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Holmes Calendar
- Monday, 11/10 - Picture Retake Day
- Tuesday, 11/11 - Veteran's Day / NO SCHOOL
- Wednesday, 11/26 - Friday, 11/28 - Thanksgiving / NO SCHOOL
- Monday, 12/22/25 - Friday, 1/2/26 - Winter Break / NO SCHOOL
- Monday, 1/19 - Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday / NO SCHOOL
- Wednesday, 1/28 - 2nd Quarter Ends / 2-Hour Early Release
- Thursday, 1/29 - Staff Development Day / NO SCHOOL
- Friday, 1/30 - Teacher Work Day / NO SCHOOL
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
As a reminder, Tuesday, November 11, is Veteran's Day and schools will be closed for students. See the complete school year calendar.
Starting Quarter 2 Strong!
We kicked off the new quarter with performances and celebrations recognizing our students’ hard work from the first quarter!
In the morning, we were treated to wonderful performances from Annandale High School’s Performing Arts Department—including the band, choir, theatre, and guitar ensembles. It was a special treat to welcome back many former Holmes students now thriving in high school! Our students were fully engaged and excited to see familiar faces on stage, and it was inspiring to watch our alumni shine and share their talents.
During lunch, several of the high school students also played guitar for our students, adding to the festive atmosphere throughout the day.
In the afternoon, students who had few or no tardies in Quarter 1 celebrated their success at our “No Tardy Party,” enjoying popsicles and time to connect with friends.
We’re proud of how our students have started Quarter 2-with energy, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community!
Come Cheer on Our Holmes Cross-Country Team This Saturday!
We invite you to come out and celebrate the hard work of our Holmes Middle School Cross-Country Team!
This talented team has had a truly phenomenal season all year long. Their final regular season meet is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, November 8th at Key MS at 8am.
Let's give them a proper send-off before they head to championships next Saturday! Your support and cheering would be greatly appreciated for their last regular season effort.
Join us tomorrow, 11/08/2025 at 8am at Key MS, to cheer them on!
Heartfelt Thanks to Our Families for "Fuel the Faculty"
We want to give a big shoutout and heartfelt thank you to all the families who took part in “Fuel the Faculty.” It was such a wonderful success! We were blown away by the incredible variety of dishes and the generosity shown. Our teachers truly felt the love and support from the community through this event. Our staff was so happy to enjoy the delicious food and to feel appreciated. We can't thank the Holmes community enough for their kindness and contributions!
Learn Lost Art with our Cursive Club
I am excited to share that WTOP recently highlighted the Cursive Club, run by Ms. Sherisse Kenerson as part of the after-school program here. This club is a wonderful reminder that skills sometimes referred to as "lost arts" still hold immense value for our students.
The club teaches students the classic style of handwriting, which our middle schoolers are embracing as a crucial "life skill." Beyond the practical application—such as reading historical documents or signing their name—learning cursive helps develop fine motor skills and provides a valuable connection to history.
I am proud of the students who are seeking out unique enrichment activities like this, and I encourage you to discuss with your own child the exciting ways they are expanding their knowledge and skillset outside of the core curriculum.
Read the full article here:
https://wtop.com/education/2025/11/fairfax-co-middle-schools-cursive-club-offers-chance-to-learn-lost-art/
Thank you,
Serena Giron
Principal
A gentle reminder for 8th grade families — the TJHSST application deadlines are coming up soon!
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Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 4:00 p.m. – Deadline to begin a new application
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Friday, Nov. 14 at 4:00 p.m. – Deadline to submit all applications
For more information, please visit the [TJHSST registration page](insert link).
If you have any questions, contact Erika Davis at EMDavis1@fcps.edu
Event Information:
📅Spelling Bee Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
⌚Time: 8:15 AM - 10:30 AM (estimated)
🏫Location: Holmes Middle School: Lecture Hall
👩🏾🏫Practice SOAR Lesson: Week of November 10th
🛑Registration Open on Schoology: November 14th @ 7:30 am (registration closes on November 21st)
Details:
🤔Who can Participate?: Any Holmes MS Student!
⭐ Limit: The first 50 students to sign up on Schoology will participate.
📃Missed Work: Students are responsible for any class work missed due to the event.
🎤Format: This is an oral spelling bee where spellers compete in rounds. The winner is the last one standing who spells their word correctly.
*The winner of the Holmes MS competition will participate in the Fairfax County Regional Spelling Bee Competition scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 2:00pm at Lake Braddock Secondary School (9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015).*
If you have any further questions, please contact the Holmes’ Spelling Bee Coordinator, Jennifer Blanco (librarian) at jlblanco1@fcps.edu.
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep families connected and informed, directly from their smartphones. You can download the Fairfax County Public Schools mobile app by going to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and searching for “FCPS.”
With the app you can:
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Stay up-to-date: Get the latest news from FCPS.
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View school calendars: See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
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Check school menus: See what’s for lunch and breakfast today, tomorrow, or next week.
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Tap to contact: Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Access key links: Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
Users can access updates and content without having to sign in, making it easy for everyone to stay informed.
Learn more about the new mobile app, including feedback from parents TeAndra Nelson and Roy Dykes.
