Key MS - News You Choose - 11/22/24

Key Middle School Families


Important Dates:

  • November 27-29: No School (Holiday - Thanksgiving)
  • November:
    • Family Engagement Month

    • Native American Heritage Month

Let's all be kind to one another.


Key MS Student Council Association Participates in the Josten's Leadership Event 

SCA

Congratulations to the Key MS SCA on participating in the Josten's Student Leadership event at South County Middle School. Our students had a fantastic time and represented Key MS very well. A huge Thank You also goes out to the SCA sponsor Ms. Dietrich for creating so many awesome opportunities for our kids.


Federal Impact Aid Survey

Attention FCPS Families!

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available to complete online. 

The Federal Impact Aid program provides money to districts that enroll federally connected students. Help FCPS secure funding from the Impact Aid Program by helping us identify: 

  • Military families.
  • Federally connected families.
  • Families living on a military base.

Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form. 

For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

Your support will ensure that we receive the resources for which we are eligible.

Step 1: CLICK HERE to be taken to SIS ParentVUE. If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation letter. 

Step 2: After you’ve logged into your ParentVue Account, look for the ‘Online Packets’ link at the top of the page. Click ‘Online Packets’.

Step 3: Next, click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page. This will take you to the Impact Aid Survey for you to complete.

If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please fill out a form for each child. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you get to the final page, and see a green check next to each of their names.


Order Your School Pictures

 

Order school pictures at shop.jostenspix.com. Be sure to include the Key MS event code FE172724.


Pix

Jostens is Now Introducing - Collages

For the first time ever, families can create a collage of their student's school pictures, friends or past year's pictures that they can customize with text and the year. Through 11/25, parents can receive 50% off their first collage using Collage50 at checkout!


Yearbook

Yearbook Purchase Info

FRIDAY

Cash or Check Dates for purchasing yearbooks: 

Bring $25 cash or a $25 check made out to Key Middle School to the cafeteria at your lunch time on these dates: 

November 22

December 13 / January 10 / February 7th

Purchases can be made online at any time.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1119370/Key-Middle-School/2024-Yearbook/20230812051508403140/CATALOG_SHOP/ 


Yearbook 24-25

Winter

❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

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.

❄️ Preparativos para el Invierno

El tiempo de invierno llegará pronto. El tiempo de invierno llegará pronto. Mire este video para ver cómo deciden cuándo hay que cerrar las escuelas debido al clima. 

El sitio web de FCPS es generalmente el primer lugar donde publicaremos cuando haya un cierre de emergencia por el clima. Otros canales de comunicación serán usados lo más pronto posible incluyendo correo electrónico, texto, medios sociales, y estaciones de noticias. Aprenda más sobre cómo se comunican los cambios de horario. 

Asegúrese de planificar para la temporada de invierno. Asegúrese de que su información de contacto esté actualizada en SIS ParentVUE, marque el sitio web de FCPS, y planifique para el cuidado de niños si es apropiado.

Mantenga a Su Hijo Bien Abrigado Durante las Actividades al Aire LibreEstaremos atentos a las bajas temperaturas, los avisos y advertencias de viento helado y los avisos meteorológicos que pueden impedir que los niños estén al aire libre. Sin embargo, asegúrese de que su hijo esté vestido apropiadamente con un abrigo y otra ropa de clima frío para que pueda disfrutar cómodamente de su tiempo al aire libre. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional ofrece algunos consejos para mantenerse seguro durante el tiempo frío.

Si necesita ayuda para proveer a su hijo de ropa para el clima frío, por favor llame a la Planificación de Servicios Coordinados del Condado de Fairfax al 703-222-0880. El personal multilingüe puede ayudarle con cualquier dificultad que se le presente, como la alimentación, el alojamiento, el empleo, la asistencia financiera, la atención sanitaria y otras necesidades.

