September 2025

Principal's Corner - Mr. Schara

Holton families,

It was wonderful to see so many families attend our open house. We had 84% attendance, so we thank you for your investment in this school year. As we have discussed in previous communications, we have a new type of schedule this year at I.J. Holton. Rather than a seven-period day we have self-contained classrooms. This will allow us more instructional time, particularly for reading and math. In our classrooms, teachers have been spending time building routines. Classroom routines teach structure and predictability as well as maximizing instructional time. Students learn through routines how to be more independent and responsible with their learning. Finally, routines dramatically enhance classroom management.

Beginning next week, we will begin our STAR testing for all students. The information gained from STAR testing will help us group students in classrooms so teachers can meet their individual learning needs. We have allocated more time for both reading and math this year so teachers can spend more time individually with students based on need. As a parent or guardian, we also understand that families have different needs so we try to make sure that your concerns, ideas and suggestions are addressed, we want you to know that you can call, email or stop in and we will listen and work with you; your child is important to us.

Thank you for your support,

Mr. Schara

Mr. Malo's Shout Out

Dear Families,

We hope this message finds you well. As we embark on another exciting school year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation for your continued support and partnership. Together, we can create a positive and enriching environment for our students.

Important Announcements

Drop-Off and Pick-Up: Please do not stop in the left lane during drop-off or pick-up. Kindly pull up to the curb to allow others to pass smoothly.
Student IDs: IDs are required for entry into sporting events and upcoming dances. Students will be bringing their IDs home this week. Please help them keep track of these important items. If an ID is lost, a replacement can be purchased for $5.
After-School Routines: Please discuss a plan with your child each morning. If you need to change the after-school routine (walking, riding the bus, or pick-up), please call by 2:30 PM. We cannot guarantee message delivery after that time, as we need to coordinate with teachers.
STAR Testing: Testing will take place on 9/3 and 9/4 for Math, and on 9/9 and 9/10 for Reading. It is crucial that your child is present, well-rested, and has eaten a good breakfast on these days, as the results will help us organize our small group instruction.

Celebrations from the Week

We are thrilled to report that the school year has started off wonderfully! Our dedicated teachers are actively working to develop and teach classroom expectations and routines. Students have been doing an exceptional job learning and responding positively to their teachers. Thank you for encouraging your children to embrace this new beginning!

Additional Information

As we continue this journey together, we want to keep you informed and engaged. We encourage open communication, so please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Your involvement is key to our collective success!

We are grateful for your partnership and support as we work together to nurture and inspire our students. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Mr. Brown's Corner

Hello, Holton Families-

What a weird feeling. Here we are writing our second newsletter of the year and having it only be the beginning of September. I guess a new calendar brings us new experiences. Speaking of new experiences, I hope your child or children have come home excited about the things happening at Holton this year. If your child is a 5th grader, everything is new to them. If your child is a returning 6th grader, their schedule and teachers are new. New brings on excitement, but it also brings on worry and stress. If your child has beginning of the year anxiety, it is perfectly normal. Sometimes adapting takes a little longer for some than others. Trust us when we tell you that your child WILL learn how to open his or her locker. They WILL figure out their schedule and where that classroom is.

Having been in education for way more years than I care to admit, I have learned a few things. Some of those things may help your child adjust to some of the nervousness or anxiousness they may be feeling, especially if your child is entering 5th grade. In my opinion, the biggest obstacle many fifth graders experience is going from the safety and comfort of their elementary where they have the same group of friends from year to year, to the big school where you have students from all four elementary schools. It is completely normal for your child to feel confused and sad when the friends they have had for years suddenly find new friends that have come from the other schools and your child is left out. Encourage and support your child. Let them know that this kind of change is normal, sometimes painful, but frequently very exciting if they are willing expand their horizons. Great rewards are to be found in the unknown!

Who doesn’t love rewards and celebrations? The PBIS Program (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) at Holton continues to be a highlight of our school. Recently, we were named a PBIS Exemplar School for the fifth year in a row. This award recognizes schools that go over and above when supporting and encouraging children. Perhaps your child has mentioned the frequent teaching of expectations while in certain areas of the school. Maybe they have mentioned the four rules of Holton: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Do Your Best. Soon, your child will be finding out how we say thank you to the students of Holton for meeting or exceeding our expectations. Our Friday drawings will begin on September 5th. This is a chance for your child to win incredibly cool prizes: water bottles, books, posters, and packs of sports cards, just to name a few. (Shout out to Rail Yard Sports Cards in Austin, Matt Lambaere, and Eddie Mjoen for hooking us up with endless amounts of football, baseball, soccer, basketball, hockey, and even Pokémon and Marvel Comic cards.) Our first school wide celebration will take place in October. More details to come!