Each year, FCPS is eligible to apply for Federal Impact Aid Grant funds. To ensure FCPS receives its fair share, we need your assistance in identifying students with federal connections. The Federal Impact Aid Survey will be available on SIS ParentVUE starting October 21st. We encourage you to complete the survey electronically.
If you have not yet set up your ParentVUE account and need help, please contact our Office Assistant, Aimee Moya at avmoyanina@fcps.edu or 703-658-5900.
For families without ParentVUE access, we will distribute paper copies of the survey in November. If you would like to learn more about it, please check the link below.
https://www.fcps.edu/impact
Helpful reminders:
If you forget your password:
- Go to https://sisparent.fcps.edu
- Click More Options > Forgot Password
- Follow the prompts—an email will be sent to your primary email
If you forget your username or need to update your email:
- Go to More Options > Change Username
- Enter current login info and the new email
- A confirmation will be emailed to complete the change
For more help, please call:
📞 Parent Tech Help Desk: 833-921-3277 (M–F, 7 AM–5 PM)
All Day Absence:
- Use ParentVUE.Log in and click “Report Absence.” Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet? Contact your school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
OR
- Call the attendance line on 703-658-5919 and leave a message with spelling of your student's first and last names, your name and relationship to the student, and reason for absence.
OR
- Send an email to holmesmiddle.attendance@fcps.edu with your student's first and last names, your name and relationship to the student, and reason for absence.
Partial Absence:
To report late arrivals, early dismissals, or to update already submitted attendance
- Call the attendance line on 703-658-5919 and leave a message with spelling of your student's first and last names, and reason for late arrival or early dismissal.
OR
- Send an email to holmesmiddle.attendance@fcps.edu with your student's first and last names, your name and relationship to the student, and reason for late arrival or early dismissal.
Please be mindful when requesting for your child to ride the bus with another student. For safety and verification purposes, the school requires written permission from both students’ parents before such arrangements can be approved. Permission emails should be sent to HolmesMiddle.Attendance@fcps.edu first thing in the morning on the day of the request.
Handwritten notes that are dated and signed by both students' parents will also be accepted.
Please note that students will not be issued bus passes without the required written permissions from both students' parents.
If you need to pick up your student early, please do so before 1:30 p.m. to avoid interrupting the safe dismissal process. Please note that doctor’s appointments are not considered emergencies.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us ensure a smooth and safe dismissal for all students.
This schedule is effective as of 11/5/25
After-School Program Updates & Highlights
Members from different news outlets came to see our amazing After-School Program, specifically Ms. Kenerson’s Cursive Club (read the full story below by clicking on the links below).
(Ms. Kenerson and her Cursive Club students practicing their Cursive skills.)
ASP Schedule 11/10-11/14
Want to learn more about the After-School Program and the activities & clubs that we offer?
Daily Student Sign-ups
- Students will sign-up in the cafeteria with Mr. Kruk on the day(s) in which they plan to stay after-school for any reason (activities, clubs, tutoring, auditions, sports, etc). Please be sure to communicate with your student ahead of time, as we do not provide families with notifications when your student completes the sign-up form and stays after school.
Transportation & Parent/Guardian Pickup.
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Bus Transportation (4:45 ONLY) - Students who regularly take a bus to and from school will be provided with an after-school late bus that will depart Holmes between 4:45-5:00pm. We ask for your patience the first few days of the program as the buses get comfortable with their routes and you may notice that your student is home a little later than anticipated. If you have any questions or concerns regarding transportation, feel free to reach out to the Transportation Office; 703-446-2000.
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Kiss & Ride - Students may be picked up anytime during the program. We prioritize SAFETY during our program thus, parent/guardian must come inside the building and sign out their student if being picked up before 4:45. Students must be picked up from the main office no later than 5:00pm. Students who are picked up after 5:00pm on more than one occasion are subject to losing their After-School Program privileges.
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Walkers . If you would like to have your student walk or bike home from the After-School Program, we require a one-time communication (email) stating that you give permission for your student to walk/bike home from the program this year.
Questions/Concerns?
Join the Holmes MS PTA and attend meetings (4th Wednesday of the month; translation services provided)
PTA Facebook
Join the PTA https://www.holmesmspta.com/
Purchase spirit wear https://www.spiritshop.com/school/virginia/alexandria/holmes-middle-school?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=
Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and LearningThe FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on a topic below to register to attend.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services, at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
- Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.
If your income changes — for example, due to a furlough, layoff, or job loss — you may become newly eligible. Once approved, your benefits stay active for the rest of the school year and for the first 30 days of the next school year.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. It’s a great way to make your food budget go further and save time from packing meals. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition.
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Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local CommunityFairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. Its Federal Workforce Resource Hub is intended to help navigate current and future issues for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits, and businesses who may be affected by actions, changes, or disruptions to federal services or employment.
Find more community resources available to families.
Stay connected with Holmes Middle School by following us on social media! It's the best way to keep up with our latest news, celebrate student achievements, and be part of our vibrant community. Whether you're a student, parent, or community member, you'll find exciting updates, important announcements, and inspiring stories that showcase the spirit of Holmes!
Links: Instagram
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
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