January 2026
Holton Families,
We hope you and your family had a restful and enjoyable winter break. As we return to school, we will take time to review and reinforce routines both throughout the building and within each classroom. Reestablishing these expectations will help students transition smoothly back into learning and prepare them for the next level of academic work.
At this point in the school year, we have gathered sufficient academic data in both math and reading to begin individualized interventions for students. This intervention component is a key feature of our updated schedule. Over the next several weeks, students will be grouped within their reading classes to allow teachers to deliver research-based reading interventions. Once these reading groups are well established, we will expand our focus to include additional math interventions.
Our teachers have invested significant time in strengthening their instructional practices. Those who were with us last year completed State-mandated reading training, and teachers who are new this year are currently engaged in that same work. Our ultimate goal is to continuously improve reading instruction while providing targeted, individualized support for every student.
Our winter concerts and PBIS rewards in December were outstanding. I am extremely proud of our performance music programs at Holton. We are one of the few school districts in the state able to offer band, orchestra, and choir beginning in fifth grade. This opportunity is made possible largely through the support of our Music Boosters, who help acquire and maintain instruments for all students who choose to participate in performance music. If you are able, we encourage you to support the Music Boosters, as donations go directly back to our students.
I would also like to thank our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) committee for organizing our end-of-the-month reward celebration. It was a tremendous success, and we hope you had a chance to view the photos shared on our Facebook page.
As always, we appreciate your continued support. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We are excited to begin the new year working together with your family.
Sincerely,
Mr. Schara
Mr. Malo's Shout Out
Dear Families,
Warm greetings and a heartfelt welcome back! I hope you and your children had a restful break and are feeling refreshed for the new term. We are grateful for the trust you place in our school every day.
Important Announcements
- Quarter ends on January 9 — please mark your calendars.
- Routines matter: consistent attendance and timely arrival help your child settle into learning quickly.
- If you have questions about your child’s academics, please reach out to their teacher. Working together is best for everyone — don’t hesitate to contact us so we can support your child’s success.
Celebrations from the Week
- Welcome back from break! It’s been wonderful to see students return with enthusiasm and positive energy.
- Classrooms have been full of friendly reunions, lively discussions, and students diving back into learning. We are proud of how students are transitioning smoothly.
- Small moments that stood out: students helping one another during morning routines, thoughtful participation in lessons, and many smiling faces around campus.
Additional Information & Reminders
- Morning drop-off: please pull up to the curb when dropping off your child to keep traffic moving safely and quickly.
- Doors open at 7:45 AM — students should not arrive earlier than this unless supervised by a staff member through an approved program.
- Quick tips for a smooth morning:
- Have backpacks and materials ready before you get to the curb.
- Say your goodbyes quickly so the line can keep moving.
- If you need extra time, consider parking and walking your child to the main entrance.
We are grateful for your ongoing support in helping make mornings calm, safe, and efficient for everyone.
Thank you for your continued partnership, communication, and care. Together we create a positive and supportive school community for our children. We look forward to working with you this quarter and celebrating many more successes ahead.
Best Regards to a New Year and a New Semester,
Mr. Malo
Welcome to 2026, Holton Families!
The changing of the calendar always brings excitement for the new and unknown. Personally, I can’t wait for the start of the new year! Of course, the changing of the calendar won’t be the same without the Vikings in the play-offs. Having my heart broken by my favorite team is one of the things I look forward to most in January. It’s just not supposed to happen in December. At least the Wild and Timberwolves are having some success. That helps in the winter months.
There was no disappointment at Holton, however. What an incredible PBIS Celebration Day we had leading into break! The students showed off their creativity by building pinball machines to run marbles through. Creativity was key while the students built their unique structures. Watching an entire building of students actively engaged in the learning process and having fun in the process is why a person gets into education in the first place. A special thank you goes out to Mr. Zidlicky for planning and organizing this extra special event. We look forward to our All-School BINGO in January!
As your child has heard me say on numerous occasions, “Our #1 job in schools it to keep you safe. We want you physically, mentally, and emotionally safe.” Our data shows overwhelmingly that Holton is a safe, secure place. However, there are things that we miss. We can’t help what we don’t know about. If at any time your child is not feeling safe, please encourage them to talk to his or her teacher, counselor, or me. If he or she is hesitant to talk, we’d love for you to let us know. No learning can take place if a child doesn’t feel safe. We are in this together.
Lastly, speaking of safety, PLEASE, when dropping off or picking your child up in front of the school, pull over to the right lane and drop off directly at the sidewalk. I am out there every morning, and I am convinced daily that this is the morning I am going to see a student get hit by a car. Fortunately, it hasn’t happened yet. When we have students get out of their cars directly into oncoming traffic, it is only a matter of time. In addition, dropping off in the left lane slows the flow of traffic. The left lane is for driving through. The right is for dropping off. Thank you for following these safety measures.
At IJ Holton, we encourage our students to be Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and to Do Their Best! If at any time you have any questions or concerns, please email me david.brown@austin.k12.mn.us or call me at 460-1525. Happy New Year!
David Brown
IJ Holton Dean of Students
IJ Holton Families,
As part of BARR, we are fortunate to have a BARR Coach, Sarah Thoreson. Sarah works with about 12 different BARR schools from many different school districts and states. She is a wealth of knowledge and very helpful as we work to implement the BARR model with fidelity. We connect weekly through a coaching call, and she has also visited IJ Holton twice this year. Here is a comment that she shared with us during her most recent visit: U-Time lessons are marked by positive energy, with teachers delivering consistent weekly lessons that build community across grade levels. This structure supports teacher collaboration and adds pertinent participation and opportunities to share relevant non-academic data during Block and Community Connect meetings. Sincerely, Karen Dunbar, IJ Holton & Ellis BARR Coordinator
BARR Strategies
Focus on the whole student.
Provide professional development for teachers, counselors, and administration.
Use BARR’s U-Time Curriculum to foster a climate for learning.
Create a cohort of students.
Hold regular meetings of the cohort teacher teams.
Conduct community connect meetings.
Engage families in student learning.
Engage administrators.
U-Time Sessions in December
12/4/25
Grade 5 Voice Volumes In this lesson, the students recognize and use different voice volumes in different environments and situations. The teacher shared the story of Decibella and Her 6-inch Voice with the students. Then, the students had the chance to practice 3 different voice volumes learning about when it is appropriate to use each one. Grade 6 A Year in My Life Students had the opportunity to get to know their classmates better and to practice conversation skills. The facilitator assigned partners and instructed the students to sit in desks facing each other. Then, the facilitator passed out a set of “Year in My Life” sentence strips to each pair that they used as conversation starters.
12/11/25
Grade 5 Most Likely to Change the World Students identified learned about identifying and using their strengths to make the world a better place. They watched a video on this subject by Kid President and then wrote or drew about how they could change the world. Finally, they shared their ideas with their classmates.
Grade 6 Nonverbals The students learned how to communicate with each other without using words. They were directed to place themselves on a human continuum line in order of birthdate without talking. Afterwards, the class had a chance to debrief about the activity, sharing the challenges that come when we must communicate nonverbally.
12/18/25
Grade 5 Supporting Each Other Students learned about words such as affirmation, inspiration, and motivation by brainstorming ways to support each other. Then, they each chose a motivational saying to use in the creation of an inspirational poster of their own.
Grade 6 Feelings Charade In this lesson, students learned how the verbal and nonverbal expression of feelings can affect communication. Students were divided into groups of 5-6 students to act out different emotions without speaking. At the end, they had a chance to debrief about feelings and their effects.
BARR Center | Same Students. Same Teachers. Better Results.
