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Kilmer MS Newsletter - February 21, 2025

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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

It was another busy (and cold) week at Kilmer. We’re a little over three weeks into the third quarter, which makes this the perfect time to sit down with your child to check SIS. Consider using this as an opportunity to talk with them about how they are doing academically, their goals, and how they might improve by the quarter’s end. This academic quarter is only eight weeks long and passes by very quickly. As a reminder, teachers stay after school one day a week and students may also visit teachers during Learning Seminar for extra help.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars. Orchestra, Band, Chorus, and Theatre have upcoming performances and shows throughout February and March. See below under “Kilmer at a Glance” for specific events, dates, and locations.

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!

Raya B. - Raya volunteered to represent our class in a competition.

Keshav P. - I really appreciated how you helped enforce the rules of the cafeteria within your friend group. It is important to hold everyone accountable and we really appreciate when students help out!

Mohammad M. - Saw that someone had spilled juice on the floor and left it there so he asked for a towel to clean it up himself. And for always just being awesome :)

Nora A. - For showing compassion to a peer who was having a bad day.

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) and Diagnostic Writing Activity
- March 19 - Student will have a flipped Bell Schedule and start the day in their 9th period class
  - 8th grade students participating in the SOL Reading test will complete an integrated reading and writing (IRW) component. The IRW component of the SOL Reading test has one non-fiction reading passage followed by 4-6 of multiple-choice/technology-enhanced items and an “invitation to write” based on the passage.
  - 7th grade students will participate in a Diagnostic Writing Activity to prepare for next year’s IRW assessment.
Fine and Performing Arts Spring Dates:
- Orchestra
  - Pre Assessment Concert 2/20 6:30 pm @ Marshall HS
  - Assessment Concert 3/7 and 3/8 @ Herndon MS
  - Spring Music Department Trip 5/2 @ Hershey Park
  - Spring Orchestra Concert 6/2 7 pm @ Marshall HS
- Band
  - Pre-Assessment Concert 3/4 7 pm @ Marshall HS
  - Assessment Concert 3/14 and 3/15 @ Madison HS
  - Spring Music Department Trip 5/2 @ Hershey Park
  - Spring Band Concert 5/28 7 pm @ Marshall HS
- Chorus
  - Pre-Assessment Concert 2/27 @ Marshall HS
  - Assessment Concert 3/21 @Kenmore MS
  - Honors Choir 4/24 and 4/25 @ Richmond
  - Spring Music Department Trip 5/2 @ Hershey Park
  - Spring Chorus Concert 5/29 @ Marshall HS
- Theatre
  - Spring Musical Performance Addams Family
    - March 26th: Addams Family Student Show – 2:30 pm
    - March 27th: Addams Family – 7:00 pm
    - March 28th: Addams Family – 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
  - May 30th: Broadway Desserts – 7:00 pm
FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Today we celebrated School Bus Driver Appreciation Day with some sweet treats! Our drivers’ dedication to keeping students safe, even through challenging weather and busy schedules, doesn't go unnoticed.

Important Information

TJHSST BioCode 2025

Are you interested in biology or computer science? Do you enjoy competing and working with other students? TJHSST Bioinformatics Society is hosting its annual BioCode competition, with $100s in prizes, and workshops from college professors! To learn more and register, check out: https://tjbioinfo.netlify.app/biocode/. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions, and we hope to see you there!"

Food Drive - Interdisciplinary Teams

Next week is our last week for the Food Drive Team Competition. As of today, only ten items separate first place from fourth place. It is still anyone’s game! Consider going to the grocery store this weekend with your child to pick out food to support Kilmer’s Food Pantry.

Attendance Reminder

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.

Attention 8th Grade Students: College Partnership Program

The College Partnership Program Application is officially open! CPP is designed to support students interested in exploring, applying to, and enrolling college. CPP was created to systematically mitigate the impact of barriers to access and opportunity, and support students who are from populations that are historically underrepresented on college campuses. Visit the FCPS College Partnership Program website to learn more.

The application is due Friday February 28th. To apply, complete this application.

Kilmer staff will be supporting students to complete their applications afterschool Wednesday, February 26th (both blocks) in the Library. Late bus transportation is available at 4:45PM. We will work together to complete 2 short essay questions. Students will also need to answer questions about their family. Please have the following information ready to complete the application:

Parent/Guardian Occupation/Job
Parent/Guardian Educational Background
Parent/Guardian College Attended (if applicable)
Parent/Guardian Degree Earned
Has anyone in your immediate family (siblings or parent/guardian) graduated from a 4-year college in the US?

