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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
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January 26 - Teacher Workday - No School for Students
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January 29 - 3rd Quarter Begins - It will be an EVEN Day (pd. 2,4,6,8)
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February 6-9 - KJMS PTA will be selling Candy Grams
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February 8 - Virtual PTA Meeting (Zoom Link); 6:30 PM
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February 19 - Presidents' Day Holiday - No School
Dear KJMS Families,
What a crazy weather we had last week and today, a week later, it is like a breezy summer day! Thank you for getting our Eagles to school even when things have been a little off schedule. Attendance is a cornerstone to student achievement. We are so proud of the Eagles who arrive ready to learn and interact positively each day.
Speaking of attendance, did you know that checking your child’s attendance and tardies in ParentVue is simple? The menu tabs on the left side of the screen will have an attendance tab. In this view, you can see how many days your child has been absent or tardy to their classes. Hovering over the bars on the bottom right will give you information about how many absences and tardies your child has along with if they are excused or unexcused.
Unexcused tardies mean that your child has been late to that class without a pass from another teacher or administrator. These unexcused tardies are usually from spending too much time socializing in the hallways in-between classes or not using the most direct route to get to class. We encourage kids each day to get to class on time so they are ready to learn. You can also see how much instructional time your child has missed due to absences. Research shows that absenteeism negatively impacts their grades and their general disposition to school now and in the future.
We want to make sure our students are in class, learning every day. With your help, we can ensure that our students have the best opportunities for their future. If you need help getting into ParentVue, you can email aholmes@fcps.edu or kfowens@fcps.edu. We hope this graphic below helps you help us encourage good attendance and getting to class on time.
 Thank you,
Dr. Silipigni, Principal
Semester 2 classes will be visible in SIS 4p Friday. Please check your schedule before Monday to see if there have been updates. Changes cannot be made. If you see an error (i.e., missing a period or no PE class), contact your counselor. KJMS Counselors
Throughout the month of February, rising 7th and 8th grade students are discussing course selection for next year with their school counselors. Parents/caregivers should discuss this process with their children to ensure students select courses that align with their interests, career goals, and postsecondary aspirations.
As they choose courses, students should also consider their personal well-being, as well as extracurricular activities and commitments. School-life balance is an important consideration. Parents/caregivers are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
8th grader can review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to help make informed decisions for high school and beyond. Refer to the KJMS Course Selection page for course catalog and advising information.
January 18, 2024
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Last week we had two long time staff members retire. Ms. Elodia Umana has been with KJMS since 2008 as one of our wonderful night custodians and Angela Wong, who has been at KJMS since 2005 as our Food Service Manager. Best wishes to both of them and we will miss them tremendously. Here are a few pictures celebrating them. |
National Counseling Week is just around the corner, from February 5 to 9, and it is the perfect time to celebrate the superheroes of our school community: our amazing counselors! This week helps highlight the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career. School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.
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Our amazing counselors are:
Mr. Barnes, Ms. Oeur, Ms. Ranallo, and Ms. Williamson
Kathryn Teague, Director, Student Services
Give a shout out to your school counselors. It would mean the world to them.
- Take a moment to write a thank you note. Share specific ways your counselor has helped you or your child, and how their guidance has made a positive difference.
- Get creative! Draw a picture or write a poem expressing your gratitude.
- Spread the word! Encourage your classmates, friends, and family to join in and show their appreciation for our school counselors.
Let us shower our counselors with the appreciation they deserve!
Below is a list of our counselors and their teams:
Katherine Johnson Middle School's eighth grader, Ananya Aiyer and her robotics team, The Gear Shifters (including a student from Rocky Run Middle School and a student from NcNair Upper Elementary School), will be heading to Sydney, Australia in July 2024 as one of the FIRST Lego League (FLL) robotics teams representing United States at the FLL Asia Pacific Open Champ (APOC). The Gear Shifters clinched first place in the overall championship out of 59 teams in the highly competitive FIRST Lego League DC/VA States Championship, which took place in December 2023.
This year's FLL theme entailed combining art and technology to create a masterpiece sharing passions and hobbies. Gear Shifters identified a real world problem involving climate change, developed a possible solution and competed with LEGO based robots of their own design.
The FIRST leagues provide a platform for students to engage with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines in a hands-on and competitive environment. As the Gear Shifters team embarks on their journey to Sydney, we hope the entire community rallies behind them, proud of their achievements representing our school on the global stage.
What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse
FCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.
What can families do?
- Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink.
- Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success.
- Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage.
- Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors.
- Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”
Visit the FCPS website for more information.
Spring 2024
Fairfax Little League is pleased to offer underserved boys and girls in our community the opportunity to play baseball for free. Eligible children, ages 4 to 16 who live within League boundaries, are identified through a partnership with Fairfax County public and private school social workers and family liaison officers. Read more. Deadline to register is February 15, 2024.
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.
Visit the Recruitment Events calendar for a list of all FCPS job fairs.
Fairfax County Public Schools wants you to be a part of our team! We are seeking educator talent with strong student engagement skills and a passion for having a positive influence on our school communities. We are hosting a job fair on Saturday, February 3, 2024 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.) at John R. Lewis High School. There will be networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair. Detailed Information
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
The Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Did you know that caregivers can access to these free webinars to?
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.
Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).
Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter.
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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.
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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.
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