Principal's Note - May 19, 2019
Good evening, Holmes Families!
Congratulations to our "World Class" student ensemble who did an amazing job performing at Arena Stage this past Thursday! I was so proud to see our students present their original work so confidently on stage! Thank you so much to Mrs. Murphy for all of her support and work with them!
We would also like to say a special Congratulations and Best Wishes to four of our staff members who are retiring this year, who we celebrated as a staff this past Friday evening:
- German Cabezas, After School Specialist
- Karri Iaquinta Springer, Math Teacher & Coach
- Onasis Tanoe, Assistant Building Supervisor
- Yolma Torres, School Counselor
Thank you to each of them for all of their hard work and service to support our students, staff, and families for many years! We will miss you all dearly!!
SOL Testing Continue This Week!
We have just one more day of new SOL testing tomorrow with our 8th graders taking their Civics SOL. Our students have been working incredibly hard throughout these testing weeks to show their best work. Starting later this week, students who are eligible for expedited retakes will have another opportunity to take their SOL (scroll down for the full schedule). We will begin sharing scores with students and families once retakes are complete.
8th Grade Celebration - Friday, June 7th!
This past week, 8th graders received two forms related to the 8th grade celebration: one is a permission slip that must be turned into the office in order for them to attend; the other is a donation letter for parents/guardians to submit donations for the celebration and to volunteer to plan for it and/or chaperone that evening. Mrs. Moore, the 8th grade Assistant Principal, will be holding a planning meeting with parents this Wednesday, May 22nd, at 6:30 p.m. Please join us to help us plan for the event.
NOTE: Only current Holmes 8th graders are permitted to attend. Students with serious disciplinary infractions or frequent tardiness this quarter will not be permitted to attend (parents/guardians will receive a call from Mrs. Moore if this is the case).
2019-20 PTA Board
This past Wednesday, we elected the 2019-20 PTA Board:
- President - Renate Thompson
- Treasurer - Andre McGinity
- Secretary - Mike Thayer
- Vice President of Membership - Anne Wuhrer
- Vice President of Fundraising - Rheanna Bernard
I cannot express enough how grateful I am for this year's board - Rob Hardin, Renate Thompson, Andre McGinity, Rheanna Bernard, & Carol Gabriel - for all of their support our students and staff this year! Not only have they led efforts to increase our membership and fundraising, but they have used those funds to show appreciation to our staff on multiple occasions, and they have funded a number of extension opportunities for students! Thank you!!
In today's newsletter, scroll down for information about:
- FCPS CARES
- This Week's Schedule
- This Week's After School Program Schedule
- Holmes Designated as a Common Sense School!
- PTA Fundraiser Event - Friday, June 7th
- Annandale HS Rising Freshmen Football Work Outs - May 20, 22 and 23
- 8th Grade Student Laptop Collection - Begins Tuesday, 5/28!!!
- Annandale Atoms Girls Volleyball Clinics - June 17-21
- Important Dates (including SOL testing schedule)
- How to Stay in Touch
- May/June SOL Testing Schedule
Thanks, everyone, and have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes
Proud Principal, Holmes MS
#HolmesHawksSoar
FCPS Cares
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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: 5/20 - 5/24
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This week: Mon., 5/20 = Blue Day (3rd, 5th, 7th, No 1st) Tues., 5/21 = White Day (2nd, ER 1 & 2, 4th, 6th) Wed., 5/22 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th) Thurs., 5/23 = White Day (2nd, ER 3 & 4 4th, 6th) Fri., 5/24 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th) *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the website HERE. |
After School Program - Week of 5/20
For any specific questions related to the After School Program or to share new ideas for after school activities, please feel free to contact Ms. Taylor, our After School Program Specialist.
Holmes Designated as a Common Sense School!
Digital media and technology are evolving at a dizzying pace, both unlocking extraordinary opportunities and posing real risks for young people. Students are using the immense power of the Internet and mobile technology to explore, connect, create, and learn in ways never before imagined, both in and out of the classroom. But issues that emerge from this 24/7 "connected culture," such as cyberbullying, privacy lapses, and uncertainty about which information to trust online, are surfacing both in schools and at home.
