Principal's Note - Jan 6, 2019

By Margaret Barnes
Principal's Note
January 07, 2019

Happy New Year, Holmes Families! 

I hope that you all had a wonderful winter break with your kiddos!  It was wonderful to have a good solid two weeks with family for the holidays.  

We know that many of you may be affected by the government shutdown.  Please don't hesitate to let us know how we can support you and your family during this - or any other - time.  Feel free to reach out to your child's grade-level assistant principal, counselor, or directly to me.  

As we start 2019, we'll be focused on a few different things in the next month: 

  • Revisiting expectations with students around being kind to others and making good choices.  We will be reviewing the Student Rights & Responsibilities with all students with a particular focus on bullying, harassment, and how to manage conflict.  
  • Finishing the last 3 weeks of 2nd quarter strong!  The last day of 2nd quarter is Thursday, January 24th.  Encourage your students to stay with teachers after school or during lunch bunch for help when needed and to check in with teachers about what might need to be done to make improvements.  
  • Planning for 2019-20 Course Selection.  We have quite a few events coming up in the next 2 months as we support students and parents with selecting courses for the next school year.  Counselors will be visiting from Annandale & Edison High Schools, our counselors will be meeting one-on-one with students for course selection and will be headed to the elementary schools to support rising 6th graders.  Prior to that, we will have our Curriculum Night on Thursday, January 17th to inform parents about course options (more info below), and Annandale High School also has a night coming up this month for 8th grade parents (Wednesday, January 16th).  Once we have information from Edison HS, we will share it immediately.  

Please note that we will have a our PTA meeting on an alternate night again this month.  Join us at 5:30 on Thursday, January 17th to meet as a PTA.  Our featured topic that evening will be Digital Citizenship, and we'll do a quick Academic Advising preview to support you during Curriculum Night.  

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

  • FCPS CARES
  • This Week's Schedule
  • After School Program Information and Schedule
  • G-love Winter Clothing Drive 
  • Next Lunch Bunch: Friday, January 11th 
  • Curriculum Night, January 17th
  • 8th Grade Parent Night for Students and Parents at Annandale HS - Wednesday, January 16th 
  • Important Dates
  • How to Stay in Touch

Thanks,everyone, and have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

[email protected]

#HolmesHawksSoar

cares  

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: 1/7 - 1/11

Schedule  

This week:

Mon., 1/7 = White Day  w/ ER 3 & 4

Tues., 1/8 = Blue Day 

Wed., 1/9 = White Day w/ ER 5 & 6

Thurs., 1/10 = Blue Day 

Fri., 1/11 = White Day w/ ER 7 & 8 (ER 8 Lesson: Students complete Midyear Communicator Self-Assessment)

 *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the website HERE.  

After School Program - Week of 1/7

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.

The following Clubs will start in January 2019:

Monday, January 7th: 8th Grade Math/SOL

Friday, January 11th: Debate Club/Interest Meeting

Monday, January 14th: Mad Scientist Club

Wednesday, January 16th: Game Board Club

Wednesday, January 23rd (tentative): Band of Brothers 6th and 7th Grades (two separate clubs)

ASP Jan  2019

G-love Winter Clothing Drive!

glove

Next Lunch Bunch is Friday, January 11th!

lunch  

Students can sign up HERE

Holmes Middle School Curriculum Night - January 17, 2019

Curriculum Night EnglishCurriculum Night SpanishCNACNV

8th Grade Student and Parent Night at Annandale HS

8th grade parent night

  • Thursday, 1/10, 6-7:30 pm - Reunión de padres hispanos (Tema: Pandillas)
  • Friday, 1/11, 4th Period - Lunch Bunch with Mrs. Barnes!
  • Wednesday, 1/16, 7 pm - 8th Grade Parent Night for Students and Parents at Annandale HS
  • Thursday, 1/17, 5:30 pm - PTA Meeting (Rising 6th Grade Parents Invited)
  • Thursday, 1/17, 6:30 pm - Curriculum Night for Parents (Information about choosing courses for students' schedules)
  • Friday, 1/18  - Students Released Three Hours Early
  • Monday, 1/21 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Holiday  - No School
  • Thursday, 1/24 - Last day of 2nd Quarter (No Early Release)
  • Friday, 1/25 - Student Holiday / Teacher Workday

How to Stay In-Touch

Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:

soar