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January 29, 2026
Dear Hollymead Families!
We trust this message finds everyone in our community safe, warm and making the most of the interrupted school calendar. Please know that when we return to school, your children's teachers will be ready to resume classroom routines and learning right away. We recognize that the weather has caused a disruption for everyone and that the return to this consistency is important for children and their learning. The Hollymead staff is ready to support a successful transition back to the school community!
Below you will find information on many calendar updates, including new dates for winter growth testing, our 4th grade concert, the 1st grade SWMM, and the addition of February 16, February 17 and March 19 as school days. We are also pleased to announce our Teacher and our Classified Employee of the Year!
Sincerely,
Joe McCauley & Kim Gentry
Hollymead Administrative Team
Calendar Updates
UPDATED - Winter Growth Testing for 3rd 4th, and 5th Grades:
February 3: Reading
February 5: Math
February 5: 4th Grade Music Concert at 5:30pm
February 16: SCHOOL DAY (Added to calendar due to school closing)
February 17: SCHOOL DAY (Added to calendar due to school closing)
March 19: SCHOOL DAY (Added to calendar due to school closing)
School Wide Morning Meeting Calendar - Updated
SWMM Schedule - Last Friday of Every Month
February 6- 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
Announcing Hollymead's Teacher and Classified Employee of the Year!
We are proud to announce Ms. Ruth Haske as Hollymead Elementary School's Teacher of the Year. An exceptional EL educator, Ms. Haske creates an inclusive, joyful classroom where students feel confident taking risks, setting goals, and achieving at high levels. She honors students’ languages, cultures, and individual needs while working collaboratively with staff and families to remove barriers to learning. Ms. Haske’s leadership, compassion, advocacy and dedication make a lasting impact on our entire school community. We are very grateful to have her here at Hollymead!
We are also proud to recognize Ms. Brittany Durrer as Hollymead Elementary School’s Classified Employee of the Year. As a Teaching Assistant in our A-Base classroom, Ms. Durrer brings dedication, positivity, and exceptional skill to her work with students with disabilities. She has a remarkable ability to understand and respond to the unique needs of students with autism, fostering independence while providing thoughtful, timely support. Her commitment and the joy she brings to our students make her an outstanding member of our school community!
We Notice 2026
It’s that time of year again – We Notice 2026! This is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the everyday heroes across ACPS whose kindness, dedication, and leadership truly make a difference. Click the links below to nominate a Hollymead staff member! The nomination period begins on February 2 and ends on Febuary 16th.
Waste Reduction Fridays
Fridays are now Waste Reduction Fridays, or “No Plastic Fridays”, as part of the school division's waste reduction effort. With this effort to reduce single-use plastics and make the lunch program more environmentally sustainable, certain lunch items will not be served on Fridays.
On Fridays, we will not be serving PB&J sandwiches or yogurt.
Pizza and chef’s salad will still be available.
We understand that some students do not eat pizza. We also recognize that for some students, PB&J or yogurt may be their preferred meal. If your child relies on PB&J or yogurt, or has dietary, medical, cultural, or religious needs that may require an exception to the Friday menu, please reach out to your child’s teacher as soon as possible. We can then prepare appropriate options for your child. Our goal is to balance environmental responsibility with care and flexibility for our students and families. We appreciate your partnership as we strive to make this change thoughtfully and inclusively for all children and families.
C.A.R.E.S at Hollymead
At Hollymead, we continue to remind that C.A.R.E.S. (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control) is our shared expectation for how we treat one another each day. These traits guide our choices, our learning and how we build a strong community together. Families - you can help by reinforcing C.A.R.E.S. at home while talking with your students about how these values show up in daily life. When we bring our best and always choose kindness, we help make Hollymead a safe, respectful and caring place for everyone! Go, Hornets!
Reminder: Regular, Daily, On-Time Attendance Matters
A new year brings fresh opportunities for learning, growth, and new beginnings. Regular, on time, daily attendance plays a key role in student success. Being at school on time each day helps students stay engaged, build confidence and feel connected to their learning community. Consistent attendance ensures that students are in place to learn with their peers, with their teachers and with their learning.
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.
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: Hollymead PTO Newsletter 1/12/26
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