Principal's Note - Feb 11, 2022
Good afternoon, Holmes Families!
I hope that you all had a great week! This week, FCPS announced their rollback plan for health mitigation measures, and invited families to provide feedback on FCPS' use of federal ESSER III funding. Take a look at both links to find out more.
Understanding ESSER III Funding’s Impact on Student Success
Last fall, FCPS received $188.8 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding. These funds have helped us safely reopen our schools and to keep them open. We have also been able to address the impacts of COVID-19 on students. If you are not familiar with ESSER III, here are a few things you should know about how it impacts student success. ESSER III focus areas include:
- Prevention and mitigation strategies to help keep schools open and safe for students and staff.
- Academic intervention services, such as tutoring, after-school programs, and summer learning programs.
- Professional development to ensure our schools are welcoming and culturally responsive to all students and families.
- Multilingual engagement to ensure information is accessible to all families.
- Additional support for students’ social emotional needs.
There will be two opportunities for you to tell us how well FCPS is meeting ESSER III requirements around a safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of learning. Please stay tuned for details! Visit the ESSER III webpage for more information.
How Holmes is Allocating ESSER Funds
In addition to using ESSER funds for PPE and to compensate our fabulous student monitor, Ms. Vasquez Nova, who helps us with safety and supervision, we are also using funds to:
- Provide teachers with time and substitutes to collaboratively plan effective and engaging instruction in teams
- Give teachers, coaches, and administrators access to professional development to better meet the academic and wellness needs of students
- Purchase a variety of books to develop classroom libraries so that all students have access to text in every classroom.
- Provide resources like games and equipment to every classroom to support the 15-minute wellness break
- Purchase research-based curriculum to support lessons around social emotional learning for SOAR lessons
Here are today's newsletter topics:
Holmes Updates
- Student Services - Important Information
- 2021-22 Blue-White Calendar
- 2021-22 Bell Schedule
- Next Week's Schedule
- After School Program Next Week
- A Message from Mr. Kruk
- From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
- Early Identification Program (EIP)
- High School Musical by Edison Students - March 3-5
- Annandale High School Volleyball Camp for Rising 9th Graders - June 13-17
- Job Opportunities at Holmes & in FCPS
- Important Upcoming Dates
- How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS
FCPS & Community Updates
- Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications
- Free COVID Testing
- Park Authority Camps
- 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
HOLMES UPDATES
This Week's Schedule: 2/14-2/18
The Blue-White Calendar can also be found on the inside cover of student agendas and can be found HERE on our school website.
- Monday, 2/14 - BLUE DAY (SOAR & ER 6)
- Tuesday, 2/15 - WHITE DAY
- Wednesday, 2/16 - BLUE DAY (SOAR & ER 7)
- Thursday, 2/17 - WHITE DAY
- Friday, 2/18 - BLUE DAY (SOAR & ER 8)
After School Schedule Next Week
A Message from Mr. Kruk
Student of the Week:
As part of his first week at Holmes, Mr. Kruk asked teachers to share the names of students who stood out for their responsible behavior, positive attitude, helpfulness, honesty, kindness, and/or their work. A new student will be selected each week.
This week’s After-School Student of the Week is Lucy Baboyian. Lucy is a leader in both Theatre Sports and Voices of Now. Lucy is always willing to participate and gives every new activity 100% effort. She is welcoming and accepting to new participants. Through Theatre Sports Lucy’s comedic abilities always shine through. In Voices of Now Lucy has demonstrated her ability to explore the problems that plague our society; but perhaps even more importantly she shows a desire to raise awareness and create change. It’s an honor to have Lucy as part of the Theatre Department’s After School programming! 😊
NEW Student Pickup Process:
WHO?
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- Any student staying after school with a teacher for academic support or for the After-School Program.
WHAT?
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- Students must be signed out by a parent or guardian if leaving prior to 4:45.
- Students will remain in their clubs or under teacher supervision until they are called to the main office for pickup.
- No student is to leave the school until signed out of the main office by a parent or guardian.
WHEN?
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- Starting Monday, February 14th and continuing through the school year.
WHERE?
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- Holmes Middle School Main Office
WHY?
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- Student safety and accountability are top priority during after school hours.
For any and all questions related to the after school program, please contact Mr. Kruk at @email.
From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
Donate to the Holmes Closet
A big thank you to all who donated during Christmas! Your generous donations, love and compassion helped to support 34 families with gift cards, toys and clothing!
