Field Day Volunteers Needed

Field Day at Linwood Holton Elementary is Wednesday, June 16th!

We are in need of volunteers to assist our students at 20+ stations. If you would like to volunteer we have two time slots available 9:30 - 12 or 12 - 2.

The entire event lasts from 10-2. Activities vary from inside to outside and wet to dry. All activities are 20 minutes.

Please contact Cordell Watkins (804) 467-5799 or cordell_watkins@yahoo.com.

June Dandelion and Hudson House Update

Hudson House Construction Crew

Go check out the outdoor classroom. The temporary fencing is off and we need to tamp down the stone dust so please walk on it. Volunteers did back-breaking work in brutally hot temperatures. We have a lot of thank yous.

The floor which is 35 tons of gravel and sand dust was shoveled, moved, and tamped by more than 20 volunteers from Church of the Nations Mid-Atlantic. Thank you Gwen and Alan Davis for getting your church involved and thanks to the volunteers: Martin Bennett, David Cox, Kaitlin Cox, Karen Cox, Alan Davis, Gloria Green, Mary Hutson, Peggy Lawson, Susan Lawson, Mike Morgan, Jason Pascale, Sara Pascale, Todd Peace, K. H. Rich, Lori Tate, Meredith Tate, Jim Turpin, Laurie Turpin, Bobby Vicker, Rachel Yeatts, and Benjamin Yeatts.

Thanks to Mr. Hudson for coming out to volunteer! Thanks Holton and community volunteers Chris Chase, Stephen McCarthy, Scott Meredith, Terry Murphy, Jean-Philippe Raffenot, Gene Robinson, Stacey Woodson and thanks to Stacy Murphy for bringing lunch.

Thanks to Scott Meredith for getting the 26 tons of gravel donated from a private company and 10 tons of stone dust donated from Luck Stone as well as getting D.W. Cary Hauling Inc to pick up and deliver the materials. Thanks to Scott and Mary Lorino for getting the 600 bricks donated from Riverside Brick. And thanks to Chris Chase, Greg Fowler, Gene Robinson, Stephen McCarthy, Eric Vinson, Chuck Wrenn as well as a number of Holton students for unloading the bricks.

So what’s next?

Schedule subject to change due to weather but the majority of the remaining work will happen next weekend. If you are interested in helping, please contact: Mary Lorino (mary@bam-architects.com).

**June 12/13—Put on plywood roof decking

**Roofers come the week of June 14th

Additional Outdoor Classroom News:

Diggin’ Committee Contact: Kristin Cummings (kcummings7@verizon.net) and Brad Pearson (wbradp@comcast.net)

The remainder of the beds will be planted this week and we will start filling in where there are any bare spots from the spring vegetables. If you are interested in helping, please let us know.

**The beds will require a lot of summer maintenance. We are estimating an hour or so a day for the entire summer. We are exploring different maintenance options but think that we will have two Holton families (teachers welcome as well!) assigned to each week. Families doing maintenance are invited to harvest whatever is ripe. Please let Brad or Kristin know if you are interested.

**Brad Pearson will be constructing a three-bin compost bin over the next week or two.
All Fired Up / Holton Mural Fundraiser
Contact: Susanna Raffenot (sraffenot@verizon.net) and Annie Chamblin
Annie has been going around to all the classes so each class can decorate a tile for their classroom. Every class will have a tile on the shed. Thanks to Rob Fox and Jim Gravgaard for donating those tiles.

Nutrition and Health Contact: Kim Lavach (kimlavach@yahoo.com), Gwen and Alan Davis (gwenandalan@msn.com) and John Haddad (johnghaddad@hotmail.com)

The Holton Wellness Committee and Holton parents are compiling a list of questions about food and purchasing for Richmond Public School officials. If you have questions you would like included, please email Gwen and Alan or John.

It's School Spirit Week!

Holton kids can show their spirit this week by wearing different kinds of outfits all week.

• Monday-Jersey Day
• Tuesday-Wacky/Tacky Day
• Wednesday-Dress to Impress Day
• Thursday-Blast from the Past (or Future) Day
• Friday-School Spirit (Purple and Gold) Day

Have fun and show your Holton Pride!

Holton Community Yard Sale Tomorrow!

We have about 35 families and assorted vendors participating and expect a huge turn out. A lot of great childrens stuff and vendors like Tomboy Tool, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, a massage therapist with her massage chair, Premier Jewelry, Jewelry by Katie Simmons, Arbonne and Bathfitters


We are also selling donuts, coffee and cookies with the proceeds benefitting the PTA.

Come on out, get some great deals, and help support Holton and the PTA!

