FCPS

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community, 

Thanksgiving arrived at Kilmer yesterday with the delivery of almost 4,300 pies as part of our KMS Music Department’s annual fundraiser. The cafeteria was a hub of activity after school as students gathered pies in order to make their deliveries just in time for Thanksgiving. A special thanks to Sharon Bonneau, Kevin Sapp, Robert Katz, and all of the parent volunteers who made possible this important fundraiser to support our incredible music programs.

All students received a copy of their first quarter report card today during 7th period and should bring it home to share with their parents and guardians. Additionally, report cards are now visible in SIS StudentVue and ParentVue. 

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 1. As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Kilmer at a Glance

Upcoming Dates:

• November 30 - Choir Winter Concert, 7 pm, Marshall HS
• December 5 - Band Winter Concert, 7 pm, Marshall HS
• December 6 - Orchestra Winter Concert, 7 pm, Marshall HS
• December 8 - All 8th graders will take the Fairfax County Youth Survey during Learning Seminar

Picture(s) of the Week

Students hard at work in Ms. Arteaga’s Family & Consumer Science class.

Students in Ms. Kouril’s History 7 class participated in a “Mock Trial,” taking on the role of Captains of Industry in the process.

It was a busy afternoon on Thursday after school as students and families picked up their pies from the Music Department’s fundraiser.

Important Information

Federal Impact Aid Survey

If you have not submitted your child’s Impact Aid form, please complete, sign, and have your child return the form to student services as soon as possible. Parents can also still complete the form electronically through their ParentVue account.  A visual step-by-step guide to complete the survey is available here. A completed form is required for all students. 

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

Yearbook

Did you purchase your 2023-2024 yearbook yet? Yearbooks are currently on sale!  The regular price of the yearbooks is $45 but if you order by December 1, 2023, you can get your book at the discounted price of $40. Act fast! Once we get the final count of pre-sale books, we may not have any extra to sell at the end of the year, so guarantee yours today before it’s too late.  Click here to Purchase a yearbook

Lexia Update

As part of an FCPS initiative, students will complete 15 minutes of Lexia Power Up or Lexia Core5 in their English Language Arts (ELA) block. Lexia is an evidence-based, computer-based program that adapts instruction to meet the needs of learners in the categories of grammar, word study, and comprehension. With the start of 2nd Quarter, eighth-grade English teachers will begin grading students’ Lexia progress. Grading categories have been adjusted accordingly: Assessment 35 percent, Evidence 45 percent, Practice 10 percent, and Lexia 10 Percent. Additionally, seventh-grade teachers will continue to grade students’ Lexia progress as part of the Practice category.

Thomas Jefferson High School Application Window: October 23rd - November 17

8th grade students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). The application is currently available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage. Students must initiate the process before parents can create their own accounts. Applications must be started by 4 pm, Wednesday, November 15th, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 17th at 4 pm. The application is available on the TJHSST Freshman Application Process webpage. Please contact your student’s counselor if you have any questions.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

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

References & Reminders

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer at a Glance

Kilmer Community, 

Tomorrow, November 11, is Veterans Day and I’d like to honor Kilmer’s veterans: Sharon Bonneau – 9 years in the US Air Force with the rank of Technical Sergeant, Kevin Sapp - 8 years in the US Air Force with the rank of Master Sergeant, and Mark Wease – 4 years in the US Marine Corps with the rank of Captain. A heartfelt thank you to them and all veterans for their service to our nation.

Thank you to the PTA’s hospitality committee, Vicky Feinberg and Neha Desai for setting up breakfast for the staff on Monday during our Staff Development Day. Also, thank you to all the families who contributed and made the breakfast possible. We appreciate your time, help, and contributions.

Finally, please consider taking a few minutes to recognize the talented staff members we have at Kilmer by submitting a nomination for Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employees. You can complete your nominations through the KMS Outstanding Awards Nomination form. Nominations close next week on November 15. 

I hope you have a relaxing weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Kilmer at a Glance

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

Upcoming Dates:

• November 15 - FCPS Honors nominations close
• November 17 -  Make-Up Photos. Retake photos will be taken during Learning Seminar and lunch. More information below. 
• November 30 - Choir Winter Concert, 7pm, Marshall HS

Picture(s) of the Week

Students in Ms. Baxley’s Algebra class had to “solve” a problem by making a mistake. The groups then rotated, and the next group had to identify the mistake and solve the problem correctly. Lastly, the next group had to present to the class what the original problem was, where the mistake was made, and how it was fixed to solve the problem correctly. 

A shout out to Mr. Sapp and his Select Chorus for singing the National Anthem at the School Board meeting on November 9.

Last Friday, students on Team Pegasus participated in the Net Zero Energy Celebration of Learning.  Students investigated the global issue of sustainable development in their science, civics, and English classes. Their task was to design environmentally friendly communities with net zero energy homes and to create a marketing website and presentation to promote their communities to the Board of Supervisors. A special thank you to our panel: Linda Colbert, Mayor of Vienna; Dennis Cotto, Real Estate Developer; Karl Frisch, FCPS School Board Member; John Morrill, Acting Director Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination; and Matt Thornblad, Senior Public Policy and Communications Director for the Rheem Corporation.

Student participating in Kilmer’s After School Dungeons and Dragons club.

Important Information

Make-Up / Retake Photos

Photo retakes will take place on November 17th for students who are new to school, students who did not get their photo taken in September, and students who are dissatisfied with their original photo. Retakes will be in GIR and occur during Learning Seminar and lunch. Students who previously purchased a photo package and would like to retake their photo MUST return their original photo package to the photographer in order to receive a new package. Photo packages can be purchased with this link.

Federal Impact Aid Survey

Students received their Federal Impact Aid Survey form this past Wednesday. If you have not submitted your child’s Impact Aid form, please complete, sign, and have your child return the form to their 4th period Learning Seminar teacher no later than Friday, November 17. Parents can also still complete the form electronically through their ParentVue account.  A visual step-by-step guide to complete the survey is available here. A completed form is required for all students. 

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

1st Quarter Grades

SIS ParentVue and SIS StudentVue Gradebook and Report Card Modules will be unavailable until Tuesday, November 14 at 6 am in order for teachers to finalize first quarter grades. After November 14, First Quarter report cards will be visible in SIS StudentVue and ParentVue. A copy of your child’s report card will be sent home on Friday, November 17.

Yearbook

Did you purchase your 2023-2024 yearbook yet? Yearbooks are currently on sale!  The regular price of the yearbooks is $45 but if you order by December 1, 2023, you can get your book at the discounted price of $40. Act fast! Once we get the final count of pre-sale books, we may not have any extra to sell at the end of the year, so guarantee yours today before it’s too late.  Click here to Purchase a yearbook

Lexia Update

As part of an FCPS initiative, students will complete 15 minutes of Lexia Power Up or Lexia Core5 in their English Language Arts (ELA) block. Lexia is an evidence-based, computer-based program that adapts instruction to meet the needs of learners in the categories of grammar, word study, and comprehension. With the start of 2nd Quarter, eighth-grade English teachers will begin grading students’ Lexia progress. Grading categories have been adjusted accordingly: Assessment 35 percent, Evidence 45 percent, Practice 10 percent, and Lexia 10 Percent. Additionally, seventh-grade teachers will continue to grade students’ Lexia progress as part of the Practice category.

Thomas Jefferson High School Application Window: October 23rd - November 17

8th grade students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). The application is currently available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage. Students must initiate the process before parents can create their own account. Applications must be started by 4 pm, Wednesday, November 15th, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 17th at 4 pm. The application is available on the TJHSST Freshman Application Process webpage. Please contact your student’s counselor if you have any questions.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

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

References & Reminders

Auditions for Legally Blonde JR

Auditions for Legally Blonde JR are approaching next month!  In order to audition, students should pick up an audition packet in G103 as well as fill out the Google Form by using the QR Code on the flier.  More information, including how to be involved with the musical backstage, can be found at www.kmsdrama.org.

