1. education
2. school

Hollis Grade School
WORKING TOGETHER FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS
HOME AND SCHOOL CONNECTION
Issue 2
Mrs. Lee Ann Meinhold, Superintendent/Principal
October, 2014
FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT:
Hollis: Leaders for Life!
Learners who are
Involved,
Focused, and
Enthusiastic.
Hollis Grade School is officially one of
1,476 schools worldwide in the Leader
in Me process.
I invite all parents to attend a morning
meeting. Students arrive to a typical
morning meeting in the gym around
8:00 AM to music playing over the PA.
When the bell rings at 8:20 AM, the music stops and the students get silent. The members of the
Student Lighthouse Team greet their fellow students with an enthusiastic “Good morning Hollis
Hawks!” and make announcements such as, the day of the week, lunch choices, and
announcements regarding athletic games and practices. The winners of the Golden Awards are
announced every Friday - the Golden Microphone for the best music class of the week, the Golden
Tennis Racket for the best PE class of the week, the Golden Goggles for the best swim class of
the week, the Golden Lunch Tray for best behaved and best at cleaning up their eating area, the
Golden Trash Can for the cleanest classroom, and the Golden Book for no overdue library books.
A weekly display of which class won which Golden Award is in the display case in the foyer. On
the last Friday of the month, Leaders of the Month are awarded. You can find September’s
Leaders of the Month and the criteria on the third page of this newsletter.
th
As of Friday, September 26 , Hollis students can complete applications for any of the following
school-wide jobs: Lost and Found Patrol, Band Aid, Junior Librarian, Spirit Squad, Junior Clerk,
Junior Custodian, Equipment Manager, Flag Raiser, Social Media Directors (7/8 only), Morning
Greeter, and Student Teacher. Applications must be signed, completed and returned to their
homeroom teacher by Friday, October 3rd.
Hollis Grade school has two WIGS (Wildly Important Goals) this year. Our reading goal is 90% of
Hollis Grade School students will achieve at least 85% of the Average Percent Correct on AR
quizzes. As of Friday, September 26th, 89.4% of Hollis students are achieving at 85% Average
Percent Correct on AR quizzes. Four classes are currently above 90% achieving 85% Average
Percent Correct on AR quizzes: 1st grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade.
The second WIG is Hollis' average daily attendance rate will be 97% or higher. Students are not
doing as well on this WIG. Attendance is cut off at 8:20 AM when the tardy bell rings for this WIG.
Our current average daily attendance is 95.12%. Reducing tardies will increase average daily
attendance. Please have your students in the gym before 8:20 AM when Morning Meeting begins.
NO SCHOOL and/or EARLY DISMISSAL
There will be an Early Dismissal on Friday, October 17, 2014 and Friday,
October 31, 2014, at 11:30 AM. No lunch will be served on these days.
There will be no school on Monday, October 13th for Columbus Day, and
November 3rd and 4th for Parent-Teacher conferences. Please mark these
dates on your calendar.
PTO/ACTIVITY BOOSTERS MEETING
The Hollis PTO and Activity Boosters will meet at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, October 7, 2014,
in the school library. All parents are welcome! It's a great way to find out how you can be
involved. Members of the Student Lighthouse Team will present a skit on Habit 1: Be
Proactive. You are invited to learn more about the Leader in Me. Fund raiser items will be
delivered on Thursday, October 9th. PTO continues to collect Box Tops for Education and
Campbell Soup labels.
REPORT CARDS & PROGRESS REPORTS
You should have received your 2nd-8th grade child's Midtern Grades
on Friday, September 26, 2014. If you have NOT received Midterm
Grades, please contact your child's teacher immediately.
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, November 3rd
from 2:00-7:00 PM and Tuesday, November 4th from 8:00-12:30. ISAT reports for grades
4-8 will be given to parents at these conferences. Report cards will go home on Friday,
st
October 31 . Many parents signed up for conferences at Open House. If K-4 parents
haven’t scheduled a time as of yet, please call Christy Kirby in the office between 9:30 AM
and 1:00 PM. 5-8 conference will be held in the cafeteria on a first come, first serve basis.
HALLOWEEN PARTIES
On the morning of Friday, October 31st, Halloween parties will be
held for K-8 students. Our K-4 party activities will include a parade
at 9:45 AM, a treat, and an activity or craft. Costumes are optional
and should be worn to school. Costumes, if worn to school, should
allow maximum movement, be easy to put on, and not be too scary.
Remember this is our Kindergarten students’ first experience
participating in Halloween with older students. We do not want them
afraid of their fellow students. Therefore, blood, guts, gore, and weapons of any kind
should be left at home. Our 5-8 students will meet as a group in the auditorium for an
activity and treat.
SPEECH
This year's IESA Speech Contest is going to be held at Roosevelt Magnet School in
Peoria. The contest will be held on Friday, November 7th. The first student session will
begin at 5:00 P.M. Once Miss Crater receives the performance schedule, information will
be sent home to the Hollis students who are competing.
LEADER OF THE MONTH
Again this year, students will be selected from grades K-4 and two students from grades
5-8. Each student selected must display the following qualities: use of the 7 Habits,
positive attitude, cooperation, honesty, courteousness, friendliness, self-discipline, good
attendance, and be a hard worker. Congratulations to the following students for being
selected as "LEASERS OF THE MONTH" for September:
Grades K-4
1. Logan Smallwood
2. Jace Andres
3. Isabella Manley
Grades 5-8
1. Kaylee Spenny
2. Gaeb Parry
BOOK IT!
