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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
On Tuesday evening we hosted our first in-person PTA meeting since the beginning of the pandemic. We were joined by several Kilmer teachers: Nikisha Kozik, Simone Turnbull, Kristen Mattix, Missie Farrace, Timmy Harris, Liz Hild, and Jacky Schnuda. During the meeting, the teacher panel shared their insights with families. The first question I asked the panel was, “Why did you choose to become a middle school educator?” and the responses were inspiring. It was powerful to hear the expertise, passion, and compassion Kilmer’s staff has for our students and our profession.
A reminder that Friday, 10/27 we’re hosting the PTA Fall Festival from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. This year we’re showing The Addams Family, and there will be food trucks, popcorn, and Kilmer merchandise for purchase. Because this is an event designed for our Kilmer Cougars, chaperones aren't required for Kilmer students attending the festival. However, if you would like for your elementary student or high school student to attend this event, we would appreciate it if you could please chaperone your student(s) for the evening. Also, please know that families are very much welcome (I’m bringing my own kids). If you would like to volunteer for this event, email Liz Powell Dadzie: eepowell@gmail.com.
Finally, we’re coming up on the end of the 1st quarter. Be sure you are reviewing SIS with your child to ensure they have everything turned in. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher(s).
I hope you have a relaxing weekend, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Steven McFarlane
Principal
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Note: At Kilmer, we have “Green Days ” and “Blue Days.” On “Green Days” students attend periods 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and on “Blue Days” students attend periods 2, 3, 4, 6, 8.
Upcoming Dates
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Friday, October 27 - PTA Fall Festival, 6:30-8:30 pm @ Kilmer. Come join us!
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November 3 - End of 1st Quarter; 2-hour Early Release
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November 6 - School Planning Day
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November 7 - Teacher Work Day
Congratulations to Zane Kolonda, 8th grade, for winning a Bronze Certificate for his poem entitled, “Democracy is…” Zane submitted his poem to FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY© Foundation Board, In My Own Words© poem, and answered the prompt, “What Does Democracy Mean to You?”
Democracy is…
Democracy
is a little boy waking up into a free country
is the Founding Fathers sitting in a room
is fighting for a greater good
is freedom for all, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity
is equality
is being alone and together at the same time
is breaking free from our captors
is July 4th
is the land of the free
is red, white, and blue
is history, the present and the future
is for me, for you and for anybody who wants it to be
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Students in Ms. Boate’s Science 8 class experimented with speed by adjusting the height of a ramp while timing how long it took for a tennis ball to travel various distances.
This past Tuesday evening at the PTA meeting we hosted a teacher panel centered around what families should know about having a 7th grader at Kilmer MS. A huge thank you to Nikisha Kozik, Simone Turnbull, Kristen Mattix, Missie Farrace, Timmy Harris, Liz Hild, and Jacky Schnuda!
PTA Fall Festival
The PTA Fall Festival from 6:30 - 8:30 pm on Friday, October 27. The PTA will be showing The Addams Family. There will be food trucks, popcorn, and Kilmer merchandise for purchase. Chaperones aren't required for Kilmer students attending the festival. However, if you would like for your elementary student or high school student to attend this event, please chaperone your student(s) for the evening. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend!
If you would like to volunteer for this event, email Liz Powell Dadzie:eepowell@gmail.com.
FCPS Honors - Nominations Open Soon
Nominations for the Outstanding Employee Awards open on November 1, 2023. To submit a nomination for a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through the KMS Outstanding Awards Nomination form. You may nominate one or multiple employees.
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The nomination form has more information regarding the criteria for each of the awards.
The deadline to submit a nomination is November 15, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Smith, Assistant Principal at mwsmith@fcps.edu.
Early Release Bell Schedule
We have our first early release on Friday, November 3, and have revised our bell schedule to include a grab ‘n go lunch at the end of the day. The last period has an extra 10 minutes to allow students buying lunch to be dismissed from class on a staggered basis to go to the cafeteria. They will then go directly to their buses or kiss-and-ride.
Federal Impact Aid Surveys- Please Complete
Each year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible to apply for federal Impact Aid grant funds. Impact Aid is a federal formula grant program designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally-connected students. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in unrestricted funds from the Impact Aid grant. These funds become part of the school system's general operating budget and are critical to maintaining high standards for educational excellence.
This year, FCPS is pleased to announce that the Federal Impact Aid Survey will be available electronically through your ParentVUE account. For families that do not have access to ParentVUE or prefer to complete a paper form, a printed form will be provided in November. A visual step-by-step guide to complete the survey is available here. We need your assistance in identifying students with federal connections to ensure that FCPS can obtain its fair share of funds from this program. Information provided will be treated confidentially. Additional information about the Federal Impact Aid Survey can be found on the U.S. Dept. of Education's website at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formulagrants/impact-aid-program/ or on the FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/impact. For questions, contact Jessica Rosas-Diego, jrosasdiego@fcps.edu.
Make-Up Photos
Make-up / Retake Photos will be taken on Friday, November 17 during Learning Seminar and lunch. More information will be provided prior to that date.
Spirit Week
Kilmer’s SCA, sponsored by Ms. Spracklin and Ms. Mattix, will have our first Spirit Week during the last week of the quarter. We look forward to seeing lots of spirit from our students and staff!
All spirit celebrations need to abide by the Student Rights and Responsibilities, including no masks, face paint or fake weapons.
Auditions for Legally Blonde JR
Auditions for Legally Blonde JR are approaching next month! In order to audition, students should pick up an audition packet in G103 as well as fill out the Google Form by using the QR Code on the flier. More information, including how to be involved with the musical backstage, can be found at www.kmsdrama.org.
After School Activities News/Updates
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. If you have any questions regarding our After School Program please reach out to Kim Kardelis (After School Specialist) at kckardelis@fcps.edu.
Student Portraits
School Pictures were taken in late September. Order photos online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028688#login. The code is your student’s ID number.
For questions about ordering please email underclass@vosphoto.com
Lightspeed Parent Report
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