Important Dates

• Wednesday, 3/19, 9:30-10:30am - Family Coffee
• Wednesday, 3/26 – PTA Cancelled so that families can attend Mason District Budget Town Hall Meeting (see info below)
• Thursday, 3/27, 6:30-8pm - Student-Staff Basketball Game
• Friday, 3/28 - 3rd Quarter Ends
• Monday, 3/31 - NO SCHOOL / Eid al-Fitr
• Tuesday, 4/1 - NO SCHOOL / Teacher Workday
• Thursday, 4/3, 6-8pm - Annandale Pyramid Art Show
• Tuesday, 4/8, 5-7pm - Heritage Night
• Monday 4/14 - Friday 4/18 - NO SCHOOL / Spring Break
• Monday, 5/26 - NO SCHOOL / Memorial Day
• Friday, 5/30, 7-9pm - 8th Grade Dance
• Wednesday, 6/11 - Last Day of 2024-2025 School Year

Message from Principal Giron

Holmes families,

Lately, we’ve seen a high number of students arriving between 7:28-7:45 AM, leading to long lines in the office as each student must be checked in and issued a pass. This delay is causing some students to miss valuable class time and breakfast.  The school day begins promptly at 7:30 AM, and any student arriving after the first bell must check in at the main office for a late pass. To ensure a smooth start to the day, please aim to drop off your child before 7:25 AM so they can get to class on time.  Thank you for your support in helping students start their day successfully!

Later this month, Holmes is welcoming a special visitor! To celebrate the end of the third quarter, on March 28^th, the school will be treated to a performance by Okorie “OkCello” Johnson, an Atlanta-based cellist-composer, looper, improviser, and storyteller. Mr. Johnson has been a recipient of the Kennedy Center Residency and has been featured on the Tamron Hall Show. His compositions have been premiered by the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and the Alliance Theater, and his score for the documentary Imperfect Alibi won an Emmy award. He has recorded and performed with many artists, such as Maxwell, India Arie, De La Soul, and Big Boi of Outkast.

Mr. Johnson will work with our orchestra students during the day, teaching them about improvisation and storytelling through music. He will also perform two 30-minute assemblies in the afternoon, sharing his story and music with the entire school. Our students will benefit from hearing this live performance and hopefully be inspired to create their own music!

A HUGE thank you to Educate Fairfax for their generous grant which has allowed us to bring this amazing opportunity to our students! 

Sincerely,

Serena Giron

Principal

8th Grade families – We need your help!

Parents, we need your ideas, talent, expertise and creativity to host the dance for our 8th graders!  We're beginning to put together the committee to plan the dance.  If you would like to help, please reach out to Holmes8thGradeDance@gmail.com.  Moms, dads, and all caregivers welcome!  Let's send them off to High School with a night they'll always remember.  

Spring Social and Emotional Learner Screener

The Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener was administered to students in grades 6-8 during the week of 3/10. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. More information is available about the SEL Screener by accessing this link: https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/social-emotional-screener  

If you have any questions please reach out to our SEL Screener Lead, Natrisha Sanchez, at nrsanchez@fcps.edu

SEL Screener Google Site

Mason District Budget Town Hall Meeting

From Dr. Ricardy Anderson:

Mason District Community,

The third quarter is set to close in a little over two weeks on March 28, 2025. Please take a moment to connect with your student’s teacher(s) to discuss their progress. There is still some time to ensure that all assignments have been submitted.

I will be joining Supervisor Andres Jimenez for a Mason District Budget Town Hall on March 26th at 6:00 p.m. The meeting is virtual and details regarding registration are below. Please feel free to submit your questions ahead of time to mason@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

There have been many inquiries regarding the potential of various reductions in the County budget and their impact on schools. Please find below the programs which will directly affect FCPS included in the County reduction package.

I value the input I receive from the Mason Community and am happy to address questions or concerns via email or phone. You can reach me by email at rjanderson@fcps.edu. If you are interested in scheduling a phone call, please reach out to my assistant, Cristy Coffey, at cmcoffey@fcps.edu to arrange a time.

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has issued a new, first-time waiver allowing students fasting during the school day from February 28 to March 28, 2025, to request take-home breakfast and lunch meal kits. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) will provide meal kits reflecting the school menu. Meals will be kept cold and must be heated at home. Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day. If a student purchases breakfast or lunch at school, they cannot pick up a kit that day. Meal kits must be picked up by students at the end of the school day—adults cannot collect them. Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:

• March 17, 2025, for the week of March 24, 2025

Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.

Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire - We Want Your Feedback!

On Monday, March 24, parents and guardians of will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity to share anonymous feedback about our school’s leadership and environment.

Topics covered in the survey include:

•  Instructional leadership
• School climate
• Management (human resources and organizational)
• Communication and community relations
• Culturally responsive and equitable leadership
• Professionalism

The questionnaire will be open March 24 – April 4 and will be collected online. Keep an eye out for an email from FCPSSurvey@fcps.edu and take a few minutes to complete it.

Your input is valuable and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and feedback!

Heritage Night

Holmes Food Pantry

Holmes Middle School is partnering with Food For Neighbors to help feed our local students who deal with food insecurity outside of school hours. Even in a county as wealthy as Fairfax, one in four kids in our area are struggling with hunger.

Food For Neighbors is a local organization addressing this problem by collecting food from our community via the Red Bag Program and donating directly to our local schools. The food is then distributed to the students every week through our food pantry. We hope you will consider participating in the Red Bag food collection program. You can make a difference in a local student’s life by simply adding a few extra items to your shopping cart every two months.

Here’s how it works:

1. Request a reusable Red Bag here and Food For Neighbors will drop it off at your house.
2. Fill the Red Bag with food items that are listed on a tag on that bag.
3. Put the Red Bag outside your front door in the morning on the next bag collection day.  Collection dates are also listed on the bag tag. And don’t worry, FFN will send reminders. Your Red Bag will be picked up from your house, the food sorted at a local school and delivered directly to Holmes. As an added benefit, you can get a tax deduction for the food that you donate!

With your help, even more kids can be fed. For more information on the Red Bag program click here. Check out what items FFN collects as they are targeted to ready-made, individually packaged food items that students and teens can eat on-the-go or with little preparation.

As we partner with FFN, other critical volunteer opportunities include: Driving to pick up filled Red Bags and Sorting the donated food during the Red Bag Day events. Visit the FFN FAQ page to find out more and to sign up to volunteer in these two very important roles. These are great opportunities for our students to receive volunteer service hours, too.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Juan Benavides, Family Liaison at jfbenavides@fcps.edu or Karen Joseph Karen@foodforneighbors.org.

Thanks for helping us provide food to students who need that extra support!

Academy Day 2025

VDH Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders

As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations: 

• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
• Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
• A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
• After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents/guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.

Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements. 

Resources for Immigrant Communities

Annandale Pyramid Art Show

Annandale Pyramid Art Show is Thursday, April 3 from 6-8pm at Annandale HS Clausen Hall. Featuring student work from: Annandale HS, Holmes MS, Poe MS, Annandale Terrace ES, Braddock ES, Bren Mar Park ES, Columbia ES, North Springfield ES and Weyanoke ES.

Reporting Your Student’s Attendance

All Day Absence: 

1. Use ParentVUE. Log in and click “Report Absence.” Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet? Contact your school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.

OR

2. Call the attendance line on 703-658-5919 and leave a message with spelling of your student's first and last names, your name and relationship to the student, and a reason for absence. 

OR

3. Send an email to holmesmiddle.attendance@fcps.edu with your student's first and last names, your name and relationship to the student, and a reason for absence. 

Partial Absence: 

To report late arrivals, early dismissals, or to update already submitted attendance

1. Call the attendance line on 703-658-5919 and leave a message with spelling of your student's first and last names, and a reason for late arrival or early dismissal.

OR

2. Send an email to holmesmiddle.attendance@fcps.edu with your student's first and last names, your name and relationship to the student, and a reason for late arrival or early dismissal. 

Changes to Dismissal and Early Pick-Ups

To request a bus pass for your student, please email the front office at holmesmiddle.attendance@fcps.edu no later than 1:30 PM. Additionally, ensure front office has consent from the parent of the student to whose house your child will be traveling, as this is required for approval.

If you have to pick up your student early, we ask that you do so before 1:30PM to avoid interrupting safe dismissal process. Please note that doctor's appointments are not considered emergencies.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 

Admin/Counselor Team Information

Holmes MS 2024-25 Blue/White Calendar

Holmes MS 2024-25 Bell Schedule 

After-School Program Weekly News

ASP Upcoming Schedule 3/17/-3/21

Students Leaving After-School before 4:45

• 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.
• Walkers must have written permission (may be emailed) from their parent/guardian to walk.
• Students must be picked up no later than 5pm.
• Students are not permitted to leave school grounds before checking out in the main office.

