Important Dates
September 25: Student Holiday - Yom Kippur - No School
September 28: Testing - Math Virginia Growth Assessment/Math Inventory for Algebra Students
September:
Let's all be kind to one another.
Principal's Corner
Greetings Key Families,
This week, our students participated in our first lockdown drill of the year and took the Virginia Growth Assessment. Both of these events are major milestones for a successful school year. The lockdown drill, along with other safety drills we routinely practice, helps students and staff practice procedures in the event of emergencies. The Virginia Growth Assessment provides our staff with information about individual student’s strengths and areas for growth in reading and math. This allows teachers to better focus their efforts so they can meet the unique needs of each student they teach to maximize potential. I am very proud of our students for the respect and integrity they demonstrated during both of these events. Please take some time this weekend to chat with your student about both of these milestones.
I also want to remind everyone that there is no school on Monday, September 25th. The Jewish high holiday Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Sunday, September 24th and extends through September 25th. In observance of this holiday, all FCPS schools and offices are closed Monday. For all those in the Key MS community who observe Yom Kippur, we wish you an easy fast.
Sincerely,
Drew Campbell
Principal | Key Middle School
703-303-3900
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Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Presentation
Key MS Families,
Eligible 8th grade students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and interested 7th grade families are encouraged to join us on September 28th at 6pm at Key Middle School for a presentation by the TJHSST admissions staff. For information on your 8th grade students eligibility status, please visit the TJHSST admissions website at www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions. . On this website, you are encouraged to watch the 30 minute video with detailed information before you attend the in person presentation.
For eligible 8th grade students that are interested in applying for admission, the application opens on October 23rd.
If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Corcoran at smcorcoran@fcps.edu or Laura Migdal at lamigdal@fcps.edu.
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Key MS Cross Country Meet
Our first Key Middle School Cross Country meet is coming up on September 30th. It will be at Holmes Middle School and the first race begins at 8:30 AM. Come out and support the team
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FOOD FOR NEIGHBORS
Would you like to help students in our area receive the healthy food they need to succeed in school? We’re partnering with Food For Neighbors to stock the food pantry in our school and supply supplemental weekend food to our students who struggle with food insecurity outside of school hours.
FFN is looking for Red Bag Donors to donate food 5 times per school year, volunteers to drive and pick-up the food and sorters to help organize and pack the food on event days. It only takes a few minutes to sign up and can make a huge difference in the lives of local teens! Visit the website at www.foodforneighbors.org/get-involved to donate food and volunteer. Thanks for your support!
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Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents/guardians can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, reach out to the school at (703)313-3900 and they will connect you with your students School Counselor.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent/guardian.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session. If your student is ill, be sure to call the attendance line at (703)313-3939 or complete the attendance form at Keymiddle.attendance@fcps.edu.
NOTIFICATION OF TESTING
Math Inventory, Reading Inventory, Virginia Growth Assessment
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Below is information about the Math Inventory, Reading Inventory, and Virginia Growth Assessments. In order to minimize the impact on class time, Key has scheduled the fall VGA assessments to take place during fourth period Learning Seminars. Your support in ensuring your student is in attendance on those days will mean they won’t have to be scheduled to make up the assessment at another time.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) uses the Math Inventory and Reading Inventory with secondary students in grades 7-12 to determine students’ strengths and needs in mathematics and literacy. All students in middle school and selected students in high school participate in these assessments.
The purpose of these assessments is to identify students who may benefit from additional support with literacy and mathematics skills. In addition, school teams will consider assessment results as they plan instruction for your student. Assessments are administered at the beginning of the school year. Depending on grade level and initial performance, students may participate in follow-up assessment in the winter and/or in the spring.
Additional information about these assessments can be found at the following webpages:
If you have further questions about these assessments, please contact your student’s English or mathematics teacher.
State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:
- Fall and winter Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) standardized tests in reading and mathematics. More information is available on the VGA webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43932);
- Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021);
- Ongoing local alternative assessments (LAAs) including performance-based assessments (PBAs) completed as part of classroom instruction in science, writing, and social studies; More information is available on the LAA and PBA webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/45043).
The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). If you have questions about state assessments, please contact your student’s teacher or Key’s Testing Coordinator, Danielle Danz.
College Fair
College Fair and Look to the Future Events
The 2023 College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. Approximately 250 colleges and universities will be represented, including two and four-year colleges and US Service Academies. Following the fair, the Two-Night Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held on Monday, October 16 and Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.
Middle school students (a parent or guardian must attend with them) can register this event at this link. Both events will help your student and family be better prepared for the next chapter of your child’s educational journey!
2023 College Fair Flyer - English
2023 College Fair Flyer - Arabic
2023 College Fair Flyer-Chinese
2023 College Fair Flyer-Korean
2023 College Fair Flyer- Spanish
2023 College Fair Flyer- Urdu
2023 College Fair Flyer- Vietnamese
2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities
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.
2023 Derechos y Responsabilidades de los EstudiantesEl folleto de Derechos y Responsabilidades del Estudiante (SR&R) de FCPS explica las expectativas para el comportamiento del estudiante y las respuestas de los adultos para mejorar la seguridad escolar y crear un ambiente escolar justo, equitativo y de apoyo. A fines de Junio, la Junta Escolar aprobó cambios al SR&R para el año escolar 2023-24. Las actualizaciones incluyen una revisión del código de vestimenta. Las actualizaciones incluyen una revisión de las expectativas del código de vestimenta, las expectativas del espectador para los estudiantes que presencian comportamientos dañinos o inseguros, la intimidación y las respuestas al abuso de sustancias. Lea la carta de la Superintendente Dra. Michelle Reid a las familias sobre el SR&R.
Los padres/cuidadores deben hablar con sus hijos sobre las expectativas para este año escolar. También, por favor ingrese á SIS ParentVUE y firme para confirmar su revisión del SR&R, o firme y devuelva la hoja de firma que se encuentran en la página 3 del folleto de SR&R a la escuela de su hijo antes del Viernes, 2 de Septiembre.
2023 학생의 권리와 의무학생의 권리와 의무 (SR&R)는 학교 안전을 강화하고 공정하고 공평하며 지원하는 학교 환경을 조성하기 위해 학생의 행동과 성인의 대응에 대한 준수 사항을 설명합니다. 6월 말, 교육위원회는 2023-24학년도의 SR&R변경을 승인했습니다. 업데이트안에는 복장 규정의 개정, 유해하거나 안전하지 않은 행동을 목격한 학생에 대한 방관자 기준, 괴롭힘 및 약물 남용 대응이 포함되어 있습니다. Dr. Michelle Reid 교육감의 서신을 읽어보세요.
학부모/보호자는 이번 학년도에 대한 모든 준수 사항에 대해 자녀(들)와 이야기해야 합니다. 또한 학생 정보 시스템인 SIS ParentVUE에 로그인하여 이 문서의 검토를 인정하는 서명을 하거나 9월 29일(금)까지 해당 문서에 서명하고 학교에 제출해야 합니다. *한국어 번역판 SR&R: 페이지 3쪽을 프린트 및 서명하신 뒤 학교에 제출해 주시기 바랍니다.
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