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December 16, 2025
Hello, Hollymead Families!
As we conclude this first semester of the 2025-26 school year, there is much to celebrate! The journey of this school year has seen so many success for all of your children in the classroom, as individuals, as part of their classroom communities and our school community as a whole. The effort of the Hollymead instructional staff cannot be understated. They have brought the highest levels of dedication and effort to help all of your children be successful. It's hard to believe we are already halfway through the academic year. We cannot wait to see the great things ahead in 2026!
Below you will find announcements for our last day before winter break tomorrow, Parent Portal closing dates and more!
Have a wonderful winter break, and we will see you in the new year!
Joe McCauley & Kim Gentry
Hollymead Administrative Team
PJ Day & School Wide Afternoon Meeting - December 18th
We will continue our tradition of celebrating the last day before winter break with an all school pajama day! Students may wear pajamas to school and celebrate the end of the first semester together!
Our School Wide Afternoon Meeting will be at 1:45PM and filled with celebrations of the winter holidays!
Parent Portal Dates
The parent portal will close on December 18 and re-open with report card information on January 19, 2026
WINTER BREAK - Friday-December 19 though January 2
School resumes on Monday, January 5, 2026
Lost and Found
Please be sure to check the lost and found before break if you can. There are a number of unclaimed items, including jackets and sweatshirts!
Calendar Dates
Winter Break: December 19 - January 2nd
Winter Growth Testing for 3rd 4th, and 5th Grades:
January 27: Reading
January 29: Math
School Wide Morning Meeting Calendar
SWMM Schedule - Last Friday of Every Month
December 18 - Thursday Dec 18th SWA(afternoon)M - Collaborative Winter Holiday Sing-Along
January 30 - Hosted by 1st Grade
February 27 - Hosted by the Specials Team
March 27 - Hosted by 2nd Grade
April 24 - Hosted by Kindergarten
May 28 - Hosted by the Intervention Team
Golden Apple Nominations are Now Open
The Golden Apple Award is established to honor some of our most outstanding teachers in ACPS. The work of teachers in our division and in our school cannot be understated. Each year the Golden Apple Foundation chooses one teacher form each school for this recognition. Linked here is the website to nominate a teacher for this year's award.
HELPme! App Info
Albemarle County Public Schools uses the HELPme! app as it's 24/7 student support system. Whether a student is facing bullying, needs help with food or shelter or is facing a personal challenge, they can report it in the app anonymously and receive support.
HELPme! provides three options for reporting a need:
GET RESOURCES is a safe space for users to explore essential needs and wellness resources at their own pace. It provides a confidential way to connect with local resources, ensuring privacy and dignity for those seeking assistance.
CRISIS TEXT LINE provides users with immediate mental health support. With a network of 27,000+ trained crisis counselors, users can text with a counselor (day or night), making sure no one feels isolated in their time of need. Counselors are available 24/7, 365 days of the year.
ASK FOR HELP is an anonymous communication channel between users and designated school personnel. It allows users to request help directly from their school without the pressure of disclosing their identity. Users may also request help for a friend or family member.
Visitor Sign-in System for ACPS Schools
NEW UPDATE!!! - RAPTOR PASSPORT SAFE QR CODE PHONE FEATURE
Here is a linke to the Raptor PassPort Safe app, which will allow you to put a QR code from Raptor on your phone and then each time your come in you just scan your code off your phone on the Raptor Visitor System. It is faster than scanning your license and taking a picture each time you come in. It uses your picture that you have scanned in the system already from previously being at Hollymead. It is user friendly and easy to do. You just need to remember to bring your phone with you when you visit Hollymead.
Here is a video to get you started so you know what to do. Create a Raptor Safe Passport
You may have noticed that Hollymead, along with all schools in ACPS has begun using VisitorSafe, a new visitor check-in system from Raptor Technologies. VisitorSafe helps us keep our school safe and makes check-in faster for families and guests.
Directions for Visitor Sign In:
Directions for Visitor Sign In:
When you visit during the school day:
Check in at the front office or kiosk. If you have a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, scan it. The system will take your photo, ask you to choose your reason for visiting, and print a personalized visitor badge.
If you do not have a government-issued photo ID, our front office staff can type your information into the system and print your badge.
How VisitorSafe Helps Keep Our School Safe
How VisitorSafe Helps Keep Our School Safe
VisitorSafe checks all visitor names against sex offender registries in all 50 U.S. states and any safety lists set by the school or division, such as custody orders or banned visitor lists. If a visitor is flagged as a safety risk, school officials are notified immediately.
Additionally, VisitorSafe helps our school by keeping accurate records of who is in the building in real time and making check-in faster and easier for families, volunteers, and guests.
Sign-In for School Wide Events -
In addition to regular sign-in, VisitorSafe technology allows for an efficient and secure sign in for school events where multiple families arrive at the same time. Families will be provided a link in a school communication that allows you to register in advance for an event. Once signed up for the event, you will be provided a barcode. When arriving at the school the day of the event, families will simply scan their barcode to sign and and sign out. This process will allow for continued safety of our school community during larger school wide events such as concerts and assemblies when families are invited. Here is a Digital Walkthrough of how registering for an event works! Note: We will not use this system for School Wide Morning Meetings.
Resources for Families
At Hollymead, our school community is built on care, support, and ensuring every student and family feels secure.
We are aware that many of our families are currently facing unexpected challenges. We wish to share this special message to help connect families with local resources that can assist with immediate needs such as food assistance or urgent financial aid.
If you need help accessing resources for your family or simply need someone to talk to, please reach out to our School Counselor, Megan Kopley at 434-973-8301 or via email at mkopley@k12albemarle.org. All conversations are confidential.
Where to Find Help:
Where to Find Help:
School Support:
Contact Megan Kopley about our Hungry Hearts No More food pantry. All inquiries are handled with care and confidentiality.
434-973-8301 OR mkopley@k12albemarle.orgSchool Lunch Program:
Families affected by the shutdown—or any family experiencing financial hardship—may apply for the free/reduced lunch program anytime. Enter “0” for income if you’re currently not receiving pay.
Free & Reduced Meal Information – Albemarle County Public Schools
(All applications are confidential and only accessible to cafeteria staff.)Community Resources:
Virginia 211 – Call 211 or visit the site for local food pantries and assistance programs.
Virginia Fresh Match – Double your SNAP dollars on fresh produce at participating markets.
Holiday Assistance:
Apply for Toy Lift holiday support by November 12:Comprehensive Community Resource Lists:
Ways to Support Our Community
Ways to Support Our Community
Donate:
Contributions to local food banks directly help families in need. Hollymead and Lakeside partner with Hungry Hearts No More (HHNM) at Peace Lutheran Church. Donation bins are available outside our doors year-round.
Gift cards for Sam’s Club, Kroger, or Food Lion may also be donated through Megan Kopley for pantry use.Volunteer:
Local food programs rely on volunteers to sort, pack, and distribute food. Loaves & Fishes is one of our key partners supporting the HHNM pantry.Give to Toy Lift:
Learn more or donate at toylift.org.
We are grateful for our strong community and we thank you for all that you do to help.
School Family Lunch Visits
At Hollymead, we have a practice that allows families to come to school from time to time and have lunch with their children. Below is an outline of the essential procedures for a positive experience for you, your children and their peers:
Make sure to sign in at the Front Office and get a Visitor’s Badge
Please wait for your child’s class to come to the Cafeteria
Be sure to sit with your child(ren) at the cafe tables along the side
Please refrain from any cell phone use (taking pictures, sharing videos, etc) due to the privacy needs of students
At the end of lunch, please have your child line up with their peers and then exit the cafeteria.
Please do not walk your child to their classroom as this causes a disruption to the transition and to their classroom environment.
Hollymead Lunch Schedule:
11:10-11:35 - Kindergarten
11:15-11:40 - 3rd Grade
11:40-12:05 - 1st Grade
11:45-12:10 - 2nd Grade
12:20-12:45 - 4th Grade
12:15-12:40 - 5th Grade
Family Lunchtime Visit FAQs:
Q: Can I have lunch with more than one of my children?
A: Yes! If they are in the same grade, or in grades that eat at the same time, you certainly may. If not, we ask that you eat separately and keep with the lunch schedule above.
Q: Can I invite one of my child’s friends to join us?
A: We ask that you take this as an opportunity for special time with your child. Inviting peers can often leave other peers feeling left out.
Q: Can I sit with my child at their table?
A: Please sit at the high cafe tables with your child along the side of the cafeteria.
Q: Can I bring birthday treats to lunch?
A: We do allow modest treats to be shared by parents. Please check with your child’s teacher about any potential allergies of any students in the classroom and avoid foods that may contain them.
When all are in keeping with these practices, it truly helps make lunchtime a fun and orderly time for all of our learners. We look forward to seeing you throughout the school year!
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications
Families can go to the Child Nutrition Page to fill out the application (linked here). To apply for the free and reduced lunch program, you must submit a new application each school year. This is required even if your child qualified in the past. Applications, both online and in paper form, can be found on the ACPS Child Nutrition webpage.
Student Lunch Accounts
To put money on your students lunch account, use this site to monitor and add funds as you need: www.mySchoolBucks.com
PTO CORNER
Click here for the latest edition of Hornet Happenings: Hornet Happenings - 12/10/25
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