Principal's Note - Jan 24, 2021
Good morning, Holmes Families!
I hope that you are enjoying your weekend and that you are staying WARM! It really is hard to believe that we have finished the first half of the school year! Much of the information in today's newsletter will be devoted to information about the start of the 2nd semester and choosing courses for the 2021-22 school year, including information for 8th graders going to Annandale, Edison, or who are interested in Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's new admission process this year. We have an important event this week for families with Holmes Curriculum Night on Wednesday, January 27th, an event which helps students and families to make course choices for the next school year. Please scroll through the newsletter for details.
Just a reminder that tomorrow - Monday, January 25th - is a Teacher Workday, so there will NOT be a SOAR Monday Minute for students and no teacher office hours.
Next Week: Start of 3rd Quarter
As we start second semester, students who have semester classes should have received new BBCU links in their FCPS school email starting 1/22. On Tuesday, January 26th, the schedule will be as follows:
- 3rd period (7:30-8:50)
- 1st period (9:05-10:25)
- Lunch (10:25-11:20)
- 5th period ( 11:20-12:40)
- 7th period (12:55-2:15).
During 3rd period SOAR (7:30-8:50), students will be prompted to review Student Vue to view their schedules and organize their links. It is extremely important that students attend this class to receive their links so that they are prepared to begin their second semester classes. Schedule changes will not be honored at this time. If there is an error with your students’ schedule or you have specific questions/concerns, please contact your student's counselor:
Last names A-C - Mariam Amarir - @email
Last names D-K Bessie Fealey - @email
Last names L-P Kelly Murphy - @email
Last names Q-Z Erika Davis- @email
Director of Student Services - Serena Giron - @email
WIDA Testing in February
If your student is identified as a level 1-4 English Learner, we will be reaching out to you very soon with information about when they will be scheduled to come to the school for their annual WIDA test. FCPS transportation will be provided to students in addition to breakfast and lunch. Students will come during one designated week on either Tuesday and Thursday or Wednesday and Friday. Here are the dates to keep in mind:
- February 2nd-5th: 8th graders
- February 9th-12th: 7th graders
- February 16th-19th: 6th graders
- February 23rd-26th: Makeup dates
Stay tuned for more information!
Revised Return to School Plan
Based on the updated timeline for returning students to school in-person presented to the School Board last Thursday, these are the new dates we are planning for:
- Tuesday, February 16th - Return students in Cat B program (Tuesday-Friday)
- Tuesday, February 23rd - Small group of students with disabilities identified back in November return to school (those families were notified and will be contacted)
- Tuesday, March 2nd - In-person 8th graders return to school
- Tuesday, March 9th - In-person 6th & 7th graders return to school
- Last names A-K - Tuesdays & Wednesdays
- Last names L-Z - Thursdays & Fridays
We still plan to do a welcome orientation for 6th grade students on the first day of their return, and families will have the option to bring their students to visit the school building before March 9th.
The Superintendent will present the detailed plan to the School Board on Tuesday, February 2nd. If those plans are approved, then we will follow up with more school-specific details and schedule town halls for families to ask questions. Much more to come!
Counseling Support for Students
Due to the recent upsetting news we shared with families via email on Thursday, if your child would like extra time to process by speaking with another trusted adult, please have them join this Google Meet Link on Monday 7:30AM – 2:45PM to speak with a counselor or clinician. Once a student joins, they will be moved to a private breakout room with a counselor or clinician for privacy.
If you would like to reach out directly to your child’s counselor or clinician, please see their contact information below.
Last names A-C - Mariam Amarir - @email
Last names D-K Bessie Fealey - @email
Last names L-P Kelly Murphy - @email
Last names Q-Z Erika Davis- @email
Psychologist – Diane Woolheater - @email
Social Worker – Jeanmarie O’Sullivan – @email
Director of Student Services - Serena Giron - @email
Here are today's newsletter topics:
Holmes Updates
- Student Services - Important Information
- Academic Advising for the 2021-22 School Year
- Holmes MS Virtual Curriculum Night
- TJ Admissions for the Class of 2025
- PTSA Diversity Committee of TJHSST Holding Second Diversity in STEM Talk
- Global Stem Challenges at Edison High School
- FCPS Choral Concert Collaboration Set for January 27
- After School Program Schedule - January & February
- Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions
- PTA Restaurant Spirit Night - Loopy's Jan. 25
- Important Dates
- Reporting Student Absences
- How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS
FCPS Updates
- New Employment Opportunity in FCPS: Classroom Monitors
- FCPS Seeking Individuals to Serve as Substitute Teachers
- FCPS CARES Program
- Healthy Minds
- Heads Up & Talk It Out
- CTE Summer Academy
- West Potomac Academy Virtual Open House
- Edison Academy Open House
Thank you, and have a great week!
