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Dear Holmes Families:
Greetings! While I sent some communication out to you all in the month of April, I did not get my weekly updates out to you. My sincerest apologies! April was an eventful month, to say the least.
Welcome to May! Only 2 more months of school! SOLs will start in 2 weeks. Scroll down to see an initial draft of our end-of-year calendar, including when SOLs will be given and a few special events.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Take a look at this newsletter for FCPS' Department of Special Services for resources. We also have information below about a popular Netflix series that parents should be aware of and will post information to our website soon about Eating Disorders.
I also just want to remind families that the school will start BEFORE Labor Day next school year. The first day of school for students is Monday, August 28th. Click HERE for the FCPS School Calendar for more information.
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes
mfbarnes@fcps.edu
We are hearing from
some parents that they are concerned about a new Netflix series released on
March 31, 2017, that is attracting the attention of many young people. The
series is called 13 Reasons Why, and focuses on the suicide of a teenage girl.
Each episode is based
on one of 13 tapes the girl recorded before she died. Each tape reveals
how someone mistreated her. The series includes topics, which may be
upsetting to many middle and high school students, as well as graphic content
involving sexual assault and the suicide. There are no messages before or
after each episode about how to find help, which we believe is critical to any
responsible media depiction of suicide. A number of articles have been
written (pro and con) about the series.
The decision to watch
this series, and whether to allow your teen to watch, will be a personal one
for your family. However, as this has become very popular with the youth
and may negatively impact some individuals, we wanted to make you aware of the
series.
Information about the
series: https://700childrens.nationwidechildrens.org/13-reasons-parents-concerned-netflix-series/
Some ideas to guide
your discussion with your child: https://www.save.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/13RW-Talking-Points-Final_v5.pdf.
Please also share with
your child that he or she can reach confidential help 24 hours a day, if
needed, by texting NEEDHELP to 85511, or calling the Crisis Hotline at
703-527-4077.
If you wish to discuss
this further or have a specific question, please contact our school counselors,
school psychologist, or school social worker.
  Our gardening club is up and running thanks to Mr. Smith, Mr. Hawkins, Ms. Lynch, our awesome students, a donation from Home Depot, and the support of our wonderful PTA!!
FCPS Office of After
School Programs will conduct its Middle School Teen Summer Program 2017.
- The site for the program
will be Kilmer Middle School.
- The program will run from
July 5 to August 3, Monday –Friday from 08:00 AM to 4:00PM
- The program is free of
charge. However, there is a $ 50.00 fee to pay for several field trips that students may like to
attend.
- Holmes has 20 openings
available and they will be awarded on a first come first serve basis.
For more information,
please contact Mr. Cabezas via e-mail at GDCabezas@fcps.edu
or phone (703)658-5906
These last couple of weeks have already felt like summer, so I want to share a few reminders about expectations for school-appropriate student dress:
- Students should use the "fingertip rule" when choosing shorts, skirts, or dresses to wear to school to avoid clothing that is too short.
- No sagging pants
- No undergarments showing
- "2 fingers" rule for width of straps on sleeveless tops
- No reference to drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, weapons, gangs, or profanity on clothing, jewelry, etc.
- No hats, bandanas, or sunglasses; headbands or head covering may only be worn to hold hair up, or for religious or medical purposes
Please join us for our next PTA meeting on Monday, May 8th! We'll be electing next year's officers. We look forward to seeing you there at 6:30 PM in the Lecture Hall!
The basketball game was a huge success!! Thank you to all of our students and families who attended!
- Monday, May 1st: 7-period Day
- Tuesday, May 2nd: Even Block Day (with ER 1 & 2)
- Wednesday, May 3rd: Odd Block Day
- Thursday, May 4th: Even Block Day (with ER 3 & 4)
- Friday, May 5th: Odd Block Day
- This week through Monday, 5/8 - Rising 6th graders visit Holmes
- Wednesday, 5/3 - 3rd Quarter Honor Roll Ceremony, 7 PM
- Thursday, 5/4-Friday, 5/5 - Advanced Music Field Trip to Williamsburg (Overnight)
- Monday, 5/8 - PTA Meeting, 7 PM
 
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
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