Holmes Middle School

Maya Angelou

Rosa Parks #blackhistorymonth

February is Black History Month. Each week, we will be sharing some of the amazing people who have contributed to this rich, and often overlooked, history.

📣 Exciting Updates from Our Mustang Family! 🐴✨ 🎉 Congratulations to our Mustang Wrestlers for an incredible performance at the wrestling conference this weekend—they brought home 2nd place! 🏆💪 Way to go, team! 💌 Candygrams Are Coming! 💕 Student Leadership will be selling Candygrams during lunch from January 29th – February 12th. For just $1, you can send a sweet message with a card and a Blow Pop 🍭 to a friend, teacher, or special someone! Don’t miss out on spreading the love! ❤️ 💃🕺 Valentine's Dance 💌❤️ Student leadership is hosting a Valentine's Dance on Friday, Feb. 14. 💃 Permission forms are available in the front office. Tickets are $10 and due by Feb. 12. Mark your calendars for a night of fun! 🎶🎈 📢 Exciting Update! Deadline Extended! 🎶🎉 The FCA is sponsoring a bus trip to Winter Jam 2025—a Christian music tour coming to Greensboro on Saturday, February 15th! 🎤✨ 🎟️ Cost: $30 (includes concert ticket & food) 📅 New Deadline: Friday, February 7th 📍 Who can go? ALL students are welcome! There are extra seats available, so grab a permission slip from the front office or Ms. Huovinen’s room in the elective hall. 📝💛 Don’t miss out on this amazing experience! 🎶🙌 📚 Check-In Testing This Week ✏️ Please remind your student about upcoming Check-In Testing this week. A good night's sleep and a positive mindset go a long way! Thank you for supporting our students as they do their best! 💡📖 Let’s have a fantastic week! 🚀🙌 This Week: February 💌 2/3-7- Check in Testing: 2/3- 6th & 8th ELA Testing 2/4-7th ELA Testing 2/5- 6th & 8th Math Testing 2/6- 7th Math Testing 2/7- 8th Science Testing 2/7- King/Queen Monies are due at 10:00am to school Upcoming Dates: February 💌 Valentine’s Spirit Week: 2/10-Monday "Love to be comfy-PJ day" 2/11-Tuesday "DRESS AS YOUR “TYPE” DAY: Dress as your ideal partner 2/12-Wednesday PINK OUT DAY: Wear pink in honor of Mrs. French’s win over cancer 2/13-Thursday JERSEY DAY: Wear your favorite team jersey 2/14-Friday DRESS TO IMPRESS: Wear dance ready or Valentine attire 2/12- Spring Sports Begin 2/12- Valentine’s Dance Paperwork & $ due! 2/12- CTE High School Option Meeting for 8th grade 2/13- All County Choir Performance; 7pm Rock Middle 2/14- 8th Grade students, don't forget to get those baby pictures to Mrs. Meadows for the yearbook. You have until February 14th, Valentine's Day, to get them turned in. 2/14- Sweetheart Dance, 3:30pm- 6:00pm 2/15- FCA Winter Jam 2025 Concert Event 2/27- Early Release 2/28- Teacher Workday, no school for students March ☘️ 3/4- Battle of the Books Competition 3/5-6: 6th & 7th Grade Field Trip to Atlanta 3/11- Future Mustang Day! Rising 6th graders visit Holmes during the day and parent visit at 6:00pm. 3/14- Park’s Club Fieldtrip 3/23- End of the 3rd 9 weeks 3/24-25: 8th Grade Field Trip to Outer Banks 3/26- Early Release 3/26- PBIS Celebration #3 3/27- Teacher Workday, no school for students 3/28- Teacher Workday, no school for students April 🐇 4/1- Last day to order a yearbook 4/8- Spring Picture Day 4/10- 7th Grade NC A & T Visit 4/11- Early Release 4/14.21SpringBreak! 4/25- 7th Grade Carowinds Education Day Trip May 🪻 5/1- 7th Grade Guilford Courthouse Trip, Group #1 5/2- 7th Grade Guilford Courthouse Trip, Group #2 5/22- PBIS Celebration #4 5/26- Holiday, Happy Memorial Day, No school for students 5/27- 6/6- EOG Testing Window 5/28- 8th Grade Dance June ⛱️ 6/6- 8th Grade Move Up Ceremony 6/6- Last Day of School for the 2024-25 year ✨ Reminders: ✨ 📢 Field Trip Volunteers: Would you like to attend a field trip? 🚌 Please complete the mandatory field trip background check here: Background Check Link ✅ 📋 8th Graders: The new application for Early College for the 2025-26 school year is now available! 🎓 Here’s the direct link to apply: Early College Application. Don’t miss this opportunity! 📝 📸 Yearbook Baby Pictures & Tributes: Attention all 8th grade families! 🎉 This week, you will receive information on how to submit baby pictures for the yearbook and details about tributes. 💕 These special opportunities are only for our 8th-grade students, so start finding your baby pictures now! 📷✨- Due 2/14, ⚽🏀 Spring Sports Tryouts 🏐⚾ Spring sports start on Feb. 12. Dates for tryouts will be announced soon. Remember, students must have a current physical on file with the school to participate. 🩺 Physicals can be turned in at the office. Eligibility for spring sports is based on fall semester grades and attendance. 📅✅

