Message from Holmes MS - 10/9/2026

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Important Dates

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

Wednesday, 11/11, 6:30PM - PTA Meeting

Thursday, 11/19, 2-5PM - Fall Festival


Table of Contents


Principal's Note

Hello, Hawk Family!

 

As a reminder, Monday, October 12, is a student holiday and school planning day for Indigenous Peoples' Day. See the complete school year calendar.

 

The Holmes’ Cross-Country team invites all staff and students to our second meet of the season this Saturday, 11:00 AM at Twain Middle School! It’s our only late start of the season, so come out, cheer us on, and show your HMS pride!

 

On Thursday, October 15th at 6 pm, the Advanced Academics Office will host a Community meeting for families of Holmes students regarding the proposed middle school Advanced Academic Expansion.  This meeting will be held in person at Holmes with the opportunity for virtual participation, as well.  Please use the following zoom link if you plan to access virtually.  https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/s/93473720275   

 

 Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Jess Tippins

Principal


Applications Open Monday, October 5, for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

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 is 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. 


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: 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


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

·       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



After-School Program Weekly News

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 10/12-10/16

Monday, October 12

  • NO ASP

 

Tuesday, October 13

  • Hawk Spot
  • Academic Support
  • Atom Tutors
  • Science Myth Busters
  • RC Cars Club
  • Eco Recycling Hawks
  • Cross Country  
  • Basketball
  • Gardening
  • Dungeons & Dragons
  • Tia’s Craft Club
  • 3D Print Lab