Principal's Note - Jan 12, 2019
Good evening, Holmes Families!
I hope that you enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend!
This month begins the academic advising process for all of our students to help them select their courses for the 2020-21 school year! Please plan to join us for our Curriculum Night this Thursday, January 16th (scroll down for flyers with more details), one of our most highly attended events of the school year, to learn more about how to help your child select their courses for next year. As a bit of a boost to support you, the focus of our parent coffee on January 15th (9 am) and our PTA meeting on January 16th (5:30 pm) will be about helping your student plan for the future. Course selection can be an important part of that planning.
For parents of 8th graders who will be attending Annandale High School next year, scroll down in the newsletter for detailed information about a parent night scheduled for Wednesday, 1/15/20, at 7:00 pm.
End of 2nd quarter
We have just 2 weeks of 2nd quarter remaining! As we did 1st quarter, students will have the opportunity to earn free time during our 2nd quarter Activity Period on Friday, January 24th. Students who exhibit positive behavior and consistently arrive to class on time will be permitted to participate.
Security Cameras
Last week, I sent an email to all parents detailing the plan and rationale for the installation of security cameras at Holmes Middle School. Please let me know your feedback about the plan through this survey, which will be open until the end of the day on Friday, January 24th. I will also be available to answer questions that parents have about the camera installation at the parent coffee on Wednesday, January 15th, at 9 am, and at the PTA meeting on Thursday, January 16th, at 5:30 pm. If you cannot attend either meeting, please feel free to contact me by email with any questions that you have.
Students also have access to a survey on each grade level Google Classroom site. I would encourage you to have a conversation with your student about the plan, and feel free to share the full letter that I sent to parents with your student as well.
In today's newsletter, scroll down for information about:
- Join the Holmes MS PTA!
- FCPS CARES
- This Week's Schedule
- After-School Program
- 8th Grade Parents Night at Annandale High School - 1/15/20
- Capital Coders Applications
- Free School and Sports Physicals and George Mason University Clinics
- FCPS Needs Substitutes!
- 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
#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: 1/13-1/17
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This week: Mon., 1/13 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th) Tues.,1/14 = White Day (2nd, SOAR, ER 2, 4th, 6th) Wed., 1/15 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th) Thurs., 1/16 = White Day (2nd, SOAR, ER 3, 4th, 6th) Fri., 1/17 = 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 1/13
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.
8th Grade Parents Night - Annandale High School - 1/15/20
Capital Coders Applications - Spring 2020
Capital One Coders Program is a special 10-week coding curriculum for middle school students. The Capital One Coders Middle School Initiative supports students as they learn how to develop apps for mobile devices using App Inventor blocks-based programming language. Led by Capital One volunteers, hundreds of young students gain exposure to software engineering principles and practices. 25 Holmes students will have the opportunity to get hands on experience learning software development, problem solving, and even develop their own app. If you are interested and committed to meet every Wednesday from 2:30-4:30 PM for the entire 10-week program (from February 13th through April 29th), Please sign into your fcpsschools.net email accounts and fill out the application linked below. The deadline for all submissions is 3 PM on Friday, January 17th. Students who have applied and were not accepted in the past are encouraged to reapply. Students who have participated in this program in the past will not be eligible to participate in the Spring session. |
Free School and Sports Physicals at George Mason University Clinics
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.
Important Dates
- Wed., 1/15, 9-10 am- Parent Coffee - Theme: Helping Students Plan for the Future (College & Careers)
- Wed., 1/15, 7 pm - 8th Grade Parents Night, Annandale High School
- Thurs., 1/16 (AM) - Annandale High School (AHS) counselors visit Holmes to meet with 8th graders who will attend AHS in 2020-21
- Thurs., 1/16, 5:30 pm - PTA Meeting (Topic: Planning for the Future with your Student)
- Thurs., 1/16, 6:30-8 pm - Curriculum Night (information to help rising 6th, 7th, & 8th grade parents support students with course selection for 2020-21 school year)
- Mon., 1/20 - NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday)
- Fri., 1/24 - Last day of 2nd quarter / 2nd Quarter Activity Period
- Mon., 1/27 & Tues., 1/28 - TEACHER WORKDAYS / STUDENT HOLIDAYS
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