SIS Monthly Newsletter

Hey SIS Families!

I know I say it every year but man, this school year flew by! I honestly can't believe we are already in May! I've been doing this education thing for 21 years and I truly don't believe I've experienced a faster school year! When I sit back and reflect on why that might be, I come to the conclusion it's because it's been such an amazing year! We've worked hard. We've enjoyed each other's company. We've built strong relationships with our students, parents, and colleagues, and we we've been fully invested in our learning goals!

Here's just a small sample of all we have accomplished this year:

• 4th Graders traveled to Fossil Gorge and the Iowa History Museum to kick of their Science and SS units this past fall.
• Celebrated Read Across America Week with fun dress up days and welcomed Hawkeye athletes to read with us
• Held <another> one of the BEST EVER School-wide Halloween Parties!
• Students and classes enjoyed competing for the coveted Orange Chair during our monthly assemblies!
• Teachers engaged in PD throughout the year to continue carrying out our Teach-to-Heal initiative and learned about reading strategy groups to further our students abilities in reading
• 4th Graders took their reading and learning to new places with the partnership with our Solon HS Quick Cooking Class! (Have you seen those cookbooks yet?!?!)
• Implemented reading strategy groups designed to support students with data-driven instructional needs and enrichment
• 4th & 5th grades learned more about career opportunities from our 8th grade students and their Career Fair
• Navigated all the twists and turns (and crazy smells) that come with construction
• Significantly raised our ISASP literacy scores!

and the list goes on! It's been an amazing year and there is still so much more to come, including 5th grade's Spartans in the Wild learning, 4th grade's Wax Museum, Track & Field Day, and a few fun events to close out the year!

Keep reading so you don't miss all the details on what's to come!

Here's to a marvelous May!

Yours in Education,

Mrs. Holtz

As you may be aware, a new state law will go into effect on July 1 requiring all school districts to adopt a policy restricting student cell phone use during instructional time. Each local school board has the authority to define what constitutes instructional time. Based on research and best practices, the district is defining instructional time as the entire school day, from the first bell to the final bell, including passing time, recess, and lunch.

The goal is to maximize instructional time and minimize distractions, while also supporting student mental wellness. Restricting cell phone use during the school day offers several benefits:

• Reduces distractions and fosters a more focused learning environment
• Encourages greater student engagement
• Helps build a more positive and connected school climate
• Offers students a mental break from the constant pressure of being online

We recognize that implementing a no-phone policy can bring challenges — both for students, parents and staff. That’s why we’re planning a 10-day pilot, beginning Monday, May 19 through the end of the school year, in all Solon schools. During the pilot period, students will not be permitted to access their phones, smartwatches, or other personal communication devices from the first bell at the start of the school day until the final bell. At SIS, this means students will keep their phones, smartwatches, or other personal communication devices in their backpacks.

This pilot provides the district an opportunity to identify enforcement challenges, explore practical solutions, gather data on student engagement, and collect real-time feedback. The insights gained will help inform the final policy, which will be adopted by July 1, and support a smoother implementation in the fall. To ensure continued communication between home and school, parents may leave messages with the school secretary, and students will have access to the school’s landline if needed.

Thank you in advance for your support and partnership.

• Can my child bring their cell phone into the school?
• Answer: Yes, students are permitted to bring their phones and smart watches into the school and keep them in their backpacks/lockers during the school day. Devices should be turned off.
• Can my student wear his/her smart watch during the school day?

• Answer: No. Students will need to keep their watches in their backpacks during the school day and should be turned off.
• How do I communicate end of day plans with my student?

• Answer: The best way to communicate end of day plans for students is to call the school’s secretary who can relay the information to your child.
• What should my child do if he/she needs to reach me during the school day?

• Answer: Students who need to reach their parents during the school day can ask to go to the office and call home. If you are concerned about your child not remembering necessary phone numbers, please update your Powerschool accounts with accurate phone numbers.
• What happens if my student is caught using their cell phone or watch during the school day
• Answer: Students caught using their phones, smart watches, or personal communication devices during the school day will have their devices held in the office until the end of the day. Repeated offenses will require parents to arrange a time to pick up their child’s device from the office and may result in additional consequences for students.

Please reach out if you have additional questions.

Dear Parents,

The Solon Physical Education Department is sponsoring our annual track and field day for SIS students in grades 4-5. The event will be held at Spartan Stadium on Tuesday, May 27 from 11:30-2:50. Friends and families are invited to attend. Sportsmanship, effort, and self-esteem are emphasized. The event promotes physical, social, and cognitive development of children. In the event of threatening weather, officials will determine if it is necessary to postpone the event. The rain date will be Wednesday, May 28.

Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle (preferably one that will keep water cold), a healthy snack, and sunscreen. Tennis shoes and athletic wear are a must. Students are also being asked to wear a t-shirt that corresponds to the color of their classroom.

• 4E/5E: Wear Red
• 4A/5A: Wear Blue
• 4B/5B: Wear Yellow
• 4C/5C: Wear Orange
• 4D/5D: Wear Green

We are in need of parent volunteers for various field events and other jobs throughout the event. We cannot pull off an event like this without volunteers. Please sign up using the sign up genius if you can help.

2025 SIS Track & Field Day Volunteers Sign Up

I am looking forward to a fun and rewarding day for the students.

If you are looking for a more specific field day schedule, please click HERE.

Thank you,

Blake Williams

SIS Physical Education Teacher

This past month SIS students created story maps and shared fairytales using Ozobots. We also spent some time creating some poetry for National Poetry Month and doing other fun poetry activities. 4th graders finally got to see the finished project of the "Class of 2033 Cookbook" full of the recipes that were made in conjunction with the SHS Quick Cooking class earlier this year. A copy will be added to the SIS library collection for future grades to enjoy!

As the end of the year gets closer, we are starting our annual inventory. In order to finish before the end of the year, last book check out will be the week of May 5th and ALL books will be due by Friday, May 16th. Please check under beds and in cubbies for all those missing books! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Solon Public Library will be visiting SIS to share all about the Summer Reading Program on Wednesday, May 14th. Get ready to Level Up at the Library this summer!

Parents and families of Lakeview and Solon Intermediate School students -

Order your school supplies hassle-free for the 2025-2026 school year! The PTO has organized an online school supply order - simply order at the link below! Online orders will go through June 22nd. Supplies will be available to pick up at Solon Intermediate School before school starts in August on a designated evening. More information will be emailed in August regarding pick up.

To order, go to https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/ and enter the school code LAK362

If you have questions, please email Angi McKie at aschumac@gmail.com

Our 24-25 Yearbooks are ready to be ordered! Orders can be made online or by filling an order form. All orders are due by Friday, May 23, 2025. To order online, use the online order code below.

Register for Spartan Youth Football Camp at THIS LINK.

Our goal is to have a football camp where the players learn the fundamentals and safest up to date techniques. Each day we have offense, defense, and special teams sessions. Safe tackling techniques (no live tackling) will also be included in our camp. We conclude each day with a fun competition. Cleats are not required for the football camp. Stations and drills are ran by our high school coaches and players.

Checks can be made payable to: Solon Booster Club (write in memo section “Football”) Send Below.

Attn: Lucas Stanton, Head Football Coach

600 W. 5th Street, Solon, IA 52333

OR Venmo @Solon-Boosters

*Please indicate on the form if you are mailing check or paying by Venmo. If by check please write in the memo "Football - and the participant's Name(s)". If by Venmo please put "Football Camp - and the participant's Name(s)". This will help us track registrations. Thank you.

Registration and payment by Friday June 13th to Guarantee a T-shirt.

Registrations and payment AFTER June 13th are not Guaranteed a T-shirt.

We do take walk ups the day of the camp.

YOUTH CAMP WILL BE GRADES 1ST - 8TH GRADE

• MONDAY JULY 21ST , TUESDAY JULY 22ND AND WEDNESDAY JULY 23RD 5:00 - 6:30 PM
• LOCATION : SPARTAN STADIUM
• COST: $50 (includes T-shirt)
• 
  

HIGH SCHOOL CAMP IS THE WEEK OF AUGUST 4TH

• Monday, August 4th and Tuesday, August 5th Varsity team is at Coe College for overnight camp
• 9th/10th grade Wednesday, August 6th @ Spartan Stadium 6:00 - 8:00 PM.
• 9th - 12th grade Thursday, August 7th & Friday, August 8th @ Spartan Stadium 6:00 - 8:30 PM.
• COST: $55 (includes t-shirt)

*If you will have multiple children participating in camp we ask that you fill out a separate form for all of them*

May 5-9: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 9: Cattlemen's Grill Out Lunch

May 20-21: Spartans in the Wild (5th Grade Field Trip)

May 27: SIS Track & Field Day

May 28: SIS Track & Field Day -- RAIN DATE --

May 29: Step Up Day (Early Dismissal: 1:32 pm at SIS)

May 30: Last Day of School for Students

Aug. 21: Unpack Your Backpack (4:30 - 6:00 at SIS)

Aug. 25: First Day of 25/26 School Year (Early Dismissal: 1:32 pm at SIS)

Email: mholtz@solon.k12.ia.us
Website: www.solon.k12.ia.us
Location: 200 West 5th Street, Solon, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 624 - 3401
Twitter: @theholtzfamily4