Principal's Note - May 1, 2022
Good evening, Holmes Families!
I hope that you have had a wonderful weekend! It's a big week this week!!
- It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Take a look below to see how we're celebrating our teachers, paraprofessionals, coaches, and specialists and how you can help.
- Many students and staff will be out Monday and Tuesday celebrating Eid al-Fitr and the end of Ramadan.
- SOLs begin on Wednesday, May 4th!
- We'll be hosting a showing of Screenagers at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 4th. Scroll down for more info!
- Music Trip is Friday, May 6th!
Teacher Appreciation Week
We are so incredibly grateful for our amazing teachers and supportive instructional staff who have worked incredibly hard this year to provide high quality instruction for all students. We will show them some love this week with:
- Flowers from NJHS
- Thursday lunch from the admin team
- Friday breakfast from the PTA
Here's how you can show them some love:
- Send a thank you note to a teacher at the site below to enter them in a drawing to win prizes: https://thankateacherva.com/. (If you need help finding the email, just let me know.)
- Go to our Staff Directory, and send them a note of thanks.
Spring SOL Schedule
Tuition Scholarship to GMU
Holmes and George Mason University have teamed together again this year to offer a four-year instate tuition scholarship to GMU to an eighth grade student who has demonstrated the potential to be successful in a four-year college program (a cumulative middle school GPA of 3.5 or higher). You and your child should have received an email this week if your child qualifies. The (online) application packet and teacher recommendations are due by 3pm on Friday, May 13th, 2022. Please reach out to Ms. Amarir (@email) if you have any questions.
All-VA Middle School Honors Choir
A big huge shout-out to Ms. Eddinger and the 8 students who represented Holmes last weekend at the All-Virginia Middle School Honors Choir in Richmond (Mechanicsville)! The students are:
- Lina Abu-El-Hawa
- Julia Albertani
- Lucy Baboyian
- Sylvie Bankester
- Logan Frederick
- Charlie McGinity
- Tyler Miller
- Sean Visperas
Congratulations to Ms. Eddinger and her students!
Screenagers
One upcoming event to be aware of is a special screening of "Screenagers" that I will be hosting next Wednesday, May 4th, at 6:00 PM. As we continue to support our students with managing the appropriate use of their cell phones in school, we are planning to adopt an Away for the Day policy in the 2022-23 school year as many other schools have around the country. The movie "Screenagers" shares some of the research and impacts of screen time on students, so we hope that you will join us that evening. Click this link to get your FREE ticket. If you are not able to attend that evening, that's okay! There will be a 2-week window that you can watch the movie on demand at a time that works for you. I'll share more details after the live screening on May 4th.
Holmes PTA
In case you missed our PTA meeting last week, please click this link and use the passcode below to hear PTA updates and a rundown of important upcoming dates for the school year.
Passcode: ?S^f9HZT^s
The PTA is already looking ahead to the 2022-2023 school year. If you would like to be involved in the PTA in a big way we are in need of a Secretary for our board for the next year. It will be a vacant position after this year. If you would like to be involved in the PTA in a smaller way we would love to have you as a committee member to assist with different fundraising efforts like Spirit Wear, Restaurant Nights, and other events.
Please contact our President, Rheanna Bernard, at @email
DC United Game, Saturday, 5/21, 4 pm - Holmes PTA Block
Click HERE to purchase tickets!
Executive Functioning Fridays
The SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) coordinator at Holmes, Natrisha Sanchez, has many resources available for families to learn about Executive Functioning. This includes resources for managing student stress & anxiety, organization, motivation, self-discipline, etc. Access this information on the Holmes Families Schoology Course (Log into Schoology with SIS Parent VUE username and password. Don't have an account? Click here.) Your feedback is valued. Take a look at the resources, if you have not already, and fill out this quick survey.
Schoology Survey:
The Holmes Families Schoology page has lots of resources to teach families how to use Schoology (Log into Schoology with SIS Parent VUE username and password. Don't have an account? Click here.). If you have used Schoology as a parent this year and would like to give us feedback on how to improve, create new resources, or form more learning opportunities then please complete this survey in English (Translations: Spanish, Chinese, Urdu, Farsi, Vietnamese)
Free Online Tutoring Is Here!