Holmes Middle School sees these as teachable moments. We believe that digital citizenship skills have become essential for students in the 21st century, especially in schools like ours that are using technology to transform learning. That's why we are committed to teaching our students how to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly. Holmes Middle school has just been approved as a Common Sense School, an honor that recognizes our efforts in teaching digital citizenship to young people and engaging the entire school community in this important discussion. The recognition acknowledges our schools commitment to helping students think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate.
This honor is provided by Common Sense Education, part of a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.
We are one of the more than 50,000 schools across the country that use Common Sense Education's groundbreaking education resources. As a result, our students are better equipped to navigate the digital world and use devices for learning. We hope you will encourage other schools in our district to take advantage of them. If 75 percent of schools in the district become Common Sense Schools, we can earn recognition as a Common Sense District.
To learn more about Common Sense Education, visit www.commonsense.org/education
PTA Fundraiser Event - Friday, June 7th
Where
Panda Express Old Keene Mill & Backlick
7040 Old Keene Mill Road
Springfield, VA 22150
When
Friday, June 7, 2019
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
How
In-Store: Show paper digital version of the Fundraiser Event Flyer
Online: Enter 269658 in the promo code box during online checkout
20% of event sales will be donated to the Holmes Middle School PTA
Annandale HS Rising Freshmen Football Work Outs - May 20, 22 and 23
All Rising 9th Graders who are interested in playing Freshmen Football at Annandale High School next fall.
May 20th, 22nd, 23rd - Rising Freshmen Football Work Outs: 4PM to 6PM - Meet in Weight Room-Entrance 10- this is a great opportunity to begin working out at Annandale and be instructed by your future coaches. Each day we will lift and then compete in a football related Activity. We will meet in the Weight Room-come dressed to work out-White t-shirt/Red Shorts and white socks and athletic shoes-NO Jewelry of any kind.
May 23rd - 8th Grade Parent Meeting-5:30-PM-Lecture Hall-This is very important for Parents to understand exactly what is expected of their Student Athlete and the unique commitment it entails. Parents need to understand all team functions are mandatory. All athletes need to have a way to get to AHS and need to be picked up, walk, or ride a bike after team events
June 4th-VHSL Physicals at AHS-It is mandatory for all Athletes to have a valid VHSL Physical dated on or after May 1, 2019-NO Physical-You Are NOT Eligible! Cost is $50; $20 if you are on Reduced Lunch & $10 if you are on Free Lunch visit www.Annandaleatoms.net for more info.
Annandale Atoms Girls Volleyball Clinics - June 17-21
8th Grade Student Laptop Collection
Important Dates
- Tue., 5/21 - Holocaust Museum Field Trip
- Fri., 5/24 - Intermediate Music Field Trip to Kings Dominion
- Mon., 5/27, Memorial Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
- Tues., 5/28 - 8th grade laptop collection begins through PE classes (ER periods)
- Wed., 5/29, 7:00 pm - Band Concert
- Thurs., 5/30, 7:00 pm - An Evening of the Arts: Theater Showcase
- Fri., 5/31, 7:00 pm - An Evening of the Arts: Theater Showcase & Art Gallery
- Tues., 6/4, 7:00 pm - Music Department Recital
- Fri., 6/7, 7:00-9:00 pm - 8th Grade Celebration
- Fri., 6/7, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm - PTA Fundraiser Event - Panda Express
- Tue., 6/11, 8:00 am - 8th Grade Awards Ceremony
- Tue., 6/11, 9:15 am - 7th Grade Awards Ceremony
- Tue., 6/11, 1:00 pm - 6th Grade Awards Ceremony
- Wed., 6/12 - SCA Activity Day
- Thu., 6/13 - Last Day of School (Students released 3 hours early)
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
- following us on Twitter
- monitoring your student's progress with SIS Parent Account
- join the Holmes MS PTA and attend meetings
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May / June SOL Testing Schedule
Interested in learning more about the SOL exams your child will take? Here are links from the Virginia Department of Education for: