Elementary Newsletter

May 2024 Newsletter

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

May Important Dates

4/29-5/9 - NWEA &
  DIBELS Testing

5/1 - School Board
  Meeting at 2 PM 

5/2 - Field Day

5/3 - No School

5/6 - 6th Grade
  Transition Day

5/6 - 5/9 - Teacher
  Appreciation Week

5/7 - 3rd & 5th
  Grade Field Trip &
  School Board
  Meeting at 7PM

5/8 - Bike to School
  Day

5/10 - No School

5/13 - Kindergarten
  Field Trip & Band
  Concert at 7 PM

5/14 - 2nd Grade
  Field Trip

5/15 - 6th Grade
  Field Trip

5/17 - No School

5/21 - 1st Grade Field Trip

5/22 - Back Up Field
  Day

5/23 - Last Day of
  School

How is it May Already? 

We are very fortunate to have such supportive families and guardians. Thank you for trusting us with your kid(s) this year. We are surprised every year how much they grow! We are already preparing things for next school year. With one month 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!

End of Year Testing

All students in kindergarten through 6th grade are taking their NWEA end of year assessments. Please remind your child(ren) to do their best on the assessments. Kindergarten through 3rd graders will also be taking their end of the year DIBELS tests.

Field Day - Thursday, May 2nd 

The kids have been practicing for their field day and they are excited to share their improvements! We hope you can join us and watch your child participate in running events as well as some other fun events. Times are listed below.

  • 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade Field Day

  • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM School wide tug of war

  • 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Field Day

Parents are allowed to sit in the stands while their child(ren) is running and may walk around with the grade level while doing field events. There will be 4 rotations with each rotation lasting approximately 45 minutes. Parents do not need to check in at the office, but if you are taking your child(ren) home with you for the remainder of the day, you MUST sign him/her out in the main office. Each grade level should wear their class color if possible.

  • Kindergarten - Green   

  • 1st Grade - White   

  • 2nd Grade - Yellow

  • 3rd Grade - Purple  

  • 4th Grade - Blue  

  • 5th Grade - Red 

  • 6th Grade - Pink

Bike to School Day - Wednesday, May 8th

Wednesday, May 8th is our annual bike to school day! Students are encouraged to ride their bikes to school. Starting at 2:30 PM - 2:50 PM K-2nd graders will ride their bikes on the street around the football fields. 3:00 PM - 3:20 PM 3rd-6th graders will ride their bikes on the street around the football fields. Please make sure to have your child wear a helmet if possible!

Activities in May

The list of activities/events in May are listed below. 

  • 5/1 - School Board Meeting at 2PM

  • 5/2 - Field Day!

  • 5/3 - No School

  • 5/6 - 6th Grade Transition Day & parent meeting in the center of innovation at 5:30 PM. 

  • 5/6-9 - Teacher Appreciation Week!

  • 5/7 - 3rd Grade field trip to Burlington - Old Town

  • 5/7- 5th Grade Field Trip to Ag Fest

  • 5/7 - School Board Meeting at 7PM

  • 5/8 - Bike to School Day!

  • 5/10 - No School

  • 5/13 - Kindergarten field trip to Fleming

  • 5/13 - Band concert at 7PM

  • 5/14 - 2nd Grade field trip to Sterling

  • 5/15 - 6th Grade field trip to Fort Collins

  • 5/17 - No School

  • 5/21 - 1st Grade field trip to Sterling - Overland Trail

  • 5/22- Back up field day

  • 5/23 - Last day of school for our students. Students will get dismissed at the following times below…

    • 5th/6th Grade - 11:48 AM

    • 3rd & 4th Grade - 11:49 AM

    • K-2nd Grade - 11:50 AM

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 May, we are focusing on “S” State what we’re learning!

S.O.A.R. to Excellence

We are the dragons and we are soaring to excellence with our behavior. SOAR stands for…

  • Safety

  • Ownership

  • Achievement

  • Respect

For the month of May, we are focusing on ALL the letters of SOAR!

What to Expect at the Beginning of Summer Break

The staff has worked very hard to create class lists for the 2024-2025 school year. The elementary staff worked hard to make sure we place students with the teacher that works best with your child as well as made sure students who do not work well together are separated. I have taken the input I received into consideration and have made changes to lists. Not all requests have been met due to other complications. At the end of the school year, we will send home your child’s report card in the mail. Within that mailing, you will find an additional letter indicating who your child will have for the 2024-2025 school year as well as a PT conference time with your child’s teacher during the day on Tuesday, August 13th. If the time does not work, please call the office to reschedule.

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

Sincerely,

Mrs. Andrea Kammer

Holyoke Elementary Principal

6th Grade Transition Day - Monday, May 6th

On Monday, May 6th, 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 and 8th graders. There will be a meeting for parents on the same day at 5:30 PM at the Jr/Sr High School.

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!

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!