FCPS

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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

We began this week as a staff celebrating Kilmer’s Most Outstanding Employees. Congratulations to our winners: Kimberly Gilmore, Most Outstanding Professional Employee; Silvia Angelova, Most Outstanding Teacher; Paige Knisley, Most Outstanding New Teacher; and Toni Pierce, Most Outstanding Operational Employee. Our winners truly embody the characteristics of outstanding professionals. 

A reminder that the front office will be closed during Winter Break from December 23 - January 3. Students and staff will return on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Lastly, we’ve noticed an increase in misbehavior in the weeks leading up to Winter Break. As part of our return to school from Winter Break in January we will be reteaching and reemphasizing our school behavior expectations. We would appreciate your help in talking with your child about the importance of following rules and expectations at Kilmer. Through our collective efforts, we can ensure that Kilmer continues to be a fun and productive learning environment for our students and staff.

Wishing you and your families a wonderful holiday season.

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!

Sanjana S. - Sanjana is dedicated to improving and learning. She is a role model for other students.

Colton B. - Colton, I am impressed with your ability to focus on science and explore, in-depth, the content we're learning. Seeing you collaborate with your classmates to complete a lab to a high standard and really investigate what's going on behind the scenes so that you know the real science behind something is inspiring to me as your science teacher. Keep up the good work!

Rodeen N. - Thank you so much for being the new student ambassador for our new student today and being so responsible!  You helped our new student feel so welcome and you are such a great leader!  Thank you!

Oumaima M. - Always being so helpful, especially with stacking chairs at the end of the class.

Mason C. - Mason has worked really hard to improve his effort and his grade in English! You're a smart kid, and I'm glad you are putting in all the effort to succeed in class!

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• Course Registration Activities for the 2025-2026 school year begin in January! More information will be shared in the New Year! Visit the Course Registration page on the Kilmer Website to learn more about the academic advising timeline.
  • Madison Counselors meet with 8th grade students attending Madison HS for 9th grade Friday, January 10 during Learning Seminar
  • Madison High School’s Rising 9th Curriculum Night - Tuesday January 14, 6:30-8:00
  • Marshall High School IB Information Night at Kilmer - Monday, January 27 at 5:00 pm
  • Rising 8th Grade Algebra Night - Thursday, January 30 at 5:00 pm
  • Marshall Counselors meet with 8th grade students attending Marshall HS for 9th grade Wednesday, February 5 during Learning Seminar
  • Marshall High School’s Rising 9th Grade Orientation - Thursday, February 6
• Winter Testing
  • iReady Testing January 15th during Learning Seminar Flipped Schedule (Snow Date: January 17th)
  • MAP Testing January 22nd during Learning Seminar Flipped Schedule (Snow Date: January 24th). Students who don’t finish during Learning Seminar will continue to test and may miss class—more details to follow after the break.
• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Last Friday, Dr. Mario Perez, an astrophysicist within the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters presented to our students. Approximately 100 students had the opportunity to explore space through pictures and videos. Dr. Perez also fielded questions from students.

This week SGA sold hot chocolate during lunch. Needless to say, it was a big hit 🙂!

Last Friday, Kilmer and hosted the Ha Ha Holiday Show. The show consisted of 5 or 6 person teams from middle schools participating in improv skits/games. It was a great night and a lot of fun was had!

Congratulations to Kilmer’s Most Outstanding Employees: Kimberly Gilmore, Most Outstanding Professional Employee (top left); Silvia Angelova, Most Outstanding Teacher (top right); Paige Knisley, Most Outstanding New Teacher (bottom left); and Toni Pierce, Most Outstanding Operational Employee (bottom right).

Important Information

Office Closure

The front office will be closed during winter break from December 23 - January 3. Students and staff will return on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform. 

Crosstown Hoops and Tryouts

Kilmer’s Annual Crosstown Hoops Basketball Game against Thoreau MS will be held on Thursday, April 3 at Marshall High School. All students are welcome to try out. We play the following games: 7th grade girls, 7th grade boys, 8th grade girls, 8th grade boys. 

All tryouts will be held during our After School Program:

• 7th Grade Boys - Wed/Thurs, January 15th & 16th, 2nd block

• 7th Grade Girls - Tuesday, January 14th, 1st block
• 8th Grade Boys - Wed/Thurs, January 15th & 16th, 1st block
• 8th Grade Girls - Tuesday, January 14th, 2nd block

Health and Physical Education FLE Announcement

Instruction of the Human Growth and Development unit (gender separate) will take place from January 30 through February 5th during HPE class.  Instruction of the Emotional and Social Health unit will take place during regular health class during the 3rd quarter.

A parent preview night will be held both in person and virtually on January 6, 2025 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. The in person option will be held in the Kilmer Library. The virtual option can be accessed at the link below:

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/9261213450

If you choose to opt your student out of any or all of these lessons, please print and fill out the opt out form for your student’s grade level and have your student return the form to Ms. Wood in student services.  The opt out forms can be found at the following link: https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/department/health-physical-education

To view the lessons in both FLE units please login to schoology and click on the All Parents/Guardians course.  On that page there is a folder called Parent Preview - FLE Instruction with the FLE lessons.

If you have any questions, please contact your student’s HPE teacher.

Crisis Resources for Students

Students have been reminded on Schoology about what to do during winter break if they or someone they know is in crisis.

• Get help from a parent/caregiver or trusted adult immediately. 
• Do not message school staff or wait to tell someone at school.
• Text or call 988. Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in crisis 24/7.
• Call 911

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates:

Each week Ms. Perry 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 Saundra Perry (Acting After School Specialist) at [email protected].

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

References & Reminders

Welcome Mohammad Baashshiti!

Mohammad Bashshiti is Kilmer’s new Business & Information Technology Teacher. He grew up in the FCPS system, where he attended Fairhill ES, Luther Jackson MS, and Falls Church HS. He graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2012 with dual degrees in Accounting & Information Systems and Finance. He has over 11 years of progressive experience in the private sector as a licensed CPA. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball, reading, attending Wizards & Orioles games, and going to stand-up comedy shows.

Attendance Reminder

Getting your student into the habit of daily attendance helps reduce their stress and makes it easier to connect with friends and teachers. We understand each year may present extenuating circumstances that lead to missed days. However, we hope to increase timely communication regarding absences as they occur to prevent patterns that could impact your student’s well-being. 

Please read the tips below to support regular school attendance and foster a positive attitude regarding school and education:

• Scheduling: Schedule family vacations, trips, appointments, and other out-of-school activities during school holidays. See the FCPS calendar.
• Engagement: Help your student stay engaged by asking open-ended questions about what is going on in school. Encourage those conversations, daily! 
• Monitor Attendance: Monitor your student's attendance in ParentVue. By the end of the school year, if a student misses just two days each month, they may be considered chronically absent. 
• Social-Emotional Health: If your student expresses anxiety about school, contact your student’s counselor.

Missing even a few days can negatively impact a child's academic achievement and we want to partner with you to work toward your child's success. If you have additional questions, please contact your child’s school counselor, we would be happy to speak with you further about how we can support your child’s attendance for the rest of the school year.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

A big shout out to our awesome Kilmer PTA for the fantastic Holiday Goodie Bags delivered on Thursday. Your kindness brought lots of smiles to our staff. Thank you for always stepping up and making our school experience top-notch. The PTA’s support means the world, and we're grateful for the positive impact you bring to our school community.

As always, this week's newsletter features photos showcasing happenings at Kilmer over the past week. Whether it's the high-energy performances at the band and orchestra concerts or the delivery of the Holiday Goodie Bags to Kilmer’s staff, these photos capture the heart of what makes our school such a special place.

Wishing you and your families a wonderful holiday season.

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!

Emma J. - I'm pleased to write this positive referral for Emma, who has consistently demonstrated exceptional academic performance and a strong work ethic. She participates actively in class, offers insightful contributions, and deeply understands the material. In addition to academic achievements, Emma displays outstanding character. She is respectful, responsible, and maintains a positive attitude, which has made her a role model for others. Keep up the great work! 

Tú eres una excelente estudiante. Yo estoy muy orgulloso de ti. ¡Sigue así!

Ben O. - Ben worked during 9th period to help a student in Algebra complete his study guide.  The student was glad to work with a peer rather than the teacher. Ben did a great job of explaining the content!

Mathew C. - Matthew worked above and beyond by completing his work at home and in school. He taught other students during 5th period the math concepts while working in a small group.

Kai S. - Thanks for getting water to water our class plants. But really, thanks for always being willing to help out and even volunteering to help out. Your positive attitude shows a lot about your strength as a leader in our community. 

Jasmine H. - Jasmine consistently demonstrates a dedication to learning math.  She is willing to take risks and is helpful to those around her. I am so proud of you!

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• Course Registration Activities for the 2025-2026 school year begin in January! More information will be shared in the New Year! Visit the Course Registration page on the Kilmer Website to learn more about the academic advising timeline.
  • Madison Counselors meet with 8th grade students attending Madison HS for 9th grade Friday, January 10 during Learning Seminar
  • Madison High School’s Rising 9th Curriculum Night - Tuesday January 14, 6:30-8:00
  • Marshall High School IB Information Night at Kilmer - Monday, January 27 at 5:00 pm
  • Rising 8th Grade Algebra Night - Thursday, January 30 at 5:00 pm
  • Marshall Counselors meet with 8th grade students attending Marshall HS for 9th grade Wednesday, February 5 during Learning Seminar
  • Marshall High School’s Rising 9th Grade Orientation - Thursday, February 6
• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Congratulations to our Music Department for their entertaining performances this week! The students did a fantastic job preparing and performing. 

Thank you to the PTA’s Hospitality Committee for organizing holiday gift bags for Kilmer’s staff. We were blown away by the generosity of Kilmer families! 

Important Information

Office Closure

The front office will be closed during winter break from December 23 - January 3. Students and staff will return on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Welcome Mohammad Baashshiti!

Mohammad Bashshiti is Kilmer’s new Business & Information Technology Teacher. He grew up in the FCPS system, where he attended Fairhill ES, Luther Jackson MS, and Falls Church HS. He graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2012 with dual degrees in Accounting & Information Systems and Finance. He has over 11 years of progressive experience in the private sector as a licensed CPA. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball, reading, attending Wizards & Orioles games, and going to stand-up comedy shows.

Spirit Week

Candy Cane Grams

Crosstown Hoops and Tryouts

Kilmer’s Annual Crosstown Hoops Basketball Game against Thoreau MS will be held on Thursday, April 3 at Marshall High School. All students are welcome to try out. We play the following games: 7th grade girls, 7th grade boys, 8th grade girls, 8th grade boys. 

All tryouts will be held during our After School Program:

• 7th Grade Boys - Wed/Thurs, January 15th & 16th, 2nd block

• 7th Grade Girls - Tuesday, January 14th, 1st block
• 8th Grade Boys - Wed/Thurs, January 15th & 16th, 1st block
• 8th Grade Girls - Tuesday, January 14th, 2nd block

Health and Physical Education FLE Announcement

Instruction of the Human Growth and Development unit (gender separate) will take place from January 30 through February 5th during HPE class.  Instruction of the Emotional and Social Health unit will take place during regular health class during the 3rd quarter.

A parent preview night will be held both in person and virtually on January 6, 2025 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. The in person option will be held in the Kilmer Library. The virtual option can be accessed at the link below:

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/9261213450

If you choose to opt your student out of any or all of these lessons, please print and fill out the opt out form for your student’s grade level and have your student return the form to Ms. Wood in student services.  The opt out forms can be found at the following link: https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/department/health-physical-education

To view the lessons in both FLE units please login to schoology and click on the All Parents/Guardians course.  On that page there is a folder called Parent Preview - FLE Instruction with the FLE lessons.

If you have any questions, please contact your student’s HPE teacher.

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates:

Each week Ms. Perry 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 Saundra Perry (Acting After School Specialist) at [email protected].

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

References & Reminders

Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE

Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed.

• iReady reports in grades 1-8 are available in ParentVUE now. 
• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 will be available by Friday, December 13, following an extension to the fall testing window. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.

Attendance Reminder

Getting your student into the habit of daily attendance helps reduce their stress and makes it easier to connect with friends and teachers. We understand each year may present extenuating circumstances that lead to missed days. However, we hope to increase timely communication regarding absences as they occur to prevent patterns that could impact your student’s well-being. 

Please read the tips below to support regular school attendance and foster a positive attitude regarding school and education:

• Scheduling: Schedule family vacations, trips, appointments, and other out-of-school activities during school holidays. See the FCPS calendar.
• Engagement: Help your student stay engaged by asking open-ended questions about what is going on in school. Encourage those conversations, daily! 
• Monitor Attendance: Monitor your student's attendance in ParentVue. By the end of the school year, if a student misses just two days each month, they may be considered chronically absent. 
• Social-Emotional Health: If your student expresses anxiety about school, contact your student’s counselor.

Missing even a few days can negatively impact a child's academic achievement and we want to partner with you to work toward your child's success. If you have additional questions, please contact your child’s school counselor, we would be happy to speak with you further about how we can support your child’s attendance for the rest of the school year.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Results

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

Individual student SEL Screener results are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

I was reminded this week about why Kilmer is such an amazing place. It’s not just one thing that makes Kilmer special. Instead, it’s the robust opportunities students not only have to thrive academically, but also the opportunities they have to be a part of the Kilmer community through our groups and clubs. Students feel connected to this place through deep relationships with their peers and staff, and I see this play out each day as I walk through the halls peering into classrooms. I see students working hard and collaborating across all disciplines. As soon as our dismissal bell rings, students flood to our after school program to participate in the various activities offered—from Dungeons & Dragons club to sports to the Technology Student Association to Homework Hotspot and more. To cap it off, we’re in the season in which our music groups get to show off their hard work through holiday performances. Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the Marshall Pyramid Orchestra Concert hosted here at Kilmer. Kilmer students were joined by students from Marshall and our feeder schools. It was so fun to watch Kilmer students perform alongside Kilmer students of the past and future.

Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns. 

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!

Theodore S. - I love that Teddy has become much more participatory in English lately. He's sharing his thoughts a lot more and has really great things to contribute to our class discussions! 

Ayodeji S. - Deji, thank you for not giving up when math seemed hard. Your perseverance is an amazing trait to have; keep up the great work!  

Calvin P. - Earlier this week a peer was really upset with themselves for not performing well in volleyball. Anytime he would mess up he felt the need to apologize to his team. Today, that student made a good play and Calvin hyped him up afterwards. He got really excited for his peer clapping for him and dabbing him up. It showed great sportsmanship especially when you don't expect anyone to be watching. 

Abdulla A. - Thank you for always coming to class with a smile, prepared and ready to learn. Thank you for being a role model and encouraging others to try their best! 

CJ A. - Nice job having fun, and trying to use proper technique when playing volleyball. You are trying hard to win and still being respectful to your teammates and your opponents.

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Last Tuesday our November Student of the Month award recipients enjoyed snacks, games, and a movie to celebrate their achievement during their Learning Seminar period. Congratulations to Jayden Anez, Ali Beides, Saul Deighton, Zhanna Doak, Dexter Dulaney, Eli Fraatz, Anika Guerrero, Ellie Hawkins, Dalton Hughes, Nolan Jacobs, Pamela Lerma Canizales, Marissa Moore, Jo Oxendine, Jackie Pyatt, Shahshini Raviraj, and Muhammad Syed!

Last night Kilmer hosted the Marshall Pyramid orchestra concert, which included Kilmer’s Symphonic Orchestra, as well as past and future Kilmer students from Marshall and our feeder elementary schools. The music was fantastic, and a big thank you to Mr. Robert Katz, Kilmer’s orchestra director, for organizing this special event. 

Important Information

Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE

Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed.

• iReady reports in grades 1-8 are available in ParentVUE now. 
• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 will be available by Friday, December 13, following an extension to the fall testing window. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Results

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

Individual student SEL Screener results are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.

Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc. presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultants’ analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

Attendance Reminder

Getting your student into the habit of daily attendance helps reduce their stress and makes it easier to connect with friends and teachers. We understand each year may present extenuating circumstances that lead to missed days. However, we hope to increase timely communication regarding absences as they occur to prevent patterns that could impact your student’s well-being. 

Please read the tips below to support regular school attendance and foster a positive attitude regarding school and education:

• Scheduling: Schedule family vacations, trips, appointments, and other out-of-school activities during school holidays. See the FCPS calendar.
• Engagement: Help your student stay engaged by asking open-ended questions about what is going on in school. Encourage those conversations, daily! 
• Monitor Attendance: Monitor your student's attendance in ParentVue. By the end of the school year, if a student misses just two days each month, they may be considered chronically absent. 
• Social-Emotional Health: If your student expresses anxiety about school, contact your student’s counselor.

Missing even a few days can negatively impact a child's academic achievement and we want to partner with you to work toward your child's success. If you have additional questions, please contact your child’s school counselor, we would be happy to speak with you further about how we can support your child’s attendance for the rest of the school year.

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates:

Each week Ms. Perry 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 Saundra Perry (Acting After School Specialist) at [email protected].

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

References & Reminders

Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. 

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities - We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

As Thanksgiving approaches, one of the things I am most thankful for is our incredible Kilmer staff. Each day, our staff comes into the building before the sun comes up to get prepared, and by the time most people are still in their home making a cup of coffee, they are welcoming students into their classrooms and working tirelessly to teach and support all students. 

The next month is packed with events, and it reminds me of why Kilmer is such a great community. Whether it’s a concert from our bands, orchestras, or choirs, a school assembly, or Spirit Week, there are many opportunities for our community to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and celebrate the hard work of our students and staff. On behalf of the Kilmer staff, I hope that everyone has a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving with friends and family. Our next newsletter will arrive in your inbox in two weeks on Friday, December 6. 

Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns. 

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!

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

Reina G. - Reina is the DEFINITION of organized! She always comes to class prepared and she works diligently to complete assignments. 

Evelyn E. A. - Evelyn has been working really hard in math class! I am so proud of her for trying her best even when the content we are learning is hard!

Rodeen N. - Rodeen I am so proud of all the effort you put into class. Keep it up!

Hashim E. - Hashim has a great smile! He is kind, respectful, and works hard to complete his work accurately. He advocates for himself when he needs help and he has a great sense of humor :).

Elizabeth H. - Elizabeth is consistently kind, diligent, and respectful. She is a kind and loyal friend and she is a thoughtful, giving person!

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Kilmer’s Dungeon’s & Dragons After School club was in full swing this week!

Important Information

Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE

Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed.

• iReady reports in grades 1-8 are available in ParentVUE now. 
• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 will be available by Friday, December 13, following an extension to the fall testing window. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.

Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R 

FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.

The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25.

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact us. 

Register for ParentVUE - Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. 

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities - We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., at Westfield High School Cafeteria.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage. 

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates:

Each week Ms. Perry 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 Saundra Perry (Acting After School Specialist) at [email protected].

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

References & Reminders

Welcome Christine Sciabica!

Christine Sciabica, a retired AP, will be supporting Kilmer while Emily Castro is out on maternity leave. Christine Sciabica worked in FCPS for 33 years before retiring in June of 2023. She began her career as a Social Studies teacher at Chantilly High School then spent 20 years as an Assistant Principal first at Stone Middle School then Rocky Run. In her spare time, Christine likes to spend time with her two adult sons, cooking, and spending time outside hiking and biking.  

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Resources on IEPs, Financial Aid, Literacy, Community Leadership
• Teacher Hiring Event

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

Reminder - Impact Aid Survey - Paper Copies Available

FCPS uses the survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students. On Thursday, November 14 students whose parents had not completed their Impact Aid Survey in ParentVue were provided a paper copy to bring home. If you received a paper copy, please complete and return the form as soon as possible. Students can return the form to the cafeteria during their lunch time. If you prefer to complete the form online, the survey is still available to FCPS families through ParentVue, in the “Online Packets” section. Click here for directions on how to access the survey.

Additional information about the Federal Impact Aid Survey can be found on the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/oese/impact-aid-program/impact-aid-program-overview  or on the FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/impact . For questions, contact Jessica Rosas-Diego [email protected].

Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Kilmer Middle School

Our school has been selected to participate in a pilot program for FCPS’ Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

A limited number of classes in grades 6-12 were selected to participate and those families were notified separately. However, all students in participating grades, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email. We will administer the survey in selected classes during the school day between Monday, December 2, and Friday, December 13. Any student may take the survey at home(again, this is optional). 

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

Another fun week at Kilmer! On Thursday, students received a printed copy of their 1st quarter report card, and in addition, students who earned All As or A/Bs received an Honor Roll Certificate to acknowledge their academic excellence during the 1st quarter. 

We’re also excited for Emily Castro (assistant principal) and her husband who welcomed their baby boy, born last week. While Ms. Castro is on maternity leave, Christine Sciabica will be stepping in to fulfill her roles and responsibilities. We’re lucky to have Ms. Sciabica’s experience (please see her biography below). 

Finally, we’ve got a lot going on in the next month. I’ll be sure to communicate important events, dates, and information through this weekly newsletter.

Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns. 

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!

Mei I. - Mei, you always come to class with a positive attitude and ready to work hard. It's a pleasure to have you in class.

Kareem H. - Thank you for volunteering to read aloud in class and being so helpful to our new student! Appreciate your leadership skills today, Kareem! Keep it up! 

Maziyar T. - You diligently work to make sure you're learning in science class, help other students when they have questions, and make sure that class is a positive environment through your great participation. Thank you for answering questions, being a leader, and even pushing in other students' chairs after they leave!

Andrea R.G. - We are so glad you have come to Kilmer and joined our Civics class! You are a hard worker and ask for help when you need it. Keep it up!

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• November 19 & 20 - 7th Grade Mental Health Screening through History Classes
• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

The 8th grade KIlmer Young Scholars Cohort visited Marshall Academy last week. Students learned about multiple course offerings, including Culinary Arts, Engineering, Criminal Justice and Cosmetology.

Important Information

Welcome Christine Sciabica!

Christine Sciabica, a retired AP, will be supporting Kilmer while Emily Castro is out on maternity leave. Christine Sciabica worked in FCPS for 33 years before retiring in June of 2023. She began her career as a Social Studies teacher at Chantilly High School then spent 20 years as an Assistant Principal first at Stone Middle School then Rocky Run. In her spare time, Christine likes to spend time with her two adult sons, cooking, and spending time outside hiking and biking.  

Mental Health Screening - 7th Grade Students only

This school year, school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. FCPS uses a program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). The SOS program will take place during your child’s US History class on either November 19 or 20. During this time, students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. We encourage parents to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. You can also view this parent video and the e-Notify sent to parents on October 21 to learn more about the program. 

On Tuesday, November 19 there will be a change to our bell schedule to accommodate the program’s needs and follow up with students. 7th period and 3rd period will flip flop.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program or if you would like to opt your child out of this program, please contact your child’s school counselor as soon as possible.

Impact Aid Survey - Paper Copies Available

FCPS uses the survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students. On Thursday, students whose parents had not completed their Impact Aid Survey in ParentVue were provided a paper copy to bring home. If you received a paper copy, please complete and return the form as soon as possible. Students can return the form to the cafeteria during their lunch time. If you prefer to complete the form online, the survey is still available to FCPS families through ParentVue, in the “Online Packets” section. Click here for directions on how to access the survey.

Additional information about the Federal Impact Aid Survey can be found on the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/oese/impact-aid-program/impact-aid-program-overview  or on the FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/impact . For questions, contact Jessica Rosas-Diego [email protected].

Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE

Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed.

• iReady reports in grades 1-8 are available in ParentVUE now. 
• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 will be available by Friday, December 13, following an extension to the fall testing window. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.

Youth Survey (8th grade only):

The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people. We will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Wednesday, November 20th during Learning Seminar.

While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please contact your child's school counselor no later than November 15, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.

Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., at Westfield High School Cafeteria.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Resources on IEPs, Financial Aid, Literacy, Community Leadership
• Teacher Hiring Event

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates:

Each week Ms. Perry 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 Saundra Perry (Acting After School Specialist) at [email protected].

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

Reflections Art Contest

Deadline extended until November 22nd!

Calling all creatives! Are you into art, photography, music, dance, film, or writing? Enter the Reflections Art Contest! This year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection"! You can enter one submission each in any (or all!) of the six categories! Deadline for entries is November 15.

• Rules can be viewed HERE.
• Entry form is located HERE.
• Please send two files: one that is a photo or video of the work and one that is the entry form. The naming convention for the files is below:

1. For ARTWORK file:  name, category and division - e.g., JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Entry
2. For ENTRY FORM file: Similar naming convention: JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Form

• Upload these files to the contest DROPBOX.
• Questions: [email protected] (use non-school email)

References & Reminders

Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Kilmer Middle School

Our school has been selected to participate in a pilot program for FCPS’ Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

A limited number of classes in grades 6-12 were selected to participate and those families were notified separately. However, all students in participating grades, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email. We will administer the survey in selected classes during the school day between Monday, December 2, and Friday, December 13. Any student may take the survey at home(again, this is optional). 

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

Reminder to Order School Pictures

School Photos are now online! Families should have received an E-proof via email. Please remember to check your spam. For any questions about your student's school pictures please contact: [email protected]

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Kilmer Community,

We had a fun and festive end to the 1st quarter last week with Spirit Week, culminating in creative costumes for Halloween. We also were able to celebrate our October Students of the Month. Students of the Month are recognized for their positive contributions to the Kilmer community connected to FCPS’s Portrait of a Graduate (see picture below). As we wrap up the 1st quarter, and begin the 2nd quarter, be on the look out for report cards and Honor Roll certificates which will be sent home next week on 11/14. 

A final reminder to nominate Kilmer staff for the Outstanding Employee Awards. To submit a nomination for a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee in one or more of the categories below, please complete the Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee Awards  Nomination Form.

Lastly, today is the LAST DAY to Buy Kilmer Skate Night Tickets (this is a PTA event)! Buy Tickets HERE

• When: Saturday, November 9th, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
• Where: Skate Quest Reston: 1800 Michael Faraday Ct, Reston, VA 20190
• Who: Open to all Kilmer Middle School Students, Siblings and Family Members, and Kilmer Staff
• How Much: Tickets purchased online before 11/8 at 9pm are $10 each. Tickets purchased at the event are $14 if purchased using cash and $16 if purchased via credit card.

Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns. 

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!

Jada N. - It is such a pleasure to have Jada in my class! She always arrives with a smile and has a positive attitude during class. Jada is great at completing her work, and puts her best effort into whatever she is doing. Jada helps her group members stay on task. If someone is confused, Jada is always willing to lend a helping hand. Thanks for being amazing!

Matthew R. - Matthew actively participated in the Veteran's Day advisory lesson - sharing his thoughts and leading the poetry discussion.  He was a true leader during this class. 

Jacob D. - Thanks for stepping up to answer questions, clean the board, and help out when needed. I appreciate your calm attentiveness. 

Salma J. - Salma helped pick up lots of cones at the end of class without being asked.

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• November 19 & 20 - 7th Grade Mental Health Screening through History Classes
• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Last week our October Student of the Month award recipients enjoyed snacks, games, and a movie to celebrate their achievement during their Learning Seminar period. Congratulations to Katelyn Acuna, John Ahn, Sabine Al Khatib, Natalie Axelrod, Brynn Edwards, Maddox Fraatz, Christopher Gudiel Esquivel, Akim Mulhovo, Isabella Munoz - Gui, Chia Okpokwasili, Hong-Duc Pho, Wilson Snavely, Baptiste Vergne, Kellen Votega, Shirley Wood, and Daniel Yoo!

Important Information

Impact Aid Survey Opens Monday, October 21

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible for federal Impact Aid grants due to the federal presence in our area. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget. They are critical to ensuring that students receive an excellent education. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in Impact Aid funds.

FCPS uses the survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students. On Monday, October 21, the survey will be available to FCPS families online through ParentVue, in the “Online Packets” section. Click here for directions on how to access the survey. Families without ParentVUE can request a paper copy of the survey from their child's school. FCPS staff will process the information with the utmost confidentiality.

2nd Quarter Learning Seminar Changes

Throughout the school year, students learning seminar teacher may change for the following reasons: the student is participating in a club like yearbook, a student is receiving an intervention to support increase progress in math or reading, or their current teacher is implementing an intervention or sponsoring a club and a student needs to move out of that teacher’s class. Any student with a change to their Learning Seminar will remain with one of their teachers. Students with a change to 8th or 9th period began their new schedule today.

FCPS World Languages Credit by Exam (WLCBE) 

The exam will be held on Tuesday, November 12th at 7:30AM on the Avant Platform. Please make sure your child is on time to school that day so we can begin testing promptly. Students will need to bring a fully charged FCPS Chromebook. Before the test, please do the following on the FCPS Landing Page on the Avant Website. 

1. Review the resources related to preparing for the assessment 
2. Take a Sample Test in your language
3. Review the STAMP FAQs about the assessment
4. Review the resources related to Assessment Results. 

Please contact your student’s counselor for any additional questions.

TJHSST Applications

Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). 

The application is now available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.

Mental Health Screening - 7th Grade Students only

This school year, school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. FCPS uses a program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). The SOS program will take place during your child’s US History class on either November 19 or 20. During this time, students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. We encourage parents to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. You can also view this parent video and the e-Notify sent to parents on October 21 to learn more about the program

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program or if you would like to opt your child out of this program, please contact your child’s school counselor by Friday, November 15th .

Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE

Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed.

• iReady reports in grades 1-8 are available in ParentVUE now. 
• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 will be available by Friday, December 13, following an extension to the fall testing window. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.

Youth Survey (8th grade only):

The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people. We will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Wednesday, November 20th during Learning Seminar.

While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please contact your child's school counselor no later than November 15, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.

Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Kilmer Middle School

Our school has been selected to participate in a pilot program for FCPS’ Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

A limited number of classes in grades 6-12 were selected to participate and those families were notified separately. However, all students in participating grades, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email. We will administer the survey in selected classes during the school day between Monday, December 2, and Friday, December 13. Any student may take the survey at home(again, this is optional). 

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

Fall Immunization Clinic at Kilmer MS

Kilmer MS will host a School Site Immunization Clinic on November 19, in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). Only students enrolled at Kilmer MS may participate in the clinic.

The following immunizations will be offered during school hours at the School Immunization Clinic: 

• Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine

Click here to find additional information for each vaccine. 

If you would like your child to receive immunizations as part of the School Site Immunization Clinic, you must first provide:

• Permission via a signed Adolescent Vaccine Clinic Consent Form, which can be found in the Middle and High School Clinics section on this webpage.
• A copy of their immunization records (if available).
• A copy of the front and back of their insurance card (if applicable). Insurance is not required to participate in the clinic.

Please bring your signed consent form to our Student Services Office by 11/8 in order for your child to participate. If your child is insured, please submit a copy of the front and back of your child’s insurance to our Student Services Office as well. You may contact our school’s public health nurse, Stephanie Gibbs, at [email protected] with any immunization questions.

1st Quarter Grades

Student gradebooks in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM. At the end of this window, 1st quarter grades will be posted in SIS ParentVue and StudentVUE.

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates:

Each week Ms. Perry 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 Saundra Perry (Acting After School Specialist) at [email protected].

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

Reflections Art Contest

Calling all creatives! Are you into art, photography, music, dance, film, or writing? Enter the Reflections Art Contest! This year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection"! You can enter one submission each in any (or all!) of the six categories! Deadline for entries is November 15.

