New Holland Hill Principal Announced

Yesterday, David G. Title, Superintendent of Schools in Fairfield announced the appointment of  Laura Cretella as the new Principal of Holland Hill Elementary School.

Ms. Cretalla is currently the Instructional Improvement Teacher at McKinley Elementary School and has served in that position since 2010. She previously taught grades 2 & 5 at Burr Elementary School and grade 1 in Darien.

Ms. Cretella earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Arts from the University of Connecticut and a 6th Year Degree from Southern Connecticut State University.

Three other Principal positions have been filled in Fairfield. Please click here for the full announcement.

HOWL May 14, 2012

Spring Fair is in the Air!

Directly Following

25th Annual Pete Carroll Road Race

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Back Lawn of Holland Hill

Tickets are 4 for a $1 to play games and for Tricky Trays tickets!

Bounce, Dunk and have fun at the many different carnival games!!

DJ will fill the air with fun dance songs.

NEW this year- A CAKE WALK! It’s like musical chairs with cakes/cupcakes as prizes!
$1 a turn!

Fun food all day: hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, cold drinks, popcorn, cotton candy
and lots of snacks.

URGENT!!    ****Calling All HH PARENTS!****    URGENT!!

The “Spring is in the Fair” is fast approaching (Saturday, 5/19) and we would LOVE
to have as many of you as possible help us out for this event if you can.   In fact,
we’d love to have you, your spouses, older children, friends and neighbors, too!
Grandma, grandpa, aunts & uncles are welcome too!  We need people for various shifts
between 9-5 for set up, games, prizes, popcorn & cotton candy, tricky trays, tickets
and more!!

Please email Trudi Durrell at tdurrell@gmail.com if you are able to volunteer –
even if it’s only for an hour! In the email, please specify your preferred time
& activity/event.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Week…

Wednesday       Spring Concert 1:30pm and 7pm
Thursday         HH Heroes
Friday           School Store
Diversity Day
Saturday         Spring Fair  11am – 3pm

HH Night @ Bridgeport Bluefish Game

Deadline: Friday, May 18th

Come enjoy a summer night at Harbor Yard with family & friends Thursday, June 14th!

HH’s 5th Grade will be singing our National Anthem.

All tickets are $12.00 each and are for Loge Seating. Please complete & return with
payment in an enveloped marked BLUEFISH GAME to the PTA mailbox.

Spring Clean-Up

Friday, May 18th
Come one, come all – it is spring clean up time at Holland Hill and  will be having
our annual Spring clean up on Friday, May 18 at 3:00pm and lots of volunteers are
needed.  So please bring your rakes, gloves, and pruners to help make Holland Hill
beautiful! We are going to also be canvasing the grounds for garbage!  Girl Scout,
Brownies, Boy Scouts and all are welcome!  We hope to see you there!  Questions?
Contact Cyndi at Cpalaia@sbcglobal.net

25th Annual Pete Carroll Road Race

Saturday, May 19th
Attention all 4th and 5th Graders!
It’s time to register for the 25th Annual Pete Carroll Invitational Road Race! The
race will be held on Saturday, May 19th at 10am to kick off the Holland Hill Spring
is in the Fair event.
The race is open to boys and girls in the 4th and 5th grade. All participants will
receive a medal and trophies will be awarded to the top three contestants in both
the girls and boys categories. All participants who pre-register by May 9th will
receive a tshirt.
Please click here
to fill out the registration form

2012 Memory Book

The 2012 Holland Hill Memory Book is being sent to the printers this week!  It features
pictures of every child, every class & every teacher PLUS lots of fun photo collages
of Holland Hill kids.  Students will get their Memory Books in June ~ just in time
to collect autographs from friends and teachers.  This year we will keep the lowered
price of $15 and it’s once again being printed in full COLOR!

Please note, there was no “early bird” sale this year, so f you are wondering if
you ordered one yet this year, you didn’t!  Don’t wait.  There are a limited number
of books being printed and once they are gone, they are gone.

