Thank you to Jennifer Rideout for arranging the wonderful Staff Appreciation luncheon last Tuesday! It received RAVE reviews and huge thanks from everyone who was able to enjoy the special treat. She also managed to create wonderful banners signed by the children in recognition of Secretaries Day, Nurses Day and for our amazing custodians.
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Please clear your schedule on Wednesday May 20th at 8:45AM for our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. It is a time for EVERYONE who pitches in to help a little or a lot can come together, give-and-get a pat on the back in gratitude, and just enjoy each others' company before the year comes to a close. We all know that parent volunteers are a huge part of our school community and success, so let's celebrate the hard work and the people who do it!
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"Technology and Social Media"
Wednesday, May 20th 9:30-10:30am, Common Room
(immediately following the Volunteer Breakfast)
Holmes School Parents, are you interested to learn more about Technology and Social Media as it relates to your children?
How should you guide your children? Do you know the dangers that exist with social media? Do you know how to set parameters so that your children are safe?
Detective Mark Cappelli, one of two Youth Officers from Darien's Police Department will discuss this topic. He will be joined by the Police Department's Computer Forensic Specialist, Detective Chet Perkowski who has firsthand knowledge of this topic. The Detectives will lead the session with a short presentation followed by a question and answer session.
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Watch your child's backpack for a neon yellow card listing the many ways you can be involved in the Holmes School volunteer community next year! We are looking forward to welcoming all willing helpers: working parents or stay-at-home parents, moms or dads, there is an opportunity for you to be involved and we want to meet and greet you! So fill out your card (let us know if you did not receive one) and either stamp it and drop in the mail, or return via the backpack to school. Please note that next year's room parents will be drafted via this card. In the event we receive more volunteers than needed, room parents will be selected by lottery.Additionally, once you send in your card, please make a note to join us for a volunteer appreciation breakfast on May 20 from 8:45am in the Common Room. Younger siblings welcome! Any questions, please contact Jennifer Woodbury at jennifer.woodbury@gmail.com or Jennifer Rideout at jenrideout@gmail.com.
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All second graders and their parents are invited to attend the Darien String Program's INTRODUCTION TO STRINGS NIGHT on TUESDAY, MAY 26 at 7:00 P.M. at Middlesex Middle School Auditorium. This evening program will introduce interested incoming third graders to the violin, viola and cello. Parents will receive information on the in-school lesson program and string rental procedures. The Third Grade String Program involves weekly half-hour lessons during the school day. There are usually two concerts a year. If your child is interested in playing a string instrument in the Third Grade String Program, we encourage you to attend. If you are unable to attend, please contact your school's string teacher or 203-655-3981, ext. 2287 to have an informational packet sent home.
If you have any questions about any aspect of the elementary the string program, please contact the elementary school string teachers, Dawn Hanley (DHanley@darienps.org), Dylan Spielvogel (DSpielvogel@darienps.org) or Jane Minnis (JMinnis@darienps.org).
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June 2nd, 2015
10am
Darien Board of Education Building, 35 Leroy Avenue
Hosted by Cory Gillette, Literacy Program Coordinator
All parents of students in second to fifth grade are invited to a book club discussion of a popular and old favorite children's book, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson. Through the discussion, facilitated by Cory Gillette, participants will learn: the expectations for comprehension in a book of that level, the characteristics of books at lower and higher levels and how parents can support comprehension at home.
Copies of the book are available at the Darien Public Library and Barrett's Bookstore.
Please RSVP to cgillette@darienps.org by May 28th.
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Update--Darien's Special Education Priorities, John Verre and Debbie Farber, Monday, May 18th, 7:30 PM, Royle School Common Room. Topics to be addressed:
1. ESY Student Schedule Update
2. Transition to 15/16 school year:
a. Appropriate staff contacts for ESY or IEP questions
b. Decision making process regarding teacher notification
3. District Priorities Update including: 6 day schedule and 200/300 Level Class Structure
4. Consistency in Elementary Schools
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Dear Parents,
All current third and fourth grade students who wish to begin learning a Band instrument for the first time next school year are highly encouraged to attend an evening meeting on Wednesday May 27th at 7:00pm in the Tokeneke School Common Room. An explanation of our band program, instrument demonstrations and sign up will take place at this time. All interested students must be accompanied by a parent.