Dandelion Garden & Hudson House Update: May 2010

Thank you REB Principal of the year Mr. Hudson for your continued support and the generous contribution of your REB award. THANK YOU MR. HUDSON!

 

Ground Breaking:

The ground breaking was a wonderful event!

Thanks for all those who helped. A special thanks to Sara Arthur, Beth Bolstad, Kim Fowler, Susannah Haddad, Amy Henderson, Amanda Riley, Kim Thayer, Chip Vermillion, Liz Vermillion, Little Red Truck Landscaping, and Main Stage Productions for making the event a success.

To view photos of the event, click here.

Click here to listen to the NPR interview about the garden.
 
Logo Contest Winner: 

 

Congratulations to Logo Contest Winner Evan Salp!

Garden Bed Contruction:

Garden Bed Construction led by Aaron Garber included Chris Chase, Mary Elfner John Haddad, Jim Gravgaard, Ramzi Hossaini, Sean Jefferson, Nancy Logan, Mary Lorino, Scott Meredith, Austin Mitchell, Brad Pearson, Don Polaski, Amanda Riley, Patti Robinson, A. T. Scruggs, Brian Shepard, Chris Thompson, Lyle Wieber, Cordell Watkins, and Geoff Wilson.

Classroom Construction:

Construction on the Outdoor Classroom/Hudson House will begin the weekend of May 15 and take about six weekends. Some construction may happen during the week. We need volunteers who are familiar with framing and working with power tools. Please let Mary know if you are interested in helping with construction.

Construction Crew Contact: Mary Lorino (mary@bam-architects.com)

Volunteers Needed:

We need volunteers to plant with the classes, assist with during school and after school and summer maintenance, as well as sharing planting expertise. We hope to plant all the new garden beds with classes in the next couple of weeks. The Diggin’ committee will be meeting within the next week, please let Brad or Kristin know if you are interested in participating.

 

All Fired Up / Holton Mural Fundraiser and Art Night:

Deadline to purchase garden tiles is extended to May 6th!

Contact: Orders contact Susanna Raffenot (sraffenot@verizon.net)

Artwork contact Annie Chamblin (amcham@comcast.net)

You can buy tiles in two ways:

• Mural tiles range in ~sizes 4” ($10), 6” ($25), or 8” ($50). Students can paint them and write their name. Size is approximate as shapes will vary.
• Legacy tile / sponsor tile for $100. These are 8” square tiles. They will be mounted separately from the mural tiles.

All money raised will go towards building the shed. On May 18 tiles will be decorated at the PTA General Meeting ‘Art Night’. If you cannot make ‘Art Night’, we will make plans for your child to paint the tile at school. Once the shed is built (Summer), tiles will be mounted on the shed.

 

Holton Wellness Committee:

 

The Holton Wellness Committee and Holton parents are beginning discussions about nutrition in school and the partnership with Bon Secours. Bon Secours has supported the Outdoor Classroom project. They are meeting May 4 at 4pm in Ms. Hooker’s room.

Nutrition and Health Contact: Gwen and Alan Davis (gwenandalan@msn.com) and John Haddad (johnghaddad@hotmail.com)


Diggin' Committee:
Diggin’ Committee Contact: Kristin Cummings (kcummings7@verizon.net) and Brad Pearson (wbradp@comcast.net)

Happy Holton Players' Herculean Efforts Pay-Off!

Congratulations Happy Holton Players on a fantastic production of "Young Hercules" this evening.

The house was packed, so get there early tomorrow if you missed it tonight. $5 per person. 7 pm curtain! The show lasts about 75 minutes.

Teacher Appreciation Week Next Week

Hello Holton Families!


We will be celebrating our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week next week, May 3-7. This is the time to let our children's teachers know that we recognize the incredible work they for our children. Please take this opportunity to show your appreciation. Your gift need not be costly--flowers from the yard, a work of art by your child, a note, a card or a simple gift are all wonderful ways to express your heartfelt thanks.

Also as part of Teacher Appreciation Week, The PTA will be hosting a luncheon for the Teacher's on Friday May 7th and a few volunteers are needed for this event as well. Please contact Beth Bolstad if you would like to help with the luncheon!

Volunteers needed to staff next week's book fair!

Your help badly needed for the book fair. We need volunteers to staff the fair every morning and afternoon next week. The fair can only be open if we get volunteers to help out. Please contact Barbara Haas for additional details, questions, and to volunteer.

