Hollymead Buzz

May 8, 2025

Hello, Hollymead Families,

It is Teacher Appreciation Week and we would like to dedicate this week's newsletter to the amazing teachers whose hard work is the heart of our school.

At Hollymead, we are lucky to have a truly exceptional teaching staff who are dedicated to the learning and development of your children. They work diligently to know each and every child in their care by name and by need. They collaborate to create lessons and learning experiences that are meaningful, engaging, and create a love of learning. Our teachers are invested in creating genuine connections with you as families and they make themselves available to hear your concerns, celebrate progress and advocate for your children.

The investment in your children by our teachers and staff cannot be understated. These individuals truly care for your children and strive to provide the very best for them each and every day. The work does not end at dismissal as they reflect on the successes of today in order to make a better tomorrow for the children in their care.

Their work is inspiring and we are very, very fortunate to have such incredible people here working so hard for our school, our community and your children.

Have a wonderful week!

Joe McCauley Kim Gentry

Principal Assistant Principal

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

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. 

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.

Hollymead Coders!

Hollymead students are incredible coders, using many of our software platforms to showcase and create. Here is a look at 4th and 5th grade students designing with Canva (all ACPS 3rd-12th graders have full access using their Classlink login) as well as 2nd graders coding in Octostudio. They took photographs of their incredible habitat art made with Ms. Foster and Ms. Rapp and used pieces to code the animals in their natural environment. Octostudio is a free coding platform for iOS and Google Play created by M.I.T. Video Link

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

May 8th - 4th Grade Math SOL - 8:15AM

May 13th - 4th Grade Reading SOL - 8:15AM

May 15th - 3rd Grade Reading SOL- 8:15AM

May 15th - Kindergarten Music Informance (for parents/families) -8:30AM

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

May 20th- 5th Grade Social Studies SOL- 8:15AM

May 21st - 3rd Grade Math  SOL - 8:15AM

May 22nd - 5th Grade Science - 8:15AM

May 23rd-  SWMM Interventionists 

May 24th - Parent Portal Disabled

May 26th - Memorial Day Holiday 

May 28th - Red Nose Day Bake Sale - 8:30AM

May 30th - Field Day

June 4th - 5th Grade Recognition Ceremony - 10:00AM

June 4th -  1st Grade Ice Cream Party on K/1 Playground - 1:30PM (In hall between rooms 10-12 if rains)

June 5th - 3rd Grade Ice Cream Party 3-5 Playground - 12pm 

June 5th - HES 5th Grade Pool Party Location TBD

June 6th - Parent Portal Enabled

June 6 - Last day of school - IT IS A HALF 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

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.

PTO Corner

Hello, Hornets!

This week’s edition of Hornet Happenings, the Hollymead PTO newsletter, includes

·       a last call for contributions to this week’s Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week fundraiser (we haven’t hit our goal!) and for classroom supplies

·       a recap of last week’s Spring Family Dance

·       the latest from Family Council

·       dining Night Out on May 12 (at Timberwood Grill) and on June 2 (at Chick-fil-A)

·       ways to get involved in the PTO

·       and more!

Read now: https://secure.smore.com/n/gsdkan