FCPS

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

As you can imagine, with the end of school around the corner, it’s been a busy week at Kilmer. On Monday, I had the pleasure of attending Marshall High School’s graduation ceremony. It was a beautiful event, and I loved seeing all the former Kilmer students walk across the stage. Just as special, were the many current Kilmer students at the ceremony cheering for their older siblings. 

Today was a fun-filled day with our 8th graders going to The St. James, and our 7th graders participating in Activities Day. As you can see from the pictures below, it was a blast. We look forward to seeing many of our 8th graders return tonight for the 8th grade dance from 6-8 PM. A reminder, tickets will not be sold at the door, and students will not be admitted late (past 6:30 PM). There is no readmittance if a student decides to leave the dance prior to 8:00 PM.

Lastly, Kilmer is filled with amazing students. As I’ve highlighted the last few weeks, we began implementing “Positive Referrals” at the beginning of May, and in this short time Kilmer’s staff has written over 450 “Positive Referrals!” It’s truly one of the best parts of my job: watching a “too cool” 8th grader’s eyes light up when they receive one. It’s been a fantastic way to end the year recognizing the countless positive actions and interactions that occur daily here at Kilmer. 

Have a great weekend. As always, reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Steven McFarlane

Positive Referrals

Here are just a few of the Positive Referrals received by our Kilmer Cougars from staff members this week!

Amith C. - Amith always goes above and beyond on his assignments. He is a leader in our classroom and encourages others to do their best.  

Hanin A. - Thank you for jumping in to help your classmates who were struggling with their mousetrap car project. Your kindness and positivity offered encouragement and support to your fellow students.

Norbu L. - Norbu is one of the most positive students I've ever had. There hasn't been a day where he has greeted me without a huge smile on his face. Norbu's peers love him and ask for him to be put on their teams when we do group activities.  

Simon B. - Simon, you did a really fine job designing, cutting, shaping, and now painting your C02 Dragster. Keep up the great work!

Kilmer at a Glance

• 6/10: Guardians (8 am) and Pegasus (12:30 pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies
  • Bell schedule:
  • 2nd Period: 7:30-8:50 am
  • 3rd Period: 8:55-9:55 am
  • 6th Period: 10:00-12:00 pm *includes 4 lunches
  • 4th Period: 12:05-12:45 pm
  • Recess: 12:50-1:05 pm
  • 8th Period: 1:10-2:15 pm
• 6/11: Constellations (8 am) and Voyagers (12:30 pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies
  • Bell schedule:
  • 1st Period: 7:30-8:50 am
  • 3rd Period: 8:55-9:55 am
  • 5th Period: 10:00-12:00 pm *includes 4 lunches
  • 4th Period: 12:05-12:45 pm
  • Recess: 12:50-1:05 pm
  • 7th Period: 1:10-2:15 pm
• 6/12: Last Day of School, enjoy your summer!
  • Bell schedule:
  • 1st Period: 7:30-8:05 am
  • 2nd Period: 8:10-8:45 am
  • 3rd Period: 8:50-9:25 am
  • 5th Period: 9:30-10:05 am
  • 6th Period: 10:10-10:45 am
  • 7th Period: 10:50-11:25 am
  • 8th Period: 11:30-12:15 pm *Grab N’ Go lunch will be available at the end of 8th period.

Picture(s) of the Week

Many of Kilmer’s former students graduated this week at DAR Constitution Hall. Congrats and best of luck to Marshall’s Class of 2024.

Spanish students celebrated the year’s end by sampling dishes from various Spanish-speaking countries.

One of the great things at Kilmer is our “peer helper” program. A few of Kilmer’s “peer helpers” brought gift bags and a note for each student in Ms. Lal and Mr. Collymore’s class to celebrate the school year’s end.

Our 8th graders had a blast at the St. James today. They played basketball, volleyball, and skeeball. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the close of the school year.

Our seventh graders participated in Activities Day. Students were able to play sports, play trivia games, make crafts, and much more. 

Important Information

Mathematics Summer Learning Opportunities

Summer learning opportunities provide students access to review and support meaningful learning experiences aligned to course objectives in mathematics. Please keep in mind that summer assignments are optional and not graded.  Detailed information has been posted on the FCPS public site: https://www.fcps.edu/node/49889. In addition, specific assignments for rising 7th and 8 graders at Kilmer will be posted on the Kilmer website.

Student Laptop Collection

Parents/Guardians must pick-up Medications from the Clinic by June 12

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. More information will be provided through a separate eNotify message.

Attendance 

If your student will be absent during the last week of school, please call the Attendance line at 703-846-8888 or use the link here to report an absence. 

Report Cards

Final Report Cards can be viewed in SIS ParentVue on June 21. A copy of your child’s final report card will be mailed home by the end of June.

8th Grade Parents - Academic Career Plan Verification in Naviance

Each year, your child develops an Academic and Career Plan that supports their growth. This plan helps your child plan for their future. Your child will work with teachers and school counselors to discover their personal strengths and interests. They will also create goals to help them achieve success, plan for courses that meet high school graduation requirements, and prepare for life after high school. The development of this plan starts in middle school. Students update their plans during high school as their goals evolve. This plan supports on time graduation as well as college and career readiness. It is required by the Virginia Department of Education. Each student’s parent or guardian must review this plan at the end of 8th grade and again at the end of 10th grade.

You or your child can log into Naviance Student at www.fcps.edu/Naviance . Please review the following information together with your child: Results of the strengths and career surveys and personal, academic, and/or career goals. The draft course plan will be completed during Advisory on May 20. Once in your child’s account, click on their initials in the top right corner. Select “Portfolio.” Once you click on the Portfolio, you can view all the work that your child has completed. Once you have reviewed your child’s plan, complete the verification form at  https://forms.gle/joS6gevuhCMERvV3A . The completion of this form will serve as your signature. Please complete this form by Friday, June 28, 2024. For more information visit www.FCPS.edu and search “Academic and Career Plan.” We encourage you to continue to use Naviance Student with your child to explore college and career options. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school counselor.

8100 Wolftrap Road Vienna, VA 22182 | Phone: 703-846-8800

Attendance: 703-846-8888 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

This past Tuesday the PTA hosted our final meeting of the school year and the theme was “Transitioning to High School.” We had a great turnout and insightful conversations. Thank you to Jeff Litz, Principal of Marshall High School, and the former Kilmer students who now attend Marshall and Madison for serving on the panel and sharing their perspective about how best to prepare for high school. 

