Principal's Note - Feb 24, 2023
Good evening, Holmes Families!
Public Schools Week is an annual celebration that brings together school leaders, educators, parents & community leaders to recognize the importance of our nation’s public schools.
As a reminder, students have an early release on Thursday, March 2. There is no school for students on Friday, March 3, due to a school planning day. See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
"Bonus" Day on Thursday, 3/2 - ACTIVITY DAY!!
With our shortened week this upcoming week, we will have an activity day to mark the halfway point of 3rd quarter (yes, already!). It will be a day for students and staff to take a bit of a breather to get caught up on missing work, engage in some fun activities, and enjoy a longer recess. Fingers crossed for nice weather on Thursday!
SAVE THE DATE! Student/Faculty Basketball Game - Thursday, 3/9
Our Holmes PTA is so excited to bring this tradition back! Save the date and join us on Thursday, March 9th, for our student/faculty basketball game. Students must attend with an adult. Use your phone's camera to purchase tickets from the link that comes up at the QR code below. Hope to see you there!
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Here are today's newsletter topics:
Holmes Updates
- Student Services Information
- 2022-23 Blue/White Calendar (UPDATED!!)
- 2022-23 Bell Schedule
- After School Schedule Next Week
- Holmes MS PTA
- From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
- Testing Information & Quarter 3 Testing Windows
- Important Upcoming Dates
- How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS
FCPS & Community Updates
- Parental Notifications and Policy 3290: Sexually Explicit Content
- School Board Approves 2023-24 School Year Calendar
- School-Zone Speed Camera Pilot Program Launched
- Youth Substance Use Presentations
- Summer Camps & Learning Opportunities
- 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
#TeamHolmes
HOLMES UPDATES
Student Services Information
2022-23 Blue/White Calendar (UPDATED)
Please note the update to the blue/white calendar below for the week of 2/27-3/3. There was an error on the previous version. The schedule for that week will be as follows:
- Monday, 2/27 - Blue Day
- Tuesday, 2/28 - White Day
- Wednesday, 3/1 - Blue Day
- Thursday, 3/2 - ACTIVITY DAY (alternative schedule) / 2-hour early release
- Friday, 3/3 - STUDENT HOLIDAY / School Planning Day
- Monday, 3/6 - White Day
From Mr. Kruk, our After School Specialist
After-School Program Weekly News & Notes from 2/20-2/24
Student of the Week
The After-School Program Student of the week: George Schader
- George was nominated by staff for being “off book” (memorizing his lines) before the required date.
- Not only did George memorize all of his lines, but George has memorized pretty much the entire script and is being helpful and supportive of others who might not be as skilled at memorization.
- Great work George!!
After-School Action
- Congratulations to our 2022-23 Holmes MS Flag Football League Champions; Colton D’ambrogi, Andrew Haydon, Will Beasley, Kyle Tan, Vireak Mum and our second place team; Chase Soukphouangkham, Ayoub Tazka, Nahom Dereje, Abenet Berharu.
- Both teams played an incredible game that came down to the last minute with a final score of 28-21.
- An excellent finish to and outstanding season by all of our Flag Football League students.
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After School Schedule 2/27-3/1
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***Please notice our condensed schedule next week. We will be back to our regular scheduled programming the following week March 6th – March 10th.
Students Leaving After-School before 4:45
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- Any student staying after school must be signed out of the main office by a parent or guardian if leaving prior to 4:45.
- Walkers may sign themselves out any time after 3:30 when first block ends.
Questions/Concerns
Contact the After-School Specialist, Matt Kruk, @email
Holmes MS PTA
We invite EVERY family at Holmes to participate in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) because we can do more together! Advocate for your child, and for all the children at Holmes. Connect with other parents, so that we can build a stronger community for ourselves and our children. This year, the Holmes PTA is planning on holding in-person meetings again, so you can meet face-to-face with other parents and with Ms. Barnes. We're also planning restaurant nights, Bingo Nights, a Fun Run, Teacher Appreciation Week, and so much more!
- Are you able to volunteer? Submit this Google form
- Want to order Spiritwear
From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
Upcoming Family Coffee Events:
Family Coffee Events at Holmes occur monthly. The topics coming up over the next few months can be found below. You can attend in person or over Zoom. You will receive Zoom links via News You Choose and e-Notify. Click here to register for an upcoming Family Coffee. All presentation recordings and resources are saved to Holmes Families on Schoology.
Parenting Education Classes
These free classes teach positive and effective ways parents can interact with their children at every age and stage of development. They help families to:
- Understand what to expect from children at different developmental stages and ages (0-18 years).
- Build strong, positive, respectful relationships between all family members.
- Take charge of their own feelings and behaviors and communicate in non-threatening ways.
- Handle stress and anger better and find alternatives for yelling and spanking.
