Holmes MS Weekly Update - 12/9/19

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Principal's Note

Good morning, Holmes Families!

My apologies for not getting this update out to you yesterday!  I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend! 

Congratulations to the students who were in our cast and crew of Annie, Jr.!  They had 3 great shows last week, showing off all of their hard work.  Thank you to all of our teachers who supported the show:  Ms. Murphy, Ms. Eddinger, Mr. Wood, Mr. Hutto, and Ms. Fealey.  And a VERY special thank you to Ms. Faraldi not only for the show but for being a great long-term substitute for Ms. Murphy since the beginning of the year.  Ms. Faraldi will be at Holmes through December 20th, and will then begin her new full-time position as a Theater teacher at Liberty Middle School in January!  

Congratulations to our students - Oliver Aminoff & Tyler Perez - for making District Band!!

We have 2 evening events this week:

  • The Holmes MS PTA's Dine-out-night fundraiser for this month is at the Chick-Fil-A on Backlick Road in Springfield is tomorrow night (Tuesday, 12/10).  I'll send a reminder tomorrow with the specific times, but I believe it is from 5-9 pm.
  • Our winter chorus concert is this Thursday, December 12th, at 7 pm.  The Book Fair will be open that evening before and after the concert for parents to purchase items.

 

Annandale HS IB Parents Night - Tuesday, December 10th

Attention all 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Grade Students and Parents interested in learning more about the IB Middle Years and Diploma Programs at Annandale High School:

Want to receive a world class international education for free?  Want to earn college credit for your high school classes? You are cordially invited to attend IB Information Night on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 from 7:00-8:30 PM in Clausen Hall at Annandale High School!  Come hear about the IB MYP Personal Project and certificate as well as the IB Diploma requirements and course sequencing.  Current students will be speaking to the rigor and benefits of this outstanding program!  Whether you want to pursue the full diploma or just take a single course this is a great night to be exposed to the IB program offerings for 11th and 12th graders and discover more about the MYP for underclassmen.  If you are unable to attend, please stop by the IB Open House to get your questions answered on December 16th  or January 22nd anytime between 9:00 AM- 3:00 PM in the IB Office (located in the library).  If any of the above dates are not convenient please reach out to us to set up an appointment.  Contact Linda Bradshaw, IB DP Coordinator (grades 11-12) at (703) 642-4236 (lmbradshaw@fcps.edu)  or Meagan Padgett, IB MYP Coordinator (grades 9-10) at (703) 642-4237 (mapadgett@fcps.edu).

 

In today's newsletter, scroll down for information about:

  • FCPS CARES
  • This Week's Schedule
  • After-School Program
  • Holmes MS Book Fair - 12/2 - 12/13
  • SCA Winter Dance - 12/18
  • National Junior Honor Society “NJHS”
  • 8th Grade Personal Yearbook Ads
  • Important Dates
  • SAVE THE DATE: Curriculum Night - 1/16/20
  • 2019-20 Family Engagement Events
  • How to Stay in Touch

Thanks, everyone, and have a wonderful week!  Please feel free to reach out to me or anyone on my team with any questions you have!

 

Sincerely,

Margaret Barnes

Proud Principal, Holmes MS

mfbarnes@fcps.edu

#SoarTogether

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Have you joined the Holmes MS PTA?

Your membership supports teacher appreciation and grants for teachers to provide unique programs for students!  Join HERE today!


FCPS Cares

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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.


This Week's Schedule of Classes: 12/9-12/13

Schedule

This week:

Mon., 12/9 = White Day (2nd, SOAR, ER 1, 4th, 6th)

Tues.,12/10 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th)

Wed., 12/11 = White Day (2nd, SOAR, ER 2, 4th, 6th)

Thurs.,12/12 = Blue Day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th)

Fri., 12/13 = White Day (2nd, SOAR, ER 3, 4th, 6th)

 *NOTE: Students can always find the blue-white calendar in their agendas or on the school website HERE


After-School Program - Week of 12/8 - Schedule to be sent tomorrow

During the school year, a weekly schedule of activities that will be held during the After School Program will be posted.  

  • Late buses are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  Students must be picked up by parents/guardians if they stay on Tuesdays or Fridays.  
  • NOTE: There are only 6 late buses, so students' late bus assignments and stops are usually different than their regular bus. 

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.

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Holmes MS Book Fair - 12/2 - 12/13

Save the Date! The Holmes MS book fair will begin on December 2nd! Students will have a chance to visit during the school day with their English classes and the book fair will be open for most of the evening performances through December 13th. 

The book fair is a great opportunity to help support the library, every dollar spent helps the library earn funds to purchase more books. Support the library and knock out some of that holiday shopping!

All forms of payment are accepted. If you have questions or would like to volunteer please email Ms. Haywood


SCA Winter Dance - 12/18

We are excited for our SCA Winter Dance coming up in December!  This is another great opportunity for us to celebrate our students' positive behavior!  Students who have demonstrated good attendance and behavior in November and December will be eligible to purchase tickets for this dance.  

We are looking for chaperone volunteers for the dance.  If you would like to sign-up to volunteer please do so by clicking here.  If you have questions, please contact Mr. Cho or Ms. Aiello.

sca winter dance

National Junior Honor Society “NJHS”

National Junior Honor Society “NJHS” is an organization of the world’s highest achieving middle level students... a distinction students have been proudly adding to their résumés since 1929. There is only one National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), and it provides an outstanding opportunity for students to grow with academically accomplished peers who are sharpening the habits needed for success in high school and beyond. Membership is determined based on scholarship, citizenship, character, leadership, and service.

Application is by invitation only. Holmes will receive a cumulative GPA report at the end of November. Students whose GPAs meet the minimum requirement, and who do not have a record of disciplinary infractions, will be invited to an information session during the school day on December 17, 2019.

The online application process for students includes:

  • Cumulative GPA average over 3.5
  • demonstrated leadership skills/activities
  • 10+ verified community service hours (in x2Vol)
  • a statement of intent/essay
  • two teacher recommendations (one required from a core subject)

 

Students invited to attend the information session will receive an email invitation from the Principal letting them know. We will have a short presentation, and take a few minutes for Q&A. The timeline for applications will be discussed. We ask that students, not parents, complete the application.

 


8th Grade Personal Yearbook Ads

Introducing... 8th Grade Personal Ads

The yearbook staff wants to offer you the opportunity to honor your eighth grader as they move up to

high school. Surprise your student with a personal ad in the yearbook. These special messages can

be from parents, grandparents, siblings or even pets. You may purchase more than one ad; however,

please submit a separate form for each ad. Each ad will be the size shown below. Ads cost $15 each and is due Friday, February 28, 2020.

8th grade yearbook personal ads

SAVE THE DATE: Curriculum Night - 1/16/20

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Important Dates

  • Thurs., 12/12, 7 pm - Winter Chorus Concert
  • Tues., 12/17, 7 pm - Winter Orchestra Concert
  • Wed., 12/18 - Afterschool - SCA Winter Dance
  • Tues., 12/19, 7 pm - Winter Band Concert
  • Mon., 12/23 - Fri., 1/3 - Winter Vacation - NO SCHOOL
  • Thurs., 1/16, 5:30 pm - PTA (Topic: Planning for the Future with your Student)
  • Thurs., 1/16, 6:30-8 pm - Curriculum Night (information to help rising 6th, 7th, & 8th grade parents support students with course selection for 2020-21 school year)

2019-20 Family Engagement Events

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How to Stay In-Touch

Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:

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