Also, I want to thank the PTA Executive Board for their two years of service to the Kilmer Community. President Fatima Latif, Treasurer Paul Kim, and Secretary Shilpee Arora have been such amazing partners, and I’m incredibly grateful for the work they’ve done to support families, students, and staff at Kilmer. I’m pleased to announce next year’s PTA Executive Board: President Wendy Rosner, Treasurer Laura Roper, and Secretary Mandy Ryan. I look forward to our future collaboration. 

Finally, be sure to scan the blurbs below for information on yearbooks, returning library books, and end-of-year celebrations. 

As always, reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Positive Referrals

Here are just a few of the Positive Referrals received by our Kilmer Cougars from staff members this week!

Cyra S. - Cyra is consistently a model student who shows integrity and does the right thing.  Recently when I was out of the building, my substitute commented that Cyra was an "extraordinary student."  I am grateful for her!

Lilia A. - She's my go to student who I can rely on to include peers in group activities and make them feel welcome. 

Damien D. - For always being a positive influence on his peers and putting forth his best effort in class. Keep up the humble personality! 

Jonathan O. - Assisted another student in class with an assignment. - Listened and was respectful of others' viewpoints. - Had a positive attitude when trying something new or challenging. - Encouraged others.

Jason U.V. - Jason, this morning as the bell rang for students to exit the cafeteria and head to class I looked over and noticed you cleaning up a mess that you did not make. It's the little things that add up to make a big impact, and I appreciate you taking the extra step without being asked. Keep it up!

Kilmer at a Glance

Note: At Kilmer, we have “Green Days ” and “Blue Days.” On “Green Days” students attend periods 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and on “Blue Days” students attend periods 2, 3, 4, 6, 8. 

• 5/27: Theater Spring Field Trip (non-school day)
• 5/29: Band Spring Concert at Marshall HS
• 5/31: Broadway Desserts at Kilmer MS
• 6/5: Orchestra Spring Concert at Marshall HS

• 6/6: Choir Spring Concert at Marshall HS

• 6/7: 8th Grade Field Trip to St. James & 7th Grade Activities Day & 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance

Picture(s) of the Week

We had a great turnout for our final PTA meeting of the year as we explored the topic, “Transitioning to High School.” A big thank you to the panel of former Kilmer students (and current Marshall/Madison students), and Principal Jeff Litz for sharing their perspectives.

Congratulations to Kilmer’s Music Department for receiving another Blue Ribbon School Award! This award is given to schools that receive a “Superior” rating for their top groups in band, choir, and orchestra. Thank you to Kevin Sapp (chorus), Robert Katz (orchestra), Sharon Bonneau (band), Bethany Thomas (band), and Zach Sellers (band) for making our music department such a fun place for students.

On Thursday, students from both semesters of Advanced Theatre participated in the Folger Shakespeare Festival. These students volunteered their time and efforts in order to bring to life some of the most classic works of Shakespeare. The piece they presented was edited, directed, and choreographed by 8th Grader Kate Kim.

Congratulations to Marshall Klinefelter for being named the best shot putter in Fairfax County Middle School Athletics. Marshall went 4-0 in shot put for the 2024 season and accumulated 40 points for the team. 

Important Information

Spring SOL Testing

Expedited Retakes for students who qualified and have parent permission to retest will take place between Tuesday, May 28th, and Friday, May 31st, as follows:

• Math SOL Retakes: Tuesday, 5/28
• Reading SOL Retakes: Wednesday, 5/29
• Science SOL Retakes: Thursday, 5/23
• Last day to retake any SOL: 5/31

Students must score between 375 and 399 to qualify for an expedited retake. Students who qualify will receive remediation before testing. Parents will be contacted if their child qualifies for an expedited retake.

Official Score Reports for SOL reading, math, and science tests will be posted in ParentVUE documents the week of June 3.

If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Kilmer’s school test coordinator, Marileigh Blake, at [email protected] or 703-846-8844.

Yearbooks - still available!

Yearbook distribution will take place June 5th, during all lunches. To ensure your student receives their copy of the yearbook, please make sure to have purchased your copy online by June 1st.

You can purchase your copy by clicking on the link below. Cost is $45. There are few copies left to purchase! Kilmer Yearbook Purchase

Questions, please email Mr. Prevost at  [email protected].

Last Day for After School Activities & Late Bus Transportation

The Last Day for Afterschool Activities & Late Bus Transportation is Thursday, May 30th – Students may only stay for academic support following this date and must make arrangements with individual teachers. Families will need to coordinate transportation by 3:30 pm for pick-up.

Student Laptop Collection

Check for Library and Classroom Books – due back Wednesday, May 29

All student library books are due back to the Kilmer Library no later than Wednesday, May 29. We ask families to nudge their students to check in backpacks, under beds, on bookshelves, and in car trunks for any Kilmer books that are still checked out. Please also check for any books that belong to classrooms. Throughout this month, students should regularly check their FCPS Google email in order to see what titles they might still have out. Families will receive communication regarding charges for books that have not been returned. Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Hazlin and Mrs. Tempesta, Kilmer’s librarians.

Parents/Guardians must pick-up Medications from the Clinic by June 12

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. More information will be provided through a separate eNotify message.

8th Grade Field Trip & 8th Grade Dance: Friday, June 7

• Field Trip, 9:30-1:30pm on June 7: To celebrate the culmination of middle school, we invite all 8th grade students who are in good academic and disciplinary standing on a field trip to The St. James Sports, Fitness and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, VA. Students will receive field trip forms through their Civics class next week, and forms are also available on the school website or in the Main Office. Payment is made through My School Bucks. Completed forms should be returned before May 24 to students’ Civics teachers.
• 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance, June 7 from 6-8pm: The 8th grade dance is a time for 8th graders to celebrate their time at Kilmer with music, dancing, a photobooth, and dinner. This year’s 8th grade semi-formal will be on Friday, June 7th from 6:00-8:00 pm. at Kilmer Middle School. Doors will close at 6:30 p.m. and students will not be admitted late. There is no readmittance if a student decides to leave the dance prior to 8:00 pm. Attire is semi-formal. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased during the school day, prior to the dance. No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets may be purchased with cash during all lunches Thursday, May 30th – Tuesday, June 4th. The theme of the dance this year is Enchanted Forest. If you have any themed decorations you no longer need, SCA would love to use them for the dance! Please contact Ms. Mattix ([email protected]) and Ms. Spracklin ([email protected]) with any questions.

