Principal's Note - July 26, 2020

By Margaret Barnes
Principal's Note
July 27, 2020

Good morning, Holmes Families!

As you all know, Dr. Brabrand proposed and the School Board approved a virtual start to the 2020-21 school year.  In case you did not receive his message Tuesday evening, you can find it HERE.  This week, we will continue the beginning stages of our master scheduling process, being strategic and planning knowing that a gradual transition to in-person learning will take place during the school year. In addition, updated information about what a virtual bell schedule will look like will be shared soon.  

We will have more information coming soon about what our virtual orientation for 6th graders and students new to Holmes will look like. We will also share details about a virtual "open house" and Back to School Night for parents.  

Our piece below about "6 Things to Know with 6 Weeks to Go" highlights some of what we are doing to prepare for the school year and what you and your student(s) can do as well.

2019-20 Yearbooks

Yearbooks are here!!!  If you pre-ordered a 2019-20 Holmes Yearbook, you should have received an email from me letting you know to come pick it up at Holmes on Monday, July 27th and July 28th between 8:30 am and 12:00 pm.  After you drop off your laptops at Door 4, you can then pick up your yearbooks at Door 3.  

We do have additional yearbooks for sale if you would like to purchase one for $35.  If you would like one, please bring cash (exact change, please) or a check made payable to Holmes Middle School.  We are also working on adding it to our school store in MySchoolBucks in case you would like to order one and have it shipped to your home.   

Laptop Return - July 27th & 28th

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It's time to return your laptops and chargers!

As you know, we allowed students to keep their school-issued laptops in order to participate in the office hours for the Summer Continuity of Learning and English Language Development (June 29th-July 31st...see information below).  Now that we know that just a handful of students are participating in these learning opportunities, we need to begin collecting laptops as soon as possible to prepare them for the school year.  All of our Holmes laptops will be rolled down to our elementary schools, and all of our 2020-21 students will receive BRAND NEW laptops (which will be distributed after August 17th)!  

2020-21 6th Graders: If you borrowed a laptop from your elementary school, you MUST turn it in to your elementary school in order to receive a new laptop from Holmes for the 2020-21 school year.  

2019-20 8th Graders: You MUST turn in your Holmes laptop in order to receive your laptop from Annandale or Edison (or other FCPS high school).  

ALL 2019-20 Holmes Students: Your laptops and chargers MUST be turned in to receive your new laptop for the 2020-21 school year.  

Laptop Collection Details

  • Monday, July 27th, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
  • Tuesday, July 28th, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Bring your laptops and charger to Door 4 (see map below).  

NOTE: Students who are participating in the Summer Continuity of Learning and English Language Development office hours may turn their laptops and chargers in the week of August 3rd.  

To prepare your laptop for return to Holmes MS, please complete the following:

  • Remove any stickers the student has added to the laptop to include sticker residue.
    • Exceptions:  DO NOT REMOVE:  Fairfax County Public Schools barcodes, FCPSOn labels, Dell factory labels
  • Wipe down laptop surfaces (outside and inside) with a Lysol or Clorox wipe that has been squeezed of excess liquid.
  • Leave Laptop ID card attached.  If ID card is missing, please have student name/ID on piece of paper within the transparent place-card holder.
  • Wrap up charger as best as you can, some already have an attached velcro wrap.

Replacement Cost for items not returned:

  • HP ProBook Laptop: $355
  • HP Power Adapter/Charger: $38
  • Dell 3380 Laptop: $395
  • Dell Adapter/Charger: $50

For student who have lost their laptops and/or chargers, a replacement fee will need to be paid to Holmes Middle School.  

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Here are today's newsletter topics:

  • Last Week of Summer Continuity of Learning & English Language Development Office Hours Schedules
  • Countdown to September 8th: 6 Things to Know with 6 Weeks to Go
  • Fairfax County Public Library's Summer Reading Adventure

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

@email

LAST WEEK of Summer Continuity of Learning - Office Hours Schedule

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LAST WEEK of Summer English Language Development - Teacher Schedule

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Countdown to September 8th: 6 Things to Know with 6 Weeks to Go

  1. Back to School "Packet"
    • This week, you will receive a communication from Ms. Giron and Ms. Hindi with an electronic version of our back-to-school packet.  To minimize the need to collect paper forms, you will receive links to required forms to begin the school year that can be electronically submitted to the school.  (NOTE: Paper packets will be provided as needed to families at a later date.)   
  2. Maintaining your contact information
    • This year, more than ever, it will be critically important for you to keep your contact information up-to-date with the school.
    • Each family should have a current phone number and email to ensure you are receiving necessary school information.
    • When we do transition to being partially in-person, having this current information and up-to-date emergency contacts will be more important than ever.  
  3. Need low-cost or free internet access?  Here are some options to consider:
  4. Even with a virtual start, don't delay routine physicals and immunizations.
    • Ensure that your student's immunizations are current.  All students entering the 7th grade must have a TDAP immunization on record with the school.  
  5. New laptops will be distributed at Holmes the week of August 24th.  
    • Brand new laptops will be distributed to all students August 24th-28th.  Students who had a school-issued laptop in 2019-20 must return it to Holmes or their elementary school in order to receive a new laptop. Laptop cases will be provided as well. 
    • Laptop distribution will be organized by grade level:
      • Monday, August 24th - 8th grade
      • Tuesday & Wednesday, August 25th & 26th - 7th grade
      • Thursday & Friday, August 27th & 28th - 6th grade
      • Note: If you have students in more than one grade level, you do not need to come on multiple days. 
  6. Prepping a learning space. As we did in the spring, begin to work with your student about setting up a learning space in the home that will allow them to focus and minimize distractions.  This will look different in each home, for each family, and for each student.  

FCPL's Summer Reading Adventure

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Please encourage your child to continue reading this summer!  Check out Fairfax County Public Library's Summer Reading Adventure and join in the fun!  

How to Stay In-Touch

Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by: