Message from Holmes MS - 02/13/2026

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Important Dates

Holmes Calendar

  • 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
  • Monday, 5/25 - Memorial Day / NO SCHOOL
  • Tuesday, 5/26 - Teacher Workday / NO SCHOOL
  • Wednesday, 5/27 - Eid al-Adha / NO SCHOOL
  • Wednesday, 6/17 - Last Day of School / 2-Hour Early Release

Table of Contents


Message from Principal Giron

Dear HMS Families,

 

As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, for the Presidents Day holiday. Tuesday, February 17, is a teacher workday, and there will be no school for students. See the school year calendar for more information.

 

On Monday, February 9, we had a wonderful visit from our Mason District Board of Supervisors, Andres Jimenez. Two outstanding AVID students led a tour of the school, sharing their experiences and what they love most about being Holmes students. We look forward to our continued partnership.

 

February 15 marks National School Resource Officer (SRO) Appreciation Day. Because it falls on a Sunday this year, our school will recognize and celebrate Officer Harvey, our School Resource Officers, on Wednesday, February 18.

Officer Harvey is a vital bridge between law enforcement and our school community, helping to foster safety, trust, and positive relationships each day. Thank you for building positive relationships with our students and helping our Hawks feel safe and supported at school.

SRO

 

Thank you,

Serena Giron

Principal


Lost & Found – Final Call Before Donation

Before we clear out our Lost & Found for donation, please remind your child to check the display in the cafeteria next Wednesday.

Important: Anything left behind after Wednesday will be donated to charity. Parents are welcome to visit the school to search for missing items—just reach out to our Family Liaison team to give them a heads-up that you're coming. Thank you for your help in clearing the racks!


Planning for Life in and After High School for Students with IEPs

Families, caregivers, and educators of elementary and middle school students receiving special education services are invited to join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school. 

The transition fair will take place on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Luther Jackson Middle School. 

Ensuring the success of our students with disabilities after high school is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.

An exhibitor fair will include teachers and representatives from CTS high school courses, career academies, age 18-22 programs, and transition services for students with disabilities. This event also includes a presentation with a brief overview of transition services and a student/parent panel sharing firsthand experiences. Register in advance


Meal Kits For Student Fasting

From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.

Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:

  • Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day. 
  • Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
  • Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.

Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800. 


Survey on Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Now Open for All Families and Middle and High School Students

On Monday, all FCPS parents/caregivers and middle and high school students received an email to participate in a voluntary and confidential survey. (Please check your spam folder if you have not received it.)

Questions refer to proposed changes to FCPS’ SR&R document for next year. This document outlines the rules that students are expected to follow, and guidelines for consequences if those expectations are not met. Possible changes include:

  • Universal Discipline: Charts will list consequences and supports for students. They will help ensure that two students of the same grade will be treated fairly and receive the same level of support.
  • Standards for In-School Suspensions of Students with Disabilities: Creating standards for how in-school suspensions are handled for students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
  • Accommodations for Multilingual Learner Student Statements: Providing translation accommodations when Multilingual Learner students provide statements about disciplinary incidents.

The survey will be open until Friday, February 20. Survey materials are available online.


Reporting Your Student’s Attendance

All Day Absence: 

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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. 

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’ 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.



Admin/Counselor Team Information

Admin

Holmes MS 2025-26 Blue/White Calendar

Calendar

Updated Holmes MS 2025-26 Bell Schedule

This schedule is effective as of 11/5/25

Updated Bell Schedule

After-School Program Weekly News

ASP Upcoming Schedule 2/16-2/20

ASP

 

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.

  • 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.
  • 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?


Holmes MS PTA

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