Principal's Note - April 15, 2020

By Margaret Barnes
Principal's Note
April 15, 2020

Dear Holmes Families,

Good afternoon!  What a week this has been!  I am so sorry that our start to Distance Learning was not as smooth as we had hoped.  Our teachers have been very excited to see students again in virtual classrooms and resume instruction, so we are all disappointed today.  But we are still here and ready to support your students with learning.

In response to the messages that have come out from the county today, I have updated the Holmes MS Distance Learning Guide that I sent out to you last Friday.  Please note that some of the links can only be accessed by your student when they are logged into Google Chrome with their fcpsschools.net account.  This guide has also been posted to your students' grade-level Google Classrooms, which they should check every day along with their school emails.  

As a reminder, here is the modified schedule for the rest of the day today for students to check in with their teachers:

  • 5th Period: 1:15-1:45
  • 7th Period: 2:00-2:30

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 Guide

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

3.  Follow the guidelines below whenever you are online.

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4.  A few minutes before your scheduled class time, log onto Blackboard Collaborate Ultra by using these instructions:

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5.  Blackboard has been down a lot…what if it’s not working when I try to log in?

For Classes

  • Make up your missing work from 3rd quarter, which is all due by Friday, April 24th! Contact your teacher if you have questions about it.  Teachers’ emails can be found here: https://holmesms.fcps.edu/index.php/about/staff-directory.
  • Check your teachers’ Google classrooms or Google sites for instructions on what to work on.
  • Complete the activities in the weekly lesson grids from each of your teachers.
  • Complete activities in the packets that were mailed home to you.
  • Email your teachers to clarify what you should be working on.

Other Ideas

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: