Katherine Johnson MS Weekly News - February 9, 2024

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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:


Important Dates

Visit the KJMS Facebook and Instagram to see more pictures and videos.

KJMS Event Calendar

  • February 12-15 - Spirt Week- See flier below
  • February 15 - School Resource Office Appreciation Day
  • February 15 - SCA Dance - After School - 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
  • February 19 - Presidents' Day Holiday - No School
  • February 22 - Young Scholars Field Trip
  • February 28 - Choral Pre-Assessment Concert
    • @KJ Auditorium; 7:00 PM
  • March 5 - No School (Teacher Workday)
  • March 25 29 - Spring Break - No School

Principal's Message

Good afternoon, Eagle Community,

Congratulations to our amazing ESOL students for their first days of successfully completing the initial rounds of WIDA testing. We equate this to their “Superbowl", where they are able to demonstrate all they have learned. We continue to wish them well as they complete their testing in the coming weeks. 

On February 15, we will have another school dance. Students are expected to follow all SR&R expectations (they are great about exhibiting the SOAR traits at all of our after-school activities!), and to take either the late bus or ride with their parents’ home at 4:30 PM. We do not dismiss students to other parents, nor can they take Uber/Lyft home. Thanks for helping us keep all of our Eagles safe.

Today, hard copies of reports cards were given out to students during their 9th period class.  Report cards became available via ParentVue and StudenVue at 6:00 AM on February 5.

Speaking of safety, last week, I reported that our student population has increased. Well, that number continues to rise, and we are at 1,170 now! To keep us all safe, please note a few things that we can all do to continue to keep KJMS a great place.

  • Bevan is not a parent drop-off area. There is no crossing guard there. In fact, our school resource officer observed this area and noted concerns about parents dropping students off and having them cross the road (not in the crosswalk area). Additionally, our neighbors on Bevan have called and are concerned (parents are blocking their driveways). Please use the Jermantown entrance to Kiss and Ride. The Bevan Road area is not supervised or a school-sanctioned drop-off area.
  • In Kiss and Ride, please do not let your student out until you get in front of the sidewalk directly by the school. Again, student safety is key! Our crossing guard has reported that students have been dropped off on Jermantown Rd with students trying to cross several lanes of traffic, also not in the crosswalk. Our Kiss and Ride area can safely unload about 15 cars (when everyone pulls all the way up to the end of the sidewalk and does not leave spaces between cars) in about 20 minutes from start to finish. If it is too cold for your child to walk and wait for a bus, why not sit at the stop with him/her in the car so they can still ride the bus, and you can avoid Kiss and Ride? This option would free you up earlier to get about your business for the day. 
  • If your child is ill (flu, covid, cold, fever, etc.), please do not send him/her to school ill. The current protocol is to stay home five days (from the first day of symptoms) if you have tested positive for covid. So, if they were feeling poorly on Monday, but they do not test positive until Wednesday, then the 5-day count is from Monday. Students should wear a mask for 5 more calendar days (10 from the onset), which could include school days when they return. For other times when a student has a fever, but it is not Covid or the flu, they can return after being fever-free without medication for 24 hours. For more details, please read:  FCPS Health & Safety Guidance Document for 202324.
  • Finally, regarding safety, our students are attending quarterly SR&R reviews with their teams during this and next week. Be sure to ask your students what are some of the top things that were discussed that they can do to contribute to a safe environment at KJMS. 

In closing, we wish all of our families a Happy Valentine’s Day. May your homes be filled with love and laughter.

Sincerely,

Tammy Silipigni 


KJMS Spring Dance: Halfway to Summer Luau

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KJMS PTA and SCA are excited to host the Halfway to Summer Luau Dance.

Date:  February 15, 2024

Time:  2:30-4:30

Tickets: will be on sale in the cafeteria during lunches periods only -  Monday, February 12- Wednesday, February 15. 

Payment:  $5 (Cash Only- exact change appreciated) along with the parent signed permission slip.

Students must be present in school for all classes the day of the dance in order to attend.

No tickets will be sold after lunch periods are over or at the door the day of the dance

Your child doesn’t want to miss out on the fun!  We hope your KJMS student will join us for a fun time!

We’re also seeking parent volunteers to help with ticket sales, decorations, concessions, and chaperoning.  Click on the link below if you are available to volunteer.  No amount of time is too small.  You support is greatly appreciated.  


SAFE Stuffed Animal Drive

We are excited to announce that NJHS is organizing a stuffed animal drive, in collaboration with students from Fairfax High School, to support the not-for-profit organization SAFE (Stuffed Animals for Emergencies - linked here if you want more information), Helping children feel safe when they need it most.