• Rules can be viewed HERE.
• Entry form is located HERE.
• Please send two files: one that is a photo or video of the work and one that is the entry form. The naming convention for the files is below:

1. For ARTWORK file:  name, category and division - e.g., JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Entry
2. For ENTRY FORM file: Similar naming convention: JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Form

• Upload these files to the contest DROPBOX.
• Questions: [email protected] (use non-school email)

References & Reminders

Outstanding Employee Awards Program

Nominations will open for the Outstanding Employee Awards on Monday October 21, 2024! To submit a nomination for a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee in one or more of the categories below, please complete the Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee Awards  Nomination Form.

You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category).

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.

Outstanding Teacher 

• Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district). Ex: Teacher or Librarian with 3+ years of experience

Outstanding New Teacher

• Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district). Ex: Teacher or Librarian with less than three years of experience

Outstanding Leader 

• Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position and location as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee. This does not include the  principal. Ex: Assistant Principal, Director of Student Services

Outstanding Professional Employee 

• Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location. Ex: School Based Technology Specialist (SBTS), Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Instructional Coach, Testing Coordinator, Clinicians, Speech Pathologist, After-School Specialist, Resource Teachers, MTSS Coordinator, Assessment Coach or Special Education Department Chair

Outstanding Operational Employee

• Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location Ex: Administrative Assistants, Office Assistants, Librarians, Finance Tech, Custodial staff, Food Services staff, Instructional Aids, Public Health Attendant, Public Health Training Attendant, Parent Liaison)

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 8, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Smith, Assistant Principal, [email protected].

Morning Kiss N’ Ride Drop-Off Time

Doors open every morning at 7:10 am. Cars that arrive before 7:10 am will need to wait in the Kiss N’ Ride line until doors open. Thank you!

Reminder to Order School Pictures

School Photos are now online! Families should have received an E-proof via email. Please remember to check your spam. For any questions about your student's school pictures please contact: [email protected]

Join the School Book Committee

We are excited to invite parents to join our School Book Committee! This is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with other parents and educators to select and promote texts that enrich our students' reading experiences. As part of the committee, you will choose new titles for the Language Arts curriculum should the need to review arise. Your input is invaluable in ensuring our texts reflect the diverse interests and needs of our students.

If you're interested in joining or would like more information, please email Erin Dwyer at [email protected]

On Time to Class 

To help create a smooth and effective learning environment, we ask that students make every effort to arrive on time to each class. Please review Kilmer’s response to tardies outlined below. These will begin on October 1, 2024. Parents/guardians will be notified if your child is assigned lunch or after school detention.

• Tardy Sweeps: Tardy sweeps will begin in October and occur randomly throughout the year.  A tardy sweep means if your child arrives to class after the bell, the teacher’s door will be locked, and a staff member will record the tardy. Students who are recorded in a tardy sweep will be assigned lunch detention. 
• Class Tardies: Students may receive an office referral from their teacher if they reach four tardies to a single class. Students who receive an office referral will be assigned after school detention. 
• Excessive Tardies: Students who reach a total of 10 or more tardies in a calendar month will be assigned an after school detention.

Regularly monitoring your student's tardies in ParentVue helps ensure they stay on track with punctuality and reinforces good habits for academic success. It is important for students to be in all classes on time every day, we will work with you and your child should there be issues or concerns that prevent them from getting to classes on time.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Kilmer Community,

We are closing in on the end of the First Quarter! I am so proud of everything our students and staff have accomplished so far and we look forward to starting the 2nd Quarter strong on November 6. Please note the calendar below for reminders about next week’s early release and upcoming student holidays.

I want to thank all of the volunteers who helped with last week’s PTA Fall Festival. The kids had a blast and we couldn’t have pulled it off without your help. Thank you!

As a reminder, doors open every morning at 7:10 am. If you arrive to drop off your student before 7:10 am please wait in the Kiss N’ Ride line until the doors open. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure a smooth morning arrival for students and staff.

Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns…and for all the baseball fans out there, Go Dodgers!

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!

Zora D. - Bringing a positive attitude to the art room and helping out with cleaning at the end of the day.

Hailey H. - Helped with cleaning tables, stacking chairs, and organizing the room.

Eliza S. - Thoughtfully and insightfully participates in class discussions, enriching others' learning.

Sean C. - Thank you for taking the time to share answers during whole-class discussions, act courteously, and engage diligently in your work!

Giacomo Q.C. - Giacomo did a wonderful job when he volunteered to manage the assembly line during our Industrial Revolution simulation. He responded to his workers' needs, problem-solved when there was a slow-down on the line, communicated respectfully, and didn't get frustrated. He ensured the smooth production of all 5 of my classes :)

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• October 31st - End of 1st Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release (12:15 PM dismissal)
• November 1 - Holiday, No school
• November 4 - School Planning Day, No students
• November 5 - Teacher Workday, No students
• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

We had beautiful weather and a great turnout at our Fall Festival last week!

On October 18th Kilmer participated in the Central Fairfax Basketball Tournament. Kilmer was named tournament champion after winning all four games in convincing fashion. Our students demonstrated outstanding teamwork and sportsmanship! Be sure to help us congratulate our students. 

We are proud to congratulate six of our Kilmer students — Saanvi, Shirley, Jayandhiga, Aanya, Anabia, and Advaith — who were selected to attend the Thomas Jefferson Intermediate Math Open (TJ-IMO) on Saturday, October 19th. At this prestigious event, they had the opportunity to learn advanced problem-solving strategies from experienced Varsity Math Team coaches. They then put these strategies to the test in a competitive mathematics challenge. They did a great job representing Kilmer!

This week our 8th grade students visited Junior Achievement's Finance Park. Students engaged in activities that taught them how to manage budgets, make financial decisions, and plan for real-world scenarios. This experience helped them build essential life skills while fostering problem-solving skills.

Important Information

Spirit Week: October 28-31

Kilmer’s SCA, sponsored by Mr. Prevost, will have our first Spirit Week next week. We look forward to seeing lots of spirit from our students and staff!

All spirit celebrations need to abide by the Student Rights and Responsibilities, including no masks, face paint, or fake weapons.

Morning Kiss N’ Ride Drop-Off Time

Doors open every morning at 7:10 am. Cars that arrive before 7:10 am will need to wait in the Kiss N’ Ride line until doors open. Thank you!

Outstanding Employee Awards Program

Nominations will open for the Outstanding Employee Awards on Monday October 21, 2024! To submit a nomination for a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee in one or more of the categories below, please complete the Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee Awards  Nomination Form.

You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category).

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.

Outstanding Teacher 

• Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district). Ex: Teacher or Librarian with 3+ years of experience

Outstanding New Teacher

• Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district). Ex: Teacher or Librarian with less than three years of experience

Outstanding Leader 

• Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position and location as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee. This does not include the  principal. Ex: Assistant Principal, Director of Student Services

Outstanding Professional Employee 

• Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location. Ex: School Based Technology Specialist (SBTS), Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Instructional Coach, Testing Coordinator, Clinicians, Speech Pathologist, After-School Specialist, Resource Teachers, MTSS Coordinator, Assessment Coach or Special Education Department Chair

Outstanding Operational Employee

• Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location Ex: Administrative Assistants, Office Assistants, Librarians, Finance Tech, Custodial staff, Food Services staff, Instructional Aids, Public Health Attendant, Public Health Training Attendant, Parent Liaison)

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 8, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Smith, Assistant Principal, [email protected].

Impact Aid Survey Opens Monday, October 21

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible for federal Impact Aid grants due to the federal presence in our area. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget. They are critical to ensuring that students receive an excellent education. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in Impact Aid funds.

FCPS uses the survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students. On Monday, October 21, the survey will be available to FCPS families online through ParentVue, in the “Online Packets” section. Click here for directions on how to access the survey. Families without ParentVUE can request a paper copy of the survey from their child's school. FCPS staff will process the information with the utmost confidentiality.

Fall Immunization Clinic at Kilmer MS

Kilmer MS will host a School Site Immunization Clinic on November 19, in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). Only students enrolled at Kilmer MS may participate in the clinic.

The following immunizations will be offered during school hours at the School Immunization Clinic: 

• Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine

Click here to find additional information for each vaccine. 

If you would like your child to receive immunizations as part of the School Site Immunization Clinic, you must first provide:

• Permission via a signed Adolescent Vaccine Clinic Consent Form, which can be found in the Middle and High School Clinics section on this webpage.
• A copy of their immunization records (if available).
• A copy of the front and back of their insurance card (if applicable). Insurance is not required to participate in the clinic.

Please bring your signed consent form to our Student Services Office by 11/8 in order for your child to participate. If your child is insured, please submit a copy of the front and back of your child’s insurance to our Student Services Office as well. You may contact our school’s public health nurse, Stephanie Gibbs, at [email protected] with any immunization questions.

1st Quarter Grades

Student gradebooks in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM. At the end of this window, 1st quarter grades will be posted in SIS ParentVue and StudentVUE.

Applications Open October 21 for TJHSST

Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). 

The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting Monday, October 21, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.

Virtual Java Classes for Middle School Students

Fairfax High School students are offering a virtual workshop to middle school students in Basic Java and Advanced Java coding. They are doing this as a fundraiser to help buy supplies for  their robotics club, as well as pay for competition fees. If your student is interested, please sign up below or reach out to the club sponsor, and chemistry teacher at Fairfax HS, Geeta Sridharan [email protected].

Reflections Art Contest

Calling all creatives! Are you into art, photography, music, dance, film, or writing? Enter the Reflections Art Contest! This year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection"! You can enter one submission each in any (or all!) of the six categories! Deadline for entries is November 15.

• Rules can be viewed HERE.
• Entry form is located HERE.
• Please send two files: one that is a photo or video of the work and one that is the entry form. The naming convention for the files is below:

1. For ARTWORK file:  name, category and division - e.g., JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Entry
2. For ENTRY FORM file: Similar naming convention: JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Form

• Upload these files to the contest DROPBOX.
• Questions: [email protected] (use non-school email)

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates

Each week Ms. Perry 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 Saundra Perry (Acting After School Specialist) at [email protected].

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

References & Reminders

Reminder to Order School Pictures

School Photos are now online! Families should have received an E-proof via email. Please remember to check your spam. For any questions about your student's school pictures please contact: [email protected]

Join the School Book Committee

We are excited to invite parents to join our School Book Committee! This is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with other parents and educators to select and promote texts that enrich our students' reading experiences. As part of the committee, you will choose new titles for the Language Arts curriculum should the need to review arise. Your input is invaluable in ensuring our texts reflect the diverse interests and needs of our students.