FCPS Honors - Nominations Close Soon

Nominations for the Outstanding Employee Awards will close on November 15, 2023. To submit a nomination for a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through the KMS Outstanding Awards Nomination form. You may nominate one or multiple employees. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Smith, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer at a Glance

Kilmer Community, 

We had a busy end to the first quarter. Last Friday evening, hundreds of students and families attended the PTA Fall Festival. A big thank you to Liz Powell for organizing and the many other PTA volunteers who made this fun event possible for our students.

Also, on Friday evening Kilmer participated in the first-ever Central Fairfax Basketball Tournament which brought together FCPS Middle School Afterschool Program participants from Kilmer, Holmes, Poe, Glasgow, and Luther Jackson. Our co-ed team battled on the court, taking home 2nd place. A big thank you to Kim Kardelis for organizing, and Brian Sirdofsky, Timmy Harris, and Jerry Gonzales for coaching. 

Saturday morning found us right back at Kilmer for the final cross-country meet of the season. Our student-athletes ran well and watching them cheer for one another along the course was an energizing way to spend Saturday morning. A huge thank you to Coaches Emma Bolin and Will Baxley!

Finally, please consider taking a few minutes to recognize the talented staff members we have at Kilmer. You may complete a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee nomination through the KMS Outstanding Awards Nomination form. 

I hope you have a relaxing weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Kilmer at a Glance

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

Upcoming Dates:

• November 6 - School Planning Day (No students)

• November 7 - Teacher Work Day (No students)

• November 17 -  Make-Up Photos. Retake Photos will be taken during Learning Seminar and lunch. More information will be provided soon.

Picture(s) of the Week

Last Saturday, Kilmer hosted the final cross-country meet of the year. Students worked hard over the past few months and finishing with a home meet was the perfect way to end the season.

Ms. Lal’s class celebrated one of her student’s birthdays with music, balloons, and peer helpers.

On Friday, October 27th  the first-ever Central Fairfax Basketball Tournament brought together FCPS Middle School Afterschool Program participants from Kilmer, Holmes, Poe, Glasgow, and Luther Jackson. Kilmer was represented by Czarina Arpa, Simon Biddick, Bridger Cousin, Josh Dadzie, Josh Fields, Nate Hill, Ayaan Kayastha, Zane Kolonda, Luke Lauretti, Bowen Lee,  An’aam Makran, Samson Mihrete, Lucas Na, Ryder Rogers, Eugene Ryu, and Suhita Stalin. A HUGE thank You to the players, coaches (Brian Sirdofsky, Timmy Harris, and Jerry Gonzalez), families, and Kim Kardelis for organizing this event!

Important Information

Federal Impact Aid Survey - Printed forms will be sent home 11/8

On Wednesday, November 8 students whose parents have not completed the Federal Impact Aid Survey in ParentVue will receive a paper copy of the form during their 4th period Learning Seminar class. Please complete, sign, and have your child return the form to their 4th period Learning Seminar teacher no later than Friday, November 10. Parents can also still complete the form electronically through their ParentVue account.  A visual step-by-step guide to complete the survey is available here. A completed form is required for all students. 

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

1st Quarter Grades

The end of the 1st quarter is today. SIS ParentVue and SIS StudentVue Gradebook and Report Card Modules will be unavailable from Friday, November 3 at 4 pm until Tuesday, November 14 at 6 am in order for teachers to finalize first quarter grades. After November 14, First Quarter report cards will be visible in SIS StudentVue and ParentVue. A copy of your child’s report card will be sent home on Friday, November 17.

Service/Volunteer Hours - Opportunity

Lemon Road Elementary School is hosting a “family night” where they feature reading and math activities for families. They are seeking middle or high school volunteers who may need service opportunities. If interested, please sign up below.

Event:  Lemon Road Elementary Family Night

Date: Thursday, November 16

Time: 5:15 - 7:15 PM

Location:  Lemon Road Elementary School

Link to Sign Up:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F48ABAD2AA1FD0-family

Applications Open for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

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 2028 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).

The application is available on the TJHSST Freshman Application Process webpage. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 17, at 4 p.m.

FCPS Honors - Nominations Open Soon

Nominations for the Outstanding Employee Awards open on November 1, 2023. To submit a nomination for a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through the KMS Outstanding Awards Nomination form. You may nominate one or multiple employees.

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The nomination form has more information regarding the criteria for each of the awards.

The deadline to submit a nomination is November 15, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Smith, Assistant Principal at [email protected].

Auditions for Legally Blonde JR

Auditions for Legally Blonde JR are approaching next month!  In order to audition, students should pick up an audition packet in G103 as well as fill out the Google Form by using the QR Code on the flier.  More information, including how to be involved with the musical backstage, can be found at www.kmsdrama.org. 

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

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

References & Reminders

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

This is a busy weekend at Kilmer. I hope to see everyone at our PTA Fall Festival tonight from 6:30-8:30 PM. Don’t forget cash for food truck purchases. Also, we’ll have Kilmer merchandise, concessions, and popcorn for sale.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Kilmer is hosting the final cross country meet of the year. Our runners have done a fantastic job this season and it’s been fun to watch their progress. Kilmer is running in the early slot, and the first heat will begin at 8:30 AM. Consider dropping by to support and cheer for our Kilmer Cougars.

Next week is the last week of the quarter. If you haven’t already, please sit down with your student and open up SIS together. This is a great way to check-in on their progress and ask questions. Also, next week is Spirit Week. I’ve posted the schedule below, and as a reminder, all spirit celebrations (especially Halloween) need to abide by the Student Rights and Responsibilities, including no masks, face paint or fake weapons. 

I hope you have a relaxing weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Kilmer at a Glance

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

Upcoming Dates

• November 3 - End of 1st Quarter; 2-hour Early Release
• November 6 - School Planning Day
• November 7 - Teacher Workday

Picture(s) of the Week

Sheryl Jones’ Learning Seminar class took on a project to clean up the area in front of Kilmer’s sign. They surveyed the area, created sketches for a design, and ultimately cleared out the weeds and planted flowers.

Students in Ms. Mattix’s science class considered different perspectives of stakeholders during their conversation about how apex predators (wolves) impact an ecosystem (Yellowstone National Park)

Important Information

PTA Fall Festival

The PTA Fall Festival from 6:30 - 8:30 pm on Friday, October 27. The PTA will be showing The Addams Family. There will be food trucks, popcorn, and Kilmer merchandise for purchase. Chaperones aren't required for Kilmer students attending the festival. However, if you would like for your elementary student or high school student to attend this event, please chaperone your student(s) for the evening. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend! 

Spirit Week

Kilmer’s SCA, sponsored by Ms. Spracklin and Ms. Mattix, will have our first Spirit Week during the last week of the quarter. We look forward to seeing lots of spirit from our students and staff!

Applications Open for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

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 2028 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).

The application is available on the TJHSST Freshman Application Process webpage. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 17, at 4 p.m.

FCPS Honors - Nominations Open Soon

Nominations for the Outstanding Employee Awards open on November 1, 2023. To submit a nomination for a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through the KMS Outstanding Awards Nomination form. You may nominate one or multiple employees.

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The nomination form has more information regarding the criteria for each of the awards.

The deadline to submit a nomination is November 15, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Smith, Assistant Principal at [email protected].

1st Quarter Grades

The end of 1st quarter is next Friday, November 3. SIS ParentVue and SIS StudentVue Gradebook and Report Card Modules will be unavailable from Friday, November 3 at 4pm until Tuesday, November 14 at 6 am in order for teachers to finalize first quarter grades. After November 14, First Quarter report cards will be visible in SIS StudentVue and ParentVue. A copy of your child’s report card will also be sent home on Friday, November 17.

