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In person students engaged in classroom lessons!
A message from Principal, Amy Miller:
Dear Kilmer Community,
Thank you to the PTA for the surprise grab n’ go lunch provided to the Kilmer Staff today (Friday). Throughout the past thirteen months the Kilmer Community has been so supportive as we navigated the impact of COVID-19 on our schools and community. Thank you.
At the end of this school year, FCPS will be transitioning from Blackboard Collaborate Ultra to Zoom. Kilmer Middle School will be a pilot for Zoom starting the end of April. Approximately 20% of our teachers will be using Zoom for their synchronous teaching. Teachers who will be using Zoom will share that announcement with their individual classes. The Zoom link will be embedded into Schoology just like the BBCU link. Teachers and students will still have access to BBCU as well. We are excited about this opportunity.
As the end of the school year approaches, it is important to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and provide a sense of closure to the year. At Kilmer we are planning to do a reflections and recognition celebration during the PAWS Advisory block during the last week of school for all students, a fun activity for our eighth graders, and a National Junior Honor Society Ceremony. Due to health and safety protocols, these events will be held either in a hybrid model or all virtual. We will be sharing details, including dates and times, throughout the month of May.
Sincerely,
Amy Miller, Principal
End of Year Grading Flexibility
On Thursday, additional information was sent via a Kilmer enotify regarding the 2020-2021 End of Year Grading Flexibility for Middle School Students. As shared in an email from the Superintendent’s Office, FCPS has adopted a series of secondary grading policy changes to help our students achieve a strong finish to the school year. Third quarter report cards and the Pass - No Mark Status Form will be available in ParentVue and mailed home to all families this week. Should you wish to designate one or more courses as Pass status for anticipated grades of “A” through “C-”, the Pass-No Mark Status Form must be submitted to your school counselor/Student Services by May 10, 2021. Access the Pass-No Mark Status Form here: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se358.pdf
FCPS is adjusting the grading policy for the 2020-21 school year, to ensure students are not penalized by the challenges brought on by pandemic learning. Additional information including considerations and frequently asked questions are available at the following link: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/grading-and-reporting/secondary
Course Registration for 2021-2022
Academic advising and course registration for the 2021-2022 school year is now over. Parents can view their child’s course selections for the 2021-2022 school year through their SIS ParentVUE account. Directions for viewing course requests online through ParentVUE are below. If you have questions about your child’s course requests, please contact their school counselor. Course requests are a firm commitment. Course request changes will not be accommodated after June 1.
If you or your child have additional questions about high school courses, please contact the Marshall or Madison High School Office of Student Services.
Online Course Requests
SOL Testing Information
Kilmer is in the process of finalizing specific testing dates for students. For initial planning with your family, be aware that we are scheduling testing on the following days:
Reading SOLs: May 10 and May 12
Science 8 SOLs: May 17 and May 19
Math SOLs: May 24 and May 26
If you have not already filled out the SOL Intent form, we need these responses to be able to plan appropriately. You can find the form here.
On Monday, April 26 we will be inviting all virtual students to join us in the Kilmer Parking lot for a Technology Tailgate Party to ensure that your FCPS laptop has the required updates so it is ready for SOL testing. Please look for specific information about this to come
Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize and thank children from military families for their contributions and sacrifices. The nationwide commemoration was established in 1986 by former Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger. To show our support, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, school employees, and community members to "Purple Up!" on April 21 for military children. We extend our appreciation for the service of all children from military families and celebrate them by wearing purple in an effort to say “Thank You.”
National Junior Honor Society
The next mandatory all candidate meeting is after school on Tuesday, April 27, in the NJHS BBCU link from 2:45-3:45. This meeting is our final check-in with candidates about their progress in Stage 3: Action. All candidates should be actively involved with their service learning by recording process steps and reflections in their NJHS Digital Notebook and by volunteering their time, i.e., serving their chosen service organization. In addition to talking about Stage 3, we will present important components of the NJHS Service Learning Gallery Walk and the Induction Ceremony. The May NJHS meeting will be on May 18 and will focus on Stage 4: Reflection and Stage 5: Demonstration.
National Junior Honor Society Gallery Walk and Induction Ceremony
Kilmer’s National Junior Honor Society will host a virtual Service Learning Gallery and Induction Ceremony on June 8, 2021, for parents, community members and students. Stay tuned for more details about this exciting evening which will showcase NJHS candidates and their service learning projects.
Topic: Autism Awareness Month: "Being Au-some" Virtual Mini-Conference on April 20
In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, families are invited to participate in the Autism Society of Northern Virginia’s free "Being Au-some" Virtual Mini-Conference. The conference will be held virtually on Tuesday, April 20, from 7-9 p.m. Participants will celebrate the autism journey together with short and engaging sessions. Featured speakers include self-advocates, family members, and educators. Register in advance for this virtual event.
Topic: Superintendent Brabrand to Host Spanish Language Virtual Town Hall on April 21
Join Superintendent Brabrand and two school officials for a virtual Spanish-Language Town Hall on Wednesday, April 21, 5-6 p.m. They will provide information on opportunities for four days of in-person instruction, summer learning plans, and vaccine updates. They will answer your questions, too. The Town Hall will be streamed live on FCPS Facebook en Español. Please email your questions in advance to ReturntoSchool@fcps.edu. You may also send a message on our Facebook page or leave it in the “Comment” section during the Town Hall. We hope you will join us!
Asamblea Pública Virtual en Español
Acompañen al superintendente Brabrand y a dos autoridades escolares a una Asamblea Pública virtual en español el miércoles 21 de abril, de 5-6 p.m. Ellos hablarán sobre la oportunidad de que los alumnos asistan a cuatro días de instrucción presencial, los planes para el aprendizaje durante el verano, y proporcionarán información actualizada sobre las vacunas. Ellos también contestarán sus preguntas.
La Asamblea Pública será transmitida en vivo en la página de FCPS Facebook en Español https://www.facebook.com/FCPSES/. Envíen sus preguntas por correo electrónico a ReturntoSchool@fcps.edu. También pueden enviarnos un mensaje por nuestra página de Facebook o dejarlo en la sección de «Comentarios» durante la Asamblea Pública. ¡Esperamos que ustedes puedan acompañarnos!
What’s on the Shelf: News from the Kilmer Library
The Fairfax County Public Library continues to offer great opportunities and programs for students! Next Wednesday, April 21 at 7pm, come to a virtual Meet the Author even featuring YA mystery writer Kate Doughty. Her new book, The Follower, was released in March -- it is a “spine tingling YA thrilled based on a true story.” Find out more and register for this free event here: https://tinyurl.com/Kate-Doughty.
Dungeons & Dragons more your speed? Pop into a virtual online game-playing adventure, hosted by FCPS on April 21 from 4pm - 6pm.
Remember when we told you that April was National School Library Month? Check out this new video from our state association: “What is a School Librarian?” to find out more about what we do!
Upcoming Library Dates:
- Monday, April 19 @ 1pm: Book Club / KMS Library Collaborate Ultra
- Wednesday, April 21 @ 2:15-4:00pm: Cougars @ the Curb curbside checkout / Kilmer Door #3
- Wednesday, April 21 @ 2:15pm: First Chapter Book Club / KMS Library Collaborate Ultra
- Wednesday, April 21 @ 3:00pm: Social Justice Book Club / Google Meet
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