Good afternoon, Holmes Families!

In the month of June, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically. We stand with those facing an ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. This Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people. Each individual in our school community should feel valued for who they are and free to be their authentic self. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

The first Friday in June is recognized as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Also known as Wear Orange Day, it was first organized by students in 2013. Information about gun violence prevention is available on our website.

Stay in the Game!

Just two more weeks of the school year to go!  Students will be wrapping up their final assignments in their classes next week, and then in the last week we will have an All Day Activity Day on Wednesday, June 14th, the 8th Grade Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 15th, and a 2-hour early release for the last day of school on Friday, June 16th.  We would love for every student to be here for all of it, but we will not tolerate any disruptions and will continue to apply serious disciplinary consequences through the end of the school year when serious incidents occur. 

Please have a conversation with your students this weekend about continuing to make good choices through the very last moment on the last day of school!  In the past week, we have confiscated a few items (nerf guns, water guns, water balloons) that have no place in school, even if they are toys.  Those items need to stay at home, even if your student may see them as "harmless".  

Fun at Audi Field

Last weekend, a small group of students from Holmes had the opportunity to attend a Washington Spirit vs. NY/NJ Gotham FC game on Sunday (pictured below) as well as meet the players and attend a mental wellness clinic on Monday!  It was a great event sponsored by the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the Black Women's Player Collective, the same organizations that donated the soccer mini-pitch that's on our blacktop at Holmes!  

SOL Scores

Now that the SOLs are complete, we have asked our English, Math, and Science (8th grade only) teachers to post students' unofficial SOL scores in the SIS gradebook as an ungraded assignment.  This is only to communicate to students and families what the SOL score was and does not in any way factor into a student's grade.  If you do not see your student's SOL score, please let me know, and I will follow up with the teacher.  Families will receive official score reports from FCPS later this summer.

8th Grade Celebration - Friday, June 9th, 7-9 pm

Thank you so much to our parents who are helping us to prepare for the 8th grade party on June 9th.  If you would like to sign up to volunteer for set-up, chaperoning, or clean-up on that day, please complete this Google form.   If you are not able to give your time, that's okay!  We rely on donations for this event, and we have set up two items in our store in MySchoolBucks for this purpose.  A small donation of $5 for your 8th grader's "ticket" is helpful, or if you would like to donate more, that option is also available. 

MS Sports in FCPS Next Year!

Middle school students in FCPS will have the opportunity to participate in fall cross country or spring track next year.  In order to participate, students must have a physical and this form completed by a physician along with insurance. To get a $50 physical at an FCPS high school, complete this form. Please see this page on the FCPS website for details.  If your student does not have insurance, an alternative option can be found here.

Last PTA meeting of the year

Our last PTA meeting of the year was on May 24. If you missed it, you can access the recording HERE, and use this passcode: !nL.7vP+ak.  Thank you so much to our fantastic board - Rheanna Bernard, Cathy King, Jovoni Simmons, Amy Mahoney, and Jessica Langille - for all of the support for our students and staff this year!  Our PTA board for 2023-24 will be as follows:

• President: Jessica Langille
• Secretary: Jovoni Simmons
• Treasurer: Amy Mahoney
• Vice President of Membership: OPEN
• Vice President of Fundraising: OPEN

If you would be interested in supporting the board through an officer position or other volunteer positions (like organizing restaurant nights, for example), please reach out to Jessica Langille at @email.

Here are today's newsletter topics:

Holmes Updates

• Student Services Information
• 2022-23 Blue/White Calendar
• 2022-23 Bell Schedule
• After School Schedule Next Week
• Holmes MS PTA
• From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
• Important Upcoming Dates
• How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

FCPS & Community Updates

• Student Testing Results Coming Soon
• Don’t Forget to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance! 
• How to Support Your Child’s Success
• Tutoring Grants Available for Families
• New Strategic Plan Presented at School Board Meeting
• Making the Transition to Middle School
• Inova Cares Clinic Free Health Fair
• Podcast on Family Resource Center
• Summer Camps & Learning Opportunities
• Stay Connected with FCPS

Please feel free to reach out and let us know what questions you have.  Thank you, and have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

@email

#TeamHolmes

HOLMES UPDATES

Student Services Information

2022-23 Blue/White Calendar

From Mr. Kruk, our After School Specialist

Questions about the After-School Program or Summer VIP Program

Contact the After-School Specialist, Matt Kruk, @email

Holmes MS PTA

We invite EVERY family at Holmes to participate in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) because we can do more together! Advocate for your child, and for all the children at Holmes.  Connect with other parents, so that we can build a stronger community for ourselves and our children. This year, the Holmes PTA is planning on holding in-person meetings again, so you can meet face-to-face with other parents and with Ms. Barnes.  We're also planning restaurant nights, Bingo Nights, a Fun Run, Teacher Appreciation Week, and so much more!

• Are you able to volunteer?  Submit this Google form
• Want to order Spiritwear

From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison

2022-23 School Year Family Coffees

All Family Coffee sessions have been recorded and can be viewed at any time. They are located on Schoology > Holmes Families course > Family Coffee Sessions. 

