Good evening, Holmes Families! 

I hope that you all are enjoying the long holiday weekend!  Barring any wintry weather, this will be our last short week for quite awhile.  March will feel like a marathon after 2 months of lots of delays and closings, but getting back into our routine will be good for all of us. 

This week is a busy one, and there is quite a bit going in the next few weeks!  Not only is it our second and final week of WIDA testing, it's also Custodial Appreciation Week and our rescheduled week for the 8th grade Finance Park field trips. Course selections are due at the end of this week, and we will be reviewing our record number of applications to the AVID program this week to select students for the second round, which will be interviews.  Our music students are preparing for their assessments, so we have a round of concerts coming up starting next week.  In the first full week of March, 8th graders will take their first of five SOLs for the year, the Writing SOL.  

During such a busy time, it is important for us all to practice being BALANCED, especially our students.  Being Balanced is the IB Learner Profile trait that we are focusing on this month at Holmes.  Our ER-8 lesson this week will encourage students to focus on creating balance for themselves.  This will also lead into our first Digital Wellness Week, which will help our students focus on being BALANCED with their screen time and electronic devices.  Scroll down  for more information about our plan for the week of February 25th.  

In today's newsletter, scroll down for information about:

• FCPS CARES
• Chaperones Needed for Finance Park Field Trip
• This Week's Schedule
• After School Program Information and Schedule
• Calendar Reminder: Schools Closed for Students
• Course Selections for 2019-20 School Year – Due to grade-level counselors on February 22, 2019
• Embrace Autism Event - 2/23/19
• District Chorus Participants
• HMS Digital Wellness Week Feb 25th - March 1st
• Save the Date: Rising 6th Grade Parent Coffees
• Family Engagement Survey
• Family Engagement Survey - March 24th - April 12th 
• Student Wellness: Mental Health Tips and Strategies
• G-love Winter Clothing Drive 
• Global STEM Challenges Program at Edison High School
• Fairfax County Park Authority Offering Snow Day Camp at Four Locations
• Important Dates
• How to Stay in Touch

Thanks, everyone, and have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

[email protected]

#HolmesHawksSoar

Chaperones Needed for Finance Park Field Trip

Our Finance Park make-up dates will be February 19^th, 20^th, and 21^st.  We are really in need of more parent chaperones for all three dates, so if you are available any of those dates, 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.

FCPS Cares

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: 2/18- 2/22

This week: Mon., 2/18 = No School / President's Day Holiday Tues., 2/19 = Blue Day Wed., 2/20 = White Day w/ ER 7 & 8 (ER 8 LESSON: IB School-wide Lesson) Thurs., 2/21 = Blue Day Fri., 2/22 = White Day w/ ER 1 & 2  *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the website HERE.

After School Program - Week of 2/18

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.

Calendar Reminder: Schools Closed for Students on Monday, February 18

As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 18, for the Presidents Day holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 19.  See the complete 2018-19 school year calendar.

Course Selections for 2019-20 School Year – Due to grade-level counselors on February 22, 2019

As a friendly reminder, student course selections for the upcoming school year are due back to grade-level counselors Friday, February 22, 2019. 

The 2019-2020 Course Descriptions and Guide can be viewed on the Holmes Middle School Student Services website: https://holmesms.fcps.edu/student-services/academic-advising.  This guide lists the required and elective offerings for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. It is very important to note the grade levels and pre-requisites that are indicated for each course. Each student must register for seven (7) classes: the required five (5) classes including Mathematics, English, Science, History, and Health & Physical education, and a choice of two (2) year-long elective classes, four (4) semester elective classes, OR a combination of one (1) year-long and two (2) semester elective classes. Electives offer opportunities for enrichment, specialization, and exploration. It is necessary to select all the electives in order of preference in case there is a conflict in scheduling.  Please note that a support class for Math or Reading may be prioritized in a students’ schedule based on academic progress.  In this case, a support class will take the place of an elective class.

Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s counselor with any questions about this process. We look forward to working with you!

6^th Grade Counselor: Jolana Roberts, [email protected]

7^th Grade Counselor: Kelly Murphy, [email protected]

8^th Grade Counselor: Megan Neforos, [email protected]  (collecting course selections for High Schools)

ESOL 1-4  Counselor: Yolma Torres, [email protected] (collecting course selections for High Schools)

 

Embrace Autism Event - 2/23/19

Congratulations to our District Chorus Participants!

