Principal's Note - April 10, 2019

By Margaret Barnes
Principal's Note
April 13, 2020

Dear Holmes Families,

Good afternoon!  I hope that your families are healthy and well.  My daughter and I have enjoyed a lot of quality time together as we try to figure out this new normal.  We've been planting seeds, reading together, doing a little art with Mo Willems on You Tube, and lots of organizing and cleaning (and watching Netflix, if I'm being completely honest)!

Distance Learning begins next week across FCPS!  Our teachers at Holmes have been preparing to return to online classes and reconnect with our students, beginning next Wednesday, April 15th.  All of the information shared in this newsletter will also be posted to the grade-level Google Classroom sites for students and will be posted to our website.  As you read through the information, please don't hesitate to let me know what questions you have. 

Feel free to join me on Monday, April 13th, for an afternoon videoconference to learn more about what Distance Learning will look for your student and how to support them: 

  • Blackboard Collaborate for Parents (English): 3:00 pm
  • Blackboard Collaborate para padres (español): 4:00 pm

Ways to log in:

If you can't make it at the time indicated, that's okay!  I'll record it, and share the link for you to watch at a time that is convenient for you.  

Thank you, and have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal

@email

School Twitter Page: @HolmesMS_FCPS

Principal's Twitter Page: @margaretfbarnes 

Holmes MS Distance Learning Schedule

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What is the difference between “asynchronous” & “synchronous” learning?

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For Students: Getting Ready for Distance Learning

1. Decide where you are going to work in your home and organize your space with your materials from school and your computer.

2. Organize what you need for your online schedule by making a copy of this document to your Google Drive: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eloRqiBBFUkD4vVpKrd45PzG-K9Q1bt8rPW0bchpVk0/copy?usp=sharing

(Instructions: Go to each of your teacher’s Blackboard pages, and type (or copy and paste) the information you need into the Google Doc.) 

3. Listen/watch Mr. Barrow’s narrated slides for expectations online: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C_mq8ARm-0CHGy1NINEbBTI96aU0hWAU/view?usp=sharing

4. Want to practice with Blackboard Collaborate? Join me for lunch bunch on Monday, April 13th, at 12:00 pm!

  • Go to this link: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/6efa60e5660b46168982189fae87e727
  • Sign in with your first and last name (no nicknames, please)
  • Up to 250 students can join at one time.
  • Can’t make that time? It’s okay…I’ll record it and post the link to each grade-level Google classroom.
  • Follow the guidelines below.
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Other Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What do I do if I haven’t gotten any packets in the mail?

A few students and parents have reported that they have not received a packet, and by now, you should have 2.  They come in large white envelopes in the mail.  If you have not received one, go to Blackboard, and click on the Distance Learning section (with the light bulb like the image to the left), and click the links to take you to the resources for middle school to find the packet for your grade level.

If you have moved recently and have not already changed your address with the school, please have your parents/guardians reach out to Ms. Hindi at @email to provide the documents needed for your new address. 

2.  What about my stuff?

No one will be allowed in the building for awhile, but all of your stuff is still in your hall and gym lockers where you left them.  At some point, there will be an opportunity to come clean those things out, but not for awhile.

3. What about my 3rd quarter grade?

You still have some time to improve your 3rd quarter grade.  Hopefully, you have already been in contact with your teachers by email and you have sent them things that you needed to complete or make up.  You can make up anything that you were missing before March 13th.  No new work for 3rd quarter was assigned after March 12th.  You have until Friday, April 24th to turn in work to improve your 3rd quarter grade.

4. How will the 4th quarter and final grades be determined?

Teachers will provide learning activities and assignments to be completed during 4th quarter, and will keep track of what you have completed.  While you will not receive an actual grade for 4th quarter, your participation, effort, and understanding of the content learned can help to positively influence your final grade for the year.

Your final grade will be determined by the first 3 quarters of the school year and can be positively influenced by your participation in online learning during 4th quarter.

5. What if I have a problem with my school computer?

Please send an email to Mr. Rossen at @email or Mr. Diggs at @email.

6. Other questions? Feel free to email me, your teachers, your counselor, or your administrator.  All email addresses can be found here: https://holmesms.fcps.edu/about/staff-directory.

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How to Stay In-Touch

Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by: