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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
As we head into break I thought I’d share two phrases that I regularly say to middle school kids, in case you want to bring up these ideas and discuss them with your own children.
The first one is, “time and place.” So much of what middle schoolers do (or don’t do) shouldn’t end up with a conversation about their actions being “right or wrong,” but rather is that the proper time and place for that action to occur? For example, when two kids are walking down the hall during transitions and start to playfully push each other I immediately pull them aside and say, “I get it, you’re buddies, but is this the proper time and place to do that?” I then ask them to look around. Almost always, students will have a brief conversation with me, understand that they need to be mindful of where they are at, and what they are doing, and how in the example above it’s not safe for them or other students in the hall, and then go on their way.
The second thing I often talk to students about is their impact. So much of middle school is recognizing the impact our words and actions have on other people. Whether it’s in class, at home, playing a sport, or anywhere else our students go, everything they do impacts adults and their peers. A sign of their maturity is when students can begin to articulate the impact of their actions on other people.
Lastly, I hope everyone has an enjoyable Spring Break. I’m headed down to Williamsburg with my family and we plan on spending a few days at the historical sites, as well as a day at Busch Gardens. I look forward to this time because usually the weather is warmer, it’s a great time to relax and recharge, and I come back ready to finish the year strong. I trust the same is true for you and your family. A reminder that Kilmer’s office is closed during Spring Break.
As always, reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Steven McFarlane
Principal
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Pictures of the Week
Students in Mr. Custis’ 7th grade history class practice their creative and critical thinking skills by writing Amazon reviews for FDR’s New Deal programs.
Spring Break Information
School offices will be closed during Spring Break. We will reopen on Monday, April 10 at 7am.
If you know your student will be absent prior to Spring Break, please leave a message on the Attendance line at 703-846-8888 at the start of the week to ensure accurate recording of attendance.
3rd Quarter ends Thursday, April 13
SIS ParentVue and SIS StudentVue Gradebook and Report Card Modules will be unavailable Thursday, April 13 at 4:00 pm until Tuesday, April 25 at 6 am in order for teachers to finalize third quarter grades. After April 25, 3rd quarter report cards will be visible in SIS StudentVue and ParentVue. A copy of your child’s report card will also be mailed home at the end of April.
Learning Seminar and Advisory Schedule Changes - Monday, April 17
Throughout the year students may be assigned to a new learning seminar or advisory class. On Monday, April 17 the first day of the 4th quarter, a number of students will have a schedule change to their advisory and/or learning seminar class. Students with a change, will receive a new schedule the morning of April 17 prior to learning seminar. Students can also check their schedule in SIS StudentVue to see if their learning seminar and/or advisory class has changed.
If your child notices a new course in schoology prior to April 17, please remind students the change does not take place until the first day of 4th quarter. Students should follow their current schedule the week after spring break (April 10-14). If you have questions, please email your school counselor.
Marshall HS Freshman Football
Attention all Kilmer 7th and 8th graders. After school strength program run by a master strength coach! COME TRAIN FOR FREE!
When: Every Tuesday starting April 11th until the end of the school year.
Where: George C Marshall High School
Location to meet: Door 5 behind the school across from the tennis courts. Drop off and pick up location.
Time: 2:55 pm- 3:40 pm
Questions contact Coach Masten – george.masten@yahoo.com
7th Grade After School Dance
This year’s SCA sponsored 7th Grade Dance will take place after school on Thursday April 20th during 1st and 2nd block from 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM. Late bus transportation will be available. More information about tickets, concessions, and theme will be shared after Spring Break. Please save the date and email Kristen Mattix (kmattix1@fcps.edu) and Emma Spracklin (ecaulestia@fcps.edu) with any questions.
8th Grade Semiformal Dance
Save the date for the SCA sponsored 8th Grade Semi-Formal. The dance will be Friday June 9 from 6-8 PM at Kilmer. More details will be shared in May.
Proposed Updates to Student Rights and Responsibilities
The Department of Special Services will host a virtual meeting for the FCPS community regarding proposed updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) regulation on Monday, April 10, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Participants will have an opportunity to learn about the suggested updates and ask questions via Zoom Chat. Language interpretation will be available in Spanish. A certified deaf interpreter will be available as well. Please register online.
Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl
Last month, the division hosted a conversation on the dangers of fentanyl. During this impactful event, audience members heard testimonials from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic and learned facts from medical experts and law enforcement representatives.
The conversation will continue on Monday, April 24, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Woodson High School. Transportation will be available from select schools throughout the county. View the registration page for details.
Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for more information. Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and how to get help for yourself or loved ones.
Vienna Community Center Parent Discussion: “Talk. They Hear You.”
Tuesday, April 18 from 7 – 8 p.m. in the Vienna Community Center Basement (Club Phoenix Teen Center). This parent discussion is offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA is presenting a national substance use prevention campaign called, “Talk. They Hear You.” This campaign is to inform and encourage parents, guardians, caregivers, educators, and community members to get informed, be prepared, and take action against underaged drinking and substance misuse. Vienna Community Center Event Info
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.
Kilmer’s Spring Pictures Now Online
Spring portraits are now available to view and order online. All orders will include free shipping for the next two weeks. Access your photos at vosphoto.com/uc and use your student’s ID as the code.
Fasting During Ramadan
For students who are fasting during Ramadan we have set up chairs in H hall during all lunches as an indoor option should they not want to be around food. Also, weather permitting, all students have an option to go outside during their lunch.
Course Registration for 2023-2024
Academic Advising for seventh and eighth grade students is now complete. To see the list of courses your child selected for the 2023-2024 school year, please log in to your SIS ParentVUE account and click on the Course Requests tab. Directions for viewing course requests online through ParentVUE are here: Online Course Requests in ParentVue. This list of courses is NOT a schedule, but a confirmation of the courses entered into the student information system.
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Seventh Grade Students: Parents can request to change a course or report an error by contacting their child’s school counselor. All requests must be submitted by email no later than Friday, June 2. Schedule changes will not be accommodated at the start of the school year.
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Eighth Grade Students: Kilmer can no longer assist with changes to high school courses. Please contact the office of student services at the high school your child is attending if you have questions about the courses listed in ParentVue.
Tutor.com - Extra Help for Students at No Cost to Families
With Tutor.com through Schoology, FCPS students are able to get learning help at any time, even from bilingual tutors! Students in FCPS meet with tutors thousands of times each week to practice reading, prepare for an upcoming math test, write computer programs, study for the SAT, or to get feedback on scholarship essays–all at no cost to their families! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take just a few minutes to connect with a tutor with your child. More info about Tutor.com in FCPS is available here.
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