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in this issue:
Important Upcoming Events
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September 10 - Back to School Night - 6pm-8pm - (in-person)
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September 11 - Commemoration/Patriot Day
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September 11 - iReady Testing
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September 15 - October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month
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September 18 - Parent Coffee - 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM - Library
- All are welcome. The presentation will be mainly in Spanish. Questions asked in English will be answered.
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September 15 - Fairfax Corner - 2024 AJ 5K Run/Walk
- Fun Run at 8AM
- 5K Run at 8:30 AM
Dear KJMS Families,
I hope all of our families had an enjoyable Labor Day Holiday weekend. I have visited or have plans to visit all social studies classes this week and next week to introduce myself to students in person and emphasize the importance of being kind to each other. We look forward to seeing all of our families at our Back to School Night next week on Tuesday (9/10). We will start at 6:00 pm and you may want to allow extra time to get to and park. We will send an email Monday with additional information and details about Back to School Night. One of the positives of middle school is our robust after school program. Our after school specialist, Mr. Julio Dejo, does an outstanding job and he will continue to send information about after school opportunities. We do have transportation everyday except Tuesdays for students who stay after school.
If you choose to pick up your student from the after school program, please pick them up from Door 7, which is located on the Bevan Drive side.
In order to ensure student safety all student drop-off in the morning should use our kiss and ride on the Jermantown Rd. of the building. The Bevan Rd. side of the building is not monitored by a crossing guard or school staff.
Enjoy your weekend,
Chris Smith
Principal - Katherine Johnson MS
A BIG shout out and THANK YOU to all of our wonderful parent volunteers as well as the PE department who helped facilitate picture day and the hearing and vision screening for our students. It was a HUGE success due to the assistance of these volunteers, Health Department Public Health Nurses (PHN) as well as our very own wonderful clinic aide, Ms. Sandy Johnson and our School Public Health Nurse, Ms. Carmen Gant, BSN, RN. They were able to screen over 700 of students. Thank you again!!
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Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
KJMS has received 50% of these forms from our families. We would like to have 100% of these consent forms submitted. We need these forms submitted as soon as possible for students to use these FCPS approved digital resources for learning. We can do it!!
If you would rather complete this in paper form, please have your student stop by the technology (tech.) office to pick one up. Once completed, please drop it off in the main office or the tech. office. Thank you.
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30.
You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R.
Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office.
Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided to your school’s front office, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:
- A health care provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
- A health care provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with their religious tenets or practices.
Find more information on immunizations.
Our staff launched the school year with a “Hydration Station”. It was so popular, that staff has asked we bring it back. We need your help making that happen! Our hope is to recreate this station and stock our teacher workroom(s) with these supplies. We have compiled an Amazon Wishlist to fulfill these needs. Thank you so much for supporting our staff and leaving smiles on many faces.
In response to the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of our community, students in grades 7-12 are offered the opportunity to take the World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE) each fall. The WLCBE assesses language proficiency in languages other than English and recognizes the strengths that our students bring as effective communicators in multiple languages. This assessment may be used to award world language credits towards graduation, determine course placement for language courses offered in FCPS, and fulfill the world languages requirements for the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy
The exam is offered in the fall each school year. A student may participate in the exam two times per language, once per year, between grades 7 and 12. In other words, students have two chances per language to earn credits by taking the exam. Students who wish to take the exam should be able to proficiently understand directions and communicate in the testing language, and will be asked to speak and write/type, and/or sign/interpret for ASL.
For more information on how to prepare for the exam and scoring criteria you may visit the World Language Credit By Exam website.
Please complete and submit the form to your student’s counselor by the fall registration deadline. You may also email your student’s counselor directly to register, and let them know which language your student will take the test in.
Registration opened on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 a.m., and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m.
NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
More information, including the list of languages offered on the exam, and how to register is available online.
Testing will take place at KJMS either on Thursday, November 14th or Friday, November 15th. More information on the exact date of the exam and exam procedures will be provided at a later date.
All 7th grade students had a great experience last week learning and becoming better environmental stewards as they engaged in sewer science lab through their science classes. Students enjoyed this hands-on learning opportunity and better understanding the water recycling preces and human impact.
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In celebration of 2024 Arbor Day on October 26th, 2024, Fairfax City Environmental Sustainability Committee is planning a poetry contest. The focus of the poetry contest is "Protect the Environment Around You". Focus of poetry can be about nature, the importance of trees, climate change, human impact on nature, global warming, decline in various species, or anything else related to environmental awareness and stewardship.