 

The following shifts are available:

 

Monday April 26th

• 8:30 to 12:00
• 3:30 to 5:00

 

Tuesday April 27th

• 8:30 to 12:00
• 12:00 to 3:30
• 3:30 to 5:00

 

Wednesday April 28th

• 8:30 to 9:30
• 3:30 to 5:00

 

Thursday April 29th

• 8:30 to 9:30
• 3:30 to 5:00

 

Friday April 30th

• 8:30 to 9:30
• 3:30 to 5:00
• Before & After Young Hercules

 

Saturday May 1st

• Before & After Young Hercules

Urgent update to garden bed construction schedule

Due to the 30-60% change of rain and thunderstorms predicted for this weekend, we are going to do most of the garden bed construction Thursday and Friday after school. Sorry for those who had signed up for Saturday and will now not be able to participate. There will be plenty of work days in the future!!!
**Thursday 4-7 PM Cutting Wood and POSSIBLY beginning to assemble the beds (Need 3-4 people). NO CHILDREN ALLOWED. If you are willing, please bring any of the following tools that you have: Chop/mitre saw, Skill/Circular saw, Framing Square, Levels (4ft. or bigger), Pencils, Tape measures, Long extension cords, Cordless drills (bring chargers), Bits/drivers. Please label your tools.

**Friday 4-7 PM Assemble the garden beds. Majority of work will be using a level, hammering in stakes & assembling the beds. (Need 5-10 people). If you are willing, please bring any of the following tools that you have: Framing Square, Levels (4ft. or bigger), Pencils, Tape measures, Long extension cords, Cordless drills (bring chargers), Bits/drivers, Sledgehammers, Shovels, Wheelbarrows, Hard rakes. Please label your tools.

**Saturday 8-10am Majority of work will be shoveling dirt and compost. This work may happen on Friday night and will send out an email to all those who signed up to confirm or cancel this work.

Details about volunteering:

Construction will be led by Holton teacher Aaron Garber. All volunteers will be required to sign a waiver and due to safety issues raised by Richmond Public Schools, we ask that you do not bring your children Thursday night. When we are just moving dirt and compost there maybe some opportunities for children’s involvement but not when there are power tools and cords.
Please let me know what if you are available one of these days. Please email ellenshepard@yahoo.com or call 540-529-1595 if you have any questions.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Upcoming Holton-Friendly Yard Sales!

There are two yard sale events coming up soon that we thought you might like to know about.

1. 4th Annual Kids Stuff Yard Sale-April 17th, 2010, 8 am-1pm

Proceeds to benefit several organizations including Holton Elementary!

St. Thomas Church

3602 Hawthorne Ave. Richmond, VA 23222

View Larger Map

Sip-n-shop on Friday, April 16th for $10 to get first pick.

To donate or for more information, please contact Katie Best or Jill Salp.

2. Holton Community Yard Sale-May 15th, 2010, 8 am-12 noon

Sell your yard sale items at Holton or come and check out what others have to sell!

In the front of the school at 8 am!

Cost:

• $15 entry-fee/$10 for PTA members
• $30 for vendors

Contact Ushan Arnone at HoltonCommunityYardSale@gmail.com for more information.

Planning for the Garden's Ground Breaking-Volunteers Needed!

After a year of school and community work, we are planning to break ground on April 26, 2010 for the Holton Outdoor Classroom and gardens!

We need your help to make this project a success!

 

Please let us know if you are available to volunteer on any of the following dates:

 

Saturday, March 20

• Stake out the garden plans in the field.
• Students are invited to participate and will use a combination of survey points and measuring tape to find the four corners of each bed.
• This will be led by engineer David Lisowski on Sat., March 20 from 9-11.

 

Beginning the week of March 22

• Work with teachers to plant spring vegetables in existing beds (carrots, sugar snap peas, lettuce, spinach, collards, beets, strawberries, and nasturtiums which are edible flowers)
• Begin planting summer vegetable seeds in containers inside

Saturday, April 24 & Sunday, April 25

 

• Construct 13 New Garden Beds.
• This will be lead by Holton teacher Aaron Garber.
• All volunteers will be required to sign a waiver.
• Volunteers should be handy with a hammer.
• Volunteers will only be needed on Sunday if the work is not completed on Saturday.

Monday, April 26, 2010

12:30 p.m.

Ground Breaking Ceremony

 

• Ground Breaking Ceremony including all students, teachers, and school officials
• Announce winner of logo contest
• Plant vegetables in new garden beds

 Possibly May 15/16 (date will be finalized soon)

 

• Construct Hudson House/Outdoor Classroom.
• This will be lead by Holton parent Chris Chase.
• All participants will be required to sign a waiver.
• Volunteers should be skilled builders.

 

Please email to ellenshepard@yahoo.com with the following information. (The text below and be copied and pasted into an e-mail.)