Here’s what you need to know:

Drive Dates:  February 12-29

What:  New or gently used stuffed animals

Donation Drop Off:  Students can drop off the donations with their team Science Teacher Classroom before school begins.

Guidelines:  Students should NOT carry stuffed animals around with them during the school day.

The top 7th grade team(s) and the top 8th grade team (s) will earn points towards the Talon Trophy.

Please talk this up with your students!  This is a great cause and we appreciate your support!

If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Meg Dombro at MDDombro@fcps.edu


Look What is Happening in Civics Class

Students are reflecting on projects that they have done in Civics class as well as other subjects, and how they relate to their Portrait of a Graduate Traits.  They have then taken those reflections and created a Presentation of Learning for their class, in which they are showcasing what they have learned in small groups.

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Spirit Week - 2/12-2/15

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Order Your KJMS Yearbook

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Order your KJMS Yearbook today!

Hardcover Yearbook $25

https://ybpay.lifetouch.com

Yearbook ID Code: 15114024


MATHCOUNTS

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We are thrilled to announce the outstanding achievements of our brilliant students at the MATHCOUNTS competition held this past Saturday!

Our school team showcased remarkable talent and dedication, securing an impressive 5th place in the Team Round (Nathan Park, Lucas Liu, Ameya Rajeev, & Rohan Agarwal). Among our exceptional participants, we are proud to highlight the stellar performances of two students (Zaid Rasti & Nathan Park) who soared into the top 25% of the individual round, demonstrating their exceptional prowess in mathematics.

Congratulations to all twelve students who participated in this challenging event! Your hard work, determination, and passion for mathematics truly shone through, reflecting the spirit of excellence that defines our school community. Let's continue to celebrate these remarkable achievements and inspire each other to reach even greater heights in the exciting world of mathematics!

If you are interested in joining MATHCOUNTS next year, please reach out to Ms. Hyun at kwhyun@fcps.edu.


Family Webinar – Understanding High School Mathematics Course Offerings

How can students participate in mathematics throughout high school in a way that is relevant to and supportive of post-secondary and career interests?

During this session we will discuss mathematics graduation requirements and how to support students in navigating the various course offerings currently available in FCPS.

Students and their families may start thinking about what course pathways are available beginning in middle school. Join us to learn more.

Presented by Jennifer Allard FCPS High School Math Specialist and Erin Sylves FCPS Math Specialist.

March 8, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m. Add to Your Calendar

Register for Understanding High School Mathematics Course Offerings


Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. 

CTE programs are available for grade 6-11 students to explore CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. IFTA allows students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage to register.

Summer Learning

Programs are also available for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement, earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program, or recover one high school course credit through the Credit Recovery Academy

FCPS’ free online class for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provides FCPS middle and high school English Learners the opportunity to continue developing their academic, reading, and writing skills in online discussions with an ESOL teacher. 

Find session dates, registration links, and registration deadlines on FCPS summer programs. 


Tutor.com Teacher-Referred Tutoring

Through Schoology®, all FCPS students have 24/7 access to no-cost, year-round, on-demand, 1-to-1 tutoring services through Tutor.com

A new Teacher-Referred Tutoring program feature provides targeted support and extends student learning. Teachers can now refer students for tutoring, with their specific needs already identified. Students can get extra support — on their own schedule — and reinforce their in-class learning.

We strongly encourage all FCPS middle and high school students to click on the Tutor.com icon in their Schoology portal for homework help, concept review, writing support, and test prep—anytime, anywhere.

 Plus, look for teachers’ tutoring session referrals on the Tutor.com homepage.


Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read

FCPS funds the use of Lexia for all elementary and middle schools to use as part of their literacy instruction. Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. It also provides teachers with data to identify students who need additional support, and the ability to know which specific concepts and skills to prioritize.Attend an information night on Monday, February 12, at 6:30 p.m., at Thoreau Middle School. Parents/caregivers will learn more about Lexia, and how FCPS is integrating it into the classroom and supporting student growth in reading. Attendees will also get tips for supporting their students at home.

Register to attend or submit a question in advance. Unable to attend in person? Join on Zoom

Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.


Attendance Matters

This is the time of year when winter weather and children’s illnesses can take a toll on school attendance. But it’s important to get your children to school every day possible.

If you are unsure whether to send your children to school, consult your doctor or this website Health and Safety Guidance webpage for guidance. Our school nurse is also a terrific resource for chronic health conditions.

Do what you can to keep your children healthy. Dress them warmly for the cold weather and make sure they’ve got hats and gloves. Encourage them to wash their hands regularly and send them to school with a bottle of hand sanitizer.


Substitute Teaching Opportunities

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. 


KJMS Family Liaisons

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


Free Family Resource Center

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


FCPS Cares

FCPS Cares
 

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Stay in Touch with Us

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.