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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
This past Tuesday the PTA hosted our final meeting of the school year and the theme was “Transitioning to High School.” We had a great turnout and insightful conversations. Thank you to Jeff Litz, Principal of Marshall High School, and the former Kilmer students who now attend Marshall and Madison for serving on the panel and sharing their perspective about how best to prepare for high school.
Also, I want to thank the PTA Executive Board for their two years of service to the Kilmer Community. President Fatima Latif, Treasurer Paul Kim, and Secretary Shilpee Arora have been such amazing partners, and I’m incredibly grateful for the work they’ve done to support families, students, and staff at Kilmer. I’m pleased to announce next year’s PTA Executive Board: President Wendy Rosner, Treasurer Laura Roper, and Secretary Mandy Ryan. I look forward to our future collaboration.
Finally, be sure to scan the blurbs below for information on yearbooks, returning library books, and end-of-year celebrations.
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!
Cyra S. - Cyra is consistently a model student who shows integrity and does the right thing. Recently when I was out of the building, my substitute commented that Cyra was an "extraordinary student." I am grateful for her!
Lilia A. - She's my go to student who I can rely on to include peers in group activities and make them feel welcome.
Damien D. - For always being a positive influence on his peers and putting forth his best effort in class. Keep up the humble personality!
Jonathan O. - Assisted another student in class with an assignment. - Listened and was respectful of others' viewpoints. - Had a positive attitude when trying something new or challenging. - Encouraged others.
Jason U.V. - Jason, this morning as the bell rang for students to exit the cafeteria and head to class I looked over and noticed you cleaning up a mess that you did not make. It's the little things that add up to make a big impact, and I appreciate you taking the extra step without being asked. Keep it up!
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
We had a great turnout for our final PTA meeting of the year as we explored the topic, “Transitioning to High School.” A big thank you to the panel of former Kilmer students (and current Marshall/Madison students), and Principal Jeff Litz for sharing their perspectives.
Congratulations to Kilmer’s Music Department for receiving another Blue Ribbon School Award! This award is given to schools that receive a “Superior” rating for their top groups in band, choir, and orchestra. Thank you to Kevin Sapp (chorus), Robert Katz (orchestra), Sharon Bonneau (band), Bethany Thomas (band), and Zach Sellers (band) for making our music department such a fun place for students.
On Thursday, students from both semesters of Advanced Theatre participated in the Folger Shakespeare Festival. These students volunteered their time and efforts in order to bring to life some of the most classic works of Shakespeare. The piece they presented was edited, directed, and choreographed by 8th Grader Kate Kim.
Congratulations to Marshall Klinefelter for being named the best shot putter in Fairfax County Middle School Athletics. Marshall went 4-0 in shot put for the 2024 season and accumulated 40 points for the team.
Spring SOL Testing
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!
Yearbook distribution will take place June 5th, during all lunches. To ensure your student receives their copy of the yearbook, please make sure to have purchased your copy online by June 1st.
You can purchase your copy by clicking on the link below. Cost is $45. There are few copies left to purchase! Kilmer Yearbook Purchase
Questions, please email Mr. Prevost at pmprevost@fcps.edu.
Last Day for After School Activities & Late Bus Transportation
The Last Day for Afterschool Activities & Late Bus Transportation is Thursday, May 30th – Students may only stay for academic support following this date and must make arrangements with individual teachers. Families will need to coordinate transportation by 3:30 pm for pick-up.
Student Laptop Collection
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.
Parents/Guardians must pick-up Medications from the Clinic by June 12
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. More information will be provided through a separate eNotify message.
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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