Kindergarten Orientation Reminder
 
Kindergarten Orientation for incoming Kindergarteners is Thursday, April 7 and Friday, April 8.
There will be NO SCHOOL for current kindergarten students on those days.


Before and After School Registration is OPEN

Play indoors and out, paint your way to master, or run and jump on the playground, you will find many fun things to do after school this SPRING!

Go to www.darienafterschool.com for class details and to register.

Or for a printable flyer click here:  Holmes After School  


Volunteer For Next Year!  

Believe it or not, it's already time to start thinking about next year! The PTO is 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 hear from you! 

Below are specific positions that need volunteers. If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact PTO Vice Chairs Jennifer Woodbury (jennifer.woodbury@gmail.com) or Sima Farmer (sfdfarmer@yahoo.com) directly: 
  • Treasurer (2 people needed) 
  • Fundraising (2 people needed)
  • Environmental Committee (2 chair people needed)
  • Literary Magazine (1-2 chair people needed)
  • PTO Special Education Representative (1-2 people needed)
If you are interested in volunteering for any other committees or want to be a room parent for the 2016-17 school year, please fill out this quick form:
http://holmespto.com/volunteer-opportunity-form/ 

Detailed job descriptions about the various PTO volunteer opportunities can be found here:        
 
Order Your 2015-16 Yearbook
 
Placing your online order is as easy as 3 simple steps:
  1. Visit www.memorybook.com/parentpay
  2. Enter pay code 78743 
  3. Buy a yearbook for $24.00
Last date to order April 1st. For scholarship orders, please contact M'liss Conetta in the school office by March 21st.
Please contact Leslie Reber (lesliemreber@gmail.com) or Susan Maher (zaccandy@gmail.com) with any questions.


Darien Day at the Sound Tigers - Rescheduled Date 
 
Due to snow in January, the original Darien Day with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers has been rescheduled to Sunday, April 3 at 5:00. The choruses from all five Darien elementary schools will sing and there will be a very special opportunity after the game for all families to skate on the ice with Storm, the Sound Tigers' mascot! Bring your skates and have a blast with friends and family. April 3rd is also "Pucks and Paws" night...you can even bring your dog to the game!

Please see the attached flyer for details. Tickets are $20, discounted from $39 with a portion of the price going to the Holmes PTO.  Payment is due on March 25th.

Families who purchased tickets for the January game will automatically receive tickets for the new date and do not need to send in another check.

Please contact Sara Parent (saradparent@gmail.com) with any questions.
 

Girl Scout Toy Drive 
 
During the month of March, Darien Girl Scouts will be leading their Annual Toy Drive to stock the Toy Closet at the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital.  A Donation Box has been placed outside the Common Room (near the desk). Donations will be accepted until March 31.  We welcome any toys appropriate for ages newborn - 18 years old (suggestions include but are not limited to: art kits, board games school supplies, sporting goods, craft kits, coloring books, crib toys, bike helmets & books).  Please contact Sima Farmer at sfdfarmer@yahoo.com or Brett Edgar at bedgar@droga5.com  with any questions.
 

March SEPAC Meeting

Orton-Gillingham Instruction: What Parents Should Know 
Tuesday, March 29, 7:15pm, Royle 
 
Please join SEPAC for a presentation by Andrea Greer Silvia, an expert reading instructor and Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy, on Tuesday, March 29, at 7:15 PM, at Royle School. Please RSVP to Darien SEPAC at dariensepac@gmail.comParents will be introduced to the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching students with language-based learning challenges and its practical application in academic settings. Darien Special Education administrators will attend. Ms. Silvia will present:
  • What is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
  • What are the Essentials of the Approach?
  • What is the Content of Instruction?
  • What is the Process of Instruction?
  • Questions and Answers
 
Thriving Youth 
 
"Send clear messages about your values, expectations, hopes and dreams for your children." - Dr. Debi Boccanfuso

Research shows that young people whose families have high hopes for them have higher self-esteem, try harder, do better in school, and believe they'll be successful in their lives. Encourage children to do their best and develop their unique talents. Make sure to have realistic expectations for their development and don't push them beyond their own pace.  Ask them about their dreams and encourage them, no matter how fanciful they may seem.  Talk early, talk often, The Community Fund of Darien/Thriving Youth/CDSP
 
 
For more information visit:  www.thrivingyouthdarien.org 
A Community Fund initiative:  Let's Get Talking - Thriving Youth.  

In This Issue
Calendar of Events

March
25       No School (Good Friday)
28       No School (Staff
           Development)
29       SEPAC Meeting @ Royle, 7:15pm  
April 
1         Gr 3 Music Share, CR
1         Gr 2 to Bridgeport Cabaret
5         Gr 5 Visit MMS Len Cabral
           Author Visit
7-8      K Orientation - No School for K
11-15  No School - Spring Recess
21       Earth Balloon All Grades, Gym
25       Gr K-1 Theatreworks Perf.
  

