Hollymead Buzz

April 24, 2025

Hello, Hollymead Families,

As we head into this last portion of the school year, we want to take a moment to express how proud we are of all our students, staff, and families! Spring is always a busy season in schools, and this year is no different! There’s a lot happening in our school with learning at the center of it all!

We have a lot of important updates to share with you including upcoming events, calendar reminders, a request for SOL testing volunteers, field day volunteers, and a few quick surveys we’d love for you to take part in. Your involvement helps make our school the best it can be. Thank you for being such a valuable part of our community! It is truly a gift to be able to celebrate your students with you and we are hopeful to see you at our upcoming special events! Let’s take a look at what’s coming up!

Have a wonderful week!

Joe McCauley Kim Gentry

Principal Assistant Principal

CONGRATULATIONS! 

We are thrilled to announce that this year's Golden Apple Award Winner is Susan Peck! Hollymead's nomination for Teacher of the Year is Liz Player and our nomination for Classified Employee of the Year is Ashleigh Wright! Their dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to their students inspire us all. We are so proud to have them as part of our school community—congratulations on these well-deserved recognitions! 

NOTICE - Morning Car Drop Off & Pick Up 

Please note that parking in the handicapped spaces is only for families whose vehicles have the appropriate license plate or medallion. We have a number of families who must use these parking spaces due to their individual needs, so we must keep them clear for those who need them. If you do not require this accommodation, do not park in the handicapped spots. 

Important Updates

Parent Portal is Now Open

The Parent Portal is open for you to view 3rd Quarter grades. Below are links with information about how to access the portal:

Here is the PowerSchool Parent Portal Guide for Families

Linked here is the ACPS Webpage with information on accessing the portal.

Registration for 2025-26 is Now Open!

Registration for Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) has opened!  Find out more on the ACPS Student Registration Page (linked here). We encourage all families to register at their earliest opportunity.

How to Register for Kindergarten: Please help by spreading the word to neighbors, friends, or relatives who may be preparing for kindergarten.

• Check eligibility: Your child must be 5 years old by September 30, 2025, and live in Albemarle County.

• Gather required documents: State law requires proof of identity, residency, and health records. Our online registration form allows you to upload these documents. If you’re missing anything, you can submit the form and work with your child’s school to provide the necessary documentation.

• Complete the online registration form (linked here) : Be sure to select the 2025-26 Registration Form when applying.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to our Registrar, Ms. Sandra Mitchell: smitchell2@k12albemarle.org

The Family Panorama Survey is Open Until April 25

Please take a few moments to take the Panorama Family Survey (information linked here). This is an important opportunity for family engagement and voice and we need your feedback. As of today, our response rate is just under 15%. Our goal is 90% family participation to ensure all voices are heard. Please take a few minutes and complete the survey today!

Family Feedback for 2025-26

We would like to give you an opportunity to share insights about what your child likes best about school and their needs as a learner.  Please utilize the form linked here to share your feedback by May 5, 2025.   We will use your feedback to help set the course for a successful 2023-24 school year. Please note that specific requests for teachers are not part of our process at Hollymead. 

Math Curriculum Materials Are Ready to View

The ACPS K-5 Math Adoption Committee, led by Nyoka Green, the Elementary Math Curriculum Coordinator, has reached a consensus on the top two programs for implementation in the 2025-26 school year. At this point in the process, we need your input! Hollymead families are invited to review the programs and provide feedback. Each program will be on display in the front lobby from April 9th to April 24th during the following hours:

Monday - Friday:  8:00 - 1:00 

Monday - Thursday: 3:00 - 4:30 

To view, please sign in at the front office and receive a pass and check out when you have finished. A QR code will be available to enter feedback for each program. We truly value your feedback in this important process and encourage you to take the time to share your thoughts. Thank you! 

Ask the Principal

Use this link to ask questions directly to the principal, Joe McCauley. Questions are anonymous and responses may be shared in future newsletters.

May School Wide Morning Meeting - We need you! 

Our School Wide Morning Meeting in May will be centered around Memorial Day, and we would be honored to recognize and celebrate those who serve our country. If you are a parent who is currently serving or has served and would be willing to join us in uniform for this special event, we would love to have you! Please email Lisa King at lking2@k12@k12albemarle.org for more details. 

Calendar Dates

April 21st - Parent Portal Opens

April 25th - School Wide Morning Meeting Hosted by Kindergarten - 8:00AM

April 30 - Art C.A.R.E.S. Family Night 5:00-6:30PM

May 2nd - PTO Spring Dance Party - 6:00PM

May 6th - Guaranteed Field Experience for 3rd Grade to the Paramount

May 15th - Kindergarten Music Informance for Families -8:30AM in the Auditorium

May 15th- 4th Grade Guaranteed Field Experience to Camp Albemarle

May 23rd - School Wide Morning Meeting Hosted by Specialists and Interventionists - 8:00am

May 30th - Field Day 

SOL TESTING DATES

Click here to sign up to be an SOL Testing Volunteer!

3rd Grade

May 15 Reading

May 21 Math 

4th Grade

May 8 Math

May 13 Reading

5th Grade

April 16 IRW

May 7 Reading

May 14 Math 

May 20 Social Studies

May 22 Science

HOLLYMEAD FIELD DAY - Request for Volunteers
Friday, May 30, 2025  8:30a.m. – 2:00p.m.