❄️ 겨울 날씨 대비하기

눈 깜짝할 사이에 겨울 날씨가 찾아올 거예요! 이 비디오를 보고 날씨와 관련된 휴교 결정이 어떻게 내려지는지 알아보세요

일반적으로 악천후로 인한 휴교는 FCPS 웹사이트에서 가장 먼저 게시됩니다. 또한 이메일, 문자, 소셜 미디어, 뉴스 방송국 등 다른 커뮤니케이션 채널을 통해 가능한 한 빨리 휴교 결정을 알아보실 수 있습니다. 학교 일정과 관련하여 저희가 어떤 커뮤니케이션 수단을 사용하는지 자세히 알아보세요

겨울철을 대비해 계획을 세우시기를 바랍니다. 학생 정보시스템 SIS ParentVUE에 연락처 정보가 최신 상태인지 확인하시고, FCPS 웹사이트를 즐겨찾기에 추가하시고, 필요한 경우 자녀 돌봄 계획을 세우고. 

야외 활동을 할 경우, 자녀의 보온에 신경을 쓰십시오. 

저희는 저온, 혹한기 주의보 및 경고와 같은 기상 주의보를 통해 자녀가 밖에 나가지 않도록 예방하기 위해 날씨를 모니터링할 것입니다. 그러나 자녀가 야외에서 편안하게 시간을 보낼 수 있도록 따듯한 코트와 기타 방한복을 챙겨 적절하게 입히셔야 합니다. 국립 기상청은 추운 날씨에 안전을 유지하기 위한 몇 가지 팁을 제공합니다.혹 자녀의 겨울철 옷을 구비하시는데 어려움이 있으시다면, 페어팩스 카운티 Coordinated Services Planning 703-222-0880에 연락하여 주시기 바랍니다. 의식주 및 취업, 재정문제, 보험 기타 등 어려움이 있으시다면 다국어 담당자가 도움을 줄 것입니다.


Cell Phone Feedback Opportunity

Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R

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.


Boundary

Boundary Review

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., at Annandale High School Cafeteria.

Please visit FCPS’ website for more meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

📍 Reuniones Comunitarias sobre la Revisión de Límites Empiezan Este MesComo recordatorio, FCPS ha comenzado el proceso de revisar los límites escolares en toda la división. Este importante trabajo ayudará al distrito a apoyar mejor a nuestra creciente población estudiantil, las capacidades cambiantes de las escuelas, y la evolución de las necesidades de la comunidad. La opinión de la comunidad es vital para este proceso. Con eso en mente, FCPS, en asociación con la Consultoría Thru, será el anfitrión de una serie de reuniones de la comunidad en cada una de nuestras seis regiones. Animamos a los participantes a compartir sus pensamientos, hacer preguntas y aprender más sobre la revisión de límites.

Por favor visite el sitio web de FCPS para las fechas de las reuniones, lugares, y otra información. Suscríbase a nuestro boletín de noticias de la Revisión de Límites Escolares para actualizaciones.


Fall Immunization Clinic at Key MS

Key MS will host a School Site Immunization Clinic on December 11, 2024, in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). Only students enrolled at Key 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

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: 

  • 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 December 2, 2024, 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, Nylah Beaugard at nbeaugard@fcps.edu with any immunization questions. 


Immunizations

Middle and High School Clinics

FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.

Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.


Sensory Disabilities

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

El Departamento de Educación de Virginia (VDOE) también proporciona información sobre Recursos para apoyar a los estudiantes con discapacidades sensoriales.


Title I Parent Advisory Committee

Patriot Community-

This is a friendly reminder that we need a Title I Parent Advisory Committee representative for your school ASAP. Please email Debbie Vel (dsvel@fcps.edu) if you are interested in supporting Key MS in this capacity.

The representative should be a parent who is able to attend each meeting and relay important information back to the school. This is also a great opportunity to advocate for any resources our school may need. Meetings will be held in a hybrid format, so our representative can attend either virtually or in person once a month.

You may also complete this google form if you would like to sign up.

