Good afternoon, Holmes Families!

I hope that you all have had a great week and enjoyed the weekend!  Here are a few updates for you for this week:

7th Grade Lunch Bunch Tomorrow (Monday, 11/16)!
My first lunch bunch for 7th graders will be tomorrow, 11/16, at 12:30 pm.  Students just need to go to their grade-level Google Classroom and click on the Google Meet like to join me! 

Returning to School - Update for 6th Graders

At Thursday's School Board work session, Dr. Brabrand presented that 6th graders at Glasgow, Holmes, and Poe who selected in-person instruction will have a return date of Tuesday, January 13th.  That is an update to the dates previously presented.  7th and 8th graders who selected in-person instruction will have a return date of Tuesday, January 26th.  

SIS has been updated to reflect the change requests that were made by Friday, November 6th.  In order to appropriately plan for a January phase-in, we are no longer accepting change requests.  We are in the process of determining if individual students' schedules will need to be changed.  Our goal is to change as few schedules as possible to maintain consistency for students and teachers.  

At Holmes, students receiving in-person instruction will attend school in the building 2 days a week base on their last name:

• Last names A-K: Tuesday & Wednesday
• Last names L-Z: Thursday & Friday

On the other two days, students will sign into their classes virtually from home.  Mondays will continue to be asynchronous.  

FCPS is closely watching the health data across the country and in the state of Virginia.  For details on how decisions will be made, please take a look HERE at the message that Dr. Brabrand sent to all families this past Friday.  

Catchup Days

In order to help manage student and teacher workload, anxiety, and stress, all middle schools and high schools will have catchup days this quarter.  Catchup days will be days that students will not receive new instruction but will sign into class as they normally would to get support from the teacher to complete assignments and review concepts that have already been taught.  Our catchup days at Holmes will be:

• Thursday, December 17th & Friday, December 18th
• Thursday, January 21st & Friday, January 22nd 

Holmes PTA Fundraiser - Through November 18th!

Since our PTA's typical opportunities for in-person fundraisers will not take place this year, we are very excited to announce a way that you can help to support the PTA (and therefore our students and teachers!) this year.  In addition to becoming a member and supporting the restaurant nights (scroll down for next Monday's restaurant night at Kabobistan!), we have partnered with Claire's Gourmet to raise funds this year!  See the flyers below for more details on how to register and prizes.  A few things to note:

• This is completely optional for students. There is absolutely no obligation to participate; we just appreciate any support that you can provide to our PTA as they support students and teachers. 
• No in-person contact will be needed, and no money will need to be collected by the student or family.  Everything will be done online and can be sent to your family and friends electronically!!
• Students will receive information about how to get signed up and registered (information also below in the flyers) and will watch a video with information about prizes. All information will be posted tonight to each grade-level's Google Classroom. 
• NOTE: Students must have parent/ guardian permission to participate, and they should not do any selling in-person under any circumstances. 
• Items will be available for pick up at the school in mid-December.  See the catalog HERE.  

Here are today's newsletter topics:

Holmes News

• Student Services - Important Information
• 2020-21 Virtual Bell Schedule
• After School Program Schedule - November 
• PTA Restaurant Spirit Night - Kabobistan - 11/16/20
• Important Updates on Grab & Go Meals
• Reporting Student Absences
• Outstanding Employee Awards
• Important Dates
• How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

News from around FCPS

• School Board Votes to Make Changes to 2020-21 Calendar

• New Employment Opportunities in Fairfax County Public Schools: Classroom Monitors

• Student Information System—SIS ParentVUE Account Overview 

• Tech Help & Resources for Students & Families

• FCPS Cares Program
• Healthy Minds
• Family Guide for Return to School

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

PTA Spirit Night at Kabobistan - 11/16/20

Important Updates on Grab and Go Meals

Fairfax County Public Schools is offering no-cost nutritious meals to ALL students through June 30, 2021. Meals are available at school sites and along bus routes.

Beginning Monday, November 9, grab and go bus delivery times and some bus stop locations will change. The updated bus schedule will be posted on November 6. 

Breakfast and lunch meals are offered Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Breakfast and lunch are served at the same time. Breakfast and lunch are also offered at no cost to any student who attends in-person instruction at a school Monday-Friday. Meals for Saturday and Sunday are offered at sites and on bus routes every Friday.

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

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.

Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards!  To submit a nomination for a Holmes Hawk Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link: Holmes MS Outstanding Employee Award Nominations

You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category).  All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category.  The Google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below:

Outstanding Teacher 

Eligibility: Has at least 3 years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Has up to 3 years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding Principal

Eligibility: Has at least 3 years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)                                

Outstanding Leader  

Eligibility: At least 1 year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal)

Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: At least 1 year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership

Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least 1 year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid)

The deadline to submit a nomination is 2:15 PM on Friday, November 20

If you have any questions, please Mr. Kamar.

Important Dates

• Monday, November 16th - PTA Restaurant Night: Kabobistan
• Wednesday, November 18th - Last day of PTA Fundraiser (Claire's Gourmet)
• Wednesday, November 25th - Friday, November 27th - NO SCHOOL / THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY 
• Tuesday, January 13th - Start date for 6th graders receiving in-person instruction to come to building (2 days a week)
• Tuesday, January 26th - Start date for 7th and 8th graders receiving in-person instruction to come to building (2 days a week)

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

School Board Votes to Make Changes to 2020-21 Calendar

The Fairfax County School Board has voted to make Inauguration Day—Wednesday, January 20, 2021—a holiday for Fairfax County Public Schools students and employees, and Juneteenth—June 19, 2021—a holiday for employees that will be observed on Friday, June 18, 2021.

On the 2020-21 school year calendar, January 20, 2021, had been listed as an instructional day for students and regular workday for all employees.

Previously, during every fourth year, Inauguration Day was designated as a holiday for students and employees. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently authorized its 2021 holiday schedule, which includes Inauguration Day as a holiday for Fairfax County employees. 

In an effort to further create an inclusive environment, Juneteenth was included as a holiday in 2020; it was recently included by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as a holiday for county employees. Virginia has also passed legislation to observe Juneteenth as an official holiday for state employees.

See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar. 

New Employment Opportunities in Fairfax County Public Schools: Classroom Monitors

FCPS schools and centers are hiring classroom monitors to provide in-person classroom assistance for students when some staff members continue to work virtually. If you would like more information about the position, review the job description online and apply if interested. Please share information about this opportunity with anyone else you think may be interested.

FCPS Is Seeking Individuals to Serve as Substitute Teachers

Are you or somebody you know interested in substitute teaching with FCPS? Apply online or attend one of our Friday information sessions to learn more. To sign up for a session, visit the FCPS substitute teacher information page.

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. 

Healthy Minds

Healthy Minds Podcast: Healthy Minds Supports Youth and Teens in Fairfax County

In this week's podcast, learn about Healthy Minds’ short-term behavioral health resources and peer support partners (available at low or no cost) that can help struggling children and teens across Fairfax County.

James Gillespie, director of Youth Services for Healthy Minds Fairfax, addresses some of the mental health trends underway during the current pandemic and how parents can access help for their children and themselves. Listen to the podcast. 

Family Guide for Return to School

Fairfax County Public Schools is partnering with families to ensure we keep students and staff safe and healthy as we return to school buildings for learning. Working together, we will follow recommended health guidance that focuses on student and staff health, safety, and emotional well-being. 

The FCPS Family Guide for Return to School has a wealth of information on topics like concurrent instruction, lunch and recess, the mandatory mask policy, laptops, and health protocols.