8th Grade Parents - Academic Career Plan Verification in Naviance

Each year, your child develops an Academic and Career Plan that supports their growth. This plan helps your child plan for their future. Your child will work with teachers and school counselors to discover their personal strengths and interests. They will also create goals to help them achieve success, plan for courses that meet high school graduation requirements, and prepare for life after high school. The development of this plan starts in middle school. Students update their plans during high school as their goals evolve. This plan supports on time graduation as well as college and career readiness. It is required by the Virginia Department of Education. Each student’s parent or guardian must review this plan at the end of 8th grade and again at the end of 10th grade.

You or your child can log into Naviance Student at www.fcps.edu/Naviance . Please review the following information together with your child: Results of the strengths and career surveys and personal, academic, and/or career goals. The draft course plan will be completed during Advisory on May 20. Once in your child’s account, click on their initials in the top right corner. Select “Portfolio.” Once you click on the Portfolio, you can view all the work that your child has completed. Once you have reviewed your child’s plan, complete the verification form at  https://forms.gle/joS6gevuhCMERvV3A . The completion of this form will serve as your signature. Please complete this form by Friday, June 28, 2024. For more information visit www.FCPS.edu and search “Academic and Career Plan.” We encourage you to continue to use Naviance Student with your child to explore college and career options. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school counselor.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

Each week Ms. Kardelis will post a detailed overview of our After School Program to our website. Please visit Kilmer’s website at https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/afterschool_newsletter to find the weekly After School newsletter. If you have any questions regarding our After School Program please reach out to Kim Kardelis (After School Specialist) at [email protected].

References & Reminders

8th Grade End of Year Events

Save the date for the 8th Grade Team Promotion Ceremonies! More information will be coming soon. If you need to know which team your child is on, please ask your student. It is also listed in SIS in their class schedule. More information is available on our website.

TJHSST Math Tutors

Beginning March 4th,  Kilmer students will have another opportunity to receive additional support in math. Each Monday from 7:00 am to 7:25 am, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students will be available for math tutoring in the math modular. All Kilmer students are welcome to attend.

Lightspeed Parent Report

8100 Wolftrap Road Vienna, VA 22182 | Phone: 703-846-8800

Attendance: 703-846-8888 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer at a Glance

Kilmer Community,

It’s hard to believe there are only four weeks remaining in the school year! Today, we finished our first round of SOL testing for all subjects with the Science 8 SOL. In the coming weeks, SOL testing will center around make-ups and retakes for students who qualified. 

I’m excited to partner with the PTA for our final in-person meeting of the year. Our topic is “Transitioning to High School” and is specifically geared toward 8th grade parents and students. We’ve put together a student panel (current Marshall and Madison students), as well as Marshall’s Principal, Jeff Litz, to answer questions about ways to prepare for the transition to high school. Please consider joining us this upcoming Tuesday, May 21 at 7 PM in the Kilmer cafeteria.

As always, reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Positive Referrals

Here are just a few of the Positive Referrals received by our Kilmer Cougars from staff members this week!

Caroline H. - Caroline brings a huge dose of positivity to Science class every day. She works hard to achieve and sets a great example for her classmates. 

Ashlyn B. - Ashlyn has grown so much as a student this year. She has matured and really came into her own. She works to improve even when the task is difficult, showing impressive determination. I really appreciate all the hard work she has exhibited this year. Thank you!

Nicholas M. - Nicholas sets high academic expectations for himself in class by taking a sincere and self-motivated approach to his studies. Thank you for the example you set for your peers!

Ashley C. - Ashley is such a wonderful, hardworking, and kind individual! She always comes to class with a positive attitude, ready to learn. Ashley is a fabulous peer helper - she offers help to many students and is able to assist them effectively. I am so grateful to have Ashley as a student. 

Note: At Kilmer, we have “Green Days ” and “Blue Days.” On “Green Days” students attend periods 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and on “Blue Days” students attend periods 2, 3, 4, 6, 8. 

• 5/27: Theater Spring Field Trip (non-school day)
• 5/29: Band Spring Concert at Marshall HS
• 5/31: Broadway Desserts at Kilmer MS
• 6/5: Orchestra Spring Concert at Marshall HS

• 6/6: Choir Spring Concert at Marshall HS
• 6/7: 8th Grade Field Trip to St. James & 7th Grade Activities Day & 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance

Picture(s) of the Week

Congratulations! Jayden has been selected to continue on to the final round of the FACE Solo Competition. The Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education (FACE) Solo Competition is open to any band or strings student currently enrolled in a band or strings program in FCPS. Jayden submitted a video playing a snare solo “The Winner” in the Master Artist category and was then selected to proceed to the final round.

Band, Orchestra, and Chorus students had a blast at Busch Gardens last week! Thanks to all the staff and parents who chaperoned. 

The Positive Referrals have been a huge hit at Kilmer! To date, over 150 Positive Referrals have been submitted by Kilmer staff recognizing students for their positive behavior demonstrated throughout the building. Each Friday, students who receive a Positive Referral can grab a reward during their lunch in the cafeteria. 

Some of our Young Scholars let their creativity flow as they participated in “Paint & Pizza” after school in the Kilmer Library.

Important Information

Spring SOL Testing

Makeup testing for students who missed one or more of their SOLs will take place between Tuesday, May 21st, and Friday, May 24th, as follows:

• Math SOL Makeups: Tuesday, 5/21
• Reading SOL Makeups: Wednesday, 5/22
• Science SOL Makeups: Thursday, 5/23
• Last day to make up any SOL: 5/24

Expedited Retakes for students who qualified and have parent permission to retest will take place between Tuesday, May 28th, and Friday, May 31st, as follows:

• Math SOL Retakes: Tuesday, 5/28
• Reading SOL Retakes: Wednesday, 5/29
• Science SOL Retakes: Thursday, 5/23
• Last day to retake any SOL: 5/31

Students must score between 375 and 399 to qualify for an expedited retake. Students who qualify will receive remediation before testing. Parents will be contacted if their child qualifies for an expedited retake.

Official Score Reports for SOL reading, math, and science tests will be posted in ParentVUE documents the week of June 3.

If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Kilmer’s school test coordinator, Marileigh Blake, at [email protected] or 703-846-8844.

Yearbooks - still available!

This year’s 2023-2024 Kilmer yearbook just arrived! Distribution will be in June, once all SOL test is completed. An exact distribution date will be released next week. If you have not purchased your copy of the yearbook, you still have time. We currently have 115 yearbooks left to purchase. Once those are gone, they are gone! Yearbooks are $45, you can purchase your copy here. Questions? Email Mr. Prevost [email protected]

Pictured: Yearbook member Mason shows off this year’s Yearbook.

Check for Library and Classroom Books – due back Wednesday, May 29

All student library books are due back to the Kilmer Library no later than Wednesday, May 29. We ask families to nudge their students to check in backpacks, under beds, on bookshelves, and in car trunks for any Kilmer books that are still checked out. Please also check for any books that belong to classrooms. Throughout this month, students should regularly check their FCPS Google email in order to see what titles they might still have out. Families will receive communication regarding charges for books that have not been returned. Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Hazlin and Mrs. Tempesta, Kilmer’s librarians.

8th Grade Field Trip & 8th Grade Dance: Friday, June 7

• Field Trip, 9:30-1:30pm on June 7: To celebrate the culmination of middle school, we invite all 8th grade students who are in good academic and disciplinary standing on a field trip to The St. James Sports, Fitness and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, VA. Students will receive field trip forms through their Civics class next week, and forms are also available on the school website or in the Main Office. Payment is made through My School Bucks. Completed forms should be returned before May 24 to students’ Civics teachers.
• 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance, June 7 from 6-8pm: The 8th grade dance is a time for 8th graders to celebrate their time at Kilmer with music, dancing, a photobooth, and dinner. This year’s 8th grade semi-formal will be on Friday, June 7th from 6:00-8:00 pm. at Kilmer Middle School. Doors will close at 6:30 p.m. and students will not be admitted late. There is no readmittance if a student decides to leave the dance prior to 8:00 pm. Attire is semi-formal. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased during the school day, prior to the dance. No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets may be purchased with cash during all lunches Thursday, May 30th – Tuesday, June 4th. The theme of the dance this year is Enchanted Forest. If you have any themed decorations you no longer need, SCA would love to use them for the dance! Please contact Ms. Mattix ([email protected]) and Ms. Spracklin ([email protected]) with any questions.

 

8th Grade Parents - Academic Career Plan Verification in Naviance

Each year, your child develops an Academic and Career Plan that supports their growth. This plan helps your child plan for their future. Your child will work with teachers and school counselors to discover their personal strengths and interests. They will also create goals to help them achieve success, plan for courses that meet high school graduation requirements, and prepare for life after high school. The development of this plan starts in middle school. Students update their plans during high school as their goals evolve. This plan supports on time graduation as well as college and career readiness. It is required by the Virginia Department of Education. Each student’s parent or guardian must review this plan at the end of 8th grade and again at the end of 10th grade.

You or your child can log into Naviance Student at www.fcps.edu/Naviance . Please review the following information together with your child: Results of the strengths and career surveys and personal, academic, and/or career goals. The draft course plan will be completed during Advisory on May 20. Once in your child’s account, click on their initials in the top right corner. Select “Portfolio.” Once you click on the Portfolio, you can view all the work that your child has completed. Once you have reviewed your child’s plan, complete the verification form at  https://forms.gle/joS6gevuhCMERvV3A . The completion of this form will serve as your signature. Please complete this form by Friday, June 28, 2024. For more information visit www.FCPS.edu and search “Academic and Career Plan.” We encourage you to continue to use Naviance Student with your child to explore college and career options. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school counselor.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

Each week Ms. Kardelis will post a detailed overview of our After School Program to our website. Please visit Kilmer’s website at https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/afterschool_newsletter to find the weekly After School newsletter. If you have any questions regarding our After School Program please reach out to Kim Kardelis (After School Specialist) at [email protected].

References & Reminders

8th Grade End of Year Events

Save the date for the 8th Grade Team Promotion Ceremonies! More information will be coming soon. If you need to know which team your child is on, please ask your student. It is also listed in SIS in their class schedule. More information is available on our website.

TJHSST Math Tutors

Beginning March 4th,  Kilmer students will have another opportunity to receive additional support in math. Each Monday from 7:00 am to 7:25 am, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students will be available for math tutoring in the math modular. All Kilmer students are welcome to attend.

Lightspeed Parent Report

8100 Wolftrap Road Vienna, VA 22182 | Phone: 703-846-8800

Attendance: 703-846-8888 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer at a Glance

Kilmer Community,

The PTA outdid themselves this week for Staff Appreciation Week, and on behalf of all the Kilmer staff, THANK YOU! Between the Tropical Smoothies, Anita’s burritos, soda bar, and more, we are grateful for the time, energy, and money you put into showing your appreciation. 

As I mentioned last week, we started a new initiative with Positive Referrals to celebrate positive behavior demonstrated by our students. Teachers and staff have been submitting referrals this week and we’ve already given out over 80 Positive Referrals. It’s been rewarding to recognize students who make such a positive impact on our school community. Each Friday, students who receive a Positive Referral throughout the week are able to pick up a reward during lunch. Starting this week, I plan to highlight just a few of the Positive Referrals submitted by staff for our students in the weekly newsletter. 

Lastly, students got off to a strong start with our Reading SOLs on Thursday. Next week students will take their Math SOLs, and the 8th graders will take the Science SOL. 

As always, reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Positive Referrals

Here are just a few of the Positive Referrals received by our Kilmer Cougars from staff members this week!

Jackson B. - Jackson, thank you for being such a polite and kind student in Science. All year, no matter who I ask you to work with, you've been a positive influence and have supported other students and their learning. You lead by example and I feel privileged to be your teacher. Keep up the great work!

Kossara T. - Being willing to give 100% even if the activity in class is new to you. Thank you!

Hamoud A. - Hamoud was a great leader and helper in a challenging activity during Math class today. He worked hard the entire time, and was a great example to classmates to stay focused on the task. 

Amanda C. - Amanda you are an absolute pleasure to teach! Not only do I appreciate your academic effort but you demonstrate such thoughtful and kind behavior that is often missing in the world. Your 8th grade teachers will be lucky to have you in their classes!

We’ll continue to add to the collection of Positive Referrals by posting them on the cafeteria windows for everyone to read about the great things happening by our students throughout the building.

Note: At Kilmer, we have “Green Days ” and “Blue Days.” On “Green Days” students attend periods 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and on “Blue Days” students attend periods 2, 3, 4, 6, 8.

