Principal's Note - August 5, 2022
Good Evening, Holmes Families!
Just two weeks to go until we welcome students back to school for the 2022-23 school year! We are so excited to have staff back in the building next week and students on August 22nd. On Thursday, August 11th, we will welcome our new teachers to Holmes, and then the first day back on contract for all teachers is Friday, August 12th!
We hope that you will join us for our open house for all students on Wednesday, August 17th from 5-7 pm when students can pick up their schedules. All 6th graders and new 7th and 8th graders are invited to attend Jumpstart on the morning of August 18th (transportation details coming soon) from 8:30-10:30 am. Families of new students are welcome to stay for our family orientation from 8:30-9:30 the same morning.
Staffing Update
Last Friday I shared the good news that we were fully staffed. Unfortunately, however, earlier this week, we lost two teachers who we had hired in July: one in Family and Consumer Sciences, and one in Science. We have been working throughout the week to seek candidates, and I attended the FCPS job fair yesterday evening. We have secured a long-term substitute for the Family and Consumer Sciences classroom so that we can ensure we can keep this elective class that so many students love while we find a certified teacher, and we are screening candidates for the Science classroom. I hope to have good news for you in my update next Friday!
Remember that FCPS needs teachers, counselors, bus drivers, substitutes, student monitors, etc. If you know of someone who is looking for work, please send them to explore our Career Opportunities.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
School Supplies (the list is short!)
This weekend is the Virginia sales tax holiday! At Holmes, we supply each student with a laptop, a charger, earbuds, a 3-ring binder, and a set of dividers. For 6th graders and other new students, we have a few more basic school supplies that we are also able to provide. Check out our supply list HERE.
Students MUST have Required Immunizations
All students MUST have all of their required immunizations to attend school this year. All students are required to be immunized against certain communicable diseases to attend school in the state of Virginia. It is important for all students to receive the required immunizations.
Please talk with your family health care provider about whether or not your children are up to date on their vaccines before the new school year begins. Submit updated immunization records to Holmes as soon as possible by bringing them into the main office or scanning and sending a copy of the immunizations to Wendy Alfaro at @email.
More information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation is available online.
Apply for Free & Reduced Meals
All students will have to pay for breakfast and lunch this year unless they qualify for free and reduced meals.
Families will need to apply for free and reduced-price meals, which they have not had to do since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
- Online applications are now available.
- Paper applications will be available at schools (except ones designated as a CEP school) at a date to be determined.
- Approved FRM eligibility letters may also be used to provide additional benefits.
- Please know that we will not share your data or personal information with anyone else. See FCPS’ Trust Policy.
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When applying for FRM, don't forget to complete the "Consent to Share"
The Consent to Share Information Letter informs parents that their children may be eligible to participate in several fee-based programs (art, music, Family & Consumer Sciences, etc.) at either no cost or a reduced cost, if they participate in the Free and Reduced-price meals program, and provide a consent to share information form.
Some students are directly certified (i.e. Medicaid recipients) as receiving Free and Reduced-Price Meals. Even though they do not need to submit a Free and Reduced-Price Meals application, they will need to submit the Consent to Share Information form to be eligible for additional benefits.
The FRM application also includes a section with the Consent to Share information for other programs. If section four of the application is completed, the Consent to Share Information form does not need to be filled out.
HOLMES UPDATES
Here are today's newsletter topics:
Holmes Updates
- Student Services Information
- 2022-23 Blue/White Schedule
- 2022-23 Bell Schedule
- Important Upcoming Dates
- How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS
FCPS & Community Updates
- School-Required Vaccinations For Free
- Stay Connected with FCPS
Please feel free to reach out and let us know what questions you have. Thank you, and we'll see you very soon!
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes
Proud Principal, Holmes MS
Student Services Information
2022-23 Blue/White Calendar
Most classes at Holmes are 85-90 minutes blocks. Blue days are odd periods, and White days are even periods. This calendar will also be posted to the website, and each student will receive a copy on the first day of school.
2022-23 Bell Schedule
This bell schedule is different from the 2021-22 school year. Periods 3 and 4 will meet every day. Periods 1, 5, and 7 will only meet on blue days, and periods 2, 6, and 8 will meet on White Days. This will be posted to the website, and each student will receive a copy on the first day of school.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, 8/17, 5:00-7:00 PM - Open House (welcome to all students and their families)
- Thursday, 8/18, 8:30-10:30 AM - Jumpstart Orientation for all 6th graders and 7th and 8th grade students who are new to Holmes. Transportation will be available (more details to come at a later date).
- Thursday, 8/18, 8:30-9:30 AM - New Holmes Family Orientation for families of 6th graders and 7th/8th graders who are new to Holmes
- Monday 8/22 - First Day of 2022-2023 School Year
- Tuesday, 8/30, 5-8:30 PM - Back to School Night (welcome to all families)
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
FCPS & COMMUNITY UPDATES
School-Required Vaccinations For Free
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