Elementary Newsletter

April 2024 Newsletter

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

April Important Dates

4/1-18 - State
  Testing 3rd-6th
  Grade

4/2 - School Board
  Meeting at 7PM

4/4 - Preschool Visit
  Day!

4/5 - No School

4/8 - 1st & 3rd
  Grade Spring
  Music Program

4/12 - No School

4/16 - School Board
  Meeting at 7PM

4/19 - No School

4/22 - Kindergarten
  Round Up & 6th
  Grade Transition
  Day

4/25 - 3rd Grade
  Field Trip

4/26 - No School -
  Holyoke PD


4/29-5/9 - NWEA &
  DIBELS Testing

April is Among Us! 

We are very fortunate for everyone who was able to attend Parent Teacher conferences in March. With two months left this year, please know that you can always call or email with comments, questions, or concerns you have about your child. 

Thank you for your continued support!

State Testing

Students in 5th and 6th grade are starting their state testing on Monday, April 1st. Students in 3rd and 4th grade will be starting their state testing on Tuesday, April 9th, 2024.  Fifth graders will have another week of testing starting on Monday, April 15th.

Preschool Visit Day - Thursday, April 4th

Any child who will be 5 years old on or before June 1st, 2024, is invited to attend our preschool visit day from 12:45 PM to 3:15 PM. Your child will interact with current kindergarten students, eat a fun snack, and do exciting activities to get to know Holyoke Elementary School and staff!

Spring Music Program - Monday, April 8th

First and third graders will have their spring program on Monday, April 8th at 7 PM. We hope to see you there!

Kindergarten Round Up - Monday, April 22nd

We encourage all of our kids who will be 5 before June 1st, 2022, to attend our kindergarten round up. Please call the elementary office (854-3411) to schedule a time for your child to attend on Monday, April 22, 2024. The current kindergarten students will not come to school on this day.

6th Grade Transition Day - Monday, April 22nd

On Monday, April 22nd, our 6th graders will have the chance to go over to the JH and join in on classes and learn what it will be like making the transition from the elementary school to the JH school. The students are able to ask questions to teachers and 7th graders who just made the transition this year.

April 29th to May 9th - NWEA & DIBELS Testing Window

During this time, if your child is in Kindergarten, first, second, or third grade, he/she will be taking an end of year benchmark assessment on reading fluency and retell, otherwise known as DIBELS. Also during this time, all elementary students will be taking their end of year NWEA assessments so we can see the growth they’ve made throughout the school year. Please make sure your child(ren) gets plenty of rest and eats a good balanced meal during these two weeks! We appreciate your child’s attendance during these two weeks!

Please make sure your child has a water bottle daily!

Counselor Corner - Mr. Hines 

Sources of Strength guidance lessons will continue with. Unit 3 for Kindergarten through second grade is “Practicing Regulation” and Unit 7 for third through sixth grade is “Mentors.”  Students will also work on Xello this month.  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.

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!

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.

Lunch

Lunch is $4.65 for adults and $2.45 for kids for a meal and we ask that you call the school office BEFORE 9:00 AM on the day of having lunch so we can notify the cooks to make sure there is enough food for all students, staff, and guests. Thank you for your understanding and support!

  • 10:55 AM - 11:20 AM - 1st and 2nd Grade Lunch

  • 11:25 AM - 11:50 AM - Kindergarten Lunch

  • 11:55 AM - 12:20 PM - 5th and 6th Grade Lunch

  • 12:25 PM - 12:50 PM - 3rd and 4th Grade Lunch

Reminders about Illness

This is the time of year that we start thinking about illnesses such as the flu.  Please make sure your child stays healthy by getting a good night’s rest, eating healthy meals, and washing hands regularly. Also remind your child of the following to avoid lice. 

  • Use your own hair brush or comb

  • Use your own hair ties, bows, and clips

  • Wear your own hat, jacket, clothes

Next Year - Letter to Mrs. Kammer

As a school district and school, we are committed to educating each and every student to realize his or her full potential, become a responsible and productive citizen, and a lifelong learner.  In carrying out this mission, we value and encourage your input into your child’s education. As we begin to work on class lists for next school year, please know our staff works hard to make sure we place students with the teacher that works best with your child as well as make sure students who do not work well together are separated. We value your input into your child’s classroom placement.  If you have a major concern, please write a letter to me addressing one or more of the following points.

  • Educational environment that best suits your child,

  • Your child’s learning style,

  • Characteristics of a teacher that best meets your child’s needs,

  • Student(s) you would like your child separated from (if possible),

  • A teacher the parent(s) does not want for their child, and rationale.

Please submit letters of concern by Thursday, April 4th, 2024.  Please note that letters submitted after this time frame will not be considered within our class placement procedures. Also understand if your child is in 5th or 6th grade your child will rotate between classrooms throughout the day.

Thank you for your partnership in the education of your child.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Andrea Kammer

Holyoke Elementary Principal

End of the Day Messages

Please call our secretary, Mrs. Juarez, before 3:00 PM if you have a message for your child. We have around 300 students and have to start messages early to get through all of them depending on the day. Please know we understand last minute emergencies.

S.O.A.R.

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

  • Safety

  • Ownership

  • Achievement

  • Respect 

For the month of April we are focusing on “R” Respect.

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 April, we are focusing on “R” Reach goals.