Principal's Note - May 3, 2020

By Margaret Barnes
Principal's Note
May 04, 2020

Good afternoon, Holmes Families!

I hope that you all are enjoying the weekend.  Yesterday was beautiful and such a nice break from the rain!  Since you've had a few long newsletters from me lately, I am going to keep today's short with a few reminders, info about yearbooks, and I've kept the community resources that have been in the last few newsletters. 

A few updates & reminders:

  • Our Distance Learning Chart by Teacher was updated on Friday and now includes more teachers who will be providing synchronous (live) instruction during the scheduled class periods on Wednesdays and Fridays.  
  • Thank you for those who were able to attend Friday's virtual parent coffee!  If you missed it, the link to the recording is HERE.  Since the one in Spanish was primarily an individual conversation with one parent, I have not included the recording here to protect privacy. 
  • I'm excited that Monday Lunch Bunch with me resumes tomorrow for students!  I've had quite a few sign up already, and I would love to have more.  If they'd like to get a link to my Lunch Bunch Classroom for tomorrow and future Mondays, they should complete this form.  
  • It's Teacher Appreciation Week this week!  Submit this form to send a positive message to a teacher or other school staff member who has supported your student during the school year. You can also send a note to a teacher using this link, which will enter the teacher into a statewide contest. 

  • Holmes MS has access to a resource for Ramadan food boxes and a daily family Iftar meal.  The food boxes include needed pantry staples to last a month, such as rice, oil, flour, sugar, and other non-perishables. If your family is interested in being referred for either or both, please email Jeanmarie O’Sullivan, School Social Worker @email.

  • If you have any basic needs concerns, such as food, financial resources, etc., please email Jeanmarie O’Sullivan, School Social Worker @email

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Yearbooks are still on sale!  Reserve a copy of the 2019-2020 Holmes Middle School yearbook today (with the option of a digital version in addition to the hard copy of the yearbook).  Use this link to purchase a book or find an existing order.

NOTE: We did explore an option about shipping directly to student's home, but we have opted to have all yearbooks shipped to the school to be picked up at a later date.  Once we are able to allow students back in the building to clean out lockers, we will also use that time to collect laptops and distribute yearbooks. 

In today's newsletter, scroll down for information about:

  • Holmes MS Distance Learning Schedule
  • Affordable Internet Options
  • Food Resources
  • Community Resources
  • Social-Emotional and Wellness Resources for Families
  • Important Dates
  • How to Stay in Touch

Thanks, everyone, and have a wonderful week!  Please feel free to reach out to me or anyone on my team with any questions you have!

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

[email protected]

#SoarTogether

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Holmes MS Distance Learning Schedule

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Affordable Internet Options

If you or someone you know is in need of free or low-cost internet, please explore the options below: 

  • Comcast/Xfinity: Internet Essentials
  • Cox: Cox Connect2Compete supplies broadband internet access to low-income, unconnected families in Fairfax County. Households who meet income and other guidelines will be offered free Internet service through July 15, ($9.95 per month afterward), free modem rental, free installation, and a price guarantee for two years. More information is available on the Cox website
  • Verizon: Lifeline

Food Resources

FCPS Continues to Provide Breakfast and Lunch to Students

Click HERE for details.  

Free Hot Meal Courtesy of Chef Jose Andres & World Central Kitchen

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Weekend Meal Sites for Families

Below is information about two weekend meal sites for families:

  • No ID or proof of need is required. 
  • Family members may pick up meals on behalf of their entire family – children do not need to be present. 
  • Meals will be served during the below-listed timeframes, while quantities last. 

ACCA Child Development Center 7200 Columbia Pike #2, Annandale, VA 22003 Individual whole-grain crust pizzas with vegetable toppings, fresh fruit Saturdays, 2:30 PM while quantities last

John Calvin Presbyterian Church 6531 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003  Individual whole-grain crust pizzas with vegetable toppings, fresh fruit Sundays, 2:30 PM while quantities last

These weekend sites also offer an opportunity for those who would like to help sustain this program. With a minimum donation of $50, you can order a Pizzeria Paradiso Pizza Kit which includes all of the ingredients needed to make two wholesome 12” pizzas at home (and a link to instructions and a video!).  Each donation will provide meals for four additional families in our area! Kits may be Pre-Ordered and picked at the ACCA Child Development Center on Saturday or John Calvin Presbyterian Church on Sunday between 3:30 and 4:30 PM. More details at the link above.

Community Resources

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Social-Emotional and Wellness Resources for Families

School-Based Social Emotional Learning and Wellness Resources During Distance Learning

School Counselors, School Psychologists, and School Social Workers are available to support students, families and staff during distance learning. They are supporting students, families and staff in many of the same ways as they did prior to distance learning, but it may look different now.

Here is what schools are doing to continue social emotional learning and mental wellness:

● Instructional activities addressing social and emotional skills and mental wellness topics are embedded in instruction to include school counseling and Health & PE lessons/activities.

● Consultation for teachers is provided to support students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs in an instructional setting.

● Individualized student and family support is available at all school levels to address social emotional learning, mental wellness, and access to basic needs.

● Mental Wellness Consultation: Parents may schedule a 30-minute phone consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker, for either themselves or their middle or high school student. This is an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their student’s emotional well-being. For more information, click the following link: Mental Wellness Consultation

To learn more about these activities, please contact your student’s school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker.

Here is more information on what you can do to support your student at home:

• The FCPS Learning from Home: Support for Families webpage is updated frequently and has many helpful links: FCPS Learning from Home: Support for Families

• The FCPS COVID-19 Website contains valuable information regarding how to talk with your child about the Coronavirus, managing stress, healthy coping, community and emergency mental health resources. For more information, click the following link: COVID-19 Mental Health & Community Resources website

• Online training simulations are available to help you learn and recognize signs of distress, manage conversations, and connect your student/family to support services. For more information, click the following link: Kognito

• Video clips of FCPS students sharing their thoughts and tips on coping with Coronavirus. To view these videos, please click the following link: Student Voice: Coronavirus

• Our Healthy Minds Blog will also be updated with entries throughout the closure: Healthy Minds Blog

• In case of an emergency or for immediate assistance, please click on the following link: Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

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Important Dates

  • Mon., 5/25, - Memorial Day Holiday
  • Fri., 6/12 - Last Day of School

How to Stay In-Touch

Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:

Newsletter Archive

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