Early Release Bell Schedule

We have our first early release on Friday, November 3, and have revised our bell schedule to include a grab ‘n go lunch at the end of the day. The last period has an extra 10 minutes to allow students buying lunch to be dismissed from class on a staggered basis to go to the cafeteria. They will then go directly to their buses or kiss-and-ride. 

Federal Impact Aid Surveys- Please complete through SIS ParentVue

Each year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible to apply for federal Impact Aid grant funds. Impact Aid is a federal formula grant program designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally-connected students. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in unrestricted funds from the Impact Aid grant. These funds become part of the school system's general operating budget and are critical to maintaining high standards for educational excellence.

This year, FCPS is pleased to announce that the Federal Impact Aid Survey will be available electronically through your ParentVUE account. For families that do not have access to ParentVUE or prefer to complete a paper form, a printed form will be provided to your student on Wednesday, November 8. A visual step-by-step guide to complete the survey is available here. We need your assistance in identifying students with federal connections to ensure that FCPS can obtain its fair share of funds from this program. Information provided will be treated confidentially. 

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

Make-Up Photos

Make-up / Retake Photos will be taken on Friday, November 17 during Learning Seminar and lunch. More information will be provided prior to that date.

Auditions for Legally Blonde JR

Auditions for Legally Blonde JR are approaching next month!  In order to audition, students should pick up an audition packet in G103 as well as fill out the Google Form by using the QR Code on the flier.  More information, including how to be involved with the musical backstage, can be found at www.kmsdrama.org. 

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

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

References & Reminders

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

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

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community, 

On Tuesday evening we hosted our first in-person PTA meeting since the beginning of the pandemic. We were joined by several Kilmer teachers: Nikisha Kozik, Simone Turnbull, Kristen Mattix, Missie Farrace, Timmy Harris, Liz Hild, and Jacky Schnuda. During the meeting, the teacher panel shared their insights with families. The first question I asked the panel was, “Why did you choose to become a middle school educator?” and the responses were inspiring. It was powerful to hear the expertise, passion, and compassion Kilmer’s staff has for our students and our profession. 

A reminder that Friday, 10/27 we’re hosting the PTA Fall Festival from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. This year we’re showing The Addams Family, and there will be food trucks, popcorn, and Kilmer merchandise for purchase. Because this is an event designed for our Kilmer Cougars, chaperones aren't required for Kilmer students attending the festival. However, if you would like for your elementary student or high school student to attend this event, we would appreciate it if you could please chaperone your student(s) for the evening. Also, please know that families are very much welcome (I’m bringing my own kids). If you would like to volunteer for this event, email Liz Powell Dadzie: [email protected].

Finally, we’re coming up on the end of the 1st quarter. Be sure you are reviewing SIS with your child to ensure they have everything turned in. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher(s).

I hope you have a relaxing weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Kilmer at a Glance

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

Upcoming Dates

• Friday, October 27 - PTA Fall Festival, 6:30-8:30 pm @ Kilmer. Come join us!
• November 3 - End of 1st Quarter; 2-hour Early Release
• November 6 - School Planning Day
• November 7 - Teacher Work Day

Picture(s) of the Week

Congratulations to Zane Kolonda, 8th grade, for winning a Bronze Certificate for his poem entitled, “Democracy is…” Zane submitted his poem to FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY© Foundation Board, In My Own Words© poem, and answered the prompt, “What Does Democracy Mean to You?” 

 

Democracy is…

Democracy

is a little boy waking up into a free country

is the Founding Fathers sitting in a room

is fighting for a greater good

is freedom for all, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity

is equality

is being alone and together at the same time

is breaking free from our captors

is July 4th

is the land of the free

is red, white, and blue

is history, the present and the future

is for me, for you and for anybody who wants it to be

 

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

This past Tuesday evening at the PTA meeting we hosted a teacher panel centered around what families should know about having a 7th grader at Kilmer MS. A huge thank you to Nikisha Kozik, Simone Turnbull, Kristen Mattix, Missie Farrace, Timmy Harris, Liz Hild, and Jacky Schnuda!

Important Information

PTA Fall Festival

The PTA Fall Festival from 6:30 - 8:30 pm on Friday, October 27. The PTA will be showing The Addams Family. There will be food trucks, popcorn, and Kilmer merchandise for purchase. Chaperones aren't required for Kilmer students attending the festival. However, if you would like for your elementary student or high school student to attend this event, please chaperone your student(s) for the evening. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend! 

If you would like to volunteer for this event, email Liz Powell Dadzie:[email protected].

FCPS Honors - Nominations Open Soon

Nominations for the Outstanding Employee Awards open on November 1, 2023. To submit a nomination for a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through the KMS Outstanding Awards Nomination form. You may nominate one or multiple employees.

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The nomination form has more information regarding the criteria for each of the awards.

The deadline to submit a nomination is November 15, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Smith, Assistant Principal at [email protected].

Early Release Bell Schedule

We have our first early release on Friday, November 3, and have revised our bell schedule to include a grab ‘n go lunch at the end of the day. The last period has an extra 10 minutes to allow students buying lunch to be dismissed from class on a staggered basis to go to the cafeteria. They will then go directly to their buses or kiss-and-ride. 

Federal Impact Aid Surveys- Please Complete

Each year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible to apply for federal Impact Aid grant funds. Impact Aid is a federal formula grant program designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally-connected students. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in unrestricted funds from the Impact Aid grant. These funds become part of the school system's general operating budget and are critical to maintaining high standards for educational excellence.

This year, FCPS is pleased to announce that the Federal Impact Aid Survey will be available electronically through your ParentVUE account. For families that do not have access to ParentVUE or prefer to complete a paper form, a printed form will be provided in November. A visual step-by-step guide to complete the survey is available here. We need your assistance in identifying students with federal connections to ensure that FCPS can obtain its fair share of funds from this program. Information provided will be treated confidentially. Additional information about the Federal Impact Aid Survey can be found on the U.S. Dept. of Education's website at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formulagrants/impact-aid-program/ or on the FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/impact. For questions, contact Jessica Rosas-Diego, [email protected].

Make-Up Photos

Make-up / Retake Photos will be taken on Friday, November 17 during Learning Seminar and lunch. More information will be provided prior to that date.

Spirit Week

Kilmer’s SCA, sponsored by Ms. Spracklin and Ms. Mattix, will have our first Spirit Week during the last week of the quarter. We look forward to seeing lots of spirit from our students and staff!

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

Auditions for Legally Blonde JR

Auditions for Legally Blonde JR are approaching next month!  In order to audition, students should pick up an audition packet in G103 as well as fill out the Google Form by using the QR Code on the flier.  More information, including how to be involved with the musical backstage, can be found at www.kmsdrama.org. 

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

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

References & Reminders

Student Portraits

School Pictures were taken in late September. Order photos online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028688#login. The code is your student’s ID number. 

For questions about ordering please email [email protected] 

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

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

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community, 

We began the week on Monday with a staff development day. A huge shout out to our amazing Kilmer PTA, especially Hospitality Chair Kadie Blaney and volunteer Kate Ahmann for providing breakfast for the entire Kilmer staff! The pace of a school day is frenetic for faculty, and in many ways we thrive off of the fast pace. Staff development days are incredibly important for us as they provide the time to slow down, come together, and have the space to collaborate and engage in deep thinking and planning with our colleagues. 

