Elementary Newsletter

January 2024 Newsletter

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

January Important Dates

  • 1/4&1/5 - THERE IS SCHOOL

  • 1/12 - No School - Teacher Inservice

  • 1/16 - Appreciate a Dragon - Green and Gold Day! School Board Meeting @ 7

  • 1/19 - No School

  • 1/22 - ESL ACCESS Testing Begins

  • 1/26 - No School

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 students delivered to our local food pantries. What a heartwarming moment to see our students help our community. During our December assembly, we were able to 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

Pajama Day on Friday, January 5th! 

With Friday, January 5th being the only Friday we will have school this 2023-2024 school year, we want to make it fun by allowing our students to wear their pajamas to school.

Preparing for the ESL ACCESS TEST Beginning January 22nd 

  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.

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

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 “Sharing our Strengths” and Unit 3 for third through sixth grade is “Emotional Regulation.” 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.

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

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.

Please make sure your child has a water bottle daily!

S.O.A.R.

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

  • Safety

  • Ownership

  • Achievement

  • Respect 

For the months of January and February, we are focusing on “O” Ownership.

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 “R” Receive and Respond to feedback.