The Hawk

• Class placement email sent - August 18 - 4:00
• PTO - Popsicles in the Park - August 18 5:00-6:00 (Holmes Playground)
• School Supply Drop Off - August 22 - 8:15-9:15
  
• First day of student attendance - August 23 - 8:00-2:30
• Curriculum Night - August 31 - 6:00-7:30

More Details to Follow!

We are excited to host a school-wide supply drop-off and self-guided school scavenger hunt designed to give families an opportunity to see their child's classroom, say a quick hello to their teacher, and tour the school. You can come visit your classroom before the first day of school even if you ordered supplies at the end of last year.

This event is Tuesday, August 22 from 8:15-9:15 am. We hope you are able to stop in and say hello.

There are students who attend our school who have life-threatening allergies. For the safety of these students, all classrooms and our lunchroom will be peanut/tree nut safe. The following guidelines will be followed:

• Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any of our schools. This includes products that are labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.” The shift to include lunch was necessary as many students may be eating their lunch in spaces other than the lunchroom. No peanut/tree nut products will be consumed in the lunchroom.
• There is NO food sharing between students at any time during school.
• There is NO food outside during lunch recess
• There is NO eating or drinking on school buses.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables are the only allowed classroom snacks
• No art products/projects containing peanut/tree nut ingredients can be used inside of the classroom.
• All celebrations/activities are food free.

PLEASE NOTE: If a student in your child’s classroom is allergic to other food products that must be restricted, your child’s teacher will let you know what those products are and what steps, if any, need to be taken in conjunction with the district’s Food Allergy Management Program.

Bus Service

Bus Service for Grades 1 through 5 begins on Wednesday, August 23

Kindergarten students should not ride the bus on the first day of school.

Students should be at their bus stops 5 minutes before their bus is due.

The Holmes bus eligibility area encompasses all students who reside south of the railroad tracks. The exceptions to this are families who live in the areas bounded by the south side of Lake Street and the tracks between Forest and Harlem and between Euclid and East.

Bus passes will be distributed within the first few weeks of school. All children must carry their district bus pass and ride only on the bus indicated on the pass. Please have your children put their pass in an unused pocket in their backpack where it can remain without being pulled out by mistake. Passes are an important safety measure and must be carried at all times.

There is no bus service available for students on Permissive Transfers to Holmes School.

Students who are not bus eligible may not ride the bus with a friend. Students can only ride on the bus they are assigned to ride.

Students who are not bus eligible but wish to ride should request a space available form. You will be notified by October 1 if your child can ride the bus. If you are requesting space available ridership, please do not put your child on the bus until you are issued a bus pass.

Route 1

● SW corner of Pleasant & Clinton

● SW corner of Randolph & Home

● SW corner of Randolph & Clinton

● SW corner of Randolph & Kenilworth

● SW corner of Randolph & Grove

● Midblock N of fire station

Route 2

● NW corner of Marion & Randolph

● NE corner of Washington & Home

● NE corner of Washington & Maple

● SE corner of Pleasant & Maple

● SW corner of Pleasant and Marion

● SW corner of Pleasant & Home

● SW corner of Pleasant & Kenilworth

Route 3

● SE corner of Lake & Marion

● Lake & Forest – stop is on Lake Street in front of 100 Forest Place sign

● SE corner of Randolph & Euclid

● SW corner of Randolph & Wesley

● SW corner of Randolph & East

● NE corner of Wesley & Pleasant

● NE corner of Pleasant & Euclid

Route 4

● SE corner of Maple & Randolph

● NE corner of Washington & Wesley

● NE corner of Washington & Euclid

● NE corner of Washington & Grove

● SE corner of Pleasant & Grove

As special as it is for our furry family members to walk our Holmes Hawks to school, please refrain from bringing your dogs onto school property. We need to be respectful of allergies and

understand that not everyone feels comfortable in the presence of dogs. If your dog walks along to school, they need to remain outside of the school gates and clear of areas where students are walking.

You're probably wondering what are the most important things I need to know on the first day of school. Click below to see a list of topics we compiled in collaboration with our PTO.

The Holmes Family handbook has all things Holmes school. Click the button below to check it out.

Please click here to view our school supply lists for the 2023-2024 school year.

Here is some information on after-school care providers that operate in the community.

We are not endorsing these programs, this is strictly informational.

• First Baptist – before & after school - transportation provided – 708.383.1190
  

• Hephzibah – after-school program on school grounds – 708.649.7140
• Magical Minds Studio – after school – transportation provided – 708.948.7934
• Oak Park Park District – Clubhouse After-School Program – transportation provided –708.725.2110
• Seed Montessori – after school – transportation provided – 708-613-5860

We will update this list as we receive confirmation of continued operation.

If you think your family may qualify for free or reduced-price meals, please submit the National School Lunch application. We encourage all families who currently qualify to take a few minutes to complete the National School Lunch application as soon as possible. Families must apply each year. Eligibility from last year expires on September 30, 2023. If you have any questions, please email the district's food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at cellis@op97.org.

If your family qualifies for free or reduced lunch, you also qualify for free or reduced fees. If you are submitting an application, please hold off on paying fees until your status is confirmed.

Come out and join us for our first Popsicles in the Park on Aug 18. Meet others on the Holmes playground anytime from 5-6 pm. This event is a great opportunity to kick off the new school year and meet new and returning families!

The Holmes PTO is looking for volunteers to join the Board or join a committee for the next academic year! Or you can sign up to be notified when there are general volunteer opportunities (for an hour, a day, or a few times over the school year). Read on and learn more…

Do you enjoy organizing and enjoy taking the lead on projects and initiatives? Then a Board Position may be right for you! We have several open Board positions:

• Co-President

• Co-VP Diversity and Inclusion

• Co-VP Fundraising

Board members meet once a month (for 1.5-2 hrs) and are responsible for deciding and organizing our programming for the year (events and activities that support the school mission and community).

Not up for a board role but interested in helping with one or two activities during the school year? Then consider signing up for a committee: join a group to help Board members organize just one event or activity.

And you can always sign-up to be a volunteer (for an hour, a day, or a few times over the school year). Learn more about all the different ways you can get involved in the PTO, ask questions, and sign-up here!

Help create community across your child’s grade level at Holmes! Sign-up here if you are interested in picking a date and organizing families in your child’s grade level to meet in the playground and get to know each other.

Email: czelaya@op97.org
Website: http://www.op97.org/holmes/
Location: 508 N Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park, IL, United States
Phone: 708-524-3100
Facebook: facebook.com/christine.zelaya.96
Twitter: @ChristineZelaya

Email: pto@holmespto.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolmesPTO/
Twitter: @HolmesPTO