Questions? Reach out to Jessica Rosas-Diego, family liaison [email protected]

Marshall HS STEM Night

STEM Night at Marshall will take place February 28th in Marshall's cafeteria from 6-8pm and is run by the club STEM Stars. There will be a few activities which are suited for both elementary schoolers and middle schoolers. Kilmer students will most likely find the greatest value in science fair presentations from some of the students who had interesting and successful projects in both physics and biology, and the IB information table where current Marshall students can share their favorite parts about the IB science/math programs. This night is designed to give an inside look into High School sciences for students that are passionate about STEM, or nervous about going into High School.

You can either contact me (Maggie Wise- [email protected] and [email protected]), or another one of the students running this event which I will list below. We hope to see Kilmer students there as the club is run by Kilmer alumni!

Maggie Wise- [email protected] and [email protected]

Nola Gramatikov- [email protected]

Penelope O'Hearn- [email protected]

Club Sponsor, Mr. Alan Altschuler- [email protected]

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

Executive Board Contact Information

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

References & Reminders

Course Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year

Course registration for the 2025-2026 school year will continue over the next two months.

February - March: One-on-One Academic Advising

To guide students in selecting courses, teachers will provide feedback, and each student will meet with their school counselor to finalize course selections in SIS StudentVUE. During these academic advising sessions, students will reflect on their choices and consider enrolling in honors courses that match their strengths and interests while balancing their workload and extracurricular activities. After meeting with their counselor, students and parents can view course selections in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Kilmer MS Newsletter - February 14, 2025

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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

We’ve had a great week at Kilmer, celebrating Valentine’s Day with several spirit days sponsored by our Student Council Association. Students have also been purchasing (A LOT) of candy grams as part of SCA’s fundraising efforts. These sweet treats were delivered Friday afternoon.

Speaking of Friday afternoon deliveries, be on the lookout for 2nd Quarter report cards and honor roll certificates which were handed out to students today during 9th period. Grades can also be accessed in SIS ParentVue and SIS StudentVue.

Finally, I want to thank Office Jason, Kilmer’s School Resource Office. Tomorrow is SRO Appreciation Day and we are so grateful for all of the work Officer Jason does to build a sense of community at Kilmer and to keep us safe.

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!

Ethan H. - Ethan, you did such a great job in the WWI Discussion in US History! I thought your comments were very insightful and you were a great participant! You are a leader in our class, thank you for all of your hard work!

Malah K. - Malah did a great job defending her view in our recent class discussion in History. It was clear she was well prepared and understood the details and nuances of the document set. She also clearly, calmly, and eloquently explained her point of view. Thank you for volunteering to speak and keeping the conversation going!

Ethan F. - Ethan, you did such a great job in the WWI Discussion in US History! I thought your comments were very insightful and you were a great participant! Thank you for all of your hard work!

Vova S. - Thank you Vova for helping the new student get to other classes. It is much appreciated and very kind.

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

February 14 - A printed version of 2nd quarter report cards will be sent home on Friday, February 14. Students who earned all A's or all A's and B's in the second quarter will receive an Honor Roll certificate along with their report card.
FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Thank you to our amazing custodians, who were hard at work on Wednesday clearing our sidewalks!

Thank you to Officer Jason Edminster for all he does to support the Kilmer community. Happy SRO Appreciation Day!

Important Information

Marshall HS STEM Night

Maggie Wise- [email protected] and [email protected]

Nola Gramatikov- [email protected]

Penelope O'Hearn- [email protected]

Club Sponsor, Mr. Alan Altschuler- [email protected]

Course Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year

Course registration for the 2025-2026 school year will continue over the next two months.

February - March: One-on-One Academic Advising

To guide students in selecting courses, teachers will provide feedback, and each student will meet with their school counselor to finalize course selections in SIS StudentVUE. During these academic advising sessions, students will reflect on their choices and consider enrolling in honors courses that match their strengths and interests while balancing their workload and extracurricular activities. After meeting with their counselor, students and parents can view course selections in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE.

Food Drive - Interdisciplinary Teams

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

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

Kilmer MS Newsletter - February 7, 2025

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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

This week was National School Counseling Week and we’re grateful for our school counselors and the countless ways that they support our Kilmer students, families, and staff. A special thank you to Monica Schmitt, Brian Sirdofsky, Kara Prokopius, Cara Engel, and Kristen Reighard!