 

 



 


Thank you for your submitting your Box Tops!  Through your great efforts, we have raised over $1,300 for Holmes School this year.  
Please keep clipping!  We will collect once more in early June and those Box Tops will count toward next year's goal.


 

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
 

NOROTON YACHT CLUB SUMMER JR SAILING PROGRAM - OPEN TO ALL!
Noroton Yacht Club is accepting non-members to its junior sailing program this summer, 2016.  NYC offers classes appropriate for both young beginners and advanced teen racers (and everything in-between).  Boat types are: Optis, Pixels, c420s, Lasers (4.7 rig, radial rig & full rig), BIC O'pens and Big Boats.  8-17 year olds are eligible.  Beginner and intermediate programs are 4 & 8 weeks; advanced and racing programs are 8 weeks only.  Program highlights: experienced instructors; superior beginning sailor instruction; racing team; exceptional racing coaching; fun classes and big boats.   Please email Connor Brady at sailingdirector@norotonyc.org or view website at www.norotonyc.org. 
 
***

Drop It & Drive Poster Contest
Drop It & Drive In Darien invites all Darien elementary school students to design a poster that promotes safer driving in our Darien community. The theme of the contest is "Let's Make Darien A Safer Community. On the Road = Off The Phone." Winners for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be selected from each of two categories: grades K-2 and grades 3-5. First place winners will receive $75 cash; 2nd place $50; 3rd place $25. Winning entries will be displayed at the Darien Library. Contest runs now through Monday, April 11th. Go to www.dropitct.org for submission guidelines or email Whitney Ball at dropitanddrive@outlook.com with questions.

***

Wild" Author Cheryl Strayed & the Darien Library
Ticket and tables are currently on sale for Darien Library's first-ever "Novel Tea" fundraiser featuring bestselling author Cheryl Strayed. The lunch will be held at Wee Burn Country Club on Wednesday, March 30 from 12-2pm, and each guest will receive a signed copy of Wild. Visit http://www.darienlibrary.org/noveltea for tickets, tables and more information. 


*** 
DARIEN ARTS CENTER
Summer Camps and Classes for all ages in dance, visual arts, music, theatre, and martial arts.
Registration is open for all summer camps & classes. New: Performance Kids, theatre camp for ages 3-5, Ninja Kids, martial arts camp for ages 4-8,Camp DAC Comedy Show! variety show/comedy camp for gr. 5-8, Staycation Art Workshop, multi-media visual arts for ages 7-12, & Student Directed Musical Revue for high school students. Also available: Let's Put on a Show! Art, Dance & Theatre Camp for gr. 1-4, Dance Intensive for gr. 2-5, Martial Arts for ages 4-12, Music Composition for gr. 2-7, private music instruction, Choreography, & Ballet Intensive/Pointe by permission. Register at darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 
Renshaw Rd., behind Town Hall. 

***

DARIEN ARTS CENTER - Pic Darien: Smart Phone Photo Contest
Open to All, accepting entries through April 4. 
This contest is open to ALL: there is no age limit, and contestants do not need to be a Darien resident to enter. Submit smart phone photos online at  darienarts.org until April 4. Enter either as a student age 15 & under or as an adult age 16 & over, in 1 of 7 themed prize categories: My Darien, Family and Friends, Landscapes/Nature, Travel, Pets, Abstract, Photobomb/Selfie. 1st Place & Honorable Mention cash prizes will be awarded to adults & children in all categories. Slideshow of entries will be shown at Award and Reveal Reception at DAC on April 8 and at Darien's Got Talent on June 25. Find out more at darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Rd., behind Town Hall. 
 
***

Darien Boy Scouts Accepting Donations for May 1st Annual Tag Sale! 
While you are doing your Spring cleaning, please consider donating your items to the Boy Scouts. We eagerly seek:  Antiques, collectibles, jewelry, instruments, furniture, strollers, baby items, lawnmowers, tools, snow blowers, electronics, stereo equipment, turntables, speakers, computers (Pentium IIIs & newer), flat screen TVs, cell phones, CDs, DVDs, records, sporting goods, housewares, lamps and linens, rugs, dishes & decorative items, paintings, pictures, books, games and toys, bikes, trikes & scooters, holiday items, and knick knacks.  All donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.
Drop off donations at the Scout Cabin at 140 West Avenue: April 13-16 & 20-23 from 9am-1pm & April 14, 15, 21 & 22 from 6-8 pm. Local pick-ups available for items too large for your car on April 9 & 23 from 9am-1pm. Go to www.darienscouts.org or call 203-656-1830 ext 3 for more info or to schedule a pick-up.   
 
 
 





 
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