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Wednesday, 10/7 - PTA Meeting
Monday, 10/12 - NO SCHOOL / School Planning Day
Friday, 10/30 - 1st Quarter Ends / 2-Hour Early Release
Friday, 11/6 - Picture Makeup Day for students who missed Sept 10-11 Picture Days
Hello, Hawk Family!
I hope that all students and families have had another great week. I love that fall is in the air and am excited to see the leaves change. We continue to focus on student attendance here at Holmes. Every student is unique, valued, and an important part of our school community. If your student is having a difficult time attending class or coming to school, please reach out to a trusted adult at school. There are solutions, and we are here to help. If you or your family need any kind of support, please contact our front office. We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for helpful tips and strategies.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jess Tippins
Principal
Our amazing PTA is selling Papa Johns B1G1 cards for just $15! There are only 3 weeks left to purchase a card. With your card, you can redeem a free pizza throughout the year. PTA can also deliver purchased cards directly to your student.
Please click the link below to purchase your card:
https://holmesmiddleschool.givebacks.com/shop/items/4c68cf9c995486
All proceeds directly support our students through activities such as games, bingo, and activity days, as well as classroom and program supplies and teacher appreciation events. Thank you for supporting our school community!
Vision and hearing screening will be held on 10/5 and 10/6 for all 7th graders and students who are new to FCPS. If your child wears glasses, please be sure that glasses are at school on screening day.
The purpose of screening is to identify students who need further evaluation due to difficulty seeing the screening chart or hearing the screening tones. Parents will be notified by letter if screening results indicate that further evaluation is needed. Prompt follow-up with your health care provider is recommended as vision and hearing difficulties can interfere with learning.
Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available Monday, October 5, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, October 30. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information, including a schedule of upcoming information sessions at middle schools.
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: Danna Hailfinger
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
Dear Holmes Families,
This week in After-School was super exciting. We got great feedback from our students regarding Science Myth Busters & Capital One Coders club, and we saw more students join our Atom Tutors group on Tuesday which was a major success. Next week we will be adding our general Academic Support to Tuesday and Thursday during first block for any students that may require a little extra support with their classwork. We also have Chess club starting this Wednesday, October 7th and students may sign up during lunch on Wednesday if they’re interested in participating. Below is our schedule for next week.
After-School Program Schedule for 10/5-10/9
Monday, October 5
- Hawk Spot
- Musical Rehearsal
- Battle of the Books
- Video Games
- AALEAD
- Yearbook
- Soccer
Tuesday, October 6
- Hawk Spot
- Atom Tutors
- Science Myth Busters
- RC Cars Club
- Eco Recycling Hawks
- Cross Country
- Basketball
- Gardening
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Tia’s Craft Club
- 3D Print Lab
- Legos
- Bling it on
Wednesday, October 7
- Hawk Spot
- Capital One Coders
- National Junior Honor Society
- Musical Rehearsal
- Maker Space
- Chess Club
- Video Games
- Soccer
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Volleyball
Thursday, October 8
- Hawk Spot
- Cross Country
- Comic Book Club
- Bling it on
- Art
- Girls in STEM
- Anime
- Musical Rehearsal
- Tia’s Craft Club
- Technical Student Association
- Flag Football
Friday, October 9
- Hawk Spot
- Odyssey of the Mind
- Cross Country
For more information about the program and these clubs and activities; please visit our website; https://holmesms.fcps.edu/activities/after-school-program
Contact Matt Kruk, mjkruk@fcps.edu, with any questions or concerns.
Let’s show our support and enthusiasm for the school by joining the PTA. Together, we can make this a year to truly BELIEVE in!
Join the Holmes MS PTA! We meet on the second Wednesday of every month, either in person or virtually.
Teacher Store: This year, we're 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
PTA Volunteering is Optional: Joining the PTA doesn't require volunteering, but any help is welcome to ensure a fun school year.
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 are grateful that you are a part of our Holmes MS community!
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place on this day.
A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.
As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.
Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
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Franklin Middle: Monday, October 5, at 6 p.m.
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Holmes Middle: Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
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Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.
Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and other important skills that support their success in school and throughout life. Join a workshop for parents and caregivers to:
- Understand your child’s Fairfax County SEL Screener results.
- Use the results as a starting point for meaningful conversations at home.
- Support your child’s social and emotional development.
- Build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills together.
Learn practical ways to talk with your child about their social and emotional well-being and support their continued growth at home. Events will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at Skyview High School and Wednesday, October 21, at Kingstowne Regional Library. View additional dates on the FCPS Family Academy webpage.
Childcare will be available. Interpretation services are available upon request. For more information, contact the Family and School Partnerships office at 703-204-4300 or FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu.
All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.
Virtual trainings take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join a session. Upcoming topics include:
- Autism and ABA Overview on Wednesday, October 14. (It is highly recommended that you attend this session before any future sessions.)
- Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home on Wednesday, November 18.
- Toilet Training on Wednesday, December 9.
- Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home on Wednesday, January 13.
- Communication: A Foundation for Independence on Wednesday, February 10.
Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.
Help your child prepare for future success by encouraging them to develop positive attendance habits. Regular attendance supports learning and helps students stay on track for college, careers, and other opportunities after graduation.
Take a look at the FCPS calendar. Try your best to schedule any vacations or planned family events on weekends and school holidays. If the appointment needs to be during the school day, when possible, schedule it for the beginning or end of the day to minimize time missed.
If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, please report the absence to our school as early as possible. Find out how to report an absence on our homepage or call the front office.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please let us know. We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
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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