 Getting ready for Crosstown Hoops!
From the Principal's Desk:
March 6, 2020
Dear Kilmer Families,
There has been a lot of hands on learning happening at Kilmer. In geometry, students were creating rudimentary clinometers to measure angle of elevation and then the students used their clinometers and right triangle trigonometry to calculate the height of tall objects. In science, students were using slinkies to demonstrate the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and amplitude for transverse and longitudinal waves. Students also made ice cream to show how phase changes allow energy to flow from lower to higher temperature substances.
The Kilmer After-School Program was excited to host students from Oakton High School Rocketry Club. The students joined our STEM afterschool club. They shared their NASA Student Launch Initiative with the Kilmer students. This was an inspiring experience for all!
Our Eighth-Grade students are participating in the Writing SOL this week and next! We know all the students are putting forward their best efforts on these assessments!
We are looking forward to seeing you at the school events scheduled for later in the month. These events include the Principal Meet and Greet and Digital Citizenship Night on March 18, the PTA Meeting on March 19, and the Lion King performances on March 27 and 28.
Sincerely,
Amy Miller
Principal
Digital Learning and Community Event
We invite you to attend the Digital Learning and citizenship community education events we will hold in partnership with our feeder elementary schools and Marshall High School.
March 18th - 6:15 pm - 8:15 pm at Kilmer Middle School
Family Engagement Policy meetings
FCPS families, staff, students and community members are invited to
attend any of the Family Engagement Policy open meetings to
provide feedback on the draft Family Engagement Policy. Stakeholders can
also participate virtually in each of these meetings
Crosstown Hoops
Our annual Crosstown Hoops basketball event versus Thoreau MS will take place on Friday, April 17th, from 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM at Madison HS. We look forward to seeing you all there.
Congratulations to those students selected to represent Kilmer. Questions should be directed to Mr. Musgnug at ccmusgnug@fcps.edu.
Go Paperless" Report Card Option Now Available
Starting with 3rd quarter, middle school parents will now have the option to “Go Paperless” in ParentVUE and receive only online report cards. To take advantage of the paperless options, parents/guardians will need to log into ParentVUE, then go to “My Account” and select "Go Paperless." This process is the only way to keep a paper report card from being generated for students at the secondary level. All parents who share the same address as the student must have a SIS ParentVue account and must select the paperless option.
Coronavirus Update from Dr. Brabrand
Superintendent Brabrand sent a message to parents/guardians about FCPS' response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The message is also posted on the FCPS website along with FAQs and other resources.
Additional Information About Flu Virus Prevention
The Fairfax County Health Department recommends the following flu prevention tips:
- Wash hands often with soap and water. If unavailable, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
- Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Each eighth grader has received an email through their school gmail account with their SOL schedule for the upcoming Writing SOL.
8th grade Writing SOL Tests
Eighth grade students will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Grade 8 Writing Test between March 2 and March 18, 2020. It is important that your child attend school on these days. If possible, please avoid scheduling trips or appointments that would take your child out of school during this time period. If you become aware of an unavoidable conflict that could result in your child missing a testing day, please notify the school as soon as possible.
The writing test has two components: multiple choice response and a short paper response. In order to obtain a score, your child must complete both components.
Each eighth grader has received an email through their school gmail account with their SOL schedule for the upcoming Writing SOL.
Please refer to the table to determine the specific dates that your child will be testing.
 VDOE and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) have an electronic device policy which is to be followed during all SOL testing. To maintain test security, the possession of cell phones or other electronic devices (including wearable technology) in the testing room is prohibited. If a student is discovered with a prohibited electronic device while in a test environment, the student’s test will be stopped, the electronic device will be confiscated, and the student will be removed from the test environment. School administrators, consistent with the Acceptable Use Policy and Student Rights & Responsibilities, have authority to search the “item of personal belonging” (e.g., the cell phone or other device, including wearable technology) if it is believed to contain evidence of a violation of school regulations (in this case, cheating). School administrators have the right to apply school-based consequences based upon their investigation of the situation. Please talk to your student about the electronic device policy and the serious consequences of violating it.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Emily Pyatt-Openshaw, School Test Coordinator (egpyattopens@fcps.edu).
Save the Date for Principal Meet and Greet
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Kilmer Middle School Library
The Lion King
Circle the date for the Circle of Life. On March 27th and 28th, the whole African Pride is taking over Kilmer with this year’s musical production of The Lion King. There will be a stampede on tickets when they go on sale so watch out for news on how to get yours before they sell out. There is a 7pm show on both Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th and a 2pm show the 28th.
Madison Girls' Basketball
Check out this video about Madison HS' girls basketball team featuring several former Kilmer students: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/three-sets-of-sisters-lead-undefeated-james-madison-basketball/2226767/
School Health Services Survey
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD to be shared with all parents or guardians and school staff members who interact with the school health rooms. This may include principals, school counselors, and main office staff members. The survey has been approved for distribution by the FCPS’ Internal Survey Advisory Committee.
Electronic versions of the survey forms may be accessed at:
School Health Services Survey – Parents 2020: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K9VWCJ6
La encuesta de servicios de salud escolar
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K7KGXTS
The survey will take less than five minutes to complete and will provide the FCHD with valuable information. Your participation in this important endeavor is appreciated.
Kilmer Weekend Food Program
The Kilmer Pantry is being established to send students home with a weekend pack to help them have enough food over the weekend. Many children depend on the meals they receive while in school, then on the weekend, they may not have enough to get by.
The Pantry will provide weekend bags with non-perishable food to students every week starting in December. Distribution will be done in a discreet manner.
To meet our goal of providing weekend meals to children in need, we are currently collecting donations.
- Donate non-perishable foods and bring them to the main office of Kilmer Middle School (see link for suggestions of what could be donated).
- Shop a sample pack on this Amazon Wishlist (updated link) and have the food delivered directly to Kilmer c/o Charlene Horne.
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Donate funds directly to the PTA and we’ll do the shopping for you!
If you want your student to receive a weekend food bag, please contact your child’s counselor.
Thank you for your support
Greetings from After School:
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.
NO Independent Study/Computer Lab or Library March 2nd – March 19th (Testing)
3/11 – Cricket 2:15-3:30pm (Tennis Courts)
3/12 – Capitol Debate (C104)
3/25 – NO Afterschool (Musical Performance - Only students IN or ATTENDING the show may stay after)
3/31 – Gym Closed/ No Intramurals through 4/01 (HPE Wellness Expo)
4/09 – Capitol Debate (C104)
4/20 – Gym Closed/ No Intramurals through 4/24 (iCan Bike – spotters needed/service hours available)
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.
Questions? Please contact the After School Program Specialist Ms. Kardelis at kckardelis@fcps.edu or 703.846.8820.
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, March 17 - Orchestra Pre-assessment Concert, Marshall HS, 7pm
Wednesday, March 18 - Principal Meet and Greet 5:30-6:00
Digital World: Bridging Technology from Home to School, Kilmer MS, 6:15
Thursday, March 19 - PTA meeting, 9:30 am
Wednesday, March 25 - The Lion King, Student Show, 2:30pm
Friday, March 27 - The Lion King, 7pm
Saturday, March 28 - The Lion King, 2pm and 7pm
Wednesday, April 1 - Wellness Expo
The 2019-20 FCPS School Calendar can be found HERE.
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