Good morning, Holmes Families!  One quarter down...3 more to go!  Our students have worked hard and will now have a nice long weekend with 2 student holidays on Monday and Tuesday, November 5th and 6th.  

#HolmesHawksSoar at the Redskins Game Today!

Don't forget to tune into the Redskins game today at 1:00 when our Holmes students will be on the field being recognized for their participation in the Redskins Aspire program!

Morning Drop-off

As a reminder, we ask all parents to please not drop off students at school before 7:10 am.  As the weather gets colder and the mornings get darker (daylight savings time ended at 2 am this morning), we want to ensure our students are safe and supervised, particularly at the front of the building.  Our staff is not required to be at school until 7:10, which is when our main office opens as well.  Please help us to keep our kiddos safe by either sending them on the bus or not dropping them off until 7:10.  Thank you so much for your help!

Outstanding Employee Nominations

Thank you for nominating our staff members!  Stay tuned for a ballot later this week! 

Parent Coffee & PTA

We hope to see you this Wednesday morning or evening when we will share tips for supporting your students with organization, study skills, and SIS ParentVue!

• Wednesday, November 7th, 8-9 am - Parent Coffee
• Wednesday, November 7th, 6:30-8 pm - PTA Meeting

These 2 opportunities will take place right before 1st quarter report cards arrive home and before our Mini-Conference Night on Thursday, November 15th, when parents will have the opportunity to meet with their students' teachers.  Mini-conferences will start at 6:30 pm, with a few early bird sessions being offered at 5 and 5:30 that evening.  

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

• FCPS CARES
• This Week's Schedule
• After School Program Information and Schedule
• Voices of Now
• Lunch Bunch
• Music Department Fundraiser Pie Delivery
• Library Updates
• Digital Citizenship Tip of the Week
• Important Dates
• How to Stay in Touch

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

[email protected]

#HolmesHawksSoar

Do you know a Holmes Middle School staff member who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of Holmes faculty and staff members.

This Week's Schedule of Classes: 11/5-11/9

This week: Mon., 11/5 = NO SCHOOL (School Planning Day)  Tues., 11/6 = NO SCHOOL (Teacher Workday) Wed., 11/7 = White Day w/ ER 7 & 8 Thurs., 11/8 = Blue Day Fri., 11/2 = White Day w/ ER 1 & 2  *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the website HERE.

After School Program - Week of 11/5

For any specific questions related to the After School Program or to share new ideas for after school activities, please feel free to contact Mr. German Cabezas, our After School Program Specialist.  

Voices of Now

What is Voices of Now?

Voices of Now is an acting, writing, devising program for young artists provided by Arena Stage, D.C.’s oldest, largest producing theater. Voices of Now artists learn the tools of theater performance, such as movement, vocal expression and collaboration, by taking a series of workshops in the fall. Participants who attend a full series are eligible to audition for the exclusive Voices of Now Holmes Middle School Ensemble, which meets from January through May at Holmes. Ensemble members work with professional actors and directors to study acting and to write an original play performed at Arena Stage. (2017-18 student participants pictured below.)

When is Voices of Now?

Each Voices of Now workshop series are from 2:30-4:30 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Students can choose from 1 remaining series:

• Series 3: November 7, 8, 14 & 15

Students must be able to attend all four dates of a series to sign up.

The AUDITION will take place on Wednesday, December 12 from 2:30-4:30 pm.  The program is limited to 20 students per series. Turn in your application ASAP!  No experience is required. Spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

How Do I Sign Up for Voices of Now?

Pick up an application from Mrs. Murphy in I-12, and then return it to her as soon as its complete

Next Lunch Bunch is Friday, Nov. 16th!

Students can sign up HERE!

Music Department Fundraiser Pie Delivery

The music department pie fundraiser began October 1 and ran through October 15th. The music department sells pies to raise money for a number of things, including the purchase of instruments, funding of a summer study scholarship, and to pay for the busses which take students on our spring trips.  

Pie delivery day is Monday, November 5th from 2:30 - 6:30 pm. All pie orders MUST be picked up on this day, during these hours. This is a teacher work day. We will have thousands of pies delivered that day, and will not have space to store pies in a school freezer. If you will not be able to pick up your pies on that day, please make arrangements with someone else to pick up your pies for you.  We will also need parent and student volunteers on this day to organize the delivery.  Parents can sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4ca9a922a6fb6-fundraising.  A student volunteer sign-up sheet will be placed in I-hall two weeks prior to delivery day.  

We are also in need of donations of cases of name brand soda or water, individual bags of snacks (chips, Cheetos, fritos, etc) and candy to sell at our concessions tables for concerts.  If you are willing to donate an item, you can send it with your child, or leave it in the front office labeled for the music department. 

Library Updates

Volunteers Needed! Our library is actively recruiting parent volunteers. If you’re interested in signing up to help, the hours and time commitment are completely flexible. We can use help shelving books, straightening the books on the shelves and various small tasks. As little as an hour a week would be welcomed! If you are interested please sign up on the link below or if you have questions please contact our Librarian, Corina Haywood – @email  or by phone 703-658-5938.  Sign up to volunteer HERE!

Digital Citizenship Tip of the Week

Our focus on Digital Citizenship continues!  Click HERE to learn how to keep your children safe online!

Important Dates

• Monday, 11/5 & Tuesday, 11/6 - STUDENT HOLIDAYS / TEACHER WORKDAYS
• Monday, 11/5, 2:30-6:30 pm - Music Department Fundraiser Pie Delivery
• Wednesday, 11/7, 8-9 am - Parent Coffee (Topic: Organization, Study Skills, & ParentVue)
• Wednesday, 11/7, 6:30-8 pm - PTA Meeting (Topic: Organization, Study Skills, & ParentVue)
• Thursday, 11/15, 6:30-8:30 pm - Mini-Conference Night (Early Bird Sessions to start at 5/5:30)

How to Stay In-Touch

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