 Huge Kudos to Connor Tadlock, former Kilmer student who worked with his Scout group to build and install five sturdy, weatherproof picnic tables as part of Kilmer’s outdoor classroom. Thank you!
From the Principal's Desk:
Greetings, Kilmer Cougar Families!
We have been doing some fun and interesting activities this week. We have some players from the Harlem Wizards coming in today to excite the students for the game tonight between teachers and the Wizards. Good luck to Mr. Sapp and Mr. Kenney, who are playing in the game. We hope for an injury free game for them. Today the 7th grade history classes are doing a land rush in front of the school. They are approximating what it was like to the land grab in the late 1800’s. The band, chorus, and orchestra are selling pies to help support their programs. Please consider buying a pie for this good cause. I am hosting students for lunches to gauge what they love about Kilmer and where they think we can improve. So far they have been very complimentary of the school, and mostly, their teachers. We continue to focus on classroom instruction for your students. The teachers work every day to build relationships and create interesting lessons that the students will enjoy.
Remember there is no school on Monday the 14th. Enjoy the long weekend!
Have a good weekend!
Music Fundraiser
The Kilmer MS Music Department Pie Sale Fundraiser is underway! Students from Band, Choir, and Orchestra will be selling pies from October 4 - October 23. Pies will be delivered on November 6.
This fundraiser is a chance for the music department to raise much need money for items such as instrument repairs and maintenance, instrument accessories, sheet music purchases, clinicians, student fees for honors ensembles, and so much more. These funds are crucial to our continued success as a music department.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could spread the word, purchase a pie, or consider a donation to support Band, Choir, and Orchestra at Kilmer. Our pies make delicious gifts for friends and family members. Our personal favorite is the French Silk: rich chocolate pie, topped with whipped cream and chocolate curls. The ready-to-bake pies are kosher and we also offer a no-sugar-added peach pie that is diet-friendly and delicious!
Marshall Volleyball - Dig Pink Night
Come support Marshall High School Volleyball against Edison on Tuesday, October 15. It should be an exciting night! Edison is tough rival, currently battling for 1st place in the district. Tuesday is also Marshall's Dig Pink night and they will be raising funds for breast cancer awareness.
Kilmer students will get free admission if they are wearing a Kilmer shirt and accompanied by a paying adult.
Freshman and JV game starts at 6 p.m.
Varsity starts at 7:15 p.m.
Attention 8th Grade Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey. The results of this survey are published each year on https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health-humanservices/fairfax-county-youth-survey and are used by school officials, youth leadership classes, youth-serving county agencies, and local non-profits to determine the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs offered in schools and communities. It is also used to identify changing trends and areas of need. The survey is anonymous and no individual information is reported. The survey will be given to middle school students during Social Studies class.
The Fairfax County Youth Survey asks questions about risky behavior, mental health, physical health, and safety. There are questions about behaviors related to alcohol, illegal drugs, or misuse of prescription drugs. Additional questions about depression, student stress, bullying and harassment, and questions about personal health, and for students in eighth, tenth, and twelfth grade only, sexual behavior, will be included in the survey. Students are also asked about specific protective factors concerning health and safety.
Shortened surveys have been created for students with special education needs and/or limited English proficiency to ensure that their voices can also be heard. The shortened version asks students questions regarding their experience at school, their sense of safety, and their knowledge of where to turn for help, if needed. It also asks students questions about bullying, sexual harassment, and other forms of harassment or discrimination they may experience. The students do not put their names on the survey, and no individual information is reported.
You have the right to preview the survey and may deny permission for your child to participate if you desire. If a student is uncomfortable with any question on the survey, the student does not have to answer that question or may elect to discontinue the survey. While it is hoped that as many students as possible will participate, you have the option of completing the opt-out form if you wish to opt out your child.
The survey will be administered between November 6-15, 2019. A copy of the survey will be available to parents and/or guardians online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/youthsurvey and in the school counseling office of your child's school beginning October 4, 2019. If you do not wish for your child to take part in the survey, please complete the Opt-Out Form and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 5, 2019. If you have questions about the survey, contact Stefan Mascoll, coordinator, Student Safety and Wellness Office, at 571-423-4270.
Mental Health Wellness Program Reminder
Seventh Grade ONLY
On Tuesday, October 15 and Wednesday, October 16, Kilmer school counselors, along with our school social worker and psychologist, will be implementing the A.C.T. (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) Mental Health Wellness Program – a depression awareness and suicide prevention program to all seventh grade students. Depending on the period your child has Math, your child will participate in the A.C.T. program on Tuesday, October 15 (periods 1, 2, 3, and 4) or Wednesday, October 16 (periods 6 and 7). The goals of this program are to educate students on the signs and symptoms of depression, to let students know what to do if they have concerns about themselves or a friend, and to connect students who may need support with resources inside and outside of school. Over the last four years, KMS has implemented this program school-wide in seventh grade. The program includes a 25-minute video titled “Time to ACT”. The video highlights the stories of three middle school students and provides simple tips and instructions to help students identify signs of distress in themselves and others and the action steps to A.C.T. - Acknowledge, Care, and Tell. Following the video, all students will complete a brief screening form to assess if further support is needed. Our school counselors, psychologist, and social worker will review the screening forms on the same day, meet with students who identified symptoms of depression, and notify parents. Please keep in mind that this form is not a diagnostic tool. Rather, it is a way of gathering information that may suggest potential concerns. Parents and guardians will be contacted if there are immediate concerns.
For additional information about the program, please reference the parent letter that was emailed on September 23 to all seventh grade parents. To learn more about the Depression Awareness and Suicide Prevention Program - A.C.T., parents may click on this link to preview a short clip of the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRjAm3b-e_w
 Last year, Mr. Hecht was a patient whose illness was being diagnosed by our students.
Kilmer Medical Center - Call for Volunteers
November 7, 8, & 11
Kilmer 8th Grade Health and Physical Education teachers need your help!
- Students will be working in small groups in order to try and diagnose different illnesses and diseases.
- Volunteer patients will be given a set of symptoms and students will need to ask probing questions about the patients to find the answers
- Parents may volunteer for as many different time slots as they can.
- We need approximately 7 volunteers per time slot.
We can’t do this without your help! Thank You!
https://tinyurl.com/kmed2019
Marshall HS All Night Grad Fundraiser
Friday, October 11, 7:30 PM
Have a fun family night at Marshall HS and help raise money for the all night grad party! Come watch Mr. Sapp and Mr. Kenney as they and other local teachers compete against the Harlem Wizards on Friday, October 11th at 7:30 PM at the Marshall HS Gym. This fun night will be filled with tricks, hoops, and Alley Oops!
Tickets are on sale now! Buy your tickets here. Order early, there are limited seats available.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the GCM Class of 2020 All Night Grad Celebration.
For every ticket sold to Kilmer students and parents, the Kilmer PTA will also receive a portion of the sales proceeds.
Visit www.harlemwizards.com for more information about this event. Questions? Contact John Windt at jwindt@fcps.edu.
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School Photo Make up Day is November 18th
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Absent for picture day? Maybe just had a bad hair day? Then mark your calendars - School Photo Make Up Day is Monday November 18th.
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Reflections Submissions accepted until October 18
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Entries are currently being accepted in the Main Office for this year's Reflections contest. The theme this year is "Look Within." Just look for the colorful box in the office! Entries are due on October 18th.
For questions or more info, contact Tara Holtaway at Tara.holtaway@icloud.com.
You can find an Entry form and contest rules here.
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Mark your Calendars for Dining for Dollars
Eat out with your Kilmer friends and family at the PTA's Fall 2019 Dining For Dollars Night! The money the PTA raises goes toward our Kilmer programs! Thursday, Oct 17, 2019: 5-8pm Silver Diner - Tyson's *Can’t stay for dinner? Use your Silver Diner app to order your CARRY OUT or DELIVERY order.
Greetings from After School:
After school activities are now underway. Transportation is available to students staying after school Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, departing at 4:45PM. All students must be picked up promptly and no later than 4:45PM. Late Bus routes are posted in the cafeteria. Please be aware that after school late bus numbers and routes may differ from your child's normal school day bus routes.
There are two blocks after school, 2:15-3:30PM and 3:45-4:45PM. Students do not have to stay for the second block and may walk or be picked up at 3:30pm. Students may not leave and return for afterschool activities; they must stay. Students should bring a snack from home, they may also purchase snack from the vending machine after school or during lunch. Parents/Guardians must complete the required Afterschool Registration Form before their student stays after.
10/17 Best Buddies @D103
10/18 Theater Sports Competition @Poe MS
10/25 Shuttle to Vienna Teen Center/Phoenix Club for registered (Phoenix Club) participants @3:30PM
Kilmer's After-School Program is looking to partner with the Vienna Teen Center’s Club Phoenix. One service that we are looking at potentially offering is a shuttle bus that would transport students from our KMS Afterschool Program to Club Phoenix. Only students with a completed Kilmer MS Afterschool Registration Form and Club Phoenix Registration Form will be able to use this service. Students may participate in Club Phoenix activities until the center closes at 6:30PM Monday-Thursday and 10PM on Fridays. Parents/Guardians are responsible for transportation home from Vienna Teen Center. Please complete the KMS Afterschool to Vienna Teen Center Shuttle Survey so we can gauge Parent/Student interest. Survey results will be used to coordinate a schedule. Vienna Teen Center Questions? Email Natalie Duncan Natalie.Duncan@ViennaVA.gov
11/01 Heritage Night @6PM Students AND Families are invited to share their culture through food, dance, clothing (or Soccer Jersey) & displays
11/12 AMC8 Test (mandatory for Math Counts)
Questions? Please contact the After School Program Specialist Ms. Kardelis at kckardelis@fcps.edu or 703.846.8820
Upcoming Dates
Friday, October 11 - Marshall High School Stars vs. Harlem Wizards game at Marshall HS
Monday, October 14 - Student Holiday
Tuesday / Wednesday, October 15 / 16 - ACT Program for 7th graders
Friday, October 18 - 8th grade Band Night at Madison HS
Monday to Thursday, October 21 - 24 - MWEE, 7th grade science field trips
Monday / Tuesday, November 4/5 - Student holidays
Monday, November 18 - School Photo Make up Day
The 2019-20 FCPS School Calendar can be found HERE.
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