Key Middle School Families

Important Dates:

January 25: Two Hour Early Release Day - School Ends @ 12:15pm

January 25: Last Day of the 2nd Quarter/1st Semester

January 26: Teacher Workday: No School for Students

January: 

• National Blood Donor Month
• National Mentoring Month
• National Braille Month

Let's all be kind to one another.

Campbell's Corner

Greetings Key Families,

It was a short week at Key MS, but a great one! We hope every enjoyed the holiday weekend as well as the snow days on Tuesday and Friday. In the short time we had this week, we were able to host a successful Curriculum Night for our rising 7^th and 8^th grade students and families. If you were unable to attend the event this week, no worries – we will be posting information on our website and our student services team will be meeting with students to go over course selection in more detail in the coming weeks.

Remember that next week is the end of the second quarter of the school year. Students should make sure all assignments have been turned in so that there grade is an accurate reflection of their progress this year. Due to the end of the quarter, Thursday will be an early release day and Friday is a student holiday.

I hope you are enjoying the snow and having a cozy weekend!

Sincerely,

Drew Campbell

Principal | Key Middle School

703-313-3900

Follow me on Twitter!

Academic Advising for 24-25 School Year!

7th Grade Students & Families:

The 7th graders will be receiving their Rising 8th Grade Course Info Presentations on January 18th and January 19th through their English classes. The counselors will help them individually register for their classes during the week of January 22nd through P.E. classes. Some students may ask their teachers and families for input about course selections. Please remember that honors classes are open enrollment. 

Please be sure to review your child’s course selection form and  with them and reach out to the counselors if you have any questions.

8th Grade Students & Families:

The 8th graders have received their Rising 9th Grade Course Info Presentations and their Key Middle School counselors have begun individually registering them for their 9th grade courses during their P.E. classes. Some students may ask their teachers and families for input about course selections. Please remember that honors classes are open enrollment.  

Please be sure to review your child’s course selections in SIS with them and reach out to the counselors if you have any questions.

You can refer to these links for more information:

Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising Presentation

Lewis HS Academic Advising 

Lewis High School’s Electives for 9th Graders

Winter Family Event Postponed Due to continued inclement weather, we will need to reschedule our Winter Family Event that we initially planned for Saturday, January 20th. Our team will meet again next week and determine an alternate date. Thank you all again for your help in planning and preparing last week and this week! Stay safe, and I hope you enjoy the snow day! Taylor Morhiser

Inspirigirl - Girls in STEM Good afternoon, We hope this email finds you well! We are the teaching coordinators of Inspirigirl, a nonprofit educational group run by students at Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHSST) that provides free computer science classes, workshops, and events for students with a focus on encouraging girls to participate in computer science. We will be holding our free Winter 2024 virtual computer science classes throughout February, and we would like to invite your school’s students to register and learn about computer science with us. All students are welcome, and we offer various coding courses for all different age and level groups. Classes are completely free thanks to our teaching volunteers, and we hope that you can spread the word in your school! Attached is a flyer that can be used to advertise classes, and here is our registration link: linktr.ee/inspirigirl For your convenience, we have compiled comprehensive information in our Linktree, where you can access details about our classes, our organization's social profiles, and our official website. Thank you so much, and please let us know if you have any questions! Sincerely, Inspirigirl Teaching Coordinators