On Thursday, we welcomed back Erin Kestler, assistant principal! Thank you to Scott Poole, retired principal, for filling in the last month to support Kilmer while Ms. Kestler was on maternity leave. As a reminder, Ms. Kestler is the administrator for the Starbursts (7th grade) and Voyagers (8th grade) teams. Should you need to reach out, she can be reached at [email protected].

Finally, this week we started collecting food for Kilmer’s Food Pantry. It was exciting to see students beginning to bring in items. As a reminder, the items assigned to Interdisciplinary Teams can be found below. The Interdisciplinary Team that brings in the most food for the month wins a celebration during Learning Seminar. Teaser…it’s close after one week, but Pegasus is in the lead.

7th Grade Team
- Starbursts - Pasta
- Sirius - Mac & Cheese
- Supernovas - Canned Tuna/Chicken
- Comets - Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, or Canned Tomatoes

8th Grade Teams
- Pegasus - Canned Tuna/Chicken
- Constellations - Dried Rice
- Guardians - Dried Beans
- Voyagers - Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, or Canned Tomatoes

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!

Daniel C. - During lunch I was sweeping around the cafeteria when Daniel approached me and said, "I've finished my lunch. If you'd like, I can help sweep." This is a great example of a student thinking about others and how their actions can support the greater Kilmer community. Keep it up!

Sai G. - Sai supports his classmates and his classroom in English class every day. He is trustworthy when working with his classmates. He takes ownership of his mistakes and strives to improve. He has a positive attitude when trying something challenging. He is responsible and respectful of the classroom. Recently when we had two muddy recess sessions, Sai went to another teacher's classroom to grab a broom, and then he swept the whole room with great care. His Starburst teachers are very proud of him!

Xuni Z. - Xuanni was very diligent about improving on her writing in creative writing.

Juliet L. - Thanks for noticing that someone accidentally knocked my school papers down, and coming over to help me pick them all up!

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

February 14 - A printed version of 2nd quarter report cards will be sent home on Friday, February 14. Students who earned all A's or all A's and B's in the second quarter will receive an Honor Roll certificate along with their report card.
FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Congratulations to our December and January Student of the month award recipients! Students enjoyed snacks, games, and a movie to celebrate their achievement during their Learning Seminar period.

December - Creative and Critical Thinker

Amith Chanda, Aarav Dadbhawala, Jasper Diffell, Maeve Dockery, Ramana Duvuru, Ferda Erden, Lucas Hager, Ethan Harney, Naveli Jain, Ciel Lee, Daniel Mohd Ruslan, Jonathan Ochoa, Yuto Roskamp, Tabby Shimooka, Soraya Tajdar, and Claire Wang!

January - Ethical and Global Citizen

Harper Andrews, Kingsley Chow, Anderson Feinberg, David Carrington Freeman, Braylen Gabriel, Lucas Gebhart, Aarya Gupta, Yusuf Hassan, Ana Hernandez-Sortore, Liel Ju, Christina Lee, Erin Martonik, Nathaniel Oelrich, Wilson Reyes Posadas, Sofia Anis Samsul Kahar, and Eden Smith.

Congratulations to Kilmer’s MATHCOUNTS team who competed on Saturday February 1st in the regional competition. The Kilmer Team (Aadith, Bryan, Angelina S, Chloe H) placed 4th and individual members Kaushika, Rohan, Ramana, Arjav, Shlok, Catherine, Audrey, Syona, and Skylon did a great job representing Kilmer. We appreciate them and their Coach, Ms. Bradford for all their work this year!

Important Information

Food Drive - Interdisciplinary Teams

For the month of February, we’ve partnered with the PTA to hold a food drive for Kilmer’s Food Pantry. The Kilmer’s Food Pantry has supported our very own Kilmer families for years. Each month the Food Pantry invites families in to get food bags, clothing, supplies, etc. and we need our larger communities' help. From February 1-28 we’ll be hosting a friendly competition through our Interdisciplinary Teams. The Interdisciplinary Team that donates the most food will win a celebration sponsored by the PTA during Learning Seminar. Stay tuned for more information, but as a preview, please see which items Teams have been assigned.

7th Grade Teams
- Starbursts - Pasta
- Sirius - Mac & Cheese
- Supernovas - Canned Tuna/Chicken
- Comets - Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, or Canned Tomatoes
8th Grade Teams
- Pegasus - Canned Tuna/Chicken
- Constellations - Dried Rice
- Guardians - Dried Beans
- Voyagers - Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, or Canned Tomatoes

Course Registration for the 2025-2026 school year

Course registration for the 2025-2026 school year will continue over the next two months.

