Principal's Note - May 20, 2018
Dear Holmes Families:
Good afternoon! Isn't it wonderful to finally see some sunshine today?
Every week is a great week at Holmes Middle School, but last week was particularly special! 15 students performed at Arena Stage on Thursday for the Voices of Now Festival! They performed a devised play called "Crash Course" based on autobiographical information that they learned about each other throughout the year as they worked with professional actors from Arena Stage. It was incredibly moving and an amazing opportunity for our Holmes actors.
In addition, our Capital One Coders had a great evening showing off their apps at the Capital One Building in McLean Thursday night! In addition, Capital One awarded Holmes and other schools present with a $10,000 grant to promote technology integration in our school! Thank you, Capital One!!
Parent Information Night
In light of the recent national news and other difficult situations that are students are faced with, we invite you to join us on Thursday night for the event below to learn more about how we can keep our students safe throughout the school year and summer.
Paving on Montrose until May 25th
There will be paving on Montrose Street until May 25th. As a result, please build extra time in your morning plans to ensure your student arrives to school on time. In addition, please look at the posted signs because you will be towed if you are parked in the way.
SOL Testing
We're about halfway through SOLs! Our SOL schedule is below in this posting. Civics, Math 7, & Math 8 remain. We are excited about our students' successes as we see scores come in. All students will receive their unofficial scores from their teachers at the end of May/beginning of June. All students scoring between 375-399 are eligible to retake the SOL the week of June 4th. Teachers will provide opportunities for students to practice and review the content in order to have a successful 2nd attempt.
Applications for AVID Program
Applications for the AVID Program at Holmes will be accepted through Wednesday, May 23rd. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a research-based, national program whose mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. Students accepted into the AVID program will take a year-long elective class that will help them improve their organization and study skills in order to be successful in rigorous classes and that will expose them to a variety of colleges and careers. It is not a remedial program. All rising 7th and rising 8th grade (current 6th and 7th grade) students are welcome to apply. Applications are available in the Student Services office. For more information, please feel free to contact Jay Bradley, AVID Coordinator, or Megan Neforos, AVID Counselor, with any questions.
Last Day for After School Clubs and Late Buses
Please note that the last day for After School clubs will be Friday, May 25th. Late buses will still be available on Mondays, Wednesday, and Thursdays for students who need to stay after with teachers for academic help, or who go to Homework or Hawk Clubs. Hawk Club will continue to be available through Friday, June 8th. The last day for late buses will be Thursday, June 7th. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Cabezas.
SCA Activity Day - Seeking Chaperones
As our school year comes to a close, SCA, Grade Level Leaders, and all of Holmes Faculty are planning another “End of the Year: Activity Day”. Last year was successful due to the amazing collaboration between PTA, parent/guardian volunteers, and staff. We are looking to do this Round 2 bigger, better, and kick it up notch! SCA would like to for volunteers to join in celebrating the hard work and successes of our students.
Overall Event Detail
- SCA – EOY Activity Day (consists of 3 parts): Morning Movie, Event Rotations, Faculty vs. Student Basketball game
- Morning Movie (7:30am – 9:55am): Currently, we are planning on showing the inspiring and heartwarming movie, Wonder
- Station Rotation (10:00am – 12:35pm): Holmes Middle School and the student body will be divided up into 4 Stations. Each Station will have a variety of activities for students to choose from: Arts & Crafts, Wii Sports, Relay Games, Board Games, Outside Activities, and more.
- Home Base 1: Movie in Lecture Hall
- Home Base 2: Music and Games in Gymnasium
- Faculty vs. Student Basketball Game (12:40pm – 1:20pm / 1:25pm – 2:05pm): We will have 2 rotations of the Faculty vs. Student Basketball Game. During the game, we will have a special performance from our students.
As logistics for SCA – EOY Activity Day become finalized, the following with complete detail will be provided: Overall Day Schedule, Itinerary, Rotation Details, Station Diagram.
As we have all of Holmes Staff assisting in this event, we are seeking out Parent/Guardian volunteers that would like to chaperone, contribute, and participate in this grand celebration. We do not expect parents to stay all day, but if we could get about 20+ volunteers throughout the day, that would be amazing. Also, if parents/guardians would like to host an activity of their own, please have them contact me ( @email ) to see if we can coordinate something and to ensure that it works out logistically.
Student development does not begin and end throughout the school day. Rather, learning continues from experiences and through the support of our community. Thank you for your constant contributions to the success of Holmes students.
Fundraiser for 8th Grade EOY Activity
Ms.Hoatling, parent of one of our 8th grade students, will be presenting at a Jamberry Party. Jamberry is Nail care company with nails wraps, lacquers, gels and hand care products offering you "Signature Style at your Fingertips”. She will be donating her commission along with other contributions to assist with the cost of the 8th grade EOY activity. Click on the link below for details and to register for the party.
https://jammintoria.jamberry.com/us/en/shop/party/home/89cc7e21-6566-4608-8561-f3f809ffe730
BOGO Book Fair
Coming June 4th-8th. The BOGO Bookfair! Stock up for summer reading fun. Early shopping and volunteer sign-up available now at http://www.scholastic.com/bf/hmsreads
More in our newsletter this week:
- May/June SOL Schedule
- Next Week's Schedule of Classes
- Next Week's After School Program Schedule
- FCPS Career Switcher Information Session – May 22, 2018
- Register your student for FCPS VIP Summer Camp!!
- FCPS, Northern Virginia Community College Offer Summer STEM Camps
- FCPS and Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (DNCS) have teamed up to offer a 5 week camp for rising 7th and 8th graders
- Annandale High School Summer Sports Camps
- TJ Prep Camp Summer 2018
- Teens in Action Camp
- How To Stay In Touch
Thank you, and have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes, Principal
May/June SOL Schedule
Interested in learning more about the SOL exams your child will take? Here are links from the Virginia Department of Education for:
- Civics (8th grade only)
- English (all grades)
- Math (all grades)
- Science (8th grade only, but covers content from 6th-8th grades)
Next Week's Schedule of Classes: 5/21-5/25
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This week: Mon., 5/21= White Day w/ ER 7 & 8 (ER 8 Lesson: Digital Citizenship School Motto Contest) Tues., 5/22=Blue Day Wed., 5/23 = White Day w/ ER 1 & 2 Thurs., 5/24 = Blue Day Fri., 5/25 = White Day w/ ER 3 & 4 *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the website HERE. |
After School Program (ASP) - Week of 5/21
Please note that the last day for clubs in After School will be Friday, May 25th.
For any questions you have about the After School Program, please contact German Cabezas at [email protected].
FCPS Career Switcher Information Session – May 22, 2018
The Office of Talent Acquisition & Management (TAM) will host a Career Switcher Information Session at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. This event will give military veterans, community members and anyone interested an opportunity to learn how to become a licensed Virginia teacher.
The information session will begin with presentations from the four approved Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) career switcher programs, Educate Virginia, Old Dominion University, Regent University and Shenandoah University. Troops to Teachers will also present their program offerings to our military veteran attendees. A question and answer session will be held with a panel of FCPS educators, followed by an opportunity to network with the five presenters, the FCPS licensure team and the substitute office.
We would like you to share this event information with your school community, parents, FCPS employees and anyone in your network seeking information on becoming a licensed Virginia teacher.
Event Information
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Willow Oaks Administrative Center
Building 8270 / Room 1000 A&B
FCPS, Northern Virginia Community College Offer Summer STEM Camps
Fairfax County Public Schools is partnering with Northern Virginia Community College to offer more than a dozen one-week STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) summer camps during the summer break.
Open to students currently enrolled in grades 3-12, these one-week camps emphasize hands-on learning, teamwork, critical thinking, and career awareness in a fun and engaging way. Topics include robotics, coding, forensics, cybersecurity, app design, aviation, and pre-health.
Camps will run June 18 through August 3 at the following locations: Edison High School, Marshall High School, Westfield High School, and Hughes Middle School. Discounts are available to parents who sign up their child for multiple camps or sign up multiple children.
Additional information and registration is available online or by contacting STEM Outreach Coordinator Charles Britt at @email or 703-425-5917.
FCPS and Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (DNCS) have teamed up to offer a 5 week camp for rising 7th and 8th graders
What is your middle school child doing this summer?
Like you, we believe your child is a Very Important Person and deserves a summer experience that is safe and full of fitness, friends, fun and enrichment. FCPS and Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (DNCS) have teamed up to offer a 5 week camp for rising 7th and 8th graders.
Our camp will be a combination of students from the following middle schools: Glasgow, Holmes, Jackson, Kilmer, Poe, and Thoreau. Bus transportation will be provided from various pick-up locations which will be communicated in June prior to the start of camp.
There is a $50 registration fee. We will take weekly field trips and pricing information for that will be released after we have notified students of acceptance. Students who do not attend the field trips will not need to pay the field trip fees, but will need to stay home from camp that day as all of our staff will attend the trip. Students will also have the option of choosing which trips to attend.
The staff is led by your local After-School Specialists and trained DNCS staff. Campers will have a great time playing sports, games, doing arts and crafts and exploring concepts in science and technology.
Details
Dates: July 2, 2018 - August 2, 2018 (campers are encouraged to attend all 5 weeks)
Times: 8:00am-4:00pm
Location: Thoreau Middle School
Registration: Begins on Monday, March 19th, and will close on Friday, April 20th. You can expect to receive notice of acceptance or waitlist status soon after registration closes in late April. Registration fee payment information will be communicated at that time. Sign up by picking up a registration packet from Thoreau's main office or visiting this link: https://goo.gl/forms/lEikoWujZQ06I5eh2
Cost: $50 registration fee plus field trip fees (admission plus transportation cost)
With limited spaces available, it’s important to submit your registration as soon as possible.
Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell at @email or 703-846-8089.
Annandale High School Summer Sports Camps
Teens in Action Camp
When Fairfax County Public Schools are closed for the spring, summer and winter breaks, RECQuest offers an engaging, healthy and affordable recreation program for children to learn, play and serve. Activities include team sports, games, arts and crafts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programming, service projects, cultural field trips and much more! Free nutritious lunches and snacks are served.
Teens in Action Dates & Registration
- Spring 2018: Check back for 2019 dates
- Summer 2018 (English, Spanish)- Registration Opens April 1: June 18 - August 24 (July 4 is a county holiday - no programs)
- Winter 2018: TBD
Teens in Action Eligibility, Fees & Scholarship Opportunities
- Teens In Action is for youth ages 12 to 18 living in Fairfax County.
- Admission to Teens In Action is free. Some activities and field trips will require a fee in order to participate. Please contact your Teens In Action location for details.
- Financial assistance is available - eligibility requirements apply. Please contact your Teens In Action location for details.
Teens in Action Locations
James Lee Community Center
2855-A Annandale Road, Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: 703-534-3387, TTY 711
Mott Community Center
12111 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-278-8605, TTY 711
Providence Community Center
3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: 703-865-0520, TTY 711
Reston Teen Center
12196 Sunset HIlls Road, Reston, VA 20190
Phone: 703-326-7040, TTY 711
South County Teen Center
8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309
703-704-6234, TTY 711
Important Dates
- Tuesday, 5/22, 7:00 PM - Chorus & Orchestra Spring Concert (Annandale HS)
- Thursday, 5/24, 6:30 PM - Parent Information Night - Topic: Alcohol, Drugs & Vaping: What Parents Need to Know
- Friday, 5/25 - Music Department trip to Six Flags America
- Friday, 5/25 - Last Day for clubs in the After School Program
- Monday, 5/28 - Memorial Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
- Wednesday, 5/30 - Little Feet Meet for Special Olympics at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
- Wednesday, 5/30, 7:00 PM Band Concert (Gym)
- Thursday, 5/31, 7:00 PM - Advanced Theatre Showcase (Cafeteria)
- Monday, 6/4 - 6/8 - Scholastic Book Fair (Library)
- Tuesday, 6/5, 7:00 PM - Music Recital (Gym)
- Thursday, 6/7 - Last Day for Late Buses
- Friday, 6/8, 7:00-9:00 PM - 8th Grade Celebration (Cafeteria)
- Monday, 6/11, 8:00 AM - 6th Grade Awards Ceremony (Gym)
- Monday, 6/11, 6:30 PM - PTA Meeting
- Tuesday, 6/12, 8:00 AM - 7th Grade Awards Ceremony (Gym)
- Wednesday, 6/13, 8:00 AM - 8th Grade Awards Ceremony (Gym)
- Thursday, 6/14 - SCA Schoolwide Activity Day
- Friday, 6/15 - Last Day of School / 2-hour early release
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