For more information please email
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Hawks! Spring is here, and so is the Holmes Spirit gear! There are so many new styles that you don't want to miss out on before the end of the year. Check out the new Tie-Dye sport bags, shirts and hoodies! To purchase or see collection, please email ashley.bartolotta@gmail.com
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The Middlesex Middle School MPA nominating process for 2015-2016 is almost complete. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered! We are still looking for someone to work on the information book with an emphasis on coordinating with the printer, gathering changes, and proofing the document. Most of the work is done in the spring and the week preceding and following the opening of school in the fall. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more, please contact Liane Zielinski, lcarita@optonline.net or Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, ebfitzpatrick24@gmail.com or Dawn Edgar, dawnedgar@mac.com.
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Save the date: Moving Up Ceremony is Monday June 15, 9:30-10:45am. More details about "end of year" events to follow.
Any questions, please contact Deb Wayland @ deb.wayland@gmail.com or Tricia Gallagher @ trishgalla@optonline.net.
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School Supplies- Order by 5/29
SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR NEXT YEAR ARE NOW ON SALE!!! SOME ITEMS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS (read on).
If you choose to purchase school supplies through the PTO program please follow the ordering instructions. The website is www.SuppliesToPlease.com. Please click here for prices and supply lists. All students are required to have a homework folder. Students in grades 3-5 are required to have an assignment book. These can be purchased as part of the supply pack or separately. You can also order by mailing in the order form.
Scholarships are available through Paula Bleakley, but must be submitted by 5/29. Questions? Email Christina Ramos or Sue Blenke.
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Darien Librarians will visit Holmes School on May 28th and June 4. During their visits, they will share exclusive details about the Library's Summer Reading program and reveal top-secret summer reading booklists!
In addition the Children's Department at the Darien Library has some great programs happening in May. For information go to
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School supplies for your incoming 6th grader are now on sale. Ordering your supplies through the MPA saves you time and money while also raising money for our school. New this year, supplies are by grade with input from each department thereby eliminating multiple Staples visits in that first week of school. To order, go to epipacks.com and enter the code MID003. Orders must be placed by May 22. Questions: contact Theresa Vogt at tcvogt3@gmail.com
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Community News
Learn to Sail this Summer!
Darien Junior Sailing still has limited space available for all levels of instruction from the novice to the advanced level junior sailor. Instruction includes daily sailing lessons at Weed Beach on Optimist sailboats for sailors 8-14 years of age. Programs run across three sessions beginning on Wednesday, June 17th through Friday, August 7th. Registration and further information can be found online at http://www.darienjuniorsailing.com. This program is open to Darien Residents through DJST- a community non-profit organization. For more information or questions, please contact Jennifer Burgess at dariensailing@gmail.com.
Memorial Day Food Fair - Darien EMS/Post 53 brings you the Food Fair at Tilley Pond Park following the parade! Come enjoy food, entertainment, games and a variety of booths -- great fun for all ages! Extra surprises in the silent auction, bags and buckets, kids games and more. Entry is $5. The Fair opens after the Memorial Day parade until 2PM. Tickets will be on sale around town - buy early or at the gates.
The Memorial Day Food Fair is a major fundraiser for Post 53 which provides 24-hour emergency medical service for Darien, CPR training and stand-by EMS coverage for sports and events. For more information contact (203) 655-8980 or www.post53.info.
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Darien Soccer Association Fall Registration is now OPEN. Simply go to www.dariensoccer.org and click on the "Register Online" button on the left hand side to register. Travel soccer registration will run from May 6th - May 15th (Late Fee of $100 May 16th - 20th). Club Excel and K- 2 Soccer registration is open from May 6th through June 1st (late fee June 2nd - June 1st). Key Dates and Tryout Schedules are posted on the website. The K-2 program focuses on teaching kids from kindergarten through 2nd grade the basics and enjoyment of soccer. Kids going into third grade and up can play either Club Excel or Travel: Club Excel is our house league.Kids must try out for the Travel program.Information on our programs is also available on our web site. Come and see why the DSA is now one of the most successful soccer organizations in Connecticut!
