I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.  Please take a moment to honor and remember the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and dedication ensure the freedoms we enjoy today.  Wishing you a reflective and meaningful Memorial Day!

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.

Spring SOL Schedule:

Please note that some students will be participating in remediation next week prior Math and Science retakes.  Families of students participating in retakes will be sent separate communication.

Laptop & Charger Collection

We will be collecting laptops and chargers on June 5, 6  in PE classes. If your child has lost their charger, the replacement cost is $20. If they have lost their computer, please notify Mr. Rossen (@email) ASAP. If lost, you will be responsible for replacing the computer at $375.  These items must be collected or paid for in order to prevent delays in receiving a computer next year.

If your child has lost either item, please have a conversation with them about responsible use. Labeling their technology is a best practice and highly encouraged. All students were given laptop labels at the beginning of the year; many students have peeled off their labels. Again, all students are responsible for lost technology, as stated in the Student Rights & Responsibilities document. 

Please, contact Mr. Rossen (@email) if you have a concern.

End of Year Medication Pick-Up

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).

Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-health-services. A medication authorization form is required for any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, to be kept at school. Please be sure medication orders are clear. All information on the form must be completed. Part I must be signed and dated by the parent or guardian. Part II must be signed and dated by your health care provider. Approved over-the-counter medications given for headaches, muscle aches, orthodontic pain, or menstrual cramps do not need a health care provider’s signature. Antibiotic or antiviral medications for 10 consecutive school days or less do not require a health care provider’s signature either. For all asthma medications, a Virginia Asthma Action Plan must be provided. More detailed information is available on the back of the medication authorization form(s).

Over-the-counter medication must be in the unopened original container and clearly labeled by the parent or guardian. No more than 100 pills/tablets of OTC medication should be brought to school at a time. All prescription medication, including samples, must be labeled by the pharmacist or health care provider. Please make sure that the label clearly states your student’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage of the medication, and the time to be given.

Your cooperation will ensure that we can safely give your student, their medication. If you have any questions, please email our school health room aide Sara Tesfay at [email protected] and/or our school public health nurse Julie Frederickson at [email protected], or call Holmes clinic at 703-658-5910.

8th Grade Party/Dance - 6/7 at 7-9 pm 

The 8^th grade dance will be taking place on Friday, June 7^th from 7-9 PM at Holmes Middle School. This dance is only for 8^th graders and will be free. If you would like to donate, you can do so through the MySchoolBucks portal and select the tab labeled, “8^th grade dance”. We are also informing students that it is important to continue being kind to one another and that discipline incidents can lead to the privilege of attending the dance being taken away.

Volunteers are needed to help celebrate our 8th graders on their special night! You can sign up to help by using the Signup Genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DA9A823A2F85-49772007-2024#/  

or purchase something off of our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/G8GELE1R6GNS?ref_=wl_share

5k Fun Run - 5/29, 2:30-4:45PM

NJHS students are planning a Fun Run on May 29^th after school from 2:30 – 4:45.  The afternoon will consist of a Fun Run that all students must run and then games & snacks on the blacktop afterwards.  There will be late buses that afternoon.  If students want to participate, they need to sign up up during lunches the week of May 20 – 24. 

Edison High School Jumpstart Program 2024

Registration is now open!

Your student's transition to high school is very important to us! This year we will be offering an optional Jumpstart program to our rising 9th grade students. Students will be able to register to attend one of the two-day sessions.

1. August 7 from 9:00AM - 1:00 PM
2. August 9 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Students will have an opportunity to meet staff members (administrators, counselors, and some teachers), tour the building, get a couple high school tips for success, hear about our many sports/club programs offered and more. Please click here for the registration link. Lunch is included in the program. Transportation will be provided at limited locations.

If registering multiple children, a separate registration form must be completed for each student.

Registration Deadline: In order to be efficient in our staffing and assignments, we are requesting that all applications be returned by Friday, July 26. Students will be placed and accepted on a rolling admission basis. Please contact please contact Greg Dombrowski: @email for further information.

Community and Employee Conversations with Dr. Reid

Dr. Michelle Reid has been hosting Community Conversations and Employee Conversations  throughout the division since the fall of this school year. She is committed to getting to know our school communities. 

The date for the final Community Conversations is below. This event provides a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to connect with Dr. Reid, share concerns and ideas. She is there to listen and answer your questions. Your voice is important.

We invite you to register for the last community conversations of the school year. Pre-registration is not required, but does help us plan.

Upcoming Community Conversations:

May 28, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

at Katherine Johnson Middle School,

3801     Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030  -

REGISTER  HERE

Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

For more information please visit our website.

We look forward to seeing you at the last Superintendent Community Conversations of the year.

HOLMES UPDATES

Here are today's newsletter topics:

Holmes Updates

• Student Services Information
• Admin Team Information
• 2023-24 Blue/White Schedule 
• 2023-24 Bell Schedule
• After-School Program
• From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
• Important Upcoming Dates
• Holmes MS PTA
• How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

FCPS & Community Updates

• May Observances
• Enjoy Fun and Resources at the Summer Extravaganza
• Don’t Forget to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance! 
• Student Testing Results Coming Soon
• Summer Camps and Learning
• Stay Connected with FCPS

Please feel free to reach out and let us know what questions you have.  Thank you, and we'll see you very soon!

Sincerely,

Serena Giron

Principal

Contact Information

Admin Team Information

2023-24 Blue/White Calendar

From Mr. Kruk, our After-School Specialist

After-School Program Weekly News & Notes from 5/20-5/24

Student(s) of the Week

• The After-School Program Student of the week: Erik Merlo Arevalo
• Erik was a leader for his team during this past week’s soccer match against Poe Middle School.
• He was a positive and calm voice throughout the entirety of the game which allowed his teammates to focus.
• Congrats Erik!