Meeting dates are listed below, and they will take place from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.

 
  • December 3, 2024
  • February 11, 2025
  • March 18, 2025
  • April 22, 2025
  • May 20, 2025

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Debbie Vel at dsvel@fcps.edu.

Thank you, Key MS Admin Team


📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors

 


Student Testing

The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 6-8. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments under the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests) provides more information on these tests. 

  • iReady Reading - all students scheduled to take the spring reading SOL
  • MAP Growth MAP – all students scheduled to take a spring math SOL 

Middle school teachers assess all grade 6-8 middle school students with iReady Reading and MAP Growth MAP in fall, winter, and spring. Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. Teachers set specific testing dates for each class. General timing for required screening and growth is available on the Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/student-tests-assessments/grade-level-tests).  

Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may require additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher or Danielle Danz, dcdanz@fcps.edu, the school's test coordinator

Danielle Danz

IBMYP Coordinator

School Test Coordinator

Key Middle School


SIS ParentVUE

Everything You Can Do Through SIS ParentVUE

Want to easily access back-to-school forms and checklists? Log in to your SIS ParentVUE account to find forms and make updates.

Update Contact Information

Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from our school and FCPS by adding your cell phone number and email to SIS ParentVUE. To update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon. 

Parents/caregivers who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account should print and complete the Emergency Care Information Form (PDF) and submit it to our front office

Complete Permission Forms

Families can now easily give permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account. You can easily opt your child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. You may also change how your student’s information is managed.

Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool

Submit Absences

Parents/caregivers can submit up to two full-day absences through SIS ParentVUE. Log in and click “Report Absence.” Absences longer than two days, partial day absences, and changes of transportation should still be reported to our front office. 

Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?Contact our front office for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage


Parent Digital Consent System

The Parent Digital Consent System (PDC) is live with major consent forms that families need to sign each year.

Families can log in to the Parent Digital Consent System (PDC) using their ParentVUE credentials to complete consent forms assigned to their child.

Forms available in the PDC starting in the 2024-2025 school year include:

  • School Counseling Opt-Out
  • Digital Resources Consent
  • SEL Screener Opt-Out
  • Consent for Release of Student Records in Support of Postsecondary Applications
  • Denial of Access to Military Recruiters 
  • Family Life Education Opt-Out
  • SOL Retest Permission
  • Hazel Health
  • BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Opt-Out
  • SOS Screener Opt-Out
  • Objection to Release of Information to Outside Organizations
  • Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public

As FCPS updates the PDC, more district-wide forms will be added.


AFTD

Away for the Day Update

Students will be required to store all electronics in their locker during the school day from 7:30am - 2:15pm.

Students will not be allowed to have electronic devices with them during the school day. 

Devices will be confiscated and held for parent pick-up for students who do not comply with the Away for the Day procedure. Unclaimed devices will be returned to students on the last day of each week during dismissal at 2:15pm.  


Bus

Drivers Wanted

Fairfax County Public Schools Needs School Bus Drivers to Meet Our Growing Requirements.

School Bus Drivers earn $25.04/hour plus excellent benefits.

$2,000 signing bonus!

For more information call 571-423-3023


FCPS News

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

  • Spanish:

FCPS NewsEn caso de que se lo haya perdido en FCPS This Week, la división escolar compartió actualizaciones sobre los siguientes temas y otros:

  • Preparación para el invierno
  • Resultados de la Encuesta del SEL
  • La lucha libre femenina es el nuevo deporte de invierno

Lea FCPS Esta Semana para aprender más sobre estos temas. Si aún no recibe este boletín semanal, suscríbase hoy mismo


Key MS Administrative Team

Principal: Drew Campbell  |  amcampbell1@fcps.edu

Assistant Principal: Shawn D. Brown |  sdbrown@fcps.edu

Assistant Principal: Shari Peters |  sapeters@fcps.edu

Director of Student Services: Jane Flegal |  jcflegal@fcps.edu