We are pleased to announce that students now have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Tutor.com is available 24/7, through online voice or text chat, and in your student’s preferred language. Student participation is optional and parents/guardians can opt their students out of accessing the service. You can learn more about Tutor.com on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website.
Students will be able to access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following instructional videos:
elementary video and secondary video. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to @email.
This new service will help many [SCHOOL] students complete assignments, better understand classroom lessons, and be successful.
Here are today's newsletter topics:
Holmes Updates
- Student Services - Important Information
- 2021-22 Blue-White Calendar
- 2021-22 Bell Schedule
- Next Week's Schedule
- After School Program Next Week
- A Message from Mr. Kruk
- 8th Grade Celebration - Friday, June 3rd, 7-9 pm
- From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
- Job Opportunities at Holmes & in FCPS
- Important Upcoming Dates
- How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS
FCPS & Community Updates
- Edison HS Marching Band Rising Freshman Orientation - May 10
- Celebrate Educator's Appreciation Night with D.C. United - May 18
- Annandale HS Dance Team Tryouts - June 18
Summer Learning and Camps
- Summer VIP Camp at Thoreau Middle School
- Annandale High School Volleyball Camp for Rising 9th Graders
- Annandale High School Sports Camps
- Park Authority Camps
- Stay Connected with FCPS
Please feel free to reach out and let us know what questions you have. Thank you, and have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes
Proud Principal, Holmes MS
HOLMES UPDATES
This Week's Schedule - 5/2-5/6
The Blue-White Calendar can also be found on the inside cover of student agendas and can be found HERE on our school website.
- Monday, 5/2 - WHITE DAY
- Tuesday, 5/3 - BLUE DAY (SOAR & ER 5)
- Wednesday, 5/4 - WHITE DAY
- Thursday, 5/5 - BLUE DAY (NO ER)
- Friday, 5/6 - WHITE DAY
After School Schedule - Week of 5/2-5/6
A Message from Mr. Kruk
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ASP Student of the Week 4/25-4/29
- Congratulations to this week’s After-School Student of the Week; Kiera Marchetti
- Kiera always comes to Running Club with excitement and enthusiasm. She loves to exercise with the group, and encourages other members of the club as well. She consistently shows up each week with a positive attitude, ready to get outside. Her love of nature and the outdoors is appreciated as we walk and run on the school grounds and surrounding neighborhood. She did a great job at the Fun Run 5K too!
- Students had a blast participating in improv scenarios during their Theatre Sports club.
After-School Weekly Highlights; THEATRE SPORTS
Students Leaving After-School:
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- Any student staying after school must be signed out by a parent or guardian if leaving prior to 4:45. Walkers may sign themselves out.
- Students will remain in their clubs or under teacher supervision until they are called to the main office for pickup.
- No student is to leave the school until signed out of the main office.
For any and all questions related to the after school program, please contact Mr. Kruk at @email.
8th Grade Celebration - Friday, June 3rd, 7-9 PM
Thank you to our parents and students who came out on Thursday evening for another 8th grade celebration planning meeting! Stay tuned for a follow-up email with more details.
As a reminder, the 8th grade celebration will be on Friday, June 3rd, from 7-9 pm, and the theme is "Under the Sea/Beach". We are advertising the celebration as a semi-formal, so we want to stress that this is not like a high school prom so it is not formal dress. We want students to keep it simple and have fun! No limos or party buses, please.
At our planning committee a couple of weeks ago, we debated the idea of charging each student $5 for a ticket to attend. We do not want to create any financial barriers for students to attend, however, so we are asking 8th grade families to make donations instead. Our goal is to reach $1500 in donations, which is about $5 per 8th grade student. If you are able and willing to donate, you can do so in one of three ways:
- Go to the Holmes store in MySchoolBucks, and select "Donation for 8th Grade Celebration" to donate your desired amount.
- Write a check to Holmes Middle School for your desired amount and mail it or bring it to the school (or have your student bring it to the main office). Please put "8th Grade Celebration" in the memo line.