• 5/14: Math SOL
• 5/17: Science SOL - 8th Grade Only
• 5/27: Theater Spring Field Trip (non-school day)
• 5/29: Band Spring Concert at Marshall HS
• 5/31: Broadway Desserts at Kilmer MS
• 6/5: Orchestra Spring Concert at Marshall HS

• 6/6: Choir Spring Concert at Marshall HS

• 6/7: 8th Grade Field Trip to St. James & 7th Grade Activities Day & 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance
• 6/10: Guardians (8 am) and Pegasus (12:30 pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies
• 6/11: Constellations (8 am) and Voyagers (12:30 pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies

Picture(s) of the Week

Thank you for making Staff Appreciation Week a memorable one!

Important Information

Spring SOL Testing

The spring SOL testing calendar can be found below. Details about testing days and changes to the bell schedule will be communicated regularly to students ahead of the testing window. Students will receive information about testing dates, times, and locations in their fcpsschool.net email account. All testing will begin at 7:30 am on the days listed below. It is important that students come to school on time on these testing days. If a student is absent on their testing day, makeup tests can occur throughout the testing window.  

• 5/14: Math SOL
• 5/17: Science SOL - 8th Grade Only

If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Kilmer’s school test coordinator, Marileigh Blake, at [email protected] or 703-846-8844.

Check for Library and Classroom Books – due back Wednesday, May 29

All student library books are due back to the Kilmer Library no later than Wednesday, May 29. We ask families to nudge their students to check in backpacks, under beds, on bookshelves, and in car trunks for any Kilmer books that are still checked out. Please also check for any books that belong to classrooms. Throughout this month, students should regularly check their FCPS Google email in order to see what titles they might still have out. Families will receive communication regarding charges for books that have not been returned. Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Hazlin and Mrs. Tempesta, Kilmer’s librarians.

8th Grade Field Trip & 8th Grade Dance: Friday, June 7

• Field Trip, 9:30-1:30pm on June 7: To celebrate the culmination of middle school, we invite all 8th grade students who are in good academic and disciplinary standing on a field trip to The St. James Sports, Fitness and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, VA. Students will receive field trip forms through their Civics class next week, and forms are also available on the school website or in the Main Office. Payment is made through My School Bucks. Completed forms should be returned before May 24 to students’ Civics teachers.
• 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance, June 7 from 6-8pm: The 8th grade dance is a time for 8th graders to celebrate their time at Kilmer with music, dancing, a photobooth, and dinner. This year’s 8th grade semi-formal will be on Friday, June 7th from 6:00-8:00 pm. at Kilmer Middle School. Doors will close at 6:30 p.m. and students will not be admitted late. There is no readmittance if a student decides to leave the dance prior to 8:00 pm. Attire is semi-formal. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased during the school day, prior to the dance. No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets may be purchased with cash during all lunches Thursday, May 30th – Tuesday, June 4th. The theme of the dance this year is Enchanted Forest. If you have any themed decorations you no longer need, SCA would love to use them for the dance! Please contact Ms. Mattix ([email protected]) and Ms. Spracklin ([email protected]) with any questions.

 

8th Grade Parents - Academic Career Plan Verification in Naviance

Each year, your child develops an Academic and Career Plan that supports their growth. This plan helps your child plan for their future. Your child will work with teachers and school counselors to discover their personal strengths and interests. They will also create goals to help them achieve success, plan for courses that meet high school graduation requirements, and prepare for life after high school. The development of this plan starts in middle school. Students update their plans during high school as their goals evolve. This plan supports on time graduation as well as college and career readiness. It is required by the Virginia Department of Education. Each student’s parent or guardian must review this plan at the end of 8th grade and again at the end of 10th grade.

You or your child can log into Naviance Student at www.fcps.edu/Naviance . Please review the following information together with your child: Results of the strengths and career surveys and personal, academic, and/or career goals. The draft course plan will be completed during Advisory on May 20. Once in your child’s account, click on their initials in the top right corner. Select “Portfolio.” Once you click on the Portfolio, you can view all the work that your child has completed. Once you have reviewed your child’s plan, complete the verification form at  https://forms.gle/joS6gevuhCMERvV3A . The completion of this form will serve as your signature. Please complete this form by Friday, June 28, 2024. For more information visit www.FCPS.edu and search “Academic and Career Plan.” We encourage you to continue to use Naviance Student with your child to explore college and career options. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school counselor.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

Each week Ms. Kardelis will post a detailed overview of our After School Program to our website. Please visit Kilmer’s website at https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/afterschool_newsletter to find the weekly After School newsletter. If you have any questions regarding our After School Program please reach out to Kim Kardelis (After School Specialist) at [email protected].

References & Reminders

8th Grade End of Year Events

Save the date for the 8th Grade Team Promotion Ceremonies! More information will be coming soon. If you need to know which team your child is on, please ask your student. It is also listed in SIS in their class schedule. More information is available on our website.

TJHSST Math Tutors

Beginning March 4th,  Kilmer students will have another opportunity to receive additional support in math. Each Monday from 7:00 am to 7:25 am, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students will be available for math tutoring in the math modular. All Kilmer students are welcome to attend.

Lightspeed Parent Report

8100 Wolftrap Road Vienna, VA 22182 | Phone: 703-846-8800

Attendance: 703-846-8888 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer at a Glance

Kilmer Community,

Starting Monday, Kilmer is implementing a new initiative to celebrate positive behavior shown by our students. Teachers and staff have been encouraged to nominate students who demonstrate exemplary behavior. Every Thursday/Friday, students who have been recognized by a staff member during the week will receive a special note, hand-delivered by an administrator or counselor. Along with the note, they will also receive a voucher to redeem for a reward during lunch on Fridays. Additionally, we will showcase a copy of the note in the Main Hall to inspire other students to make positive choices. 

Also, there’s a lot going on in the next six weeks. Be sure to read below for information on SOL testing, which begins next week, as well as our end of year celebration opportunities.

As always, reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Note: At Kilmer, we have “Green Days ” and “Blue Days.” On “Green Days” students attend periods 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and on “Blue Days” students attend periods 2, 3, 4, 6, 8. 

• 5/6 - 5/10: Staff Appreciation Week - On Behalf of the PTA
• 5/9: Reading SOL
• 5/10: Music Field Trip
• 5/14: Math SOL
• 5/17: Science SOL - 8th Grade Only

• Friday, 6/7: 8th Grade Field Trip to St. James & 7th Grade Activities Day

• Monday, 6/10: Guardians (8am) and Pegasus (12:30pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies
• Tuesday, 6/11: Constellations (8am) and Voyagers (12:30pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies

Picture(s) of the Week

After working hard all year, Kilmer’s Battle of the Books team faced off against 13 other FCPS middle schools at the Cross County Championship held at Lake Braddock Secondary School last week. It was a fun and spirited event and our students represented Kilmer well!