Holmes ASP Soccer Team

ASP Schedule 5/27-5/31

The end of ASP for 2023-24

• The end of the After-School Program and all late buses is this Wednesday May 29^th.
• If you have a student staying after school for any reason, please be sure to communicate this with staff and the main office.

Students Leaving After-School before 4:45 pm

• 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.
• Students are not permitted to leave school grounds before checking out in the main office .

Questions/Concerns

Contact the After-School Specialist, Matt Kruk, @email

From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison

Holmes Closet and Food Pantry

The Holmes Closet and Pantry is an outreach program that aims to gather items for families in need. We will be giving away available items on a first-come, first-served basis. Available items include: non -perishable food, gently used clothes and shoes, cleaning supplies and more. If you have any questions, concerns or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Ms. Alemtsehay Oncho, Holmes Family Liaison at 571-326-8308 or @email.

Pediatric Health Fairs

Important Upcoming Dates

• Monday, 5/27 - NO SCHOOL / Memorial Day
• Wednesday, 5/29, 6:30 pm - Last PTA Meeting 
• Wednesday, 5/29, 7 pm - Band Spring Concert
• Wednesday, 5/29, 2:30 pm - 5k Fun Run
• Thursday, 5/30 - VIP Parent Night
• Friday, 6/7, 7-9 pm - 8th Grade Party/Dance
• Monday, 6/10, 8 am - 8th Grade Awards
• Tuesday, 6/11 - Activity Day
• Wednesday, 6/12 - Last Day of School / 2-Hour Early Release

Holmes MS PTA

Don't forget to check out these important links:

• Holmes Attendance Form: https://holmesms.fcps.edu/about/attendance-form 
• Buy SpiritWear: https://bit.ly/HolmesSpiritWear
• Join the PTA: https://bit.ly/SupportHolmesPTA 
• Missed the meeting: watch the recording by clicking here  OR access the slideshow/presentation on our website  OR access audio language interpretation in Spanish, Urdu, and Arabic by clicking the language button in Zoom. 

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
  • PTA Facebook
  • Online PTA Membership Form
  • MemberHub

FCPS & Community Updates

May Observances

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Jewish American Heritage Month

May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Mental Health Awareness Month/Wear Green Day

Better Hearing and Speech Month

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

Enjoy Fun and Resources at the Summer Extravaganza

Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moonbounce, alpaca petting, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost! Additional food trucks will be on site selling a variety of treats. 

Families are invited to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and growth. Community organizations will be providing tips, resources, and helpful information. Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it’s helpful for planning purposes.

Don’t Forget to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance! 

It’s a busy time of year, and we know there are many priorities on families’ plates. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to remember to check your students’ MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance. 

Families that earn less than 185% of poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals. However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2024-25 school year will be available this summer. 

If families have a current balance and think they may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2023-24 school year. Get more information about free and reduced-price lunch.

Student Testing Results Coming Soon

Later this month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level on FCPS’ website. 

How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s teacher with any testing questions.

New SOL Growth Reports for Grade 3-8 Tests

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) test results, along with other student data, help demonstrate in which subjects or topics students may need additional academic support.

In order to help interpret SOL results for parents, the Virginia Department of Education has released new Standards of Learning Growth Parent Reports for families of students who took grade 3-8 SOL math and reading tests this spring. 

The Growth Parent Report ties together scores from fall and winter Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) with the student’s current spring SOL results to show their trend in academic progress this year. 

Learn how to understand your student’s grade 3-8 SOL results and find resources to support their ongoing learning.

Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE

Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success. Caregivers can view important information in ParentVUE such as attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. A SIS ParentVUE app is available for Apple and Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video explains the steps. Find out more. To create a new account, please contact [school registrar’s name] for an activation letter. 

If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up-to-date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. View more information.

2024 SUMMER CAMPS AND LEARNING

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a summer camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military. 

Summer Strings Camp at South County Middle School

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!

Co-Ed Basketball Camp for Grades 4-9 at Edison HS

VIP Summer Camp for Rising 7th & 8th Graders

All rising middle schoolers are invited to attend a summer of fun and leisure with VIP Camp. VIP Camp — which takes place Monday, July 1, to Thursday, August 1 — is designed to encourage teens to develop healthy and positive recreation interests and features a wide variety of leisure activities and programs. 

Registration is open. VIP Camp costs $100 to attend. Reach out to your school's after-school specialist for scholarship availability due to financial hardship. This camp is sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. 

• Applications will open on Tuesday 3/12 at 6pm
• Here is the link to the application à https://forms.gle/zQcxhFrKWnn2LPjG6
• Links to the application can also be found on the Holmes website under the Activities Tab à After-School Program à VIP Summer Program
• Any questions or concerns about the VIP summer program, contact Matt Kruk; @email

Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps and Learning Programs 

Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. 

CTE programs are available for grade 6-11 students to explore CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. IFTA allows students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage to register.

Summer Learning

Programs are also available for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement, earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program, or recover one high school course credit through the Credit Recovery Academy. 

FCPS’ free online class for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provides FCPS middle and high school English Learners the opportunity to continue developing their academic, reading, and writing skills in online discussions with an ESOL teacher. 

Find session dates, registration links, and registration deadlines on FCPS summer programs. 

Institute for the Arts

Students in all FCPS secondary schools can enroll in the Institute for the Arts. IFTA is a two- or three-week summer Arts enrichment program for students in rising 7th through 12th grades. Students create their own schedules in Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance from nearly 60 courses offered. Transportation is provided from around the county. Tuition assistance is available for students who qualify. Check out the Institute for the Arts website for more information or email @email.

CTE Summer Academy

Tech Adventure Camp

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