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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
We had a great week returning from Spring Break as we finished the 3rd quarter. Teachers spent today finalizing grades and preparing for the 4th quarter.
The pace of the 4th quarter can feel frenetic for staff, students, and families. Usually as the weather warms up, commitments pick up, as well as the energy. As I shared with the staff this week, the last quarter is a busy time of year. What’s important is that we continue to hold students to high expectations both academically and behaviorally, while also providing support. As adults (both at home and at school) it’s imperative that we provide the guardrails for students. As students begin to bump up against those guardrails, we guide them back in by reminding them what the expectations are, and inviting them into the conversation so they are able to reflect and adjust as necessary. The thing we must keep in mind is that not all students learn at the same pace (in all facets: academically, socially, behaviorally) and there are times where we as adults have to be more hands on, while at other times we can be more hands off and watch from afar. The partnership between school and home is vital in helping students (and adults) navigate middle school.
Lastly, this coming week the SCA sponsored 7th grade dance will take place after school on Thursday, April 20th from 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM. Tickets are $2 and will be sold during all lunches on Thursday, April 20th. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase during the dance. This year’s theme is NEON. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing to school that they can dance in, and the more neon the better!
As always, reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Steven McFarlane
Principal
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Students on the Pegasus Team participated in a cross curricular team project. Using a modified version of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs fairytale, students investigated a crime scene in their science class, learned about the judicial process in their civics class and ultimately wrote a persuasive argument in their English class. This project culminated with a Celebration of Learning where students had the opportunity to hear from community members who work within the judicial system. Students engaged in Q&A sessions with a US Federal Marshall, local defense attorney and an attorney from the Civil Rights Department of the US Department of Justice. Following the Q&A students presented their closing arguments to their peers.
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. Tickets are $2 and will be sold during all lunches on Thursday April 20th. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase during the dance. This year’s theme is NEON. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing to school that they can dance in, the more neon the better. Please email Kristen Mattix (kmattix1@fcps.edu) and Emma Spracklin (ecaulestia@fcps.edu) with any questions.
3rd Quarter Final Grades
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.
National Junior Honor Society Gallery Walk and Induction Ceremony April 27
The National Junior Honor Society will host a Service Learning Gallery Walk on April 27 for Kilmer families, community members and students. This exciting evening will showcase nearly 180 NJHS candidates and their service learning projects. Student groups have worked diligently and with compassion to better their community. Join us for this event to celebrate the dozens of service projects completed this year.
The Service Learning Gallery Walk will be at Kilmer Middle School from 5:00 - 6:00. The NJHS Induction Ceremony will be in the Kilmer MS Main Gym from 6:20 - 7:30.
Cougars are making a difference in their community!
SOL Testing Information 2022-2023
The spring SOL testing calendar can be found below. Details about testing days and changes to the bell schedule will be communicated regularly to students ahead of the testing window. Students will receive information about testing dates, times, and locations in their fcpsschool.net email account. All testing will begin at 7:30 am on the days listed below. It is important that students come to school on time on these testing days. If a student is absent on their testing day, makeup tests can occur throughout the testing window.
- Once all tests are complete, there is a retake window for eligible students. Communication with parents of eligible students will happen at a later date. Parent permission is required for a student to retake.
- Retakes (if eligible): Wednesday, 5/31-Friday, 6/2
If you have not done so already, please fill out the SOL retake form linked below and return it to the school testing coordinator, Marileigh Blake at mlblake@fcps.edu, by Monday, May 1st, 2023
SOL Retake Form: English Arabic Chinese Korean Spanish Urdu Vietnamese
If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Kilmer’s school test coordinator, Marileigh Blake, at mlblake@fcps.edu or 703-846-8885.
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! Unfortunately there is no FCPS transportation over to Marshall. Transportation must be arranged by families.
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When: Every Tuesday starting April 11th until the end of the school year.
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Where: George C Marshall High School
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Location to meet: Door 5 behind the school across from the tennis courts. Drop off and pick up location.
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Time: 2:55 pm- 3:40 pm
Questions contact Coach Masten – george.masten@yahoo.com
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 the Student Rights and Responsibilities Document
FCPS is in the process of updating the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document for the 2023-24 School Year. The SR&R provides clear expectations for student behavior, responses to that behavior, and support that may be needed. Parents/caregivers, please check your email for a link from FCPS regarding a brief survey on proposed changes to the SR&R. The survey will close at 8 p.m., on Friday, April 21. All responses to the survey are anonymous. The information provided will be used to revise the SR&R document that is presented to the School Board for approval in June.
Medicaid Enrollment Underway
If you have Medicaid/FAMIS/CHIP health insurance, the Medicaid Enrollment Processes began in March.
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) (Virginia Medicaid) has started to review Medicaid members’ health coverage to determine whether members are eligible for coverage. DMAS will not cancel or reduce coverage for members without asking for updated information, but they need your help to make this a smooth process.
Make sure your current mailing address, email, and phone numbers are up-to-date so that important information about your coverage gets to you. Update your contact information today online at commonhelp.virginia.gov, or by calling Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 or your local Department of Social Services.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, contact Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 or your local Department of Social Services.
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.
Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl
Opioid overdoses are on the rise across the country, including in Fairfax County. Most fatal overdoses in Fairfax County in recent years involved fentanyl.
Last month, FCPS 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. FCPS principals and staff will share what is happening in our schools and update the work to prevent substance misuse and educate our students.
Transportation will be available from select schools throughout the county. Transportation information can be found once you begin the registration process.
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 get help for yourself or loved ones.
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.
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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