Opioid Awareness 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.   약물 오남용을 막기 위해 가족이 할 수 있는 일 FCPS는 교직원, 학부모/보호자, 학생과 함께 오피오이드 유행에(opioid epidemic) 대한 인식을 높이기 위해 최선을 다하고 있습니다. 함께라면, 학생들의 건강과 행복을 지킬 수 있습니다. 가족은 무엇을 해야 할까요? 미성년자의 음주 및 기타 약물 오남용을 반대하는 모습을 보여주세요. 10~18세 청소년의 80% 이상이 부모의 영향이 음주 여부 결정에 가장 큰 영향을 미친다고 답했습니다.  자녀의 건강, 웰빙, 성공에 관심이 있다는 것을 보여주세요.  알코올 및 기타 약물에 대한 좋은 정보를 제공한다는 것을 보여주세요. FCPS 오피오이드 인식 증진 웹페이지에서 유용한 자료를 확인하세요.  자녀에게 주의를 기울이고 위험한 행동을 하지 못하게 하십시오.  음주와 약물 사용을 피하기 위한 자녀의 기술과 전략을 길러주세요. 가족에게 암호 단어를 문자로 보내거나 "싫어/안돼"라고 말하는 방법을 연습하는 등, 자녀가 술과 약물에 대한 결정에 직면했을 때 어떻게 할 것인지에 대해 자녀와 함께 대화하십시오. 자세한 정보는 FCPS 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

Assessment Information

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 winter 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:

• Math Inventory (https://www.hmhco.com/programs/math-inventory) 
• Reading Inventory (https://www.hmhco.com/programs/reading-inventory)

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.

Danielle Danz

IBMYP Coordinator

School Test Coordinator

Key Middle School

Family Resource Center

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access 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? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter.

• Recursos Gratuitos para las Familias¿Sabía usted que las familias pueden tener acceso a seminarios en línea gratuitos, consultas confidenciales, una biblioteca de préstamos y recursos para ayudar a los adultos a apoyar el éxito de todos los estudiantes, incluyendo aquellos con problemas de aprendizaje, necesidades especiales y discapacidades? 

¡Aprenda más sobre el Centro de Recursos Familiares (FRC) de FCPS! 

Sea el primero en enterarse de los nuevos talleres inscribiéndose en el boletín del FRC.

• 가족을 위한 무료 자원

보호자가 무료 온라인 세미나, 비밀 상담, 도서관 대출, 학습 장애, 특별한 도움이 필요한 학생, 장애 학생을 포함한 모든 학생의 성공을 지원하는 데 도움이 되는 자료를 이용할 수 있다는 사실을 알고 계셨나요? 

가족 자원 센터(FRC)에 대해 자세히 알아보세요! 

FRC 뉴스레터에 가입하여 새로운 워크샵에 대해 가장 먼저 알아보세요.

Dual Language Immersion

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Program RegistrationRegistration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2024-25 school year. Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for the most current information. Meetings will begin on Tuesday, January 16. 

A virtual meeting hosted by the World Languages Office will include general program information. Access to this virtual meeting will be made available on the FCPS events calendar and the Dual Language Immersion registration site on the day of the meeting.

Get more information on the immersion program webpage and registration page.

🗺️ Inscripción para el Programa de Inmersión en Dos Idiomas

La inscripción para la lotería en todo el condado para los programas de Inmersión en Dos Idiomas (DLI) se abrirá el lunes 22 de enero. 

Los estudiantes actuales de pre-K pueden aplicar para el programa de inmersión de kindergarten, y los estudiantes actuales de kindergarten pueden aplicar para los programas de inmersión de primer grado para el año escolar 2024-25. Los programas están disponibles en francés, alemán, japonés, coreano y español. 

Los padres/cuidadores que estén interesados pueden asistir a una reunión informativa. Las reuniones se llevan a cabo en la escuela. Revise el calendario de eventos de FCPS para información más actualizada. Las reuniones comenzarán el martes, 16 de enero. 

Una reunión virtual organizada por la Oficina de Idiomas Mundiales incluirá información general del programa. El acceso a esta reunión virtual estará disponible en el calendario de eventos de FCPS y en el sitio de inscripción de Inmersión en Dos Idiomas el día de la reunión.

Obtenga más información en la página web del programa de inmersión y en la página de inscripción.

🗺️ 이중 언어 몰입 프로그램 등록

이중 언어 몰입(DLI) 프로그램을 위한 카운티 전체 추첨 등록이 1월 22일(월)에 시작됩니다.