- https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/children-youth/parenting-education-programs
Annandale Boys and Girls Club
Testing Information & Quarter 3 Testing Windows
Important Upcoming Dates
- 2/14-2/28 - WIDA Testing (for students identified as English Learners)
- Wednesday, 3/1 - Band/Orchestra Pre-Assessment - Holmes Gym (7 pm)
- Thursday, 3/2 - 2-Hour Early Release
- Friday, 3/3 - NO SCHOOL / School Planning Day
- Tuesday, 3/7 - Pyramid Pre-Assessment Chorus - Annandale HS (7 pm)
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Thursday, 3/9 - Holmes PTA Basketball Night
- 3/10-3/11 - Band Assessment - Sandburg MS
- 3/10-3/11 - Orchestra Assessment - Alexandria City HS
- Tuesday, 3/14 - Pyramid MS Chorus Concert - Justice HS (7 pm)
- 3/17-3/18 - Choral Assessment - Sandburg MS
- 3/24-3/25 - Musical - Footloose
- 3/29 - Band/Orchestra Concert - Holmes Gym (7 pm)
- 4/3/2023 - 4/7/2023 - NO SCHOOL / Spring Break
- Thursday, 4/13 - 2-Hour Early Release / End of 3rd Quarter
- Friday, 4/14 - NO SCHOOL / Orthodox Good Friday /Teacher Workday
- Friday, 4/21- NO SCHOOL / Eid al Fitr
- Friday, 5/12 - Holmes PTA Fun Run
- Monday, 5/29 - NO SCHOOL / Memorial Day
- Friday, 6/16 - 2-Hour Early Release / Last Day of School
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
Parental Notifications and Policy 3290: Sexually Explicit Content
A Virginia law passed in spring 2022 requires schools to create a policy for parental notification of sexually explicit content/materials. In December 2022, the School Board adopted FCPS Policy 3290: Parental Notification Regarding Instructional Materials with Sexually Explicit Content.
FCPS has had policies in place for many years regarding the review of instructional materials, communication with parents, and options for alternative instructional materials.
An expectation of this new policy is the 30-day parental notification requirement of sexually explicit content in instructional materials assigned or selected by teachers. After reviewing the notification letter, parents or caregivers who prefer to choose alternative instructional materials for their child must submit this form to the appropriate teacher within the 30-day notification window. View Policy 3290 for more information.
School Board Approves 2023-24 School Year Calendar
The Fairfax County School Board approved a calendar for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years at their February 9 meeting. Learn more about the approved calendar.
The first day of the 2023-24 school year will be Monday, August 21, and the last day will be Wednesday, June 12.
Developing a school year calendar is a balancing act, involving multiple factors that must be considered. Community input is one of those factors, and we appreciate our community for being involved in the calendar development process.
School-Zone Speed Camera Pilot Program Launched
Fairfax County has launched a speed camera pilot program targeting several school zones where speeding is common. Speed cameras have been installed in the following locations:
- Chesterbrook Elementary School
- Irving Middle School
- Key Middle School
- London Towne Elementary School
- Sleepy Hollow Elementary School
- South County Middle School
- Terraset Elementary School
- West Springfield High School
An additional school zone speed camera near Oakton High School will be installed. Thank you to Fairfax County for helping to ensure we’re all more safe as we travel to and from school!
Youth Substance Use Presentations
- FCPS is dedicated to providing parents and community members with the most accurate and up-to-date information on youth substance use, prevention, addiction, interventions and available supports. Please join us and our partners from the Fairfax County Police Department and Community Services Board as we discuss these topics as well as the ongoing opioid crisis. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of:
- Alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioid.
- List what you can do as a caregiver.
- How to identify and connect with community resources.
Please see below for more information about presentations in Annandale HS and Edison HS.
Summer Camps & Learning Opportunities
Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy
We are excited to provide the following information about our 2023 CTE summer enrichment camps! The FCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) office is once again offering two enrichment programs this year - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy.
What is CTE Summer Enrichment
- Hands-on, exploratory enrichment programs
- Teaches students engaging and exciting content in Career and Technical Education (CTE)
- Helps students make connections to careers and develop new skills
2023 Programs
- Tech Adventure Camp: Students in Kindergarten - grade 6 explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and computer science by rotating through daily classes
- NEW TO 2023: Tech Adventure Camp is now open to current kindergarten and 1st grade students!!
- CTE Summer Academy: Students in grades 7 - 11 choose their classes and dive deeper into CTE program areas, skills, and career exploration
Details
- Cost - $275 per week
- *Fee waived for a select number of Free and Reduced Meal students
- Dates - July 10 - 14; July 17 - 21; and July 24 - 28
- Time - 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
- *Early drop off begins at 7:30 am
- Different weekly offerings
- Transportation from select FPCS schools is provided!
Additional Information can be found on our websites!
- Tech Adventure Camp -ly/FCPS_TAC
- CTE Summer Academy -ly/FCPS_CSA
Registration for both camps will begin February 1st. Our websites are updated regularly with more information. Feel free to contact Beth Mehr, CTE Summer Programs Educational Specialists, for more information. We look forward to creating, exploring, and learning with your students this summer!
Institute for the Arts Camps (IFTA)
IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA website for more information and registration.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging. Visit the E-IFTA website for more information and registration.
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