As a friendly reminder, this coming Tuesday from 6:00-7:30 pm Kilmer’s PTA meeting will center around the theme “What you need to know about 7th Grade.”  Paul Kim, PTA Treasurer, will moderate a teacher panel. While the focus of the panel is 7th grade, it will provide valuable information for parents of students in both grade levels.  We’ll conclude with a meet-and-greet, which will provide families a chance to connect with other families, as well as with Kilmer staff members. We hope to see you there!

I hope you have a relaxing weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Kilmer at a Glance

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

Upcoming Dates:

• Monday, October 16 - Students will participate in the SEL Screener during Learning Seminar on Monday, October 16.  Additional details are listed under important information.
• Tuesday, October 17 - PTA Meeting, 6:00-7:30 pm @ Kilmer MS
• Friday, October 27 - PTA Fall Festival, 6:30-8:30 pm @ Kilmer. Come join us for the PTA Fall Festival. We plan to show a movie, and food options will be available. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

Picture(s) of the Week

Students practicing asking and answering questions in French with a partner in Madame Farrace’s class.

Students in Mrs. Jones’ Science 8 class were dialoguing around motion graphs. Students had to identify what they noticed, what patterns existed, and use evidence to support their observations.

Important Information

PTA Meeting - October 17, 6:00-7:30 pm @ Kilmer MS

We hope you can join us for our October 17th PTA meeting (6:00-7:30 pm). The theme is “What you need to know about 7th Grade” and Paul Kim, PTA Treasurer, will moderate a teacher panel. The panel will answer common questions for 30-45 minutes and then we’ll open it up for Q&A for 10-15 minutes. Finally, we’ll conclude with a meet-and-greet, which will provide families a chance to connect with other families, as well as with Kilmer staff. While the theme is, “What you need to know about 7th Grade” many of the topics pertain to all grade levels, and all are welcome. Please consider attending this in-person PTA meeting to build, and strengthen, connections throughout our community. 

SEL Screener Participation Social and Emotional Learning Screening

Students will participate in the SEL Screener during fourth period Learning Seminar on Monday, October 16. If your child is absent on Monday, they will take the screener during Learning Seminar when they return. Students who have opted out, will not have access to the screener. 

FCPS is committed to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning. FCPS approved a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener that students use to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success. All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year during the fall and spring.

Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference

The 2023 Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference, sponsored by Assistive Technology Services (ATS) in the Department of Special Services, will be held Saturday, October 28, 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m., at West Springfield High School. 

The RATE Conference focuses on strategies for using assistive technology hardware, software, and peripherals to enhance learning for all students. Parents/caregivers, teachers, staff, and community members are invited to attend. Check out the conference webpage to register, and to view the schedule and session descriptions.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

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

References & Reminders

Parking During Recess and Lunch Times

From 9:45-10:45 am, the front parking lot is blocked off with cones so students can safely access the front field for 7th grade recess and then 8th grade recess. Visitors who arrive during recess or who will need to leave Kilmer during recess should park in the lot on the right side of the building. While our four lunches are scheduled from 10:45 am-12:45 pm, the cones are moved closer to the crosswalk and parking spaces are available in the front of the school.

Student Portraits

School Pictures were taken last week. Order photos online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028688#login. The code is your student’s ID number. 

For questions about ordering please email [email protected] 

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

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

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community, 

Last night Kilmer hosted the Region 5 “Our Schools, Our Future - A Community Conversation” with Dr. Reid. It was great to hear perspectives from all over the Region, and I enjoyed seeing the Kilmer families that attended as well. 

This week I spent time in classrooms across many content areas, and it was energizing to watch students hard at work. We are over halfway through the 1st quarter, and as a reminder, teachers are readily available to assist should your student need additional support. Our teachers stay after school at least one day a week. Also, students can go see a teacher (up to four times a week) during Learning Seminar. If you have any questions please encourage your student to reach out directly to their teacher.

We hope you can join us for our October 17th PTA meeting (6:00-7:30 pm). The theme is “What you need to know about 7th Grade” and Paul Kim, PTA Treasurer, will moderate a teacher panel. The panel will answer common questions for 30-45 minutes and then we’ll open it up for Q&A for 10-15 minutes. Finally, we’ll conclude with a meet-and-greet, which will provide families a chance to connect with other families, as well as with Kilmer staff. While the theme is, “What you need to know about 7th Grade” many of the topics pertain to all grade levels, and all are welcome. Please consider attending this in-person PTA meeting to build, and strengthen, connections throughout our school community. 

I hope you have a relaxing weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Kilmer at a Glance

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

Upcoming Dates:

• Thursday, October 12 from 5:00-6:00 pm - Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology Student/Parent Information Night
• Monday, October 16 - Students will participate in the SEL Screener during Learning Seminar on Monday, October 16.  Additional details are listed under important information.
• Tuesday, October 17 - PTA Meeting, 6:30-8:00 pm @ Kilmer MS
• Friday, October 27 - PTA Fall Festival, 6:30-8:30 pm @ Kilmer. Come join us for the PTA Fall Festival. We plan to show a movie, and food options will be available. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

Picture(s) of the Week

This past Saturday Kilmer had 52 cross country runners compete in FCPS’ first ever middle school athletics competition. Everyone ran well, and Kilmer runners took the top spots for 7th & 8th grade boys, and 8th-grade girls.

This week, the Starburst Team visited the library during English class for a “Book Tasting.” Students explored a variety of titles, jotting down notes in a menu, and selecting their first Literature Circle Book. Students also engaged in Student Talk about their book selections in small groups, using sentence stems to support their discussion.

Important Information

PTA Meeting - October 17, 6:30-8:00 pm @ Kilmer MS

We hope you can join us for our October 17th PTA meeting (6:00-7:30 pm). The theme is “What you need to know about 7th Grade” and Paul Kim, PTA Treasurer, will moderate a teacher panel. The panel will answer common questions for 30-45 minutes and then we’ll open it up for Q&A for 10-15 minutes. Finally, we’ll conclude with a meet-and-greet, which will provide families a chance to connect with other families, as well as with Kilmer staff. While the theme is, “What you need to know about 7th Grade” many of the topics pertain to all grade levels, and all are welcome. Please consider attending this in-person PTA meeting to build, and strengthen, connections throughout our community.

SEL Screener Participation Social and Emotional Learning Screening

FCPS is committed to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning. FCPS approved a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener that students use to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success. All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year during the fall and spring. 

Students will participate in the SEL screener during Learning Seminar on Monday, October 16. You can opt-out your child from participating in the SEL Screener. The opt-out applies to the current school year and must be completed annually. For more information about the SEL Screener, access to its content, and the opt-out form, please click on the following link:  Social Emotional Learning Screener (SEL). If you choose to opt-out your child from participating, please return the opt-out form to the Student Services office no later than Monday, Oct 9.

Thomas Jefferson High School Student/Parent Information Night

On Thursday, October 12th from 5:00-6:00 pm all current 8th grade students interested in applying for the freshman class of the Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology are invited to join for a one hour presentation given by a TJHSST representative in the Kilmer Cafeteria. The majority of the hour will be dedicated to a question and answer session, and we recommend that all those interested in participating view this video prior to attending the presentation. You can find additional information including important application deadlines here. 

Book Review Committee

The English Department is looking for two parent volunteers who are interested in serving on Kilmer’s Book Review Committee. This group approves book titles for class-assigned reading and literature circle selections. The committee meets monthly to review 1-2 titles. Please email Erin Kestler, [email protected] if you are interested. Thank you!

Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference

The 2023 Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference, sponsored by Assistive Technology Services (ATS) in the Department of Special Services, will be held Saturday, October 28, 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m., at West Springfield High School. 

