What's Happening in Art

If you haven't had a chance to see the new art work on the bulletin boards at Holmes please come and take a look, or visit Ms. Kawai's teacher website to find out what students have been creating:


SEPAC Meeting: Understanding the PPT Process
 
Understanding the PPT Process with Shirley Klein, Assistant Superintendent of SESS, Dr. Scott McCarthy, Program Director of SESS and Laura Straiton, Interim Program Director of Early Childhood, SESS Preschool through 2nd grade.
Administrators will demystify the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) process and explain referral to -- and eligibility for -- special education...update district policy on team members in your child's PPT...and highlight the role a parent plays in the PPT.  
Tuesday, December 15
, 9:30-10:30. Tokeneke School Common Room. Attendees are encouraged to submit preliminary questions and RSVP by Friday, Dec. 11th at dariensepac@gmail.com.
Sponsored by the Tokeneke PTO and SEPAC.

 
Help Us Send Our Teacher To Summer School 
 
Donate to the Reiss Fund today! 
 
Just this past summer, two Holmes teachers received Reiss Fund grants to support their learning; Erin Brown attended the Teacher's College Reading Institute and Kelly Soisson participated in a six week course on mindfulness. And a total of 17 teachers throughout the district took classes in sciences, the arts and music, and literacy thanks to your generosity.
 
For over 50 years, the Reiss Fund has generously awarded scholarships to our teachers allowing them to further their studies over the summer in an area of interest, exploration or enrichment. The learning from these incredible experiences comes back to our children's classrooms, enriching the learning that goes on and elevating the enthusiasm with which it is delivered.
 
Our ability to offer this extraordinary scholarship program to our Darien Public School teachers sets our district apart in Fairfield County. Our ability to continue to support our teachers through Reiss Fund grants depends on you.
 
Please make a secure online donation today at  reissfund.org, where you can also print out a mail-in a donation form to send in with your check.
 
Please join us in supporting the Reiss Fund.
 
Thank you!

Sara Franzese and Kristen Barnard
Holmes PTO Co-chairs


Darien After School 
 
Holmes After School Winter class schedules are posted on our website www.darienafterschool.com.  For a printable copy with descriptions, click here:  Holmes Winter After School Schedule
New this winter is a video game designers, cupcake club, painting masters and more!  With options to suit many interests and grades each day, we hope you can join us this winter for FUN after school.

General registration opens 10am on 12/6 for the winter session running 1/11 through 4/8/16.

Questions to info@darienafterschool.com

See you after school!


Tip of the Week:
 
Is honesty the best policy? The Search Institute's research shows that kids are more likely to grow up healthy when they make a habit of telling the truth. Talk to your child about what it means to be truthful. Praise them for choosing to be honest, even in difficult situations. Let your child witness you telling the truth, whether it's returning incorrect change, or honestly telling their age for 12 and under movie tickets!
 
For more information visit:  www.thrivingyouthdarien.org 
A Community Fund initiative:  Let's Get Talking - Thriving Youth.  

In This Issue
Calendar of Events
  
December
1-4      Conference Week - 
           Early Dismissal 1:25PM
15       Parent Workshop Kindergarten
23       Early Dismissal 1:25PM
24-1    Holiday Break 
 

January
12       Parent Workshop Math
14       PTO Meeting 9:30AM CR
18       MLK - No School
21       Parent Workshop Literacy  
   



 


 

Getting ready to pack lunches? Reusable food containers save the Earth, and they save you money! Please pack waste-free lunches! 
  
Any questions, email Susie at flahtsus622@yahoo.com!

THANK YOU!

  
 
Community News
 
DARIEN ARTS CENTER - WINTER HOLIDAY WORKSHOP
Get your shopping done while your children make crafts that capture the whimsy of the season. Kids will love creating memorable pieces of art that can be used as decorations or gifts. Sat. Dec. 12 from 2-3:30pm in the DAC Visual Arts Studio. For ages 5 & up. Sign up by Dec. 10 at 
Fee for the workshop is $30 per person. No registration fee. The Darien Arts Center is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind Darien Town Hall.

***

Noroton Fire Department's Annual Toys 4 Tots Collection:
Noroton Fire Department is an official drop off location for the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Foundation.  With the community's help we collected over 2,000 toys last year.  We're asking for you to join us again this year to help us achieve our goal of collecting 2,300 new, unwrapped toys for Toys For Tots.  So please stop by Noroton FD anytime and leave a donation in the Toys for Tots bin in the back parking lot.  We're located at 1873 Post Road across from St. Luke's Church.  Or better yet, get together with your friends, neighbors or organizations and start your own collection.  Then give us a call and we'll come to your neighborhood with a fire truck to pick up your donations.  We're available on weekends (and some weekdays too) from from November 28th through December 20th from 10am - 3pm. This is a great cause and giving back is what the holiday season is all about.  Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy to a child in need. 
We have had the pleasure of working with Boy/Girls Scout Troops,  and Kids Care Clubs.  We would love to partner with you again this year and either come to your meeting with a fire truck or offer a tour of the fire house.
Please contact Alan Hyatt at 203.943.8649 or hyatt1996@yahoo.com   to schedule a pick up for your neighborhood or organization.

***

Early Learning Program Applications
The Early Learning Program Applications are accepted from November 1, 2015 to January 6, 2016 for students who will be turning 3 and 4 years old during the 2016-2017 school year.
At this time, ELP does not have a preschool option for children who are 5 years old or who will be turning 5 years old. 
A lottery drawing will be held and parents will be notified/emailed by January 16, 2016 regarding acceptance.
To apply for the 2016-2017 School Year please click the link below:

***
 
Annual Community Wide Movie benefiting the Human Services Holiday Gift Drive
The annual "Community-Wide Movie" benefiting the Human Services Holiday Gift drive is MONDAY, DECEMBER 7.  Taking place at the Darien Playhouse, the feature presentation will be the newly released film:  "THE GOOD DINOUSAUR!"   (This movie is premiering in theaters on Wednesday, November 25.  Please consider waiting and bringing the whole family to this event on the 7th.  Or better yet, see it twice!) 
This event is "free," however in lieu of payment, each movie-goer is asked to bring donations as follows: gift cards (e.g. Barrett Bookstore; Walmart; CVS; Walgreen's; Target; local eateries; etc.) a new toy, books, etc.  All items should be new and unwrapped with a value of at least $15 each.  To get tickets, an adult should come the Darien Youth Commission office (Room 110) in the Town Hall on Monday, 12/07.  Movie-goers then bring tickets and gifts to the theater for admissions.  (Theater doors open @ 3:45; show-time is 4:15.)  Based on availability, tickets may be available at the theater.  To confirm this, call 203-656-7388 after @ 2:00 p.m. on the 7th. 
 
This event is not a drop-off event.  All children must be accompanied by an adult (at least one adult per four children is required.)  Tickets and gifts are required for adult movie-goers as well.  Sponsored by the Selectman's Office, the Darien Youth Commission, the Depot's Helping Hands Club, the Darien Human Services Department and the Darien Playhouse, inquiries should be directed to 656-7388 or youthcommission@darienct.gov
.   
In the event that you are unable to attend on the 7th, please consider donating any of the above- mentioned items to the Human Services Department to supplement this gift drive!
 
 





 
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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Holmes to Home / Holmes School / Darien, Connecticut 06820 / (203) 353-4371