Policies & Procedures

Attendance

The school day is from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Wednesdays are early dismissal at 2:30pm. Students are expected to be present for the full day. Please contact your homeroom teacher and call (708) 665-3065 or email the attendance line at holmesattendance@op97.org if your child will be absent. 

How do I contact my child’s teacher? 

Please communicate with your student’s teacher via email. All of our email addresses can be found at the bottom of this communication and on the Fifth Grade Website. 

Can my student play on the playground before or after school? 

There is no supervision provided by Holmes staff before or after school hours. Please do not drop off your student to play on the playground early or stay after school unattended.

What will my child’s day look like?

Your student’s schedule can be found on the Fifth Grade Website. 

What about homework?

In fifth grade, students will have daily assigned homework. Typically, the homework will be to complete unfinished work such as daily math exit tickets or assigned book club pages. There will be no parent signature for a daily reading log or student planners. Weekly homework assignments can be found on the Fifth Grade Website.

What about smart devices?

• Away All Day - Mimics Brooks’ policy

• Classroom “parking lot” will include smart watches and phones

• Any device that can text, call, has internet access, or games

• Fitbits, pedometers, or the like are just fine

• If it’s not allowed in an IAR testing environment, it cannot be worn in class

What about snack this year?

Snack and lunch will be eaten in classrooms each day. Snack will be at a rotating time in the morning when there is a break in the lesson flow. Snacks that will be allowed in our classrooms are

• Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Applesauce

• Fruit/Veggie squeeze pouches

• Seaweed (no sesame)

Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any District 97 schools during the 2024-2025 school year. This includes products that are labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.” 

What about breakfast and lunch?

During the 2024-2025 school year, breakfast will be offered daily from 7:15-7:45. Students will enter the lunchroom through the courtyard doors on Chicago Ave. Fifth grade lunch will be from 12:00-12:25 and students can bring a nut-free lunch from home or order a school lunch. The hot lunch menu is on a three week cycle and is posted on the District website. Please see Principal Phillips’ weekly newsletter for details about pricing and how to apply for free and reduced lunch.

Where do the students line up before school?

5th graders line up on the south end of the block top, just north of where 4th grade lines up. Students should not line up before 7:50. This will also be where your student exits the building. The abbreviations are grade level and then the first initial (or two) of the teacher’s last name. For example, 5M = Ms. Manuel’s fifth grade class.