Katherine Johnson MS Weekly News - June 7, 2024

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

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☎️ Family 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

 

  • June 10 - 8th Grade Laptop Collections during Lunch Periods
  • June 11 - 7th Grade Laptop Collections during Lunch Periods
  • June 11 - Awards Ceremony and 8th Grade Field Day
  • June 12 - Last of School - Early Release - 12:15 PM 
    • It will be a grab and go lunch

Principal's Message

Good afternoon, KJMS Families,

Happy last Friday of school! This is MY last Friday with students–ever. Today was bittersweet for me as I walked into each of the classes during 1st period passing out treats for our staff (treats that were donated by families as part of our Amazon wish list, so thank YOU!). I wanted to share what I saw since you could not be here. 

Your Eagles are still doing great things, learning new things, and sharing culminating projects in mature ways that prove all they have learned all year.  I also attended and helped with Ms. Boyer’s English 7  final project-based learning presentations of the year. I am so proud of the hard work I saw going on in EVERY class today. Be proud. Tell your child how much you appreciate them for giving effort to the very end. Also, take a moment to share a thank you email with your child’s teachers. As I have been cleaning things, I have found treasured thank you cards and notes from students I taught over 25 years ago. How special. Your note could be what one of our teachers reads years from now with a smile and warm memories. 

We hope to see many of you next Tuesday at Awards Day presentations or volunteering (just call the office) to help with our 8th Grade Field Day or 7th Grade Activities. This ALL happens on Tuesday, and many hands make the work light. 

My time at KJMS has been among the best of my career. Thank you all for the support and kind words. You will be in wonderful hands with Mr. Smith, as he has already been coming over during the mornings to meet and greet students and staff. As we wrap up this final week of school, I find myself savoring each moment. I appreciate each of you for being part of those special moments. Thank you.

One proud principal,

Tammy Silipigni 


Student Laptop Use for Summer Programs

Does your student need to use their KJMS laptop for a summer program? Fill out this form to let us know! Your student will not turn in the laptop during the last week of school and can return it once their summer program is complete.

Any questions, please email KJMSTechOffice@fcps.edu


KJMS - Medication Pickup Information

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The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Medication left in the health room after that time will be discarded.  It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian.  Medication cannot be sent home with your student. 

If your child will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, your existing long-term medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program.  Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).  Clinic letter.

If you have any questions, please contact your school health aide, Sandy Johnson, at 703-934-2410.  Thank you.


SY24-25 Intention Form

If your student is transferring to another school next year, please complete the  Student Intention Form and send it to Ms. Holmes, our Registrar via email at  aholmes@fcps.edu. No need to submit the form if your child is going to attend our school or one of our feeder high schools as planned. 


Last Chance to Review Family Life Education Materials

The recommended Family Life Education instructional materials are available for community review through Monday, June 10, at 4:30 p.m. View details and a feedback form


Science Olympiad

Congratulations to our Science Olympiad Team for their participation in the state tournament at UVA.

We are proud of how they represented KJMS and the creativity and innovation that they showed.  

Team celebrations:

  • 5th place in Can't judge a powder: Lucas Liu and Ameya Rajeev
  • 5th place in Code busters: Lucas Liu, Ameya Rajeev and Nathan Park 
  • 5th place in Forestry: Riya Prabhu and Vivian Lee 
  • 6th place in Wheeled Vehicle: Shrutavinda Dongre and Vivian Lee

Thank you to all of the families who supported our students both during the season and at the competitions and a HUGE thank you to Ms. Verma for sponsoring our team this year! 


International Academic competitions

Congratulations to our Quiz bowl Team students for their participation in the IAC competitions at Washington DC.

We are proud of how they represented KJMS.

Team celebrations:
2nd place in History Bee and Science Bee: Sauren Quatra
2nd place in Geography Bee: Ameya Rajeev

A HUGE thank you to Ms. Galutan for sponsoring our team this year!


Fairfax Circle Redevelopment Project

KJMS students actively worked on their Fairfax Circle Redevelopment Proposal in collaboration with Fairfax City Community Development and Planning Office. This was a true project-based learning opportunity where students applied the content learned in class to real world situation. To make it a real experience they presented their sustainable proposal to the Fairfax City Council, Mayor, City School Board and Superintendent. This proposal was well thought out keeping negative human impact and heat island effect on the ecosystem. Students proposed to reduce impervious surface, add sidewalks, more lights, better traffic movement and above all to plant more trees and add pervious surface to help reduce runoff. Students excelled in demonstrating all Portrait of a Graduate Skills.