To continue supporting Holmes families during this challenging time, our Family Liaison, SCA (Student Council Association), NJHS (National Junior Honor Society), and School Social Worker are teaming up to gather items each month for the Holmes Closet Outreach Program. Please consider donating to the Holmes Closet!
Please click the link below for more details. Donations can be dropped at the main office or in the donation boxes.
https://sites.google.com/fcpsschools.net/holmes-closet/home
Resources for Parents
- Parenting Education Program
Parenting Education Program offers family centered sessions, proven to help parents and children develop healthy, nurturing relationships. This program builds upon families’ strengths and positive values.
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/children-youth/parenting-education-programs
- Workshop at the Parent Resource Center to expand your knowledge. All sessions will be held virtually.
- Adult Education at ACE
Prepare for a new adventure in life, or simply add some genuine satisfaction to your day.
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/adult-education-academics/ace-personal-academic-enrichment
Early Identification Program (EIP)
WHAT: The Early Identification Program (EIP) is a multiyear (5 year) college preparatory program for students who will be the first in their family to attend a four-year college in the United States. EIP is a collaborative effort between Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and George Mason University (GMU). The EIP is one of four programs that comprise the College Success Programs in FCPS. EIP goes from 8th grade through 12th grade.
HOW: Nominated students apply to the program at the end of the 7th grade and enter the program in the 8th grade.
DEADLINE: School-based EIP sponsors must submit a list of nominated students to the EIP by February 17, 2022.
ESTIONS? Please complete the EIP Information Google Form if you are interested:
Contact Ms. Amarir, School Counselor and EIP Sponsor at 703-658-5942 or via email at @email with any questions.
High School Musical by Edison Students - March 3-5
Edison Theatre Company presents: High School Musical!
Join us for all the fun at this family-friendly musical production - all ages welcome! Get’cha Head in the Game!
Date: March 3, 4 and 5 at 7 pm, and Saturday March 5 at 2 pm
Tickets: Tickets are just $5 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at www.edisontheatrecompany.org
Address: 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310
Annandale High School Volleyball Camp for Rising 9th Graders - June 13-17
Job Opportunities at Holmes & in FCPS
To help us meet these critical needs, here is a reminder of some job opportunities that we have a available at Holmes and throughout FCPS:
- Student monitors (Holmes needs 1 or 2 more)
- Substitutes (short- and long-term) - School Board just approved an increase in pay for short- and long-term substitutes!
If you or someone you know is looking for work and may be a good fit for one or more of these positions, I encourage you or them to apply!
Important Upcoming Dates
- Monday, 2/21 - NO SCHOOL, President's Day
- Wednesday, 2/23 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm - Zoom link coming
- Wednesday, 2/23 - Pre-assessment Band Concert, 7:00 pm, Annandale High School
- Tuesday, 3/1 - Band/Orchestra Pre-assessment Concert, 7:00 pm, Holmes MS
- Thursday, 3/3 - 2022-23 Course Selection Sheets due to counselor
- Thursday, 3/3 - 2-hour Early Release & Activity Day
- Friday, 3/4 - Student Holiday / Staff Development Day
- Tuesday, 3/8 - Pyramid Pre-assessment Chorus concert, 7:00 pm, Annandale HS
- Thursday, 3/10 - Pyramid Middle School Chorus concert, 7:00 pm, Annandale HS
- Tuesday, 3/29 -
- Thursday, 3/31 -2-hour Early Release & Activity Day / Last day of 3rd Quarter
- Friday, 4/1 - Student Holiday / Teacher Workday
- Monday, 4/4-Friday, 4/8 - SPRING BREAK
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
The Importance of Submitting Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications
School meals provide nourishment that allows students to excel in the classroom and to grow and thrive. This year, FCPS continues to offer no-cost meals to all students, thanks to a waiver granted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
While the meals are no cost for all, it is still important for families to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application because it impacts much more than meals.
FRM applications help link families to other benefits, such as waiving fees for SAT, ACT, and AP exams as well as other school fee-based programs. Qualifying students may also have access to scholarships, classes, or services provided by agencies and organizations outside FCPS. FRM applications also help determine additional education funding for your child’s school.
Winter break is a great time to complete the FRM application. Find out more on our website.
Park Authority Camps
Click the link to register https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/camps
Free COVID Testing
Take a look at the flyer below for information about free COVID testing. For more information about testing and vaccination sites in Fairfax County, check out this link.
Other resources for testing and vaccination can be found here:
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