Hollis Grade School
WORKING TOGETHER FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS
HOME AND SCHOOL CONECTION
Issue 9
Mrs. Lee Ann Meinhold, Superintendent/Principal
May 2015
FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT:
Each new school year brings opportunities for academic growth and growth in all areas
of development. The Leader in Me at Hollis Grade School, with the implementation of
the 7 Habits, encourages growth through goal setting. Research has shown that the
simple act of writing a goal greatly increases the chances of accomplishing the goal. If
the goal is broken down into action steps and the action steps are tracked, goals have
an even greater percentage of success.
At Hollis, students have written their own academic and personal goals in their
Leadership Portfolio. You will gain a lot of information on how your child is doing if you
ask them to tell you about these goals. The goals chosen are meaningful to your child
so be sure to practice Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood as
they explain.
The Leadership Portfolio idea can also be used in your home this summer.
● Goals can be created for family activities, such as reading together, eating dinner at
the table, or doing an activity together.
● Academic goals can also be set for the students individually, such as reading a set
number of books over the summer (participating in the Alpha Park Library Summer
Reading program can help), practicing math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication,
and division depending on the grade level), writing stories about their summer activities,
etc.
● Household chores can also be utilized to set goals. Examples are making their bed,
picking up their room, doing the dishes, helping with the laundry, mowing the lawn, etc.
● If your student is involved in summer sports, this is another opportunity for goal setting
– a number of hits, stolen bases, put outs in baseball or softball, improving their times in
swimming, lowering their score in golf, etc.
Involve everyone in the family in choosing meaningful goals and action steps. Post the
goal and the action steps in a visible place, like the refrigerator or a bulletin board in
your student’s bedroom, and be sure to track and celebrate progress!
Hollis: Leaders for Life!
Learners who are
Involved,
Focused, and
Enthusiastic.
K-8 ACADEMIC AWARDS
Parents are cordially invited to attend this presentation of student awards. This
event will be held on Friday, May 22nd at 2:30 PM in the school auditorium.
EARLY DISMISSAL
Friday, May 8th – 11:30
Thursday, May 28th – 11:30 AM
Friday, May 29th – 1:45 PM
NO SCHOOL
Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day
SCHOOL PICNIC/REPORT CARD DAY
On Friday, May 29th, students in grades K-8 will participate in
this annual event. Our PTO will provide lunch. Many games
and activities have been planned for the various grade levels.
Report cards will be distributed at 1:30 PM with dismissal
at 1:45 PM.
PTO MEETING
PTO’s next meeting will be held on May 12, 2015, at 6:30 PM in the Hollis School
Library. Attending is a great way to find out what’s going on and how you can be
involved.
Hollis PTO is in the planning stages of our school picnic! Please get
involved. See you there!
REPORTING ABSENCES & TARDIES
When your child is going to be absent from school, please call the
office at 697-1325 before 9:00 AM. It is mandated that school
personnel have contact with the parents of absent children each
day that the student is absent. To report your child absent
before 8:15 AM, call the main school telephone number at (309)
697-1325. After your call is answered, you will hear a beep and
you may leave your message. Please also call stating the reason your child is tardy.
Tardiness needs a phone call to be excused. Also students need to be signed-in in the
office when they are tardy and/or coming in from being ill. When caregivers take the
time to do this, student safety is guaranteed!
LEADERS OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to the following students for being selected as “Leaders of the Month”
for April.
Grades K-4
Grades 5-8
Caera Berry
Frank Driscoll
Caspian Adams
Katie Perry
Brody Metz
Kaitlin Cassidy
SPRING CONCERTS
Fine Arts Concert
This year's 5-8 bands and chorus concert will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2015. The
program will start at 7:00 PM. Students should dress-up and report to the cafeteria no
later than 6:45 P.M. There will be performances by the chorus and band, as well as,
individual solos. Please come and enjoy our 5-8 students display their many talents.
K-4 Spring Musical
On Thursday, May 14, 2015, K-4 students will present their spring
musical, “This is America.” Please have your child report to the
cafeteria that evening at 6:45 PM. PTO is sponsoring a reception for
Hollis’ new Principal, Mr. Chad Jones, in the cafeteria after the K-4
program.
Arts in Education Spring Celebration
On the following Wednesday, May 20, 2015, all Hollis students will be performing at the
Circle Stage at the Peoria Courthouse for "Spring into Arts Celebration". It will begin at
11:00 AM. More information will be sent home on this event.
