Principal's Note - April 7, 2019
Good morning, Holmes Families!
I think Spring is FINALLY here for good! I hope that you have enjoyed this beautiful weekend.
Thank you for a great turnout at Annandale Pyramid Unity Night! The event was a lot of fun, and we are so happy that it was a success the first time having it. (Check out our @HolmesMS_FCPS Twitter for pictures from the event, and follow us to stay up to date with what's happening with our staff and students!) A big THANK YOU to our PTA for organizing the event, to our teachers who played in the game, and to Mr. Perez (he's back - Yay!) for leading the combined pep band. This was certainly a collaborative event, and I am grateful for the support from staff and students at Poe Middle School and Annandale High School as well! As with any event, we know we have tweaks and improvements to make, so please feel free to let me know your feedback for next year.
We have a full week this week, and then we head into Spring Break from April 15th-19th. We return to school on Monday, April 22nd. I'll send an update next Sunday, 4/14, but will not send one on Sunday, 4/21. Please be sure to save the date for our 3rd Quarter Honor Roll Ceremony on the evening of Wednesday, April 24th, which will also be the same evening as the NJHS Induction Ceremony.
FCPS Values Your Opinion - Family Engagement Survey
Today, you will receive an invitation from Dr. Scott Brabrand, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools to participate in the 2019 FCPS Family Engagement Survey!
We would love for you to complete the survey letting us know how we are doing in the areas of:
- Communicating
- Providing you opportunities to partner
- Developing positive relationships
- Ensuring student success and more
The survey will be available between March 24th- April 12th.
The information we learn from you will help us strengthen family engagement and continue fostering a Caring Culture throughout FCPS.
There are 3 ways you can complete the survey.
- Check your email after March 24 for an invitation with a survey link from Dr. Scott Brabrand, Superintendent with subject line: FCPS Family Engagement Survey.
- Ask the front office staff for a paper survey. You can complete it right there on the spot.
- Complete the online survey using one of the school computers. The office staff would be happy to show you an available computer for you to complete the survey electronically at the school.
We honor your opinion and commitment to your child and our schools. We strive to make it a better place for ALL! Thank you in advance for taking this survey to give us feedback!
In today's newsletter, scroll down for information about:
- FCPS CARES
- This Week's Schedule
- This Week's After School Program Schedule
- April Is School Library Month
- Parent Volunteers Needed for District-Wide Instrumental Music Event - April 26-27
- Parent Chaperones Needed For Finance Park Make-up Field Trip
- Color Fun Run/Walk - Saturday, April 27th
- TJ Prep Camp
- Important Dates (including May SOL Schedule)
- How to Stay in Touch
Thanks, everyone, and have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes
Proud Principal, Holmes MS
#HolmesHawksSoar
FCPS Cares
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Do you know a Holmes Middle School staff member who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of Holmes faculty and staff members. |
This Week's Schedule of Classes: 4/8 - 4/12
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This week: Mon., 4/8 = White Day w/ ER 7 & 8 (ER 8 Lesson: SSR & LOCKER CLEANOUT before Spring Break) Tues., 4/9 = Blue Wed., 4/10 = White Day w/ ER 1 & 2 Thurs., 4/11 = Blue Day Fri., 4/12 = White Day w/ ER 3 & 4 *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the website HERE. |
After School Program - Week of 4/8
For any specific questions related to the After School Program or to share new ideas for after school activities, please feel free to contact Mr. German Cabezas, our After School Program Specialist.
April Is School Library Month
 April is School Library Month and here at Holmes the library is celebrating! Monday, April 8th - Community Coloring This week will have additional library activities during lunch blocks and afterschool. Thursday, April 11th - Origami For All We'll be learning simple origami to make, all students will keep some pieces they make and other pieces will be displayed in the library. Monday, April 22nd - Spring Book Fair begins!!! The library is excited to invite you to our Spring Book Fair! The Book Fair will begin the first Monday back from Spring Break, April 22nd and run through April 26th. Mark your calendars! Students will be visiting the Book Fair with their Language Arts classes. This Book Fair is a Buy One Get One Free event, all items are eligible and it is a critical fundraiser, a percentage of every purchase allows the library to buy more books! Students will have an opportunity to shop at the fair with their teachers and during all lunch periods. |
Parent Volunteers Needed for District-Wide Instrumental Music Event - April 26-27
April 26-27, Holmes will be hosting a district-wide instrumental music event. Over 1,000 students and families will be coming through our doors over two days, performing over 800 performances which will be judged and given a rating.
This event requires much parent support in order to run smoothly! Please consider signing up a few hours of your time to help support our music students. We need parents to run a concessions stand, man the registration table, call performers in the warm-up room, and help tabulate scores.
You can sign up at the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44a5ac28a6ff2-solo
Adult volunteers only, please; students have already signed up to volunteer for this event.
Parent Chaperones Needed For Finance Park Make-up Field Trip - May 31
Our last make-up day for the Finance Park field trip will be Friday, May 31st. We are really in need of more parent chaperones, so if you are available on May 31st, please contact your student’s Civics teacher, and they will add you to the list. During the day, which will be from 8:30am – 1:30pm, you will lead a group of no more than 9 students, as they prepare to be “an adult for the day.” It will require you to drive yourself to the JA Finance Park Facility, which is at 4099 Pickett Road, Fairfax VA. Once again, please contact your student’s Civics teacher (i.e. Mr. Kerner, Mr. Sterzinger, Mr. Hoover, Mr. Schmitz, or Ms. D’Angelo) if you are interested.
Color Fun Run/Walk
TJ Prep Camp
Important Dates
- Mon., 4/15 - Fri., 4/19 - SPRING BREAK
- Mon., 4/22 - Fri., 4/26 - Spring Book Fair
- Wed., 4/24 -Thu., 4/25 - 6th Grade DC Field Trip
- Wed., 4/24, Evening -3rd Quarter Honor Roll Celebration & NJHS Induction Ceremony
- Thu., 5/2 - Williamsburg Music Field Trip
- Mon., 5/27, Memorial Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
How to Stay In-Touch
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
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May / June SOL Testing Schedule
Interested in learning more about the SOL exams your child will take? Here are links from the Virginia Department of Education for: