Principal's Note - May 13, 2019
Good afternoon, Holmes Families!
I hope that all of our mothers, stepmothers, godmothers, etc. had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday! My apologies for the delayed delivery of the weekly update this week as I was thoroughly enjoying Mother's Day with my little one yesterday!
SOL Testing Continue This Week!
We successfully completed 4 sessions of SOLS last week: Science 8, and Reading for all three grade levels. This week, the work continues. Today is another 7-period day (our last one) to ensure that all teachers have the opportunity to see their students prior to their Math SOLs this week. (Scroll all the way down for the full schedule, and note the schedule changes that will take place throughout the week.) The first periods of each day this Tuesday through Thursday will be 3-hour blocks to minimize interruption to the testing. Friday, 5/17, will be a normal White Day.
Students who score between 375-399 on an SOL have the opportunity to do "Expedited Retakes". Science and English teachers are in the process of sending home letters and calling parents for permission for students to take retakes on those exams after reviewing and remediating with them. Retakes will take place the weeks of 5/20 and 5/27.
Students Celebrating Ramadan: May 5 thru June 4
In observance of Ramadan, students who are fasting have an alternative location to go to during lunch if they would rather not be in the cafeteria. Our Health & PE teachers also have plans in place to provide alternative activities for students to limit physical activity. Thank you to those parents who have already reached out to let us know if you would like your child to receive specific accommodations. Please continue to reach out to your grade-level administrator let us know your questions or concerns:
- 6th Grade: Joyce Cooper, @email
- 7th Grade: Chris Kamar, [email protected]
- 8th Grade: Rose Moore, @email
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Teacher Appreciation Week
Many thanks to our AWESOME PTA for the delicious breakfast and lunch last week and for all of the thanks and appreciation from students and parents throughout the week!
8th Grade Celebration - Friday, June 7th!
We are so excited to help our 8th graders celebrate their transition from middle school to high school! Each year, we get donations from parents to fund the event so that it can be FREE for our students to attend. Our parents also work together to plan a fun evening with music, decorations, and fun activities for students to celebrate their accomplishments in middle school. If you are interested in helping to plan the event or volunteer, please continue to email Rose Moore, the 8th grade Assistant Principal. More details coming soon!
PTA Meeting - Wednesday, May 15th, 6:30 pm
We hope to see you on Wednesday evening for our last PTA meeting of the year! Come meet our new After School Specialist, Ms. Taylor, come vote for the 2019-20 PTA Board, and come help us to reflect on this year and share your ideas for the upcoming school year
In today's newsletter, scroll down for information about:
- FCPS CARES
- This Week's Schedule (Note schedule changes due to SOL testing!)
- This Week's After School Program Schedule
- Voices of Now Performance at Arena Stage
- 8th Grade Student Laptop Collection - Begins Tuesday, 5/28!!!
- Annandale Atoms Girls Volleyball Clinics - June 17-21
- 2019-20 Course Requests Available in ParentVue
- Important Dates (including SOL testing schedule)
- How to Stay in Touch
- May/June SOL Testing Schedule
Thanks, everyone, and have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes
Proud Principal, Holmes MS
#HolmesHawksSoar
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: 5/6 - 5/10
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This week: Mon., 5/13 = 7-Period Day Tues., 5/14 = Blue Day (7th, 3rd, 1st, No 5th) Wed., 5/15 = White Day (6th, 4th, 2nd, No ER) Thurs., 5/16 = Blue Day (5th, 1st, 3rd, No 7th) Fri., 5/17 = White Day (2nd, ER 7 & 8, 4th, 6th) *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the website HERE. |
After School Program - Week of 5/13
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.
Voices of Now Performance at Arena Stage
You are cordially invited to attend our Holmes World Ensemble’s Voices of Now performance at Arena Stage in Washington DC on Thursday, May 16th, at 7:30 pm. Tickets can be obtained HERE, and are FREE!! It is an incredible experience to see our students perform their original work in a professional setting for an authentic audience! We hope you can join us!
Annandale Atoms Girls Volleyball Clinics - June 17-21
8th Grade Student Laptop Collection
2019-20 Course Requests Available in ParentVue
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2019-20 Course Requests are currently available in ParentVue. If you have any difficulty reviewing on the app, we encourage you to log in via a web browser. In the navigation bar click on “course requests.” Please review the course selections and notify your student’s school counselor in writing of any errors or changes that you wish to make. Rising 6th – Ms. Megan Neforos - [email protected] Rising 7th – Ms. Jolana Roberts - [email protected] Rising 8th – Ms. Kelly Murphy - [email protected] ESOL Level 1-4 – Ms. Yolma Torres - [email protected] |
Important Dates
- 5/6-5/10 - Teacher Appreciation Week
- Tues., 5/14, 7:00 pm - Chorus & Orchestra Concert, Annandale HS
- Wed., 5/15, 6:30 pm - PTA Meeting
- Thur., 5/16, 7:30 pm - Voices of Now Performance, Arena Stage (Washington DC)
- Tue., 5/21 - Holocaust Museum Field Trip
- Fri., 5/24 - Intermediate Music Field Trip
- Mon., 5/27, Memorial Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
- Wed., 5/29, 7:00 pm - Band Concert
- Tues., 6/4, 7:00 pm - Music Department Recital
- Tue., 6/11, 8:00 am - 8th Grade Awards Ceremony
- Tue., 6/11, 9:15 am - 7th Grade Awards Ceremony
- Tue., 6/11, 1:00 pm - 6th Grade Awards Ceremony
- Wed., 6/12 - SCA Activity Day
- Thu., 6/13 - Last Day of School (Students released early)
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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May / June SOL Testing Schedule
Interested in learning more about the SOL exams your child will take? Here are links from the Virginia Department of Education for: