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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
It’s hard to believe there are only four weeks remaining in the school year! Today, we finished our first round of SOL testing for all subjects with the Science 8 SOL. In the coming weeks, SOL testing will center around make-ups and retakes for students who qualified.
I’m excited to partner with the PTA for our final in-person meeting of the year. Our topic is “Transitioning to High School” and is specifically geared toward 8th grade parents and students. We’ve put together a student panel (current Marshall and Madison students), as well as Marshall’s Principal, Jeff Litz, to answer questions about ways to prepare for the transition to high school. Please consider joining us this upcoming Tuesday, May 21 at 7 PM in the Kilmer cafeteria.
As always, reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Steven McFarlane
Principal
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Here are just a few of the Positive Referrals received by our Kilmer Cougars from staff members this week!
Caroline H. - Caroline brings a huge dose of positivity to Science class every day. She works hard to achieve and sets a great example for her classmates.
Ashlyn B. - Ashlyn has grown so much as a student this year. She has matured and really came into her own. She works to improve even when the task is difficult, showing impressive determination. I really appreciate all the hard work she has exhibited this year. Thank you!
Nicholas M. - Nicholas sets high academic expectations for himself in class by taking a sincere and self-motivated approach to his studies. Thank you for the example you set for your peers!
Ashley C. - Ashley is such a wonderful, hardworking, and kind individual! She always comes to class with a positive attitude, ready to learn. Ashley is a fabulous peer helper - she offers help to many students and is able to assist them effectively. I am so grateful to have Ashley as a student.
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.
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5/27: Theater Spring Field Trip (non-school day)
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5/29: Band Spring Concert at Marshall HS
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5/31: Broadway Desserts at Kilmer MS
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6/5: Orchestra Spring Concert at Marshall HS
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6/6: Choir Spring Concert at Marshall HS
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6/7: 8th Grade Field Trip to St. James & 7th Grade Activities Day & 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance
Congratulations! Jayden has been selected to continue on to the final round of the FACE Solo Competition. The Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education (FACE) Solo Competition is open to any band or strings student currently enrolled in a band or strings program in FCPS. Jayden submitted a video playing a snare solo “The Winner” in the Master Artist category and was then selected to proceed to the final round.
Band, Orchestra, and Chorus students had a blast at Busch Gardens last week! Thanks to all the staff and parents who chaperoned.
The Positive Referrals have been a huge hit at Kilmer! To date, over 150 Positive Referrals have been submitted by Kilmer staff recognizing students for their positive behavior demonstrated throughout the building. Each Friday, students who receive a Positive Referral can grab a reward during their lunch in the cafeteria.
Some of our Young Scholars let their creativity flow as they participated in “Paint & Pizza” after school in the Kilmer Library.
Spring SOL Testing
Makeup testing for students who missed one or more of their SOLs will take place between Tuesday, May 21st, and Friday, May 24th, as follows:
- Math SOL Makeups: Tuesday, 5/21
- Reading SOL Makeups: Wednesday, 5/22
- Science SOL Makeups: Thursday, 5/23
- Last day to make up any SOL: 5/24
Expedited Retakes for students who qualified and have parent permission to retest will take place between Tuesday, May 28th, and Friday, May 31st, as follows:
- Math SOL Retakes: Tuesday, 5/28
- Reading SOL Retakes: Wednesday, 5/29
- Science SOL Retakes: Thursday, 5/23
- Last day to retake any SOL: 5/31
Students must score between 375 and 399 to qualify for an expedited retake. Students who qualify will receive remediation before testing. Parents will be contacted if their child qualifies for an expedited retake.
Official Score Reports for SOL reading, math, and science tests will be posted in ParentVUE documents the week of June 3.
If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Kilmer’s school test coordinator, Marileigh Blake, at mlblake@fcps.edu or 703-846-8844.
Yearbooks - still available!
