Principal's Note - Nov 10, 2023

By Serena Giron
Principal's Note
November 13, 2023

Hello Holmes Families!

School Psych

Intervention Cycle 2

Thursday, November 9th, we will start intervention cycle 2 with a priority on students who are dually identified English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) and students who have an IEP.  Students will focus on language development.  Students will receive an email on Tuesday and will review their new 5th period teacher change during SOAR (4th period).  Students not in intervention will have access to a choice menu including guided organization, academic support (including with Tutor.com), reading and reflection, and enrichment.

Federal Impact Aid Information

FCPS is asking all families to fill out the Federal Impact Aid Survey. To make it easier, the form is available online in SIS ParentVUE this year. School-based staff, please encourage families to complete the online form for each school-aged child in every household. This is important, because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page. 

Need to Register for ParentVUE?

Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. Find out how to get technical support for ParentVUE.

8th Grade Families

The Freshman Application for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology opened Monday, October 23rd, 2023 at 4pm. Students will be able to begin the application process until Wednesday, November 15th at 4pm and all applications must be submitted by Friday, November 17th at 4pm. Please visit the Freshman Application website to start the process. Contact the TJ Admissions Department with questions.

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

  • November Observances
  • Thank You Voters! 2023 School Bond Referendum Passed
  • Observance Graphics Created by Students in Design Challenge
  • 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

HOLMES UPDATES

Contact Information

Admin and Councelors

Admin Team Information

Admin Team

2023-24 Blue/White Calendar

Blue and White DaysBell Schedule 23-24

From Mr. Kruk, our After-School Specialist

After-School Program Weekly News & Notes from 11/6-11/10

  • Student of the Week

    • The After-School Program Student of the week: Sophia Do
    • Sophia has been actively involved in the After-School Program since last year.
    • She has made contributions in helping to create the volleyball team as well as a consistent member of AALEAD.
    • Great job Sophia!

    After-School Action

ASP
ASP

The After-School Program was in full force this week including many different sports including basketball, flag football, volleyball, and soccer.

ASP Schedule 11/13-11/17

Block 1

ASP

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

Important Upcoming Dates

  • 11/22 - 11/24 -  NO SCHOOL / Thanksgiving Break
  • Thursday, 11/30, 9:30-10:30 AM - Parent Coffee
  • Tuesday, 12/6 - PTA Meeting in conjunction with the Winter Chorus Concert
  • 12/18/23 - 01/01/24 - NO SCHOOL / Winter Break

Holmes MS PTA

Don't forget to check out these important links:

The next PTA meeting will be on December 6th in conjunction with the Winter Chorus Concert.

From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison

Family Coffee 11/2  Recording

Thank you to all the families who attended this month’s Family Coffee at Holmes Middle School in person and on Zoom. The topic was Chatting with the New Principal. Families learned more about our new Principal, Serena Giron, and our new Director of Student Services, Jess Tippins. Families also learned more about our instructional focuses, behavior supports, and tiered response to attendance and tardies. Finally, families learned more about the After School Program and Family Engagement month resources. The recording, presentation, and resources shared can be found on our website: https://holmesms.fcps.edu/.

Photo: Parents Graduating From Family Strengthening Class

Class

Apply for Energy Assistance Program!

Energy Assistance

How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:

FCPS & Community Updates

November Observances

Native American Heritage Month 

Native American Heritage Month

November is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. 

National Family Engagement Month

This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success. 

FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.

Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.

If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives. 

National Career Development Month

By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs. 

National School Psychology Week - 11/6-11/10

This week we celebrate the important work school psychologists do to help all students thrive. Learn more from the National Association of School Psychologists. 

Veterans Day - 11/11

Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.

Diwali 

Diwali - 11/12

Happy Diwali to all those who celebrate this day and the victory of light over darkness. This year's Diwali artwork was created by Chantilly High School student Rijuta D. as part of the FCPS Observance Design Challenge for Students.

American Education Week - 11/13-11/17

For American Education Week we celebrate ALL who work in our [SCHOOL] community: our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, support staff, teachers, leadership and more! Learn more from the National Education Association. Want to recognize someone from our school who goes above and beyond? Submit a nomination to FCPS Cares. 

Thanksgiving - 11/22-11/24

Schools and offices will be closed November 22-24. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, November 27. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving. See the complete school year calendar.

Thank You Voters! 2023 School Bond Referendum Passed

Thank you to the Fairfax citizens who supported the 2023 Bond Referendum. Roughly 67% of those voting in the 2023 election supported the $435 million bond referendum, continuing a long history of school bond approvals in Fairfax County. 

Stay engaged as we build our future. Keep up-to-date on construction and capital improvements across FCPS by visiting our Capital Improvement Project webpage. 

Observance Graphics Created by Students in Design Challenge

In May, the FCPS Office of Communications called for entries for new graphics to help acknowledge the religious and cultural observances identified on the 2023-24 School Year Calendar. Eleven winning designs will be featured on FCPS and school social media platforms, and in newsletters leading up to the holidays starting with Diwali, which falls on Sunday, November 12. See the full list of winners. 

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