Principal's Note - April 17, 2022
Good afternoon, Holmes Families!
Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all of our families who are observing both holidays this week, and Ramadan Mubarak to all of our families who are observing it this month. Reminders are below for students who are fasting at this time or who would like a place to pray during the school day.
Please join us for our FunRun this Saturday, April 23rd! To register for 5K Fun Run, please use this link or scan QR code below. Fun Run registration form can only be open by students and staff with a “fcpsschools.net” gmail address. We only need one student or staff member to register per family. Not up for running? That's okay...we also need volunteers. Sign up HERE to help out.
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For Students Observing Ramadan This year, the first full day of Ramadan is April 3rd this year and will last through May 2nd. For students who are observing Ramadan and fasting during the school day, they may choose to go to the library during lunches. |
Prayer Rooms
Important Things to Remember:
- Prayer rooms are available to students of ALL religions, not just certain religions.
- Religious activities are voluntary and cannot be required by staff or other students.
- Students are not permitted to miss instructional time to use the prayer room. (Exception: 2:05 since it is right before dismissal.)
- Students must arrive to class on time.
- Holmes staff members or people from outside the school are not permitted to initiate or lead students in religious activities; they must be student-initiated and student-led.
- Prayer rooms may only be used by students for the intended reason; students who are using the rooms inappropriately will be reported to administration and parents/ guardians will be contacted.
Spring SOL Schedule
Free Online Tutoring Is Here!
We are pleased to announce that students now have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Tutor.com is available 24/7, through online voice or text chat, and in your student’s preferred language. Student participation is optional and parents/guardians can opt their students out of accessing the service. You can learn more about Tutor.com on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website.
Students will be able to access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following instructional videos:
elementary video and secondary video. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to @email.
This new service will help many [SCHOOL] students complete assignments, better understand classroom lessons, and be successful.
Here are today's newsletter topics:
Holmes Updates
- Student Services - Important Information
- 2021-22 Blue-White Calendar
- 2021-22 Bell Schedule
- Next Week's Schedule
- After School Program Next Week
- A Message from Mr. Kruk
- From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
- Job Opportunities at Holmes & in FCPS
- Important Upcoming Dates
- How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS
FCPS & Community Updates
- College Success Programs
Summer Learning and Camps
- Summer VIP Camp at Thoreau Middle School
- Annandale High School Volleyball Camp for Rising 9th Graders
- Annandale High School Sports Camps
- Park Authority Camps
- Stay Connected with FCPS
Please feel free to reach out and let us know what questions you have. Thank you, and have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes
Proud Principal, Holmes MS
HOLMES UPDATES
This Week's Schedule
The Blue-White Calendar can also be found on the inside cover of student agendas and can be found HERE on our school website.
Week of 4/18-4/22
- Monday, 4/18 - WHITE DAY
- Tuesday, 4/19 - BLUE DAY (SOAR & ER 8)
- Wednesday, 4/20 - WHITE DAY
- Thursday, 4/21 - BLUE DAY (SOAR & ER 1)
- Friday, 4/22 - WHITE DAY
After School Schedule - Week of 4/18-4/22
A Message from Mr. Kruk
ASP Student of the Week 4/11-4/15:
- Congratulations to this week’s After-School Student of the Week; Pascual Aguilar-Rodriguez
- During Flag Football club, Pascual demonstrated;
- Great communication
- Positive attitude
- Leadership
- Great job Pascual!!
Social Justice Club Highlights
- This week, FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Brabrand, joined our Social Justice club.
- Students had a great time asking questions and sharing ideas.
- We look forward to more great experiences in Social Justice club in the near future.
Movie Club
- The movie featured this Tuesday 4/19 will be; Kubo & The Two Strings (PG)
- If you have any questions or concerns regarding movie club, please reach out to our After-School Specialist, Mr Kruk. (@email)
MSASP Survey 4/18-4/22
- The FCPS Middle School After-School Program Survey will be provided to all students, staff members, and Holmes families next week.
- Staff and students will complete the survey during the school day during their SOAR lesson.
- Families may expect to receive the survey through Enotify on Monday, April 18th.
