Good afternoon, Holmes Families!

I hope that you all have had a wonderful weekend!  Great news: Holmes Middle School is proud to have six students selected to participate in All-VA chorus this year.  They will participate in an event in Richmond at the end of April.  This is a huge honor as more than 1500 students from all over the state submitted recordings to be selected. 

The students are:

Lina Abuelhawa

Jordon Dixon

Jamison McAndrew 

Drew McKenna

Tyler Miller

Madeline Vukich 

Alternate: Alex Ramos 

Security Cameras Update

I am excited to announce that the installation of the interior and exterior security cameras began this week and will continue through this week.  Once they are installed and staff are trained, the cameras will be operational and can be used for security and administrative team to investigate incidents.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at @email.

Edison High School Orientation - February 25th 

For 8th grade students who are attending Edison High School next year and their parents, please see the flyer below for information about their course selection orientation next week.  

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

• Join the Holmes MS PTA!
• FCPS CARES
• This Week's Schedule
• After-School Program
• Calendar Reminder: Schools Closed on March 3 for Presidential Primary 
• FCPS' Safety Tip Line Helps Keep Schools Safe
• FCPS to Host Free Sessions on Digital Learning and Citizenship
• SOL Testing Information
• VIP Summer Camp Registration Information
• SCA Presents: G-Love
• Financial Awareness Workshop for Middle School Parents
• Community Sensory Day 2020- April 4th
• Important Dates
• How to Stay in Touch

Thanks, everyone, and have a wonderful week!  Please feel free to reach out to me or anyone on my team with any questions you have!

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

[email protected]

#SoarTogether

Have you joined the Holmes MS PTA?

Your membership supports teacher appreciation and grants for teachers to provide unique programs for students!  Join HERE today!

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: 2/24-2/28

This week: Mon., 2/24 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd,5th, 7th) Tues., 2/25 = White Day (2nd, SOAR, ER 1, 4th, 6th) Wed., 2/26 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th) Thurs., 2/28 = White Day (2nd, SOAR, ER 2, 4th, 6th) Fri., 2/28 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th)  *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the school website HERE.

After-School Program - Week of 2/24

During the school year, a weekly schedule of activities that will be held during the After School Program will be posted.  

• Late buses are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  Students must be picked up by parents/guardians if they stay on Tuesdays or Fridays.  
• NOTE: There are only 6 late buses, so students' late bus assignments and stops are usually different than their regular bus. 

For any specific questions related to the After School Program or to share new ideas for after school activities, please feel free to contact Ms. Taylor, our After School Program Specialist.

Calendar Reminder: Schools Closed on March 3 for Presidential Primary

As a reminder, schools will be closed for students on Tuesday, March 3, for the presidential primary election, which will be a school planning day for staff members. Classes will resume on Wednesday, March 4. See the complete 2019-20 school calendar.

FCPS' Safety Tip Line Helps Keep Schools Safe

A confidential and anonymous tip line is available to students, staff, parents, and other community members, as part of FCPS' continuing effort to maintain safe schools. Please report school safety issues, such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Call 571-423-2020, text TIP FCPS to 888-777, or submit your tip online. Visit the Safety Tip Line webpage for more information. 

Note: If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.

FCPS to Host Free Sessions on Digital Learning and Citizenship

Fairfax County Public Schools students, families, and community members are invited to attend any of five upcoming digital learning and digital citizenship events. All sessions are being held free of charge.

The first session will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Crossfield Elementary School, with the theme Supporting Families in a Digital World: Developing a Healthy Relationship with Technology.

See the complete list of sessions and topics.

SOL Testing Information

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) requires that all students in grade 8 take the English Writing Standards of Learning (SOL) Test. The purpose of testing is to provide information about student achievement in several areas of English: Writing. Scores from the test will be used to determine whether students fail to meet standards, are proficient in meeting the standards, or are advanced in the standards.

The test has two components: multiple choice and direct writing. In order to obtain a score your child must complete both components. The English Writing test will be administered: March 10 - 13, 2020.

