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in this issue:
Important Upcoming Events
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October 14 - Staff Development - No School
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October 23 - Orchestra Concert - 7:00 PM - KJMS Auditorium
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October 25 - Fall Pictures Retakes/Make Ups - All Day
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October 29 - Pyramid Concert - 7:00 PM - Fairfax HS
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October 31 - Last of the First Quarter - Early Release - 12:15 PM
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November 1 - Holiday - All Schools & Offices Closed
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November 4 & 5 - School Planning & Teacher Workday - No School
Dear KJMS Families,
October 2nd was National Custodian Day and I want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our amazing custodians. Their hard work and dedication ensure that our school remains a safe and welcoming environment for our students and staff. Thank you to our custodial staff for their commitment and the pride they take in maintaining our space! I encourage you to use our FCPS Cares program to recognize any of our staff members.
Families can continue to monitor your child's attendance and academic progress by receiving weekly progress reports. To activate weekly progress reports via email, log-in to your SIS ParentVUE account, verify that you have a primary email address listed, and select your preferences in the “My Account” tab. For more information please visit this information page.
Additionally, I would like to remind everyone about our first PTA meeting of the year, taking place on Wednesday, October 9th at 7:00 pm. This will be a virtual meeting and we will send a link on Wednesday for the meeting. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow parents, share ideas, and learn more about how you can get involved in supporting our school community. Your input and participation make a significant difference!
We look forward to seeing you there and continuing to work together for the benefit of our students.
Enjoy the weekend,
Chris Smith
Principal - Katherine Johnson MS
Punctuality Matters: The Impact of Chronic Absenteeism
Currently, KJMS has 109 students who are considered chronically absent. That is 9.3% of the population of the school. Students who have 18 missed days for the entire year are considered chronically absent and are more likely to show signs of learning loss and social hardships with their peer groups.
We understand that there are circumstances why your child might need to stay home. Please know that if a child has a fever, has vomited or has had diarrhea in the last 24 hours, or is showing signs of serious illness that needs to be seen by a medical professional, they need to stay home until the are symptom free for 24 hours. All other medical issues like a stomachache, head ache, or seasonal allergies are not a reason to keep your child home. We have adults in the building that can assist your child with these issues and get them back to class for learning.
We want to emphasize the importance of regular school attendance for your child's academic success and future prospects. Chronic absenteeism, even for seemingly small reasons, can have a significant negative impact on a student's education.
Did you know:
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Missed days add up: Even a few days of missed school per month can lead to significant learning gaps.
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Habitual tardiness is harmful: Arriving late disrupts the learning environment and can make it difficult for students to stay focused.
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Absenteeism affects grades: Students who miss school frequently are more likely to have lower grades and struggle with coursework.
Let's work together to ensure your child is in class every day. Please help them develop a consistent routine that allows for plenty of time to rest, get ready, and arrive at school on time. Getting a decent night’s sleep, is critical for our students. You can help them by turning off electronics at least an hour before bedtime. If your child is facing challenges that are preventing them from attending school regularly, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or school counselor.
Thank you.
Fall Screener Information
- Open to any student (up to and including grade 8) new to Fairfax County Public Schools as of January 1, 2024. Students identified will begin services in Quarter 3.
- Parents must submit an AAP Full-time Referral Form by October 15, 2024. Forms submitted beyond this date are not accepted.
- There is an optional questionnaire that may be completed by parents in order to share more information about their child with the committee.
- Students who do not have a cognitive assessment on file, may contact Jessica Galuten to request their child to be assessed using the CogAT test. Students who do not have cognitive scores are unable to be screened for full-time placement.
Spring Screener Information
- Open to any student in FCPS (up to and including grade 7). Students identified will begin services in SY 2025-26
- Parents must submit an AAP Full-time Referral Form by December 15, 2024. Forms submitted beyond this date are not accepted.
- There is an optional questionnaire that may be completed by parents in order to share more information about their child with the committee.
For both Fall and Spring Referrals: To share information about special education services or an IEP/504 plan, indicate a special learning need on the optional questionnaire and contact Jessica Galuten to provide consent to share with the central screening committee.
For more information and to access forms visit: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/advanced-academic-programs-aap/forms-advanced-academic-program-aap
Questions about the screening process? Please contact: Jessica Galuten, AART; jpgaluten@fcps.edu
Katherine Johnson Middle School (KJMS) will host a School Site Immunization Clinic on November 15, 2024, in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). Only students enrolled at KJMS may participate in the clinic.
The following immunizations will be offered during school hours at the School Immunization Clinic:
- Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine
Find additional information for each vaccine.
If you would like your child to receive immunizations as part of the School Site Immunization Clinic, you must first provide:
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Permission via a signed Adolescent Vaccine Clinic Consent Form, which can be found in the Middle and High School Clinics section on this webpage.
- A copy of their immunization records (if available).
- A copy of the front and back of their insurance card (if applicable). Insurance is not required.
Please bring your signed consent form to our front office by October 31 in order for your child to participate. If your child is insured, please submit a copy of the front and back of your child’s insurance to our front office as well. You may contact our school’s public health nurse, Ms.Gant at cgant@fcps.edu with any immunization questions.
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Make-ups and retakes are scheduled for Friday, 10/25.
The following students are eligible for retakes:
- Students absent on the previous picture day (9/5 & 9/6)
- Students new to KJMS since 9/9.
- Students who have purchased pictures and have the originals to return to the photographers on retake day.
To retake, please be sure to return the original picture set to the photographer prior to having their picture retaken.
Please complete the form below if your child meets one of these criteria. If eligible, a pass will be given to them to have their picture taken or re-taken.
Absentee and Re-take Picture Day Form
If neither of the above applies to your student, please disregard this email.
If you have any questions, please contact Emily Gardiner at eegardiner@fcps.edu.
Thank you.
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Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures
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Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card! More about the Smilesafe program here.
Registration closes today, Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m.
NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
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.
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.
Students and families joined us on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, for a presentation by the TJHSST Admissions Specialist. Eligible 8th grade students with a strong aptitude and interest in STEM should consider applying to Thomas Jefferson High School. Please see the eligibility requirements below.
- Residency in a participating school division
- Honors Algebra 1 or higher in 8th grade
- Along with Honors Science and One additional Honors course
- 3.5 GPA in core classes (unweighted grades)
Applications will 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.
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
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Our final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
Safeway Immunization Clinics
0Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:
- Tuesday, October 8, 3-7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person.
All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.
- In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- All FCPS Schools Accredited
- How FCPS Is Teaching Reading and Writing
- Become a Special Education Teacher
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Quarter End, Early Release, Diwali/Dia de los Muertos and
All Saints Day, Student Holidays
Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Friday, November 1, is a holiday this year for Diwali and Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed. Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
See the complete school year calendar.
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- National School Principals Month
- Disability History and Awareness Month
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In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
- Walk and Roll to School Day
- FCPS will participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 9, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools. Get more information about Walk to School Day.
- Yom Kippur
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Friday, October 11, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. There is school that day, but important events will not occur after school. See the complete school year calendar.
- Indigenous Peoples Day
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
Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center (PRC) offers free workshops (webinars), consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
In October, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:
- Supporting siblings of children with disabilities.
- Helping students organize their schoolwork.
- Benchmark Advance, the new K-6 language arts curriculum.
- Ways to engage with your children in mathematics.
- Transitions from school to work and adult life for students with disabilities.
Sign up for the FRC newsletter to learn about their latest offerings or visit their webinar webpage.
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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/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS.
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