To reserve your copy of the Holland Hill Memory Book, complete the attached
order form and return it with payment via your child’s backpack in an enveloped marked “PTA/Memory
Book” as soon as possible. Questions?  Contact Elizabeth Arkay-Leliever elizabetharkay@gmail.com

PTA Meeting

Thursday, May 24th
Save the Date for HH’s next PTA Meeting; Thursday May 24th, 7pm. Say thank you to
this years Co-Presidents; Marissa Vallillo and Christina Rescsanski for a wonderful
job they have done and welcome our new E-board! We are looking forward to hearing
all your input and seeing new faces at the meeting. As always babysitting is available
please sign up here: http://hollandhillpta.org/pta-forms/babysitting/

Reception for Mr. Arnone

Tuesday, June 5th

Please Join Us for a Reception Honoring

Mr. Frank Arnone

for His Time Spent at Holland Hill School

DATE: Tuesday, June 5th

TIME: 5:00-7:00 PM

PLACE: Holland Hill School All Purpose Room

Please remember that you are responsible for supervising your children if they come
to the event.

HH Parent/Teacher Party

Friday, June 8th
*****BACK AT THE BEACH********
8PM TO MIDNIGHT.
PENFIELD PAVILLION
Food by Luigi’s, raffles, lots of dancing with DJ Bill Lopez
Print the attached invite and send it marked Parent/Teacher Party to the PTA Box
Any questions email Leah Adintori @ lealea39@gmail.com or Suzanne Lombardo @suzanne66@optonline.net

Got Books?

Do you have old books you are looking to get rid of and you don’t want them to end
up a landfill?  Holland Hill now has a container where you can deposit them to be
recycled and Holland Hill PTA earns money!!  That’s right, the Got Books organization
will pay Holland Hill PTA for all the used hardcover and paperback books collected!
Wondering how it works?  Once the container is filled, Got Books will empty the
container, measure the amount of books and write a check to Holland Hill PTA!!
The best part is the container is not just for Holland Hill families anyone can
recycle their used books and it’s not just for books…CDs, DVDs, Audio Books and
Records can all be placed in the container too!  Please spread the word to all your
family, friends and co-workers!  If you have any question, please contact Darice
Bochniak @ dariceb@optonline.net.

~

It’s Not Too Late to Purchase a Brick!

Have you purchased a brick yet? If not, there’s still time to buy your “piece of
Holland Hill!” Leave your legacy at the school where your child bloomed and buy
a brick today! Just $50, now through the end of May, you can have things like your
child’s name and graduation year engraved on a brick. Or you could put your family
name down. The possibilities are endless–get creative, click here and purchase
your brick today!

Capri Sun Recycling UPDATE

THANK YOU to all the students and families that have helped Holland Hill collect
529 empty “Capri Sun” and “Honest Kids” Drink Packets!!!!

We need to reach 2,000 for Holland Hill to collect any funds for our efforts so
PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

How do you send in your empty packets from home??? Simply place them in a sealed
plastic bag and send them in via backpack. There is a collection container in the
APR for the students to place empty packets from lunch. If you have too many to
send in via backpack CONTACT Jenn Buonincontri at JMHill22@Yahoo.com . Wondering
how to help with this initiative over the summer? Simply contact me – I am happy
to collect the empty packets when school is out of session!

REMEMBER, it takes over 100 years for a single drink packet to BEGIN to break down
in a landfill. We can re-purpose the plastic packet and raise funds for HH all at
the same time!

Camp Invention

Let your child’s imagination soar!
Camp Invention is coming to Westport this summer!  Children entering grades 1-6
will be immersed in a week long adventure of creative problem solving using STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).  Read about the two programs below!
One of the challenges of ENVISION (the week of July 30 8:45 – 2:45) is Magnetropolis(TM).
Ahoy! set sail to the magnificent island of Magnetropolis and explore the power
of magnetism. Build boats, buildings and towers!
One of the real world challenges in the CREATE (week of Aug. 6) program is Saving
Sludge City(TM). Your child will help save this pollution filled city! Construct
eco-friendly buildings and transportation, decontaminate the city’s water and generate
green solutions!
Visit www.campinvention.org or contact Phaedra Taft, director, at westportcampinvention@gmail.com.