If you're interested in joining or would like more information, please email Erin Dwyer at [email protected]

On Time to Class 

To help create a smooth and effective learning environment, we ask that students make every effort to arrive on time to each class. Please review Kilmer’s response to tardies outlined below. These will begin on October 1, 2024. Parents/guardians will be notified if your child is assigned lunch or after school detention.

• Tardy Sweeps: Tardy sweeps will begin in October and occur randomly throughout the year.  A tardy sweep means if your child arrives to class after the bell, the teacher’s door will be locked, and a staff member will record the tardy. Students who are recorded in a tardy sweep will be assigned lunch detention. 
• Class Tardies: Students may receive an office referral from their teacher if they reach four tardies to a single class. Students who receive an office referral will be assigned after school detention. 
• Excessive Tardies: Students who reach a total of 10 or more tardies in a calendar month will be assigned an after school detention.

Regularly monitoring your student's tardies in ParentVue helps ensure they stay on track with punctuality and reinforces good habits for academic success. It is important for students to be in all classes on time every day, we will work with you and your child should there be issues or concerns that prevent them from getting to classes on time.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Kilmer Community,

This week we had a special surprise! Kelly Colis and Tommy McFly visited Kilmer staff to drop off Georgetown Cupcakes as part of their annual “Teacher Tour.” Kilmer was nominated for our Positive Referral program by parent Courtney McCreesh. Each week I highlight just a few of the Positive Referrals submitted by staff for students. In its essence, the Positive Referral program captures a snapshot of the thousands of positive student interactions and contributions that occur daily at Kilmer. To date, almost 600 Positive Referrals have been submitted by Kilmer staff, and that number continues to grow. Next time you’re in the building, stop by the cafeteria windows to check out some of the Positive Referral submissions. 

Please welcome Ms. Saundra Perry, Acting After School Coordinator. Ms. Perry is a retired After School Coordinator filling in while Ms. Kardelis is out on maternity leave. Be sure to read Ms. Perry’s bio below, and you can direct any After School Program questions to her at [email protected].

Lastly, we hope to see you at the Fall Festival this afternoon (2:30-5:00 pm). We will have inflatables, a live DJ, food trucks, concessions, and a photo booth to capture all the fun memories. The event is free, but the food trucks are not, so remember to bring cash. A reminder that students will not be allowed to leave campus and then reenter the festival without an adult. 

Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns. 

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!

Dean S. - Dean I am so proud of you! You model maturity, responsibility, and great engagement in our class, please keep up the good work!

Gelder T. R. - Gelder, thanks so much for helping to clean up your breakfast table. When you went to throw away your own trash you walked by a few of your friends and offered to take their trash as well. It's the little things that add up, and I'm appreciative of the positive impact you make here at Kilmer. 

Nirvanna C. - Nirvanna thank you for always demonstrating maturity and responsibility in English! Keep up the good work!

DJ C. - DJ always has a positive attitude and comes to every class prepared and more importantly excited to learn.  He is a leader in our classroom! 

Steven J. - Steven is responsible, hardworking, and consistently follows directions. He actively participates in group work, encouraging others to share their ideas, and sets a great example for his classmates.

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• October 31st - End of 1st Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release (12:15 PM dismissal)
• November 1 - Holiday, No school
• November 4 - School Planning Day, No students
• November 5 - Teacher Workday, No students
• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Thanks to parent Courtney McCreesh for nominating the Kilmer staff for the Teacher Tour! We enjoyed the treats that came with our selection!

Important Information

Outstanding Employee Awards Program

Nominations will open for the Outstanding Employee Awards on Monday October 21, 2024! To submit a nomination for a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee in one or more of the categories below, please complete the Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee Awards  Nomination Form.

You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category).

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.

Outstanding Teacher 

• Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district). Ex: Teacher or Librarian with 3+ years of experience

Outstanding New Teacher

• Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district). Ex: Teacher or Librarian with less than three years of experience

Outstanding Leader 

• Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position and location as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee. This does not include the  principal. Ex: Assistant Principal, Director of Student Services

Outstanding Professional Employee 

• Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location. Ex: School Based Technology Specialist (SBTS), Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Instructional Coach, Testing Coordinator, Clinicians, Speech Pathologist, After-School Specialist, Resource Teachers, MTSS Coordinator, Assessment Coach or Special Education Department Chair

Outstanding Operational Employee

• Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location Ex: Administrative Assistants, Office Assistants, Librarians, Finance Tech, Custodial staff, Food Services staff, Instructional Aids, Public Health Attendant, Public Health Training Attendant, Parent Liaison)

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 8, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Smith, Assistant Principal, [email protected].

Impact Aid Survey Opens Monday, October 21

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible for federal Impact Aid grants due to the federal presence in our area. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget. They are critical to ensuring that students receive an excellent education. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in Impact Aid funds.

FCPS uses the survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students. On Monday, October 21, the survey will be available to FCPS families online through ParentVue, in the “Online Packets” section. Click here for directions on how to access the survey. Families without ParentVUE can request a paper copy of the survey from their child's school. FCPS staff will process the information with the utmost confidentiality.

1st Quarter Grades

Student gradebooks in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM. At the end of this window, 1st quarter grades will be posted in SIS ParentVue and StudentVUE.

Upcoming Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment 

The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 6-8. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments under the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage provides more information on these tests. 

The Math MAP Growth Assessment will be delivered to all students, regardless of course, during math class during the following dates. 

8th Grade

7th Grade

Thursday, October 17

Friday, October 18

Tuesday, October 22

Wednesday, October 23

Winter and spring retests are required for students scheduled for spring SOL 6-8 Math and Reading tests. Retests provide additional growth data to guide instruction. Students scheduled for SOL Algebra 1, Geometry, or Algebra 2 tests will retest with MAP Growth Math if they score below benchmark or if additional growth data is needed for the student. Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may require additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher or the school's test coordinator. 

Virtual Java Classes for Middle School Students

Fairfax High School students are offering a virtual workshop to middle school students in Basic Java and Advanced Java coding. They are doing this as a fundraiser to help buy supplies for  their robotics club, as well as pay for competition fees. If your student is interested, please sign up below or reach out to the club sponsor, and chemistry teacher at Fairfax HS, Geeta Sridharan [email protected].

Reflections Art Contest

Calling all creatives! Are you into art, photography, music, dance, film, or writing? Enter the Reflections Art Contest! This year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection"! You can enter one submission each in any (or all!) of the six categories! Deadline for entries is November 15.

• Rules can be viewed HERE.
• Entry form is located HERE.
• Please send two files: one that is a photo or video of the work and one that is the entry form. The naming convention for the files is below:

1. For ARTWORK file:  name, category and division - e.g., JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Entry
2. For ENTRY FORM file: Similar naming convention: JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Form

• Upload these files to the contest DROPBOX.
• Questions: [email protected] (use non-school email)

After School Program

While Ms. Kim Kardelis is out on maternity leave, Kilmer’s lucky to have Ms. Saundra Perry serving as our Acting After School Coordinator. Please see her bio below, and reach out to Ms. Perry at [email protected] with any questions related to Kilmer’s After School Program. 

Saundra Perry, a New York native has over 25 years’ experience in Human Service (Specialized in Prevention Services) with Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools.  Before retirement, she served as the After School Specialist at Walt Whitman Middle School.  During her tenure with the County and FCPS she was a part of teams involved in the initial development of programs such as Road DAWG (Don’t Associate with Gangs), Girl Power and Fairfax County Golf initiative and Cops & Kids (Basketball program with local officers and students). She also began the annual Military Family Night tradition at Walt Whitman Middle to honor the military families.

After retirement, she worked as a substitute teacher, and temporary after school specialist at Herndon Middle and Whitman Middle.  Recent projects included working 3 years for Fairfax County Health Department Covid project. She has a passion for service.

She graduated from Hampton University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and completed graduate work in Organizational Leadership. 

Her loves are her three adult children, and her light are her three grandchildren.

After School Activities News/Updates

Each week Ms. Perry 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 Saundra Perry (Acting After School Specialist) at [email protected].

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

References & Reminders

Reminder to Order School Pictures

School Photos are now online! Families should have received an E-proof via email. Please remember to check your spam. For any questions about your student's school pictures please contact: [email protected]

Join the School Book Committee

We are excited to invite parents to join our School Book Committee! This is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with other parents and educators to select and promote texts that enrich our students' reading experiences. As part of the committee, you will choose new titles for the Language Arts curriculum should the need to review arise. Your input is invaluable in ensuring our texts reflect the diverse interests and needs of our students.

If you're interested in joining or would like more information, please email Erin Dwyer at [email protected]

On Time to Class 

To help create a smooth and effective learning environment, we ask that students make every effort to arrive on time to each class. Please review Kilmer’s response to tardies outlined below. These will begin on October 1, 2024. Parents/guardians will be notified if your child is assigned lunch or after school detention.

• Tardy Sweeps: Tardy sweeps will begin in October and occur randomly throughout the year.  A tardy sweep means if your child arrives to class after the bell, the teacher’s door will be locked, and a staff member will record the tardy. Students who are recorded in a tardy sweep will be assigned lunch detention. 
• Class Tardies: Students may receive an office referral from their teacher if they reach four tardies to a single class. Students who receive an office referral will be assigned after school detention. 
• Excessive Tardies: Students who reach a total of 10 or more tardies in a calendar month will be assigned an after school detention.

Regularly monitoring your student's tardies in ParentVue helps ensure they stay on track with punctuality and reinforces good habits for academic success. It is important for students to be in all classes on time every day, we will work with you and your child should there be issues or concerns that prevent them from getting to classes on time.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Kilmer Community,

It’s hard to believe we are in the final few weeks of the 1st Quarter. Please continue to review SIS/Schoology with your student, and if you have any questions feel free to contact your student’s teacher. 

We hope to see you at our Fall Festival next Friday, October 18th from 2:30-5:00 PM. If you’re able, please Sign Up To Volunteer. We will have inflatables, a live DJ, food trucks, concessions, and a photo booth to capture all the fun memories. The event is free, but the food trucks are not, so remember to bring cash. I will communicate with students next week that if they are going to the Festival they need to report directly there after school, or if they head home they’ll need to come back with an adult. Students will not be allowed to leave campus and then reenter the Festival without an adult. 

Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns.

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!

Kawsar K. - Kawsar was very focused in History class when we were reviewing for our Unit 2 test on Westward Expansion. She made sure to have me check her answers and ask for help when she needed it! :) I am so proud of you for working hard!

Daniel O. M. - You did a great job presenting your project to me in Ms. Batson's class. That was a tough assignment which required you to speak in front of many adults, and I am proud of the work you did.

Katelyn A. - Katelyn's class was playing a review game with bingo chips, and someone had spilled a lot of them on the floor. As soon as she saw what had happened, she immediately started cleaning them up (even though she had nothing to do with making the mess). I appreciate her help and thoughtfulness! 

Cyra S. - Helped to create a poster explaining class guidelines for Lexia completion.

Kaelyn H. - Kaelyn thank you for helping pick up the fitness 500 worksheets without being asked to. Your kindness does not go unnoticed and thank you for being a great role model for your peers!

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• October 31st - End of 1st Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release (12:15 PM dismissal)
• November 1 - Holiday, No school
• November 4 - School Planning Day, No students
• November 5 - Teacher Workday, No students
• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Students in Ms. Lal, Mr. Collymore, and Ms. Alvarez’s classes celebrated Osman’s birthday this week!

While delivering Positive Referrals to students this week, I had the pleasure of stopping by Ms. Bonneau’s room and got to watch the Wind Ensemble in action.

Students in Ms. Batson’s English Language Development class worked on a project where they had to design a game they thought would be beneficial to students at Kilmer. Afterwards, they presented their projects to teachers, counselors, and administrators.

Important Information

Kilmer MS Fall Festival 

Date and Time: Friday, October 18th, 2:15 PM- 5:00 PM

Location: Kilmer Middle, right after school

Join us for the Kilmer Fall Festival on Friday, October 18th, right after school until 5 PM! It's going to be an afternoon full of fun and excitement for everyone. We’ll have inflatables, including the thrilling "Leaps and Bounds Challenge" and "Human Foosball." The kids can dance to the tunes spun by our DJ, grab a bite from the food trucks or concession stands, and capture memories at our photo booth.

What to Expect:

• Inflatables: "The Leaps and Bounds Challenge" & "Human Foosball"
• Live DJ
• Delicious food from food trucks and concessions
• A fun photo booth to capture all the memories

Fall Festival Volunteers Needed! We cannot run the Fall Festival without some additional parent volunteers. We need adults to help with the flow of lines for the inflatables and food trucks!  We have two different shifts available - please consider signing up for one or both. Thank you for volunteering! Sign Up To Volunteer at the Fall Festival

Upcoming Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment 

The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 6-8. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments under the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage provides more information on these tests. 

The Math MAP Growth Assessment will be delivered to all students, regardless of course, during math class during the following dates. 

8th Grade

7th Grade

Thursday, October 17

Friday, October 18

Tuesday, October 22

Wednesday, October 23

Winter and spring retests are required for students scheduled for spring SOL 6-8 Math and Reading tests. Retests provide additional growth data to guide instruction. Students scheduled for SOL Algebra 1, Geometry, or Algebra 2 tests will retest with MAP Growth Math if they score below benchmark or if additional growth data is needed for the student. Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may require additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher or the school's test coordinator. 

Reflections Art Contest

Calling all creatives! Are you into art, photography, music, dance, film, or writing? Enter the Reflections Art Contest! This year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection"! You can enter one submission each in any (or all!) of the six categories! Deadline for entries is November 15.

• Rules can be viewed HERE.
• Entry form is located HERE.
• Please send two files: one that is a photo or video of the work and one that is the entry form. The naming convention for the files is below:

1. For ARTWORK file:  name, category and division - e.g., JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Entry
2. For ENTRY FORM file: Similar naming convention: JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Form

• Upload these files to the contest DROPBOX.
• Questions: [email protected] (use non-school email)

TJ Investigative Science Fair Interest Meeting

Please note the date/format has been changed to October 18 and will now be virtual. Scan the QR code below for more information. Feel free to also check out their website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email them at [email protected].Click to edit this placeholder text.

Reminder to Order School Pictures

School Photos are now online! Families should have received an E-proof via email. Please remember to check your spam. For any questions about your student's school pictures please contact: [email protected]

Join the School Book Committee

We are excited to invite parents to join our School Book Committee! This is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with other parents and educators to select and promote texts that enrich our students' reading experiences. As part of the committee, you will choose new titles for the Language Arts curriculum should the need to review arise. Your input is invaluable in ensuring our texts reflect the diverse interests and needs of our students.

If you're interested in joining or would like more information, please email Erin Dwyer at [email protected]

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates

Each week Ms. Perry 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 Saundra Perry (Acting After School Specialist) at [email protected].

Kilmer PTA

October PTA Meeting

Join us for our next PTA meeting on Tuesday, October 15, at 7 PM. Whether you prefer to attend in person or online, we’ve got you covered! Come hear important updates, share your thoughts, and connect with other parents and staff. We hope to see you there! A link to the meeting will be shared closer to the date.

Executive Board Contact Information

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

References & Reminders

On Time to Class 

To help create a smooth and effective learning environment, we ask that students make every effort to arrive on time to each class. Please review Kilmer’s response to tardies outlined below. These will begin on October 1, 2024. Parents/guardians will be notified if your child is assigned lunch or after school detention.

• Tardy Sweeps: Tardy sweeps will begin in October and occur randomly throughout the year.  A tardy sweep means if your child arrives to class after the bell, the teacher’s door will be locked, and a staff member will record the tardy. Students who are recorded in a tardy sweep will be assigned lunch detention. 
• Class Tardies: Students may receive an office referral from their teacher if they reach four tardies to a single class. Students who receive an office referral will be assigned after school detention. 
• Excessive Tardies: Students who reach a total of 10 or more tardies in a calendar month will be assigned an after school detention.

Regularly monitoring your student's tardies in ParentVue helps ensure they stay on track with punctuality and reinforces good habits for academic success. It is important for students to be in all classes on time every day, we will work with you and your child should there be issues or concerns that prevent them from getting to classes on time.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Kilmer Community,

It’s been a great week! Last Saturday, I attended Kilmer’s first cross country meet of the season at Robinson Secondary School. The weather was beautiful (unlike the rainy days we’ve had pretty much everyday since then 🙂) and I couldn’t be more proud of the effort and sportsmanship shown by our Kilmer Cougars. Tomorrow, the team will be at Herndon Middle School if you’d like to come out and support our athletes. 

A reminder about our morning Kiss & Ride, for the safety of our students and staff, please be mindful of your speed when dropping off your child in the Kiss & Ride lanes. As of late, we’ve noticed an uptick in speeding cars. Please slow down.

This week some teachers began inviting students to their classrooms for intervention sessions during Learning Seminar if they did not show mastery of concepts on a common formative assessment. Using Learning Seminar (8th and 9th period) to reteach concepts is just one more way that Kilmer teachers support our students’ learning. Students can also request a pass to visit a teacher during Learning Seminar for extra help by filling out the Google Form on their teacher’s Schoology page.

Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns. 

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!

Brielle A. - Brielle consistently makes good choices in both English 7 and Learning Seminar. Brielle displays the Portrait of a Graduate traits of resilience and adaptability. 

Christopher G. E.  - Christopher is an amazing teammate and model student.  His patience and kindness are so appreciated. 

Hashim E. - Thanks for being the student who will help clean up trash even if it isn't yours. You have gone out of your way to help and you do it with a smile. I appreciate how you set a great example for your peers!

Nico P. - Nico consistently makes good choices and finds strategies to succeed in both English 7 and Learning Seminar. I am proud of his flexibility and problem-solving skills. Nico displays the Portrait of a Graduate traits of resilience and adaptability.

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• October 10 - Thomas Jefferson High School Information Night, 5:00 - 6:00 pm in the Kilmer Cafeteria
• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

It was a beautiful day for running last Saturday at Kilmer’s first cross country meet of the season at Robinson Secondary. Congratulations to all the runners! Tomorrow (Saturday, 9/28) our team will be at Herndon MS. 

Kilmer students who create our KTV New Show improvised with a makeshift studio when we briefly lost power this week.

Important Information

Welcome Chuck Miller

Mr. Chuck Miller will be serving as Kilmer’s Acting Assistant Principal once Erin Kestler goes out on maternity leave (his start date is October 1st). Mr. Miller has years of administrative experience, most recently serving as Principal at Whitman Middle School in FCPS. Please see his bio below.

Chuck Miller has spent the last 36 years as a secondary educator.  After a decade in Arizona, Chuck moved to FCPS and spent 26 years as a teacher and administrator.  Chuck retired in June 2023 after spending 7 years as the Principal at Mark Twain Middle School.  He is happy to return to working in schools where he can support students and teachers.

World Language

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. Students who wish to take the exam should be able to proficiently understand and communicate in the testing language, and will be asked to listen, read, speak, write/type, and/or sign/interpret for ASL.  For more information on how to prepare for the exam and scoring criteria you may visit the FCPS website.

Registration opens on Monday, September 9th and closes on Thursday, October 3rd. Late registrations will not be accepted. The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Kilmer, during the school day, this year. 

Students will be able to register using the sign-up form posted in the All Students Schoology page. Once your student's counselor completes the registration you will receive a confirmation email with additional details about the date and time of the exam. If you have any questions about registering for this exam, please reach out directly to your student's counselor.

Thomas Jefferson High School Student/Parent Information Night

Thursday, October 10h 5:00 - 6:00 pm

All students interested in applying for the Freshman round of the Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology may join us for a one hour presentation given by a TJHSST representative in the Kilmer Cafeteria. The majority of the hour will be dedicated to a question and answer session, and we recommend that all those interested in participating view this video prior to attending the presentation. You can find additional information including important application deadlines here. If you have any questions about this event, please contact your student’s counselor.

On Time to Class 

To help create a smooth and effective learning environment, we ask that students make every effort to arrive on time to each class. Please review Kilmer’s response to tardies outlined below. These will begin on October 1, 2024. Parents/guardians will be notified if your child is assigned lunch or after school detention.

• Tardy Sweeps: Tardy sweeps will begin in October and occur randomly throughout the year.  A tardy sweep means if your child arrives to class after the bell, the teacher’s door will be locked, and a staff member will record the tardy. Students who are recorded in a tardy sweep will be assigned lunch detention. 
• Class Tardies: Students may receive an office referral from their teacher if they reach four tardies to a single class. Students who receive an office referral will be assigned after school detention. 
• Excessive Tardies: Students who reach a total of 10 or more tardies in a calendar month will be assigned an after school detention.

Regularly monitoring your student's tardies in ParentVue helps ensure they stay on track with punctuality and reinforces good habits for academic success. It is important for students to be in all classes on time every day, we will work with you and your child should there be issues or concerns that prevent them from getting to classes on time.

After School Program

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].

Kilmer PTA

Join the PTA and Friends of Kilmer and Enter to Win $200 in Amazon Gift Cards!