We URGENTLY need volunteers to make this event a success. If you are able to work at a field day station, please be on the lookout for a handout coming home this week and have your child return this slip to the school office as soon as possible. Thank you! Please reach out to us with any questions!

Ms. Hogg and Mr. Carroll

EDEP Registration Information

Albemarle County Public Schools’ Extended Day Enrichment Programs (EDEP) will open registration for the 2025-26 school year this month!

2025-26 Program Information

EDEP serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade who are enrolled in an Albemarle County elementary school. Children must be at least 5 years old to attend.

Based on the 2025-26 School Year Calendar, EDEP will offer two programs:

• After School Enrichment Program (ASEP):
  ASEP will operate each full school day at every elementary school. The program runs from school dismissal until 6 p.m. Families can choose full-time (4-5 days per week) or part-time (1-3 days per week) enrollment. ASEP does not operate on half-days.

• Student Holiday Program (SHP):
  SHP will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on student holidays when teachers are working. SHP will be hosted at Agnor Elementary School, except on November 4, 2025, when it will be hosted at Greer Elementary School.

Registration Process

Space is limited. Enrollment will depend on staff availability and the space at each school.

To keep the process fair, EDEP will use a random selection (lottery drawing) to offer available spots.

If you would like your child to be included in the lottery, please register during the window for your child’s school:

Registration Group

Elementary Schools

Registration Opens

Registration Closes

1

Agnor, Broadus Wood, Brownsville, Crozet, Greer, Ivy, Murray

April 18 @ 8 a.m.

April 25 @ 11:59 p.m.

2

Baker-Butler, Hollymead, Mountain View, Red Hill, Scottsville, Stone-Robinson, Stony Point, Woodbrook

April 25 @ 8 a.m.

May 2 @ 11:59 p.m.

How to Register for the Lottery

If your child is already enrolled in Albemarle County Public Schools and has a PowerSchool ID number:

1. Log in to or create your MySchoolBucks account at MySchoolBucks.com.

2. Add your student(s) to your account, if you haven’t already.

3. Register for the EDEP lottery at MSBactivities.com using your MySchoolBucks username and password.

3. • Choose your child’s school from the drop-down menu to register for the After School Enrichment Program (ASEP).

   • Choose “Student Holiday-EDEP” from the drop-down menu to register for the Student Holiday Program (SHP).

   • If you are interested in both programs, you must complete a separate registration for each.

If your child is new to Albemarle County Public Schools and does not have a PowerSchool ID number:

• Please complete this EDEP Lottery Registration Form for each child you are registering.

• This form allows you to register your child for the After School Enrichment Program (ASEP) lottery, the Student Holiday Program (SHP) lottery, or both.

Important: Completing the lottery registration process does NOT guarantee enrollment.

Lottery Results and Next Steps

• Families will receive enrollment notifications as follows:

• • Group 1: May 9

  • Group 2: May 16

• Students who do not receive a spot will be placed on a waitlist, based on the order of the lottery drawing.

After receiving an enrollment offer, registration fees must be paid by:

• Group 1: May 23 @ 11:59 p.m.

• Group 2: May 30 @ 11:59 p.m.

Note: No payment is due if your child is placed on the waitlist.

Registration Fees and Tuition Rates

• One-time, non-refundable registration fees:

• • After School Enrichment Program (ASEP): $50

  • Student Holiday Program (SHP): $30

• Tuition rates: (Each billing cycle is about 4 weeks.)

• • ASEP Full-Time: $400 per cycle

  • ASEP Part-Time: $290 per cycle

  • SHP: $65 per day

For more information about the registration process, tuition and fees, financial assistance, and the parent handbook, please visit our EDEP Registration web page.

Bystander Training to Stop Hate-Based Harassment

Dear ACPS Families and Staff,

As part of our continued commitment to safety, inclusion, and student empowerment, we’re excited to share a new community learning opportunity in partnership with Westminster Presbyterian Church and the national social justice organization Right To Be.

Date: Sunday, April 27, 2025
Time: 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Location: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 Rugby Road, Charlottesville
Who Should Attend: Youth, parents, caregivers, and community members

📄 View the event flyer 

Register here

This free, 90-minute workshop will introduce participants to practical ways to recognize, safely respond to, and intervene in moments of bias or harassment. The training is grounded in the 5Ds of bystander intervention—Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct—and is designed to empower people of all ages to take action and support one another.

This event also marks the beginning of a broader ACPS initiative to explore bystander awareness programs across our high schools. Your participation and feedback will help guide our next steps.

We hope you’ll join us in this meaningful step toward a more supportive and inclusive community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Eric Irizarry
Director of Equity, Family, School & Community Relations

PTO Corner

Read the latest edition of Hornet Happenings, the Hollymead PTO Newsletter, for;

·       More info on the return of our Spring Family Dance on Friday, May 2 (including how to volunteer
      and how to place your pizza pre-order by Tuesday, April 29)

·       Ways you can contribute to Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week the first week of May

·       Open positions in the Hollymead PTO Board next school year

·       News from HES and ACPS

Access now>>https://secure.smore.com/n/78as9f

Summer Recreation Camp 2025 - Albemarle County Parks & Recreation (Registration linked here)

See information below