Principal's Note - Jan 18, 2021

By Margaret Barnes
Principal's Note
January 19, 2021

Calendar Reminder: Schools and Offices Closed

As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, January 20 for Inauguration Day. 

  • Tuesday, January 19th is a regular school day (Blue day, virtual)
  • Thursday, January 21st is a regular school day (Blue day, virtual) / Catchup day
  • Friday, January 22nd is an early release day (White day, virtual) / Catchup day; scroll down for bell schedule 

See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar. 

Good evening, Holmes Families!

As Martin Luther King, Jr. Day comes to an end, I hope that you and your family seized the opportunity to reflect on his work and service.  I know that this is often a day of service for many, and I know that finding opportunities for service looks a bit different in a pandemic.  There was certainly no shortage of work to be done before this crisis began almost a year ago in March 2020, but it has definitely been magnified since then.

As we struggle with the emotional, financial and physical toll that this is taking on all of us in different ways, sometimes I wonder how we muster the energy to continue the important work of ensuring equity and justice for all.  But somehow we have to, and it begins with listening to each other, even when it is difficult...especially when it is difficult.  The quote at the beginning of this newsletter really spoke to me, because we are living in such a polarized time when it sometimes feels impossible to bridge the gap between differing perspectives.  But I continue to have hope that, regardless of our individual political views, we can move forward in a peaceful and positive way.  I continue to have hope.  

I also felt hope this past week knowing that so many people are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, including our FCPS staff!  I will receive my first dose on Tuesday!  And while I know that vaccination is not foolproof, it is a huge step in the right direction and provides an additional layer of protection for our employees.  

As you saw at the top of the newsletter, this is a bit of a crazy week with Inauguration Day as a student and staff holiday on Wednesday and then an early release day to close 2nd quarter on Friday.  See below for some news about the week of January 25th. 

Next Week: Start of 3rd Quarter

As we prepare for the second semester, students who have semester classes will receive new BBCU links in their FCPS school email starting 1/22. On Tuesday, January 26th, the schedule will be as follows:

  • 3rd period (7:30-8:50)
  • 1st period (9:05-10:25)
  • Lunch (10:25-11:20)
  • 5th period ( 11:20-12:40)
  • 7th period (12:55-2:15). 

During 3rd period SOAR (7:30-8:50), students will be prompted to review their StudentVUE to view their schedule, then organize their links. It is extremely important that students attend this class to receive their links so that they are prepared to begin their second semester classes.  Schedule changes will not be honored at this time.  If there is an error with your students’ schedule, please contact the alpha counselor:

Please reach out to your students’ respective  counselor with specific questions or concerns.  

Director of Student Services - Serena Giron - @email 

Last names A-C - Mariam Amarir - [email protected]

Last names D-K Bessie Fealey - @email 

Last names L-P Kelly Murphy - @email 

Last names Q-Z Erika Davis- @email 

2 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 2 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.  

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
  • Edison High School Curriculum Night
  • New Thomas Jefferson High School Diversity Talk Series
  • Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions
  • PTA Restaurant Spirit Night - Loopy's Jan. 25
  • 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 peaceful, hopeful week!

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

@email

HOLMES UPDATES

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schedule
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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

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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.

Edison High School Curriculum Night

Rising 7th/8th Graders - Transition Events for 2021

  • Virtual Curriculum Night January 27th (6:30-8:00PM)-  We will host a synchronous (live) presentation in English and Spanish separately on January 27th from 6:30PM-6:45PM with the Administrators and School Counselors.  Curriculum information and materials will be posted on our Holmes website for our students and families to review asynchronously (on your own) for the remainder of the night.  You will be able to ask questions during that time on the links below. 
  • Virtual Parent Coffee – Follow Up to Curriculum Night (9:00-10:00AM)   - We will host a synchronous (live) informal session for you to join student services and ask any follow up questions you may have on curriculum night.   
  • Online Course Catalog - The online course catalog is available on the school website 
  • SOAR Academic Advising Lessons February 2nd (9:05-10:25AM)
    • 6th and 7th grade students will participate in pre-recorded classroom lesson provided during SOAR period
  • Academic Advising and Course Selection February
    • Holmes counselors will provide academic advising through PE and SOAR on course selections.  Students are encouraged to select courses based on teacher feedback, progress in current courses, academic strengths, and personal interests. Holmes counselors are available for individual academic advising to discuss the student’s course selections and answer any questions they may have.
  • Deadline for all courses in SIS StudentVUE March 5th
  • Draft course requests in SIS ParentVUE/Student VUE
    • Please note that draft course requests will be available in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE by March 12th

Rising 9th Graders - Transition Events for 2021

  • Annandale High School Curriculum Night January 14th (7:00-8:30PM)
  • Optional Office Hours Meet and Greet with AHS Counselors February 1st (time TBD)
    • 8th grade students will attend optional office hours with high school counselors via google meet links  
  • Edison High School Curriculum Night February 24, more details to come soon!
  • SOAR Academic Advising Lessons February 2nd (9:05- 10:25AM)
    • 8th grade students will participate in pre-recorded classroom lesson provided by Annandale High School and Edison High School during SOAR period
  • Academic Advising and Course Selection February
    • Holmes counselors will provide academic advising through PE and SOAR on course selections. Students are encouraged to select courses based on teacher feedback, progress in current courses, academic strengths, and personal interests. Holmes counselors are available for individual academic advising to discuss the student’s course selections and answer any questions they may have.
  • Deadline for all courses in SIS StudentVUE March 5th
  • Draft course requests in SIS ParentVUE/Student VUE
    • Please note that draft course requests will be available in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE by March 12th

New Thomas Jefferson HS Diversity Talk Series

diversity

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.

ASP

Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions

survey

PTA Restaurant Spirit Night - Loopy's Jan. 25

Loopys

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?

How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:

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

does my child

Heads Up & Talk It Out

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CTE Summer Academy

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