November 2025
Holton families:
As you have probably noticed, we have been doing different forms of testing this year in addition to our STAR testing. The purpose of the testing is to identify the areas in reading that each child needs to improve. This is all part of the state mandate around improving reading scores statewide. Last year we trained our teachers and this year we are executing a new schedule with enhanced time for reading and intervention for all students. Using all the data at our disposal will help make sure your child has the appropriate reading support. Support can also look like an extension if your child is above grade level in reading.
Our teachers meet weekly in Professional Learning Communities to compare data and adjust small group instruction to meet students' needs. Soon, we will be adding small group intervention to their support. We have monthly data meetings where we look at student growth and discuss what reading strategies will be appropriate for each student. With our former schedule, a 7-period day, we were unable to allocate time to do this; however, with our current schedule (much closer to an elementary schedule) we are able to use our time more flexibly.
The adjustments we've made this year to our schedule and reading instruction require a tremendous amount of learning on the part of our teachers. As usual, they have stepped up and are making huge adjustments. We meet weekly in PLC's, monthly for data meetings and use our district wide Professional Development time to provide the necessary training. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact your child's teacher or contact Mr. Malo or myself and we would be happy to discuss our plan.
Thank you for your support,
Mr. Schara
Mr. Malo's Shout Out
I hope this message finds you and your loved ones well. Thank you for all you do to support our students — your partnership makes a real difference every day.
Important Announcements
- STAR Reading Testing — Dec. 3 & Dec. 4
Action: Please ensure students arrive to school well-rested and on time on these days. - STAR Math Testing — Dec. 10 & Dec. 11
Action: Encourage your child to try their best; a calm breakfast and a good night’s sleep help a lot. - 5th Grade my SAEBRS (SEL survey) — Dec. 18
Note: If you wish to opt your 5th grader out of the survey, email kane.malo@austin.k12.mn.us or call the office at 507-460-1525. - Winter Break / No School — Dec. 20 through Jan. 4
Reminder: School resumes after the break on Jan. 5. Enjoy the time with family and friends!
We are grateful for your help making testing days smooth for everyone.
Celebrations from the Week
- Wonderful teamwork in classrooms — students worked together respectfully during group activities.
- Great reading progress — several students celebrated reaching new reading goals and everyone cheered them on.
- Kindness spotted — students helped each other at movement break and welcomed peers to join in.
These moments remind us how caring and resilient our school community is. Thank you for reinforcing these values at home.
Additional Information & Weather Reminders Wow — winter is here! A few reminders to keep students safe and comfortable:
- Outdoor recess policy: We will go outside unless the air temperature is 0 or the wind chill is -10.
- At or below those temperatures we will keep students indoors and will open doors early.
- The earliest we can open doors is 7:40 AM — please plan drop-off times with this in mind.
- Cold-weather gear: If students want to play in the snow, they must have boots. Hats and gloves are recommended every day.
- Drop-off & parking safety:
- When dropping your child off, please pull up to the curb and do not stop in the driving lane.
- For safety, there are no left turns out of the school parking lot. Thank you for following these procedures to keep our students safe.
Again, 5th graders will take the mySAEBRS SEL survey on Dec. 18. To opt out, email kane.malo@austin.k12.mn.us or call 507-460-1525.
We are grateful for your ongoing support in helping us keep students safe, warm, and ready to learn.
Thank you for being such valued partners in your child’s education. We look forward to continuing our work together and wish your family a peaceful and joyful winter break.
Mr. Malo
Happy December Holton Families!
I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving Break was a good one. A chance to celebrate some of my favorite words that begin with the letter “F”—Family, Friends, Food, Football, and Free time.
For our PBIS Celebration this month, we went in a different direction. Instead of celebrating ourselves, we celebrated others. Our students spent some time during our last day writing letters to senior citizens in nursing homes that may or may not have had visitors recently. It was a chance to share the vibrance of youth with the experience of age. Reading some of the letters written made my heart swell with pride. We have some kind and deeply caring students at IJ Holton Intermediate School.
Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t give my monthly weather apparel notice. Now that the winter months are finally upon us, here are a few reminders about outside recess:
-We go outside every day unless the air temperature is BELOW zero degrees or the windchill factor is more than -10 degrees.
-Students are NOT allowed to go back into the building to get their coat, nor are they allowed to leave the cafeteria to get it. They must grab everything when the teacher lines them up to bring them to lunch.
-Coats, boots, hats, gloves, and snowpants are STRONGLY encouraged. Please speak to your child’s teacher or Ms. Veronica if you do not have any of those items.
-Students are allowed to walk in the snow if they are wearing snow boots.
-Students may play in the snow (build snowmen, build forts, make snow angels, slide down snow piles, etc.) ONLY if they are wearing a coat, snowpants, boots, hats, and gloves.
If dressed properly, winter can be some of the most fun times there are!
Lastly for the month, we are entering a stretch of the year where our children are overjoyed with the upcoming season. In their excited state, expectations tend to slide or disappear altogether. Please remind and reinforce with your child or children to adhere to the rules and expectations we have established at Holton. As a song that I once or twice have heard before sings, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Let’s keep it wonderful.
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. Bring on winter!
David Brown
IJ Holton Dean of Students
IJ Holton Families,
The BARR model emphasizes a whole student approach where we prioritize the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students so that they are able to thrive. One aspect of the BARR program is Big Block meetings after school on Mondays and Tuesdays. At these meetings, teachers, counselors, and administrators engage in solution-focused conversations about students. See below for the BARR strategies and the summary of our U-Time sessions for November. If you ever have any questions about BARR at IJ Holton, please do not hesitate to reach out.
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 November
11/6/25
Grade 5 The Fantastic Five In this lesson, the students identified qualities that make a good friend. After brainstorming ideas with their class, students had the chance to write down the top five qualities that they looked for in a friend.
Grade 6 Person of the Year Students had the opportunity to learn about our need for goals and dreams. They learned about people who have been named “Person of the Year”. Then, they filled out their own “Person of the Year” handout where they wrote about and reflected on what they would like to be famous for in the future.
11/13/25
Grade 5 Let's Listen Students recognized the skills and behaviors of a good listener. They played a game called “telephone” that taught them how a message can be misunderstood when it is shared and re-shared by many people. Students had time to reflect and write or draw about how they plan to improve their listening skills and behaviors.
Grade 6 Adventure Journal An Adventure Journal is a list of all the adventures or things that a person hopes to do. The students had a chance to create their own Adventure Journal either on paper or electronically by selecting images that they found online. Their teacher encouraged them to dream big and set their goals high!
11/20/25
Grade 5 See How Lucky I Am Students were given the opportunity to identify and appreciate their unique talents and skills. They did this through a story and activity involving the different pieces of silverware learning that each has its own special purpose.
Grade 6 Letter of Understanding In this lesson, students had the chance to share information with their teacher in the form of a letter. This will help their teacher understand them better. Students were encouraged to share things such as pets, places they had traveled to, activities and hobbies they enjoyed, and hopes they have for the future.
BARR Center | Same Students. Same Teachers. Better Results.
Your new IJ Holton Intermediate School Store is live. To celebrate, we’re offering 20% OFF all Sideline Store purchases with code SPIRIT20 for an entire month. Follow these steps to start promoting this epic sale.
Copy
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/minnesota/austin/ij-holton-intermediate-schoolWelcome to Sideline Store, THE place to score personalized spirit wear and accessories from all your favorite brands. For a limited time, enjoy 20% OFF during your IJ Holton Intermediate School store’s Grand Opening Sale with code SPIRIT20.
When: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, during the school day – Each grade level Spelling Bee will be scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. with the 5th graders competing first and the 6th graders starting shortly thereafter.
Where: Ellis Middle School’s Auditorium – Austin, Minnesota
Who: For this Spelling Bee, you will only be competing against students that are in your grade, i.e. 5th graders versus 5th graders and 6th graders versus 6th graders.
Can families be a part of the audience? Families may sit quietly in the audience if they choose. However, it will be live streamed for your convenience.
If you have any questions pertaining to Holton's Spelling Bee, please email Mrs. Herman at laurie.herman@austin.k12.mn.us
Links that will go live streamed right before the event:
Grade 5: https://youtube.com/live/ZFlrUN1N094?feature=share
Grade 6: https://youtube.com/live/YFNmPNR7mEk?feature=share