Link to the presentations:

https://youtu.be/i4qzDIn_fs4 - School Board 

https://youtu.be/-3JiHUUPALU - City Council

FFX Now coverage:

https://www.ffxnow.com/2024/06/05/middle-school-students-pitch-eco-friendly-redesign-for-fairfax-circle/

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🍎 Become a Teacher!

Know someone interested in becoming a teacher? If so, let them know about our job fair on Saturday, June 8, 9 a.m.-noon, at Oakton High School. Registration is required to attend.


End-of-Year Reminders for Families

The end of the school year is next week! Please see some important reminders below:

  1. Remind your child to return all school library books and FCPS laptops. 
  2. Check your child’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any balances. 
  3. Pick up any medications your child has been taking at school. A parent/guardian must pick them up in person.
  4. Bookmark the 2024-25 school year calendar to be ready for next year. 

Please contact your child’s school with any questions.

It’s a busy time of year, and we know there are many priorities on families’ plates. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to remember to check your students’ MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance. 

Families that earn less than 185% of poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals. However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2024-25 school year will be available this summer. 

If families have a current balance and think they may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2023-24 school year. Get more information about free and reduced-price lunch.


📖 Adventure Begins at the Library This Summer!

 

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The Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) understands the importance of summer reading. Reading and participating in engaging reading activities throughout the summer are two effective ways to help students retain skills they learned in school this year. 

The Summer Reading Adventure kicks off on Wednesday, June 12. Join the adventure and register today

Children’s Summer Reading Festival

Fairfax Library Foundation will celebrate FCPL’s annual summer reading program with two free Children's Summer Reading Festival events:

Families can enjoy games, crafts, face painting, bounce houses, snacks, a DJ, and other activities.

Family Fun, All Summer Long! 

Fairfax County Public Library also offers free family fun all summer long. Activities include animal presentations/petting zoos, Dinoman Dinosaurs, ArtSplash, Rocknosceros, Kaydee Puppets, and other fun events. View a full calendar of events.


Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation

The Family Resource Center (FRC) has a list of dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel. 

They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities. 

Learn more by calling 703-204-3941, emailing FRC@fcps.edu, or visiting the FRC webpage.


📈 SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE

Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the following:

  • For all students, the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests.
  • For grade 3-8 students, the SOL Growth Parent Report shows performance over time for state reading and math tests completed this school year.

Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines.

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

 


Pediatric Health Fairs

INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs

Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5+ with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at summer health fairs for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. The clinics will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates:

  • Saturday, June 29, at ICC for Children - Manassas
  • Saturday, July 20, at ICC for Children - Herndon
  • Saturday, August 17, at ICC for Children - Falls Church

Appointments are required. No walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.


Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders

Immunizations are required for all students entering 7th and 12th grades this fall. Visit FCPS’ Immunization webpage to learn about the required vaccines.  

Parents/caregivers should ask their private healthcare provider or the health department to review their student's immunization record to ensure their student has received these required immunizations. 

It is important to schedule immunizations early in the summer, as seventh grade students must submit documentation of the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines before they begin school in August. Students in the 12th grade must submit documentation of the Meningococcal vaccine.

Get more information on all student immunization requirements.


Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations

This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from Monday, June 24, through Friday, August 2. Any FCPS parent or secondary student can schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or social worker by phone or videoconference. 

Parents of students in any grade level can request a consultation to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.

Middle or high school students can request a consultation to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.

We encourage all families to take advantage of this service. Request a consultation or call and leave a message at 703-503-2520.


Asha-Jyothi 16th Annual 5K Run

Asha Jyothi Website

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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

Resources for Newly Registered Families

  • Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:
  • School Age Child Care (SACC) – This Fairfax County government program provides a safe and fun environment before and after school for elementary school-age children.
  • FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family involvement.
  • Family Engagement Resources – FCPS works to connect, strengthen, and support our families, schools, and communities. 
  • Do You Know About Family Liaisons? Family liaisons serve as a link between families and schools. You may contact [family liaison’s name], our family liaison, at [email and phone number].  

There’s an easy to follow five-step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Be sure to register your child as soon as possible! 

Register Your Children Online

Online registration is available for new and returning (re-enrolling) FCPS families! Apply today to help us plan for the 2024-25 school year.

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).


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.