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Important Dates

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

Wednesday, 9/16, 6:30pm - PTA meeting

Monday, 9/21 - NO SCHOOL / Yom Kippur

Table of Contents

• Principal's Note
• Annandale High School Football Games
• Reporting Your Student’s Attendance
• Dismissal and Early Pick Ups
• Admin/Counselor Team Information
• Holmes MS 2026-27 Blue/White Calendar
• Holmes MS 2026-27 Bell Schedule
• After-School Program Weekly News
• Holmes MS PTA
• Fall Full-Time AAP Referral Window for Students New to FCPS Closes on October 15
• Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
• Weather Happens, FCPS Is Ready
• Prepare Your Child for Safety Drills
• Transportation Patience and Safety
• Save the Date for the Annual Special Education Family Conference
• Your Child’s Presence at School Matters
• Follow FCPS on WhatsApp
• How to Stay In-Touch

Principal's Note

Hello, Hawk Family!

As a reminder, Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening before Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately before Labor Day. 

We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, September 9^th, from 6:00-8:00 PM for our Back To School Night Event. You will be able to meet your students teachers and learn more about Holmes Middle School.

Everyone enjoy the long weekend! 

Go Hawks!

Jess Tippins

Principal, Holmes Middle School

Annandale High School Football Games

Starting this fall there are updates coming to Friday Night Football Games! Starting with the first home football game on Thursday, September 3, all spectators will follow updated entry and bag policy guidelines that can be found below:
To help provide a safe and enjoyable experience and to expedite entrance into FCPS athletic events, students, family members and all spectators are reminded that the following items are prohibited:
● Backpacks
● Large Purse
● Fanny Pack
● Tote Bags
● Outside food and beverage
● Sporting equipment (balls, bats, sticks, etc.)
All elementary and middle school students must have a paying parent/guardian to enter and have to be supervised by said parent/guardian throughout the event. Any elementary or middle school student in violation of this policy will have parents called immediately and are subject to being excluded from future extracurricular events and ticket money will not be refunded.
Approved bags are limited to:
● Clear plastic, vinyl, or pvc bags
● Small clutch bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”
● Medical and diaper bags permitted but subject to inspection

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. 

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:

• Stay up to date: Get the latest news from FCPS.
• View school calendars: See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
• Check school menus: See what’s for lunch and breakfast today, tomorrow, or next week.
• Tap to contact: Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
• 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.

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

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

Holmes MS 2026-27 Blue/White Calendar

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

Holmes MS 2026-27 Bell Schedule

Blue Day

·       1^st Period: 7:30 – 8:55

·       3^rd Period: 8:59 – 9:44

·       4^th Period: 9:51 – 10:43

1^st Break: 9:53 – 10:08 I SOAR: 10:11 – 10:42

SOAR: 9:51 – 10:22 I 2^nd Break: 10:22 – 10:37

·       5^th 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

·       7^th Period: 12:50 – 12:15

White Day

·       ^2nd Period: 7:30 – 8:55

·       3^rd Period: 8:59 – 9:44

·       4^th Period: 9:51 – 10:43

1^st Break: 9:53 – 10:08 I SOAR: 10:11 – 10:42

SOAR: 9:51 – 10:22 I 2^nd Break: 10:22 – 10:37

·       6^th 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

·       8^th Period: 12:50 – 12:15

After-School Program Weekly News

We're excited to announce that our After-School Program will be returning for another exciting year, starting on Monday, September 14th 2026.

Whether your student wants to join sports, get help with homework, create a club, play video games, learn how to code, or attend special events—there is something for everyone!

Important Notes:

• Free Program: Monday - Friday; 2:15-4:45 (2:15-3:30 on Fridays)
• Meals: Hot meals are provided each day to our students at the start of the program.
• Bus Transportation: Available 4 days a week. (Mon-Thursday)
• Details: Check out our website to learn more about our amazing program - https://holmesms.fcps.edu/activities/after-school-program
• Weekly Activity Schedule: The schedule for the week of September 14th will be posted to the website on Friday, September 11th. Every Friday, the schedule will be posted for the following week to help families plan accordingly.

Action Needed: Complete the After-School Program Registration Today!