Holbrook Weekly Memo – Oct 27 – 31, 2025

Holbrook Families,

I will send a Holbrook Weekly Memo out each Sunday with details of the upcoming events and the week ahead so be sure to check your emails to stay updated.  A reminder to keep in mind that the first few messages in the weekly memo are current updates and events however, there will be messages later in the memo titled Ongoing Information that are repeated weekly that you will not need to review each week unless you are new to the school.

Our students had a wonderful day on Friday at our Halloween Parade and the Idleyld Manor Residents were thrilled to see our students and staff visiting and providing some happiness and joy to their day. We love this community partnership and appreciated being invited to spend some time with them. Thank  you to everyone that helped to make this day so special for all of us.

Some other bittersweet news happened on Friday as Ms. Carey, who has been a devoted EA with the school board and Holbrook for several years had her last day. We want to thank her for her ongoing commitment, dedication and care for our students and for teacher so many of us so much!! We wish you all the best in your retirement but know that we will see you for occasional visits at Holbrook. Thank you and all the best as you embark on your journey. We will welcome Mr. Bashua who will be taking over at Holbrook for Ms. Carey as an Educational Assistant. He will start with us on Monday, nov 17th. We look forward to meeting and working with Mr. Bashua! We have a supply EA filling in for the next 2 weeks.

NEW UPDATES:

1. The Krispy Kreme fundraiser is here! It is $15 for a dozen (12) of those iconic, melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts and Holbrook keeps 40% of every sale — every box helps!
   → Collect your orders from Nov 3–14
   → Place orders digitally using School Cash Online (or grab a paper form from the office)
   → Pickup your goodies afterschool on Nov 24 at Holbrook
   Spread the word to family, friends, and neighbours — the more doughnuts, the more dough for our school! Have a question about the fundraiser?  Email the parent volunteers at [email protected]
2. Progress Reports to go home on Tuesday, November 18th – Parent Teacher Interviews on Thursday, Nov 20th- 3:30-6:30pm and Friday, November 21st – 8:45-11:45am- booking details to be sent out soon
3. For those that missed Picture Day there will be a Picture Retake Day in the new school year. Stay tuned for the date as we will share in in the Weekly Memo.

UPCOMING HOLBROOK EVENTS: 

Upcoming Popcorn & TCBY Dates – These items have been added to School Cash Online or students can pay with cash the day of the event. November Pizza order forms were sent home last week. Please be sure to complete orders by the deadline as we are unable to make exceptions to orders. 

Wednesday, November 5th – TCBY – Frozen Yogurt for sale – $4.00 each 1st Nutrition Break- Flavours are chocolate, strawberry, Swirl and Cotton Candy

Tuesday, November 11th – Remembrance Day Assembly 10am – for Holbrook Students and Staff only /  Pizza Day – 2nd Nutrition Break

Friday, November 14 th- Popcorn for Sale 2nd Nutrition Break – $2.50/bag various flavours

Tuesday, November 18th – Progress Reports Sent Home / School Council Meeting – 6-7pm in the Library / Pizza Day – 2nd Nutrition Break

Wednesday, November 19th – TCBY – Frozen Yogurt for sale – $4.00 each 1st Nutrition Break- Flavours are chocolate, strawberry, Swirl and Cotton Candy

Thursday, November 20th – Parent Teacher Interviews – 3:30-6:30pm & Friday, November 21 – 8:45-11:45an – Booking Details will be shared soon

Tuesday, November 25th – Pizza Day – 2nd Nutrition Break

Important Updates: 

1. A reminder to all families using the Before and After Program – you must park in the Park Parking Lot not the school parking lot please. Thank you,
2. Reminder – Holbrook is a scent friendly/ free building due to a variety of student and staff allergies  – please no perfumes or colognes, body sprays or cosmetics of any kind. Thank you! 
3. Student Plan of Care and Contact Information – If your child has a medical condition (life threatening or non life threatening) – please speak with your teacher or the office to get the appropriate paperwork. This information is kept confidential with the teacher and office in case of an emergency. Thank you to the parents who have already updated/ submitted.  A reminder if any information regarding your child’s medical information or contact information (Email, Phone, Address, Emergency Contact etc. )  you must update the office immediately. To ensure student safety students will not be permitted to be picked up or leave with anyone that is not officially recorded in our system.  Thank you.
4. A reminder to ensure students have the proper footwear (closed toes shoes) preferably running shoes for Physical Education.  Please have students dress appropriately for the weather (sunscreen, hats, water bottles etc.) as the forecast looks warm this week.