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes
Proud Principal, Holmes MS
HOLMES UPDATES
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Academic Advising for the 2021-22 School Year
Rising 7th/8th Graders - Transition Events for 2021
- Virtual Curriculum Night January 27th (6:30-8:00PM)- We will host a synchronous (live) presentation in English and Spanish separately on January 27th from 6:30PM-6:45PM with the Administrators and School Counselors. Curriculum information and materials will be posted on our Holmes website for our students and families to review asynchronously (on your own) for the remainder of the night. You will be able to ask questions during that time on the links below.
- English link – https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/569df4ac298641df9ceebbf6273cb08c
- Spanish link - https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/19b925a90df84e1cb9ccbbe65b30130
- Virtual Parent Coffee – Follow Up to Curriculum Night (9:00-10:00AM) - We will host a synchronous (live) informal session for you to join student services and ask any follow up questions you may have on curriculum night.
- Online Course Catalog - The online course catalog is available on the school website
- SOAR Academic Advising Lessons February 2nd (9:05-10:25AM)
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- 6th and 7th grade students will participate in pre-recorded classroom lesson provided during SOAR period
- Academic Advising and Course Selection February
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- Holmes counselors will provide academic advising through PE and SOAR on course selections. Students are encouraged to select courses based on teacher feedback, progress in current courses, academic strengths, and personal interests. Holmes counselors are available for individual academic advising to discuss the student’s course selections and answer any questions they may have.
- February 26 – Deadline for all students submitting course requests.
- Deadline for all courses in SIS StudentVUE March 5th
- Draft course requests in SIS ParentVUE/Student VUE
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- Please note that draft course requests will be available in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE by March 12th
Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s counselor with any questions about this process. We look forward to working with you!
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Last Name |
Counselor |
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Phone |
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A-C |
Mariam Amarir |
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D-K |
Bessie Fealey |
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L-P |
Kelly Murphy |
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Q-Z |
Erika Davis |
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Director of Student Services, Serena Giron, @email 703-658-5944 |
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Rising 9th Graders - Transition Events for 2021
- Annandale High School Curriculum Night January 14th (7:00-8:30PM)
- The recording of curriculum night will be posted here - https://annandalehs.fcps.edu/student-services/academic-advising-course-selection-tools/course-selection-tools-rising-freshmen
- Optional Office Hours Meet and Greet with AHS Counselors February 1st (time TBD)
- 8th grade students will attend optional office hours with high school counselors via google meet links
- Edison High School Curriculum Night February 24, more details to come soon!
- Edison High School Virtual Electives Fair: https://sites.google.com/fcpsschools.net/edison-vef/home
- SOAR Academic Advising Lessons February 2nd (9:05- 10:25AM)
- 8th grade students will participate in pre-recorded classroom lesson provided by Annandale High School and Edison High School during SOAR period
- Academic Advising and Course Selection February
- Holmes counselors will provide academic advising through PE and SOAR on course selections. Students are encouraged to select courses based on teacher feedback, progress in current courses, academic strengths, and personal interests. Holmes counselors are available for individual academic advising to discuss the student’s course selections and answer any questions they may have.
- Deadline for all courses in SIS StudentVUE March 5th
- Draft course requests in SIS ParentVUE/Student VUE
- Please note that draft course requests will be available in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE by March 12th
Holmes MS Virtual Curriculum Night
TJ Admissions for the Class of 2025
Eighth graders, if you are interested in applying to TJ, the TJ Admissions website can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-admissions. Click at the bottom of the page on "Freshman Application Process" and you will find information about eligibility and the revised admissions process. Applications may be submitted between February 1 - February 26. The TJHSST website is here: https://tjhsst.fcps.edu/.