If you'd like to order a yearbook online, use the following information: www.strawbridge.net Code YB30632

All County Band Results Are In!!! Our students did an outstanding job on their All County Band auditions. They recorded their auditions and were judged with the other three middle schools. Please congratulate them! The results are below: Flute 2nd Chair - Bella Paz Mendoza 4th Chair - Annabelle Jones 5th Chair - Shaniya Millner 7th Chair - Qui'Niyah Miller 8th Chair - Allyssaon Barahona-Pantoja Clarinet 1st Chair - Aaliyah Carter 2nd Chair - Alyssa Dimick 3rd Chair - Michael Mendoza 4th Chair - Beisy Cash-Fuentes 5th Chair - Lily Morris 7th Chair - Jayden Dimick 9th Chair - Essence Broadnax 10 Chair - Gabby Spencer 11th Chair - Fernanda Mora Martinez Bass Clarinet 2nd Chair - Malaya Hairston 3rd Chair - Alyssa Hornback 5th Chair - Liyah Pickard Alto Sax 2nd Chair - Hayleigh Chandler 4th Chair - Amelia Reamey (1st Alternate - Lee Farris) Tenor Sax 1st Chair - Omar Garcia Vasquez (Omar also made 1st chair on Baritone Saxophone) Trumpet 2nd Chair - Kiyan Moore 3rd Chair - Braylen Rodriguez 4th Chair - Jahanna Fowler 7th Chair - JaCaius Thomas 8th Chair - Royce Moore French Horn 1st Chair - Alleigh Chandler Trombone 3rd Chair - A.J. Hernandez 5th Chair - Laural Ossman Baritone 2nd Chair - Lyric Simmons 3rd Chair - Huck Darst (1st alternate - Reese Raiford) Tuba 3rd Chair - Zarius Dillard Percussion 1st Chair - Cesilia Vasquez 2nd Chair - B.J. Parker 3rd Chair - Serenity Jenkins 4th Chair - Markel Pettie 5th Chair - Owen Bragdon These students will participate in the All County Clinic and Concert on February 12 and 13th. Details coming soon.

Holmes Wresting Tournament Saturday! 🏆 Mark Your Calendars! Holmes will be hosting the Conference Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Morehead High School. 🤼‍♂️ The tournament kicks off at 9:00 a.m., and admission is just $10. 💵Come out and cheer on our Mustang Wrestlers! 🐴💪 Let’s show them some love and support! 🎉🙌

On Tuesday, January 28, HMS 8th graders had the opportunity to listen to guest speakers from our community. We had a wide variety of careers represented. Hopefully, this inspired our students to consider all their future possibilities.