HMS Digital Wellness Week Feb 25th - March 1st

Holmes Digital Wellness Week is February 25^th - March 1^st! The focus of the week is Building a Culture of Shared Responsibility around students digital life. Each day during the week, parents/caregivers can take simple steps to find balance and partner together with our Holmes Staff to educate and support students with their digital life.

Linked below, you will find the school's theme of the day along with complementary activities and conversations that you can extend into your home as we talk about these common themes throughout the week with students at school. A common message from trusted adults has a big impact on kids!

We hope Digital Wellness Week will spark some educationally valuable conversations that can be promoted and supported for the rest of the year, by both parents and teaching staff.

Holmes Digital Wellness Week Family Guide

SAVE THE DATE: Rising 6th Grade Parent Coffee

Rising 6^th grade families:

You are cordially invited to attend our second rising 6th grade parent coffee next month.  You will have an opportunity to meet with Holmes staff and to learn more about the transition to Holmes Middle School.

When: Wed, Mar 13 9AM  - (Cafeteria)

Please contact Ms. Serena Giron, Director of Student Services [email protected] or 703-658-5940 with any questions you may have.

We look forward to meeting you!

FCPS Family Engagement Survey - March 24th-April 12th

Dear Families,

Fairfax County Public Schools will be conducting a survey to gather information about family engagement in our schools. Relationships are important to us, and your opinion is critical to help us support your engagement in your child’s education. Your feedback will also help us determine how well we are reaching the goals for Caring Culture we have set in our Strategic Plan. Survey translations will be made available, and the survey can be taken on electronic devices, including smartphones.

Survey administration is scheduled for March 24-April 12, 2019, and you will receive more information about how to take the survey in the near future.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Student Wellness: Mental Health Tips and Strategies

Many students struggle with emotional and behavioral issues that can affect their learning and overall wellness. If you have any concerns about anxiety, peer relationship problems, depression, or other social and emotional issues your child may be experiencing, please contact your school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor. They are available for consultation and support.

Visit the Mental Health and Resiliency and Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies web pages to learn about mental health resources and fostering resiliency in

G-love Winter Clothing Drive!

Thank you for all of the donations we have received so far!  We are still accepting items.  If someone in your family is in need of winter items, please contact Sara Astrow or James Cho (emails on flyer below).  

Financial Awareness Workshops for Middle School Parents

Join the Global STEM Challenges Program

Fairfax County Park Authority Offering Snow Day Camp at Four Locations

The Fairfax County Park Authority is offering Snow Day Camp at Audrey Moore RECenter, Lee District RECenter, Oak Marr RECenter, and Spring Hill RECenter for children ages 6 to 10 when Fairfax County Public Schools are closed two or more school days in a row (limited to 30 children per site, first-come basis) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $65 per day, per child, non-refundable.

Note: Snow Day Camp will not operate for single-day FCPS school closures, late openings or early dismissals, on weekends, and will not be held when Fairfax County Government is closed or the Fairfax County Park Authority is closed.

Learn more about Snow Day Camp. 

Important Dates

• Monday, 2/18 - President's Day Holiday - No School
• Tuesday, 2/19 - Thursday, 2/21 - Rescheduled Finance Park Field Trip (8th Grade)
• Wednesday, 2/20-Friday, 2/22 - WIDA Testing for ESOL Students, Levels 1-4
• Thursday, 2/21 6:00 pm - Hispanic Parent Meeting (Topic: Immigration and Digital Citizenship)
• Monday, 2/25 - Friday, 3/1 - Holmes Digital Wellness Week
• Wednesday, 2/27, 7:00 pm - Orchestra Concert
• Thursday, 2/28 - Q2 Honor Roll Celebration for students  - (During ER 5 & 6) (Rescheduled from 2/11)
• Thursday, 2/28, 7:00 pm - Band Concert
• Tuesday, 3/5-Friday, 3/8 - Writing SOL for 8th Graders
• Tuesday, 3/5, 7:00 pm - Pyramid 6th Grade Chorus Concert (Annandale HS)
• Wednesday, 3/6, 6:30 pm - PTA Meeting
• Tuesday, 3/12, 7:00 pm - Pre-Assessment Chorus (Annandale HS)
• Wednesday, 3/13,  6:00 pm - EL Family Engagement Night - (Topic: Technology & Summer Programs)

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