Holbrook Volunteers – If you are looking to volunteer at Holbrook, please make sure you complete your Vulnerable Sector Check with Hamilton Police. For this to be valid, it has to be completed within the last 6 months and be specific to Holbrook HWDSB. The police check is valid for 3 years. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Miles in the office.

ONGOING INFORMATION:

Reminders about our playground rules:

1. students should all be wearing helmets when on bikes or scooters

2. students may park bikes and scooters at the bike rack (we encourage a bike lock as we cannot be responsible for stolen or damaged items) students will park bikes/scooters and then go around to the playground to enter with their class. At the end of the day students will be dismissed out the back and then come around the front to get their bikes/scooters – students are not to come through the school to get their bikes or scooters please.

3. We ask families to avoid bringing dogs to the playground (there are signs and some of our students have fears and allergies )

4. Students are really enjoying our Outdoor Chill Zone which gives them a place to socialize, play quieter games and partake in lower level activities at recess time. It has been a hit for many students.

Please be mindful that our school parking lot has no parking or stopping so we will ask parents that are driving to enter the city park lot west of the school and walk your children over to the playground to meet their new teacher . For safety reasons we will not be allowing vehicles in the school parking lot unless they are staff.  A reminder that the parking closest to the school along the fence is reserved for staff so please park on the very west side.

Our school day begins at 8:45 am but we will have supervision on the playground from 8:30-8:45 am if you need to drop off and leave. Students arriving after the bell must enter at the front doors and report to the office where they will be recorded as Late.  Students are not permitted at the park during the school day and must have parent permission or be supervised by a parent/guardian if they are playing at the park before or after school.

If you are the parent/guardian of a new student in grades JK-6 2nd please contact our school office at 905 385 5369 for registration information and to set up an intake meeting. Thank you.

We also ask that parents please avoid entering the school from the playground or side entrances. If you need to enter please ring the buzzer at the front of the school and myself or Ms. Miles, our office administrator, will be happy to assist you and escort your child to their class. We ask this of parents and guardians to avoid interruptions to our staff while they are instructing and supervising large numbers of students. If you need to speak to your child’s teacher please email them or put a note in your child’s agenda. If you wish to speak with the office or your child’s teacher at another time please email our office at  [email protected] or call us at 905 385 5369 and we can set up an appointment. Thank you.

From HWDSB: Hamilton Wentworth District School Board

We also invite families to keep up with communications from HWDSB by subscribing to email updates or following HWDSB on social media.

For information about HWDSB’s Code of Conduct and Reducing Distractions in classrooms, please click here: Reducing Distractions in Classrooms and Schools | Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

To see the 2025-2026 school year calendar, please visit School Year Calendar | Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

Please find 2025-2026 Transportation information here: Hamilton Wentworth Student Transportation Services

If you have school-specific questions, please reach out at 905.385.5369 or email us at : [email protected]

FROM HOLBROOK SCHOOL COUNCIL:

Holbrook School Council Fundraisers:

We have year-round fundraisers that make a big impact at Holbrook—check them out below and online (https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/holbrook/holbrook-fundraising-page/)

1. Mabel’s Labels: visit mabelslabels.ca/en-CA/fundraising/support and search Holbrook School (Hamilton) before you shop

2. Factory Shoe Warehouse: shopping in-store download this card (

   Factory Shoe Warehouse – 2025 Holbrook Card PDF.pdf

   ). When shopping online use code 0350011 0137 at factoryshoe.ca checkout

3. FlipGive: join our team at: https://www.flipgive.com/teams/454353-holbrook-elementary-school-council and when you shop your online Holbrook earns cash back

2025-2026 Fundraisers and Events Calendar

We’re excited to share a sneak peek at allthe exciting fundraisers and events happening this school year.  Please note the follow is always subject to change and will be updated as the year progresses.

• November: Krispy Kreme Fundraiser, Mitten Tree Donations, and Neighbour to Neighbour Food Donations
• December: Winter Break Store Fundraiser
• January: Unplugged at Holbrook Games Night and Fundraiser!
• February: Joy Breakfast (for students during school hours)
• April: Cinnabon Gift Certificates Fundraiser
• May: Open House Carnival
• June: Butterfly Kit Fundraiser

Have a fundraiser or event idea? Contact the School Council at [email protected]. Thanks for supporting Holbrook!

Mr. G. Carey

Principal

Holbrook Elementary School

905.385.5369 or [email protected]