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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
It’s hard to believe we are halfway through the school year! When students return to school on Monday it’s the official start of the 3rd quarter. Whereas, most schedules do not change, some students have semester electives that may change at this point of the year. We reminded all students on Wednesday that their schedules are already available to view in SIS Student Vue.
The past two days Kilmer staff has been participating in professional development with colleagues throughout the county, as well as here at Kilmer. We had to laugh because when students were dismissed on Wednesday they kept telling the adults, “Have a great long weekend.” Professional development days and teacher workdays play an important part in ensuring we are growing and learning as educators, and ultimately putting high quality tasks in front of students.
Lastly, as I’ve been previewing the past few weeks, we are starting the academic advising season for students. I will continue to include all the details in this newsletter, and if you or your student ever have any questions related to academic advising please reach to counselors.
I hope everyone has a great weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Steven McFarlane
Principal
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Pictures of the Week
 Students in Ms. Jones’ Science 8 class tested the difference an atom makes, specifically checking the effect on an ember between H2O (water) and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide).
Second Semester Schedules, 3rd Quarter begins Monday, Jan. 30
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. Schedules are visible in SIS StudentVUE and SIS ParentVue. If a student has a new second semester elective during sixth or seventh period, their lunch time may have changed. The lunch schedule by teacher is posted on Schoology for students to identify their new lunch time for second semester.
Second Quarter Report Cards
SIS ParentVue and SIS StudentVue Gradebook and Report Card Modules will be unavailable from Wednesday, January 25 at 4 pm until Monday, February 6 at 6 am in order for teachers to finalize first quarter grades. After Feb 6, 2nd Quarter Report cards will be visible in SIS StudentVue and ParentVue. A copy of your child’s report card will also be mailed home in mid February.
Scribbles Literary and Art Magazine
Please consider submitting art or written work to the yearbook’s Scribbles Literary and Art Magazine. Students can submit a variety of literary and visual pieces of work including, but not limited to: poems, short stories, lyrics, drawings, paintings, comics, digital art, photography, and more. All written work must be limited to 300 words or less. To submit work log into Schoology, click on the “All Students Course”, click on the “Student Activities” folder, open the “Scribbles Literary and Art Magazine” folder. Inside the folder you will find a link to a form where you can upload and submit your art and/or writing. Students can also drop off their submissions to Ms. Walsleben, in room A110 after Winter Break. Got questions? Message Ms. Walsleben through Schoology or email at kewalsleben@fcps.edu.
Course Registration Timeline for the 2023-2024 school year
Eighth Grade Students:
During the months of February and March, all students will participate in an academic advising session with their school counselor to finalize their course selections for the 2023-2024 school year.
- Students attending Marshall High School
The Marshall High School Rising 9th Grade Orientation is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2023 (Snow Date: Feb. 9) from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Marshall School Counselors will speak to all students attending Marshall on February 6 and 7. Each student will be assigned to one session during 4th or 5th period. More information will be shared leading up to these dates.
Marshall HS IB Information Night Presentation
Marshall HS Course Registration Resources
- Students attending Madison High School
Madison High School Course Registration Resources
Seventh Grade Students:
Seventh grade students will participate in a course registration lesson during Science class during the week of Feb 13 - 17. During the months of February and March, all students will participate in an academic advising session with their school counselor to finalize their course selections for the 2023-2024 school year. For more information please visit our course registration timelines and curriculum resources page on Kilmer website.
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.
A few highlights:
- NO Intramural Sports:
- Tuesdays *Crosstown Hoops Practice
- NO AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES or LATE BUS TRANSPORTATION: 1/31
Fairfax County Institute for the Arts
Each summer, Fairfax County Institute for the Arts (IFTA) provides classes and enrichment for students in middle through high school at Lake Braddock Secondary School. There is transportation available from select high schools outside of the Lake Braddock Pyramid - transportation details will be released as the dates for IFTA approach.
Courses being offered this summer range from cake decorating, to music classes such as "Movie themes for band and strings," to stone carving, to ceramics, to digital art and graphic design, and more!
IFTA is also offering 9th grade Health and PE this summer! If you are wondering how you can fit in extra electives next year when you enter high school, this is a GREAT option to take care of your Health and PE requirement over the summer, while also participating in some awesome, fun classes of your choice! (Note: Health and PE 9 is also offered through online summer school - there is a fee involved.)
February 1st is the start of IFTA enrollment. Here is the IFTA website for more information: Fairfax County Institute for the Arts
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to give current K-6 students an opportunity to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Visit the TAC webpage for more information.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 7-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Visit the CSA website for more information and registration.
Staffing Update - Special Education Department Chair
Shannon Johnson, our current Special Education Department Chair, was promoted to a multi-agency specialist at Central Office. This is bittersweet because we will miss Ms. Johnson’s expertise, and this is an exciting promotion for her and her career.
Moving forward, Renee Cartwright and Maura McWilliams will be serving as co-department chairs for the remainder of the school year. Both Ms. Cartwright and Ms. McWilliams are current special education teachers at Kilmer. Specifically, Ms. Cartwright will be fulfilling the role on green/odd days and Ms. McWilliams on blue/even days. Ms. Cartwright will primarily support 7th grade and Ms. McWilliams will primarily support 8th grade student meetings.
Although Ms. Johnson’s last full day at Kilmer was last Friday, January 13, she will work a hybrid schedule between Kilmer and her new position for the remainder of the 2nd quarter. Ms. Cartwright and Ms. McWilliams have been working closely with Ms. Johnson and Mr. Musgnug (assistant principal), and will continue to do so.
Yearbooks!
The year will be over in the blink of an eye, so buy your yearbook now before it's too late. A yearbook is one of the most important books that you will ever have, buy yours now since they are running out.
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