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Good afternoon, Holmes Families!
Last week was such a whirlwind that I did not have a chance to send my last newsletter for the 2022-23 school year! Thank you for an incredible year and for all of your support, feedback, and communication as we experienced both successes and challenges. Our team's collaboration and partnership with you is what we need to continue to improve and ensure that Holmes is a safe environment where all students can thrive.
I just want to share a few highlights from the final week of school:
1. A HUGE thank you to our parents who volunteered to make the 8th grade Glow Party such a big success. The students had such a great time, and it was a fun way to celebrate them and send them off to high school!
2. Congratulations to Ghaida Taha, the winner of this year's George Mason University scholarship! What an incredible opportunity and accomplishment! Thank you to George Mason for continuing to provide this unique opportunity for one student at Holmes each year!
3. Congratulations to Ms. Shanice Roddey, our Dean of Students at Holmes this year, who has been promoted to be Assistant Principal at Twain Middle School for next year! We will miss you, Ms. Roddey, and thank you for all that you have done to support our students, families, and staff!!
MS Sports in FCPS Next Year!
Middle school students in FCPS will have the opportunity to participate in fall cross country or spring track next year. In order to participate, students must have a physical and this form completed by a physician along with insurance. To get a $50 physical at an FCPS high school, complete this form. Please see this page on the FCPS website for details. If your student does not have insurance, an alternative option can be found here.
Here are today's newsletter topics:
Holmes Updates
- Student Services Information
- 2022-23 Blue/White Calendar
- 2022-23 Bell Schedule
- From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
- Important Upcoming Dates
- How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS
FCPS & Community Updates
Please feel free to reach out and let us know what questions you have. Thank you for a wonderful year, and have a great summer!
Sincerely,
Margaret Barnes
Proud Principal, Holmes MS
mfbarnes@fcps.edu
#TeamHolmes
Dear families,
It has been my pleasure to serve you as a parent liaison this school year. If you need support during summer, contacts are below:
2022-23 School Year Family Coffees
All Family Coffee sessions have been recorded and can be viewed at any time. They are located on Schoology > Holmes Families course > Family Coffee Sessions.
Trainings available!
The website of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Service Board (CSB) Wellness, Health Promotion and Prevention team includes information and a link to request customized training. Please see current offerings for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), REVIVE!, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), ACE Interface, and Talk, They Hear You (TTHY). WHPP programs flyer attached.
Wellness, Health and Prevention Resources
Summer Learning Opportunities
- Monday, 8/21 - First Day of 2023-24 School Year
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
Starting in late May, caregivers will receive reports for assessments their students completed this spring. Not sure what assessments your student took this year? A list of tests by grade level is available. Scores will be delivered in SIS ParentVUE, by mail, or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Some families will also receive a Virginia’s Visualization and Analytics Solution (VVAAS) Student Assessment Summary report with historical Standards of Learning (SOL) test results from 2015-2022.
Go online or contact your student's school for additional information about student assessments.
Tutor.com continues to be available to all students, at no cost, to continue summer learning. Visit the Summer Access Tutor.com webpage for more information on how to access the online service throughout the summer.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is now accepting applications from parents for tutoring microgrants for their children through the K-12 Learning Acceleration Grants program.
The program was created to help Virginia families address the impact of the pandemic on student learning. It provides $1,500 grants to parents of school-age children for tutoring in specific subjects. Children from homes with family incomes at 300% or less of the federal poverty level may qualify for $3,000 grants.
Available services include in-person, online, and hybrid tutoring provided one-on-one or in small group or large group settings. The first step in the process is to visit VDOE’s K-12 Learning Acceleration Grants page and create an application account.
Superintendent Reid presented FCPS’ new Strategic Plan to the School Board during their recent Board meeting. The new plan was developed after months of dedication and hard work from our entire FCPS community. It will be our North Star in charting our course through 2030. The student-centered and data-driven plan will be guided by five goals and four supporting pillars. Watch the Strategic Plan presentation. The School Board will vote on the plan at their meeting on Thursday, June 15. Find out how to view the Board meeting.
The FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from June 26 to August 4. Any FCPS parent or secondary student can schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference. Consultations will be offered in two ways:
- Directly to parents of students in any grade level. This consultation provides an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.
- Directly to students in middle or high school. This consultation provides an opportunity for middle and high school students to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.
All parents and secondary students are encouraged to take advantage of this service. Consultations can be requested online or by calling 703-503-2520 and leaving a message.
Making the move from elementary school to middle school can be an exciting and unsettling time for a parent and child. In a recent episode of FCPS multilingual podcast, En Pocas Palabras, learn ways to ease the transition including:
- Understanding the developmental changes in your child.
- Getting to know middle school culture.
- Encouraging independence, but remaining available.
- Offering emotional support to your child.
- Reiterating your family values and expectations.
- Staying involved in your child’s school.
The podcast is available in Arabic, English, Korean, and Spanish. Listen and subscribe.
Inova Cares Clinic for Children (ICCC) and Inova Partnership for Healthier Communities (PHC) are now scheduling appointments to provide children ages 5 and up with FREE School Physicals and Immunizations to begin the 2023-24 School Year. This will take place at Inova Cares Clinic for Children in Herndon, Manassas and Falls Church. PHC will be onsite to screen and enroll qualifying families in Medicaid/FAMIS and connect them to an appropriate and affordable source of quality health care providers. Please see the attached flyers and share with everyone who would benefit from this event.
2023 Free School Physicals for Medicaid and Inova Patient’s ONLY
2023 Inova Cares Clinics Free School Physicals
23 Inova Cares Clinic BTS Fairs volunteer flyer
In the latest episode of En Pocas Palabras, hear how the Family Resource Center (FRC) provides supports for all families and school staff in FCPS. Meet Mary Beth Harrison-Cunningham, manager of the FRC, and Amal Elsayed, FRC liaison.
The Family Resource Center provides free library resources, confidential consultations, and informational webinars. Contact the Family Resource Center at 703-204-3941 or frc@fcps.edu.
En Pocas Palabras is available in Arabic, English, Korean, and Spanish. Listen and subscribe.
Annandale Community:
Looking for fun activities for your child this summer? Annandale High School is offering a variety of summer camps this year for current elementary and middle school students led by our own Annandale coaches. Help spread the word to friends, family and neighbors!
Registration for all camps can be found HERE. See descriptions of the various camps below. More information can be found at AnnandaleAtoms.net.
Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp, and they should bring a snack and a water bottle each day. Cash or checks are accepted. Checks should be made out to “Annandale Athletic Boosters”. Payment is due on the first day of camp.
If you have any questions, please email Brandon Sutphin, Director of Student Activities, at basutphin@fcps.edu.
Camp Information
Multi-Sport Camp - Rising 2nd-9th Graders - June 20-23 ($120): Campers will have fun playing a variety of sports including basketball, kickball, volleyball, soccer, and touch football. They will participate in fun contests and win prizes! Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 8:30am-3:00pm. Register Here.
Olympics Camp - Rising 2nd-9th Graders - June 26-29 ($120): This exciting camp features team activities including soccer, volleyball, basketball, touch football, and relay races. Campers will also get a chance to compete and earn medals! Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 8:30am-3:00pm. Register Here.
For questions about Multi-Sport or Olympics Camps, please reach out to Christopher Bagot, Camp Director and Varsity Coach, at cabagot@fcps.edu.
Basketball - Rising 4th-9th Graders - July 10-14 ($250): Campers will spend each day focused on developing their basketball skills. They will also receive a report card on their basketball abilities, a t-shirt, and a chance to win trophies. Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 9:00am to 3:00pm. Register Here.
For questions about Basketball Camp please reach out to Jerome McAvoy, Camp Director and Varsity Coach, at jjmcavoy@fcps.edu.
Girls Field Hockey/Lacrosse - Rising K-9th Grade - July 10-14, July 17-21, & July 24-28 ($120/week): For new athletes and those who have been playing for years, camp will be a fun-filled day of training, group competition, and surprise activities. Campers should bring their lunch each day except Friday when lunch will be provided. Hours are 8:00am-3:00pm. Register Here.
For questions about Girls Field Hockey/Lacrosse Camp please reach out to Janan Gokturk, Camp Director and Assistant Varsity Coach, at jahawthorne@fcps.edu.
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We are excited to provide the following information about our 2023 CTE summer enrichment camps! The FCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) office is once again offering two enrichment programs this year - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy.
What is CTE Summer Enrichment
- Hands-on, exploratory enrichment programs
- Teaches students engaging and exciting content in Career and Technical Education (CTE)
- Helps students make connections to careers and develop new skills
2023 Programs
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Tech Adventure Camp: Students in Kindergarten - grade 6 explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and computer science by rotating through daily classes
- NEW TO 2023: Tech Adventure Camp is now open to current kindergarten and 1st grade students!!
- CTE Summer Academy: Students in grades 7 - 11 choose their classes and dive deeper into CTE program areas, skills, and career exploration
Details
- Cost - $275 per week
- *Fee waived for a select number of Free and Reduced Meal students
- Dates - July 10 - 14; July 17 - 21; and July 24 - 28
- Time - 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
- *Early drop off begins at 7:30 am
- Different weekly offerings
- Transportation from select FPCS schools is provided!
Additional Information can be found on our websites!
Registration for both camps will begin February 1st. Our websites are updated regularly with more information. Feel free to contact Beth Mehr, CTE Summer Programs Educational Specialists, for more information. We look forward to creating, exploring, and learning with your students this summer!
IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA website for more information and registration.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging. Visit the E-IFTA website for more information and registration.
Chantilly Academy will host an AFA CyberCamp Monday, June 26, to Friday, June 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This camp is recommended for rising fifth through eighth graders of all skill levels interested in learning more about the importance of cybersecurity and gaining skill to protect themselves and others from cyber threats. Discounts are available for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Visit the camp website to learn more about registration, curriculum, and schedule.
Registration is still available for Elementary-IFTA (E-IFTA) arts camps, Credit Recovery Academy, and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s Middle School Technology Institute (MSTI).
The Family Resource Center has recently published a list with dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel. They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities.
The Family Resource Center (FRC) provides resources and support for all families and school staff. They offer a free library, confidential consultations, and informational webinars. For more information, call 703-204-3941, email frc@fcps.edu or visit their website.
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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