The RATE Conference focuses on strategies for using assistive technology hardware, software, and peripherals to enhance learning for all students. Parents/caregivers, teachers, staff, and community members are invited to attend. Check out the conference webpage to register, and to view the schedule and session descriptions.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

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

References & Reminders

Parking During Recess and Lunch Times

From 9:45-10:45 am, the front parking lot is blocked off with cones so students can safely access the front field for 7th grade recess and then 8th grade recess. Visitors who arrive during recess or who will need to leave Kilmer during recess should park in the lot on the right side of the building. While our four lunches are scheduled from 10:45 am-12:45 pm, the cones are moved closer to the crosswalk and parking spaces are available in the front of the school.

Student Portraits

School Pictures were taken last week. Order photos online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028688#login. The code is your student’s ID number. 

For questions about ordering please email [email protected] 

Bus Capacity

All our buses are at capacity and can not take additional passengers. Students will not be allowed to ride buses other than the one they are assigned. 

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

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

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community, 

A huge thank you to all of the parent volunteers who attended our 7th grade Science field trips this week to Burke Lake Park. During this field trip, students assumed the role of environmental scientists, engaging in hands-on learning and collaboration with their peers.

Our Kilmer Cross Country Team has its first meet this Saturday at Holmes Middle School. Come on out and cheer them on! The first heat begins bright and early at 8:30 am. 

As we are more than halfway through the First Quarter, please be sure to check ParentVue to see your student’s academic progress. If you have any concerns about your child’s grades, I encourage you to reach out to their teacher. Students can visit teachers during Learning Seminar (4th period) and after school for academic support.

I hope you have a great weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Kilmer at a Glance

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

Upcoming Dates:

• Tuesday and Wednesday, October 3 and 4 - 7th grade students will participate in the Signs of Suicide mental health awareness program during their US History class. More information can be found below. 7th grade parents received a Kilmer e-Notify email on September 6 with additional information. 
• October 5 - Join Dr. Reid for Our Schools, Our Future - A Community Conversation at Kilmer Middle School on Thursday, October 5, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 
• Thursday, October 12 from 5:00-6:00 pm - Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology Student/Parent Information Night

• Monday, October 16 - Students will participate in the SEL Screener during Learning Seminar on Monday, October 16.  Additional details are listed under important information.

Picture(s) of the Week

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

Important Information

SOS Signs of Suicide Mental Health Awareness Program - Seventh Grade Only

Seventh grade students will participate in the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program and mental health screening during their History classes on Tuesday, October 3 or Wednesday, October 4. During the SOS Signs of Suicide lesson, students watch a video and engage in discussion to learn to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) if they are concerned about themselves or a friend. The bell schedule will be modified on Oct 4 to accommodate the implementation of the program. All students will attend periods 2, 8, 6, 3, and then 4. Seventh grade families received notification about the program and an opportunity to opt out in an e-notify letter sent on September 6. 

We encourage you 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 to learn more. Parents can contact their student’s school counselor if they have additional questions about the program. Please note this is a separate opt-out from the SEL screener.

SEL Screener Participation Social and Emotional Learning Screening

FCPS is committed to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning. FCPS approved a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener that students use to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success. All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year during the fall and spring. 

Students will participate in the SEL screener during Learning Seminar on Monday, October 16. You can opt-out your child from participating in the SEL Screener. The opt-out applies to the current school year and must be completed annually. For more information about the SEL Screener, access to its content, and the opt-out form, please click on the following link:  Social Emotional Learning Screener (SEL). If you choose to opt-out your child from participating, please return the opt-out form to the Student Services office no later than Friday, Oct 9.

Parking During Recess and Lunch Times

From 9:45-10:45 am, the front parking lot is blocked off with cones so students can safely access the front field for 7th grade recess and then 8th grade recess. Visitors who arrive during recess or who will need to leave Kilmer during recess should park in the lot on the right side of the building. While our four lunches are scheduled from 10:45 am-12:45 pm, the cones are moved closer to the crosswalk and parking spaces are available in the front of the school.

2023-2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities 

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R. 

Students participated in a review of the Student Rights and Responsibilities on September 18th and 19th through Social Studies classes and took a test on SR&R content during PE classes. 

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.

Thomas Jefferson High School Student/Parent Information Night

On Thursday, October 12th from 5:00-6:00 pm all current 8th grade students interested in applying for the freshman class of the Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology are invited to join for a one hour presentation given by a TJHSST representative in the Kilmer Cafeteria. The majority of the hour will be dedicated to a question and answer session, and we recommend that all those interested in participating view this video prior to attending the presentation. You can find additional information including important application deadlines here.

Monthly Attendance Reminder

Our goal this school year is to partner with families to help minimize the number of days students are absent. 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. FCPS has created a Health Flyer for Parents indicating when a parent should keep their child home from school. When planning trips, please keep in mind that absences add up quickly, and students who are absent 10 percent of the school year, or just two days per month, are considered “chronically absent.” Please review FCPS Attendance Policies and resources to encourage regular school attendance. 

To report a student’s absence, please complete our online attendance form or call 703.846.8888 by 7:30 am to notify the Front Office if your student will be absent or arriving late to school. This form is designed for unplanned absences, late arrivals, and short-term prearranged absences only. If parent contact is not made within 48 hours, the absences will be recorded as unexcused.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

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

References & Reminders

Student Portraits

School Pictures were taken last week. Order photos online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028688#login. The code is your student’s ID number. 

For questions about ordering please email [email protected]

Bus Capacity

All our buses are at capacity and can not take additional passengers. Students will not be allowed to ride buses other than the one they are assigned. 

World Language Credit Exam

The 2023 World Languages Credit Exam will be administered on November 8, 9, and 13, 2023. Thirty languages will be included: American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Sanskrit, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

If your student can write in their home language fluently and would like to take the World Language Exam for world language credit, students can access the Kilmer Student Services Course on Schoology to register. Students and parents can register together by logging into a student’s FCPS laptop and selecting the dates for the exam. Registration is now open and closes on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Investigative Science Outreach

We are TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. We will be hosting our 11th annual science fair on March 16, 2024 and we would like to invite 5th-8th grade students from your school to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on March 16, 2024. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is Friday October 6th, 2023 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session in-person at TJHSST and virtually on Zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://forms.gle/RMfQYuvACK3YajRw8 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us. Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected].

Fairfax County Park Authority Program - Esports Club

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

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

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community, 

I wanted to make you aware of a modification we are making to our grading policy and the justification for the change.

What is changing? Beginning next week missing assignments will receive a placeholder grade of zero. When the grade is entered in the gradebook, students will have at least two weeks (deadlines vary across disciplines; please refer to the syllabus for each course) to turn in the missing assignment. After the late work acceptance period has passed, the grade will be coded as “NT,” which means students can no longer turn in the late assignment and the zero will remain.

Why are we making this change? Our staff noticed students were not regularly turning in missing assignments. Students did not understand the impact it had on their overall grade until the “M - Missing” code was replaced with a “NT - Not Turned In,” which in turn input a zero, causing a drop in the overall grade. As a school, we want our students to complete missing assignments so that they learn the material. We believe this small change in our grading policy will impact students positively by showing them what will happen to their overall grade if they do not turn in the assignment. Our goal is to motivate students to get their work done.

What should I do if I see a missing assignment in ParentVue? Have your student complete the missing assignment and then have your child reach out to the teacher to make sure the teacher received it. Once the teacher receives and grades the assignment, the zero will be replaced by the student’s new grade on the assignment. The overall grade in the class will likely improve as a result.

What does Missing (M or MI) mean? Your student has a zero for the assignment but has two weeks from the time the missing code appears to turn in the assignment for a grade. Students should complete the work as soon as possible.

What does NT mean? Your child waited too long to turn in the missing assignment and it is no longer being accepted by the teacher. As a result, they have a zero on that assignment.

