Good afternoon, Holmes Families!

It is starting to feel like winter!!  Brrr...it's cold!  I hope that you all are enjoying the weekend...we have been enjoying lots of hot chocolate, hot tea, and hot apple cider to stay warm in the Barnes household.  

This week, in addition to regularly scheduled virtual classes, we have these events taking place:

• Monday, December 7th: Lunch Bunches!!  (Students should go to their grade-level Google Classroom at the appropriate time and click on the Google Meet link)
  • 11:00 am - 6th grade
  • 11:30 am - 7th grade
  • 12:00 pm - 8th grade 
• Monday, Dec. 7th, 1-3 pm: Library Curbside Pickup (more information below; masks required)
• Wednesday, Dec. 9th, 7-8 pm: PTA Meeting with Return to School information for parents - Join us to learn more about what returning to school will look like after winter break.  Zoom link will be sent later in the week.  
• Wednesday, Dec. 10th, Time TBD: If you participated in the fundraiser, the PTA was able to negotiate an earlier pickup date - December 10th!  We'll send an email out later in the week with specific times
• Wednesday, Dec. 10th, 6:00 pm: School Board Work Session with FCPS Return to School Update.  Watch HERE.

Mitigation Strategies

One question that we have been focused on quite a bit in these last few months is, "How do we mitigate the spread of coronavirus in schools?"  First and foremost, the #1 way to prevent the spread of coronavirus is to STAY AT HOME when sick and when you have been EXPOSED to someone with the coronavirus.  Even if the symptoms you are feeling just feel like what may be a cold, stay home from school and work and GET TESTED. For information about testing, see the flyer below, and go to this Fairfax County Government website. 

I know that it is frustrating to put everything on hold while you await test results for yourself or someone in your household.  As I type this letter, my husband awaits results after being tested due to symptoms he was having on Thursday.  As a family, we are cautious and committed to staying put in our home until we know the results are negative. I know that everyone's ability to stay socially distanced at home and take leave from work can vary greatly from person to person, but it is so important right now that we err on the side of caution.  It is what we must commit to in order to protect each other and keep each other safe.  

In addition to staying home when and getting tested when sick, there are 5 mitigation strategies that the CDC recommends schools focus on: 

1. Consistent & correct use of masks
2. Social distancing to the largest extent possible
3. Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
4. Cleaning & disinfection
5. Contact tracing in collaboration with the health department

For those families who have chosen in-person learning for their students, we ask that you focus on the practicing and emphasizing the first 3 - wearing a mask, social distancing, and handwashing - with your students as much as possible between now and the time we begin in-person learning.  We appreciate your support in this as we plan for implementing procedures and routines for these strategies when we have more students and staff in school.  

If you have ever have questions about what returning to school will look like, please feel free to reach out and let me know.  I am happy to answer questions for families, and we will continue to hold sessions in English and Spanish for parents/guardians. 

Here are today's newsletter topics:

Holmes Updates

• Student Services - Important Information
• 2020-21 Virtual Bell Schedule
• After School Program Schedule - December
• HMS Students Selected to Virtual District Chorus
• Library Curbside Pickup - 12/7/20
• Catchup Days
• Important Dates
• Reporting Student Absences
• How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

FCPS Updates

• Important Updates on Grab & Go Meals
• FCPS CARES Program
• FCPS Seeking Individuals to Serve as Substitute Teachers
• Special Education Parent Newsletter
• Back2Fairfax Virtual Event on December 15 for FCPS Graduates and Students Who Want to Teach in FCPS
• Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools' Project Cornucopia
• Video: Spanish-Language Town Hall

Thank you, and have a great week!

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

@email

HOLMES UPDATES

After School Program Schedule - December

Virtual after-school activities will be a blend of school clubs, community service, arts and crafts, leadership, recreation and sports, and other activities. 

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.

HMS Students Selected to Virtual District Chorus

We are pleased to announce the following students have been selected to participate in our virtual District Chorus with students from 12 other local middle schools in February.  Students prepared a virtual audition and were selected based on their hard work and talent.  We are very proud of them for choosing to take on extra work at this time and for their success!!

The Holmes students selected are:

Bass: Johnathan Kasahun, Stephen Mazon

Tenor: Nathaniel Dosen, Jack Farnsworth

Alto: Lina Abu-El-Hawa, Ainsley Bolin, Harper Chapman, Claire Delaney

Soprano: Isabella Melchior

Also, the following students will be participating in the first FCPS Virtual Choir presentation which will be premiered early in 2021.  Students prepared a song, attended virtual sectionals with students from other schools around the county, and submitted a video. 

