lunch, they are not allowed to have soda. 

Thank you for your help and understanding!

Counselor Corner - Mr. Hines 

Sources of Strength guidance lessons will continue with unit 3. Unit 3 for Kindergarten through second grade is “We Can Make a Difference" and Unit 4 for third through sixth grade is “Connecting to Help.” Students will also work on Xello. If you would like your child to visit with Mr. Hines on a regular basis, please reach out to him by phone or email. 

You can contact Mr. Hines at (970) 854-3411 and by email hineslo@hcosd.org.

Weather - Inside or Outside?

With the weather always changing, we have set guidelines to help us make a decision when students will be inside for recess. Please make sure your child(ren) is dressed appropriately for the weather. If it is or feels like 20 degrees or below, students will be inside for recess.

Student Expectations at Games

Please remember that it is a privilege for our students to participate in athletics and activities. It is also a privilege for students to attend events and support their peers. When our students attend a home athletic event or activity, it is the responsibility of the parents to make sure their child(ren) are sitting down with them. Please do not allow your child(ren) to run around during these events as it does create a safety issue. Students who are asked more than once, may be asked to leave the event or activity.

Student Expectations at games come and cheer. come with at trusted adult, have a good time, encourage the team, energize the crowd, remain in your seat.

Drop off and pick up

Please use yellow zones for dropping kids off. Do NOT park in the yellow zones. If you want to walk your child to the front door of the school, please park in a parking spot and not the yellow zones.

After school, please make sure to pull over in a parking spot to pick up your child. We have staff helping fill in as a crossing guard, so please let them help your son or daughter cross the street.

READ

If your child does not have homework, please read with your child or have your child read to you for at least 20 minutes a day.  This is a great time to bond with them and ask them questions about what they are reading.

L.E.A.R.N.E.R.S.

LEARNERS is a word we will be focusing on at Holyoke Elementary. LEARNERS stands for…

  • Learn from mistakes

  • Evaluate work

  • Ask questions and accept challenges

  • Receive and respond to feedback

  • Never give up!

  • Effort matters

  • Reach goals

  • State what we’re learning

For the month of January, we are focusing on “N” Never give up!

S.O.A.R.

We are The Dragons and we Soar to excellence! SOAR stands for… 

  • Safety

  • Ownership

  • Achievement

  • Respect 

For the rest of the school year, we are focusing on all parts of S.O.A.R.

Infographic about how to keep students motivated.
January Health Challenge Advent Calendar