February 2021
Dear Holman Families:
I am very proud to announce that Lucy N. Holman Elementary School has been nominated by New Jersey to join the esteemed community of National Blue Ribbon Schools. Up to 9 outstanding public schools can be nominated from New Jersey for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award. We will be working hard on the rigorous application that is due by April 9th and will hopefully be accepted for this prestigious award.
National Blue Ribbon Schools are public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools that are producing outstanding results for all students. These schools have demonstrated consistent excellence and made progress in closing gaps in student achievement. The National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition program is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about effective school leadership and promising instructional practices. Holman Elementary was nominated as an Exemplary High Performing Schools. Since its inception in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized more than 9,000 Great American Schools. Each year, representatives of newly recognized schools gather for a ceremony in Washington, DC where their achievement is officially honored by the U.S. Department of Education. This prestigious award galvanizes school communities and generates inspiring school success stories for the media. It also draws professional and public interest and offers recipients new opportunities to share their hard-won knowledge in districts, states and beyond. Congratulations and thank you to all of our staff, students, and community members who helped to make this happen!
Last weekend was Super Bowl LV and it’s hard to believe that football season is over. It is also hard to believe that half of the school year is over. As always, please be sure to contact your child’s teacher should you have any questions about their progress. Additionally, it is important for students to arrive at school on time. The homeroom period provides students with a smooth transition to a day of learning. At this time, the students review the day’s schedule, copy homework assignments, listen to morning announcements,distribute notes and materials from home to their teachers. To provide your children with a positive start to the day, please plan your morning so your child arrives at school at 8:35 a.m. After 8:45 a.m., students are considered tardy.
With the weather getting colder (then warmer), please visit the district website for all information involving school closings. You may find this information by starting on the district’s main site (www.jacksonsd.org), highlighting the “Calendars and Hours” tab and clicking on “School Hours”.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Kindergarten Registration Has Begun! This year Kindergarten Registration will be done BY APPOINTMENT during February and March. Please do not wait to register - it is very important that we process your registration as soon as possible so we can place your child for next year. Please fill out our online Pre-Registration Form, then the supplemental forms and call right away to make your appointment for February and March. Visit our Kindergarten Registration page at www.jacksonsd.org/kindergarten for more info. Forms may also be picked up at our elementary schools.
Please call the Holman Elementary School at (732) 833-4620 and speak to Mrs. Lynn Goldblatt as soon as possible to schedule a day and time for new kindergartener’s registration.
A Note from our School Nurse
In order to minimize risk to others, we encourage parents to keep your children home if they exhibit any flu symptoms which include fever, body aches, chills, headache, coughing or vomiting. We advise that you keep your children home from school until they are fever-free for a full 24 hours without the use of any fever-reducing medications (such as Tylenol or Advil). While in school, we will be reminding everyone about the importance of preventative actions, such as frequent handwashing and covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze. The CDC also recommends the Flu Shot for anyone above the age of 6 months and high risk groups.
Remember, before sending your child out to the bus stop or dropping them off at school, please take a few moments to make sure that they are dressed appropriately for the weather. Students should come to Holman School wearing clothing that keeps them warm during the school day. Dressing your child in multiple light layers is recommended so that they can remove the top layer if they get too warm while indoors. As the temperatures get colder, please make sure that your child is also wearing the appropriate outerwear, such as a jacket, gloves, hat, etc.
COVID 19 Daily Health Form for Hybrid/Synchronous Students
Please continue to complete your COVID 19 Health Form for Hybrid/Synchronous learning daily by 8:30 am on the days in which your child is attending school in person. This form is found on the Parent Portal.
The next HOPE virtual meeting will be on February 24th at 7:00pm
Topic: HOPE February Meeting
Time: Feb 24, 2021 07:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93441177801?pwd=UUFpNlVMVEdp
dm9hSTBRbFArTkFvUT09
Meeting ID: 934 4117 7801
Passcode: iLCN1
H.O.P.E Fundraiser
Dine to Donate: Surf Taco - All Locations Monday, February 15th, 2021 from 11:00AM - 9:00PM. 25% of your check goes directly to the H.O.P.E organization.
Holman Yearbook
Don’t forget to order the Holman Yearbook for 2020-2021. Yearbook Sales are now open! Yearbooks will be sold online only this year! Make sure to order before the deadline because no extra yearbooks will be available. To order visit https://www.memorybook.com/online-pay/parent-pay/ and use our school code 980229 Yearbooks are $28.00 each and you can send a personalized "Love Line" at the back of the Yearbook for an additional $3.