Holmes will be represented by:

Sylvie Bankester, Jack Farnsworth, Esther Jung

Library Curbside Pickup - Monday, 12/7, 1-3 PM

Directions:

Must be signed in to FCPS Google Account to Access: 

Click HERE to ebooks on MackinVIA

Click HERE to Choose Library Books for Curbside Pickup

Catchup Days

In order to help manage student and teacher workload, anxiety, and stress, all middle schools and high schools will have catchup days this quarter.  Catchup days will be days that students will not receive new instruction but will sign into class as they normally would to get support from the teacher to complete assignments and review concepts that have already been taught.  Our catchup days at Holmes will be:

• Thursday, December 17th & Friday, December 18th
• Thursday, January 21st & Friday, January 22nd 

Important Dates

• Monday, December 7th - Library Curbside Checkout & Materials Pickup
• Wednesday, December 9th, 7 pm - Holmes MS PTA Meeting: Return to School information 
• Monday, December 21^st - Friday, January 1^st - NO SCHOOL/WINTER BREAK
• Tuesday, January 13^th - Start date (subject to change based on health metrics) for 6th graders receiving in-person instruction to come to building (2 days a week)
• Monday, January 18th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day / NO SCHOOL
• Wednesday, January 20th - Inauguration Day / NO SCHOOL
• Friday, January 22nd - Last day of 2nd quarter / 2-hour early release / No in-person instruction
• Monday, January 25th - Teacher Workday / STUDENT HOLIDAY
• Tuesday, January 26^th - Start date (subject to change based on health metrics) for 7th and 8th graders receiving in-person instruction to come to building (2 days a week)

Reporting Student Absences

Do I need to report my student's absence during the virtual classes?

• Yes, please call our attendance line at 703-658-5919 or submit an attendance form.

How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS

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

FCPS UPDATES

Important Updates on Grab and Go Meals

Fairfax County Public Schools is offering no-cost nutritious meals to ALL students through June 30, 2021. Meals are available at school sites and along bus routes.

As of November 9, grab and go bus delivery times and some bus stop locations have changed. The updated bus schedule is now available online. Bus delivery times were changed to accommodate the need for more buses to transport students returning to school buildings for in-person learning.

Breakfast and lunch meals are offered Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Breakfast and lunch are served at the same time. Breakfast and lunch are also offered at no-cost to any student who attends in-person instruction at a school Monday-Friday. Meals for Saturday and Sunday are offered at sites and on bus routes every Friday.

More information is available online, or by calling the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800

FCPS Cares Program

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.

Watch this video to learn more. 

FCPS Is Seeking Individuals to Serve as Substitute Teachers

Are you or somebody you know interested in substitute teaching with FCPS? Apply online or attend one of our Friday information sessions to learn more. To sign up for a session, visit the FCPS substitute teacher information page.

Special Education Parent Newsletter

The Department of Special Services (DSS) publishes a regular electronic newsletter for parents of special education students to provide updated DSS information, and tips and ideas to support you and your family during distance learning. The latest issue is available online. 

Virtual Workshop on December 9: Postsecondary Education Options for Students with Disabilities

Join FCPS Career and Transition Services for a parent workshop to learn about postsecondary concerns for students transitioning to college. The virtual session will be held Wednesday, December 9, from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is available online.

Back2Fairfax Virtual Event on December 15 for FCPS Graduates and Students Who Want to Teach in FCPS

Do you know an FCPS graduate or student who is interested in being a teacher in FCPS? FCPS graduates and current FCPS juniors or seniors are invited to join us for a virtual event on Tuesday, December 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. for the third annual Back2Fairfax Teacher Seminar. Learn how to navigate the hiring process, employee resources, and tips to being a successful educator.

Join us for an evening filled with networking opportunities, breakout sessions, and FCPS employment information. We invite current students and FCPS graduates to Say Yes to FCPS!

Registration for the event is available online. 

Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools' Project Cornucopia

The Foundation for FCPS is working to ensure that the neediest students in FCPS can enjoy a special meal for the holidays. Donations to Project Cornucopia will be used to purchase gift cards that can be redeemed for grocery items so that families can enjoy their favorite flavorful traditions–or create new ones. Donations can be made online. 

Video: Spanish-Language Town Hall

Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand hosted a Spanish-Language Town Hall on November 30 that included Cecilia Vanderhye, principal at Belvedere Elementary School, and Karim Daugherty, principal at Beech Tree Elementary School. They answered questions about returning to in-person instruction, safety measures, mental health, and other topics.