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April Principal's Message 2025

April 2025

Dear Holman Families:

The nights seem longer, the flowers are beginning to bloom, the grass is growing, and the warm weather is lingering (somewhat).  The end of the school year is, as usual, looking very busy.   As the weather gets warmer, students become more anxious for the start of summer break.   With that said, it is also important that students continue to work hard on their academics and continue to behave appropriately in school.  We have discussed with students that inappropriate behaviors may lead to the loss of some fun end-of-the-year activities and events.  Please stress to your children the importance of keeping their hands and feet to themselves and respecting other people’s personal space.  

 

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.

 

Report Cards

Report cards for Trimester 2 were available for parent viewing on March 28th in the Parent Portal.  

 

NJSLA (State Standardized Testing)

Continue to visit the district website to view the NJSLA testing calendar (go to the For Parents and Students tab and then Assessments and Grading). 

REMINDER: NJSLA Testing begins in May.  NJASK Science will be administered in late May.  We encourage you to visit the district’s “Understanding Assessments and Grading’’ resource page, which has a host of information about the PARCC and other assessments. The full testing calendar for each school may be accessed by clicking this link.  As I’m sure you are aware, a child will perform more successfully on a test if he/she has proper rest, good nutrition, and arrives at school on time. Your special attention to these areas will help ensure your child has his or her best chance for success!

 

Attention all Parents of 4th and 5th Grade students

Please be on the lookout for information pertaining to next year.  Mrs. Phillips, the newly appointed principal of the fifth and sixth grade school, will be sending out pertinent information regarding important dates and events to assist with your child’s move to the new school.

 

Classroom Placements for 2025- 2026

At this time of year, some parents write to the school regarding their child’s class placement for next year.  Class placement is a complex process that involves the input of many educational professionals and considers many factors.  The ultimate goal of the placement process is to find the best possible match between what is best for the student and what are the strengths of each teacher.  I realize and appreciate your concern, but I will not honor parent requests for particular teachers.  I do, however, value your input and individual concerns for your child.  As in the past, I will accept one non-request. Even if you have submitted a concern in the past, you need to submit it each year.   I will consider any concern or input that you have to offer, if you provide your concern via email to me before April 28th.  Please note that I do not keep concerns from years past.  Concerns written after April 28th may not be taken into consideration.  This will allow the educational professionals sufficient time to find the most appropriate match for your child.  As always, I appreciate your understanding and support in this matter.

 

Spirit Days

Don’t forget to wear your Holman Spirit Wear or red and black on Friday, April 11th.

  • HOPE Upcoming Events
    Yearbooks Sales: Yearbook Sales are now open! Yearbooks will be sold ONLINE ONLY this year. Make sure to order before the deadline (4/15) there will be no extra yearbooks available. To order visit https://www.memorybook.com/online-pay/parent-pay   Use your school code 980229M. Yearbooks are $30.00 each. You can send a personalized “Love Line” at the back of the Yearbook for an additional $2.00.

  • Look for more information to follow in the HOPE Highlights bulletin for HOPE’s next meeting.

 

Summer Camp

Camp Invention is a STEM Summer Camp for students in grade K-6th that is running at Switlik School July 21-24 

Do you want to be an inventor?

 Are you interested in Science? 

How about Engineering? 

Do you love Math?

If this sounds like you, sign up for Camp Invention!!! 

This Summer we will be researching and building a Claw Arcade, making a pneumatic prop in the Illusion Workshop, building our own Control Panel, and studying trajectory as we build a penguin launch to safely move lovable stuffed penguins to land while learning about Physics. Feel free to reach out to the Director, Mrs. Faye Gilmore, fgilmore@jacksonsd.org

 

Looking and Planning Ahead

On Wednesday, April 30th, the Board of Education Meeting will be held at 6:30PM at the Fine Arts Building at JMHS. 

Spring Break will begin on Friday, April 18th and will end on Friday, April 25th.  All students return on Monday, April 28th.   All students will be dismissed from school on Thursday, April 17th at 1:40 PM.

 

Enjoy the break.  Stay safe and healthy.

 

Sincerely,

Rich Karas

Principal, Holman Elementary