HOWL May 7, 2012

This Week…
Friday          Mother’s Day Plant Sale

RTM Meeting – BOE Budget

Monday May 7 at 8pm
New Location: Osborn Hill School
Final Vote on the Budget
No Public Comment
At last week’s Full RTM Budget meeting, a proposal was made for a 2% percent cut
across nearly the town’s entire budget.  For the Board of Education, this equates
to a cut of approximately $2.98 million.   Dr. Title has already said that if there
are cuts, they will be to programs and staff.   If you would like to voice your
opinion on the proposed cut and/or overall town budget, please contact each of your
RTM members in your District. (Holland Hill School is part of District 8 and 10.)
Please give name and address, so the RTM members know that you live in the district
they represent.
The RTM Budget Vote is scheduled for this Monday, May 7th at 8:00 PM at Osborn Hill
School.  The public is encouraged to attend, but there is no public comment.  Hence,
contacting your RTM member is the only way to express your opinion.  The below link
has all the RTM members’ contact information.
http://www.fairfieldct.org/electedofficials.htm#rtm

Spring Fair Poster Contest

Deadline Extended to Monday, May 7
“Spring is in the Fair!”
Congratulations to Anastasia Crespo, 4D for picking our Spring Fair Theme!
Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry. It was a close call with so many great
themes submitted. Now we have to create posters to decorate the school. So put on
your creative hats and draw a poster for the Spring Fair. Again, the winner will
receive 20 tickets to the Spring Fair.  You have two weeks to create your masterpiece!
Submission deadline is MAY 7TH  Please see the attached form for more details. This
year we are planning to color copy the winning submission, so we have a size requirement
- please keep your submission to 8.5×11 sheet of paper (either landscape or portrait
work).
Thank you again to everyone who participated! Congratulations again to Anastasia
Crespo, 4D!

Staff Appreciation Week

May 7 to 11
During this week-long celebration we ask families to bring in food and treats to
show appreciation for our teachers and staff.  The schedule is below:
All students are asked to complete the flower petal craft sent home by Tuesday,
May 8.
2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th grade families are asked to bring in lunch items on Wednesday,
May 9 by 11am.
All students are asked to give a sweet treat to their teacher on Thursday, May 10.
Kindergarten & 1st grade families are asked to bring in breakfast items on Friday,
May 11 by 8am.
Note: Luncheon and Breakfast items need to be dropped off to the Teacher’s Lounge
in disposable dishes and utensils.
If you are interested in donating an item, please print out the attached form and
send in on Monday, or contact Chrystal Moynahan.  Volunteers are also needed to
decorate, set-up and clean-up.

Reflections

Congratulations to Holland Hill’s 3 state winners who will be honored at an awards
ceremony sponsored by the Connecticut PTSA on Thursday, May 10th at 6pm at Roger
Ludlowe Middle School.  Sravan Parimi won 2nd Place in Music, Ashley Moynahan won
4th Place in Photography and Chloe Girard won 4th Place in Visual Arts.  Holland
Hill had 61 entries this year with the largest participation from Mrs. Battista
and Mrs. Sacco’s classes.  Many thanks to this year’s judges, Kim Fawcett (CT State
Representative), Stephen Curry (Assistant Fire Chief of Fairfield), Jon Van Gorder
(Van Gorder Photography Studios) and Matt Dempsey (School of Rock).  Start thinking
about next year’s theme: The Magic of a Moment!

Holland Hill Annual Plant Sale
Friday, May 11th
Just in time for Mother’s Day!  The Holland Hill Annual Plant Sale will be held
on Friday, May 11th from 9am – 3:30pm.  All children will have the opportunity to
purchase plants for their special someone when they visit the plant sale with their
class on Friday!  Please fill out the attached order form and send it with your
money to school with your child on FRIDAY!  We will have many choices of plants,
from Marigolds to New Guinea Impatiens and hanging baskets.  Also this year, is
a Happy Mother’s Day greeting stake.  Something for everyone!!!  Please see the
attached flyer for more information.  Questions?  Contact Cyndi at Cpalaia@sbcglobal.net.
Please discuss with your child ahead of time if they will not be making purchases.

2012 Memory Book

The 2012 Holland Hill Memory Book is being sent to the printers this week!  It features
pictures of every child, every class & every teacher PLUS lots of fun photo collages
of Holland Hill kids.  Students will get their Memory Books in June ~ just in time
to collect autographs from friends and teachers.  This year we will keep the lowered
price of $15 and it’s once again being printed in full COLOR!

Please note, there was no “early bird” sale this year, so f you are wondering if
you ordered one yet this year, you didn’t!  Don’t wait.  There are a limited number
of books being printed and once they are gone, they are gone.

