 Principal's Note
Good morning, Holmes Families!
What an exciting and fun-packed week we had at Holmes this past week! Here is just a brief snapshot of this past week (with a few pictures!):
- We recognized Autism Awareness Month.
- Our 6th graders visited Washington, DC.
- Our 7th graders presented amazing, high quality work as part of History 7's Holocaust Remembrance Project. Selected groups (chosen by external judges) will visit the Holocaust Museum in May and will receive a copy of Elie Wiesel's Night.
- A small group of our 8th graders visited the Fairfax County Courthouse.
- We recognized over 400 students at the evening Honor Roll Ceremony, and inducted over 20 students into the National Junior Honor Society.
- Our music students participated in the Solo & Ensemble Festival.
- Many students and staff expanded their libraries at the Spring Book Fair.
It was so exciting to celebrate our students in so many different ways this week! We also will take this next week to recognize our Administrative Professionals, and the following week (May 6th-10th) is Teacher Appreciation Week! I am so thankful to go to work every day with such a committed, dedicated, and hardworking staff who bring their best for our students every day!
  
We also bid farewell to Mr. Cabezas this week, whose last day was Friday. Our new After School Specialist, Ms. Denise Taylor, will start with us on Wednesday, May 1st! We will provide opportunities for our students and families to meet Ms. Taylor throughout the month of May.
With just 7 weeks of school to go, we are focusing our efforts on preparation for SOL exams, which will begin May 7th! Please scroll down to the end of this newsletter to see the schedule of SOL testing. Note that the the order of periods is different on some days, and most testing days have 3-hour blocks to limit interruptions for students who are testing. You will also note that we have 2 Mondays (5/6 & 5/13) that will be 7-period days to ensure that all of our students have class with their teachers within 2 days of their upcoming SOLs. Please help us to prepare students for these important assessments by ensuring that students arrive to school on time each day, get a good night's sleep, and eat a healthy breakfast each morning. In addition to the academic preparation that our staff has provided, we know that students need your support and encouragement to help them manage their stress and be mentally and emotionally prepared for this time as well.
In today's newsletter, scroll down for information about:
- FCPS CARES
- This Week's Schedule
- This Week's After School Program Schedule
- STEM/Aviation Summer Opportunity at Udvar-Hazy Museum
- Parent Chaperones Needed For Finance Park Make-up Field Trip
- Important Dates
- How to Stay in Touch
Thanks, everyone, and have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes
Proud Principal, Holmes MS
mfbarnes@fcps.edu
#HolmesHawksSoar
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Do you know a Holmes Middle School staff member who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of Holmes faculty and staff members. |
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This week:
Mon., 4/29 = White Day w/ ER 1 & 2
Tues., 4/30 = Blue Day
Wed., 5/1 = White Day w/ ER 3 & 4
Thurs., 5/2 = Blue Day
Fri., 5/3 = White Day w/ ER 5 & 6
*NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the website HERE.
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For any specific questions related to the After School Program or to share new ideas for after school activities, please feel free to contact Mr. German Cabezas, our After School Program Specialist.
Our last make-up day for the Finance Park field trip will be Friday, May 31st. We are really in need of more parent chaperones, so if you are available on May 31st, please contact your student’s Civics teacher, and they will add you to the list. During the day, which will be from 8:30am – 1:30pm, you will lead a group of no more than 9 students, as they prepare to be “an adult for the day.” It will require you to drive yourself to the JA Finance Park Facility, which is at 4099 Pickett Road, Fairfax VA. Once again, please contact your student’s Civics teacher (i.e. Mr. Kerner, Mr. Sterzinger, Mr. Hoover, Mr. Schmitz, or Ms. D’Angelo) if you are interested.
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Tue., 4/30 - Science Field Trip to Belmont Bay (small group)
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Thu., 5/2-5/3 - Williamsburg Music Field Trip
- 5/6-5/10 - Teacher Appreciation Week
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Tues., 5/14, 7:00 pm - Chorus & Orchestra Concert, Annandale HS
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Wed., 5/15, 6:30 pm - PTA Meeting
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Thu., 5/16 - Holocaust Museum Field Trip
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Fri., 5/24 - Intermediate Music Field Trip
- Mon., 5/27, Memorial Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
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Wed., 5/29, 7:00 pm - Band Concert
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Tue., 6/11, 8:00 am - 8th Grade Awards Ceremony
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Tue., 6/11, 9:15 am - 7th Grade Awards Ceremony
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Tue., 6/11, 1:00 pm - 6th Grade Awards Ceremony
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Wed., 6/12 - SCA Activity Day
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Thu., 6/13 - Last Day of School (Students released early)
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
  Interested in learning more about the SOL exams your child will take? Here are links from the Virginia Department of Education for:
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