I hope you have a great weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Kilmer at a Glance

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

Upcoming Dates:

• September 26, 27, 28 29 - 7th Grade Science Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) field trip to Burke Lake.
• Tuesday and Wednesday, October 3rd and 4th - 7th grade students will participate in the Signs of Suicide mental health awareness program during their US History class. More information can be found below. 7th grade parents will also receive a Kilmer e-Notify email on Sept. 6 with additional information.

Picture(s) of the Week

This week many of Kilmer’s Algebra students participated in “Algebra Equation Scrabble.” This collaborative, hands-on activity was created and co-taught by Algebra teachers and Kilmer’s librarians. Students selected a letter and if they correctly solved the equation associated with that letter they received the Scrabble tile. Students were able to play their tile(s) for points as they competed against their classmates.

Important Information

Student Portraits

School Picture were taken this week.  Order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028688#login. The code is your student’s ID number. For questions about ordering please email [email protected]

Bus Capacity

All our buses are at capacity and can not take additional passengers. Students will not be allowed to ride buses other than the one they are assigned.

SOS Signs of Suicide Mental Health Awareness Program - Seventh Grade Only

Seventh grade students will participate in the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program and mental health screening during their history classes on either Tuesday, October 3 or Wednesday, October 4. During the SOS Signs of Suicide lesson, students watch a video and engage in discussion to learn to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) if they are concerned about themselve or a friend. The bell schedule will be modified on Oct 4 to accommodate the implementation of the program. All students will attend periods 2, 8, 6, 3, and then 4. Seventh grade families received notification about the program and an opportunity to opt out in an e-notify letter sent on September 6. 

We encourage you 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 to learn more. Parents can contact their student’s school counselor if they have additional questions about the program. Please note this is a separate opt out from the SEL screener.

SEL Screener Participation Social and Emotional Learning Screening

FCPS is committed to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning. FCPS approved a Social and  Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener that students use to share their perspectives on how well their school  and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. These factors are critical to positive academic, social,  and emotional success. All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year during the fall and spring. 

Students will participate in the SEL screener during Learning Seminar on Monday, October 16. You can opt out your child from participating in the SEL Screener. The opt out applies to the current school year and must be completed annually. For more information  about the SEL Screener, access to its content, and the opt out form, please click on the following link:  Social Emotional Learning Screener (SEL).

Learning Seminar

Throughout the year students will frequently be assigned to a new Learning Seminar for various reasons including opportunities for additional remediation in math or English. On Tuesday, September 26, students can view their schedule in SIS Studentvue to see if their 4th period Learning Seminar has changed. Students will continue to have one of their teachers for Learning Seminar even if they are assigned to a new class. Students will also receive a new schedule reflecting this change during 3rd period.

Parking During Recess and Lunch Times

From 9:45-10:45 am, the front parking lot is blocked off with cones so students can safely access the front field for 7th grade recess and then 8th grade recess. Visitors who arrive during recess or who will need to leave Kilmer during recess should park in the lot on the right side of the building. While our four lunches are scheduled from 10:45-12:45, the cones are moved closer to the crosswalk and parking spaces are available in the front of the school.

2023-2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities 

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R. 

Students participated in a review of the Student Rights and Responsibilities on Monday and Tuesday, September 18th and 19th through Social Studies classes and took a test on SR&R content on Thursday or Friday during PE classes. 

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.

Thomas Jefferson High School Student/Parent Information Night

On Thursday, October 12th from 5:00-6:00 pm all current 8th grade students interested in applying for the freshman round of the Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology are invited to join for a one hour presentation given by a TJHSST representative in the Kilmer Cafeteria. The majority of the hour will be dedicated to a question and answer session, and we recommend that all those interested in participating view this video prior to attending the presentation. You can find additional information including important application deadlines here.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

After School Activities News/Updates

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

References & Reminders

World Language Credit Exam

The 2023 World Languages Credit Exam will be administered on November 8, 9, and 13, 2023. Thirty languages will be included: American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Sanskrit, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

If your student can write in their home language fluently and would like to take the World Language Exam for world language credit, students can access the Kilmer Student Services Course on Schoology to register. Students and parents can register together by logging into a student’s FCPS laptop and selecting the dates for the exam. Registration is now open and closes on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. Click to edit this placeholder text.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Investigative Science Outreach

We are TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. We will be hosting our 11th annual science fair on March 16, 2024 and we would like to invite 5th-8th grade students from your school to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on March 16, 2024. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is Friday October 6th, 2023 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session in-person at TJHSST and virtually on Zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us. at [email protected].

Lightspeed Parent Report

Cell Phone/Phone Accessories Violations 

During the first two weeks of school, we reminded students of the FCPS policy of “off and away” during the school day. Moving forward, if students are found in violation of this policy, staff members will confiscate the phone/accessory and turn it into the main office. Parents will be notified by the main office (via email) for the first two offenses, and students may pick up their device at the end of the day. If a student’s device is confiscated a third time, their administrator will contact their parent/guardian and enact a check-in/check-out system for two weeks. Additional violations will result in a parent/guardian pick-up. Violations are tracked by quarter.

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

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

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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community, 

On Tuesday, middle school athletics began as Kilmer hosted our first ever cross country team practice. It was fun to see so many kids show up to run. After watching practice on Tuesday, I decided  I’d change out and run with the team on Wednesday and see if I could keep up with the middle schoolers. As I was walking out to the field a teacher stopped me and asked, “What will win out, your long stride, or their youth?” I can definitively say that youth wins every time, ha ha. Regardless, I had a blast running with the team and I hope to join them again sometime in the future. 

Beginning next week, students can stay after school for clubs, activities, as well as academic help. This is an excellent opportunity for students to connect with other students and teachers. You can find more information about after-school programming and late buses below. 

Also, I encourage parents to use ParentVue to look at your student's grades. If an assignment is marked as missing, students have two weeks to complete it before it becomes a zero. Encourage your student to work with their teachers to turn in missing assignments and of course, reach out to your child's teacher if you have questions.

I hope you have a great weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Steven McFarlane

Kilmer at a Glance

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

Upcoming Dates:

• Monday, September 18th - After School Clubs & Activities begin.
• Monday, September 18th - Tuesday, September 19th -
• September 20th - Math VGA Testing
• Thursday and Friday, September 21st and 22nd - Student portraits will be taken during PE classes. More information to follow. 
• Tuesday and Wednesday, October 3rd and 4th - 7th grade students will participate in the Signs of Suicide mental health awareness program during their US History class. 7th grade parents received a Kilmer e-Notify email on Sept. 6 including additional information.

Picture(s) of the Week

Tuesday marked Kilmer’s new cross-country (XC) team’s first practice. We have over 60 students who’ve joined the team and are working hard to prepare for their first middle school XC meet on Saturday, 9/30.

Important Information

Student Portraits

School Picture Day is coming Thursday September 21st & Friday September 22nd, 2023. Photos will be taken in PE class and pictures will be available approximately two weeks following our school's photo day. Save time and pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028688#login. The code is your student’s ID number. 

For questions about ordering please email [email protected]

Parent Volunteers Needed

We need some parent volunteers for our student portrait days on Thursday and Friday, September 21 and 22. The day has been split in two, from 7:30 to 10:45 and 10:30 to 2:15; we need 3 volunteers for each slot. Please access the link to sign up and support our photographers and students. We appreciate your help!

Virginia Growth Assessment

The Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) is a test required for students in grades 3-8. For the 2023-2024 school year, students will take a reading and mathematics VGA in the fall and winter. For fall 2023, VGA will address content that was taught in the previous school year. There is no “passing” or “failing” outcome for the VGA. Results will provide starting and mid-year data about student growth and will offer information about areas of strength and growth in reading and mathematics. All middle school students take the VGA for reading. However, middle school students enrolled in a high school credit-bearing math course, such as Algebra 1, will not take a VGA for mathematics. The following information may help you and your student better understand this assessment.