- Bring cash to the school's main office (or have your student bring it), and ask for Mr. Aly. A note should be included indicating that you would like for it to go to the 8th grade celebration.
Finally, we have let our 8th grade students know that we want all of them to attend the 8th grade celebration, but they will not be permitted to attend if they engage in serious misconduct during 4th quarter. Serious misconduct includes but is not limited to:
- Vaping or being in possession of vaping paraphernalia
- Fighting or assault
- Possession, use, or distribution of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs
- Bullying or harassment (including online)
Please let me know what questions you have. Thank you for helping us to make this year's 8th grade celebration a success!
From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
Virtual Parent Coffee - May 11
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Spring Into Work Event
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Job Opportunities at Holmes & in FCPS
Important Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, 5/4, 6 pm - Holmes screening of "Screenagers"
- Friday, 5/6 – Music Field Trip to Kings Dominion
- Wednesday, 5/11, 6 pm - Virtual Parent Coffee, Topic: Summer Resources
- Thursday, 5/12, 7 pm – Chorus & Orchestra Spring Concert
- Thursday, 5/19 - Holmes Voices of Now students perform at Arena Stage
- Saturday, 5/21, 4 pm - DC United Game, Holmes PTA Block
- Wednesday, 5/25, 5:30 pm – NJHS Induction Ceremony
- Wednesday, 5/25, 7 pm - Band Spring Concert
- Thursday, 6/2, 7 pm – Music Department Recital
- Friday, 6/3 7-9 PM - 8th Grade Celebration
- Friday, 6/10 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (2-hour early release)
How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS
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
- following us on Twitter
- monitoring your student's progress with SIS Parent Account
- join the Holmes MS PTA and attend meetings
FCPS & COMMUNITY UPDATES
Edison HS Marching Band Rising Freshman Orientation - May 10
Edison HS Marching Band Rising Freshman Orientation, May 10 at Edison HS (door 15) at 6:30 pm.
During this time rising freshmen are encouraged to bring their instruments and will connect with members of the Marching Band. Parents will learn about the Edison Band Parent Organization. PLUS- Mr. Mitchell, the band director, will reveal the 2022 Marching Band show.
We encourage you to check out our website https://edisonband.org/ and signup for our emails/communications https://edisonband.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=1172ddce156b2707883531af8&id=df85cf66f7 (note you can not use a fcps.edu or fcpsschools.net emails) Questions about Marching Band and band classes should be directed to Mr. Mitchell (@email)
Celebrate Educator's Appreciation Night with D.C. United - May 18
Annandale HS Dance Team Tryouts - June 18
Summer Learning and Camps
Institute for the Arts (IFTA): Camps and Institutes
A summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11.
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-institute-arts-ifta
Tech Adventure Camp
A summer enrichment and exploratory program in career and technical education for students in grades 2 - 6.
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-tech-adventure-camp
CTE Summer Academy
A summer enrichment and skills development program for students currently in grades 7-11.
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-CTE-summer-academy
Summer VIP Camp at Thoreau Middle School
- This summer, Thoreau Middle School will host our annual Summer VIP camp.
- Any student from Holmes that would like to participate in the summer program may register.
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Annandale High School Volleyball Camp for Rising 9th Graders - June 13-17
Annandale High School Sports Camps
Dear Annandale HS Pyramid Parents –
Annandale High School is hosting five weeks of sports camps this summer. The camps include:
- June 13-17 - Multi-Sport Camp
- June 20-25 - Boys Basketball
- June 27-30 - Olympic Sports Camp (4 days)
- July 11-15 - Girls’ Field Hockey, Girls’ Lacrosse, & Girls’ Basketball
- July 18-22 - Girls Basketball
The camps are open to students entering 2nd through 9th grade (ages 7-14). The price of each camp ranges from $100 - $125 and runs from 8:30am-3:00pm. Scan the QR Code to sign up and pay online. Any questions, email John Ellenberger, the Director of Student Activities at Annandale High School at @email.
Park Authority Camps
Click the link to register https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/camps
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