Joining the PTA is a fantastic way to support our students and teachers while having a say in the activities and initiatives that make our school a great place for everyone. PTA memberships are only $20 per family per year. As a thank you for your support, we will be raffling off two $100 in Amazon gift cards! Everyone who joins prior to 8:30 am on Tuesday, October 15th will be automatically entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card!

There will also be a drawing to win an additional $100 Amazon gift card for anyone who donates to Friends of Kilmer. The drawing will be made at the 7 pm PTA meeting on Oct 15th, you do not need to be present at the PTA meeting to win. Click HERE to purchase your PTA membership and contribute! For those of you that already purchased memberships prior to this announcement, we thank you, and you will also be participating in the raffle.

September is Hunger Awareness Month

60,000 Fairfax County kids are on free or reduced meals. 55,000 receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Kids attending class hungry are at risk for decreased academic performance. Food insecurity affects kids' concentration, mood, and memory. The Kilmer Food Pantry was established to send these students home with a weekend food pack to help them have enough to eat for the weekend. The Kilmer Food Pantry is proud to have expanded services, including providing meals throughout the month, offering school supplies, and providing warm coats and new socks in the winter.  

We can't do this without the generosity and support of our Kilmer Middle School community. There are many ways to support food insecurity at Kilmer. 

Here's how you can help now!

1. Donate non-perishable food items from our Amazon wishlist. Items will be delivered directly to Kilmer Middle. 
2. Donate non-perishable items on the marked carts in the main office (See suggestions below for ideas).
3. Donate funds directly to the PTA and we’ll do the shopping for you!

Learn more at: https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/foodpantry 

Reach out to the Executive Board with any questions.

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

References & Reminders

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Kilmer Community,

We’re excited to kick off this year’s cross country season tomorrow, Saturday, September 21st at 8:30 AM at Robinson Secondary School. Students have been working hard preparing the past couple of weeks, and we’re excited to cheer them on (over 100 runners!). A special thank you to this year’s coaches: Emma Bolin, Marcus Boddie, AJ Kirksey, Isaiah Pina, and Josh Lafferty.

We would like to share information about our tardy protocols and stress the importance of arriving to class on time. When students are late, they miss valuable instructional time and may find it challenging to catch up, which can affect their overall learning experience. Beginning October 1st, we will conduct random tardy sweeps and implement our school-wide response to tardiness. If your child arrives to class after the bell during a tardy sweep, the teacher’s door will be locked, and a staff member will record the tardy. Students who are caught in the tardy sweeps will be assigned lunch detention and parents/guardians will be notified via email. Students may also be assigned after school detention for excessive tardies. Students have been informed of Kilmer’s tardy procedures during our SR&R sessions with Kilmer’s assistant principals. This information will also be featured on next week's morning announcements.  

Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns. 

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!

Rigel M. - I appreciate the hardwork and dedication. Completed both the Part 2 Summative Test and 2 assignments during the whole 1st block of after school.

Peyton B. - I am really grateful that you are a friendly face and helpful peer to a student in one of your classes that really needs it! 

Samantha A.C. - Thank you for always being willing to help your classmates with translations and assignments. Your kindness does not go unnoticed. Thank you!

Addison F. - Addison is an exceptional student. She displays a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for learning. Addison is always eager to assist classmates and is known for her supportive nature. Addison's ability to work well with others makes her a standout student and a valuable member of our class.

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Students in Science 8 classes experimented with speed by adjusting the height of a ramp while timing how long it took for a tennis ball to travel various distances.

This week our 7th graders took a field trip to Burke Lake as part of the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE). 

The rain didn’t stop students from having fun during indoor recess this week.

Important Information

On Time to Class 

To help create a smooth and effective learning environment, we ask that students make every effort to arrive on time to each class. Please review Kilmer’s response to tardies outlined below. These will begin on October 1, 2024. Parents/guardians will be notified if your child is assigned lunch or after school detention.

• Tardy Sweeps: Tardy sweeps will begin in October and occur randomly throughout the year.  A tardy sweep means if your child arrives to class after the bell, the teacher’s door will be locked, and a staff member will record the tardy. Students who are recorded in a tardy sweep will be assigned lunch detention. 
• Class Tardies: Students may receive an office referral from their teacher if they reach four tardies to a single class. Students who receive an office referral will be assigned after school detention. 
• Excessive Tardies: Students who reach a total of 10 or more tardies in a calendar month will be assigned an after school detention.

Regularly monitoring your student's tardies in ParentVue helps ensure they stay on track with punctuality and reinforces good habits for academic success. It is important for students to be in all classes on time every day, we will work with you and your child should there be issues or concerns that prevent them from getting to classes on time.

World Language

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. Students who wish to take the exam should be able to proficiently understand and communicate in the testing language, and will be asked to listen, read, speak, write/type, and/or sign/interpret for ASL.  For more information on how to prepare for the exam and scoring criteria you may visit the FCPS website.

Registration opens on Monday, September 9th and closes on Thursday, October 3rd. Late registrations will not be accepted. The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Kilmer, during the school day, this year. 

Students will be able to register using the sign-up form posted in the All Students Schoology page. Once your student's counselor completes the registration you will receive a confirmation email with additional details about the date and time of the exam. If you have any questions about registering for this exam, please reach out directly to your student's counselor.

Thomas Jefferson High School Student/Parent Information Night

Thursday, October 10th 5:00 - 6:00 pm

All students interested in applying for the Freshman round of the Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology may join us for a one hour presentation given by a TJHSST representative in the Kilmer Cafeteria. The majority of the hour will be dedicated to a question and answer session, and we recommend that all those interested in participating view this video prior to attending the presentation. You can find additional information including important application deadlines here. If you have any questions about this event, please contact your student’s counselor.

After School Program

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].

Kilmer PTA

Join the PTA and Friends of Kilmer and Enter to Win $200 in Amazon Gift Cards!

Joining the PTA is a fantastic way to support our students and teachers while having a say in the activities and initiatives that make our school a great place for everyone. PTA memberships are only $20 per family per year. As a thank you for your support, we will be raffling off two $100 in Amazon gift cards! Everyone who joins prior to 8:30 am on Tuesday, October 15th will be automatically entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card!

There will also be a drawing to win an additional $100 Amazon gift card for anyone who donates to Friends of Kilmer. The drawing will be made at the 7 pm PTA meeting on Oct 15th, you do not need to be present at the PTA meeting to win. Click HERE to purchase your PTA membership and contribute! For those of you that already purchased memberships prior to this announcement, we thank you, and you will also be participating in the raffle.

September is Hunger Awareness Month

60,000 Fairfax County kids are on free or reduced meals. 55,000 receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Kids attending class hungry are at risk for decreased academic performance. Food insecurity affects kids' concentration, mood, and memory. The Kilmer Food Pantry was established to send these students home with a weekend food pack to help them have enough to eat for the weekend. The Kilmer Food Pantry is proud to have expanded services, including providing meals throughout the month, offering school supplies, and providing warm coats and new socks in the winter.  

We can't do this without the generosity and support of our Kilmer Middle School community. There are many ways to support food insecurity at Kilmer. 

Here's how you can help now!

1. Donate non-perishable food items from our Amazon wishlist. Items will be delivered directly to Kilmer Middle. 
2. Donate non-perishable items on the marked carts in the main office (See suggestions below for ideas).
3. Donate funds directly to the PTA and we’ll do the shopping for you!

Learn more at: https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/foodpantry 

Reach out to the Executive Board with any questions.

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

References & Reminders

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Kilmer Community,

As we settle into the school year, we continue to focus on teaching and reteaching expectations for our Kilmer students. So many of our students are doing a wonderful job meeting expectations and we are thrilled at the number of Positive Referrals pouring in from our teachers. We know that when we make it clear what is expected, our students can and will do the right thing. 

Our school’s mission is to create a safe, positive, and enriching environment that will promote resiliency, confidence, resourcefulness, and life-long learning. To that end, we want to take steps to help our students develop into ethical and global citizens who are respectful and dignify all members of our community. This is a key component of FCPS Portrait of a Graduate.

We hope that you will partner with us by talking to your child about the importance of being respectful to students, staff, and community members.  More specifically, please speak to your child about the importance of reporting to a trusted adult any incidents of racial slurs and hate speech.  Any of these behaviors are unacceptable within our safe and positive environment.

Families are at the heart of this work and we appreciate any and all support that you can provide at home.  I’ve included some resources you might find helpful below. If you need support on how to use these resources at home, please feel free to reach out to me or any member of my administrative team. 

• How to Talk to Your Children About Hate Speech 

• Talking to Your Child About Slurs: When Words Hurt

Additionally, I believe that partnering with families and engaging in continual communication is essential to this work. For that reason, I am committed to reaching out to families via email and via community messaging in the event of a racial slur or hate speech incident at Kilmer Middle School. This is just one way that we can partner with parents to ensure that beliefs or behaviors that harm the dignity of others are not tolerated in any way by our school community. 

I know that together, we can make a difference by learning to embrace and value our differences instead of using them to divide us. 

Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns. 

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!

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

Marek R. - Marek, you've been crushing it lately in French! The past 2 weeks you've had such a positive impact on our learning environment. Merci! 

Oliver H. - Oliver you are always respectful, positive, and engaged when you come to class. It is a pleasure to teach you!  

Eliza D. - Eliza, it might be early in the school year, but you have already demonstrated leadership qualities and you always come to class positive as well as ready to learn!

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• September 17-20 - 7th Grade Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) Field Trip (9/17-Comets Team, 9/18-Sirius Team, 9/19-Supernovas Team, 9/20-Starbursts Team)

• September 19-20 - Picture Day through HPE Classes (Classes that conflict with the MWEE field trip will be able to take their picture on 9/19 or 9/20.)

• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

During Learning, Seminar Ms. Prokopius held an interest meeting for students to learn more about being a “Student Ambassador” at Kilmer.

Important Information

Picture Day - September 19 & 20

Picture Day is coming up! Students will take their photo through their Health & PE class on September 19th or 20th. If you would like to order photos, please go to https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001132466. If you need a paper order form, they are available in the Student Services office. Photos will be available 2-3 weeks after picture day. Questions about Ordering? Email: [email protected]

If your student is in 7th grade and going on the MWEE Field Trip on 9/19 or 9/20, they will take their photo on the day that they are not on the field trip.

World Language

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. Students who wish to take the exam should be able to proficiently understand and communicate in the testing language, and will be asked to listen, read, speak, write/type, and/or sign/interpret for ASL.  For more information on how to prepare for the exam and scoring criteria you may visit the FCPS website.

Registration opens on Monday, September 9th and closes on Thursday, October 3rd. Late registrations will not be accepted. The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Kilmer, during the school day, this year. 

Students will be able to register using the sign-up form posted in the All Students Schoology page. Once your student's counselor completes the registration you will receive a confirmation email with additional details about the date and time of the exam. If you have any questions about registering for this exam, please reach out directly to your student's counselor.

Locker Update

Students who completed the locker request form will receive an email on Monday, September 16 to notify them that their assigned locker number and combination is now visible in SIS StudentVue under the Student Info tab. Students will have the opportunity to practice opening their locker during the first 5 minutes of Learning Seminar on Wednesday, September 18.

After School Program

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].

Kilmer PTA

First PTA Meeting of 2024-2025

Please join us for our first PTA meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 9:30 AM. We will be trying out a hybrid (in-person and Zoom) model. The meeting will be in the Group Instruction Room, and families can park on the east side of the building and enter through Door #15. If attending virtually, a Zoom link will be sent via eNotify prior to the meeting.

September is Hunger Awareness Month

60,000 Fairfax County kids are on free or reduced meals. 55,000 receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Kids attending class hungry are at risk for decreased academic performance. Food insecurity affects kids' concentration, mood, and memory. The Kilmer Food Pantry was established to send these students home with a weekend food pack to help them have enough to eat for the weekend. The Kilmer Food Pantry is proud to have expanded services, including providing meals throughout the month, offering school supplies, and providing warm coats and new socks in the winter.  

We can't do this without the generosity and support of our Kilmer Middle School community. There are many ways to support food insecurity at Kilmer. 

Here's how you can help now!

1. Donate non-perishable food items from our Amazon wishlist. Items will be delivered directly to Kilmer Middle. 
2. Donate non-perishable items on the marked carts in the main office (See suggestions below for ideas).
3. Donate funds directly to the PTA and we’ll do the shopping for you!

Learn more at: https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/foodpantry 

Reach out to the Executive Board with any questions.

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

References & Reminders

Damaged Chromebooks

All students have been given a brand new Chromebook for the 2024-2025 school year. An important reminder, please ensure your student keeps the protective cover on. These protective covers are vital to keeping Chromebooks in great condition. If a Chromebook is damaged (meaning willfully, or by being careless), families will be charged through MySchoolBucks. A breakdown of costs are below:

Parent Digital Consent - Forms

Beginning August 1, many of the parental consent and opt-out forms will be made available through a new Parent Digital Consent System. A parent or guardian will need to log-in using their SIS ParentVue username (email address) and password. If you have just registered your SIS ParentVUE account you will need to wait 24 hours before you can log in to the Digital Consent System. The SIS ParentVUE Account Overview page has information about registration and how to get support with your account.

Some forms in the system are required (like the Digital Resource Consent), while others, like the Family Education Opt-out form, are optional. If you have more than one child in FCPS, you must fill out the forms for each.

Updating Student information through SIS ParentVUE

The Online Verification Update (OVU) packet in SIS ParentVUE allows parents to review and update phone numbers, emergency contacts, and health information (such as health conditions and immunizations). The enrolling parent can access OVU through their SIS ParentVUE account. Parents/Guardians can continue to use traditional paper forms to submit changes to Kilmer Middle School. Paper forms can be submitted to the Kilmer Student Services Office. 

Important:  Do not use the OVU packet if your address has changed or if you moved to another FCPS school.  Contact the Kilmer Student Services Office directly to complete address updates or to withdraw and transfer your student to the new school.

7th Grade Immunization Requirement

All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. 

• To meet the Meningococcal (MenACWY) requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.      
• As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.

If you have not submitted immunization documentation to your child’s elementary school this past spring or to Kilmer Middle School this summer, please submit an updated immunization record showing that your child has received the missing immunization(s) to [email protected]. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

If you have questions regarding your child’s immunization status, please contact Gail Wood, Student Services Assistant at [email protected].

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Kilmer Community,

It was great seeing so many of you at Back-to-School Night last night! Events like BTSN are incredibly important. They help us lay a strong foundation for our students' success by fostering connections between our staff and our parent community.

Next week, we have a soft rollout of our Afterschool Program. Students seeking academic support from one of their teachers or participating in cross country will have access to late buses at 4:45 PM. The following week our Afterschool Program activities and clubs will begin for all students in addition to the academic support available from all of our teachers. 

Finally, I’m so proud of how our students have started the school year. As I’ve written before, we are incredibly intentional about how we explicitly teach, and reteach, students about expectations both in the classroom and in our common areas. Our students have done an excellent job learning these routines, and as students settle in we’re able to open up more opportunities. For example, this week we started outside seating for lunch on our patio. As we approach fall weather, it’s great to see so many students taking advantage of the fresh air during lunch. 

I hope you have a great weekend. 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!

Omar N. - Thank you so much for coming over quickly to help me put away cones before 2nd period PE! I was really struggling and so appreciated your help. Quick kindness goes a long way!

Kimberly A. - Kimberly brings her energetic learning style to class each day. She is kind to her teachers and classmates and participates often throughout class. Keep up the good work!

Olivia M. - Olivia stayed after school to stack extra chairs without being asked. Thank you, Olivia, for being so respectful and considerate!!!

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• September 17-20 - 7th Grade Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) Field Trip (9/17-Comets Team, 9/18-Sirius Team, 9/19-Supernovas Team, 9/20-Starbursts Team)
• September 19-20 - Picture Day through HPE Classes (Classes that conflict with the MWEE field trip will be able to take their picture on 9/19 or 9/20.)

• FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Thank you to the PTA for their support at Back-to-School Night this week! Keep up to date with PTA information and events (or join if you haven’t already 🙂) by visiting: https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/

Starting this week, students had the chance to eat outside and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Positive Referrals started being delivered this week. It was awesome to get the chance to celebrate the fantastic students we have here at Kilmer!

Important Information

Picture Day - September 19 & 20

Picture Day is coming up! Students will take their photo through their Health & PE class on September 19th or 20th. If you would like to order photos, please go to https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001132466. If you need a paper order form, they are available in the Student Services office. Photos will be available 2-3 weeks after picture day. Questions about Ordering? Email: [email protected]

If your student is in 7th grade and going on the MWEE Field Trip on 9/19 or 9/20, they will take their photo on the day that they are not on the field trip.

World Language

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. Students who wish to take the exam should be able to proficiently understand and communicate in the testing language, and will be asked to listen, read, speak, write/type, and/or sign/interpret for ASL.  For more information on how to prepare for the exam and scoring criteria you may visit the FCPS website.

Registration opens on Monday, September 9th and closes on Thursday, October 3rd. Late registrations will not be accepted. The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Kilmer, during the school day, this year. 

Students will be able to register using the sign-up form posted in the All Students Schoology page. Once your student's counselor completes the registration you will receive a confirmation email with additional details about the date and time of the exam. If you have any questions about registering for this exam, please reach out directly to your student's counselor.

Locker Update

Students who completed the locker request form will receive their locker assignments and locker combinations by email on Monday, September 16.

After School Program

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].

Kilmer PTA

September is Hunger Awareness Month. 60,000 Fairfax County kids are on free or reduced meals. 55,000 receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Kids attending class hungry are at risk for decreased academic performance. Food insecurity affects kids' concentration, mood, and memory. The Kilmer Food Pantry was established to send these students home with a weekend food pack to help them have enough to eat for the weekend. The Kilmer Food Pantry is proud to have expanded services, including providing meals throughout the month, offering school supplies, and providing warm coats and new socks in the winter.  

We can't do this without the generosity and support of our Kilmer Middle School community. There are many ways to support food insecurity at Kilmer. 

Here's how you can help now!

1. Donate non-perishable food items from our Amazon wishlist. Items will be delivered directly to Kilmer Middle. 
2. Donate non-perishable items on the marked carts in the main office (See suggestions below for ideas).
3. Donate funds directly to the PTA  and we’ll do the shopping for you!

Learn more at: https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/foodpantry 

 

Reach out to the Executive Board with any questions.

• Wendy Rosner - [email protected]
• Laura Roper - [email protected]
• Mandy Ryan - [email protected]

References & Reminders

Learning Seminar

On your student's schedule, you will see an 8th & 9th period Learning Seminar course. Learning Seminar is a 90-minute academic block on Wednesdays and Fridays. During this time students have the opportunity to:

• Visit one of their teachers for support
• Participate in remediation or intervention to improve academic skills
• Work on homework, retake assessments, or engage in learning extensions 

To help students structure their time during this class, students are using a digital Student Daily Agenda. Each student has created their own copy of this document, which can be found in their All Students: Schoology page. Students will begin each Learning Seminar period by opening their agenda and using it to track daily assignments, check for passes to see teachers, and access online platforms such as Lexia and Mathspace.  We encourage parents to review this agenda with your student at home and refer back to it as we continue to help them build their time management and organizational skills throughout the year.Click to edit this placeholder text.

Damaged Chromebooks

All students have been given a brand new Chromebook for the 2024-2025 school year. An important reminder, please ensure your student keeps the protective cover on. These protective covers are vital to keeping Chromebooks in great condition. If a Chromebook is damaged (meaning willfully, or by being careless), families will be charged through MySchoolBucks. A breakdown of costs are below:

Parent Digital Consent - Forms

Beginning August 1, many of the parental consent and opt-out forms will be made available through a new Parent Digital Consent System. A parent or guardian will need to log-in using their SIS ParentVue username (email address) and password. If you have just registered your SIS ParentVUE account you will need to wait 24 hours before you can log in to the Digital Consent System. The SIS ParentVUE Account Overview page has information about registration and how to get support with your account.

Some forms in the system are required (like the Digital Resource Consent), while others, like the Family Education Opt-out form, are optional. If you have more than one child in FCPS, you must fill out the forms for each.

Updating Student Information Through SIS ParentVUE

The Online Verification Update (OVU) packet in SIS ParentVUE allows parents to review and update phone numbers, emergency contacts, and health information (such as health conditions and immunizations). The enrolling parent can access OVU through their SIS ParentVUE account. Parents/Guardians can continue to use traditional paper forms to submit changes to Kilmer Middle School. Paper forms can be submitted to the Kilmer Student Services Office. 

Important:  Do not use the OVU packet if your address has changed or if you moved to another FCPS school.  Contact the Kilmer Student Services Office directly to complete address updates or to withdraw and transfer your student to the new school.

7th Grade Immunization Requirement

All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. 

• To meet the Meningococcal (MenACWY) requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.      
• As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.

If you have not submitted immunization documentation to your child’s elementary school this past spring or to Kilmer Middle School this summer, please submit an updated immunization record showing that your child has received the missing immunization(s) to [email protected]. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

If you have questions regarding your child’s immunization status, please contact Gail Wood, Student Services Assistant at [email protected].

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