This poetry contest is open to all students of Daniel's Run ES, Providence ES, Johnson MS, and Fairfax HS.
One poetry winner from each city school will receive the award of $50. The winner will also be invited to read their poetry at the Fairfax City Arbor Day Celebration on October 26th, 2024, at Van Dyck Park. (Details will be shared later)
Link to Google form for submissions: Submission Google Form
Poetry Due Date: October 7th, 2024
Looking for parent/guardian volunteer who have interest in the nature and/or gardening. Or may have expertise with landscaping or handy with small projects. Need help with setting fall vegetable garden in school courtyard, fixing the rain barrel stand, and general gardening. If interested, please contact Mrs. Faiza Alam Falam@fcps.edu. As a green flag school, we take pride in our outdoor classroom and would like for families to be part of this community building as we engage students at KJMS in this environmental stewardship.
Eligible 8th grade students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to join us on September 17, 2024, at 9:50am in the KJMS auditorium for a presentation by the TJHSST admissions staff. Families are also welcome and should enter the building through door 11 if they chose to attend.
For information on your 8th grade student’s eligibility status, please visit the TJHSST admissions website at www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions. On this website, you are encouraged to watch the 30-minute video with detailed information.
For eligible 8th grade students that are interested in applying for admission, applications become available on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 4:00pm. Last day to begin an application is Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 4:00pm.
There is also detailed information to read on the TJ Freshman admissions page, including the eligibility requirements to apply to TJ, here: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-admissions/tjhsst-freshman
If you have any questions, please contact Tyisha Williamson at tswilliamson@fcps.edu or Jessica Galuten at jpgaluten@fcps.edu.
Fairfax High School Announcement
Happy Friday, Lion Nation, it's Game Day!!
As we prepare for our football home opener tonight at 7 pm, we wanted to share some important updates with you:
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Stadium Construction: Our new concession stand and restrooms are progressing well but won't be fully completed by game time. You'll notice the construction as you enter, but rest assured it won't affect your seating or view of the game!
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Press Box: Although temporary, the press box is operational and freshly painted in Fairfax Blue, adding a splash of team spirit to the night!
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Ticket Sales: Due to the ongoing construction, our ticketing process will be slightly different. Tickets will be sold through etix at two windows on the front and left sides of the Ticket Booth. For those preferring cash, we will be outside the ticket booth offering a cash-only option, allowing you to pay and enter directly. To avoid the long lines, buy your ticket early here: Football vs. Oakton Tickets | Fairfax, VA | Fairfax High School Athletics (etix.com)
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Assistance: We will have plenty of staff on hand to help you navigate the changes and ensure a smooth entry into the stadium.
- Middle School Families: Please Note: ALL middle school students must be accompanied by a parent.
We’re excited for a fantastic game and appreciate your patience and support. See you at the game!
Go Lions! 🦁
Nancy Melnick Director of Student Activities Fairfax High School
The Purple Star USA National Convening of Schools & Communities is just around the corner.
Mark your calendars for 24 October 2024 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm EST to attend superb sessions on the topics of our Military Connected Children/Youth, their families, communities, schools, etc. Please see the flyer (link below) for the QR code to register for this FREE wonderful event.
Registration Flyer
As we head into September, we would like to focus on the importance of regular school attendance. September is Attendance Awareness Month. The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance web page for tips and strategies
As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school.
With the upcoming 23rd anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:
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Monday, September 9, at Holmes Middle School
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Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
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Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
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Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary
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Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary
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Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle
Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Strong Start, Pre-K-12
The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Each goal has an equity commitment — the promise we make to every student to support them in attaining these goals. Each goal also has several measures that allow us to track our progress.
The first goal in the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they're joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.
See how Goal 1 is being put into practice.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Immunization Reminder
- Make Attendance a Priority
- How Is FCPS’ Redesigned Website Working for You?
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Family Resource Center
Parents and 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 the Family Resource Center (FRC).
In September, the FRC will host webinars for families on:
- Supporting siblings of children with disabilities.
- Helping students organize their school work.
- The new Virginia Alternate Assessment Program Participation Decision-Making Tool.
- Setting limits for children who like to push boundaries.
- Teen development and well-being.
Sign up for the FRC newsletter for their latest offerings or visit their webinar webpage.
If you need to contact one of our parent liaisons, Ana Maxey (Mon.- 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
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.
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FCPS Cares
Do you want to celebrate a Katherine Johnson employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way, or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.
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Stay in Touch with Us
Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.
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