May Principal's Message 2025

Dear Holman Families:

 

Mother’s Day is celebrated differently from family to family but the spirit of the day remains the same.  We honor that person we call “mom” for being that special person in our lives that sticks with us through thick and thin.  My best wishes to all for a Happy Mother’s Day.  

 

 

Staff Appreciation Week

Holman Elementary School will celebrate Staff Appreciation Week on Monday, May 19th - Friday, May 23rd.  I am extremely proud and impressed by our teachers’ and staff members’ passion, strength and patience as they have dealt with all of the continued challenges of the 2024-2025 school year.  If you would like, take a moment and have your child write a special message or draw a picture to recognize their teacher or a special staff member.

 

 

NJSLA (State Standardized Testing)

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!

 

Students must make sure that their Chromebook is fully charged for testing EVERY DAY.  Also, note that cell phones and smartwatches are prohibited during state testing.  All cell phones and smartwatches must be silenced and stored in backpacks.

 

Testing Dates will be as follows: Grades 3-5 Literacy 5/6 - 5/7

                                                     Grades 3-5 Math 5/13, 5/14 & 5/15

                                                     Grade 5 Science 5/19 - 5/23

 

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 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 – including:Assessment Dates 2024-2025   

 

 

Informational sessions for our Fourth and Fifth Grade Students

Mrs. Phillips will be hosting informational sessions for incoming fifth and sixth grade students (current fourth and fifth graders at Holman).

 

The Incoming Fifth Grader Session will be held on Wednesday, May 7th at 6:00PM in the Goetz Middle School.

 

The Incoming Sixth Grader Session will be held on Wednesday, May 14th at 6:00PM in the Goetz Middle School.

 

 

Moving Up Ceremonies for our Fourth and Fifth Grade Students

As many of you may already know, our current fourth and fifth grade students will be moving on to the Goetz School to continue their education path in the Jackson School District.  To celebrate this promotion, we will be hosting a variety of special events for both our fourth and fifth grade students this year.

 

A special Moving Up Ceremony will be held for our fourth and fifth grade students on Thursday, June 12th.  The fifth grade students will celebrate at 10:00 am and the fourth grade students will celebrate at 12:00 pm (noon).  These ceremonies will be held separately in the Holman Elementary School gymnasium.

 

In addition, our fourth and fifth grade students will also participate in a "Fun Day" filled with special events and activities.  The fifth grade Fun Day will be held on Friday, June 6th while the fourth grade Fun Day will be held on Monday, June 9th.

 

Fourth grade students will be encouraged to apply during Spring Break to "shadow" our fifth grade safeties and assist various younger grade level students for the remainder of the year.  Mr. Winters, the facilitator of the Safety Club, will be discussing this process with all fourth grade students in April prior to Spring Break.

 

And finally, students in grades four and five will be leaving their lasting impressions in the hallways of Holman Elementary as they add their handprints to the Trees of Knowledge.  This event has been a time honored tradition for over a decade at Holman Elementary.  Graduating seniors who visit prior to leaving the district are excited to see their imprint on the wall.

 

I hope that you can join us for our special Moving Up ceremonies on June 12th.  I look forward to celebrating these special events with you and your children.  More information will be forthcoming as we get closer to these events.  All the best for a successful academic future!

 

 

Field Days

Field Day Dates will be as follows: 

Kindergarten - 6/5
Grade 1 - 6/4
Grade 2 - 6/3
Grade 3 - 5/30
Grade 4 - 5/29
Grade 5 - 5/28

 

Spirit Days

Don’t forget to wear your Holman Spirit Wear on Friday, May 9th. 

 

 

Student Dress Code

It is starting to become that time of the year when the warm breezes are blowing and we can soon begin to wear summer clothing.  With that said…..It is also time to review dress codes with students especially the excerpt regarding NO FLIP-FLOPS or OPEN TOED Shoes.  We have seen several violations which as you know can be a real hazard.  Please see the excerpt from the student handbook below. If you have any questions please contact the Main Office.

Restrictions on freedom of students’ dress will be imposed whenever the code of dress in question is unsafe either for the student or for those around him/her or whenever it is disruptive to school operations and the educational process in general.  Specifically:

 

Students will not wear hats, caps, or other head coverings in the building.

No clothing, jewelry, or item that promotes violence, bigotry, profanity or use of a restricted substance, and/or otherwise deemed inappropriate, or interferes with the instructional setting.

Jewelry and clothing should not restrict movement, be distracting or cause a safety hazard to oneself or others.

No micro-mini shorts or skirts will be permitted.  Skirts/shorts must be no shorter than mid-thigh in length.

No boxers, spandex shorts or cutoff shorts will be worn.

 

No torn or tattered clothing.

All students must wear shoes at all times for safety and health reasons.  No flip-flops or open-toed footwear are allowed.

Students should not wear outer clothing in the building.

All shirts should cover students’ shoulders, backs and come down to the waistline.

Tank tops and backless shirts are not permitted.

 

Are you moving?

Whether it’s down the block, across town in Jackson, or to a completely different state, if you are moving, please make sure that you contact the main office to update your records or have your files transferred.

 

 

Hope Meeting

Come to our next HOPE meeting Monday, May 19h at 7:00 PM.  More information will be in the May HOPE Highlights.

 

 

Board of Education Meeting

The next BOE meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21st,  6:30 PM @ JMHS Fine Arts Building.

 

 

School will operate on a shortened day (1:40 PM dismissal) Monday, May 12th for students only. Staff will have a PM Professional Development. 

 

School will operate on a shortened day (1:40 PM dismissal) on Friday, May 23rd and will be closed on Monday, May 26th in observance of Memorial Day.  Enjoy the holiday with family and friends.

 

 

Sincerely, 

Rich Karas