February - March: One-on-One Academic Advising

To guide students in selecting courses, teachers will provide feedback, and each student will meet with their school counselor to finalize course selections in SIS StudentVUE. During these academic advising sessions, students will reflect on their choices and consider enrolling in honors courses that match their strengths and interests while balancing their workload and extracurricular activities. After meeting with their counselor, students and parents can view course selections in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE.

2nd Quarter Grades & Honor Roll Certificates

2nd quarter report cards are now visible in SIS. A printed version of 2nd quarter report cards will be sent home on Friday, February 14. Students who earned all A's or all A's and B's in the second quarter will receive an Honor Roll certificate along with their report card.

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

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

Kilmer MS Newsletter - January 31, 2025

GovDelivery3 weeks ago

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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I reach out today. I could not let the weekend pass without acknowledging the unspeakable tragedy that occurred this week. Many in our community are grieving, as the families we lost were deeply connected—not just to us, but to the broader community and even the national figure skating community.

As we all process this heartbreaking loss, I hope you take care of yourselves and each other. Our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate families and with our entire community. There are no words to fully capture this loss, which only underscores how deeply interconnected we all are.

Please know that from the moment we learned of this tragedy, we put support systems in place for our students and staff. Our staff has been, and will continue to, keep a close eye on your children to watch for signs of unusual stress or difficult emotions, so they can refer these students to a member of our crisis support team.

If you feel that your child would benefit from talking with one of our support staff, please call us at 703-846-8806. For after-hours support, please contact the 988 Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You might also find this resource helpful when talking to your child.

As always, reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

February 5 - Marshall High School counselors will meet with 8th grade students planning to attend Marshall for 9th grade during Learning Seminar to discuss course options for the 2025-2026 school year.
February 6 - Marshall High School’s Rising 9th Grade Orientation, 5:30-8:00 pm (Snow Date: February 11)
FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Important Information

2nd Quarter Grades

Gradebook and Report Card Modules in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE will be unavailable from Tuesday, January 28th @ 4PM through Tuesday, February 4th @ 6AM. On February 4, 2nd quarter report cards will be visible in SIS. A printed version of 2nd quarter report cards will be sent home on Friday, February 14.

Course Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year

Course registration for the 2025-2026 school year will take place over the next two months. To guide students in selecting courses, teachers will provide feedback, and students will have several opportunities to explore their options.

Upcoming 7th Grade Activities:

Monday, February 2 and Thursday, February 3 - Course Kick-off for the 2025-2026 School Year

7th grade teachers will introduce students to 8th grade course content and options, covering: Differences between general education and honors courses, Course expectations, Content-specific details and elective options.
Students are encouraged to ask questions and seek feedback from their teachers to help them select courses that align with their academic strengths and interests.

Wednesday, February 5 and Monday, February 10 - Learning Seminar and Advisory Course Registration Lesson

Students will use SIS StudentVUE to select their initial courses following the course kick-off.

February - March: One-on-One Academic Advising

Each student will meet with their school counselor to finalize course selections in SIS StudentVUE. During these sessions, students will reflect on their choices and consider enrolling in honors courses that match their strengths and interests while balancing their workload and extracurricular activities. After meeting with their counselor, students and parents can view course selections in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE.

Upcoming 8th Grade Activities:

Wednesday, February 5 - Marshall High School counselors will meet with 8th grade students and Learning Seminar Course Registration Lesson

Students will be assigned to a Learning Seminar teacher based on their designated Marshall counselor. Those not attending Marshall will also be assigned to a classroom. Student location assignments will be emailed to students and posted next week.
Marshall counselors will present during the first or second block of Learning Seminar. When high school counselors are not presenting, students will receive guided instructions from their teacher on how to enter course selections into SIS StudentVUE.

February - March: One-on-One Academic Advising

Each student will meet with their school counselor to finalize course selections in SIS StudentVUE. During these sessions, students will reflect on their choices and consider enrolling in honors courses that match their strengths and interests while balancing their workload and extracurricular activities. After meeting with their counselor, students and parents can view course selections in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE.

Food Drive - Interdisciplinary Teams

For the month of February, we’ve partnered with the PTA to conduct a food drive for Kilmer’s Food Pantry. The Kilmer’s Food Pantry has supported our very own Kilmer families for years. Each month the Food Pantry invites families in to get food bags, clothing, supplies, etc. and we need our larger communities' help. From February 1-28 we’ll be hosting a friendly competition through our Interdisciplinary Teams. The Interdisciplinary Team that donates the most food will win a celebration sponsored by the PTA during Learning Seminar.

