Calendar Reminder: Schools Closed November 27-29 for Thanksgiving Break

As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed November 27-29 for Thanksgiving break. Please note that like last year, Wednesday, November 27, is a holiday. Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. See the complete 2019-20 school year calendar. 

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!

Principal's Note

Good evening & Happy Sunday, Holmes Families!

Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for Outstanding Employees!  It is time to vote for a representative from Holmes in each category.  To vote, you can access the voting form here.  Voting is open through the end of the day Tuesday, November 26.

Since it is a short week this week, I will keep my note short as well.  Thank you all so much for the support that you provide to our staff and students.  Thank you for entrusting me and my staff with the responsibility of caring for and teaching your students every day.  It brings us great joy to be a part of your student's education!  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope you can enjoy the long weekend!

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

• FCPS CARES
• This Week's Schedule
• After-School Program
• Congratulations to Holmes MS Students Accepted into District Chorus!!
• Menstrual Equity Initiative
• Holmes MS Book Fair - 12/2 - 12/13
• HMS Theatre Presents: Annie, Jr.! - 12/5-12/7
• SCA Winter Dance - 12/18
• National Junior Honor Society “NJHS”
• 8th Grade Personal Yearbook Ads
• Important Dates
• 2019-20 Family Engagement Events
• 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

[email protected]

#SoarTogether

FCPS Cares

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: 11/25-11/29

This week: Mon., 11/25 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th) Tues.,11/26 = White Day (2nd, SOAR, ER 5, 4th, 6th) Wed., 11/27 = NO SCHOOL/Thanksgiving Break Thurs.,11/28 = NO SCHOOL/Thanksgiving Break Fri., 11/29 = NO SCHOOL/Thanksgiving Break  *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the school website HERE.

After-School Program - Week of 11/25

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.

Congratulations to Holmes MS Students Accepted into District Chorus!!

Chorus students auditioned to participate in the District X Honors Choir which happens in February.  Out of the 400 students from around the District who auditioned, the following Holmes students were chosen to participate.  Congratulations to the students below for being selected!

Sopranos:

• Ashley Cruz Rivera
• Cassandra Dosch
• Danielle Hoye
• Alivia Leavitt
• Isabella Melchior
• Madeline Vukich

Altos:

• Jourdan Covington
• Jordon Dixon
• Carla Reyes
• Nashara Rodas
• Allison Rodriguez
• Fekir Samson
• Naomi Thayer

Tenors:

• Bennett Leavitt
• Drew McKenna

Menstrual Equity Initiative

The Fairfax County School Board approved a menstrual equity initiative on September 12, 2019. This initiative provides for the provision of unobstructed access to feminine hygiene products to students, as it relates to equity and attendance. Our school was selected to pilot this program for SY 2019-2020. FCPS will be utilizing either plastic bins or wall-mounted dispensers which will be placed in an accessible location within selected girls’ restrooms. Sanitary pads will be distributed and replenished daily by custodial staff.

Holmes MS Book Fair - 12/2 - 12/13

Save the Date! The Holmes MS book fair will begin on December 2nd! Students will have a chance to visit during the school day with their English classes and the book fair will be open for most of the evening performances through December 13th. 

The book fair is a great opportunity to help support the library, every dollar spent helps the library earn funds to purchase more books. Support the library and knock out some of that holiday shopping!

All forms of payment are accepted. If you have questions or would like to volunteer please email Ms. Haywood. 

HMS Theatre Presents: Annie, Jr.! - 12/5-12/7

SCA Winter Dance - 12/18

We are excited for our SCA Winter Dance coming up in December!  This is another great opportunity for us to celebrate our students' positive behavior!  Students who have demonstrated good attendance and behavior in November and December will be eligible to purchase tickets for this dance.  

We are looking for chaperone volunteers for the dance.  If you would like to sign-up to volunteer please do so by clicking here.  If you have questions, please contact Mr. Cho or Ms. Aiello.

National Junior Honor Society “NJHS”

National Junior Honor Society “NJHS” is an organization of the world’s highest achieving middle level students... a distinction students have been proudly adding to their résumés since 1929. There is only one National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), and it provides an outstanding opportunity for students to grow with academically accomplished peers who are sharpening the habits needed for success in high school and beyond. Membership is determined based on scholarship, citizenship, character, leadership, and service.

Application is by invitation only. Holmes will receive a cumulative GPA report at the end of November. Students whose GPAs meet the minimum requirement, and who do not have a record of disciplinary infractions, will be invited to an information session during the school day on December 17, 2019.

The online application process for students includes:

• Cumulative GPA average over 3.5
• demonstrated leadership skills/activities
• 10+ verified community service hours (in x2Vol)
• a statement of intent/essay
• two teacher recommendations (one required from a core subject)

Students invited to attend the information session will receive an email invitation from the Principal letting them know. We will have a short presentation, and take a few minutes for Q&A. The timeline for applications will be discussed. We ask that students, not parents, complete the application.

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.

Important Dates

• Fri., 11/22, SOAR Time - Quarter 1 Honor Roll Celebration (Only Staff and Students Attend)
• Wed., 11/27 - Fri., 11/29 - Thanksgiving Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
• Mon., 12/2 - Fri., 12/13 - Holmes MS Book Fair
• Tues., 12/3, 7 pm - Winter Band Concert
• Wed., 12/4 - 9-10 am - Parent Coffee  - Theme: Student Mental Wellness and Resiliency
• Thurs., 12/5-Sat. 12/7, 7 pm - Holmes Theater Department presents Annie, Jr.!
• Thurs., 12/12, 7 pm - Winter Chorus Concert
• Tues., 12/17, 7 pm - Winter Orchestra Concert
• Wed., 12/18 - Afterschool - SCA Winter Dance
• Mon., 12/23 - Fri., 1/3 - Winter Vacation - NO SCHOOL

2019-20 Family Engagement Events

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