|
To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.
.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى
Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
in this issue:
Visit the KJMS Facebook and Instagram to see more pictures and videos.
KJMS Event Calendar
-
September 8 - Picture Day (during PE class) (ODD Day)
- Hearing and Vision Screening
-
September 11 - Commemoration/Patriot Day
-
September 15 - Parent Coffee - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Library
- All are welcome, the presentation will be in Spanish. Questions asked in English will be answered.
-
September 17 - Fairfax Corner - 2023 AJ 5K Run/Walk
- Fun Run @ 8 AM
- 5K Run @ 8:30 AM
-
September 18 - After School Programs Begin
-
September 25 - Yom Kippur (no school)
-
September 25 - Oktoberfest - Mott Community Center
- Free Event - 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
-
September 27 - Back to School (in-person) - 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM
-
September 29 - Parent Coffee - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Library
- All are welcome; the presentation will be in Arabic. Questions asked in English will be answered.
-
September 30 - Instrument Petting Zoo - 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Door 10)
Hello, Eagle Families,
Usually, our first September NYC is full of wishes for a cool fall. However, the summer is hanging on in Virginia. We hope your Labor Day weekend was enjoyable, and that you were able to spend time with family and friends. This week, the students did a great job with picture day and vision screening the past two days. If your child missed picture day, no worries! There will be a make-up day on October 26 and 27. This also includes re-takes if you are not satisfied with the images you receive from this week.
|
You should have received information about the beginning of our after-school programs from Mr. Dejo. We are excited to begin to offer a variety of activities for all of our students. Next week, we will share the after-school tutoring dates for all of our staff as this will not begin until the week of September 18.
Attendance matters at KJMS and in the Fairfax Pyramid! Did you know that even if a child has an excused absence that this still counts toward the child’s annual attendance rate? If a child misses more than 10% of the school year, that will be considered chronically absent. So, since we have been in school for 13 days, if a child has missed two days or more, then they are considered chronically absent at this time. Now, we do want our students to stay home if they are ill, running a fever, have a stomach virus, etc. However, let’s encourage them to push through things like seasonal allergies if at all possible. Those days can add up quickly. Let us know if there is a wellness or mental health issue that is causing your child apprehension about coming to school. Our counselors, social worker, psychologist, and family liaisons are here to help.
On Monday, September 11, we will have a Teacher Advisory lesson on the events of September 11, 2001. The history and social studies teachers will go into more detail in their classes during the month of September. Please consider sharing your personal experiences of that memorable day with your students so they have an opportunity to talk about this at home.
Thank you for all you do!
Sincerely,
Tammy Silipigni,
Principal
During the first weeks of the year, caregivers receive many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:
The Health Information Form (HIF) (SS/SE-71) and the Emergency Care Information form (SS/SE-3) provide valuable information regarding student health conditions. These forms are critical in the early identification of students who may need healthcare support in the educational environment. Along with the development of Healthcare Plans (HCP) and Action Plans, the Public Health Nurses (PHNs) utilize the information contained in the HIF to develop teaching strategies for FCPS staff in order to meet the requirements of Regulation 2104 Health Services-School Health-Related Needs.
For SY23-24, these forms will be required for all students. Enrolling parents/guardians who have a SIS ParentVUE account may submit them electronically by using the Online Verification/Update packet.
For families without SIS ParentVue accounts, forms can be located in the Back to School packets and on the General Registration Forms page.
-
Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
-
Student Rights and Responsibilities: This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. See more detailed information below.
-
Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out Booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on:
- Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
- Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
- Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
- Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor.com.
- The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.
A BIG shout out and THANK YOU to all of our wonderful parent (and Grandparent) volunteers as well as the PE department who helped facilitate picture day and the hearing and vision screening for our students. It was a HUGE success due to the assistance of these volunteers, Health Department Public Health Nurses (PHN) as well as our very own wonderful clinic aide, Ms. Johnson and our School Public Health Nurse Assistant Manager, Ms. Wendland-Budzyn, RN. They were able to screen over 900 of students. Thank you again!!
|
Katherine Johnson Families, please consider stocking snacks and drinks for our amazing staff. One way to contribute is by using our KJMS Amazon Wishlist. Our Amazon Wishlist is quick, easy, and set-up for the items to be delivered directly to the school. As a reminder, you are always welcome to bring other items (prepackaged snacks, waters, etc.) to the Main Office as donations. We thank you in advance for your generosity and partnership.
If you have any questions please reach out to Kara Payne at 703-934-2401.
|
On November 9, 2023 Katherine Johnson will host the World Language Credit Exam. The exam is designed to assess students’ native language proficiency and enable them to earn one to three credits toward fulfilling the world languages requirement for the Advanced Studies Diploma, see more information on the credit exam website. The registration window opened this week and closes on Thursday, October 5, at 4 p.m. for more information about the exam and the registration process, your student should speak with their school counselor.
Looking for a flexible and part-time position at Katherine Johnson Middle School? FCPS is hiring AVID tutors for the 2023-2024 school year. AVID tutors work with small groups of approximately 5-7 students during the school day in an academic elective class called Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). These groups use questioning strategies to help students develop a variety of college preparatory skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. Tutors earn $18.97 per hour and should either be a college graduate or currently enrolled in college. If interested, please email your resume to Lisa Shields at lbshields@fcps.edu or AVID@fcps.edu.
Celebrate Germany’s annual festival with food, soft drinks, music, games, and fun in a family-friend environment open to everyone in our community at the Mott Community Center on Monday, September 25, 2023, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.!
We welcome a special music performance by The Alte Kameraden, the German band of the City of Fairfax Band. Since its founding in 1977 under the leadership of the band’s first Kapellmeister Samuel Laudenslager, the “Old Comrades” have introduced American audiences to the lush, spirited festmusik played by Bavarian bands. The ensemble is an authentic Blaskapelle wind band that performs the music played by alpine village bands.
This event is completely free
|
Students are invited to participate in STEM FEST on Saturday, October 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South County High School. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in robotics demonstrations, coding experiments, and more. High school students are invited to volunteer. Visit the STEAMOLOGY website for more information.
As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during long breaks from school.
Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits.
KJMS Attendance Procedures webpage.
All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional and parents/caregivers can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.
Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
|
8th grade students interested in applying for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ):
October 2nd during TA – There will be a student interest meeting for any 8th grade students interested in learning about the TJ application process.
There is a video presentation for families available on the TJ admissions website at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.
There is also detailed information to read on the TJ Freshman admissions page, including the eligibility requirements to apply to TJ, here: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-admissions/tjhsst-freshman
Le gustaría conocer a los consejeros de su hijo/a o saber más sobre Katherine Johnson? Le invitamos al Café para Padres que ofreceremos el viernes 15 de septiembre de 9:30-11:00 a.m. en la biblioteca de KJMS. Favor confirmar su asistencia con anticipación en el siguiente enlace o llamando al 703-934-2454 a la Sra. Choi o Sra. Maxey:
Would you like to meet your child's counselors or learn more about Katherine Johnson Middle School (KJMS)? We invite you to the parent coffee that we will offered on Friday, September 15 from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM in the library. Please RSVP in advance using the link below or by calling one of our parent liaison, Ms. Choi, or Ms. Maxey at 703-934-2454.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1m8vaZHKfK3pdbHOpc_z-ws0eyFdeGD3WKnH6_vXZ1TU/viewform?edit_requested=true
Would you be interested in future technology classes? If so, please contact our parent liaisons, Ms. Choi or Mrs. Maxey at jchoi4@fcps.edu or ajmaxey@fcps.edu to express your interest.
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fairfax FiestaFairfax County's inaugural Hispanic Heritage Celebration, the Fairfax Fiesta, is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 23, from noon to 5 p.m., at the PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike). The free event, presented by the Fairfax County Government and Celebrate Fairfax!, aims to provide an extraordinary experience for all ages and backgrounds. Learn more about Fairfax Fiesta.
September 11 National Day of Service
With the upcoming 22nd anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.
Get started this fall with two great opportunities: Public Lands Day (September 23) and Volunteer Fairfax’s VolunteerFest (October 21). Information on service projects can be found on the Volunteer Fairfax website.
Want to make a difference in the life of a child? Fairfax County Public Schools is looking for enthusiastic, engaged, and dedicated substitute teachers.
Substitutes help our students thrive when their teacher must be out of the classroom and are essential members of every school’s team. More information about the application process and requirements is available online.
2023-24 Health and Safety Guidance for Schools
Although the COVID-19 hospital transmission level (previously the COVID-19 Community Transmission level) for Fairfax County is currently low, COVID-19 cases have risen in Virginia during the last few weeks, and flu season will soon be upon us. Be sure to review FCPS Health and Safety Guidance for the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and to find out when students should stay home from school.
If you need to contact one of our parent liaisons, Ana Maxey (Mon.,Thur., Fri.) or Jennie Choi (Tues. & Wed.), please call 703-934-2454 and leave a message with your name, your student's name and phone number. You may also contact them via email: Ana Maxey at ajmaxey@fcps.edu or Jennie Choi at jchoi4@fcps.edu
Parent Resource Center Is Now the Family Resource Center
FCPS’ Parent Resource Center has changed its name to the Family Resource Center (FRC), as a way to acknowledge and support the broad diversity of families in our community. The FRC continues to offer a wide range of essential resources and education for caregivers and students including:
Families can find printable resource guides and details about the center’s free lending library on FRC’s homepage. They may also sign up to receive the FRC newsletter for updates on webinars, resources, and other information. If you have questions, please contact the FRC via email at frc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Immunization Reminder
- Free Tutoring Resources
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
 |
|
| |
Do you want to celebrate a Katherine Johnson employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way, or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.
|
|
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
|
