March 2012  Issue 5
www.dcn.davis.ca.us/go/hjh
A Message from the Principal, Derek Brothers
Upcoming Events
3/8
3/21
3/21
3/22
5/16
5/18
Articulation Day
Band Festival (IBAP)
PTA Meeting – 7:00
p.m. Library
Open House – 6:00 p.m.
Last Late Start
Dance #3
I would like to invite you to our Open House on
Thursday, March 22nd (6-7 pm), and we would love to
have you stay for our PTA meeting that starts at 7:00
pm. Visitors will view student projects, will listen to the
music of the Holmes Band, purchase books at the Book
Fair and watch students participate in activities in the
gym. If you visit our Science Labs, Library, Computer
Labs, Gym Complex, Home Economics Room and
Industrial Arts Facilities, you will see what our
wonderful students are accomplishing.
STAR Testing:
Seventh graders throughout the state will be writing an essay for the STAR Writing Assessment on
March 6th, and then our whole school will be gearing up for the state standards tests later in the spring.
Between April 23rd and May 4th students will be taking the nationally normed California Standards
Tests in English/Language Arts, Math, U.S. History and Science. As all schools in the state will be
testing during this testing window, we are uncertain when the testing company will have the results
returned to us. Although the state uses this testing for accountability purposes and general
achievement information, our school staff finds the individual and group information very valuable. It
tells us where relative strengths and weaknesses are in our instructional programs and when we are
hitting those targets. For example, Holmes’ science scores have risen steadily over the years. This data
tells us that our instructional methods are sound. The test results are also one of the measures we use
when considering individual student’s placement in certain classes. The following are a few suggestions
to help prepare your student for the testing:
Continued on page 2
A Message from Your PTA President,
Christina Dicker
As spring approaches, it’s time to start looking
ahead to the next school year. Your PTA is
beginning the process of filling positions for
2012-13. At the March 21 meeting, officer
candidates will be nominated. If you haven’t yet
had the opportunity to volunteer, now is the
time! Please email me if you are interested in
volunteering with our fabulous PTA. There are
many positions, both officer and committee,
waiting to be filled.
I’m sure you’ve noticed PTAs tend to operate
more quietly at the junior high level than they do
at the elementary school level. Be assured,
junior high PTAs are still a vital part of school.
To prove my point, here are some of our budget
details:
Continued on page 3
Page 2
Holmes PTA Newsletter
Principal’s Message
Continued from page 1
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Please do not schedule appointments or
trips during this time. Students not testing
during class testing times will be testing
with a mixed class setting during make
up times. Research has found that
students do their best testing in their own
classroom with their own teacher.
Try to get into a routine that includes
early bedtime, breakfast and arriving to
school on time. Students arriving late
when a class is testing will not be
allowed into the classroom until that
section of testing is complete.
Encourage your student to do his/her
best and to use the opportunity to
practice test taking skills which are
increasingly important as students look
forward to passing the high school exit
exam and applying for college, trade
schools, or employment.
It has become increasingly clear that our
schools will be facing challenging times in the
months ahead. Our district is experiencing
declining student enrollment. Together, these
factors could reduce our school district budget
next year by as much as $10 million.
This significant decrease in funding will,
inevitably, impact services, programs, and
staffing for our schools. As parents, teachers,
staff members, and administrators, our job is to
make sure that our educational mission remains
our top priority. As a community, we must keep
our focus on our students and their welfare.
Times like these cause us to pull together. I ask
your patience and understanding as we
navigate through the difficult days ahead. To
the fullest extent our resources permit, we will
place first the welfare of the students we serve.
March 2012
Math Department News
In March your children will receive their course
request forms for the next academic year. A
signature is required from their current math
teacher with the recommendation for the next
math course. Teacher recommendations are
based on current grades, test scores and study
habits.
Geometry teachers base their
recommendation on the student’s Algebra I and
Geometry grades as they decide between the
accelerated Algebra II/Trig class or Algebra II.
Prerequisites for each course are listed in the
Holmes course catalog. 8th graders requesting
Biology require both a math and science
teacher signature to verify readiness.
All recommendations in mathematics are
reevaluated in June when final exams are
completed, so changes can occur. If you do not
feel the recommended math level is appropriate
for your child, please contact their teacher.