Congratulations to all our Crosstown Kicks athletes that competed against Luther Jackson, Longfellow, and Thoreau this past Friday. 

Students in US History classes were able to participate in a Q&A panel with a World War II veteran here at Kilmer. Students were able to ask questions of Mr. Palenski based on what they had learned in class, deepening their understanding of the experiences of those who served during World War II. The Q&A session is available on the Kilmer YouTube channel. 

Important Information

Spring SOL Testing

The spring SOL testing calendar can be found below. Details about testing days and changes to the bell schedule will be communicated regularly to students ahead of the testing window. Students will receive information about testing dates, times, and locations in their fcpsschool.net email account. All testing will begin at 7:30 am on the days listed below. It is important that students come to school on time on these testing days. If a student is absent on their testing day, makeup tests can occur throughout the testing window.  

• 5/9: Reading SOL
• 5/14: Math SOL
• 5/17: Science SOL - 8th Grade Only

If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Kilmer’s school test coordinator, Marileigh Blake, at [email protected] or 703-846-8844.

8th Grade Field Trip & 8th Grade Dance: Friday, June 7

• Field Trip, 9:30-1:30pm on June 7: To celebrate the culmination of middle school, we invite all 8th grade students who are in good academic and disciplinary standing on a field trip to The St. James Sports, Fitness and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, VA. Students will receive field trip forms through their Civics class next week, and forms are also available on the school website or in the Main Office. Payment is made through My School Bucks. Completed forms should be returned before May 24 to students’ Civics teachers.
• 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance, June 7 from 6-8pm: The 8th grade dance is a time for 8th graders to celebrate their time at Kilmer with music, dancing, a photobooth, and dinner. This year’s 8th grade semi-formal will be on Friday, June 7th from 6:00-8:00 pm. at Kilmer Middle School. Doors will close at 6:30 p.m. and students will not be admitted late. There is no readmittance if a student decides to leave the dance prior to 8:00 pm. Attire is semi-formal. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased during the school day, prior to the dance. No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets may be purchased with cash during all lunches Thursday, May 30th – Tuesday, June 4th. The theme of the dance this year is Enchanted Forest. If you have any themed decorations you no longer need, SCA would love to use them for the dance! Please contact Ms. Mattix ([email protected]) and Ms. Spracklin ([email protected]) with any questions.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

Each week Ms. Kardelis will post a detailed overview of our After School Program to our website. Please visit Kilmer’s website at https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/afterschool_newsletter to find the weekly After School newsletter. If you have any questions regarding our After School Program please reach out to Kim Kardelis (After School Specialist) at [email protected].

References & Reminders

8th Grade End of Year Events

Save the date for the 8th Grade Team Promotion Ceremonies! More information will be coming soon. If you need to know which team your child is on, please ask your student. It is also listed in SIS in their class schedule. More information is available on our website.

TJHSST Math Tutors

Beginning March 4th,  Kilmer students will have another opportunity to receive additional support in math. Each Monday from 7:00 am to 7:25 am, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students will be available for math tutoring in the math modular. All Kilmer students are welcome to attend.

Middle School Track & Field

Kilmer is hosting its first Track & Field season this Spring as a part of the FCPS Middle School Athletics Program! Practices will be held after school beginning March 12th and held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week (with a possible additional practice on Mondays for field event(s) as the season progresses). 

Track Events

• 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1600m

Field Events

• Long Jump and Shot Put

Remaining Track Meet Dates 

• May 4, 11

Lightspeed Parent Report

8100 Wolftrap Road Vienna, VA 22182 | Phone: 703-846-8800

Attendance: 703-846-8888 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer at a Glance

Kilmer Community,

I like to joke that you’ve never really lived until you’ve chaperoned a middle school dance 😀. But seriously, it’s a great opportunity for our students to cut loose, have fun, and be with their friends. Thank you to Emma Spracklin and Kristen Mattix for organizing the 7th grade dance and thank you to the many Kilmer staff members who chaperoned.

A special thank you to the PTA for “Stock the Fridge!” on Monday. Our staff really enjoyed the treats. It was the perfect way to start the workweek. 

Tonight is our second annual Crosstown Kicks event. Our boys and girls soccer teams will face off against three other middle schools at Luther Jackson starting at 5 pm. Good luck to the Cougars and thanks to Mr. Gonzalez for his countless hours organizing and coaching our students, as well as Ms. Kardelis for coordinating this event with the other middle schools! 

Finally, be sure to check the calendar for upcoming SOL testing dates. Our teachers and students have been hard at work reviewing so that our students can put their best foot forward on these assessments. 

As always, reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Steven McFarlane

Note: At Kilmer, we have “Green Days ” and “Blue Days.” On “Green Days” students attend periods 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and on “Blue Days” students attend periods 2, 3, 4, 6, 8. 

• 5/6 - 5/10: Staff Appreciation Week - On Behalf of the PTA

• Friday, 6/7: 8th Grade Field Trip to St. James & 7th Grade Activities Day

• Monday, 6/10: Guardians (8am) and Pegasus (12:30pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies

• Tuesday, 6/11: Constellations (8am) and Voyagers (12:30pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies

 

Picture(s) of the Week

Students taking advantage of “whiteboard tables” to show their work during math class with Ms. Zein.

This week we hosted rising 7th graders from our feeder schools. It was great to meet future Cougars and to watch our current students lead tours throughout the building.

7th graders danced the afternoon away on Thursday at the 7th Grade Dance.

Important Information

8th Grade End of Year Events

Save the date for the 8th Grade Team Promotion Ceremonies! More information will be coming soon. If you need to know which team your child is on, please ask your student. It is also listed in SIS in their class schedule.

Kidz Kamp at Madison High School

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

Each week Ms. Kardelis will post a detailed overview of our After School Program to our website. Please visit Kilmer’s website at https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/afterschool_newsletter to find the weekly After School newsletter. If you have any questions regarding our After School Program please reach out to Kim Kardelis (After School Specialist) at [email protected].

References & Reminders

New Regulation on Meditation and Reflection Spaces

FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.

These spaces are for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact their child’s school counselor regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more information.

Course Registration for 24-25

Academic Advising for 7th and 8th grade students is now closed. To see the list of courses your child selected for the 2024-2025 school year, please log in to your SIS ParentVUE account and click on the Course Requests tab. Access directions for viewing course requests here: Online Course Requests. This list of courses is NOT a schedule, but a confirmation of the courses entered into the student information system. 