CAFETERIA NEWS
The last day for serving hot lunch will be May 27th. The
month of May will include many activities such as the
school picnic and various field trips. Please begin
paying your child’s lunches weekly or daily to avoid
extra paid lunches at the end of the year. Any
questions can be directed to Mrs. Christy Kirby, or Mrs.
Diane Kirkley at 697-1325.
ACTIVITIES HONORS NIGHT
The Activities Recognition Banquet for students involved in Hollis
activities will be Thursday, May 21, 2015, at 6:00 PM in the auditorium.
DENTAL AND PHYSICAL REMINDERS
Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 6th grade students must meet the
following requirement:
In compliance with rules adopted by the Department of Public
Health, all children in Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grades are required to
present proof of an examination by a dentist before May 15, 2015.
CONTINUED FOR 2015-2016
Kindergarten students MUST have forms proving state required immunizations
and physical exams by the first attendance day, which is approximately August 19,
2015. Students in Kindergarten and 6th grade will NOT be allowed to begin school
without these immunization and physical requirements.
Lastly, comprehensive eye examinations, by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, will
continue to be required for children entering KINDERGARTEN or enrolling for the first
time in public, private, or parochial elementary schools in Illinois. Proof of the required
eye examination must be submitted by October 15th of each school year.
NEW REQUIREMENTS
-Children entering the 6th grade shall show proof of having received 3 doses of
Hepatitis B Vaccine.
-Children entering school at any grade level (K-12) shall show proof of having received
2 doses of live rubella virus vaccine.
-Children entering school at any grade level (K-12) shall show proof of having received
2 doses of live mumps virus vaccine.
-Any child entering K and 6th grade shall show proof of having received 2 doses of
varicella vaccine.
HOLLIS’ WHO’s WHO IN ACCELERATED READER
Congratulations to Kyle Leach
who has earned 500 Accelerated Reader Points!
Congratulations to Ryan Young and Kaylee Spenny
who have earned 250 Accelerated Reader Points!
Congratulations to the following students who have earned 100 Accelerated
Reader Points since the April Newsletter:
Andi Potts
Carlee Mohn
Reece Dusek
Diego Garcia
Vinny Reinecke
Sarah Sheckler
Hawkeye Adams
Danielle Thomson
Dustin George
Gracie Galletti
More excellent readers will be recognized on May 22nd
at the Academic Awards Assembly.
FALL BASEBALL TRY OUTS
School baseball try outs will be held on Monday, August 3rd
and Tuesday, August 4th. They will take place at Tuscarora
Park across from Hollis School and go from 10:00-11:30 AM.
5th-8th graders are eligible to participate. Athletes must have
a valid physical to try out. All students, especially if you play
summer baseball, are encouraged to try out since we have low
numbers. Parents should not wait until August to make an
appointment for the sports physicals or you may not get in to
the doctor’s office by the August 3rd deadline. Players need to
bring a hat, glove, and rubber spikes to try outs. If you have any questions, contact
Coach Jordan.
SPELLING BEE
The Spelling Bee took place on Tuesday, April 16, 2015, at 12:15 PM in
the auditorium. Each fifth through eighth grade class had four
representatives.
Congratulations to our Spelling Bee champion,
Avery Butler and runner up, Charli Potts!!!
SCHOLASTIC BOWL NEWS
The Hollis 7th/8th grade Scholastic Bowl team won regionals on Wednesday, April 28 th.
Hollis won Pool A with a win over Norwood and a win over Pleasant Valley. Hollis
played St. Marks for the regional championship. The championship match was tied
after 23 questions at 155-155. Hollis correctly answered question 24 and the 4 bonus
questions to end the match with a score of Hollis, 185, and St. Marks, 155. Hollis
advances to sectionals, Monday, May 4th at Peoria Academy. The first match begins at
4:00 PM.
FREE DENTAL EXAMS FOR CHILDREN AGE 5 AND YOUNGER!
What: Free preventive and diagnostic services such as exams, cleanings, fluoride
treatment, sealants and X-rays
Where:
Friday, July 31, 2015 from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where:
Illinois Central College Downtown Campus
Dental Hygiene Clinic, Room Thomas 105L
201 SW Adams Street
Peoria, IL 61602
Who:
Children ages 5 and younger
This visit will satisfy the mandatory dental screening required to enter Kindergarten.