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in this issue:
Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram to see pictures and videos from our events!
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November 18-22 - Career and College Day Spirit Week
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November 19 - Virtual PTA Meeting - 7:00 PM
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November 27- 29 - Thanksgiving Break (no early release on 11/26)
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December 3 - Book Fair - Family Night - 5:00-7:00 PM
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December 3 - Band Concert - 7:00 PM - KJMS
Good afternoon, KJMS Families,
I am happy to announce that we have elected a PTA board for the 24-25 school year. Thank you to the following parents for volunteering for these positions:
- President - Lacey O’Donnell
- Secretary - Dustin Wright
- Treasurer - Leslie Woods
Please take a few minutes to join the PTA and you can send any ideas you have.
Join the KJMS PTA Today. We will share more information once our officers are able to get our PTA up and running.
Congratulations to our drama teacher, Ms. Crook, and all our students who participated in Dorothy in Wonderland. It was an outstanding production, and we look forward to our spring performance!
A reminder that all FCPS schools and offices will be closed next Wednesday (11/27) through Friday (11/29) for Thanksgiving Break.
Enjoy the weekend,
Chris Smith
Principal - Katherine Johnson MS
Use FCPS Cares to recognize any of our staff members
As the holiday season approaches, we want to remind you about the importance of regular school attendance. Every day in the classroom counts towards your child's academic progress and overall development.
We understand that the holidays can be a busy time, but we kindly ask that you avoid scheduling vacations during school days. Missing even a few days of school can disrupt learning and make it difficult for your child to catch up.
If your family has already made plans for travel during school days please contact us before you leave. The best way to report an absence is by email, JohnsonMiddle.Attendance@fcps.edu , or phone, 703-934-2424. All absences due to travel will be considered unexcused in accordance with region attendance reporting directives.
By prioritizing school attendance, we can ensure that your child has the best possible learning experience and is well-prepared for their future.
Thank you for your cooperation.
KJMS Attendance Team
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 Upcoming Donation Events for December 4, 10, & 19.
Parents and teachers interested in referring students for the spring level IV screening must submit a level IV referral form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) by December 15, 2024. Spring 2025 screening is only available to seventh grade students.
For more information pertaining to the Spring 2025 screening process, testing and identification timeline or identification and placement, please contact Jessica Galuten at jpgaluten@fcps.edu
Our school is partnering with Food For Neighbors to help feed our local students who deal with food insecurity outside of school hours. Even in an area as wealthy as Northern Virginia, one in four kids are struggling with hunger.
Food For Neighbors is a local organization addressing this problem by collecting food from our community via the Red Bag Program and donating directly to our local schools. The food is then distributed to the students every week through our food pantry. Read more...
Food For Neighbors Flier
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FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.
The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25.
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices.
The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.
In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.
Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
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Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Monday, December 2.
Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available.
If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.
Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to help assist families of students with special needs.
- The Office of Special Education Procedural Support helps staff, families, and students with the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
- Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Contact the Ombuds Office by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education has updated the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. This state guide was developed to help those involved in special education including families, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students.
As we transition into the fall and winter seasons, it's important to remind our students, staff, and families about the importance of practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. These simple practices can significantly reduce the spread of germs, particularly during the upcoming holiday season when gatherings and travel increase.
Key Reminders:
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Wash Hands Frequently: Encourage students to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing.
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Use Hand Sanitizer: When soap and water are not readily available, provide access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content.
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Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Remind students to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly in a wastebasket and wash their hands.
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Avoid Touching Face: Discourage students from touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Action Required
Please view and share the following videos with your school community:
Hand Washing Prevents The Spread of the Flu
Your Health Is In Your Hands with the Help from a Shark
- Family Engagement Month
- Native American Heritage Month
- Thanksgiving: Schools and offices will be closed November 27-29.
- National Special Education Day
See the complete school year calendar.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Preparing for Winter Weather
- SEL Screener Results
- Varsity Girls Wrestling Is New Winter Sport
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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.
Help us keep the KJMS PTA active. Become a member today and vote for the new PTA Board by clicking on the link below:
Join the KJMS PTA Today
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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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