PTSA Diversity Committee of TJHSST Holding Second Diversity in STEM Talk
The PTSA Diversity Committee of the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will hold its second Diversity in STEM Talk in February! This series is especially for elementary and middle school students in grades 4-8.
Join us Monday, February 8, at 6 p.m. to hear from Anthony Nunez, CEO INF Robotics Inc. and Carla Rodriguez, Head of Operations INF Robotics Inc. Mr. Nunez graduated from George Mason University with a degree in Applied Information Technology and from Worchester Polytechnic University with a masters degree in Systems Engineering. Mr. Nunez is a published author in robotics, holds two robotics patents and has over a decade of experience building all forms of land, air and water robots in addition to working for DARPA Autonomous Vehicles programs, where he worked on the early versions of autonomous cars. Mr. Nunez has successfully lobbied Congress as part of the National Robotics Week Advisory Council to have the second week in April recognized for robotics and STEM education importance in the U.S. Ms. Rodriguez has worked as Vice President of Infamous Robotics where she grew the company's curriculum offerings and expanded on key partnerships with the Smithsonian, the U.S. State Department and others. Ms. Rodriguez is a key architect of the Robotics Inventor curriculum and has experience building everything from snake robots to autonomous robots for healthcare. She has been a key mentor for children building their first robot for years, helping them get over roadblocks and build confidence around themselves and STEM. Through their current work at INF Robotics Inc., dba INF Care, Mr. Nunez and Ms. Rodriguez are bringing robotics and assistive technologies to older adults to improve their health and aging in place experience. Some questions we'll explore are:
- What sparked their interest in STEM?
- What is happening in the field of robotics?
- How are robotics and technology used in health care?
Parents, register at this Zoom link: http://bit.ly/TJStemTalk2
Submit questions in advance here: https://bit.ly/tjdiversitytalks
Global STEM Challenges Program at Edison High School
A limited number of full-time enrollment spaces are available for the 2021-22 school year for rising ninth grade FCPS students who will have completed Algebra I by the start of ninth grade and whose base school is not Edison HS. The Global STEM Transfer Request Form is available on the school website.
Students enrolled in the Global STEM Challenges Program take their honors and/or International Baccalaureate (IB) level mathematics, science, and engineering courses as an integrated class for three periods every other day. In a three-year time span, students complete the content requirements of Biology, Chemistry, IB Physics I, Geometry, Algebra II, IB Math Analysis I, and three years of engineering. Students also have the opportunity to earn a tenth credit in Computer Science, which is embedded throughout the program.
Interested grade 8 students and families are encouraged to attend the information session on January 27, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. This session will be held virtually and the access information will be available through a News You Choose message.
New Thomas Jefferson HS Diversity Talk Series
After School Program Schedule - January & February
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.
FCPS Choral Concert Collaboration Set for January 27
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) choral teachers have put together a virtual choral concert and presentation involving 350 middle and high school students from 37 secondary schools. The concert and presentation of student work will air at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27 on the following channels: cable channels (available via cable providers Cox, Verizon, and Comcast): Red Apple 21 and Channel 25, and streaming online at Red Apple 21 and Channel 25.
Please join us in congratulating the following Holmes students for participating:
- Sylvie Bankester
- Jack Farnsworth
- Esther Jung
Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions
PTA Restaurant Spirit Night - Loopy's Jan. 25
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Important Dates
- Monday, January 25th - Teacher Workday / STUDENT HOLIDAY
- Monday, January 25th - PTA Restaurant Spirit Night - Loopy's
- Wednesday, January 27th, 6:30-8 pm - Hybrid Curriculum Night for 2021-22 School Year Course Selection
- Thursday, January 28th, 9-10 am - Question & Answer session for parents for 2021-21 School Year Course Selection
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
New Employment Opportunity in Fairfax County Public Schools: Classroom Monitors
FCPS schools and centers are hiring classroom monitors to provide in-person classroom assistance for students when some staff members continue to work virtually. If you would like more information about the position, review the job description online and apply if interested. Please share information about this opportunity with anyone else you think may be interested.
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.
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.
Healthy Minds
Heads Up & Talk It Out
CTE Summer Academy
West Potomac Academy Virtual Open House
Edison Academy Virtual Open House