The math department would like to thank the
PTA for their support of Pi Week. Students will
be busy reciting, looking up pi trivia, designing
T-shirts and creating mathematical songs all to
celebrate our favorite irrational, π.
Pat King
Math Department
Library News
Please remind your child to turn in overdue
books to the library. Notices are sent out
weekly to classrooms and bi-weekly to homes.
Thank you!
Thank you for supporting and motivating your
children to make the most of their learning
experiences here at Holmes!
The Battle of the Books is in full swing. We
have twelve seventh grade teams this year who
are reading eight books over six weeks. The
battle will be held Friday, March 16th in the
MPR. If you would look to donate prizes or help
with the battle contact the library!
Derek Brothers
Holmes Junior High Principal
Sarah Lanyi
Library Technician
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Holmes PTA Newsletter
PTA President’s Message
Continued from page 1
This year the Holmes PTA is budgeted to raise
$32,900. With less than $2,900 spent on
administrative costs, PTA dues and insurance,
$30,050 is available for the benefit of the
Holmes students and families. Annually,
Holmes PTA uses the money raised to support
Holmes programs such as: library books and
materials, WEB, Safe School Ambassadors,
staff education, parent education, campus
beautification, Red Ribbon Week, Holiday Toy
Shop party, Pi Week, and science supplies for
dissection and meal worm projects. PTA also
helps teachers with individual requests for
program support. This year, PE/Intramurals,
Industrial Tech and the Science department
purchased some new equipment. Special Ed
purchased incentives to help motivate RSP
students. The Social Studies department
purchased supplies so the 8th graders can
create a patriotic tile display to be installed on a
campus building. Math department registered
for the Math Counts competition.
Thanks to a very successful Un-Fundraiser,
PTA is supporting class-wide field trips at all
grade levels, relating to social studies (7th and
8th grade) and PE (9th grade) curriculum, and
is also funding the repair/purchase of new lap
tops for student use.
PTA is happy to provide “hospitality”. We treat
the Holmes staff to a wonderful lunch three
times a year and we help with events like
Career Day and school registration. PTA also
serves the Holmes families through listserv
announcements, the monthly newsletter, the
PTA website, and coordination of e-scrip and
Nugget scrip cards – all of which are maintained
by PTA volunteers.
PTA volunteers are the backbone of a strong
PTA. With your participation, we can continue to
help the Holmes teachers provide the best
education possible for our children. I hope next
year you will become a PTA volunteer!
Christina Dicker
christinadicker.pta@gmail.com
PTA President
March 2012
Weather Has Been PE’s Friend
Although it may not help our State’s water
problems, the third quarter has started out quite
dry which has helped our PE classes that are
playing outdoors. 9th graders are playing tennis,
and some 8th graders are playing lacrosse while
others are playing volleyball in the gym. The 7th
graders are either learning self-defense or
volleyball. Ms. Wade is in the gym at both
lunches supervising intramural volleyball. Ask
your student if he or she is taking part. It’s lots
of fun.
Looking ahead, all students will participate in
our track and field unit in April which is a
reminder to 8th and 7th graders that the Holmes
Track and Field team starts practice at the start
of the month. This team is by far the most
popular sports team at Holmes, so your child
should definitely consider joining in the fun. Ms.
Hogan and Mr. King return as coaches this year
and are hoping for another championship
season.
The State Physical Fitness Test Results have
been published, and again, Holmes students
exceeded the state results on all six fitness
tests. The students get most of the credit, but
we know a lot of parents are encouraging their
students at home to get and stay in top shape,
and the test results show your efforts are
working.
With reduced funding from the State, we are
forced to ask the community for equipment we
cannot afford. We need the following items and
if you have them gathering dust at your house,
we can put them to good use at Holmes. We
need a boom box that plays CD’s, a tug-o-war
rope, a good weight scale, and used tennis balls
and tennis racquets. We, of course accept any
donations to our program, but these items are of
the most need. You can drop off donations at
the front office and tell them it is for PE. Thanks
for thinking of us. Together we can continue an
outstanding PE program at Holmes.