Attention 5th graders! The yearbook staff is looking for baby pictures of each 5th grader for the yearbook and Friends Forever pictures (pictures of you and your friends through the years! To send in your picture, send 1 baby picture and no more than 3 friends forever pictures to holmanyearbookpictures@gmail.com please make sure to include your child's name in the subject line.
The Yearbook Staff is also looking for pictures from the following events: First Day of School, Pumpkin Decorating Contest (students decorating), Gingerbread Decorating Contest (students decorating), Spirit Days, Holiday Drive Through and any Virtual Learning pictures you may have. Any pictures you would like to send please email to holmanyearbookpictures@gmail.com and include the event in the subject line.
Book Fair
Holman’s virtual book fair is running from 2/19-3/4 . To order please use the following link www.scholastic.com/bf/Holman
Dr. Seuss Theme Dress Up Days
- Monday, Feb 22: Mixed up Monday. Wear your polka dot leopard with Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz. Match plaids with stripes or wear checkers with fuzz.
- Tuesday, Feb. 23: Top Hat Tuesday. Put something silly on top of your head. “Wear a crazy hat or wig” the Cat said.
- Wednesday, Feb. 24: Wacky Wednesday. Be wacky, be crazy it’s crazy Hair Day!
- Thursday, Feb. 25: Snoozy Thursday. Some days it is hard to get out of bed. No need to get dressed. Wear pajamas instead.
- Friday, Feb. 26: Favorite Friday. Dress up as your favorite friend from a Dr. Seuss book and have lots of fun making the look.
Be on the lookout later in the month for a performance by the Holman Staff of an all-new Dr. Seuss story! We will post a video of the performance on the Holman website- more updates to come!
Make-ups for School Pictures
School picture make-ups will be taken on Wednesday, March 24th for all Holman students who are in school during the day. HOLMAN FULL REMOTE STUDENTS, who did not have their picture taken or wish to have a retake, may sign up for an appointment later that day. Be on the lookout around mid-March for an invitation to Sign Up Genius to schedule your child's time.
Elementary Spelling Bee
The Elementary Division held their building Spelling Bees on January 27. The Holman Spelling Bee took place online using the Scripps Online testing platform. Spellers from 4th and 5th grade showed their hard work and dedication throughout the entire process. The winner of this year's spelling bee is 4th grader Christopher Ponik. Christopher will now represent Holman in the Press Communications Regional Spelling Bee held on March 22, 2021. Due to COVID restrictions and for the safety of our learners, there will not be a district-level Spelling Bee, but the 1st place winners of each school bee will move on to the Scripps event if they wish to participate. Parents/Guardians of the School Champions will be contacted through Scripps about their child's participation in the March 22 event. Congratulations to Christopher and all of our participants. If you have any questions, please reach out directly to Dr. Lisa M. Lane, Supervisor of Literacy and ESL (732.833.4600 x 5120).
Advancing to 5-Day In-Person Instruction for Elementary Schools March 1
Free & Reduced Lunch
Please see important information below regarding Free and Reduced Meals:
- Free and Reduced Meal Applications Should be Submitted ASAP
- Although the government has made meals free for all students for the remainder of this year, all families who believe they qualify for free or reduced meal benefits should still apply so their benefits are in place at the beginning of next school year.
- Please visit our Free and Reduced Meal Application Page ASAP to get your application in right away.
- You can apply online and find out immediately if you qualify!
Looking and Planning Ahead
Brain Boosters
Invitations to this program have already been sent out to parents. Sessions will begin on Monday, February 22 - April 1, 2021.
One Book, One School
This year for our One Book, One School (March 1-31) we will be reading Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe. This is a sweet story about a spunky Jack Russell Terrier, his beloved short human, Hattie, and the adventures and challenges they face as they move from an apartment in the city to a home in the suburbs. Much like the Humphrey books we have read in the past, the story is narrated and told from the animal's (Fenway's) point of view. We will be delivering copies of the book to teachers later this week. Holman full remote students had the opportunity to pick up their copy several weeks ago. Family night will take place the week of March 8th.
Board of Education Meeting
On Wednesday, February 17th, there will be a BOE meeting held at 6:30PM at the Fine Arts Center, Jackson Memorial High School. Please wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
School will be closed for all staff and students on Monday, Feb. 15th in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Sincerely,
Rich Karas
Principal, Holman Elementary