This year’s 2023-2024 Kilmer yearbook just arrived! Distribution will be in June, once all SOL test is completed. An exact distribution date will be released next week. If you have not purchased your copy of the yearbook, you still have time. We currently have 115 yearbooks left to purchase. Once those are gone, they are gone! Yearbooks are $45, you can purchase your copy here. Questions? Email Mr. Prevost pmprevost@fcps.edu
Pictured: Yearbook member Mason shows off this year’s Yearbook.
Check for Library and Classroom Books – due back Wednesday, May 29
All student library books are due back to the Kilmer Library no later than Wednesday, May 29. We ask families to nudge their students to check in backpacks, under beds, on bookshelves, and in car trunks for any Kilmer books that are still checked out. Please also check for any books that belong to classrooms. Throughout this month, students should regularly check their FCPS Google email in order to see what titles they might still have out. Families will receive communication regarding charges for books that have not been returned. Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Hazlin and Mrs. Tempesta, Kilmer’s librarians.
8th Grade Field Trip & 8th Grade Dance: Friday, June 7
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Field Trip, 9:30-1:30pm on June 7: To celebrate the culmination of middle school, we invite all 8th grade students who are in good academic and disciplinary standing on a field trip to The St. James Sports, Fitness and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, VA. Students will receive field trip forms through their Civics class next week, and forms are also available on the school website or in the Main Office. Payment is made through My School Bucks. Completed forms should be returned before May 24 to students’ Civics teachers.
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8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance, June 7 from 6-8pm: The 8th grade dance is a time for 8th graders to celebrate their time at Kilmer with music, dancing, a photobooth, and dinner. This year’s 8th grade semi-formal will be on Friday, June 7th from 6:00-8:00 pm. at Kilmer Middle School. Doors will close at 6:30 p.m. and students will not be admitted late. There is no readmittance if a student decides to leave the dance prior to 8:00 pm. Attire is semi-formal. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased during the school day, prior to the dance. No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets may be purchased with cash during all lunches Thursday, May 30th – Tuesday, June 4th. The theme of the dance this year is Enchanted Forest. If you have any themed decorations you no longer need, SCA would love to use them for the dance! Please contact Ms. Mattix (kmattix1@fcps.edu) and Ms. Spracklin (ecspracklin@fcps.edu) with any questions.
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8th Grade Parents - Academic Career Plan Verification in Naviance
Each year, your child develops an Academic and Career Plan that supports their growth. This plan helps your child plan for their future. Your child will work with teachers and school counselors to discover their personal strengths and interests. They will also create goals to help them achieve success, plan for courses that meet high school graduation requirements, and prepare for life after high school. The development of this plan starts in middle school. Students update their plans during high school as their goals evolve. This plan supports on time graduation as well as college and career readiness. It is required by the Virginia Department of Education. Each student’s parent or guardian must review this plan at the end of 8th grade and again at the end of 10th grade.
You or your child can log into Naviance Student at www.fcps.edu/Naviance . Please review the following information together with your child: Results of the strengths and career surveys and personal, academic, and/or career goals. The draft course plan will be completed during Advisory on May 20. Once in your child’s account, click on their initials in the top right corner. Select “Portfolio.” Once you click on the Portfolio, you can view all the work that your child has completed. Once you have reviewed your child’s plan, complete the verification form at https://forms.gle/joS6gevuhCMERvV3A . The completion of this form will serve as your signature. Please complete this form by Friday, June 28, 2024. For more information visit www.FCPS.edu and search “Academic and Career Plan.” We encourage you to continue to use Naviance Student with your child to explore college and career options. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school counselor.
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.
8th Grade End of Year Events
Save the date for the 8th Grade Team Promotion Ceremonies! More information will be coming soon. If you need to know which team your child is on, please ask your student. It is also listed in SIS in their class schedule. More information is available on our website.
TJHSST Math Tutors
Beginning March 4th, Kilmer students will have another opportunity to receive additional support in math. Each Monday from 7:00 am to 7:25 am, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students will be available for math tutoring in the math modular. All Kilmer students are welcome to attend.
Lightspeed Parent Report
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