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in this issue:
Important Upcoming Events
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October 21 - 31 - MAP-Math Diagnostic Test
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October 22 & 28 - SOS Screener - Bell Schedule
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October 25 - 30 - 7th Grade - MWEE Field Trips
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October 29 - Pyramid Concert - 7:00 PM - Fairfax HS
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October 31 - Last Day 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 3 - End of Daylight Saving Time
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November 4 - School Planning /Teacher Workday - No School
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November 5 - Election Day & Teacher Work Day for Staff - No School
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November 7 - ESOL Family Potluck - 6:00 PM-8:00 PM - Cafeteria
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November 11 - Veterans Day - No School
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November 12 - Career Day
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November 14-15 - World Language Credit Exam
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November 27- 29 - Thanksgiving Break (no early release on 11/26)
Dear KJMS Families,
Our orchestra students had their first concert of the year this past week. It was fun to see the students embrace the Halloween spirit, play creepy music and dress up - a sea of minions were directed by Gru (Mrs. Sengstack). Our chorus students will have their first performance next Tuesday (10/29) at the Fairfax Pyramid Chorus Concert at Fairfax HS.
We have a spirit week (see flier below) planned next week and students may dress up for Halloween on Thursday (10/31). Students are not to bring any sort of imitation weapon as part of their costume or wear any costume that fully covers their face. Students need to make sure that their costumes are school appropriate and that they don't violate the FCPS Dress Code.
As we reflect on the first quarter of the school year, please consider taking a few minutes to recognize one or more Katherine Johnson MS employees that have made a positive impact in your student’s life. The FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards allow students and their families to nominate staff members in the Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding New Teacher, Outstanding Principal, Outstanding Leader, Outstanding Professional, and Outstanding Operational Employee categories. Nominations are due by Friday, November 8, 2024.
City of Fairfax residents - Learn about the school bond referendum on the November 5 ballot. Go to www.CityofFairfaxSchools for more information or submit a question.
Enjoy the weekend,
Chris Smith
Principal - Katherine Johnson MS
FCPS Cares program to recognize any of our staff members.
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by Friday, November 17.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Please watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page for more information.
Need to Register for ParentVUE?
Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
Monday: Sports Day
Tuesday: Twin Day
Wednesday: 90's Day
Thursday: Teacher Student Swap Day or
Wear a School Appropriate Costume
Hunger is an unwelcome guest this holiday season.
For many families in our school community struggling financially, providing daily meals is difficult and a special holiday meal can become a source of worry and stress. Help a local family know the joy of gathering together for a holiday meal. We’re partnering with Food For Neighbors to provide $50 grocery store gift cards to our most vulnerable families. Visit the Food For Neighbors’ website to learn how you can help. Thank you for your generosity.
Learn more here: www.foodforneighbors.org/home/holiday-meals/.
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Punctuality Matters: The Impact of Chronic Absenteeism
Currently, KJMS has 115 students who are considered chronically absent. That is 9.8% 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 they are symptom free for 24 hours. All other medical issues like a stomachache, headache, 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.
Thomas Jefferson Freshman Admissions application will open Monday, October 21 2024, at 4pm and close on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 4:00pm.
The last day to start a NEW APPLICATION is on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 by 4:00pm.
Students with a keen interest in STEM and have a high aptitude in math and science may consider applying.
To learn more about the application process to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and the eligibility requirements please visit the TJHSST registration page .
If there are any further questions please reach out to Mrs. Williamson, School Counselor and Katherine Johnson TJHSST staff Liaison.
To submit a nomination for a KJMS Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the Google form links below. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category).
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The Google form has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and eligibility requirements.
Outstanding Teacher
Outstanding New Teacher
Outstanding Professional Employee
Outstanding Operational Employee
Outstanding Leader
The deadline to submit a nomination is close of business Friday, November 8, 2024.
If you have any questions, please contact Friday Oeur via email at FLOeur@fcps.edu.
Thank you.
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.
Fairfax City News
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City of Fairfax residents! Learn about the school bond referendum on the November 5 ballot. Go to www.CityofFairfaxSchools for more information or submit a question. |
Connect with nature and community as we mark Fairfax City's 37th year as a Tree City USA with a special tree planting at Kutner Park.
When: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Kutner Park (3901 Jermantown Road)
Earn service hours or stormwater utility credit when you volunteer.
Event contact: (703) 223-5054 or via email at sophia.chapin@fairfaxva.gov
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Fairfax Hight School News
When: Tuesday, November 5th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Where: Fairfax High School (FHS)
Who: For any child in 1st to 8th grade
Cost: $65 per child and $45 for FCPS Employees
Click to view flier: Fall Drama Flier
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Fairfax High School students will be offering a virtual workshop to middle school students in Basic Java and Advanced Java coding. Five (5) Classes.
When: Every Monday and Saturday
Date: November 4 - November 18
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
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FCPS News
Safeway Immunization Clinics
Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on
Monday, October 28 and Tuesday, October 29
3:00 PM to 7:00 PM (both days)
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions at the final community conversation this fall. It will be held Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School. Click the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Federal Impact Aid Survey
- Tips to Keep Children Safe
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
See the complete school year calendar.
- National School Principals Month
- Disability History and Awareness Month
- School Bus Safety Week
- Quarter End/Early Release, Diwali/Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day, Student Holidays
- Family Engagement Month
- Native American Heritage Month
- Daylight Saving Time
- Election Day/TW 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 November, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:
- SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! - Register Online
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SIBTEEN: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! - Register Online
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5 Ways to De-Escalate a Nuclear Meltdown & Stop the Shame Cycle: A Webinar for Families. - Register Online
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Language Arts and Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Accessing an Adapted Curriculum. Register Online
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Executive Functioning Skills - *presented in Arabic. Register Online
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Teen Series: Building Resilience: Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence. - Register Online
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Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families. Register Online
Sign up for the FRC newsletter to learn about their latest offerings or visit their webinar webpage.
View previous workshops and webinars on YouTube
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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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