7th Grade Students: Parents can submit a request to change a course or report an error by contacting a Kilmer school counselor by email. All requests must be submitted by email no later than Friday, May 31. Schedule changes will not be accommodated at the start of the school year. When viewing your child’s course selections, please consider the following:

8th Grade Students: Kilmer can no longer assist with changes to high school courses. Please contact the office of student services at the high school your child is attending if you have questions about 9th grade courses.

Attendance Reminder

Our goal this school year is to partner with families to help minimize the number of days students are absent. We understand each year may present extenuating circumstances that lead to missed days. FCPS has created a Health Flyer for Parents indicating when a parent should keep their child home from school. When planning trips or having your child participate in non-school activities during school hours, please keep in mind that absences add up quickly and these types of absences will be documented as unexcused locally (UNL). The Virginia Department of Education considers students who are absent 10 percent of the school year, or just two days per month, chronically absent. Please review FCPS Attendance Policies and resources to encourage regular school attendance. Parents can also view their child’s attendance record in SIS ParentVUE.

TJHSST Math Tutors

Beginning March 4th,  Kilmer students will have another opportunity to receive additional support in math. Each Monday from 7:00 am to 7:25 am, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students will be available for math tutoring in the math modular. All Kilmer students are welcome to attend.

Middle School Track & Field

Kilmer is hosting its first Track & Field season this Spring as a part of the FCPS Middle School Athletics Program! Practices will be held after school beginning March 12th and held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week (with a possible additional practice on Mondays for field event(s) as the season progresses). 

Track Events

• 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1600m

Field Events

• Long Jump and Shot Put

Track Meet Dates 

• May 4, 11

Lightspeed Parent Report

8100 Wolftrap Road Vienna, VA 22182 | Phone: 703-846-8800

Attendance: 703-846-8888 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer at a Glance

Kilmer Community,

Last night I had the pleasure of attending our National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) ceremony which recognized 159 of our 8th graders for their commitment to scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. This is just a snapshot of the outstanding kids we have in this building. Thank you to Sheryl Jones and Danielle Sweet for sponsoring NJHS and putting together a meaningful ceremony to celebrate our students.

Beginning this week we will host rising 7th grade students from our feeder elementary schools. This is an exciting time as we introduce the “big wide world of middle school” to our future Kilmer Cougars. Many current Kilmer students act as Student Ambassadors, giving student tours, leading transition activities, and sitting on a student panel to answer questions and give advice to future Kilmer students. 

Lastly, our inaugural Track & Field season kicked off last Saturday and we had over 70 Kilmer students participate in the meet. Kilmer athletes have been working hard at practices for the past few weeks, and it’s always great when they get a chance to compete. If you’re free on Saturday morning, stop by McLean High School to watch their second meet of the season. 

As always, reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Note: At Kilmer, we have “Green Days ” and “Blue Days.” On “Green Days” students attend periods 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and on “Blue Days” students attend periods 2, 3, 4, 6, 8. 

• Thursday, 5/9: Reading SOLs
• Tuesday, 5/14: Math SOLs
• Friday, 5/17: Science SOL
• Friday, 6/7: 8th Grade Field Trip to St. James & 7th Grade Activities Day

• Monday, 6/10: Guardians (8am) and Pegasus (12:30pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies
• Tuesday, 6/11: Constellations (8am) and Voyagers (12:30pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies

Picture(s) of the Week

Congratulations to the over 70 Kilmer Track & Field athletes who competed this past Saturday in the inaugural FCPS middle school track & field meet. Come check out the Kilmer team on Saturday at McLean High School.

Congratulations to our newest National Junior Honor Society members! It was a great turnout and a chance for NJHS members to present their service learning projects before the induction ceremony. 

Important Information

7th Grade Dance: Thursday, April 25 from 2:30-4:30pm

Next week is the 7th grade dance! This event is open only to 7th grade students. Tickets are $3 and students may purchase them during all lunches in the cafeteria on Thursday, April 25. Tickets may be purchased with cash only. At the dance, there will be a DJ and photobooth. There will be snacks available for purchase. After the dance, students may take the late buses home or be picked up.

New Regulation on Meditation and Reflection Spaces

FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.

These spaces are for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact their child’s school counselor regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more information.

8th Grade End of Year Events

Save the date for the 8th Grade Team Promotion Ceremonies! More information will be coming soon. If you need to know which team your child is on, please ask your student. It is also listed in SIS in their class schedule.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

Each week Ms. Kardelis will post a detailed overview of our After School Program to our website. Please visit Kilmer’s website at https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/afterschool_newsletter to find the weekly After School newsletter. If you have any questions regarding our After School Program please reach out to Kim Kardelis (After School Specialist) at [email protected].

References & Reminders

Course Registration for 24-25

Academic Advising for 7th and 8th grade students is now closed. To see the list of courses your child selected for the 2024-2025 school year, please log in to your SIS ParentVUE account and click on the Course Requests tab. Access directions for viewing course requests here: Online Course Requests. This list of courses is NOT a schedule, but a confirmation of the courses entered into the student information system. 

7th Grade Students: Parents can submit a request to change a course or report an error by contacting a Kilmer school counselor by email. All requests must be submitted by email no later than Friday, May 31. Schedule changes will not be accommodated at the start of the school year. When viewing your child’s course selections, please consider the following:

8th Grade Students: Kilmer can no longer assist with changes to high school courses. Please contact the office of student services at the high school your child is attending if you have questions about 9th grade courses.

Attendance Reminder

Our goal this school year is to partner with families to help minimize the number of days students are absent. We understand each year may present extenuating circumstances that lead to missed days. FCPS has created a Health Flyer for Parents indicating when a parent should keep their child home from school. When planning trips or having your child participate in non-school activities during school hours, please keep in mind that absences add up quickly and these types of absences will be documented as unexcused locally (UNL). The Virginia Department of Education considers students who are absent 10 percent of the school year, or just two days per month, chronically absent. Please review FCPS Attendance Policies and resources to encourage regular school attendance. Parents can also view their child’s attendance record in SIS ParentVUE.

TJHSST Math Tutors

Beginning March 4th,  Kilmer students will have another opportunity to receive additional support in math. Each Monday from 7:00 am to 7:25 am, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students will be available for math tutoring in the math modular. All Kilmer students are welcome to attend.

Middle School Track & Field

Kilmer is hosting its first Track & Field season this Spring as a part of the FCPS Middle School Athletics Program! Practices will be held after school beginning March 12th and held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week (with a possible additional practice on Mondays for field event(s) as the season progresses). 

