Spring Newsletter

Holmes Families,

First, I’d like to thank you all for your kindness and support to our faculty, staff and students with news of the passing of Dave Smith. He was a fantastic teacher who cared for each and every child for 20 years at Holmes. Thank you to our PTA for setting up a fundraiser to purchase a bench in his honor. He will forever be a cherished member of the Holmes community.

Next, I must remind everyone that third and fourth graders will be taking the ELA and Math NYS Assessments over the next few weeks. ELA is April 28 and 29, Math will be May 12 and 13. These are computer based assessments for all third and fourth graders in New York State. We are confident that our Holmes students will show grit and apply their knowledge.

Finally, with the warmer weather comes more access to our playground. Please ensure that your children are supervised at all times if you choose to play on our playground after school. Remember that though it’s not during the school day, the playground is on school grounds so children and adults are expected to behave accordingly. Be safe, be kind and communicate appropriately.

I am looking forward to a fun and productive Spring at Holmes. These last 8 weeks of school will be very busy!

Thank you for being amazing partners in your children's education!

Sincerely,

Heather McCarthy, Ed.D.

Principal

Holmes Elementary

HMcCarthy@ktufsd.org

As we head into the final weeks of the school year, every school day counts! Consistent attendance helps students stay engaged in learning, maintain routines, and enjoy important end-of-year activities, celebrations, and classroom experiences. Finishing the year strong sets students up for success and helps them end the year feeling proud of all they have accomplished. Thank you for partnering with us to make daily attendance a priority and supporting your child in coming to school ready to learn each day!

As we head into Spring weather, please take some time to read our important reminders:

• Students should be dressed appropriately for the weather and appropriate for school (sneakers are needed on PE days)
• Students are not permitted to drink pop/soda or chew gum in school. Please do not send these items in for lunch or snack.

Please review the following dismissal reminders to ensure a safe and smooth dismissal for all of our students:

• Dismissal begins at 3:25pm. All students must be picked up by 3:45pm.
• The bus loop is closed to cars 8:45am-9:00am and 3:00pm-3:45pm. We need our bus loop for buses and to ensure safety.
• If you are picking your student up for the day, please send a note or call the Main Office as soon as possible
• Please do not send teachers messages with changes to your student's dismissal plans. Please send a note or call the Main Office with any changes as early in the day as possible.

The playground is a popular place after school! It's also right next to our staff parking lot. Please ensure your students are walking and crossing at the crosswalk safely as many staff members are leaving for the day.

While using the playground, we ask that all students and adults are acting safely and respectfully.

In April, students will focus on Career Exploration, building self-awareness around their interests, strengths, and future goals. In May, we’ll shift to mindfulness, helping students develop self-regulation and strategies to manage emotions and stay present. Ask your child what they’re learning about themselves and what helps them feel calm!

This month in Physical Education, our students have been staying active, building skills, and having a lot of fun in the gym!

We’ve been working on volleying skills, learning how to control a ball in the air using our hands and different striking techniques. Students have been practicing focus, coordination, and teamwork while trying to keep the ball moving with partners and small groups. It has been great to see everyone improving and encouraging each other!

In the spirit of March Madness, we’ve also been diving into all things basketball. Students have been learning and practicing important basketball skills like dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork through fun games and activities. It’s been exciting to see students challenge themselves and grow their confidence while celebrating one of the most exciting times of the basketball season.

Looking ahead, we are very excited for warmer weather! When spring arrives, we’ll begin spending more time outside enjoying the fresh air. Students will learn and play a variety of fun backyard-style games that they can easily bring home and play with friends and family. These activities help promote lifelong fitness and active play beyond school.

Our talented artists at Holmes Elementary have just put the finishing touches on their stunning Buffalo Botanical Gardens projects, showcasing incredible growth and creativity. When we return from break, the studio will transform for our highly anticipated Electric City Glow Show projects. Get ready to see Holmes light up with neon inspiration!

Bryson is using bubble paint for his recent art project!

Our classes will be listening to read alouds about Spring soon...please see the library website for recommended picture book titles!

Some wonderful things are happening in the music room as of late! Kindergarten and 1st Grade are showing their conducting skills, 2nd grade is continuing with singing rounds (same melody, staring at different times in two or three parts), 3rd grade is continuing to progress with recorder playing by learning to play by ear, and by looking at the staff, and 4th grade is learning to decipher the different musical textures, as well as the different voice types by using active listening.

The 3rd Grade Recorder Concert has been changed. The new date and time for our family performance will be June 4 at 2pm. The 4th grade Choral and Instrumental concert has not changed and will still take place on June 2 at 2pm.

As the weather warms up and spring is finally here, it’s the perfect time to swap screen time for sunshine and fresh air! Encourage your children to get outside, play, and stay active with friends and family. Whether they’re riding bikes, scooters, or e-scooters, please make sure they wear proper protective gear like helmets and pads to stay safe while having fun. A little extra time outdoors (and a little less time on screens!) goes a long way in keeping our students healthy, happy, and energized this season.

The remaining months of the year bring new challenges and the need for dedication and perseverance. Our PBIS focus for the next few months will be to show GRIT and finish strong. Showing grit involves not giving up when things are hard. Upstanders took part in an obstacle course in which they had to show grit to finish. RTI Reading and Math students show grit as they try to reach their goals while working on improving their skills. 3rd and 4th graders will need to show grit during the NYS assessments that are coming up soon. Please encourage your child to "get gritty" and finish strong this year!

Please also ask your child about earning Stepping It Up Tickets and "purchasing" experiences at our PBIS store. We have had some amazing opportunities for students to be creative and spend time with friends and adults while doing something fun together.

One of the most exciting days of the school year is right around the corner!

On Tuesday, June 23rd, we will celebrate our successful 2025–2026 school year with our Annual Field Day. This special day is filled with fun activities, teamwork, movement, and lots of smiles as we wrap up the school year together. Students will rotate through a variety of exciting outdoor stations designed to keep everyone active and engaged while celebrating all the hard work they’ve put in throughout the year.

Important Information for Field Day:

• Lunch: Lunch will be provided by the school cafeteria. If your child prefers to bring a lunch from home, they may certainly do so.
• Dress for the Weather: Since we will be outside for most of the day, please dress your child appropriately for the weather. We will celebrate rain or shine!
• Footwear: All students should wear socks and sneakers so they can safely participate in all activities.
• Sunscreen: Please apply sunscreen before your child comes to school, as teachers are not permitted to apply sunscreen to students.

This event is a special end-of-year celebration for our students. Field Day will be limited to students, staff, and designated volunteers as we enjoy and celebrate the final day of school together. We are looking forward to a fantastic day filled with laughter, teamwork, and memories as we celebrate an amazing school year. Field Day truly is one of the best days of the year!

Fourth-graders participated in a grade-level Spelling Bee this month! Finalists from each class competed against each other. Students practiced words from their CKLA units, studied with peers and families, and showed excellent sportsmanship!

Students in Mrs. Seymour's class proudly display their CKLA writing project!

Who wouldn't want to be greeted with a hug and an umbrella on a rainy morning?

Students in Ms. Caruana's class worked in groups to make leprechaun traps for St. Patrick's Day!

Students and staff wore purple to show support for Epilepsy Awareness Day!

Check out our upcoming events at Holmes Elementary! Click the link below to access the Holmes Google Calendar and see scheduled events!