Questions/Concerns

Contact the After-School Specialist, Matt Kruk, mjkruk@fcps.edu

From Holmes MS Family Liaisons

We are pleased to invite you to our March Family Coffee on March 19 from 9:30 to 10:30 am, available both in-person and virtually. We encourage you to attend in person to connect with school staff and other families, ask questions, and engage with experts who will be presenting on important topics. Language interpretation services will be available, and refreshments will be provided.

Discussion Topics:

• Current trends in the community, including issues related to vaping, THC vapes/edibles, and fentanyl.
• Basic understanding of alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioids.
• Risk factors for drug misuse.
• Symptoms of drug misuse and withdrawal.
• Practical tips and strategies for caregivers.

We look forward to seeing you there and working together to keep our community safe and informed. See the flyer below for more details.

Holmes MS PTA

Join the Holmes MS PTA and attend meetings (4th Wednesday of the month; translation services provided)

• PTA Facebook
• Join
• Purchase Spirit Wear
• Upcoming events:
  • Every Wednesday Papa Johns 11am-11pm, use code HMS4010 for 40% off your order (Annandale location only)

Holmes PTA Grants

Holmes PTA accepts grant requests from Holmes staff. In the past, PTA has funded:

• New books for the library
• Transportation for a field trip (partial)
• Storage for costumes
• Materials for the After School program

Please contact holmespta@gmail.com for more information. 

FCPS Budget — Our Students Deserve the Best

More than $240 million of FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget is dedicated to increasing compensation for our teachers and staff to stay competitive and reduce turnover. Currently, FCPS ranks fifth out of eight neighboring districts in regards to starting salary for teachers with a master’s degree. 

Our families expect — and our students deserve — the best teachers.

Next Steps in the Budget Process

The next steps in the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process include the School Board presenting the budget to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 22, and then the Board of Supervisors will conduct public hearings Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24. Community members can submit testimony or sign up to speak. 

Visit the county government website to view the Fairfax County FY 2026 Advertised Budget. The community is also invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the county’s FY 2026 Advertised Budget. 

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process. 

Cameras Installed on School Bus Stop Arms

Cameras have been installed on the stop arms of 50 FCPS school buses. These cameras will be used to identify drivers who pass stopped school buses while children are entering and exiting the bus (called a “stop arm violation”). 

Warnings for drivers will begin on Wednesday, April 9. After a 30-day warning period, citations will begin to be issued on Monday, May 12.

According to Virginia law, drivers must stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights on and their stop signs extended. Motorists should stop when approaching from any direction (unless there is a barrier or median separating their lane from where the bus is stopped). They should remain stopped until everyone is clear and the bus is moving. 

We appreciate our law enforcement partners for working with us to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Read more information about the stop arm cameras and all of the ways that we work with our county partners to keep students safe on their way to and from school.

The Comprehensive School Boundary Review Process Explained

Want to learn more about the ongoing Comprehensive School Boundary Review process? Watch this video for explanations of terms such as attendance zones, attendance islands, split feeders, and other factors that affect school boundaries. The video will also be available in other languages soon.

 Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information and sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.

Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS on the following dates: 

• Thursday, March 20, Cunningham Park Elementary School
• Monday, March 24, Kings Park Elementary School
• Tuesday, April 1, Lorton Station Elementary School
• Monday, April 7, Greenbriar West Elementary School
• Monday, April 21, Mount Eagle Elementary School
• Wednesday, April 23, Freedom Hill Elementary School

Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. 

Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.

All information can be found on our webpages! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS! Click here to register!

Earn Credit Toward Graduation This Summer

Take advantage of the opportunity to earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, June 6. Mathematics, health and physical education, career and technical education, English, science, social studies, and world language courses are available to eligible middle and high school students.

Summer is a great time for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement. This is a self-directed course where students work independently. T

How to Stay In-Touch

Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:

• keeping your contact information up-to-date throughout the year
• visiting the Holmes MS website
• signing up for News You Choose
• monitoring your student's progress with SIS Parent Account
• join the Holmes MS PTA and attend meetings

Follow Us on Social Media

Stay connected with Holmes Middle School by following us on social media! It's the best way to keep up with our latest news, celebrate student achievements, and be part of our vibrant community. Whether you're a student, parent, or community member, you'll find exciting updates, important announcements, and inspiring stories that showcase the spirit of Holmes!

Links: Instagram