• VGA must be taken in person at school.
• This online, computer-adaptive test is about half as long as the spring SOL test.
• Questions use Standards of Learning (SOL)-like items to measure current knowledge and skills in the content area.
• Student results will be used to help school staff plan for instruction and supports.

The fall reading VGA was administered today. The mathematics VGA will be given on Wednesday, September 20 (Green Day). Makeups will occur the week of October 2. 

To accommodate testing, the bell schedule for these dates has been modified and is included below. Changes will be communicated with students and posted in Schoology. An email informing students of their testing location will be sent to the student’s fcpsschools.net email account the day before the test. More information can be found on the FCPS VGA Website. Please contact Marileigh Blake, our School Test Coordinator, at [email protected] with any questions.

World Language Credit Exam

The 2023 World Languages Credit Exam will be administered on November 8, 9, and 13, 2023. Thirty languages will be included: American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Sanskrit, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

If your student can write in their home language fluently and would like to take the World Language Exam for world language credit, students can access the Kilmer Student Services Course on Schoology to register. Students and parents can register together by logging into a student’s fcps laptop and selecting the dates for the exam. Registration is now open and closes on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 4:00 p.m

Bus Capacity

All our buses are at capacity and can not take additional passengers. Students will not be allowed to ride buses other than the one they are assigned.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Investigative Science Outreach

We are TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. We will be hosting our 11th annual science fair on March 16, 2024 and we would like to invite 5th-8th grade students from your school to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on March 16, 2024. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is Friday October 6th, 2023 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session in-person at TJHSST and virtually on Zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://forms.gle/RMfQYuvACK3YajRw8 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us. Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected].

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) Introduction 

Each school pyramid has a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) assigned to provide substance abuse prevention, education, and intervention services. Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists are part of the FCPS Office of Student Safety and Wellness. Like school social workers, school psychologists, and school counselors, SAPS do not provide treatment services, but support students while they are in school.

Key roles of a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist:

• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug education for students, parents, staff, and the Fairfax County community
• Intervention services upon violation of the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook or suspected substance use involvement
• Assessing a student’s level of substance use and, if appropriate, making referrals to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board for additional services or other community resources as appropriate
• Group and individual interventions for students and prevention services for students, staff, parents, and the Fairfax County community
• Most importantly, building positive relationships with students to provide support and encouragement

Resources:

Free Virtual Parent Support Group

Free Online Narcan Training for Opioid Overdoses (English & Spanish)

Free Lock Boxes for Medications & Firearms

Spiritual Support by Phone for Adults

Spanish Podcast: Tips on How Parents Play an Important Role in Substance Abuse Prevention

Juvenile Court Parent Support Group

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.

For further Information & support:

Ally Jacobi, MSW

[email protected]

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for the Marshall Pyramid

Fairfax County Park Authority Program - Esports Club

Job Opportunity at Kilmer: Instructional Assistant

Do you know someone who may be interested in an Instructional Assistant position at Kilmer for the 23-24 school year? All interested candidates should apply online through FCPS Job Opportunities, and email their resume directly to Principal McFarlane at [email protected].

2023-2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities 

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R. 

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29. 

Students will participate in a review of the Student Rights and Responsibilities on Monday and Tuesday, September 18th and 19th through Social Studies classes and take a test on SR&R content on Thursday / Friday during their PE classes.

Thomas Jefferson High School Student/Parent Information Night

On Thursday, October 12th from 5:00-6:00 pm all current 8th grade students interested in applying for the freshman round of the Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology are invited to join for a one hour presentation given by a TJHSST representative in the Kilmer Cafeteria. The majority of the hour will be dedicated to a question and answer session, and we recommend that all those interested in participating view this video prior to attending the presentation. You can find additional information including important application deadlines here.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

What is the After School Program? 

The purpose of the Afterschool Program is to provide quality programming in the areas of academic support and enrichment, social skills and youth development, physical health and wellness, and family and community engagement. A completed Afterschool Registration Form is required for participation.

The Afterschool Program starts next week. See the schedule below: 

After School Schedule

• 2:20 - 2:35 pm - (Afterschool Transition/Break) ALL Students should report to Cafeteria and Teachers/Sponsors come pick them up from the Cafeteria
• 2:30-3:30 pm - 1st Block (Teachers/Sponsors have Students complete Afterschool Attendance Form)
• 3:30-3:40 pm - Parent Pick-Up if not staying for 2nd Block
• 3:40-4:45 pm - 2nd Block (Teachers/Sponsors verify students completed After School Attendance Form)
• 4:45 pm - Afterschool Dismissal

References & Reminders

Cell Phone/Phone Accessories Violations 

During the first two weeks of school, we reminded students of the FCPS policy of “off and away” during the school day. Moving forward, if students are found in violation of this policy, staff members will confiscate the phone/accessory and turn it into the main office. Parents will be notified by the main office (via email) for the first two offenses, and students may pick up their device at the end of the day. If a student’s device is confiscated a third time, their administrator will contact their parent/guardian and enact a check-in/check-out system for two weeks. Additional violations will result in a parent/guardian pick-up. Violations are tracked by quarter.

Health Information & Emergency Care Forms

The Health Information Form (HIF) (SS/SE-71) and the Emergency Care Information form (SS/SE-3) provide valuable information regarding student health conditions. These forms are critical in the early identification of students who may need healthcare support in the educational environment. Along with the development of Healthcare Plans (HCP) and Action Plans, the Public Health Nurses (PHNs) utilize the information contained in the HIF to develop teaching strategies for FCPS staff in order to meet the requirements of Regulation 2104 Health Services-School Health-Related Needs. Parents/guardians who have a SIS ParentVUE account can verify and update the forms electronically by using the Online Verification/Update packet. For families without SIS ParentVue accounts, forms can be located on the General Registration Forms page. 

Health Information & Emergency Care Forms

The Health Information Form (HIF) (SS/SE-71) and the Emergency Care Information form (SS/SE-3) provide valuable information regarding student health conditions. These forms are critical in the early identification of students who may need healthcare support in the educational environment. Along with the development of Healthcare Plans (HCP) and Action Plans, the Public Health Nurses (PHNs) utilize the information contained in the HIF to develop teaching strategies for FCPS staff in order to meet the requirements of Regulation 2104 Health Services-School Health-Related Needs. Parents/guardians who have a SIS ParentVUE account can verify and update the forms electronically by using the Online Verification/Update packet. For families without SIS ParentVue accounts, forms can be located on the General Registration Forms page.

Parental Permission to Use Digital Resources

Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission. Please complete the Parental Permission form at your earliest convenience. 

Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library. Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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

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

A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community, 

It’s been an energizing week here at Kilmer! Staff and students came back recharged after the four-day weekend. As we conclude the third week of school, it’s fun to watch students settle into their new routine.

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

There’s new information below regarding student pictures, upcoming Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) testing, and more. 

I hope you have a great weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Kilmer at a Glance

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

Upcoming Dates:

• Monday, September 11 - Families are invited to Community Night: Afterschool Open House/Activities Fair from 4:00-6:00 PM to learn about clubs and meet sponsors. This is also an opportunity to see the various networks, services, and youth programs available to the Kilmer Community.
• Tuesday, September 12 - Students may access Late Bus Transportation for academic support with their teachers and Cross Country.
• September 15 - Reading VGA Testing
• Monday, September 18 - Afterschool Clubs & Activities begin.
• September 20 - Math VGA Testing
• Thursday and Friday, September 21 and 22 - Student portraits will be taken during PE classes. More information to follow.

Picture(s) of the Week

With Heat Advisories in place for much of the week, our PE classes stayed inside. This led to a 4-way volleyball game between classes. As you can see, students really got into this friendly competition.

Students in Ms. Boate’s Science 8 class learned about parallel and series circuits by experimenting with Snap Circuits.

Congratulations to Marshall’s Freshman Football Team on their victory over Justice High School last night (38-0!). Dan Nguyen, a Kilmer Special Education teacher, coaches on the varsity staff at Marshall. He asked all former Kilmer students to pose for a picture after the game. We have over 30 former Kilmer students playing freshman football!

Important Information

Student Portraits

School Picture Day is coming Thursday September 21st & Friday September 22nd, 2023. Photos will be taken in PE class and pictures will be available approximately two weeks following our school's photo day. Save time and pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028688#login. The code is your student’s ID number. 

For questions about ordering please email [email protected]

Virginia Growth Assessment

The Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) is a test required for students in grades 3-8. For the 2023-2024 school year, students will take a reading and mathematics VGA in the fall and winter. For fall 2023, VGA will address content that was taught in the previous school year. There is no “passing” or “failing” outcome for the VGA. Results will provide starting and mid-year data about student growth and will offer information about areas of strength and growth in reading and mathematics. All middle school students take the VGA for reading. However, middle school students enrolled in a high school credit-bearing math course, such as Algebra 1, will not take a VGA for mathematics. The following information may help you and your student better understand this assessment.

• VGA must be taken in person at school.
• This online, computer-adaptive test is about half as long as the spring SOL test.
• Questions use Standards of Learning (SOL)-like items to measure current knowledge and skills in the content area.
• Student results will be used to help school staff plan for instruction and supports.

At Kilmer Middle School, the fall reading and mathematics VGAs will be given on the following dates:

• Reading VGA: Friday, September 15th (Blue Day)
• Math VGA: Wednesday, 9/20 (Green Day)
• Makeup testing will occur the week of 10/2.

To accommodate testing, the bell schedule for these dates has been modified and is included below. Changes will be communicated with students and posted in Schoology. An email informing students of their testing location will be sent to the student’s fcpsschools.net email account the day before the test. More information can be found on the FCPS VGA Website. Please contact Marileigh Blake, our School Test Coordinator, at [email protected] with any questions.

World Language Credit Exam

The 2023 World Languages Credit Exam will be administered on November 8, 9, and 13, 2023. Thirty languages will be included: American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Sanskrit, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

If your student can write in their home language fluently and would like to take the World Language Exam for world language credit, students can access the Kilmer Student Services Course on Schoology to register. Students and parents can register together by logging into a student’s fcps laptop and selecting the dates for the exam. Registration is now open and closes on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.

Job Opportunity at Kilmer: Instructional Assistant

Do you know someone who may be interested in an instructional assistant position at Kilmer for the 23-24 school year? If so, please share this link and select Kilmer Middle as the location. All interested candidates can also email their resume directly to Principal McFarlane at [email protected].

2023-2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities 

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R. 

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29. 

Students will participate in a review of the Student Rights and Responsibilities on Monday and Tuesday, September 18 and 19, through Social Studies classes and take a test on SR&R content on Thursday/Friday during their PE classes.

Afterschool Activities News/Updates

Kilmer Community Night - Afterschool Open House & Activities Fair - Monday, September 11th, 4:00-6:00 pm

Families are invited to come out and learn about clubs and meet sponsors. This is also an opportunity to see the various networks, services, and youth programs available to the Kilmer Community. 

Cross Country: All students have an opportunity to join the Kilmer XC Team! Families are invited to meet our Athletic Coordinator, learn more about the program, ask questions, and submit required forms for participation. 

ESOL Parent Presentation (4:45-5:15 pm): Families are invited to attend a session to learn about Kilmer’s ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) services presented by Susanne Ehsani, ESOL Department Chair. We will discuss the courses offered for English Learners, explore WIDA ACCESS for ELLs, the annual English language proficiency test and resources available for multilingual families. {B101}

What to eXpect as an Algebra Parent (5:00-6:00 pm): Join members of Kilmer’s Algebra team for an interactive presentation on the specifics of the Algebra curriculum and strategies for supporting your student. Time will be provided for a question-and-answer session.

COMMUNITY Resources/Vendors

• FFX County Sheriff's Office Child ID Program
• FFX County 4-H
• Vienna Teen Center Club Phoenix
• Mathnasium of Tysons
• Play Squash Academy
• Legend Wrestling
• Asian American LEAD (AALEAD)
• Mathnasium of Tysons
• Stemtree Education Center

Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.

 

WHAT IS THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM? The purpose of the Afterschool Program is to provide quality programming in the areas of academic support and enrichment, social skills and youth development, physical health and wellness, and family and community engagement. A completed Afterschool Registration Form is required for participation.

 

WHEN DO THINGS START?  

• Tuesday, September 12th - Students may access Late Bus Transportation for Cross Country Practice and Academic Support.
• Monday, September 18th - Afterschool Clubs & Activities begin. 

The Afterschool Program is structured into two sessions, 2:30 – 3:30 pm and 3:35 – 4:45 pm following the 2:15-2:30 pm Afterschool Transition/Break in the Cafeteria.  Students may stay after for the first session or both sessions. Late bus transportation is only available after the second session block at 4:45PM (Afterschool dismissal) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Students may not return for participation, late bus transportation, or pick-up after leaving campus.

References & Reminders

Middle School Athletics - Cross Country

This year, all students have the opportunity to join Kilmer’s new cross country team. While there are no tryouts (or cuts) for the cross country team, to participate in cross country meets students must consistently attend practices. Practice will be 3x a week (Tuesday-Thursday) from 2:30-3:30 pm. Students may be picked up at 3:30 pm, or join the last hour of our Afterschool Program after practice. Practices will begin Tuesday, September 12. 

In order to participate families must complete the MS Sports Participant Registration. Please note, there are three steps to sign up. Students will not be allowed to participate until they have received a physical and completed all forms.

1. Complete the MS Sports Participant Registration form. Parent registration (includes required parent/student education program).
2. A completed FCPS MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION/PARENTAL CONSENT/PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FORM
3. A completed Emergency Care Form

Please reach out to Kilmer’s Athletic Coordinator, Nana Amaniampong at [email protected] with any questions. Completed forms can be emailed to Mr. Amaniampong, or dropped off in the main office. Also, Mr. Amaniampong will be at the Community Night: Afterschool Open House/Activities at Kilmer Middle School on Monday, September 11 from 4:00-6:00 pm.

Cell Phone/Phone Accessories Violations 

During the first two weeks of school we reminded students of the FCPS policy of “off and away” during the school day. Moving forward, if students are found in violation of this policy, staff members will confiscate the phone/accessory and turn it into the main office. Parents will be notified by the main office (via email) for the first two offenses, and students may pick up their device at the end of the day. If a student’s device is confiscated a third time, their administrator will contact their parent/guardian and enact a check-in/check-out system for two weeks. Additional violations will result in a parent/guardian pick-up. Violations are tracked by quarter.

Health Information & Emergency Care Forms

The Health Information Form (HIF) (SS/SE-71) and the Emergency Care Information form (SS/SE-3) provide valuable information regarding student health conditions. These forms are critical in the early identification of students who may need healthcare support in the educational environment. Along with the development of Healthcare Plans (HCP) and Action Plans, the Public Health Nurses (PHNs) utilize the information contained in the HIF to develop teaching strategies for FCPS staff in order to meet the requirements of Regulation 2104 Health Services-School Health-Related Needs. Parents/guardians who have a SIS ParentVUE account can verify and update the forms electronically by using the Online Verification/Update packet. For families without SIS ParentVue accounts, forms can be located on the General Registration Forms page.

Parental Permission to Use Digital Resources

Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission. Please complete the Parental Permission form at your earliest convenience. 

Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library. Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.

Lightspeed Parent Report

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

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