Principal's Note - Feb 6, 2025
Important Dates
- Monday, 2/16 - George Washington's Birthday / NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday, 2/17 - Teacher Work Day / NO SCHOOL
- Friday, 3/20 - Eid al-Fitr / NO SCHOOL
- Friday, 3/27 - End of 3rd QRT / 2-Hour Early release
- Monday 3/30 - Friday, 4/3 - Spring Break / NO SCHOOL
- Monday, 4/6 - Teacher Workday / NO SCHOOL
- Friday, 4/10 - School Planning Day / NO SCHOOL
Message from Principal Giron
Dear HMS Families,
Due to our recent delayed openings, we are shifting WIDA testing. For students taking the WIDA test, all 8 th graders and some 7 th graders will now be testing on Monday, 2/9 and Tuesday, 2/10. The remaining 7 th graders and all 6 th graders will be testing on Wednesday, 2/11 and Thursday 2/12. All students received their testing date and location on Friday, 2/6. On days of testing, please ensure your students come to school on time with their laptop and charger. If you have any questions, please reach out to our testing coordinator, Sloan Waters at @email .
Thank you,
Serena Giron
Principal
Help Keep Holmes Phone-Free!
Please remind your student that cell phones and personal devices (AirPods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) can no longer be used during passing periods. Phones and personal devices must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell) with the exception of lunch time in designated lunch spaces. Cell phones are also not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school. Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including consequences for cell phone policy violations and exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our front office at 703-658-5900 .
Student Fasting Meal Kits
From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information:
- Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
- Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
- Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
- Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
- February 11, 2026 for week of February 18, 2026
- February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
- February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
- March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
- March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
Bundt Cake Fundraiser
Dear Holmes Middle School Community,
The Holmes Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is excited to announce our Bundt Cake Fundraiser— just in time to treat your sweetheart (or yourself!) for Valentine’s Day!
Flavor Options
Biscoff Cookie Butter
Carrot
Chocolate Chocolate Chip
Classic Vanilla
Confetti
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip
Gluten-Free Lemon Raspberry
Lemon
Oreo Cookies & Cream
Red Velvet
Strawberries & Cream
White Chocolate Raspberry
Pricing
• $7 per bundtlet
• Biscoff Cookie Butter specialty bundtlet: $8
Order & Payment Information
Cash and checks are accepted; Make checks payable to: Holmes MS PTA. Please include with your order: Pick-up contact information and flavor choice(s). In-person orders and payments due: Thursday, February 5, 2026
Order online at the Holmes PTA Givebacks store: https://holmesmiddleschool.givebacks.com/shop Online ordering available through: Sunday, February 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Pick-Up Details
📍 Location: Holmes Middle School
🗓 Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
⏰ Time: 2:00 – 5:30 PM
If you need accommodations or assistance with ordering or pickup, please contact us at @email and we will be happy to help.
Thank you for supporting the Holmes PTA and helping make a difference in our school community!
Sweetly, Holmes PTA
The Early Identification Program (EIP)
WHAT: The Early Identification Program (EIP) is a multiyear (5 year) college preparatory program for students who will be the first in their family to attend a four-year college in the United States. EIP is a collaborative effort between Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and George Mason University (GMU). The EIP is one of four programs that comprise the College Success Programs in FCPS. EIP goes from 8 th grade through 12 th grade. Please check out the EIP website at https://eip.gmu.edu/ for more information about the program!
HOW: Nominated students apply to the program at the end of the 7 th grade and enter the program in the 8 th grade.
Student Participation:
To remain in good standing, EIP students must:
- Maintain a 2.8 GPA
- Attend specified activities/events on Saturdays at GMU Fairfax or Manassas campus
- Attend weekly mentoring / tutoring sessions at Holmes
- Attend the three-week Summer Academy at GMU Fairfax campus every July
- Participate in the Strengthening the Family Workshop
DEADLINE: February 10 th , 2026
INTERESTED / QUESTIONS? Please complete the EIP Information Google Form by the deadline if you are interested: https://forms.gle/xfZ1jW2icdUDH5Zj9
Contact Ms. Amarir, School Counselor and EIP Sponsor at 703-658-5942 or via email at @email with any questions.
Reporting Your Student’s Attendance
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 @email 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 @email with your student's first and last names, your name and relationship to the student, and reason for late arrival or early dismissal.
Dismissal and Early Pick Ups
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’ parentsbefore such arrangements can be approved. Permission emails should be sent to [email protected] 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 passeswithout 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.
Admin/Counselor Team Information
Holmes MS 2025-26 Blue/White Calendar
Updated Holmes MS 2025-26 Bell Schedule
This schedule is effective as of 11/5/25
After-School Program Weekly News
ASP Upcoming Schedule 2/9-2/13
Want to learn more about the After-School Program and the activities & clubs that we offer?
- Visit our website - https://holmesms.fcps.edu/activities/after-school-program
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.
- 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 .
- 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.
- Walker s . 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?
- Contact the After-School Specialist, Matt Kruk, @email
Holmes MS PTA
Join the Holmes MS PTA and attend meetings (4th Wednesday of the month; translation services provided)
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=
Sweets Snack Cart
In February, we are sending love and appreciation to our amazing teachers and staff with a Sweets Snack Cart! As we kick off the third quarter, we're putting together a snack cart filled with delicious desserts and snacks on February 13th. Snack carts provide a wellness boost to our teachers and staff. Please consider donating.
Signup-
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050444A9AA2DA64-61889759-sweets
Givebacks-
https://holmesmiddleschool.givebacks.com/shop/items/4893014e488e
Amazon wishlist-
Thank you all for your continuous support and generous donations.
Sincerely,
The Holmes PTA
Warm Up FCPS – Divisionwide Spirit Day
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.
Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter weather. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during snow or inclement weather days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
Follow Us on Social Media
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
How to Stay In-Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
- keeping your contact information up-to-date throughout the year
- visiting the Holmes MS website
- signing up for News You Choose
- monitoring your student's progress with SIS Parent Account
- join the Holmes MS PTA and attend meetings
