Good morning, Holmes Families! 

What a week!  It was absolutely an unusual start to 3rd quarter with the delays, early releases, and closings.  And just a reminder that tomorrow is a Staff Development Day for teachers, so there is no school tomorrow (Monday, 2/4)  for students.  We hope to get back to our regular routine this week with the warmer weather.

Thank you for a great turnout at the PTA Meeting and Curriculum Night this past Thursday!  Our presentations on Digital Citizenship and Course Selections will be posted to the website very soon.  

This week, we'll be hosting an information session for students about the AVID program at Holmes MS on Thursday, 2/7, during ER-7.  Haven't heard of the AVID program?  Scroll down for more information below.  Applications will be due Friday, 2/15.  

Please join us this Wednesday, February 6th at 7:00 p.m. for our first Annandale Pyramid PTA meeting at Annandale High School in Clausen Hall (see flyer below).

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

• FCPS CARES
• This Week's Schedule
• After School Program Information and Schedule
• AVID Program at Holmes MS
• Academic Advising
• G-love Winter Clothing Drive 
• Edison Academy Open House Set for February 9

• Global STEM Challenges Program at Edison High School

• Important Dates
• How to Stay in Touch

Thanks, everyone, and have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

[email protected]

#HolmesHawksSoar

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: 2/4- 2/8

This week: Mon., 2/4 = Teacher Workday - No School Tues., 2/5 = White Day w/ ER 5 & 6 Wed., 2/6 = Blue Day Thurs., 2/7 = White Day w/ ER 7 & 8 (ER 8 Lesson: Digital Citizenship) Fri., 2/8 = Blue Day  *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the website HERE.

After School Program - Week of 2/4

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.

AVID Program at Holmes MS

AVID stands for Advancement via Individual Determination!  AVID is a college and career readiness system designed to prepare students for future success in college.  AVID students are learners who: - have college as a goal; - are motivated to succeed in school; - are willing to enroll in rigorous classes and work to achieve their academic goals The AVID Elective class is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to be successful in challenging courses leading to college acceptance. It is NOT an intervention or remedial course.  In the AVID class, students work to develop their skills in Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading (WICOR). Trained tutors work with students to help them explore their challenging course material more deeply and to help them develop higher-order thinking and college-level independent study skills. AVID students also hear from a number of guest speakers in different careers and participate in college and cultural field trips. Our AVID Site Team has invited students who we believe could benefit from the support of the AVID Program to an Information Session.  It was originally scheduled for last Tuesday, 1/29, and will now be held during ER-7 on Thursday, February 7th.   The link to the online application is HERE, and is due by the end of the school day (2:15 pm) on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2019. After applications have been reviewed, we will contact selected students to participate in an interview, the next step in the AVID selection process. If you have questions about AVID, you can contact any of these staff members: Margaret Barnes, AVID Site Team Member, [email protected] Jay Bradley, AVID Coordinator, [email protected] Serena Giron, AVID Administrator, [email protected] Jason Hutto, AVID Site Team Member, [email protected] Kristin Johns, AVID English Teacher, [email protected] Megan Neforos, AVID Counselor, [email protected] Pete Smith, AVID Elective Teacher, [email protected]

Academic Advising

Academic advising season is here!  

Rising 9^th Grade:

Annandale High School counselors met with rising 9^th graders on January 17^th.  Edison High School counselors will be meeting with rising 9^th graders on February 13^th.   Over the upcoming weeks, Holmes counselors will meet individually with all students for academic advising and course selection.   

8^th Grade Counselor: Megan Neforos, [email protected]

ESOL 1-4  Counselor: Yolma Torres, [email protected]

Rising 7^th and 8^th Grade:

Counselors will begin academic advising classroom lessons through Science classes beginning February 1.  After lessons, counselors will meet individually with all students for academic advising and course selection. Students are encouraged to select courses based on teacher feedback, progress in current courses, academic strengths, and personal interests.  During this time, they will discuss the student’s course selections and answer any questions they may have. 

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]

ESOL 1-4  Counselor: Yolma Torres, [email protected]

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

Edison High School IB Night

Edison Academy Open House Set for February 9

Edison Academy will host an Open House for prospective students for the 2019-20 school year on Saturday, February 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (snow date: February 23.) The Open House is an opportunity for high school students and their families to visit the academy, learn more about academy programs, tour classrooms and labs, meet teachers and staff, and chat with current academy students. Edison Academy offers specialized classes in Automotive Collision Services; Automotive Technology; Cosmetology; Criminal Justice; Culinary Arts; Cyber: Computer Systems Technology A+; Cyber: Network Administration; Cyber: Oracle; Cyber: Security+; Electrical Construction and Engineering; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; and Veterinary Science. Edison Academy is located at entrance #13 at Edison High School, 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria. Contact the academy office at 703-924-8100 for more information and follow Edison Academy on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook to keep up with current academy activities, events, and information. 

Join the Global STEM Challenges Program

Important Dates

• Monday, 2/4 - Teacher Workday - No School
• Wednesday, 2/6, 7:00 pm - Annandale Pyramid PTA Meeting, Annandale HS
• Thursday, 2/7, ER-7 - AVID Information Session for Students
• Monday, 2/11 - Q2 Honor Roll Celebration (During ER 1 & 2)
• Wednesday, 2/13 - Edison HS Counselors come to meet with current 8th graders (During ER 3 & 4)
• Thursday, 2/14 6:00 pm - Hispanic Parent Meeting (Topic: Bullying)
• Friday, 2/15, Lunches - Lunch Bunch w/ Mrs. Barnes
• Friday, 2/15, 2:15 PM - AVID Applications Due (online)
• Monday, 2/18 - President's Day Holiday - No School
• Tuesday, 2/19 - Thursday, 2/21 - Rescheduled Finance Park Field Trip (8th Grade)
• Wednesday, 2/27, 7:00 pm - Orchestra Concert
• Thursday, 2/28, 7:00 pm - Band Concert

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