Dear Parents and Holmes Community,

What an exciting time of year as winter breaks and spring attempts to get a foothold. Before we know it, summer is upon us. During this time of year so many things are going on at the school. As I am writing this, your students are in the middle of CSAP testing. Regarding CSAP, I must share with you how proud I am of your students. If you could see how focused they are, how hard they work, how diligently they approach each question in an effort to demonstrate how much each has learned, you would be proud of them too. By demonstrating their best effort, we can reliably use the resulting information to assist with appropriate student placement and program development. Unfortunately, we must wait until August before receiving individual results. Although CSAP testing is more important than your child. I assure you, the safety, welfare and success of your child, academically and socially, will always be our number one priority.

After spring break a multitude of activities will be taking place. Students and teachers prepare to celebrate all of their classroom successes. We celebrate our fine arts programs, music competitions and concerts, individual and class achievements with fieldtrips, awards and special recognition opportunities. Some of the upcoming annual favorites are Ellis Island for eighth graders, the Excellence Picnic, Super Hawk Day and the 8th Grade Celebration Ceremony. We look forward to each with great anticipation.

With the change of season, spring fever affects virtually all of us and, in particular, our adolescents. Despite the excitement of the approaching summer and the fact that CSAP is over, we will maintain a meaningful educational environment right up until the very end. With this in mind, please continue to support structure and good routines to assist with overcoming the potentially ill-effects of spring fever. With so many enriching and rewarding field trips coming up, good student conduct becomes crucial as misbehavior could lead to loss of privileges. Please, speak with your child to encourage the maintaining of a serious and positive attitude while at school. Together we can finish the year strong and still enjoy the beautiful weather and all the opportunities for fun and enrichment with spring time activities at Holmes.

If you ever have comments, questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would love to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Rob Utter