Principal's Note - Jan 23, 2024

By Serena Giron
Principal's Note
January 23, 2024

Hello Holmes Families!

Hello Holmes Families!  I hope you enjoyed the extended weekend! We are getting back to our routines and expectations.    This week will be another short week with an early release on Thursday and Friday as a teacher work day.

This is the last week remaining in the quarter/semester, kindly take a moment to check ParentVue or StudentVue alongside your child. Review their current grades and address any missing assignments. It would be greatly appreciated if you could also encourage your child to communicate with their teachers regarding any concerns. Thank you for your support in ensuring a successful end to the academic period.

Activity Day - 1/25

Activity Day for students is this Thursday, January 25th (also the end of Quarter 2 and an early release day). During the school day, Holmes students will be able to choose three activities to participate in ranging from bracelet making, origami, game rooms to friendly competitions. Ask your child what they signed up for! A summary of their choices was emailed to them through their fcspsschools.net Gmail account. Congratulations to all students for completing the 2nd quarter. We look forward to celebrating with them on Activity Day.

Academic Advising for 2024-2025 School Year

During the months of January and February, the counselors will begin the academic advising process with our students for the 24-25 school year.  Grade specific lessons will occur during the following periods of time:

Week of January 16-19- Current 6th graders received rising 7th grade course information presentations through science classes

Week of January 22-26- current 8th graders will receive 9th grade course information through SOAR

Week of February 5-9- current 7th graders will receive 8th grade course information through science classes

Wednesday, February 7from 5-7 pm:  Please save the date for the Holmes Middle School Curriculum Night and Electives Fair.  This is open for all students/families, rising 6th through rising 8th.

Family Coffee Monday, Jan 29th

The next Family Coffee meeting will be on January 29th from 9:30-10:30 am Virtually & In Person. The topic is Finding Balance in Digital Life. We will discuss how to have conversations with students about their media use and you’ll walk away with strategies you can use to monitor usage on personal and FCPS devices.

We encourage you to attend in person to connect with school staff and other families. Language interpretation will be available and we will be providing refreshments.

If you can’t make it, the recording and resources will be shared on our website.

Zoom Link to Join Virtually: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/96980468770 

Here are today's newsletter topics:

Holmes Updates

  • Student Services Information
  • Admin Team Information
  • 2023-24 Blue/White Schedule 
  • 2023-24 Bell Schedule
  • After-School Program
  • From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
  • Important Upcoming Dates
  • Holmes MS PTA
  • How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

FCPS & Community Updates

  • January Observances
  • Academic Advising and Course Selection 
  • FAFSA Is Open: College Access Fairfax Can Help
  • Free Resources for Families
  • Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework
  • What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse
  • Dual Language Immersion Program Registration
  • Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin This Month!
  • Stay Connected with FCPS

Please feel free to reach out and let us know what questions you have.  Thank you, and we'll see you very soon!

Sincerely,

Serena Giron

Principal

HOLMES UPDATES

Contact Information

Admin and Councelors

Admin Team Information

Admin Team

2023-24 Blue/White Calendar

Blue and White Days

Bell Schedule 23-24

From Mr. Kruk, our After-School Specialist

After-School Program Weekly News & Notes from 1/15-1/19

Student(s) of the Week

  • Our After-School Program Student of the Week is: Zaina Haque
  • Zaina was nominated by our ASP staff for being a committed an active member of AVID club since day one.
  • Her kindness and helpfulness has been an asset to the After-School Program
  • Congrats Zaina!

After-School Action

This week our students stayed indoors and participated in various gym activities including Basketball & Volleyball Club.

ASP
ASP

ASP Schedule 1/22-1/26 

ASP

ASP

Students Leaving After-School before 4:45 pm

  • Any student staying after school must be signed out of the main office by a parent or guardian if leaving before 4:45.
  • Walkers with parent/guardian permission, may sign themselves out any time after 3:30 when first block ends.
  • Students are not permitted to leave school grounds before checking out in the main office .

Questions/Concerns

Contact the After-School Specialist, Matt Kruk, @email

Important Upcoming Dates

  • Thursday, 1/25 - 2-HOUR EARLY RELEASE / 2nd Quarter Ends
  • Friday, 1/26 - NO SCHOOL / Teacher Workday
  • Monday, 1/29, 9:30-10:30 AM - Family Coffee
  • Wednesday, 2/7, 5-7 PM - Holmes Middle School Curriculum Night and Electives Fair
  • Monday, 2/19 - NO SCHOOL / Presidents Day

Holmes MS PTA

Don't forget to check out these important links:

The next PTA meeting will be on December 6th in conjunction with the Winter Chorus Concert.

From Ms. Oncho, our Family Liaison

Dear Holmes Families,

We invite you to participate in our Strengthening Families Classes, designed to help parents acquire nurturing skills, effective discipline techniques, and guidance on assisting youth in coping with stress and peer pressure. The classes will run for seven weeks every Wednesday, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, starting on January 24 and concluding on March 6. The sessions will be held in person at Holmes Middle School in room M1. The instructor for these classes holds a Master's degree in psychology and brings many years of experience working with families and youth.

To register, please contact Ms. Oncho at 571-326-8370.

How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:

FCPS & Community Updates

January Observances

National Mentoring Month

Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are. Learn more about Mentoring Month.

FCPS’ MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Please contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at @email.  

Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Every year since 2010, the President has dedicated the month to raise awareness about human trafficking and to educate the public about how to identify and prevent this crime. Learn more about National Human Trafficking Prevention Month - United States Department of State

Academic Advising and Course Selection 

Rising 7th-12th grade students are discussing course selection for next year with their school counselors. Parents/caregivers should discuss this process with their children to ensure students select courses that align with their interests, career goals, and postsecondary aspirations. 

As they choose courses, students should also consider their personal well-being, as well as extracurricular activities and commitments. School-life balance is an important consideration. Parents/caregivers are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.

Review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to help make informed decisions for high school and beyond. Refer to our school-specific course catalog and advising information. 

FAFSA Is Open: College Access Fairfax Can Help

Over the next two months, College Access Fairfax will be offering a number of programs on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA), and finding and applying for scholarships. Visit the College Access Fairfax website for details.

In addition, College Access Fairfax staff members are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to complete the FAFSA/VASA. Email [email protected] for an appointment.

The FAFSA is now available. Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to work with their students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and forms. Then, create an FSA ID and fill out the FAFSA.

The VASA application has not yet opened, but should be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse

FCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.

What can families do?

  • Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. 
  • Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success. 
  • Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage. 
  • Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors. 
  • Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”

Dual Language Immersion Program Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2024-25 school year. Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for the most current information. Meetings will begin on Tuesday, January 16. 

A virtual meeting hosted by the World Languages Office will include general program information. Access to this virtual meeting will be made available on the FCPS events calendar and the Dual Language Immersion registration site on the day of the meeting.

Get more information on the immersion program webpage and registration page.

Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin This Month!

Is your child interested in architecture and construction, information technology, or health science? FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January.

A high school Academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and view the calendar of Academy open houses.

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