Beginning this Monday, February 3, tables/wagons will be set out in the mail hall with Interdisciplinary Team signs designating where students can drop off their canned goods. We’ll have the tables out every morning for the month of February.

7th Grade Teams
- Starbursts - Pasta
- Sirius - Mac & Cheese
- Supernovas - Canned Tuna/Chicken
- Comets - Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, or Canned Tomatoes
8th Grade Teams
- Pegasus - Canned Tuna/Chicken
- Constellations - Dried Rice
- Guardians - Dried Beans
- Voyagers - Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, or Canned Tomatoes

SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey

All FCPS families and middle and high school students have received an invitation to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available through Monday, February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!

After School Program

Welcome Back Ms. Kardelis!

Today we welcome back Kim Kardelis from maternity leave! A special thank you to Saundra Perry for filling in the past few months. We’re grateful for expertise and the way you just hit the ground running. Thank you for keeping our After School Program running strong!

After School Activities News/Updates:

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

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

Kilmer MS Newsletter - January 24, 2025

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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

Yesterday, we hosted our Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night. It is one of my favorite events of the year because the energy is palpable from our rising 7th graders and their families. Also, we had many current 7th and 8th graders working as part of our Student Ambassador program and it’s a testament to what middle schoolers can do when given the opportunity. The Student Ambassadors answered questions, talked with rising 7th graders, and helped to guide families around the building. I was stopped by countless parents who complimented our current Kilmer students and their work as Student Ambassadors.

It’s hard to believe that in late January (and with half of the school year left) we’ve started planning for next year. Just as we hosted rising 7th graders this past week, Marshall counselors will be coming to Kilmer on Wednesday, February 5 to preview course options for our 8th graders going to high school (Madison counselors already came 🙂). Kilmer’s counselors work closely with Marshall (and Madison) counselors to ensure our 8th graders have all the information they need when selecting their courses for next year. Please reach out to our counselors if you have any questions.

Marshall IB Night at Kilmer is scheduled for Monday, January 27th from 5-6 PM. Consider stopping by to hear from Marshall staff about how you can help your student navigate the IB path as they transition to high school.

Finally, the semester ends next Tuesday, 1/28, and there is no school for students on Wednesday, 1/29 for a teacher workday. Please remind your student to check SIS beginning at 4 PM on Wednesday to see their new schedule—this mainly applies to students who had semester electives during the first half of the year, as well as some Learning Seminar classes.

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!

Anay B. - Recently in class, Anay saw that I was trying to get multiple things done at once and volunteered to help me with some tasks. I appreciated how he stepped in, and also how he always has a positive attitude. Gracias Anay!

Eden S. - I'm so glad you took a moment to tell me about your visit to Mount Vernon over Winter Break. I love when students make connections about history outside of class and teach me something I didn't know! Thank you also for helping me with small tasks around my classroom during Learning Seminar :)

Brithany T. B. - Brithany is a good student. She comes to class on time, works with her classmates, is never disruptive, and always puts 110% effort into her work. Sometimes these great students get missed because they are quiet. I don't want this rock star of a student missed. She deserves quite a bit of credit for her hard work and awesome attitude.

Katie C. R. - Katie has been doing a really great job in English, paying attention, turning in complete assignments on time, and having a positive attitude! I'm glad that you are a part of our class!

Amani Z. - Amani is a great example of what a star student looks like. She comes to class prepared, helps her peers when in need, and always has a positive attitude!

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

January 27 - ESOL WIDA Exam Information Meeting, 4:14-5:00, room F121
- All parents/guardians of Multilingual Learners are cordially invited to attend our annual WIDA Exam Information Meeting. WIDA ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 is the assessment that is administered to all Multilingual Learners (ELLs) during the month of February 2025. For more information please email our ESOL Department Chair Susanne Ehsani at [email protected].
Course Registration Events:
- January 27 - Marshall High School IB Night, Monday, January 27 at 5:00 pm in the Kilmer Middle School Cafeteria.
  - The Marshall IB Coordinators and IB Student Executive Board will be presenting at Kilmer on Monday, January 27 at 5 p.m. There will be an overview of the IB program, recommendations of courses Kilmer students should take in middle school, and most importantly, student voices about different aspects of IB courses at Marshall.
- January 30 - Rising 8th Grade Math Night, Thursday, January 30 at 5:00 pm
  - During this information session, the Kilmer Math Department will discuss the mathematics pathways available next school year for current seventh-grade students. The event will include information about all 8th grade math classes, summer opportunities, and the opportunity to ask questions and speak directly with Kilmer’s math teachers. All families are encouraged to attend.
- February 5 - Marshall High School counselors will meet with 8th grade students planning to attend Marshall for 9th grade during Learning Seminar to discuss course options for the 2025-2026 school year. Seventh grade students will learn about course options for 8th grade during Learning Seminar.
- February 6 - Marshall High School’s Rising 9th Grade Orientation, 5:30-8:00 pm (Snow Date: February 11)

FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Congratulations to District 12 All-District Band

Congratulations to the following band students who earned membership into the District 12 All-District Band, which will be held at Oakton High School on January 30-February 1.

Simon T. – flute
Elise C. – flute
Ilana N. – bassoon
Henry W. – clarinet
Daniel Y. – clarinet
Alice V. – clarinet
Mariana D.C. – bass clarinet
Justin J. – trombone
Keshav P. – trombone
Elizabeth R. - euphonium
Kai H. – tuba
Ev F. – percussion

The following students are alternates and will be “called up” to play if needed:

Nolan J. – trumpet
Ryan S. – trombone
Lucas G. – euphonium
Eason C. - percussion

Important Information

2nd Semester Schedules

Students and parents can view second semester class schedules in SIS StudentVue and ParentVUE on Wednesday, January 29, at 4:00 PM.

New Semester Electives

Students with new semester electives will begin these courses on Thursday, January 30. The new elective on your child’s schedule was chosen from the electives they selected last spring. At this point in the school year, we are unable to accommodate elective changes, as such requests would impact other classes.

Learning Seminar Class Changes

At the start of each quarter, some students may be assigned to a new Learning Seminar class for various reasons, such as receiving additional support in math or English. A significant number of students will have changes to their 8th and/or 9th period Learning Seminar classes starting in the 3rd quarter. Any student with a change to their Learning Seminar class will remain with one of their current teachers. Students should report to their new Learning Seminar class on Friday, January 31.

All students are encouraged to check their Class Schedules in SIS StudentVue prior to the first day of 3rd quarter on Thursday, January 30.

2nd Quarter Grades

The 2nd quarter ends on Tuesday, January 28. Gradebook and Report Card Modules in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE will be unavailable from Tuesday, January 28th @ 4PM through Tuesday, February 4th @ 6AM. On February 4, 2nd quarter report cards will be visible in SIS. A printed version of 2nd quarter report cards will be sent home on Friday, February 14.

Food Drive - Interdisciplinary Teams

7th Grade Teams
- Starbursts - Pasta
- Sirius - Mac & Cheese
- Supernovas - Canned Tuna/Chicken
- Comets - Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, or Canned Tomatoes
8th Grade Teams
- Pegasus - Canned Tuna/Chicken
- Constellations - Dried Rice
- Guardians - Dried Beans
- Voyagers - Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, or Canned Tomatoes

Course Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year

At Kilmer Middle School, our goal is to provide a challenging academic program. We encourage students to select courses that reflect their abilities, strengths, and interests to create a balanced academic schedule. To help guide course selection decisions, teachers will provide feedback, and students will have multiple opportunities to explore course options. These opportunities include curriculum night events, content-specific presentations, and course videos showcasing next-grade-level options. All students will have one-on-one academic advising sessions with their school counselor throughout February and March to finalize their course selections for the 2025-2026 school year.

We will continue to share important event and activity dates related to course registration throughout January and February. Visit the Course Registration page on the Kilmer Website to learn more about the academic advising timeline.

SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey

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

Health and Physical Education FLE Announcement - Date Change Due to Snow Days

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.

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.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

Winter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. We monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education. Visit Fairfax County’s website for Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Kilmer MS Newsletter - January 17, 2025

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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

January’s school schedule is always a bit choppy with holidays and with the end of the second quarter on Tuesday, January 28. The Snow Days and two-hour late start last week complicated it even further although I’m sure most students weren’t complaining.🙂 A reminder that our Green/Blue schedule does not change when we have Snow Days. The Green or Blue day is skipped and we stick to our original Green/Blue schedule. Also, when we have a two-hour delay due to weather, our modified schedule is always available on the website. If you’re interested, our schedules can be found HERE.

There are several events coming up at Kilmer later this month, including the Marshall High School IB Night and our Rising 8th Grade Math Night. Be sure to check out the calendar below for more information.