Trainings available!

The website of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Service Board (CSB) Wellness, Health Promotion and Prevention team includes information and a link to request customized training. Please see current offerings for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), REVIVE!, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), ACE Interface, and Talk, They Hear You (TTHY). WHPP programs flyer attached.

Parenting Education Classes

Summer learning Opportunities

Important Upcoming Dates

• Friday, 6/9, 7-9 pm - 8th Grade Celebration/Party
• Wednesday, 6/14 - Schoolwide All-day Activity Day
• Thursday, 6/15, 8-9 am: 8th Grade Awards Ceremony (not a promotion ceremony; only families of those students receiving awards will be notified)
• Friday, 6/16 - 2-Hour Early Release / Last Day of School

How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:

• keeping your contact information up-to-date throughout the year
• visiting the Holmes MS website
• signing up for News You Choose
• following us on Twitter  
• monitoring your student's progress with SIS Parent Account
• join the Holmes MS PTA and attend meetings
  • PTA Facebook
  • Online PTA Membership Form
  • MemberHub

FCPS & Community Updates

Student Testing Results Coming Soon

Starting in late May, caregivers will receive reports for assessments their students completed this spring. Not sure what assessments your student took this year? A list of tests by grade level is available. Scores will be delivered in SIS ParentVUE, by mail, or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines. 

Some families will also receive a Virginia’s Visualization and Analytics Solution (VVAAS) Student Assessment Summary report with historical Standards of Learning (SOL) test results from 2015-2022. 

Go online or contact your student's school for additional information about student assessments. 

Check Your Student's Lunch Balance!

It’s a busy time of year, and we know there are many priorities on families’ plates. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important for families to remember to check their students’ MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance. 

Families who earn less than 185% of poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals. However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2023-24 school year will be available near the end of August. 

If families have a current balance and think they may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2022-23 school year. Get more information about free and reduced-price lunch.

If you are interested in helping to relieve lunch debt for families currently going through the FRM application process, please donate to Educate Fairfax.

How to Support Your Child’s Success

If you do not already have a SIS ParentVUE account, sign up now to monitor and support your child’s academic success! Through ParentVUE, you are able to view your student’s attendance, grades, and assignments at any time. You can also access special reports for your student like progress reports and assessment score reports. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVue account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

Tutoring Grants Available for Families

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is now accepting applications from parents for tutoring microgrants for their children through the K-12 Learning Acceleration Grants program. 

The program was created to help Virginia families address the impact of the pandemic on student learning. It provides $1,500 grants to parents of school-age children for tutoring in specific subjects. Children from homes with family incomes at 300% or less of the federal poverty level may qualify for $3,000 grants. 

Available services include in-person, online, and hybrid tutoring provided one-on-one or in small group or large group settings. The first step in the process is to visit VDOE’s K-12 Learning Acceleration Grants page and create an application account.

Congrats, Ms. Eddinger!

Congratulations are in order for Ms. Karli Eddinger, our chorus teacher here at Holmes, who was selected for the Outstanding Choir Teacher Award by the Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education!  We are so proud of her!

New Strategic Plan Presented at School Board Meeting

Superintendent Reid presented FCPS’ new Strategic Plan to the School Board during their recent Board meeting. The new plan was developed after months of dedication and hard work from our entire FCPS community. It will be our North Star in charting our course through 2030. The student-centered and data-driven plan will be guided by five goals and four supporting pillars. Watch the Strategic Plan presentation. The School Board will vote on the plan at their meeting on Thursday, June 15. Find out how to view the Board meeting.

Making the Transition to Middle School

Making the move from elementary school to middle school can be an exciting and unsettling time for a parent and child. In a recent episode of FCPS multilingual podcast, En Pocas Palabras, learn ways to ease the transition including:

• Understanding the developmental changes in your child.
• Getting to know middle school culture.
• Encouraging independence, but remaining available.
• Offering emotional support to your child.
• Reiterating your family values and expectations.
• Staying involved in your child’s school.

The podcast is available in Arabic, English, Korean, and Spanish. Listen and subscribe. 

Inova Cares Clinic Free Health Fair

Inova Cares Clinic for Children (ICCC) and Inova Partnership for Healthier Communities (PHC) are now scheduling appointments to provide children ages 5 and up with FREE School Physicals and Immunizations to begin the 2023-24 School Year. This will take place at Inova Cares Clinic for Children in Herndon, Manassas and Falls Church.  PHC will be onsite to screen and enroll qualifying families in Medicaid/FAMIS and connect them to an appropriate and affordable source of quality health care providers. Please see the attached flyers and share with everyone who would benefit from this event.

2023 Free School Physicals for Medicaid and Inova Patient’s ONLY

2023 Inova Cares Clinics Free School Physicals

23 Inova Cares Clinic BTS Fairs volunteer flyer

Podcast on Family Resource Center

In the latest episode of En Pocas Palabras, hear how the Family Resource Center (FRC) provides supports for all families and school staff in FCPS. Meet Mary Beth Harrison-Cunningham, manager of the FRC, and Amal Elsayed, FRC liaison. 