- Please take a few minutes to complete the survey upon receiving.
- The data collected from the surveys is critical to funding and improving all FCPS After-School Programs.
- If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, please reach out to our After-School Specialist, Mr Kruk. (@email)
Students Leaving After-School:
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- Any student staying after school must be signed out by a parent or guardian if leaving prior to 4:45. Walkers may sign themselves out.
- Students will remain in their clubs or under teacher supervision until they are called to the main office for pickup.
- No student is to leave the school until signed out of the main office.
For any and all questions related to the after school program, please contact Mr. Kruk at @email.
From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
I Am Self-Advocacy Program
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Virginia Family and Youth Summit - April 30
Parents (of children, youth, and/or young adults with mental health needs), youth and/or young adults who have lived experience with mental health needs, family members, individuals living with mental illness and all others interested in children and youth mental health needs, please join us for our 10th Annual Summit! This is an in person event with a limited virtual option. For more details and registration, please go to http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ej2oxe8webf50a5a&llr=9jhggocab
Free Emotional Support Line
Afghan refugee Support Group
Free/Virtual Youth Programs
Job Opportunities at Holmes & in FCPS
To help us meet these critical needs, here is a reminder of some job opportunities that we have a available at Holmes and throughout FCPS:
- Student monitors (Holmes needs 1 or 2 more)
- Substitutes (short- and long-term) - School Board just approved an increase in pay for short- and long-term substitutes!
If you or someone you know is looking for work and may be a good fit for one or more of these positions, I encourage you or them to apply!
Important Upcoming Dates
- Saturday, 4/23, 8:30 AM - Spring 5K Fun Run
- Wednesday, 4/27, 6:30 PM - Holmes PTA Meeting
- Friday, 6/3 7-9 PM - 8th Grade Celebration
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 & COMMUNITY UPDATES
College Success Programs
The College Success Program (CSP) is comprised of three individual programs that provide college access, readiness, and success services to students who are traditionally underrepresented on college campuses. Many, but not all, College Success Program students are the first in their family to attend college and/or do not have the financial means to attend without significant support.
The three programs that comprise the College Success Program are:
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
The College Partnership Program (CPP)
The Early Identification Program (EIP)
These programs prepare students for the academic rigor of college course work, help students with the college application process, and provide enrichment experiences to build the resilience that is so often needed to successfully graduate.
Together, the programs offer a variety of services that include:
- Assistance with the college application process
- Field trips to college campuses
- Goal setting and career exploration
- Monitoring of academic performance
- Tutoring
Summer Learning and Camps
Summer VIP Camp at Thoreau Middle School
- This summer, Thoreau Middle School will host our annual Summer VIP camp.
- Any student from Holmes that would like to participate in the summer program may register.
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Annandale High School Volleyball Camp for Rising 9th Graders - June 13-17
Annandale High School Sports Camps
Dear Annandale HS Pyramid Parents –
Annandale High School is hosting five weeks of sports camps this summer. The camps include:
- June 13-17 - Multi-Sport Camp
- June 20-25 - Boys Basketball
- June 27-30 - Olympic Sports Camp (4 days)
- July 11-15 - Girls’ Field Hockey, Girls’ Lacrosse, & Girls’ Basketball
- July 18-22 - Girls Basketball
The camps are open to students entering 2nd through 9th grade (ages 7-14). The price of each camp ranges from $100 - $125 and runs from 8:30am-3:00pm. Scan the QR Code to sign up and pay online. Any questions, email John Ellenberger, the Director of Student Activities at Annandale High School at @email.
Park Authority Camps
Click the link to register https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/camps
Stay Connected with FCPS
Being connected to your school and division is important every year, and even more so now as we navigate our return to school. The best way to stay informed is to sign up for newsletters through News You Chose.
Your school and FCPS have a variety of topics you can choose from, including:
- School Newsletters- featuring everything you need to know about your child’s school
- FCPS This Week- a weekly newsletter featuring news and happenings from across the division, published Wednesday mornings
- School Board Meeting Update- a recap of important news coming out of school board meetings, published the Friday morning after the meeting
- FCPS Employee News- weekly updates just for staff, published Tuesday mornings