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Good afternoon, Holmes Families!
I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful day! I am thankful that the weather is warming up, and I hope it will stay this way for awhile. We have quite a few updates in this week's newsletter, so please read through, and feel free to let me know what questions you have!
Lunches in May and June
Next week will be the final week that hold lunch in two locations. In order to prepare for SOL testing, we will begin holding all lunches in the cafeteria on Monday, May 2nd. The last day the Lecture Hall will be available for students to eat lunch will be on Friday, April 29th.
Missed the workshop on Coping with Stress & Anxiety?
On Thursday, April 14th, we had a great workshop for families about helping students to cope with stress and anxiety. In case you missed it, all session information can be found on our Holmes Families Schoology Page. Please, sign into Schoology using your SIS Parent Vue username and password to access the information. If you do not have a SIS ParentVue account, you can request one using this form. Alternatively, you may watch the recording from this session by clicking here.
Holmes PTA
Please join us this Wednesday, April 27th for our Holmes PTA meeting! Click this link to join us for the 6:30 meeting.
The PTA is already looking ahead to the 2022-2023 school year. If you would like to be involved in the PTA in a big way we are in need of a Secretary for our board for the next year. It will be a vacant position after this year. If you would like to be involved in the PTA in a smaller way we would love to have you as a committee member to assist with different fundraising efforts like Spirit Wear, Restaurant Nights, and other events.
Please contact our President, Rheanna Bernard, at holmespta@gmail.com
Holmes FunRun Tomorrow!
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.
Pre-order Flowers for Teachers!
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) will be selling “Flowers for Teachers” in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2 - May 6). Show your appreciation for your teachers by pre-ordering flowers today! The cost per flower is $1. The type of flower is Carnations. The flowers will be tagged and delivered to your teachers by NJHS members during SOAR on May 5th.
HOW IT WORKS:
Fill out the pre-order form, which contains 8 “tags”. Each tag has a space to write your name, the teacher's name, number (#) of flowers, and a short message. The flowers will be sorted, tagged, and delivered by NJHS members during SOAR on May 5th.
Bring your money and pre-order forms to Mrs. Logan, room H1, by April 27th - or - Mrs. Logan will also be available during lunch April 26 on the stage in the cafeteria.
Email questions or concerns to krlogan1@fcps.edu.
All proceeds benefit NJHS community outreach and operations.
8th Grade Celebration - June 3, 2022
200 8th graders voted and selected Under the Sea & Beach as the theme for our 8th grade celebration on Friday, June 3rd! I will send an email out soon with information about our next planning meeting, and all families of 8th graders will receive a letter about tickets and donations. We are so excited to celebrate our students!
I did let students know this week that any 8th graders with serious discipline (e.g., fights, vaping, etc.) and poor attendance will NOT be permitted to attend the celebration.
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Schoology Survey:
The Holmes Families Schoology page has lots of resources to teach families how to use Schoology (Log into Schoology with SIS Parent VUE username and password. Don't have an account? Click here.). If you have used Schoology as a parent this year and would like to give us feedback on how to improve, create new resources, or form more learning opportunities then please complete this survey in English (Translations: Spanish, Chinese, Urdu, Farsi, Vietnamese)
Scholastic Book Fair
For Students Observing Ramadan
Students, who are observing Ramadan and fasting during the school day, 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
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 onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
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
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
mfbarnes@fcps.edu
  
The Blue-White Calendar can also be found on the inside cover of student agendas and can be found HERE on our school website.
- Monday, 4/25 - BLUE DAY (SOAR & ER 2)
- Tuesday, 4/26 - WHITE DAY
- Wednesday, 4/27 - BLUE DAY (Long SOAR)
- Thursday, 4/28 - WHITE DAY
- Friday, 4/29 - BLUE DAY (SOAR & ER 4)
ASP Student of the Week 4/18-4/22:
- Congratulations to this week’s After-School Student of the Week; Oliver Best
- Oliver first became involved in Theatre Sports as a sixth grader when it was fully virtual! So, Oliver has been a risk-taker from the beginning, having logged on with mostly 7th and 8th graders at the time and always turning on his camera and participating. This year during in-person Theatre Sports Oliver is a 7th grader and a leader. He shows up for practices consistently, listens to feedback, and brings energy, physicality and comedy to all of his improv work. The Theatre Sports team will be lucky to have him one more year, and looks forward to seeing his improv, risk-taking and leadership skills grow even more as an 8th grader.
- GREAT JOB OLIVER!!!!
After-School Weekly Highlights; GARDENING CLUB
- Students & Staff enjoyed learning and working together during Gardening Club.
Movie Club
For any and all questions related to the after school program, please contact Mr. Kruk at mjkruk@fcps.edu.
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
Panel Discussion on Youth Substance Use Trends
Free Emotional Support Line
Afghan refugee Support Group
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Free/Virtual Youth Programs
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:
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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!
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Saturday, 4/23, 8:30 AM - Spring 5K Fun Run
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Wednesday, 4/27, 6:30 PM - Holmes PTA Meeting
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Monday - Friday, 4/25- 4/29 - Book Fair
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Friday, 5/6 – Music Field Trip to Kings Dominion
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Thursday, 5/12, 7 pm – Chorus & Orchestra Spring Concert
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Thursday, 5/19, 5:30 pm – NJHS Induction Ceremony
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Wednesday, 5/25, 7 pm - Band Spring Concert
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Thursday, 5/26 & Friday, 5/27, 7 pm – Theater Event & Art Show
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Thursday, 6/2, 7 pm – Music Department Recital
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Friday, 6/3 7-9 PM - 8th Grade Celebration
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
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
Institute for the Arts (IFTA): Camps and Institutes
A summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11.
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-institute-arts-ifta
Tech Adventure Camp
A summer enrichment and exploratory program in career and technical education for students in grades 2 - 6.
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-tech-adventure-camp
CTE Summer Academy
A summer enrichment and skills development program for students currently in grades 7-11.
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-CTE-summer-academy
- 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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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 jellenberger@fcps.edu.
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Click the link to register https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/camps
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
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