The Family Resource Center provides free library resources, confidential consultations, and informational webinars. Contact the Family Resource Center at 703-204-3941 or @email.   

En Pocas Palabras is available in Arabic, English, Korean, and Spanish. Listen and subscribe. 

Summer Camps & Learning Opportunities

Teens in Action Camp

Camp Fairfax

Summer VIP Program

Annandale Summer Sports Camps

Annandale Community:

Looking for fun activities for your child this summer? Annandale High School is offering a variety of summer camps this year for current elementary and middle school students led by our own Annandale coaches. Help spread the word to friends, family and neighbors!

Registration for all camps can be found HERE. See descriptions of the various camps below. More information can be found at AnnandaleAtoms.net. 

Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp, and they should bring a snack and a water bottle each day. Cash or checks are accepted. Checks should be made out to “Annandale Athletic Boosters”. Payment is due on the first day of camp. 

If you have any questions, please email Brandon Sutphin, Director of Student Activities, at @email.

Camp Information Multi-Sport Camp - Rising 2nd-9th Graders - June 20-23 ($120): Campers will have fun playing a variety of sports including basketball, kickball, volleyball, soccer, and touch football. They will participate in fun contests and win prizes! Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 8:30am-3:00pm. Register Here. Olympics Camp - Rising 2nd-9th Graders - June 26-29 ($120): This exciting camp features team activities including soccer, volleyball, basketball, touch football, and relay races. Campers will also get a chance to compete and earn medals! Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 8:30am-3:00pm. Register Here. For questions about Multi-Sport or Olympics Camps, please reach out to Christopher Bagot, Camp Director and Varsity Coach, at @email. Basketball - Rising 4th-9th Graders - July 10-14 ($250): Campers will spend each day focused on developing their basketball skills. They will also receive a report card on their basketball abilities, a t-shirt, and a chance to win trophies. Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 9:00am to 3:00pm. Register Here. For questions about Basketball Camp please reach out to Jerome McAvoy, Camp Director and Varsity Coach, at @email.    Girls Field Hockey/Lacrosse - Rising K-9th Grade - July 10-14, July 17-21, & July 24-28 ($120/week): For new athletes and those who have been playing for years, camp will be a fun-filled day of training, group competition, and surprise activities. Campers should bring their lunch each day except Friday when lunch will be provided. Hours are 8:00am-3:00pm. Register Here. For questions about Girls Field Hockey/Lacrosse Camp please reach out to Janan Gokturk, Camp Director and Assistant Varsity Coach, at @email.

Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy

We are excited to provide the following information about our 2023 CTE summer enrichment camps! The FCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) office is once again offering two enrichment programs this year - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy.

What is CTE Summer Enrichment

• Hands-on, exploratory enrichment programs
• Teaches students engaging and exciting content in Career and Technical Education (CTE)
• Helps students make connections to careers and develop new skills

2023 Programs

• Tech Adventure Camp: Students in Kindergarten - grade 6 explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and computer science by rotating through daily classes
• NEW TO 2023: Tech Adventure Camp is now open to current kindergarten and 1st grade students!!
• CTE Summer Academy: Students in grades 7 - 11 choose their classes and dive deeper into CTE program areas, skills, and career exploration

Details

• Cost - $275 per week
• *Fee waived for a select number of Free and Reduced Meal students
• Dates - July 10 - 14; July 17 - 21; and July 24 - 28
• Time - 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
• *Early drop off begins at 7:30 am
• Different weekly offerings
• Transportation from select FPCS schools is provided!

Additional Information can be found on our websites!

• Tech Adventure Camp -ly/FCPS_TAC
• CTE Summer Academy -ly/FCPS_CSA

Registration for both camps will begin February 1st. Our websites are updated regularly with more information. Feel free to contact Beth Mehr, CTE Summer Programs Educational Specialists, for more information. We look forward to creating, exploring, and learning with your students this summer!

Institute for the Arts Camps (IFTA)

IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA website for more information and registration. 

E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging. Visit the E-IFTA website for more information and registration. 

CyberPatriot Summer Cyber Camp

Chantilly Academy will host an AFA CyberCamp Monday, June 26, to Friday, June 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This camp is recommended for rising fifth through eighth graders of all skill levels interested in learning more about the importance of cybersecurity and gaining skill to protect themselves and others from cyber threats. Discounts are available for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Visit the camp website to learn more about registration, curriculum, and schedule.  

Other Summer Camp Opportunities

Registration is still available for Elementary-IFTA (E-IFTA) arts camps, Credit Recovery Academy, and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s Middle School Technology Institute (MSTI).

Stay Connected with FCPS

Being connected to your school and division is important every year, and even more so now as we navigate our return to school. The best way to stay informed is to sign up for newsletters through News You Chose. 

Your school and FCPS have a variety of topics you can choose from, including:

• School Newsletters- featuring everything you need to know about your child’s school
• FCPS This Week- a weekly newsletter featuring news and happenings from across the division, published Wednesday mornings
• School Board Meeting Update- a recap of important news coming out of school board meetings, published the Friday morning after the meeting
• FCPS Employee News- weekly updates just for staff, published Tuesday mornings