Good afternoon, Holmes Families!

Thank you to our amazing staff who welcomed our first small groups of students back to school this week!  In today's newsletter, you will find more information about the phase-in for middle schools at the beginning of 3rd quarter and steps that you may need to take for your student(s).  

First, a reminder that Monday, November 2nd and Tuesday, November 3rd, are student holidays, so there is NO SOAR Monday Minute and no teacher office hours on either day. On Monday, November 2nd between 10 am and 2 pm, students and families will have the opportunity to come to the school for:

• Library Curbside Checkout (see flyer below)
• Resistance Bands for PE classes (all students)
• Sewing kits (students in Ms. Fontaine's FACS classes)
• Read 180 Workbooks (students in Ms. Meisel's Reading classes)
• Completing required forms (reminder emails/texts will be sent to families today). Links to all required forms can be found HERE.  

See below for more details.  

Materials Pick Up - November 2nd, 10am - 2pm

Door 1: Library Curb Side Pick Up (see detailed information below about this process)

Door 2: Forms, Read 180 Workbook, FACS sewing Kits

Door 4: PE Resistance Bands

Please use the following map for all traffic flow. If you are not picking up library books, proceed to Door 2 to check in and have the opportunity to complete any missing forms and collect supplies for Read 180 or FACs. After checking into Door 2, you can proceed to Door 4 to pick up your resistance band for PE.

Library Curbside Pickup - November 2nd

Click HERE to watch directions 

Click HERE  to Access Destiny to place hold 

Contacts: Ms. Haywood or Ms. Scully

Returning to School 3rd Quarter 

As you may know, middle schools in FCPS are scheduled to fully phase back into the school building at the beginning of 3rd quarter (January 26th).  Last week, all families received a communication with a link to a form giving them the opportunity to change the preference chosen in July.  Tomorrow, a reminder email will be sent to families who have not responded.  A few things to keep in mind:

• The email will state your original preference from July. 
• You do not need to complete the form if you do not want to make a change.  There is no need to confirm your original choice.  
• The form is only for students who attend Holmes Middle School.  Please do not complete the form for students who attend other schools. 
• No changes will be made in SIS until after Friday, November 6th. 
• Any change in preference is likely to result in a schedule change for your student(s).  

NOTE: All families who select to come to school in-person will be required to complete a Health Commitment Form detailing the procedures that must be followed each day before allowing your student(s) to come to school.  Please review this information for detailed health and safety guidance and protocols.  Families who have a SIS ParentVue account can complete this commitment form there.

Early Release Day - Wednesday, November 11th

Please see the early release schedule below.  Classes will be finished at 11:35 am.  

Here are today's newsletter topics:

Holmes News

• Student Services - Important Information
• 2020-21 Virtual Bell Schedule
• After School Program Schedule - November 

• Important Information About Meals During the School Year

• PTA Restaurant Spirit Night - Kabobistan - 11/16/20
• Reporting Student Absences
• Important Dates
• How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

News from around FCPS

• Student Information System—SIS ParentVUE Account Overview 
• Tech Help & Resources for Students & Families
• FCPS Cares Program

Thank you, and have a great week!

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

@email

After School Program Schedule - November

Virtual after-school activities will be a blend of school clubs, community service, arts and crafts, leadership, recreation and sports, and other activities. 

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 NEWS

Important Information About Meals During the School Year

Fairfax County Public Schools is currently offering ALL students nutritious meals at no cost. Meals are offered at school sites and along bus routes Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) with both breakfast and lunch being served at the same time. Breakfast and lunch meals for Saturdays and Sundays are distributed at all locations every Friday. Grab and Go Meal Sites and Bus Routes 

Changes to bus routes are posted on the website by 5 p.m. each day. If there are bus delays while distributing meals, the information will be posted on the FCPS Bus Delay website.  

New: Dinner and Snacks, Fairfax Meal Kits Offered at Select Locations 

Dinner and snacks are now offered at select locations. Please refer to the website for locations and times. Additionally, Fairfax Meal Kits are also available at certain sites, offering seven days of breakfast and lunch for pick up in bulk. The goal is to provide every FCPS student daily access to nutritious meals.  

More information is available online, or call the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.  

PTA Spirit Night at Kabobistan - 11/16/20

Reporting Student Absences

Do I need to report my student's absence during the virtual classes?

• Yes, please call our attendance line at 703-658-5919 or submit an attendance form.

Important Dates

• Monday, November 2nd & Tuesday, November 3rd - STUDENT HOLIDAYS
• Monday, November 2nd, 10 am - 2 pm - Library Curbside Checkout and Materials Distribution
• Wednesday, November 11th - EARLY RELEASE DAY
• Monday, November 16th - PTA Restaurant Night: Kabobistan
• Wednesday, November 25th - Friday, November 27th - NO SCHOOL / THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY 

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

NEWS FROM AROUND FCPS

Student Information System—SIS ParentVUE Account Overview

A SIS (Student Information System) ParentVUE account is where you can access information about your child's attendance, course history, grade book (for middle and high school), progress reports, and report cards. Customized for elementary, middle, and high school students, your SIS ParentVUE Account login credentials can also be used to access FCPS 24-7 Learning: Parent View.

Get more information on SIS ParentVue accounts. 

Video: Creating a ParentVue Account

Do you need help creating a SIS ParentVue account? This video walks you through the steps on how to do so. Watch this video to learn how to set up your account. 

Tech Help & Resources for Students & Families

• To support families who are working with their children during virtual learning, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk, effective today, Monday, August 24. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week.
• FCPS has also set up an online portal to allow older students and parents/guardians to request technology help directly. 
• Tips for online learning success can be found on the FCPS website. 
• FCPS Parent Information Phone Lines are available in eight different languages. 

FCPS Cares Program

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.

Watch this video to learn more.