Title 1 Night-Curl Up With A Good Book Tomorrow night is our next Title 1 event, Curl Up With A Good Book from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. At this event we will be kicking off our One School One Book program. You and your child will be able to: Receive a free copy of the book (Restart-Gordon Korman) the whole school will be reading the month of February. Participate in activities related to the book. Talk with your child's teachers. Set up a conference with teachers. DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, WE WILL BE UNABLE TO HAND OUT REPORT CARDS. REPORT CARDS WILL GO HOME WITH STUDENTS ON MONDAY, FEB. 3. We have 3 activities related to our book that we would like all of our parents and students to participate in. Each activity lasts about 10 mins. After you complete all three activities you will go in the gym to see your teachers to pick up a free copy of the book we are going to be reading. Once you have a copy of the book you then may go into the cafeteria and enjoy ice cream and/or hot chocolate. Since we are running time activities we are asking our parents to either come at 6:00 p.m. for the first round of activities or 6:30 p.m. for the second round. Please arrive 10 mins. before those times so we can get you in place and begin the activities on time. If you have any questions please reach out to Kelly McCorkle, Title 1 Coordinator (kmccorkle@rock.k12.nc.us)

The RCS Board of Education has accepted two draft calendars for public comment for the 2025-2026 school year. These calendars are available for those who wish to contribute feedback by filling out the attached Google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBfkGc8wltQKHUcIQE7rMi3vfkHaCUifla3XbsiuSU4ztS-Q/viewform?usp=header Traditional Calendar Option 1 has Spring Break April 6-10, 2026 found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NkjflCfQT324zWlaP2J5hx_QS291bw12/view Traditional Calendar Option 2 has Spring Break March 30-April 3, 2026 found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16nL084wP-q5Rp9zHWVhX8ySftixhL9j-/view All responses must be received no later than February 20, 2025.

The Edulog Bus Portal app provides RCS families with planned time and location information for your child’s bus ride to and from school. The app will show you the GPS location of the bus and send you a push notification when it is nearing the student’s bus stop. This app is free.

FCA Winter Jam Event FCA is sponsoring a bus to take a group of students to Winter Jam 2025-- a Christian music tour coming to Greensboro on Saturday, February 15th. Cost for food and the concert ticket is $30 total. All students are welcome. Pick up a permission slip from the front office or Ms. Huovinen's room in the elective hall. Permission slips and money are due by Friday, January 31st

You may have noticed that we have added quite a few new faces to our Mustang Family lately. We have also had to say congratulations and farewell to two of our beloved teachers. Mr. Randy Epling has taught math and social studies at HMS on every grade level in his 15 years of service. He has taken on many other duties as well, including coaching, and maintaining our front sign to keep every one informed of current events. He is now retired and looking forward to starting a new adventure with his wife, Ginger. Mrs. Kim Garrett came to HMS from Central Elementary and became a cornerstone of the math department at our school. She is a tireless teacher who is able to draw out the best in every student. She has accepted a position as the High School Math Instructional Coach for RCS. Our hearts may be broken, but we are excited for these new adventures. Join us is saying "Congratulations Friends, but always remember, there's no place like Holmes"

Sweetheart Court for Holmes Middle School Fundraiser 💖 Attention Students! 💖 Are you interested in running for our Sweetheart Court? 🌟 This opportunity is open to all students—both males and females! 👑 If you'd like to learn more, please come to the office at the end of announcements. 📢 What to Know: As a participant, you'll be authorized to fundraise for our school. 🎉 Each penny you receive equals one vote! 💰 The students with the most votes will be crowned King and Queen of the Sweetheart Court. 🏆✨ A set of Runners-up will be crowned Prince and Princess! 👸🤴 📄 If you’re interested, come grab your form from the office! Let’s make this event unforgettable! 💕 Forms can be picked up at the front office!