 

*************************************************************************************

 ___I would like to help with garden plantings during school. I am available________________________.

  

___I would like to help on March 20 staking out the garden beds.

  

___I would like to help April 24 and/or 25 with garden bed construction.

  

___I would like to help April 26 setting up for the Ground Breaking Ceremony.

 

 ___I would like to help April 26 with planting the new garden beds.

  

___I would like to help with the construction of the Hudson House (Outdoor Classroom).

 

 ___I would like to help with garden maintenance and plantings after school and possibly summer time.

  

Name: __________________________________________________________________

 

Phone Number: __________________________  Email: ___________________________ 

 

Comments: _______________________________________________________________

 

Countdown to Holton's Annual 5K!

We are in the home stretch now....One week to go...Have YOU registered for the Holton 5K? Have you asked a friend to register?

Don't forget to REGISTER, WATCH, and DONATE!!

REGISTER here for the 5K.or DOWNLOAD the registration form here from the Holton website and registration forms are also available in the office

WATCH Holton's own Mr. Watkins on CBS 6's Virginia this Morning, Wednesday, March 3, at 9am.

DONATE a case or two of water. We still need 30 cases of water to be able to hydrate our 5K runners/walkers and our 4th and 5th grade 4-5-1 runners.

Also, on Friday, March 5, all of our Holton students will have an opportunity to participate in the annual Holton Kid's Dash. Each grade level will compete for medals and prize bags full of goodies. March 5 is, Wear Your Sweats to School day, and remember to wear your sneakers, because you won't be allowed to race without them. Parents, the fun starts at 1:30 and we hope you can join us to cheer on your child.

Mardi Gras Unity Dance- Friday, February 19th 6-9pm

Come to the PTA's Unity Dance! Friday, February 19th
6-9 pm
and
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
(Let the good times roll!)

 Admission: $2 at the door

Free beads with each admission!

COME HUNGRY!

New this year to Our Unity Dance: DINNER IS SERVED!

Po’boys, vegetarian jambalaya, snacks, and drinks for sale!

Buy tickets for the following activities for 50¢ each:

• 
  
  Cake walk
• 
  
  Raffles
• 
  
  Photos
• 
  
  Tattoos
• 
  
  Face painting
• 
  
  Crafts

  Don't forget to wear your purple, gold, and green!

Next garden meeting: January 19th

Click here for more details.

Holton PTA Adults Only Dance Party! Buy your tickets now!

Come and party with the PTA

at

Lewis Ginter Recreation Center

on

Saturday, January 30th

from

7:30-11:30 pm

$15 Single or $25 couple

Cash bar

Snacks and heavy hors d'oeuvres

**************

Tickets on sale in the school's front hall:

• 
  
  Wed. Jan. 20 through Fri. Jan. 22
  
  
  
• 
  
  Wed. Jan. 27 through Fri. Jan 29
  
  
  

Tickets can also be purchased by completing the reservation form that came home in your child's packpack mail.

Event map:

View Larger Map

Mark Your Calendars for Holton's Open House

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

&

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.

*****

Families of prospective students are invited to attend!

Come and learn more about the exciting things taking place at Holton. You will have the opportunity to meet with the Principal, interact with teachers, ask questions, and tour the school.

Mark Your Calendars: November 2009

• The Great American Catalog Fundraiser-Ends Nov. 2nd
• Teacher In-Service-Nov. 3rd No school for students
• November PTA Board Meeting-Nov. 5th, 6:30 pm
• Qdoba Night-Nov. 5th, 5:00-7:00 pm
• Scholastic Book Fair-Nov. 9-13th
• PTA General Meeting-Nov. 10th, 6:30 pm Topic: “Spotlight on Enrichment Programs”
• End of 1st 9 Weeks-Nov. 10th
• Holton Harvest Festival,-Nov. 14th, 2-4 pm
• Fall Break-Nov. 25th (early dismissal)-29th
• Garden Planning Meeting-Dec. 1st, 6:30-8:00 pm

The Great American Catalog Fundraiser until Nov. 2nd

Don't forget to place your order for the PTA's Great American Catalog fundraiser. Forms are due back to school on Nov. 2nd so there isn't too much time left.

Remember you can also shop online at www.gaschoolstore.com. The school PIN # is 1361500. So tell out of town family and friends.

Holton PTA does great work for Holton and this fundraiser helps financially support this work.

No School for Students-Tuesday, Nov. 3rd

There will be no school for students on Tuesday, November 3rd, due to a scheduled teacher "in service" day.

Parent Teacher Conferences This Week

Parent Teacher Conferences are coming to a classroom near you this Thursday afternoon and Friday.

Your child's teacher will provide you with more information and an appointment time.

There will be no school for students on Friday, October 16th.

Additional Resources:

• Parent Teacher Association on Family-School Partnerships
• Examiner Richmond on making the most out of parent teacher conferences