Principal's Note - June 31, 2017

By Principal Margaret Barnes
Principal's Note
July 31, 2017

Dear Holmes Families: 

    Good afternoon!  Welcome to our families of 6th graders and new 7th and 8th grade students! It is hard to believe that the month of July is gone, and the first day of school is in 4 weeks!  I hope that you all have enjoyed the summer and are looking forward to the beginning of a new school year.  I know we are here at Holmes!

    Each week between now and the first day of school, I'll send out an update like this one to keep you updated about upcoming events.  I'll continue the weekly updates throughout the year.  If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter or your child no longer attends Holmes, you can always update your subscription through FCPS' News You Choose service.  

    As a follow up to this newsletter, I will also be sending out our new bell schedule and the Blue-White calendar for the year in a format that is more friendly for attachments.  Since we are transitioning to an all-block schedule, it will be important for families to have this information at their fingertips.  It will also be available in students' agendas.  

    Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.  

    Thank you!

    Sincerely,

    Margaret Barnes, Principal

    [email protected]      

     

    Tax-Free Weekend August 4th-6th!

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    Check this website for more information about this weekend's sales tax holiday in Virginia.  Our school supply list is HERE.

    Packets & Student Schedules

    Since our Back To School Night is so early this year (Thursday, August 31st), we will NOT have a packet pickup day as we have in the past.  Instead, small packets with the most critical documents needed will be mailed to each student's home.  Please be sure that we have your most updated address.  The forms can also be found on our homepage.  

    In order for students to receive their schedules and their lockers, all forms in this initial packet must be complete and turned in, and all 6th graders must have documentation that they have received their Tdap vaccine.  

    Parents may accompany their students to turn in the forms and pick up schedules August 22nd through August 25th in the Holmes MS library any time between 9 AM and 2 PM.   If you are not able to come at all that week during those times, it's okay!  All students will receive their schedules the first day of school, and lockers will be distributed the 2nd week of school to those students who have completed and submitted all of their required forms.

    6th Grade Student & New Parent Orientations

    In response to feedback from our parents and students, we welcome all of our 6th grade students to attend our 6th grade orientation on Thursday, August 24th from 8:30-10:30 AM!  Buses will be provided at our feeder elementary schools, and parents may drop off and pick up students as well.  Stay tuned for more information about this event!

    Parents of 6th graders and new 7th and 8th grade students to Holmes are invited to attend our "Early Bird" session on Back To School Night from 5:30-6:15 PM to learn more about Holmes.  We will also host a parent coffee in the next few weeks...date and time TBD.  We'll send that out very soon!

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    Save the Date: 50th Anniversary Celebration - Saturday, October 21st!

    As many of you know, 2017 is Holmes Middle School's 50th Anniversary!  Last year, students were challenged to read 50 books and the school met the challenge of completing 50 Acts of Service!  

    In collaboration with the Holmes MS PTA, we are planning our culminating event for Saturday, October 21st from 10 AM - 2 PM here at Holmes.  More information to come over the next couple of months!

    8th Grade English Summer Reading Assignment

    In June, our 8th grade English teachers met with all of last year's 7th graders to tell them about the summer reading assignment.  If you have an 8th grader who has misplaced it or who is new to Holmes, find the details HERE.  

     

    Students in all grades can check out Fairfax County Public Library's Summer Reading Program.  It's not too late to start!

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    Student Coders Looking for a Challenge?

    app  

    Register for the Congressional App Challenge!

    Other Important Dates

    Put these dates on your calendar!

    • Tues., 8/22 - Wed., 8/25, 9 AM-2 PM - Schedule pick-up (see information above about required documents)
    • Thurs., 8/24, 8:30-10:30 AM - 6th Grade Student Orientation (see information above)
    • Monday, 8/28 - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - It will be a BLUE day (odd periods)
    • Thursday, 8/31, 5:30-6:15 PM - New Parent Orientation (Lecture Hall) / AVID Parent Orientation (Library)
    • Thursday, 8/31, 6:30-8:30 PM - Open House / Back to School Night (all grades)
    • Monday, 9/4 - NO SCHOOL / LABOR DAY HOLIDAY

    Stay In Touch

    Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:

    50years