Good morning, Holmes Families!

After quite an eventful week on both a local and national level, it was good to have time to step back this weekend to reflect.  Personally, it is still alarming to see many of the images and hear and read stories about the events on January 6th.  As I mentioned in my email to families on Thursday, this past year has been overwhelming for adults to process, so it can certainly be overwhelming for young students.  As I recommended at the start of the pandemic and through the protests for racial justice, I encourage parents/guardians to talk openly with students about the events that took place in DC.  Please reach out to let us know if you are concerned about your student or would like resources to help you talk to them about difficult topics.  

Returning to School & Schedule Changes

By now you know that the School Board decided to push back the Return to School timeline due to the rise in the health metrics.  We did also receive the exciting news from the Governor this weekend that school employees in Group 1B for the Covid vaccines will be able to begin to get vaccinated within the next week or so.  (Article) I know that I will be signing up as soon I can to get vaccinated as one important step to getting our students back in school safely.  

As I mentioned to families in December, part of the return to school process at Holmes will be schedule changes for some students.  Our goal is to ensure that students who will attend school in person will have as many in-person teachers as possible and that students who are remaining virtual have as many virtual teachers as possible.  We also committed to minimizing schedule changes so that student schedules wouldn't be turned upside down.  This week, our counselors did what we call "easy swaps" in anticipation of students returning to school.  In cases where we had the same class offered during the same period by a virtual teacher and an in-person teacher, we made changes.  For example, a student signed up to come in-person who had Ms. Haywood for 7th period History 7 Honors may have been switched to Ms. Waters' 7th period History 7 Honors class since Ms. Waters will be teaching in-person.  If you have questions about your student's schedule, please reach out to the counselor (see chart below).  

Some students will also have new electives for the 2nd semester, which begins on Tuesday, January 26th.  Our Student Services team will reach out to students with their new schedules as we get closer to that date.  

3 Classroom Monitors Needed at Holmes MS

Later in the newsletter, you will see that FCPS is hiring classroom monitors to support the return to school process.  We are still in need of 3 classroom monitors at Holmes.  If you or someone you know are interested in this position, they can ready the job description HERE and apply.  They should also reach out to me directly at @email and provide me with a resume.  

8th Graders Attending Annandale HS Next Year

Annandale High School welcomes all rising 9^th grade students and their families to join our high school information night on Thursday, January 14^th from 7:00-8:30PM. The event will be held virtually using this Blackboard link. Students and their families will get an overview of 9^th grade courses and programs from Annandale teachers and counselors, along with opportunities to attend breakout sessions with our staff. We look forward to meeting future members of the Atom Nation!

Here are today's newsletter topics:

Holmes Updates

• Student Services - Important Information
• Academic Advising for the 2021-22 School Year
• After School Program Schedule - January & February
• Global Stem Challenges at Edison High School
• New Thomas Jefferson High School Diversity Talk Series
• Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions
• Important Dates
• Reporting Student Absences
• How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

FCPS Updates

• New Employment Opportunity in FCPS: Classroom Monitors
• FCPS Seeking Individuals to Serve as Substitute Teachers
• FCPS CARES Program
• Healthy Minds
• Heads Up & Talk It Out
• CTE Summer Academy

Thank you, and have a great week!

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

@email

HOLMES UPDATES

Academic Advising for the 2021-22 School Year

Academic advising season is quickly arriving!  Please see below for important dates!

• January 27 (6:45PM-8PM) – Hybrid Curriculum Night (see attached flyer)
• January 28  (9-10AM) – Curriculum Night Q’s and A’s (see attached flyer)
• February 1 – Tentative date for Office hours with Annandale High School Counselors (by alpha)
• February 2-5 – During SOAR classes, students will participate in an academic advising lesson.  
• February - Holmes Counselors will meet individually with students for academic advising virtually through breakout rooms in SOAR and PE.  Students will fill out a Google form (that will replace the traditional paper form)  for selecting classes for the upcoming school year.  Students will be given directions on how to select classes using the online portal during advising.  Students are encouraged to select courses based on teacher feedback, progress in current courses, academic strengths, and personal . During this time, they will discuss the student’s course selections and answer any questions they may have.  You can view the information about the courses they selected through a SIS ParentVue account.  You can login to your Parent Vue account to VIEW course selections at any time, and all changes need to go through the school counselor.  If you do not have a Parent Vue account, please contact Ms. Asma Hindi, @email or call 703-658-5940.
• February 26 – Deadline for all students submitting course requests.

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

Last Name	Counselor	Email	Phone
A-C	Mariam Amarir	@email	703-658-5942
D-K	Bessie Fealey	@email	703-658-5941
L-P	Kelly Murphy	@email	703-658-5911
Q-Z	Erika Davis	@email	703-658-5943
Director of Student Services, Serena Giron, @email 703-658-5944

Global STEM Challenges Program at Edison High School

A limited number of full-time enrollment spaces are available for the 2021-22 school year for rising ninth grade FCPS students who will have completed Algebra I by the start of ninth grade and whose base school is not Edison HS. The Global STEM Transfer Request Form is available on the school website.

Students enrolled in the Global STEM Challenges Program take their honors and/or International Baccalaureate (IB) level mathematics, science, and engineering courses as an integrated class for three periods every other day. In a three-year time span, students complete the content requirements of Biology, Chemistry, IB Physics I, Geometry, Algebra II, IB Math Analysis I, and three years of engineering. Students also have the opportunity to earn a tenth credit in Computer Science, which is embedded throughout the program.

Interested grade 8 students and families are encouraged to attend the information session on January 27, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. This session will be held virtually and the access information will be available through a News You Choose message.

New Thomas Jefferson HS Diversity Talk Series

After School Program Schedule - January & February

Virtual after-school activities will be a blend of school clubs, community service, arts and crafts, leadership, recreation and sports, and other activities. 

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.

 

Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions

Important Dates

• Monday, January 18th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day / NO SCHOOL
• Wednesday, January 20th - Inauguration Day / NO SCHOOL
• Friday, January 22nd - Last day of 2nd quarter / 2-hour early release / No in-person instruction
• Monday, January 25th - Teacher Workday / STUDENT HOLIDAY
• Wednesday, January 27th - Hybrid Curriculum Night for 2021-22 School Year Course Selection

Reporting Student Absences

Do I need to report my student's absence during the virtual classes?

• Yes, please call our attendance line at 703-658-5919 or submit an attendance form.

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 UPDATES

New Employment Opportunity in Fairfax County Public Schools: Classroom Monitors

FCPS schools and centers are hiring classroom monitors to provide in-person classroom assistance for students when some staff members continue to work virtually. If you would like more information about the position, review the job description online and apply if interested. Please share information about this opportunity with anyone else you think may be interested. 

FCPS Is Seeking Individuals to Serve as Substitute Teachers

Are you or somebody you know interested in substitute teaching with FCPS? Apply online or attend one of our Friday information sessions to learn more. To sign up for a session, visit the FCPS substitute teacher information page.

FCPS Cares Program

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.

Watch this video to learn more. 

Healthy Minds

Heads Up & Talk It Out

CTE Summer Academy