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Nature Center Camp - Calling all Dragonflies (age 5 by May 1st) and Centipedes (ages 6-8 by May 1st) ! The Darien Nature Center still has some space in our wonderful WEEKLY summer camp. Each week features a different theme complete with special visitors, field trips and learning fun! You may sign up by the week and the hours are M-Th from 9-2 and Fridays 9-1 ending the week with a concert at 12:30, membership is required for sign up. Registration can be done online at www.dariennatturecenter.org or call us at 203-655-7459.
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Attention 5th Grade Parents: On Wed., May 20 from 4-5:30 pm, all 5th Graders are invited to a fun-filled, town-wide 5th Grade Party at the Depot. Drop your fifth graders off at the Depot for an afternoon of fun including: face painting, music, and games with a DJ as well as pizza and ice cream. The cost for the event is $20.**If any parent is available to chaperone we would greatly appreciate your help! Please contact Tara Fram ( tfram@yahoo.com) or Sue Trager ( suetrager4@gmail.com) if you are able to do so. Rain date: Fri., May 22 @ 4- 5:30 pm. Thank you! We hope to see your kids there! ***
DARIEN ARTS CENTER: The Darien Arts Center encourages artists of all ages to participate in its 57th Annual Art Show and Sale, held Saturday, May 30, through Saturday, June 6. Artists can register at darienarts.org and can drop off entries on Tuesday, May 26 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. To find out more about the 57th Annual Art Show and Sale or to register, go to darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Rd., behind town hall.
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For recently distributed newsletter please visit our archive. Sincerely, |
Submission Guidelines:
Please send your submission in the text of your e-mail, single spaced and left adjusted, with "HTH Submission" in the subject line to holmes2home@gmail.com.
Make sure you include a contact name and email or website in the text of your submission for questions.
We do not accept files or formatted text.
Please limit your submission to one paragraph. All text may be edited. Submission does not guarantee publication.
Community submissions must be local, 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organizations and parent or child-related. We will not include advertisements for businesses. Submissions will run for two weeks.
The deadline for submission is Monday by 4pm; H2H is normally distributed on Wednesdays.
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Calendar of Events
May:
5/15 Gr 2 Cabaret Theatre
5/19 Spring Concert @ DHS 7PM
5/20 PTO Volunteer Breakfast and PTO Meeting w/ Darien Police 8:45-10:30AM
5/21 DHS STEM Program 9:15-11AM
5/25 Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
5/28 Field Day Gr K-1 1:30-3:10PM
5/28 Book Talk with Darien Library
5/29 Field Day Gr 4-5 9:30-11:30AM; Gr 2-3 1-3PM
5/30 Field Trip Honors Band & Orchestra 7AM-7PM June: 6/1 Raindate Field Day Gr K-1 6/2 Raindate Field Day Gr 4-5 6/4 Executive Board Mtg New/Old 9:15AM 6/8 Author's Tea Bartl 2:15-3PM 6/10 Author's Tea Tate 2:15-3PM 6/11 Author's Tea English 2:15-3PM 6/12 Author's Tea Lambert 2:15-3PM 6/12 Gr 5 Picnic 12:45-2:30PM 6/12 Gr 4 State Extravaganza 9AM-1PM 6/15 Moving Up Ceremony, 9:30-10:45 6/16 Last Day of School for Students
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Thank you to everyone who submited Box Tops during our Spring collection! We have now earned $1,300 for Holmes this year through your efforts. We will be collecting Box Tops one last time in June, so please keep clipping!
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T here are a limited number of Holmes water bottles and totes available on a first come-first served basis. Please fill out the order form and send it with your payment in your child's backpack asap. Thank you!
Remember that Earth Day is EVERY day. Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
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Please register your card and earn money for Holmes School. It needs to be renewed each year!
Thank You!
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When you shop at Amazon Smile 0.5% of the price will be donated to
Holmes School.
Please register your Target REDcard. You just need to enroll and link your card number to Holmes School.
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