현재 pre-K 학생들은 kindergarten 몰입 프로그램을 신청할 수 있으며, 현재 kindergarten 학생들은 2024-25학년도 1학년 몰입 프로그램을 신청할 수 있습니다. 프로그램은 프랑스어, 독일어, 일본어, 한국어, 스페인어로 제공됩니다. 관심이 있는 학부모/보호자는 설명회에 참석할 수 있습니다. 자세한 내용은 설명회 날짜 전까지 이중 언어 몰입 등록 페이지에서 확인하실 수 있습니다. 설명회는 1월 16일 화요일에 시작됩니다.

World Languages Office에서 주최하는 한 번의 화상 회의에는 일반적인 프로그램 정보가 포함됩니다. 이 화상 회의에 대한 정보는 회의 당일에 FCPS 행사 캘린더와 이중언어 몰입 프로그램 등록 사이트에서 확인하실 수 있습니다.

 이중언어 몰입 프로그램 웹페이지와 등록 페이지에서 자세한 정보를 확인하십시오.

Snow Days This Winter For the current school year, FCPS will be returning to its previous procedure for snow days — there will be no virtual learning days when school is closed due to bad weather.  During snow days, students may still access Tutor.com, complete any supplemental learning opportunities recommended by their teachers, and view educational programming (available virtually and on public access television channels): Elementary school instruction: Red Apple 21. Middle school instruction: Channel 25.   High school instruction: Channel 99. Eleven snow days are built into the existing FCPS calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will allow us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services. No Habrá Aprendizaje Virtuales en Días de Nieve Este InviernoPara el año escolar actual, FCPS volverá a su procedimiento anterior para los días de nieve - no habrá días de aprendizaje virtual cuando la escuela esté cerrada debido al mal clima. Durante los días de nieve, los estudiantes todavía pueden tener acceso a Tutor.com, completar cualquier oportunidad de aprendizaje suplementaria recomendada por sus maestros, y ver programación educativa (disponible virtualmente y en canales de televisión de acceso público): Instrucción para la Escuela Primaria: Red Apple 21. Instrucción para la Escuela Intermedia: Canal 25. Instrucción para la Escuela Secundaria: Canal 99. Once días de nieve están incorporados en el calendario existente de FCPS. Eliminando los días de aprendizaje virtual nos permitirá maximizar el aprendizaje en persona de los estudiantes y proveer acceso equitativo a la instrucción y servicios estudiantiles. 이번 겨울, 눈이 오는 날에는 온라인 수업이 없습니다 현 학년도에는, FCPS는 악천후로 인해 학교가 휴교하는 스노우 데이 날에는 온라인 학습을 하지 않는 이전 절차로 돌아갈 것입니다. 휴교일에도 학생들은 Tutor.com에 접속하여 교사가 권장하는 보충 학습을 완료하고 교육 프로그램((온라인 및 공중파 텔레비전 채널에서 제공)을 시청할 수 있습니다: 초등학교 수업: Red Apple 21. 중학교 교육: 채널 25. 고등학교 교육: 채널 99. 11개의 스노우 데이는 기존 FCPS 달력에 포함되어 있습니다. 온라인 수업일을 없애면 학생들의 대면 학습을 극대화하고 수업과 학생 서비스에 대한 공평한 접근을 제공할 수 있습니다.

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Coming Soon: Lightspeed Classroom Management Tool

In the coming weeks, our school will be introducing a new classroom management tool that will help teachers better connect with student devices during classes. The new tool will provide teachers with a number of helpful features: 

• Easily view student screens in real time from the teacher console to see which students may need guidance or support.
• Focus student attention on a particular website on their device to minimize distractions.
• Pause student access to the internet to focus on other classroom tasks.

We believe this classroom management tool will allow us to maximize class time to support your student’s learning while at school. Please let us know if you have any questions. 

FCPS News In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics: FCPS Receives $16 Million to Buy More Electric Buses Science Fair Judges Needed How Families Can Help Fight Opioid Misuse Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

6402 Franconia Road, Springfield, VA 22150  |  Main Phone: 703.313.3900
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