Track Events

• 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1600m

Field Events

• Long Jump and Shot Put

Track Meet Dates 

• April 20, May 4, 11

Lightspeed Parent Report

8100 Wolftrap Road Vienna, VA 22182 | Phone: 703-846-8800

Attendance: 703-846-8888 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer at a Glance

Kilmer Community,

With April being School Library Month and National Library Week this week it is a great time to share appreciation for Kilmer’s school librarians, Gretchen Hazlin and Rosanne Tempesta! Our school community is so fortunate to have two passionate school librarians who are dedicated to creating a welcoming and safe space for all students to explore and learn. They work tirelessly to partner with teachers from every content area to plan and deliver engaging and meaningful learning experiences. Explore all that school library programs have to offer for student learning, and the important roles that school librarians play in the school community. Thank you Ms. Hazlin and Ms. Tempesta!

As always, reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Note: At Kilmer, we have “Green Days ” and “Blue Days.” On “Green Days” students attend periods 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and on “Blue Days” students attend periods 2, 3, 4, 6, 8. 

• Thursday, 5/9: Reading SOLs
• Tuesday, 5/14: Math SOLs
• Friday, 5/17: Science SOL
• Friday, 6/7: 8th Grade Field Trip to St. James & 7th Grade Activities Day

• Monday, 6/10: Guardians (8am) and Pegasus (12:30pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies
• Tuesday, 6/11: Constellations (8am) and Voyagers (12:30pm) Team Promotion Ceremonies

Picture(s) of the Week

After our Instructional Leadership Team meeting on Monday, some members headed outside to observe the solar eclipse. 

Important Information

3rd Quarter Grades

Today students received a copy of their 3rd quarter report card during their 7th period class.The gradebook module in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE will be unavailable from Friday, March 22 at 4 pm until Monday, April 15 at 6 am. At that time, report cards will be visible in ParentVUE.

8th Grade End of Year Events

Save the date for the 8th Grade Team Promotion Ceremonies! More information will be coming soon. If you need to know which team your child is on, please ask your student. It is also listed in SIS in their class schedule.

Athletic Physicals

Athletic physicals are required for middle and high school student-athletes.  Beginning May 1, 2024, FCPS high schools will offer athletic pre-participation physical exams for students interested in middle school sports during the 2024-25 school year.   These events serve as the primary fundraiser for our high school athletic training programs and each exam costs $50.  Rising middle school students are eligible to receive a physical at no cost although donations to the HS athletic training program are welcomed.

Pre-registration is highly encouraged; walk-in appointments may not be available.  You can register here: Student registration.  Once your registration is received, the school’s athletic trainer will contact you to confirm your appointment time.  Athletic physical exams must be completed on this form: FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE).

If you are a medical professional (MD, DO, NP, PA, ATC, PT, EMT, etc.) interested in volunteering your time in support of these events, please register to help out: Volunteer registration.

Lemon Road Volunteer Opportunity

Lemon Road Elementary’s Spring Fair is April 20th. Kilmer Middle School students are encouraged to volunteer to assist with the event. SignUp Genius Link: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4CA4AE2FA5FD0-47599119-lemon?useFullSite=true#/

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

Each week Ms. Kardelis will post a detailed overview of our After School Program to our website. Please visit Kilmer’s website at https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/afterschool_newsletter to find the weekly After School newsletter. If you have any questions regarding our After School Program please reach out to Kim Kardelis (After School Specialist) at [email protected].

References & Reminders

Course Registration for 24-25

Academic Advising for 7th and 8th grade students is now closed. To see the list of courses your child selected for the 2024-2025 school year, please log in to your SIS ParentVUE account and click on the Course Requests tab. Access directions for viewing course requests here: Online Course Requests. This list of courses is NOT a schedule, but a confirmation of the courses entered into the student information system. 

7th Grade Students: Parents can submit a request to change a course or report an error by contacting a Kilmer school counselor by email. All requests must be submitted by email no later than Friday, May 31. Schedule changes will not be accommodated at the start of the school year. When viewing your child’s course selections, please consider the following:

• Music placements will be updated after spring auditions are complete.
• If your child receives special education or ESOL services, courses are subject to change and will be determined based on a student’s English language proficiency level or IEP service hours.

8th Grade Students: Kilmer can no longer assist with changes to high school courses. Please contact the office of student services at the high school your child is attending if you have questions about 9th grade courses.

TJHSST Math Tutors

Beginning March 4th,  Kilmer students will have another opportunity to receive additional support in math. Each Monday from 7:00 am to 7:25 am, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students will be available for math tutoring in the math modular. All Kilmer students are welcome to attend.

Attendance Reminder

Our goal this school year is to partner with families to help minimize the number of days students are absent. We understand each year may present extenuating circumstances that lead to missed days. FCPS has created a Health Flyer for Parents indicating when a parent should keep their child home from school. When planning trips or having your child participate in non-school activities during school hours, please keep in mind that absences add up quickly and these types of absences will be documented as unexcused locally (UNL). The Virginia Department of Education considers students who are absent 10 percent of the school year, or just two days per month, chronically absent. Please review FCPS Attendance Policies and resources to encourage regular school attendance. Parents can also view their child’s attendance record in SIS ParentVUE.

TJHSST Math Tutors

Beginning March 4th,  Kilmer students will have another opportunity to receive additional support in math. Each Monday from 7:00 am to 7:25 am, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students will be available for math tutoring in the math modular. All Kilmer students are welcome to attend.

Middle School Track & Field

Kilmer is hosting its first Track & Field season this Spring as a part of the FCPS Middle School Athletics Program! Practices will be held after school beginning March 12th and held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week (with a possible additional practice on Mondays for field event(s) as the season progresses). 

Track Events

• 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1600m

Field Events

• Long Jump and Shot Put

Track Meet Dates 

• April 13, 20, May 4, 11

Driving on Wolftrap

We’ve received concerns from the surrounding community about Kilmer drivers exiting onto Wolftrap Rd without checking for oncoming traffic. There have been several near accidents. Please be sure to look both ways when exiting Kilmer’s parking lot and please do not assume that cars traveling on Wolftrap are turning into the Kilmer Parking Lot. Let’s keep our students, families, and community members safe.

Lightspeed Parent Report

8100 Wolftrap Road Vienna, VA 22182 | Phone: 703-846-8800

Attendance: 703-846-8888 | Web | Twitter | Facebook