Principal's Note - March 21, 2021
Good morning, Holmes Families!
I hope that you have enjoyed the beautiful weekend! It was another great week at Holmes, in-person and online! We are so proud of our students and staff for working so hard through this challenging year. Please reach out to us to let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
This week is the last week of the 3rd quarter! Even with a rolling gradebook, students should be checking in with teachers to see what may need to be turned in by the end of the week.
Please note that Friday, March 26th is a 2-hour Early Release Day. The bell schedule is below.
Spring Break is March 29th through April 5th. There will be NO Monday Minute on Monday, April 5th. School will resume in-person and online on Tuesday, April 6th.
NOTE: My next News You Choose update to Holmes families will be on Monday, April 5th.
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Here are today's newsletter topics:
Holmes Updates
- Student Services - Important Information
- Application Period for NJHS has Closed
- Laptop Care for Students
- Important Dates
- Reporting Student Absences
- How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS
FCPS Updates
- Employment Opportunity in FCPS: Classroom Monitors
- FCPS Seeking Individuals to Serve as Substitute Teachers
- COVID-19 Vaccines & the Vaccination Process in Fairfax County: A Webinar for Families
- Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)
- Diversity in STEM Talks!
- FCPS CARES Program
- Special Education Conference 2021
Thank you, and have a great week!
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes
Proud Principal, Holmes MS
After School Program Schedule - March
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 Mrs. Parker, our After School Program Specialist.
When leaving Kiss-n-Ride, we ask that all vehicles exit the parking lot by making a right turn. All of the communities that we serve may be accessed by following the directions on the map.
Follow the YELLOW line to access Little River Turnpike and points east of the school.
Follow GREEN to access Edsall Road and Bren Mar Park areas.
Follow RED to access Braddock Road.
Reminder:
As a safety consideration, DO NOT pick up and drop off your children on Montrose Street. This is a narrow road and stopping on it causes a road blockage. It also creates a very hazardous situation for your child as they are then crossing roads where others are not expecting children to be. The safest situation is to have your child ride the bus.
HOLMES UPDATES
Application Period for NJHS has Closed
The application period for NJHS was completed last week. Students who submitted an application by the March 12 deadline will be notified of the outcome the week of March 22. We are looking forward to a virtual Induction Ceremony!
Laptop Care for Students
It is important that all students (including students taking classes virtually) to connect their laptops to the FCPS network on a regular basis. If your student is taking classes virtually, please find time in the next couple of weeks to come to the school parking lot (the administrators' parking spaces or pulling up at door 2 gives you the best access to the network), and have your student complete the steps below.
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Clearing the Cache
It it also important for students to regularly clear the cache in Google Chrome. Students should follow these steps:
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, in three vertical dots, Click More tools.
- Select Clear browsing data. For the time range, select All time.
- Next to "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files," check the boxes.
- Click Clear data.
Important Dates
- Friday, March 26th - 2-hour early release (schedule above)
- March 29th-April 2nd - SPRING BREAK
- Monday, April 5th - Teacher Workday / NO SOAR Monday Minute
- Tuesday, April 20 - Friday, April 23 - SCA Spirit Week
- Tuesday: Pajama Day
- Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday – Crazy hair, crazy socks, crazy outfit, or just be crazy!!
- Thursday: Jersey Day – Rep your favorite team, club, sport, flag, country!!
- Friday: Class Color Day
- 6th Grade: Red
- 7th Grade: Blue
- 8th Grade: Black
Reporting Student Absences
How do I report my student's absence for virtual or in-person classes?
- 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
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.
COVID-19 Vaccines & the Vaccination Process in Fairfax County: A Webinar for Families
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)
The Diversity Committee of the TJHSST Presents: Diversity in STEM Talks!
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.
Special Education Conference 2021
The FCPS 16th Annual Special Education Conference will be held virtually on Saturday, April 17, 2021. The conference will include a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions supporting our conference's theme: Inclusion: The time for inclusion is now.
Registration starts March 2021
Starting in March, parents and community members will be able to register online or by phone. In addition, FCPS educators, administrators, and preservice teachers will be able to register online and earn recertification points for attending the conference.
Conference Highlights
- A Student Strands for youth ages 14-22
- An Exhibit Hall
- Inclusive Schools Presentation
Each year our conference draws an audience of parents, educators, administrators, preservice teachers, and community members eager to hear the latest research, strategies, and trends in the education of students with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
For more information please email @email or call 703-204-3941.
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