To reserve your copy of the Holland Hill Memory Book, complete the attached
order form and return it with payment via your child’s backpack in an enveloped marked “PTA/Memory
Book” as soon as possible. Questions?  Contact Elizabeth Arkay-Leliever elizabetharkay@gmail.com

HH Night @ Bridgeport Bluefish Game

Deadline: Friday, May 18th

Come enjoy a summer night at Harbor Yard with family & friends Thursday, June 14th!

HH’s 5th Grade will be singing our National Anthem.

All tickets are $12.00 each and are for Loge Seating. Please complete & return with
payment in an enveloped marked BLUEFISH GAME to the PTA mailbox.

Spring Clean-Up

Friday, May 18th
Come one, come all – it is spring clean up time at Holland Hill and  will be having
our annual Spring clean up on Friday, May 18 at 3:00pm and lots of volunteers are
needed.  So please bring your rakes, gloves, and pruners to help make Holland Hill
beautiful! We are going to also be canvasing the grounds for garbage!  Girl Scout,
Brownies, Boy Scouts and all are welcome!  We hope to see you there!  Questions?
Contact Cyndi at Cpalaia@sbcglobal.net
25th Annual Pete Carroll Road Race

Saturday, May 19th
Attention all 4th and 5th Graders!
It’s time to register for the 25th Annual Pete Carroll Invitational Road Race! The
race will be held on Saturday, May 19th at 10am to kick off the Holland Hill Spring
is in the Fair event.
The race is open to boys and girls in the 4th and 5th grade. All participants will
receive a medal and trophies will be awarded to the top three contestants in both
the girls and boys categories. All participants who pre-register by May 9th will
receive a tshirt.
Please click here to fill out the registration form

Reception for Mr. Arnone
Tuesday, June 5th
Please Join Us for a Reception Honoring Mr. Frank Arnone for His Time Spent at Holland Hill School

DATE: Tuesday, June 5th

TIME: 5:00-7:00 PM

PLACE: Holland Hill School All Purpose Room

Please remember that you are responsible for supervising your children if they come
to the event.

HH Parent/Teacher Party

Friday, June 8th
SAVE THE DATE!
HOLLAND HILL’S PARENT/TEACHER PARTY
with Mr. Arnone!
PENFIELD PAVILLION
More information to come!

It’s Not Too Late to Purchase a Brick!

Have you purchased a brick yet? If not, there’s still time to buy your “piece of
Holland Hill!” Leave your legacy at the school where your child bloomed and buy
a brick today! Just $50, now through the end of May, you can have things like your
child’s name and graduation year engraved on a brick. Or you could put your family
name down. The possibilities are endless–get creative, click here and purchase
your brick today!

Capri Sun Recycling UPDATE

THANK YOU to all the students and families that have helped Holland Hill collect
529 empty “Capri Sun” and “Honest Kids” Drink Packets!!!!

We need to reach 2,000 for Holland Hill to collect any funds for our efforts so
PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

How do you send in your empty packets from home??? Simply place them in a sealed
plastic bag and send them in via backpack. There is a collection container in the
APR for the students to place empty packets from lunch. If you have too many to
send in via backpack CONTACT Jenn Buonincontri at JMHill22@Yahoo.com . Wondering
how to help with this initiative over the summer? Simply contact me – I am happy
to collect the empty packets when school is out of session!

REMEMBER, it takes over 100 years for a single drink packet to BEGIN to break down
in a landfill. We can re-purpose the plastic packet and raise funds for HH all at
the same time!

Box Tops

A BIG Thank you to all the Holland Hill Families
Who Have Been Submitting Box Tops Labels
We generated almost  $1,267.58 in FREE money for Holland Hill School by simply submitting box tops!!  This is amazing.  PLease keep up the good work and continue to save  the box tops/ Campbells Labels For Education.  There is a bin in the front entry
way so please put them in at any time.  Also a special thank you to Jen Dillillo
and Sara Grooms this year for their countless hours of cutting and submitting the
box tops!  We appreciate everything everyone does for the school!  Thanks again!!!

Cub Scouts

Join Cub Scout Pack 89! Boys entering first grade are welcome to become Tiger Cubs.
Boys in grades 2 through 4 are welcome to join our existing dens. Please see the
attached flyer for upcoming events that you are invited to with no obligation.
For questions about our program contact Committee Chair Donna Fallacaro at fallacaro.pack89@gmail.com
or check out our website at www.hhpack89.com. Financial assistance available for
those who qualify.