Principal's Note - Feb 02, 20
Good evening, Holmes Families!
If you are a football fan, Happy Super Bowl Sunday! I'm sorry that I didn't get it an update out to you last week. We had a smooth start to 3rd quarter. Many students started new elective classes and schedules may have shifted a bit. If you have any questions about your child's schedule, please be sure to reach out to the counselor.
Parent Coffee - February 5th
Our February parent coffee will be this Wednesday, February 5th, at 9 am. Our focus this month will move into student safety, and we will have specialists visiting to share information about vaping, alcohol, and drugs. I hope that you can join us!
SR&R Review - February 6th & 7th
This week, all students will participate in a review of the Student Rights and Responsibilities through their PE classes on February 6th and 7th. The beginning of a new semester is always a great time for us to go over expectations that we have for all students to ensure a positive and safe learning environment. If you have any concerns about your student's experience at Holmes, please reach out to me or one of the assistant principals (Mrs. Moore or Mr. Simmons) to let us know.
Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year
As you know, staff members were nominated to be outstanding representatives in different categories (operational employee, professional employee, new teacher, and teacher). As a reminder, our staff members selected were:
- Outstanding Teacher: Sloan Waters
- Outstanding New Teacher: Greg Donitzen
- Outstanding Professional Employee: Torey Diggs
- Outstanding Operational Employee: Kelvin Branch
Each school representative for each category goes up the Annandale pyramid selection team for the next round. I am very excited to announce that Sloan Waters has been selected as the Outstanding Secondary Teacher for all of Annandale Pyramid! Her name will go up to the Region 2 administrative team for consideration next!
February PTA Meeting - Thurs., 2/20
Since our pyramid PTA meeting will be rescheduled (tentatively for Wednesday, March 4th), we will hold a Holmes MS PTA meeting on February 20th at 6:30 pm. In addition to presenting a slate of officers for the 2020-21 Holmes MS PTA board, the meeting will also be another opportunity for parents to hear a similar presentation about vaping, alcohol and drugs to the one we will have at this week's parent coffee.
Shadow a Student
The Learning Innovation Team (LIT) at Holmes MS will be participating in the nation-wide Shadow a Student challenge during the month of February. Throughout the year, this team of 12 (names below) has had planning days outside of the building to reflect on the Meaningful Learning Experiences that we are providing for students in the classroom, and we have used those days to plan for our professional learning and work around High Quality Tasks here at Holmes. This month, we will each be shadowing a student to immerse ourselves in the student experience.
As the LIT members participate in the Shadow a Student challenge, we will be part of a national community of school leaders clearing our calendars, silencing our walkie-talkies, throwing on sneakers, and immersing ourselves in student life for a day. Our goal is to improve the student experience at our school by better understanding the student perspective.
Once we have permission from individual students and their parents to shadow (your child will bring a permission slip home and they are welcome to decline; the experience is optional), we will be part of your classrooms for a day. We will be students for the day from the first to the last bell. Our goal is not to evaluate teachers. Teachers will treat us as you one of their students, including giving us that quiz! We will also not be there to watch student behavior. We will be sitting at a desk next to them, as one of their peers. We are doing this because of our commitment to improving the student experience our school.
To learn more about the Shadow a Student Challenge, visit shadowastudent.org.
We look forward to joining this community of educators committed to rethinking the student experience – starting by walking in the shoes of a student. Thanks for your support. Please don’t hesitate to let us know what questions you have!
 School Board Member Office Hours Welcome to Dr. Ricardy Anderson, our new school board representative for Mason District! Dr. Anderson has already made a visit to Holmes in January and will be back for a visit this month. I am excited to work closely with her to support our students and families. If you would like an opportunity to talk with Dr. Anderson, please see her community hours below: Morning Session February 14, 2020 10 a.m. – noon Mason District Governmental Center Main Conference Room 6507 Columbia Pike Annandale, VA 22003
Evening Session February 27, 2020 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Columbia Elementary School Library 6720 Alpine Drive Annandale, VA 22003 |
In today's newsletter, scroll down for information about:
- Join the Holmes MS PTA!
- FCPS CARES
- This Week's Schedule
- After-School Program
- Spring 2020 WIDA Parent Notification Letters
- Academic Advising
- Middle School Honors Classes
- Edison HS Orientation - February 25th
- Institute for the Arts
- Early Identification Program Nominations
- VIP Summer Camp Registration Information
- FCPS Needs Substitutes!
- 8th Grade Personal Yearbook Ads
- SCA Presents: G-Love
- Super Transition Saturday - February 22nd
- Student Mental Health and Resiliency
- Registration Starts February 3 for Select FCPS Summer Programs
- Bring Your Own Bag to Whole Foods to Benefit the Foundation for FCPS
- Important Dates
- 2019-20 Family Engagement Events (updated calendar coming soon)
- 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
#SoarTogether
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Have you joined the Holmes MS PTA?
Your membership supports teacher appreciation and grants for teachers to provide unique programs for students! Join HERE today!
FCPS Cares
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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: 2/3-2/7
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This week: Mon., 2/3 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th) Tues., 2/4 = White Day (2nd, SOAR, ER 1, 4th, 6th) Wed., 2/5 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th) Thurs., 2/6 = White Day (2nd, SOAR, ER 2, 4th, 6th) Fri., 2/7 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th) *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the school website HERE. |
After-School Program - Week of 2/3
During the school year, a weekly schedule of activities that will be held during the After School Program will be posted.
- Late buses are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Students must be picked up by parents/guardians if they stay on Tuesdays or Fridays.
- NOTE: There are only 6 late buses, so students' late bus assignments and stops are usually different than their regular bus.
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.
Spring 2020 WIDA Parent Notification Letters
Academic Advising
 Academic advising season is here! Rising 9th Grade: Annandale High School counselors met with rising 9th graders on January 16th. Edison High School counselors will be meeting with rising 9th graders on February 4th. Also, field trip forms were handed out to rising 9th grade Edison students – please return your form to Mr. Victor Carias to ensure your child can attend. Over the upcoming weeks, Holmes counselors will meet individually with all students for academic advising and course selection. Rising 7th and 8th Grade: Counselors will begin academic advising classroom lessons through Science classes beginning February 1. After lessons, counselors will meet individually with all students for academic advising and course selection. Students are encouraged to select courses based on teacher feedback, progress in current courses, academic strengths, and personal interests (please see the attached Honors flyer). During this time, they will discuss the student’s course selections and answer any questions they may have. Your student’s course selection document will be coming home with your child during the month of February. You can also view the information about the courses they selected through a SIS ParentVue account. Parents, you can login to your Parent Vue account to VIEW course selections at any time, and all changes need to go through the school counselor. If you do not have a Parent Vue account, please contact Ms. Asma Hindi, @email or call 703-658-5940. The 2020-21 Course Descriptions and Guide can be viewed on the Holmes Middle School Student Services website: https://holmesms.fcps.edu/student-services/academic-advising This guide lists the required and elective offerings for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. It is very important to note the grade levels and pre-requisites that are indicated for each course. Each student must register for seven (7) classes: the required five (5) classes including Mathematics, English, Science, History, and Health & Physical education, and a choice of two (2) year-long elective classes, four (4) semester elective classes, OR a combination of one (1) year-long and two (2) semester elective classes. Electives offer opportunities for enrichment, specialization, and exploration. It is necessary to select all the electives in order of preference in case there is a conflict in scheduling. Please note that a support class for Math or Reading may be prioritized in a students’ schedule based on academic progress. In this case, a support class will take the place of an elective class. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s counselor with any questions about this process. We look forward to working with you!
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Middle School Honors Classes
Edison HS Orientation to Course Selection
Institute for the Arts
Do you have a child interested in the Arts? Don’t miss out on registering for Fairfax County’s Institute for the Arts starting on February 3rd! Classes are first come first serve!
Visit the FCPS IFTA website at: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-institute-arts-ifta
or follow IFTA on social media!
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Early Identification Program Nominations
The Early Identification Program (EIP) is a multi-year college preparatory program for students who will be the first in their family to complete a four-year college in the United States. EIP is a collaboration between Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and George Mason University (GMU). The EIP is one of four programs that comprise the College Success Program in FCPS. Students are nominated for the EIP prep program in 7th grade – please note, 7th grade is the only time students can apply for EIP.
*To request that your child be nominated, please contact Mr. Carias (contact information below) at Holmes MS by February 6, 2020. Please see flyer below for additional information.
VIP Summer Camp Registration Information
FCPS Needs Substitutes!
Click HERE for more information if you are interested.
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8th Grade Personal Yearbook Ads
Introducing... 8th Grade Personal Ads
The yearbook staff wants to offer you the opportunity to honor your eighth grader as they move up to
high school. Surprise your student with a personal ad in the yearbook. These special messages can
be from parents, grandparents, siblings or even pets. You may purchase more than one ad; however,
please submit a separate form for each ad. Each ad will be the size shown below. Ads cost $15 each and is due Friday, February 28, 2020.
Super Transition Saturday - February 22nd
On Saturday, February 22, 2020, Career and Transition Services (CTS), the FCPS Parent Resource Center, and several Fairfax County adult service providers will host “Super Transition Saturday” from 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM at Luther Jackson Middle School. This is a free event for parents/guardians and educators of students of all ages with IEPs. Breakout sessions will cover postsecondary education support, the importance of student self-determination beginning in the elementary years, employment support programs, future planning considerations, such as funding needed for services, and CTS support services that are available to students as they progress through the secondary years toward graduation and beyond. A highlight of the day is a parent/guardian and student panel representing a range of challenges and successes. Members of the panel will convey personal experiences and answer parent/guardian and student questions from their perspectives of having been through the transition process. This event is for ES, MS, and HS students, families, and school personnel.
Student Mental Health and Resiliency
Many students struggle with emotional and behavioral issues that can affect their learning and overall wellness. If you have any concerns about anxiety, peer relationship problems, depression, or other social and emotional issues your child may be experiencing, please contact your school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor. They are available for consultation and support.
Visit the Mental Health and Resiliency and Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies web pages to learn about mental health resources and fostering resiliency in your child.
Registration Starts February 3 for Select FCPS Summer Programs
Registration starts on Monday, February 3, for the following FCPS summer programs: CTE Summer Academy, Elementary Institute for the Arts, Institute for the Arts, Tech Adventure Camp, and CTE Summer Career Academy. Students should register for programs based on the grade they are in during the current 2019-20 school year.
Details including program dates, tuition, and registration information will be posted as they become available on the FCPS Summer Learning webpage.
Bring Your Own Bag to Whole Foods to Benefit the Foundation for FCPS
From now until June 30, the Foundation for FCPS, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, will benefit from Whole Foods’ Nickels for Non-Profits, a community giving program. Every time you bring your own shopping bag to the Fair Lakes, McLean, Springfield, Tysons Corner, and Vienna stores, Whole Foods will donate a nickel to the Foundation. The goal of the program is to reduce the use of new bags, while increasing funding for a local non-profit.
Learn more about the Foundation for FCPS.
Important Dates
- Tues., 2/4, 9:15 am - Edison HS counselors visit Holmes to meet with 8th graders who will attending Edison HS in 2020-21 school year
- Wed., 2/5, 9-10 am - Parent Coffee - Theme: Vaping, Alcohol, & Drugs
- Mon., 2/10, 9-10 am - Rising 6th Grade Parent Coffee
- Thurs., 2/13, 5-6 pm - Principal Meet & Greet at Weyanoke ES Family Market
- Fri., 2/14, 11-1:30 - 8th graders attending Edison HS take field trip to Edison
- Fri., 2/14, Lunches - Lunch Bunch w/ Mrs. Barnes!
- Wed., 2/19, 6 pm - NJHS New Member Induction Ceremony
- Thurs., 2/20, 6:30 pm - Holmes MS PTA Meeting
- Mon., 2/17 - NO SCHOOL - President's Day Holiday
2019-20 Family Engagement Events
Updated calendar coming soon.
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
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