All classes, in grades K-4, will be participating in the Book It! program again
this year. This program is sponsored by Pizza Hut. It motivates children to
read more by rewarding them for their reading accomplishments. Expect
further information from your child's teacher. You, as parents, are very
important to the success of the Book It! program. There are many ways that
you can give support – praise your child for meeting the program goals; spend
time reading to or with your child and then discuss what you've read; redeem your child's
rewards. Your involvement, now and in the future, will help your child become a lifelong
reader! The Book It! program begins October 1st and runs through March 31st.
Gotta Read! Pizza to Earn!!! Gotta Read! Pizza to Earn!!!
PARENTS/GUARDIANS/VISITORS MUST CHECK-IN
Parents and other visitors are reminded that they must check-in at the school office, each
time they enter the building. It is required by law, as well as Board of Education policy.
STUDENT CHECK IN
Additionally, all parents must report to the office when picking up
or dropping off a student. Your compliance ensures your child’s safety.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
REPORTING ABSENCES and TARDINESS
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!
HOLLIS’ WHO’s WHO IN ACCELERATED READER
Congratulations to the following students who have earned 100 Accelerated Reader
Points and will soon have their picture on the Wall of Fame:
Brenna Crouch
Kyle Leach
DENTAL REMINDER
Kindergarten, second grade, and sixth grade students must meet the following
requirement:
In compliance with rules adopted by the Department of Public
nd
th
Health, all children in kindergarten, and the 2 and 6 grades are required to
present proof of an examination by a dentist before May 15, 2015.
EYE EXAMINATION REMINDER
Comprehensive eye examinations, by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, are 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.
2014 HOLLIS MEMBERS of the GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM
Helena Driscoll
Hannah Newman
Dylan Noe
Lauren Rendleman
Savannah Spenny
Danielle Thomson
Hannah Harshbarger
Madison Rendleman
Emma Franklin
Sophie Cloat
Mia Worley
Lindsi Schalber
Rebecca Littrel
Brenna Crouch
Sophie Spirrison
Kora Burdette
Elly Bentley
SAVE THE DATE - GRANDPARENTS DAY 2014
This year’s Grandparents, Honorary Military and/or Veteran Guest
Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. We will be
serving Turkey, gravy, roll whipped potatoes, green beans,
applesauce, and cookies for lunch. This event is a unique
opportunity for Hollis students to share their school experience with
their grandparents or honorary military and/or veteran guest.
Grandparents of students whose last names begin with A-J should arrive at
10:45 AM. Lunch for this group is served between 11:00 and 11:45. There will also be a
photograph opportunity and Adopt a Book.
Grandparents of students whose last names begin with K-Z should arrive at 11:45. All
students, grandparents, and honorary military guests will attend a Fine Arts Program in the
Gymnasium from 12:00 – 12:15 PM. Our K-Z group’s lunch is served from 12:15 PM to
1:00PM. They will also have a photograph opportunity and Adopt a Book.
Please note that all scheduled activities are on the lower level of the building.
Wheelchair/walker access is available through the doors on the west side of the gym.
Additional parking is available in the rear of the building. Be aware access from the rear
involves negotiating stairs to the lower level. Overflow parking, weather permitting, will be
in the west grassy field.
JACKETS and HEAVY SWEATSHIRTS NEEDED
Now that the weather is becoming cooler, students are asked to bring a jacket
or a heavy sweatshirt to school to wear in the morning and at recess. This is a
must when the high temperature for the day is predicted to be in the 60’s or
lower.
The last day to wear shots, capris, sandals, and flip flops is Friday,
October 24th.
KEY POINTS FOR MOTORISTS TO REMEMBER:
When a school bus is traveling on a two-lane roadway and is
stopped to pick up or drop off students, the vehicles in all lanes of
traffic must stop. Vehicles should stop at least 20 feet before
reaching the school bus to allow students to cross the roadway safely.
When a school bus is traveling on a four-lane roadway with at least
two lanes of traffic traveling in the opposite direction, only those lanes of traffic
traveling in the same direction as the school bus must stop. Students shall not be
required to cross four or more lanes of traffic to reach their residence.
When a school bus is traveling on a one-way roadway and is stopped to pick up or drop
off students, all lanes of traffic must stop, regardless of the number of lanes of
traffic.
STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS
The 2014 – 2015 Hollis Student Council has been assembled.
Congratulations to the following students:
Rebecca Littrel, President
Nolan Cassidy, Vice President
Lena Driscoll, Secretary
Abby Hamm, Treasurer
James Brown
Luke Schaefer
Avery Butler
Justin Hubble
Brenna Crouch
Hannah Newman
Frank Driscoll
Savannah Spenny
Brayden Cassidy
Lauren Rendleman
Emma Franklin
Dylan Noe
Dysen Miller
Jordyn Baker
Sophie Cloat
Jaiah Thornton
Kyle Leach
Aleia Arnold
Sarah Post
Kora Burdette
Gracie Galletti
Montgomery Wallace
Emma Loy
HELP US STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS!
To stay ahead of the flu, we are reminding parents that students should be
free of fever and/or flu symptoms for 24 hours prior to his/her return to
school. In addition, all students with contagious diseases requiring
antibiotics (ex. Strep throat ), must be on the medication for at least 24
hours before they are permitted to come back to school. We appreciate
your assistance in helping us prevent the spread of sickness to other
students and staff members.
The key message from the Peoria City/County Health Department regarding the H1N1
Virus and School is 3 fold:
 CLEAN YOUR HANDS (Good Hygienic hand washing)
 COVER YOUR COUGH (in your elbow or tissue, not your hands)
 CONTAIN YOUR GERMS (stay home when sick)
NO SMOKING ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
Beginning in 1995, Section 105 of the Illinois School Code prohibits the
use of tobacco, tobacco products, and E-cigs on school property by any
school personnel, student, or other person when such property is being
used for any school purposes.
Any Hollis Hawk fans attending basketball or volleyball games wishing to smoke must
cross the street to Tuscarora Park to do so.