Lastly, as long as I’ve worked in a middle school (and in three different states) many students show up in the winter months with either shorts or a t-shirt, and it’s common for those students to say, “I’m not cold, I’m actually hot.” 😀 While it’s normal for middle schoolers to not make the smartest choices in the world as their brains develop, next week’s forecast is different. Tuesday and Wednesday are currently forecasted to have single digit lows. Please ensure your student leaves the house with a winter coat and pants at the very minimum.

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!

Wilson M. - Thank you for having a positive attitude today and working well with your partner. I saw you put in a lot of effort! Keep up the good work!

Marwa G. - Thank you for being so helpful and welcoming to our new student! I appreciate all your help with language translation and math.

Davis N. - Thank you for helping clean up the badminton nets without being asked. Much appreciated.

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

Course Registration Events:

January 27 - Marshall High School IB Night, Monday, January 27 at 5:00 pm in the Kilmer Middle School Cafeteria.

The Marshall IB Coordinators and IB Student Executive Board will be presenting at Kilmer on Monday, January 27 at 5 p.m. There will be an overview of the IB program, recommendations of courses Kilmer students should take in middle school, and most importantly, student voices about different aspects of IB courses at Marshall.

January 30 - Rising 8th Grade Math Night, Thursday, January 30 at 5:00 pm

During this information session, the Kilmer Math Department will discuss the mathematics pathways available next school year for current seventh-grade students. The event will include information about all 8th grade math classes, summer opportunities, and the opportunity to ask questions and speak directly with Kilmer’s math teachers. All families are encouraged to attend.

February 5 - Marshall High School counselors will meet with 8th grade students planning to attend Marshall for 9th grade during Learning Seminar to discuss course options for the 2025-2026 school year. Seventh grade students will learn about course options for 8th grade during Learning Seminar.
February 6 - Marshall High School’s Rising 9th Grade Orientation, 5:30-8:00 pm (Snow Date: February 11)

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

FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

Before winter break, 8th grade FACS students participated in a Cupcake Competition as their final project to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they gained throughout the unit! Kitchen groups collaborated with one another to choose a recipe that showcased their creativity and highlighted their leadership and decision-making skills. Staff within the building judged each group on the texture, flavor, decorations, and description of their cupcake. Congratulations to our winners!

3rd Period: What the Fudge?! - Congratulations to Cami, Cece, and Maya! The judges loved your artwork and classy/clean decorations!

4th Period: Buddy the Elf’s Candy Spaghetti - Congratulations to Liam, Helana, Kyle, Deji, and Kynnedi! Judges stated that your design was “iconic” and loved the maple flavor in your cupcake!

6th Period: Santa’s Hot Cocoa Cakes - Congratulations to Leah, Kellen, Logan, Judy, and Ana! The judges said that your cupcake was adorable and really like the addition of the peppermint!

7th Period: Strawberry Cream Bliss - Congratulations to Leya, KK, Katie, Jeremy, and Saif! The judges thought your cupcakes were beautiful and the strawberry flavor was a hit!

Important Information

Food Drive - Interdisciplinary Teams

For the month of February, we’ve partnered with the PTA to do a food drive for Kilmer’s Food Pantry. The Kilmer’s Food Pantry has run for years supporting our very own Kilmer families. Each month the Food Pantry invites families in to get food bags, clothing, supplies, etc. and we need our larger communities' help. From February 1-28 we’ll be hosting a friendly competition through our Interdisciplinary Teams. The Interdisciplinary Team that donates the most food will win a celebration sponsored by the PTA during Learning Seminar. Stay tuned for more information, but as a preview, please see which items Teams have been assigned.

7th Grade Teams
- Starbursts - Pasta
- Sirius - Mac & Cheese
- Supernovas - Canned Tuna/Chicken
- Comets - Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, or Canned Tomatoes
8th Grade Teams
- Pegasus - Canned Tuna/Chicken
- Constellations - Dried Rice
- Guardians - Dried Beans
- Voyagers - Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, or Canned Tomatoes

Course Registration for the 2025-2026 school year

2nd Quarter Grades

2nd Semester Schedules

Students and parents can view second semester class schedules in SIS StudentVue and ParentVUE on Wednesday, January 29, at 4:00 PM. In addition to receiving new second semester electives, a significant number of students will also have changes to their 8th and/or 9th period Learning Seminar classes. Students will remain with one of their current teachers.

Crosstown Hoops and Tryouts - Updated Dates for Boys

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 22nd & 23rd, 2nd block

*Boys must attend both dates for tryouts.

8th Grade Boys - Wed/Thurs, January 22nd & 23rd, 1st block

*Boys must attend both dates for tryouts.

Health and Physical Education FLE Announcement - Date Change Due to Snow Days

A parent preview night will be held both in person and virtually on January 21, 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/92612134506

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

SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey Coming Soon

All FCPS families and middle and high school students will be receiving an email invitation on Tuesday, January 21, to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available from January 21 to February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates:

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

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

References & Reminders

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.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Kilmer MS Newsletter - January 10, 2024

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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

It’s been an interesting return from Winter Break, but nevertheless, today was energizing to get everyone back in the building. January is a busy month as we kick off academic advising. There are a lot of moving parts as we focus on the here and now, while also preparing students for next year. Please take the time to review the blurbs below.

Lastly, as I mentioned before break, we’ll spend time the next few weeks 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.

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!

Kyle J. - Thank you for being proactive and helping a new student locate the website and information necessary to complete the class assignment. You're very kind, helpful, and most of all, thoughtful.

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

Viviana M.P. - Viviana, thank you for being a positive influence in our Health & PE class. You are helpful in our class and are a good role model for your peers. Keep up the good work.

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

Course Registration Events:

January 14 - Madison High School’s Rising 9th Curriculum Night, 6:00-8:00 pm
- Presentation: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Auditorium)
- Curriculum Fair/Electives Showcase: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Town Hall, Small Gym)
January 27 - Marshall High School IB Night, Monday, January 27 at 5:00 pm in the Kilmer Middle School Cafeteria.
- The Marshall IB Coordinators and IB Student Executive Board will be presenting at Kilmer on Monday, January 27 at 5 p.m. There will be an overview of the IB program, recommendations of courses Kilmer students should take in middle school, and most importantly, student voices about different aspects of IB courses at Marshall.
January 30 - Rising 8th Grade Math Night, Thursday, January 30 at 5:00 pm
February 6 - Marshall High School’s Rising 9th Grade Orientation
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
FCPS School Calendar 2024-25

Picture(s) of the Week

A huge thank you to the custodial team! They’ve worked tirelessly the past few days and the sidewalks around our building look fantastic.

Important Information

Course Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year

At Kilmer Middle School, our goal is to provide a challenging academic program. We encourage students to select courses that reflect their abilities, strengths, and interests to create a balanced academic schedule. To help guide course selection decisions, teachers will provide feedback, and students will have multiple opportunities to explore course options. These opportunities include curriculum night events, content-specific presentations, and course videos showcasing next-grade-level options. All students will participate in one-on-one academic advising sessions with their school counselor to finalize their course selections for the 2025-2026 school year.

Crosstown Hoops and Tryouts - Updated Dates for Boys

All tryouts will be held during our After School Program:

7th Grade Boys - Wed/Thurs, January 22nd & 23rd, 2nd block

*Boys must attend both dates for tryouts.

7th Grade Girls - Tuesday, January 14th, 1st block
8th Grade Boys - Wed/Thurs, January 22nd & 23rd, 1st block

*Boys must attend both dates for tryouts.

8th Grade Girls - Tuesday, January 14th, 2nd block

Health and Physical Education FLE Announcement

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/92612134506

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

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates:

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

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

References & Reminders

Attendance Reminder

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.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Kilmer MS Newsletter - December 20, 2024

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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

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

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

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:

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

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.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

Kilmer MS Newsletter - December 13, 2024

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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!

Spirit Week

Candy Cane Grams

Crosstown Hoops and Tryouts

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

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

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

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates:

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

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.

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.

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Kilmer MS Newsletter - December 6, 2024

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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

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.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Results

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

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.

After School Program

After School Activities News/Updates:

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.

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Kilmer MS Newsletter - November 22, 2024

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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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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Kilmer MS Newsletter - November 15, 2024

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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!

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.

Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE

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.

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

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:

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:

For ARTWORK file: name, category and division - e.g., JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Entry
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

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]

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Kilmer MS Newsletter - November 8, 2024

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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.

Review the resources related to preparing for the assessment
Take a Sample Test in your language
Review the STAMP FAQs about the assessment
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

Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE

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.

Youth Survey (8th grade only):

Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Kilmer Middle School

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:

Kilmer PTA

Executive Board Contact Information

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

Reflections Art Contest

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:

For ARTWORK file: name, category and division - e.g., JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Entry
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

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

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Kilmer Middle School News and announcements

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