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. Enjoy the beautiful weather!

David Brown

IJ Holton Dean of Students

Message from the counselors

Dear Students and Families,

Welcome back to a new school year from your IJ and Ellis counseling department! We hope you had a fun, relaxing, and memorable summer with your loved ones. As we begin this exciting journey together, we’re looking forward to a year full of learning, growth, and new opportunities. Let’s make this school year one to remember!

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, promote open conversations about mental health, and remind students that they are never alone. At our school, we believe that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Whether it’s offering a smile, lending a helping hand, or simply checking in on a friend, every gesture counts. This month, we encourage all students and staff to support one another, spread positivity, and help create a safe, caring school community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. If you or someone you know is struggling, please remember that help is always available. Do not be afraid to reach out.

If you are struggling at school with anything, big or small, reach out to one of our student support professionals. For 5th grade students and families, we have a new hire starting soon, in the interim, please contact the IJ Holton main office for assistance.

Kirstin Norby, 6th grade (507) 460-1536

Lea Oelfke, 7th grade (507) 460-1510

Zack Langreck, 8th grade (507) 460-1513

Rebecca Gullickson, SSW (507) 460-8306

IJ Holton Families,

I am happy to share with you that BARR is off to a good start at IJ Holton! BARR stands for “Building Assets & Reducing Risks”. The BARR strategies are listed below as well as a little information about the U-Time Lessons that will take place every Thursday for all students during Connect classes.

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
8/27/25 House Rules
All of the Connect classes learned a little about BARR. Then, they came up with House Rules that they could all agree on for use throughout the year for the U-Time Sessions.

U-Time Lessons will focus on building a connected community, goal setting, self-discovery, communication, focusing on strengths, stress management, bullying, perspectives, risk-taking, and dreams for the future.

Sincerely,
Karen Dunbar, IJ Holton & Ellis BARR Coordinator

1.Support and Resources to ensure a safe and welcoming learning environment.

The major priority this year will be implementing the whole group and small group reading, learning from last year's training. We will also be focusing on including small group learning in math with more time devoted to math instruction.

We will be implementing BARR (Building Assets Reducing Risks) at Holton this year to enhance our MTSS process and student awareness.

We will continue our Crisis Response Teamwork.

We will continue to be a PBIS school with another year of state recognition for our work.

2. Packer Profile for All Learners

We will investigate and do learning work to replace Green Architecture with a new PLTW class next year.

We will investigate artifacts from our PLTW classes to include in each student's Packer Portfolio.

3. District-wide multi-tiered system of support for all learners.

BARR training and implementation for all teachers.

HITS (High Impact Teaching Strategies) training for all teachers.

EDU Climber training for all teachers.

Functional phonics/morphology

4. Excellence in resource management.

Our finances now must function like an elementary school: school supplies, classroom libraries etc.

Accelerate Austin: November 2025 Referendum

On July 14, the School Board approved a resolution to propose a two-question bond referendum to district voters on November 4, addressing the critical needs of our school buildings.

The $66.7 million investment plan focuses on improving the functionality, safety, accessibility, and learning environments of our school buildings, many of which are 70 to 100 years old. While our schools have served the community well, they need significant updates to stay safe, efficient, and ready for the next generation of Austin students.

Question One of the referendum proposes a $54.7 million investment to make major repairs and renovations across eight of our school buildings, including upgrades to mechanical systems, improvements to safety and accessibility, and updates to classrooms and restrooms.
Question Two proposes a $12 million investment to renovate and expand the 50-year-old pool at Ellis Middle School. Question Two can only pass if Question One is also approved.

Our strategic planning website, AccelerateAustin.org, has been updated with details regarding the referendum. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.

For a median home valued at $200,000, the monthly property tax increase would be $16 per month starting in 2026 ($13 for Question One and $3 for Question Two). To help residents determine their specific tax impact, the district has shared a tax calculator on AccelerateAustin.org.

I encourage you to learn more about the plan, including its benefits, costs, and the voting process. Residents are encouraged to reach out to the district with questions or feedback through the AccelerateAustin.org website or by contacting the Superintendent.