Paul Rooney
Physical Education Department
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Holmes PTA Newsletter
Counselor’s Corner
movie/popcorn night at home after other
siblings have gone to bed or going out for a
Jamba Juice or a walk in the arboretum.
Avoid committing to expensive outings. Do
not minimize the value of your time and the
impact that your undivided attention will
have on your child.
Staying Connected
Students dramatically change during their time
in junior high school. They arrive as wide-eyed
elementary students and leave as opinionated
high school students. Our Holmes staff
members say they find this process of
metamorphism fascinating. Abrupt growth
spurts, emotional differentiation, and academic
independence are milestones that can be
reached during the junior high experience.
Holmes counselors know this journey is not
always easy. Broken friendships, fragile egos,
and constricting social hierarchies can
contribute
to
painful
and
challenging
experiences along the way.
In searching for a way to support your child on
this journey, look to yourself and trust the
significance of your connection with your child.
Holmes counselors know that our students’
greatest allies are their parent/guardian(s). In
many ways, the junior high years parallel the
toddler years. Our students depend on their
parents to implement a supportive structure that
will help them successfully navigate challenges.
Do not be misguided by statements like: “I can
do it on my own,” “Stop embarrassing me,”
and/or “It’s called hanging out. I don’t have play
dates anymore!”
Here are some ideas Holmes counselors have
collected throughout the years:
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March 2012
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Create dialogue with your child. Discuss
concerns and take time to listen to your
child’s side of the story. When it comes to
making choices be careful about jumping to
a yes or no answer. It’s okay to slow things
down and come back to the concern. As a
parent you are creating and supporting a
foundational structure for child.

Let your child know that you are there when
mistakes happen. Try to not rehash past
mistakes. Encourage your child to find
workable solutions for problems. Tell your
child that they can use you as an excuse if
they want out of a peer situation. For
example, “I can’t do that because my mom
will drug test me.”

Look for opportunities to genuinely praise
your child.
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Do not leave your child unsupervised if you
can avoid it. If possible, do not let your child
sleep over at another child’s house until you
have confirmed that a parent is going to be
present.
Joanna Littell
School Counselor
Eat dinner together when you can. While
you eat, take turns talking. Keep the
conversation strength based, i.e., focus on
the good and avoid disparaging comments
or emotionally charged/sensitive topics, for
example, do not talk about grades. Try to
minimize interruptions. Be prepared with
conversation
building
questions,
for
example, what was your favorite part of your
day?
We have students that would like to start a ping
pong club at Holmes but we only have one ping
pong table. If someone has a table in their
garage gathering dust that would like a new
home, please contact Heather Wade at
hwade@djusd.net.
Schedule a “date night” with your teenager.
This can be as simple as having a
Heather Wade
Math Department
Got Ping Pong?
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Holmes PTA Newsletter
March 2012
Green Team Update
LOST & FOUND
It’s a new semester, which calls for new ideas.
The Green Team has brainstormed ways to
make our school greener. The Recycling Group
will be putting posters around the school to
remind students what can or cannot be
recycled. The Energy Group will visit
classrooms to chat with teachers about ways to
save energy, such as keeping the door closed
when heaters are on because leaving the door
open is a waste of energy and money. Green
Team has a list of ideas to help teachers
promote energy conservation and recycling.
As the weather is warming up, students are
beginning to shed their coats, jackets and
sweatshirts. Consequently, we have quite a
collection of LOST & FOUND clothing that will
be donated to a good cause if the items are not
claimed. The “Lost & Found Box” is located in a
small alcove in the MPR, closest to the parking
lot. We also have several smaller items in the
office that also need claiming, such as keys,
jewelry and some gloves. Please encourage
your student to rummage through the LOST &
FOUND Box to claim their valuable items.
Additionally, a student in the energy group has
been printing fun facts about conserving energy
in the daily bulletin. For instance, getting out of
the shower 2 minutes earlier can save both
water and energy.
Lastly, Green Team plans to help the city of
Davis compete in the Cool California Challenge.
Starting in April, parents can logon to
www.coolcalifornia.org/community-challenge to
commit to monitoring their use of energy. Each
of the three final cities will earn $10,000 in
support funds to continue the challenge so chip
in!
Ashley
Ninth Grade
Luisa Nye
Office Staff