It will be very helpful if you can avoid appointments which may take your child out of school during this time period. Also, it will help your child perform his or her best if he or she has had a good night's rest, a healthy breakfast, and comes to school with a positive attitude.

VDOE and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) have an electronic device policy which is to be followed during all SOL testing. To maintain test security, the possession of cell phones or other electronic devices (including wearable technology) in the testing room is prohibited. If a student is discovered with a prohibited electronic device while in a test environment, the student's test will be stopped, the electronic device will be confiscated, and the student will be removed from the test environment. School administrators, consistent with the Acceptable Use Policy and Student Rights & Responsibilities, have authority to search the "item of personal belonging" (e.g., the cell phone or other device, including wearable technology) if it is believed to contain evidence of a violation of school regulations (in this case, cheating). School administrators have the right to apply school-based consequences based upon their investigation of the situation. Please talk to your student about the electronic device policy and the serious consequences of violating it.

A student performance report with your child's scores will be mailed to your home in August.

Should you have any questions or require any fu1iher information about this testing, please contact me at (703) 658-5900 or [email protected].

Sincerely,

Serena Giron

Director of Student Services

Holmes Middle School

Su hijo estara rindiendo el examen de Redaccion de 8.0 grado Estandares de Aprendizaje (SOL) de Virginia entre el 10 de Marzo y el 13 de Marzo. Es importante que su hijo asista a la escuela estos dias. Les pedimos que, de ser posible, eviten programar viajes o citas que puedan hacer que su hijo se ausente de clases durante este periodo de tiempo. Tambien es importante que su hijo descanse bien la noche anterior y tome un desayuno saludable antes de dar el examen. Si se dan cuenta de que tienen algun conflicto de horario que no puede cambiarse y que podria causar que su hijo falte a uno de los dias de examenes, sirvanse notificarlo a la escuela de su hijo lo antes posible.

El Departamento de Educacion de Virginia (VDOE) requiere que todos los alumnos de 8.0 grado rindan el Examen Estandares de Aprendizaje (SOL) de Redaccion en Ingles. El examen tiene dos componentes: respuesta de seleccion multiple y respuesta de composicion corta. Para poder obtener una puntuacion, su hijo debe completar ambos componentes.

El proposito de los examenes SOL es proporcionarles a los padres, la escuela, la division escolar y el estado informacion sobre los alumnos. En la mayoria de los casos, los padres pueden obtener las resultados de los examenes al final del ano escolar. Cuando estemos mas cerca de esas fechas, recibiran mas informacion sabre como y cuando recibiran la puntuacion que obtuvo su hijo.

Si tienen preguntas sobre las examenes SOL, sirvanse comunicarse con el orientador de su hijo o el coordinador a cargo de los examenes o el encargado de evaluaciones en la escuela de su hijo.

Serena Giron

[email protected]

703-658-5900

VIP Summer Camp Registration Information

Financial Awareness Workshop for Middle School Parents

Community Sensory Day 2020- April 4th

Important Dates

• Wed., 2/26, 7 pm - Band Concert: Pre-assessment #1 (Annandale HS)
• Tues., 3/3, NO SCHOOL - Student Holiday (Presidential Primary)
• Wed., 3/4, 9-10 am - Parent Coffee (Topic: Helping Your Student to Resolve Conflict and Manage Emotions)
• Wed., 3/4, 7:30 pm - Scholastic Art Awards of 2020 (Ernst Cultural Center, Annandale Campus, Northern Virginia Community College)
• Thurs., 3/5, 5:45 pm - PTA Meeting (Topic: Helping Your Student to Resolve Conflict and Manage Emotions)
• Thurs., 3/5, 7 pm - Band Concert: Pre-assessment #2
• Thurs., 3/12, 9-10 am - Rising 6th grade Parent Coffee
• Thurs., 3/12, 7 pm - Orchestra Concert: Pre-assessment
• Tues., 3/17, 7 pm - Pyramid Chorus: Pre-assessment (Annandale HS)
• Thurs., 3/26, 5 pm - Pyramid Art Show (Annandale HS)

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