In remberance and honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Updates for 1/20 Week 🌟 Good Evening Holmes Families! 🌟 Here are the events coming up this week: 🎉 Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend! 🎉 A favorite quote from Dr. King is: "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend." 💖 It reminds us that everyone has a story, and as kind humans, we should show compassion to others. I hope this quote brings you hope and peace as we celebrate MLK Day tomorrow. 🙏 🖼️ The picture included is from the 2024 Washington, DC, trip featuring our current 7th and 8th graders visiting the MLK Monument. 🏛️ 📚 Curl Up With A Good Book - Title 1 Night 📚 Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. to kick off our One School One Book event! 🎉 The entire school will be reading Restart by Gordan Korman in February. At the event, you’ll receive a free copy of the book, pick up your child's report card, and chat with teachers. Fun activities and treats await! 📖 ⚽🏀 Spring Sports Tryouts 🏐⚾ Spring sports start on Feb. 12. Dates for tryouts will be announced soon. Remember, students must have a current physical on file with the school to participate. 🩺 Physicals can be turned in at the office. Eligibility for spring sports is based on fall semester grades and attendance. 📅✅ 💃🕺 Valentine's Dance 💌❤️ Student leadership is hosting a Valentine's Dance on Friday, Feb. 14. 💃 Permission forms will be sent out on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Tickets are $10 and due by Feb. 12. Mark your calendars for a night of fun! 🎶🎈 Have a fantastic week ahead! 🌈✨ This Week: January 1/20- Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday, no school for students 1/21- Regular day for students 1/22- Regular day for students 1/23- Teacher Workday, no school for students 1/23- Teacher Workday, no school for students Upcoming Dates: January 1/27- Student leadership committee will be selling Candy Grams during lunch starting January 27. Cost is $1. Candygram includes card and blow pop. 1/29- Curl Up With A Good Book Title 1 Mtg- 6:00pm 1/25- Wrestling Conference Championship at MHS (Saturday) Moved to 2/1 1/29- Early College Visit to Holmes for 8th Grade February 2/1- Wrestling Conference Championship at MHS (Saturday) 2/3-7- Check in Testing 2/12- Spring Sports Begin 2/14- Sweet Heart Dance, 3:30pm- 6:00pm 2/21- All County Choir Performance; 7pm Rock Middle 2/27- Early Release 2/28- Teacher Workday, no school for students March 3/4- Battle of the Books Competition 3/5-6: 6th Grade Field Trip to Atlanta 3/11- Future Mustang Day! Rising 6th graders visit Holmes during the day and parent visit at 6:00pm. 3/14- Park’s Club Fieldtrip 3/23- End of the 3rd 9 weeks 3/24-25: 8th Grade Field Trip to Outer Banks 3/26- Early Release 3/26- PBIS Celebration #3 3/27- Teacher Workday, no school for students 3/28- Teacher Workday, no school for students April 4/1- Last day to order a yearbook 4/8- Spring Picture Day 4/11- Early Release 4/14-21- Spring Break! May 5/22- PBIS Celebration #4 5/26- Holiday, Happy Memorial Day, No school for students 5/27- 6/6- EOG Testing Window 5/28- 8th Grade Dance June 6/6- 8th Grade Move Up Ceremony 6/6- Last Day of School for the 2024-25 year Reminders: *Would you like to attend a field trip? Please complete the mandatory field trip background check: https://securevolunteer.com/ROCKINGHAM-COUNTY-SCHOOLS/home *8th graders- The new application for Early College for the 2025-26 School year is now available. Here is the direct link to the application: https://rockapex.maxapex.net/apex/rcstech/r/173/rcechs-admission-application?session=8722738714346&tz=-5:00 **Attention all 8th grade families. You will receive information on how to get your baby pictures to the yearbook staff this week. You will also receive information on tributes! Remember, these are opportunities only available to our 8th grade students! Start finding your baby picture now!

🌟 Holiday Reminder - All RCS Offices & Schools Closed🌟 On Monday, January 20, 2025 Rockingham County Schools will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This day reminds us to reflect on Dr. King's vision of equality, justice and unity for all.

Holmes Middle School Yearbook Tribute Thank you for your interest in purchasing a tribute or advertisement in the 2024-2025 Mustang Yearbook! We are very grateful to you. Please review the attached documents to find all information about what is required for your purchase, or email Mrs. Meadows at mmeadows@rock.k12.nc.us

📢 Attention Rockingham County Schools Families: Rockingham County Schools will operate on a normal schedule tomorrow, Wednesday, January 16, 2025. Students and staff should report at the regular time. Have a great evening!

College for NC is hosting an 8th Grade Kick Off to College info session January 28, 2025 at 6p.m. via zoom. The session will provide information on preparing your 8th grader for high school and college. Scan the QR code for additional information.