School Messenger
July 26, 2020
“I dreamed I stood in a studio and watched two sculptors there.
The clay they used was a child’s mind, and they fashioned it with care.
One was a teacher using tools of books, music and art.
One, a parent, who worked with a guiding hand and a gentle loving heart.
Day after day the teacher toiled with touch that was deft and sure, while the parent and teacher labored side-by-side and polished and smoothed it o’er.
And when at last their task was done, they were proud of what they had wrought.
For the thing they had molded into the child could neither be sold or bought.
And each agreed they would have failed if they had worked along.
For behind the teacher stood the school, and behind the parent… the home.”
And welcome back to what surely will be a wonderful and interesting school year!
I wanted to take this time to thank parents for their patience as LPS and Holmes Elementary School worked through plans to start the 2020-2021 school year.
Procedures and systems for how to operate as a school have been constructed under the guidance of the Lincoln Lancaster Health Department and the State Department of Education.
Our plans are to have 100% in-person learning, unless parents opt for a Remote Learning option, or the Lincoln/Lancaster County COVID – 19 Risk Dial goes to Red.
Hand washing, physical distancing, student self-monitoring, cohort groupings and the importance of wearing a mask are all important aspects of our programming.
A partnership between home and school has never been more important!
*Postcards identifying who your child’s teacher will be will be sent on Monday, July 27th. Parents should expect to receive them this week.
*Because the COVID-19 Risk Level is Orange, the Holmes’ Open House will be done virtually. Grade level teams will post a Virtual Open House video that families will have access to via the Holmes Website, on Monday, August 10th at 6:00 PM
*The first three days of school have been designated as early release days.
School will start at 8:15 AM and end at 1:33 PM during the first 3 days of school (Aug. 12th, 13th and 14th).
*Students are asked not to arrive at school before 7:45 AM as supervision is not available until that time. Students are to report to the upper east playground walking track if at school before 8:10 AM when the weather is good, or use door #1 and report to a designated location during inclement weather. Students must arrive to school wearing a mask, or will be given a disposable mask to wear until a permanent mask can be shared with them upon entering the building. Each student will receive two permanent, washable facemasks.
*Students who come to school to eat breakfast may enter through door #1 starting at 7:45 AM. Students should not be at school before 7:45 AM as there is no supervision until after that time.
*Kindergarten students will meet with their teachers in the front of the building the first three days of school.
*No parents will be allowed in the building, other than to the office area, and may not go on the playground with their students.
*After discussing dismissal procedures with parents and staff, changes were made last school year to help facilitate a smoother dismissal at Holmes, with hopes that 52nd Street can be better utilized.
*Teachers will teach until 2:53 PM and then have students put materials away.
*Kindergarten will exit door #4 (west side of building).
*1st Grade will exit door #1 and move to the west (south side of building).
*2nd Grade will exit door #8 and walk up the middle west stairs (west side of building).
*3rd Grade will exit door #1 and move to the east (south side of the building).
*4th Grade will exit door #10 and walk up the northwest stairs (west side of the building).
*5th Grade will exit door #18 and exit toward the bike rack (east side of the building).
The location of these doors can be found by clicking on the Holmes Traffic Map on the Holmes Webpage.
*Like us on Facebook by clicking the Facebook tab on the bottom right corner of the Homes Web Site.
Holmes staff appreciates the support we receive from our good Holmes families and look forward to working in partnership throughout what is certain to be a wonderful school year!
Sincerely,
Tim Muggy, Proud Principal
Holmes Elementary School
