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Next week is the last week of school and the summer excitement can already be felt through the school hallways!
This past week we were wrapping up grades, turning in laptops, returning library books, and completing all tasks characteristic of the end of the school year. As a result, students will not be carrying anything to/from school next week June 10-June 12. Without items to carry, backpacks are not necessary. Please remind your students to keep their backpacks at home.
Please see below for upcoming dates for the end of the school year.
8th Grade Dance/Celebration - 6/7 at 7- 9 PM
8th Grade Only
On Friday, June 7th from 7-9 PM at Holmes Middle School. This dance is only for 8th graders and will be free.
8th Grade Awards Ceremony - 6/10 at 8-9 AM,
8th Grade Only
On June 10, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. we will be holding the 8th Grade Award Ceremony. We will be celebrating all 8th graders going to high school. Especially, we will be recognizing some students for their achievements as 8th graders. Our staff has collaboratively nominated and selected students for school awards. All families are welcome to attend. Students who will be receiving awards have been contacted along with their families.
Activity Day - 6/11
All Grades
On Tuesday, June 11th, all students will participate in the Holmes Activity Day. Students will have the opportunity to participate in an activity of their choice and also see a student/faculty basketball game. It will be a fun and engaging day as we wrap up the 2023-2024 school year.
Last Day of School - 6/12
All Grades
As a reminder, we will have a 2-hour early release on the last day of 2023-24 school year, Wednesday, June 12th. Below is bell schedule for that day.
VIP Summer Camp Family Information Night Recording
Thank you to all families who attended VIP Family Information Night at Holmes Middle School. Holmes was proud to host Jackson MS, Glasgow MS, Kilmer MS, Poe MS, and Thoreau MS as families received information about the summer program hosted by FCPS and Fairfax County Neighborhood & Community Services.
The recording, presentations, and resources shared can be found on our Website. For Holmes MS families with questions, contact Matthew Kruk, After School Program Specialist at 703-658-5906, mjkruk@fcps.edu
End of Year Medication Pick-Up
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).
Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-health-services. A medication authorization form is required for any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, to be kept at school. Please be sure medication orders are clear. All information on the form must be completed. Part I must be signed and dated by the parent or guardian. Part II must be signed and dated by your health care provider. Approved over-the-counter medications given for headaches, muscle aches, orthodontic pain, or menstrual cramps do not need a health care provider’s signature. Antibiotic or antiviral medications for 10 consecutive school days or less do not require a health care provider’s signature either. For all asthma medications, a Virginia Asthma Action Plan must be provided. More detailed information is available on the back of the medication authorization form(s).
Over-the-counter medication must be in the unopened original container and clearly labeled by the parent or guardian. No more than 100 pills/tablets of OTC medication should be brought to school at a time. All prescription medication, including samples, must be labeled by the pharmacist or health care provider. Please make sure that the label clearly states your student’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage of the medication, and the time to be given.
Your cooperation will ensure that we can safely give your student, their medication. If you have any questions, please email our school health room aide Sara Tesfay at stesfay@fcps.edu and/or our school public health nurse Julie Frederickson at jfredericks1@fcps.edu, or call Holmes clinic at 703-658-5910.
Math Summer Enrichment Opportunities
Summer enrichment opportunities can provide students access to review and support meaningful learning experiences aligned to course objectives.
The purpose of optional summer enrichment might be to:
- Activate students’ background knowledge and skills;
- Provide opportunity to review introductory topics/prerequisites for the course; or
- Create or enhance enthusiasm and interest in a subject or to serve as a springboard for future learning.
Linked below are options that students can access over the summer:
Mathspace
Current middle school students and high school students through PreCalculus will continue to have access to Mathspace through Schoology. Students are encouraged to practice their mathematics through utilizing the Mathspace Skills Check-Ins.
Family Resource Center
Family webinars that may be worth sharing are posted on the FCPS Family Resource Center site with specific mathematics webinars posted under academics.
VDOE
The following resources have been curated from the Virginia Department of Education:
VDOE Mathematics Resources for Families
ST Math
All middle school students and high school students enrolled in ESOL Math support classes have access to ST Math over the summer that they can access through Schoology. This video shows students and families how to access: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQR_drzeR9E
Additional resources
The following resources are free and available for anyone to use. Please note that FCPS does not have a paid subscription to either service.
Zearn online summer math
Khan academy summer site
Edison High School Jumpstart Program 2024
Registration is now open!
Your student's transition to high school is very important to us! This year we will be offering an optional Jumpstart program to our rising 9th grade students. Students will be able to register to attend one of the two-day sessions.
- August 7 from 9:00AM - 1:00 PM
- August 9 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Students will have an opportunity to meet staff members (administrators, counselors, and some teachers), tour the building, get a couple high school tips for success, hear about our many sports/club programs offered and more. Please click here for the registration link. Lunch is included in the program. Transportation will be provided at limited locations.
If registering multiple children, a separate registration form must be completed for each student.
Registration Deadline: In order to be efficient in our staffing and assignments, we are requesting that all applications be returned by Friday, July 26. Students will be placed and accepted on a rolling admission basis. Please contact please contact Greg Dombrowski: GSDombrowski@fcps.edu for further information.
Here are today's newsletter topics:
Holmes Updates
- Student Services Information
- Admin Team Information
- 2023-24 Blue/White Schedule
- 2023-24 Bell Schedule
- After-School Program
- From Ms. Oncho, Our Family Liaison
- Important Upcoming Dates
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- How to Stay Connected to Holmes MS
FCPS & Community Updates
- SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE
- INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fair
- Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations
- Summer Fun for All! Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation
- Summer Camps and Learning
- Stay Connected with FCPS
Please feel free to reach out and let us know what questions you have. Thank you, and we'll see you very soon!
Sincerely,
Serena Giron
Principal
The end of ASP for 2023-24
The end of the After-School Program and all late buses was on Wednesday, May 29th.
Questions/Concerns
Contact the After-School Specialist, Matt Kruk, mjkruk@fcps.edu
Pediatric Health Fairs
Do You Need Health Coverage?
- Monday, 6/10, 8 am - 8th Grade Awards
- Tuesday, 6/11 - Activity Day
- Wednesday, 6/12 - Last Day of School / 2-Hour Early Release
Don't forget to check out these important links:
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE
Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the following:
- For all students, the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests.
- For grade 3-8 students, the SOL Growth Parent Report shows performance over time for state reading and math tests completed this school year.
Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs
Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5+ with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at summer health fairs for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. The clinics will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates:
- Saturday, June 29, at ICC for Children - Manassas
- Saturday, July 20, at ICC for Children - Herndon
- Saturday, August 17, at ICC for Children - Falls Church
Appointments are required. No walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.
Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations
This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from Monday, June 24, through Friday, August 2. Any FCPS parent or secondary student can schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or social worker by phone or videoconference.
Parents of students in any grade level can request a consultation to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.
Middle or high school students can request a consultation 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.
We encourage all families to take advantage of this service. Request a consultation or call and leave a message at 703-503-2520.
Summer Fun for All! Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation
The Family Resource Center (FRC) has a list of 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.
Learn more by calling 703-204-3941, emailing FRC@fcps.edu, or visiting the FRC webpage.
Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a summer camp for your child with special needs?
The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.
End of School Year Volleyball Camp at Justice HS
Summer Strings Camp at South County Middle School
Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!
Co-Ed Basketball Camp for Grades 4-9 at Edison HS
Co-Ed Tennis Camp for Grades 3-12 at Edison HS
VIP Summer Camp for Rising 7th & 8th Graders
All rising middle schoolers are invited to attend a summer of fun and leisure with VIP Camp. VIP Camp — which takes place Monday, July 1, to Thursday, August 1 — is designed to encourage teens to develop healthy and positive recreation interests and features a wide variety of leisure activities and programs.
Registration is open. VIP Camp costs $100 to attend. Reach out to your school's after-school specialist for scholarship availability due to financial hardship. This camp is sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.
- Applications will open on Tuesday 3/12 at 6pm
- Here is the link to the application à https://forms.gle/zQcxhFrKWnn2LPjG6
- Links to the application can also be found on the Holmes website under the Activities Tab à After-School Program à VIP Summer Program
- Any questions or concerns about the VIP summer program, contact Matt Kruk; mjkruk@fcps.edu
Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps and Learning Programs
Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.
CTE programs are available for grade 6-11 students to explore CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. IFTA allows students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage to register.
Summer Learning
Programs are also available for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement, earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program, or recover one high school course credit through the Credit Recovery Academy.
FCPS’ free online class for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provides FCPS middle and high school English Learners the opportunity to continue developing their academic, reading, and writing skills in online discussions with an ESOL teacher.
Find session dates, registration links, and registration deadlines on FCPS summer programs.
Institute for the Arts
Students in all FCPS secondary schools can enroll in the Institute for the Arts. IFTA is a two- or three-week summer Arts enrichment program for students in rising 7th through 12th grades. Students create their own schedules in Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance from nearly 60 courses offered. Transportation is provided from around the county. Tuition assistance is available for students who qualify. Check out the Institute for the Arts website for more information or email ifta@fcps.edu.
Chantilly Academy will host an AFA CyberCamp from Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This camp would be a great fit for rising fifth through eighth graders of all skill levels interested in learning more about the importance of cybersecurity and gaining skills to protect themselves and others from cyber threats. Discounts are available for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Visit the camp website for more information.
Registration is also still available for the Institute for the Arts (IFTA) and Elementary-IFTA (E-IFTA) arts camps, and Credit Recovery Academy.
CTE Summer Academy
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Tech Adventure Camp
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Stay Connected with FCPS
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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