Holton Happenings, August 17, 2026

Posted Date: 08/17/26 (04:30 PM)

Aerial view of Linwood Holton Elementary school with solar panels on the roof.

August 17, 2026

Holton Happenings, August 17, 2026

Good Afternoon Holton Parents and Caregivers,

We are officially 1 week away from the first day of school.

Remember, Holton's Open House is this Thursday, August 20. Open House is a floating event, which means you can stop by any time between 3:00 and 6:00 to meet the teacher and drop off school supplies.

Here is a link to Holton's PTBoard page where you can see the school supply lists: https://holton.ptboard.com/nvg/activity?oid=36f12353-c3f8-4f3c-a852-197b44fb4d47~o.1500000000000#

We are also experiencing issues with our main phone line. However, you can still call us on our secondary phone line at (804)228-5311. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Please let me know if there's anything we can do to support you or your family.

Every Lion, Every Lesson, Every Day!

Mr. Gary Lindsay

Principal, Linwood Holton ES

What's Happening at Holton

Thursday, August 20

Linwood Holton Elementary Open House; 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Thursday, August 20

School Entrance Physicals Clinic
S.A.F.E. Center at Clark Springs, 1101 Dance St.
12:00-5:00 PM

Monday, August 24

First Day of School!

Thursday, September 24

Back to School Night; 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Holton's Bus Routes

School Entrance Physicals Clinic

2026 Linwood Holton Open House

Poster for Linwood Holton ES Open House on Thursday, August 20, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, featuring cartoon school supplies.

Afterschool Martial Arts

Holton's Back to School Night

Poster for Linwood Holton Elementary's Back to School Night on Thursday, September 24, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Help Our Teachers Get Funded

Join the PTA!

Join the PTA!

Arrival and Dismissal

Linwood Holton Bell Schedule - 7:45 am - 2:45 pm

7:30 am -- Doors Open
7:45 am -- First Bell
8:00 am -- Tardy Bell; Students arriving after this bell must sign in late in the school office.
2:40 pm -- Carpool Dismissal
2:45 pm -- Dismissal Bell (School Buses, Walk/Bike)

Note

Students may NOT arrive before 7:30 am unless participating in an organized school activity.

Arrival

Car riders should remain in the car until 7:30 am when staff are present in the car loop.
All car riders should be dropped off at the back of the building, in the designated car loop. No vehicles are to enter the front parking lot between 7:30 and 8:00 am.
Parents and caregivers have to drop their children off at the school doors after the first day of school.

Dismissal

All changes in transportation need to happen by 2:00 pm. Any request for transportation change after 2:00 pm will not be permitted. This policy is to ensure the safety of all students by minimizing confusion at the end of the day.
All requests for transportation change need to be made through the office by sending in a note with the student, calling the main office at (804)228-5310, or emailing Mrs. Schoolfield at sschoolf@rvaschools.net or Mrs. Hull at gfreeman@rvaschools.net. Teachers cannot change a child's mode of transportation, so please do not request a change through ClassDojo or email with the teacher directly.
There is no student pick-up from the front office after 2:00 pm. On school days, the front loop is for School Buses and Daycare vans only between 2:15 and 3:00 pm.
The car pick-up line extends north on Monticello, the opposite direction of Laburnum. Any car driving north on Monticello from Laburnum to enter the car line will need to get in the back of the line.
Please do not park on Monticello Street during dismissal time (2:30 pm -3:00 pm).
Walkers will need to be signed out by an adult on their approved pickup list unless they are an independent walker. Independent walkers are students who are allowed to walk home alone. A signed note should be submitted to the office if your child is allowed to walk home alone.

Safe Arrival & Dismissal: A Community Commitment

Our Goal: To ensure every student, staff member, and neighbor returns home safely every day.

1. Respect the Zones

The Front Loop: Reserved strictly for Buses during peak hours:
Morning: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Afternoon: 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
The Rear Loop: This is the designated zone for all student drop-offs and pickups. Our staff are stationed here to assist your child and keep the line moving.

2. The "No-Passing" Rule

To protect students exiting vehicles and staff directing traffic, the car loop is a single-lane zone.

Enter from the North: Please approach the rear loop via Monticello from the North.
Stay in Line: Cones are placed to prevent passing. Please remain in your lane until you have safely exited the loop.

3. Protect Our Walkers & Bikers

Many of our families commute on foot or by bike from all directions. High-alert areas include the crosswalks at Laburnum and Monticello.

Obey the Speed Limit: School zone limits are in place for a reason because reaction time saves lives.
The Right-Turn Danger: If you are traveling down Monticello and turning right onto Laburnum, you must come to a full stop and check for pedestrians before proceeding.

⚠️ See Something? Say Something.

Help us keep the community accountable. If you witness a safety concern or a near-miss, please document it and reach out.

Contact: GLindsay@rvaschools.net
We are actively sharing these reports with law enforcement and public works to advocate for better safety measures.

Stay Connected

Stay Connected!

PTBoard:

Please sign up for PTBoard if you haven't already - our PTA shares important information about upcoming events through emails sent to PTBoard accounts. Visit holton.ptboard.com to create a new account.

Instagram:

Make sure you are following @holtonlions on Instagram for lots of Lion updates!

A black and white QR code with a pattern of squares.

Resources

Immediate Lifelines

RBHA Mental Health Crisis Support 804-819-4100

YWCA Richmond Emergency Shelter 804-643-6761

Housing Crisis Hotline 804-972-0813

Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Line 804-612-6126

Richmond Child Protective Services 804-646-0438

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

RPS Family Support Line 804-780-6195

Feed More Hunger Help Line 804-521-2500 x631RVA "211" https://www.help1rva.org/ or dial 2-1-1

Wellness Office Departmental Contacts

RPS Care & Safety Department 804-780-8550

RPS Culture Climate Department 804-780-6070

Referral for School Social Work Services

RPS Hearing Office 804-780-7808

RPS Health Services Department 804- 780-7861

RPS School Nutrition Department 804-780-8216

Calendar

Linwood Holton Elementary School follows the Richmond Public Schools Division Calendar for holidays, breaks, early dismissals, parent conference days, professional development, etc.

+ Richmond Public Schools 2026-2027 School Calendar

+ LHES 2026-2027 Community Calendar

A document titled 'KEY DATES' lists school calendar events for RPS Richmond Public Schools for 2026-2027.

“I've always loved the first day of school better than the last day of school. Firsts are best because they are beginnings.” – Jenny Han