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Monday, 8/24 - First Day of School
Friday, 9/4 - Monday, 9/7 - NO SCHOOL / Labor Day Holidays
Wednesday, 9/9, 6:00-8:00 PM - Back to School Night
Thursday 9/10 - Friday 9/11 - Picture Day
Monday, 9/21 - NO SCHOOL / Yom Kippur
Hello, Hawk Family!
Thank you to all of the students and families who joined us for our Open House event this week. The excitment and energy in the building was outstanding. We can’t wait to welcome your students back for the 26-27 school year! The first day of school, Monday, August 24, is just around the corner! Check out these back-to-school tips to make sure your child gets off to a great start.
Go Hawks!
Jess Tippins
Principal, Holmes Middle School
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.
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.
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.
PRINCIPAL: Jessica Tippins – jdtippins@fcps.edu
CONTENT SUPERVISION: Admin, Coaches, Security, Office Staff
DIRECTOR of STUDENT SERVICES: Vacant
CONTENT SUPERVISION: Counselors
DEAN of STUDENTS: Cassandra Williams – cdwilliams1@fcps.edu
· 6th Grade
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Megan Lister – mmlister@fcps.edu
CONTENT SUPERVISION: English & Reading, Career & Technology, Family Liaisons
COUNSELOR: Erika Davis – emdavis1@fcps.edu
· 7th Grade
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Allen Dickens – ADickens@fcps.edu
CONTENT SUPERVISION: Social Studies, Math, Health & PE, Fine & Performing Arts, World Languages
COUNSELOR: Kelly Murphy – kwmurphy@fcps.edu
· 8th Grade
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Sandra Meador – srmeador@fcps.edu
CONTENT SUPERVISION: Science, ESOL, Special Education
COUNSELOR: Karrah Dane – kdane@fcps.edu
· All Grades ESOL Level 1–3
COUNSELOR: Mariam Amarir – mamarir@fcps.edu
Blue Days
- August | 24, 26, 28
- September | 1, 3, 9, 11, 15, 17, 22, 24, 28, 30
- October | 2, 6, 8, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29
- November | 4, 6, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 24
- December | 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17
- January | 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 19, 21, 25, 27
- February | 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 17, 19, 23, 25
- March | 1, 3, 5, 9, 12, 16, 18, 29, 31
- April | 2, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 22, 26, 28, 30
- May | 4, 6, 10, 12, 14, 19, 21, 25, 27
- June | 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 15
White Days
- August | 25, 27, 31
- September | 2, 8, 10, 14, 16, 18, 23, 25, 29
- October | 1, 5, 7, 9, 14, 16, 20, 22, 26, 28, 30
- November | 5, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 30
- December | 2, 4, 8, 10, 14, 16, 18
- January | 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 20, 22, 26, 28
- February | 3, 5, 9, 11, 16, 18, 22, 24, 26
- March | 2, 4, 8, 11, 15, 17, 19, 30
- April | 1, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 21, 23, 27, 29
- May | 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 18, 20, 24, 26, 28
- June | 2, 4, 8, 10, 14, 16
Blue Day
· 1st Period: 7:30 – 8:55
· 3rd Period: 8:59 – 9:44
· 4th Period: 9:51 – 10:43
1st Break: 9:53 – 10:08 I SOAR: 10:11 – 10:42
SOAR: 9:51 – 10:22 I 2nd Break: 10:22 – 10:37
· 5th Period & Lunch: 10:47 – 12:46
A Lunch: Lunch: 10:46 - 11:16 | Class: 11:16 - 12:46
B Lunch: Class: 10:46 - 11:16 | Lunch: 11:16 - 11:46 | Class: 11:46 - 12:46
C Lunch: Class: 10:46 - 11:46 | Lunch: 11:46 - 12:16 | Class: 12:16 - 12:46
D Lunch: Class: 10:46 -12:16 | Lunch: 12:16 - 12:46
· 7th Period: 12:50 – 12:15
White Day
· 2nd Period: 7:30 – 8:55
· 3rd Period: 8:59 – 9:44
· 4th Period: 9:51 – 10:43
1st Break: 9:53 – 10:08 I SOAR: 10:11 – 10:42
SOAR: 9:51 – 10:22 I 2nd Break: 10:22 – 10:37
· 6th Period & Lunch: 10:47 – 12:46
A Lunch: Lunch: 10:46 - 11:16 | Class: 11:16 - 12:46
B Lunch: Class: 10:46 - 11:16 | Lunch: 11:16 - 11:46 | Class: 11:46 - 12:46
C Lunch: Class: 10:46 - 11:46 | Lunch: 11:46 - 12:16 | Class: 12:16 - 12:46
D Lunch: Class: 10:46 -12:16 | Lunch: 12:16 - 12:46
· 8th Period: 12:50 – 12:15
Join the Holmes MS PTA! We meet on the second Wednesday of every month, either in person or virtually.
