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October 22, 2025
Hello, Hollymead Families!
The second quarter is underway and we are, as always, very excited for this next phase of the school year. The classroom communities and learning routines are fully established. The learning is more targeted, more guided by our knowledge and understanding of your child than ever.
This week we are recognizing all the hard work of our Transportation Stafff here at Hollymead! Our drivers, and assistants work extremely hard to make sure they get all of the bus riders to school and back home swiftly and safely! We thank all of the Hollymead Transportation Staff for all of their dedication and hard work!
Joe McCauley & Kim Gentry
Hollymead Administrative Team
Report Card Timelines
The Parent Portal re-opens on Monday, October 27.
Fall Growth Testing - October 28 and October 30
Next week, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will take the Virginia Department of Education’s Fall Growth Reading and Math Assessments. These assessments provide data that helps us measure each student’s academic progress towards the learning standards over the course of the year.
We use these results, along with multiple data sources such as our literacy module assessments and math unit assessments, to guide our instruction and ensure that we are meeting each student’s needs. Families can also use this information to better understand the skills their child is ready to learn, as well as areas that may require additional support.
Assessment reports will be sent home once the testing window is complete. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or Kim Gentry, our Assistant Principal with any questions.
Storybook Character Parade - Friday, October 31st @ 8:05AM
Next Friday, students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite storybook character! All students will have an opportunity to participate in or watch Hollymead's annual Storybook Character Parade! Families are also invited to attend and stand in the highlighted areas shown on this map. We look forward to seeing you!
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
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. This replaces our old check-in system. VisitorSafe helps us keep our school safe and makes check-in faster for families and guests.
How It Works:
How It Works:
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.
Calendar Dates
Fall Growth Testing (3rd, 4th, and 5th) - Reading: Tuesday, October 28
Fall Growth Testing (3rd, 4th, and 5th) - Math: Thursday, October 30
Storybook Character Parade: Friday, October 31st @ 8:05am
Math Family Night: Tuesday, November 11 5:30-6:30 (Book Fair 5:30-7:00pm)
5th Grade Music Concert: Tuesday, November 18 @ 5:30pm
NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday: November 3
NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday: November 4
NO SCHOOL - Holiday: November 26
NO SCHOOL - Holiday: November 27
NO SCHOOL - Holiday: November 28
School Wide Morning Meeting Calendar
SWMM Schedule - Last Friday of Every Month
October 24 - Hosted by 3rd Grade
November 21 - Hosted by 4th Grade
December 18 - Thursday Dec 18th SWA(fternoon)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
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 - 10/20/25
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