Kilmer Community,
It was fun watching students come back to school after the break. Because of our early start time, it’s not uncommon for students to shuffle into the building and take a few minutes to fully wake up. However, on Tuesday the energy was palpable. It was a great reminder of how important the Kilmer community is to our students, staff, and families. It’s clear to me that students have deep connections with the people in this building, and they were excited to see their friends and teachers…and as much as they “complain” about it, return to their classes :).
As I mentioned last week, we have a lot happening this month. Be sure to check the calendar below. Also, with the end of the quarter approaching, continue to check in with your student to ensure they are caught up in all their classes, and if they need extra support they can see specific teachers during Learning Seminar, or after school. Please reach out to your student’s teacher if you have any questions.
Lastly, the PTA meeting will be next week on Tuesday, 1/10 via Zoom. Please note the time has changed to 6 PM because Marshall is hosting an IB Night on the same day at 7:30 PM. The PTA will send the link out early next week.
Sincerely,
Steven McFarlane
Principal
|
Pictures of the Week
Tech Theatre has been studying costuming! After learning about what clothing says about the people who wear them and doing research on a specific time era, students brought in recycled materials to create their own costumes for the play “The Big Break”. Students have been using cardboard, newspaper, and any other “recycled” materials that they brought from home.
  
End of 2nd Quarter - January 25, 2023
Students are encouraged to access SIS StudentVue to monitor their quarter progress and to work with their teachers if they have outstanding assignments or assessments to complete. The first day of the 3rd Quarter is Monday, January 30. At that time, students will begin their second semester electives or continue with their year long electives.
Marshall HS IB Information Nights
Marshall High School will host two IB information nights in January. The first one will be held at Marshall on Tuesday, January 10 at 7:30 pm in the auditorium. The second IB information Night will be held at Kilmer Middle School on Wednesday, January 18 at 5:00 pm in the cafeteria. Presentations will include an overview of the IB program and the prerequisite courses required for an IB diploma. Seventh and eighth grade families are encouraged to attend. For additional questions, contact the IB coordinators at marshallibcoordinators@fcps.edu.
Rising 9th Grade Students - SAVE THE DATE
- Marshall High School Curriculum Night; Tuesday, February 7, 2023 (Snow Date: Feb. 9); 6:00 – 8:00 PM
- Madison High School Freshman Curriculum Night; Thursday, January 12, 2023; 6:00 - 7:00 PM, Madison Auditorium
SEL Screener Results
SEL screener results from the fall window were mailed to families this week. Information to help you understand the report and a resource for conversations with your student are available in eight languages here: SEL Screener Report and Guide. Kilmer and all FCPS schools have school-based mental health staff who can support your child. Please contact your child’s school counselor, our school social worker, or school psychologist if you have questions about the screener. For more information about Social Emotional Learning check out the SEL in FCPS Website
If at any time you have concerns about your student's safety and/or believe that they are in crisis, immediate support is available. Please use the emergency resources below.
Mental Health and Emergency Services Information
- Call 911 in case of a life threatening emergency; TTY dial 711
-
CrisisLink Regional Hotline: 703-527-4077 CrisisLink is a hotline for individuals in crisis or family/friends seeking guidance for how to help a loved one.
- Crisis Text: Text NEEDHELP to 85511
Health and Physical Education FLE
Instruction of the Human Growth and Development unit (gender separate) will take place on January 30th and 31st during HPE class. Instruction of the Emotional and Social Health unit will take place during regular health class during the 3rd quarter.
If you choose to opt your student out of any or all of these lessons, please fill out the opt out form for your student’s grade level and have your student return the form to Ms. Wood in student services. FLE opt out forms
To view the lessons in both FLE units please login to schoology and click on the All-Parent page. On that page there is a folder called Parent Preview - FLE Instruction with the FLE lessons.
If you have any questions, please contact your student’s HPE teacher.
FCPS CARES
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Kilmer Middle School.
Cross Town Hoops Tryouts
Cross Town Hoops is back, and Kilmer PTA is hosting the event on Wednesday, March 15 at Marshall High School at 6PM! Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the event. Please note that if your child would like to try out for the Cross-Town Hoops basketball team, tryouts will be held after school:
- 7th Grade Girls: Monday January 9 (1st block)
- 8th Grade Girls: Monday January 9 (2nd block)
- 7th Grade Boys: Tuesday January 10 (both blocks)
- 8th Grade Boys: Wednesday January 11 (both blocks)
Students must sign up through the “All Student” Schoology Page. Questions about Cross Town Hoops? Email angiegutenson@gmail.com.
Prayer
If your student would like a dedicated space to pray, please have them contact their counselor. Counselors will provide a pass for your student to access the Group Instruction Room during recess (12:30-12:45 PM) to pray. According to Fairfax County Public Schools’ guidelines, students can pray during non-instructional times and not during class time unless “not excusing the student would result in a substantial burden on the student’s religious exercise”. Students participating in prayer will be supervised during this time.
Student Bus Pass Program
Did you know that all FCPS Middle and High School students can sign-up for a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE bus for free? Students will need to have a parent’s/guardian’s approval for signing up and can pick up a permission form in Kilmer’s Student Services office (translations available). More information about the program, including the permission form, can be found here.
|
