Kilmer Community,
We had a fun and festive end to the 1st quarter last week with Spirit Week, culminating in creative costumes for Halloween. We also were able to celebrate our October Students of the Month. Students of the Month are recognized for their positive contributions to the Kilmer community connected to FCPS’s Portrait of a Graduate (see picture below). As we wrap up the 1st quarter, and begin the 2nd quarter, be on the look out for report cards and Honor Roll certificates which will be sent home next week on 11/14.
A final reminder to nominate Kilmer staff for the Outstanding Employee Awards. To submit a nomination for a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee in one or more of the categories below, please complete the Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee Awards Nomination Form.
Lastly, today is the LAST DAY to Buy Kilmer Skate Night Tickets (this is a PTA event)! Buy Tickets HERE
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When: Saturday, November 9th, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
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Where: Skate Quest Reston: 1800 Michael Faraday Ct, Reston, VA 20190
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Who: Open to all Kilmer Middle School Students, Siblings and Family Members, and Kilmer Staff
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How Much: Tickets purchased online before 11/8 at 9pm are $10 each. Tickets purchased at the event are $14 if purchased using cash and $16 if purchased via credit card.
Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns.
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!
Jada N. - It is such a pleasure to have Jada in my class! She always arrives with a smile and has a positive attitude during class. Jada is great at completing her work, and puts her best effort into whatever she is doing. Jada helps her group members stay on task. If someone is confused, Jada is always willing to lend a helping hand. Thanks for being amazing!
Matthew R. - Matthew actively participated in the Veteran's Day advisory lesson - sharing his thoughts and leading the poetry discussion. He was a true leader during this class.
Jacob D. - Thanks for stepping up to answer questions, clean the board, and help out when needed. I appreciate your calm attentiveness.
Salma J. - Salma helped pick up lots of cones at the end of class without being asked.
 Upcoming Dates:
Last week our October Student of the Month award recipients enjoyed snacks, games, and a movie to celebrate their achievement during their Learning Seminar period. Congratulations to Katelyn Acuna, John Ahn, Sabine Al Khatib, Natalie Axelrod, Brynn Edwards, Maddox Fraatz, Christopher Gudiel Esquivel, Akim Mulhovo, Isabella Munoz - Gui, Chia Okpokwasili, Hong-Duc Pho, Wilson Snavely, Baptiste Vergne, Kellen Votega, Shirley Wood, and Daniel Yoo!
Impact Aid Survey Opens Monday, October 21
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible for federal Impact Aid grants due to the federal presence in our area. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget. They are critical to ensuring that students receive an excellent education. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in Impact Aid funds.
FCPS uses the survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students. On Monday, October 21, the survey will be available to FCPS families online through ParentVue, in the “Online Packets” section. Click here for directions on how to access the survey. Families without ParentVUE can request a paper copy of the survey from their child's school. FCPS staff will process the information with the utmost confidentiality.
2nd Quarter Learning Seminar Changes
Throughout the school year, students learning seminar teacher may change for the following reasons: the student is participating in a club like yearbook, a student is receiving an intervention to support increase progress in math or reading, or their current teacher is implementing an intervention or sponsoring a club and a student needs to move out of that teacher’s class. Any student with a change to their Learning Seminar will remain with one of their teachers. Students with a change to 8th or 9th period began their new schedule today.
FCPS World Languages Credit by Exam (WLCBE)
The exam will be held on Tuesday, November 12th at 7:30AM on the Avant Platform. Please make sure your child is on time to school that day so we can begin testing promptly. Students will need to bring a fully charged FCPS Chromebook. Before the test, please do the following on the FCPS Landing Page on the Avant Website.
- Review the resources related to preparing for the assessment
- Take a Sample Test in your language
- Review the STAMP FAQs about the assessment
- Review the resources related to Assessment Results.
Please contact your student’s counselor for any additional questions.
TJHSST Applications
Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application is now available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.
Mental Health Screening - 7th Grade Students only
This school year, school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. FCPS uses a program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). The SOS program will take place during your child’s US History class on either November 19 or 20. During this time, students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. We encourage parents to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. You can also view this parent video and the e-Notify sent to parents on October 21 to learn more about the program
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program or if you would like to opt your child out of this program, please contact your child’s school counselor by Friday, November 15th .
Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE
Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed.
- iReady reports in grades 1-8 are available in ParentVUE now.
- Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 will be available by Friday, December 13, following an extension to the fall testing window.
Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.
Youth Survey (8th grade only):
The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people. We will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Wednesday, November 20th during Learning Seminar.
While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please contact your child's school counselor no later than November 15, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.
Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Kilmer Middle School
Our school has been selected to participate in a pilot program for FCPS’ Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
A limited number of classes in grades 6-12 were selected to participate and those families were notified separately. However, all students in participating grades, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email. We will administer the survey in selected classes during the school day between Monday, December 2, and Friday, December 13. Any student may take the survey at home(again, this is optional).
We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.
Fall Immunization Clinic at Kilmer MS
Kilmer MS will host a School Site Immunization Clinic on November 19, in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). Only students enrolled at Kilmer MS 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
Click here to 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 to participate in the clinic.
Please bring your signed consent form to our Student Services Office by 11/8 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 Student Services Office as well. You may contact our school’s public health nurse, Stephanie Gibbs, at sgibbs1@fcps.edu with any immunization questions.
1st Quarter Grades
Student gradebooks in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM. At the end of this window, 1st quarter grades will be posted in SIS ParentVue and StudentVUE.
After School Activities News/Updates:
Each week Ms. Perry 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 Saundra Perry (Acting After School Specialist) at slperry@fcps.edu.
Executive Board Contact Information
Reflections Art Contest
Calling all creatives! Are you into art, photography, music, dance, film, or writing? Enter the Reflections Art Contest! This year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection"! You can enter one submission each in any (or all!) of the six categories! Deadline for entries is November 15.
- For ARTWORK file: name, category and division - e.g., JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Entry
- For ENTRY FORM file: Similar naming convention: JaneSmith.VisualArts.Middleschool.Form
- Upload these files to the contest DROPBOX.
- Questions: Reflections@kilmerpta.org (use non-school email)
Outstanding Employee Awards Program
Nominations will open for the Outstanding Employee Awards on Monday October 21, 2024! To submit a nomination for a Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee in one or more of the categories below, please complete the Kilmer Middle School Outstanding Employee Awards Nomination Form.
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 one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher
- Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district). Ex: Teacher or Librarian with 3+ years of experience
Outstanding New Teacher
- Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district). Ex: Teacher or Librarian with less than three years of experience
Outstanding Leader
- Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position and location as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee. This does not include the principal. Ex: Assistant Principal, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee
- Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location. Ex: School Based Technology Specialist (SBTS), Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Instructional Coach, Testing Coordinator, Clinicians, Speech Pathologist, After-School Specialist, Resource Teachers, MTSS Coordinator, Assessment Coach or Special Education Department Chair
Outstanding Operational Employee
- Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location Ex: Administrative Assistants, Office Assistants, Librarians, Finance Tech, Custodial staff, Food Services staff, Instructional Aids, Public Health Attendant, Public Health Training Attendant, Parent Liaison)
The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 8, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Smith, Assistant Principal, mwsmith@fcps.edu.
Morning Kiss N’ Ride Drop-Off Time
Doors open every morning at 7:10 am. Cars that arrive before 7:10 am will need to wait in the Kiss N’ Ride line until doors open. Thank you!
Reminder to Order School Pictures
School Photos are now online! Families should have received an E-proof via email. Please remember to check your spam. For any questions about your student's school pictures please contact: underclass@vosphoto.com
Join the School Book Committee
We are excited to invite parents to join our School Book Committee! This is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with other parents and educators to select and promote texts that enrich our students' reading experiences. As part of the committee, you will choose new titles for the Language Arts curriculum should the need to review arise. Your input is invaluable in ensuring our texts reflect the diverse interests and needs of our students.
If you're interested in joining or would like more information, please email Erin Dwyer at edwyer@fcps.edu
On Time to Class
To help create a smooth and effective learning environment, we ask that students make every effort to arrive on time to each class. Please review Kilmer’s response to tardies outlined below. These will begin on October 1, 2024. Parents/guardians will be notified if your child is assigned lunch or after school detention.
- Tardy Sweeps: Tardy sweeps will begin in October and occur randomly throughout the year. A tardy sweep means if your child arrives to class after the bell, the teacher’s door will be locked, and a staff member will record the tardy. Students who are recorded in a tardy sweep will be assigned lunch detention.
- Class Tardies: Students may receive an office referral from their teacher if they reach four tardies to a single class. Students who receive an office referral will be assigned after school detention.
- Excessive Tardies: Students who reach a total of 10 or more tardies in a calendar month will be assigned an after school detention.
Regularly monitoring your student's tardies in ParentVue helps ensure they stay on track with punctuality and reinforces good habits for academic success. It is important for students to be in all classes on time every day, we will work with you and your child should there be issues or concerns that prevent them from getting to classes on time.
Lightspeed Parent Report
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