PTA Volunteering is Optional: Joining the PTA doesn't require volunteering, but any help is welcome to ensure a fun school year.
Where Funds Go: All proceeds directly support student activities (games, bingo, activity days), classroom/program supplies, and teacher appreciation events.
Teacher Store: This year, we're also launching a Teacher store at the end of each quarter to help provide extra supplies for our teachers. If you're able, please consider donating through our Amazon wishlist—donations are welcomed year-round!
Amazon wishlist-
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/21MK151AIFQJS?ref_=list_d_wl_lfu_nav_6
Volunteering: If you're interested in volunteering, please fill out our volunteer form so we can add you to our list of upcoming events. You’re welcome to choose which events you'd like to help out with—no pressure.
Volunteer form-
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KdazhJazURub9O4FtKSIkbtwX6KoZHcPrTawLXzRErI/edit
Stay in the loop by following us on
Facebook @Holmesmiddleschoolpta and on
Instagram @holmesptafcps and don't forget to join the PTA @ https://www.holmesmspta.com/
Want to show your school spirit? Check out and purchase our Spirit wear at-
https://www.spiritshop.com/school/virginia/alexandria/holmes-middle-school?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term
We look forward to having you be part of our Holmes MS community!
We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.
Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time.
We ask for your patience! Bus drivers will begin checking in students next week and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
As we gear up for the first day of school, make sure you have the FCPS mobile app downloaded! It's the quickest way to check the school year calendar, view lunch and breakfast menus, find school contacts, and jump to ParentVUE or Schoology from your phone.
Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Check out some tips to help your child get through the lunch line quickly and have more time to eat:
- Teach your child their student ID number to receive meals at school.
- Sign up for and add money to MySchoolBucks to purchase meals at school.
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Apply for free and reduced-price meals. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should submit a new application as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
If your child has any food allergies, learn how to submit accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergens.
Access menus for breakfast, lunch, and other school meals, as well as allergen and nutrition information.
At Holmes, we acknowledge that parents are our students' first and most important teachers. Parents now have greater control over their child’s FCPS-issued device outside of school hours through Lightspeed Parent Portal.
In addition to monitoring weekly internet activity, parents can now also customize web access at home on FCPS devices through Lightspeed using Schedules and Web Rules.
With Schedules, you can set tailored times to automatically pause or restrict internet access. This makes it easier to enforce rules around homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
In Web Rules, you can create Custom Block Lists to block specific, individual websites they do not want your child accessing at home. This allows parents greater control over what is happening online, under their own roof.
These new custom controls take effect at home, outside of school hours, and when the device is off the FCPS network. They will not override standard district filtering policies during the instructional day.
Customize Your Lightspeed Settings
All parents should be receiving weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report emails. To set up these new features, click the “Log in or Register” button at the bottom of your weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email.
Visit the FCPS Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide for more information. If you have additional questions, submit a Parent Technology Support Ticket.
Parents are encouraged to discuss internet boundaries with their children so that they can understand the reasoning behind any limits and the differences between access at home and at school. Get tips on talking to your children about technology safety.
Teachers use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a secure forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized, and it keeps the class connected.
A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
- Your child’s classes.
- Your child’s upcoming assignments.
- School, class, and group announcements.
To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. Get more information on how to login and use Schoology.
The Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3 through 12 in October. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Is WhatsApp one of the ways you stay connected with family, friends, and your community? Now you can use it to stay connected with FCPS, too.
Follow the new FCPS WhatsApp Channel for helpful information and reminders throughout the school year, including important announcements, upcoming dates, tips for families, and more.
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
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