A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
I was reminded this week about why Kilmer is such an amazing place. It’s not just one thing that makes Kilmer special. Instead, it’s the robust opportunities students not only have to thrive academically, but also the opportunities they have to be a part of the Kilmer community through our groups and clubs. Students feel connected to this place through deep relationships with their peers and staff, and I see this play out each day as I walk through the halls peering into classrooms. I see students working hard and collaborating across all disciplines. As soon as our dismissal bell rings, students flood to our after school program to participate in the various activities offered—from Dungeons & Dragons club to sports to the Technology Student Association to Homework Hotspot and more. To cap it off, we’re in the season in which our music groups get to show off their hard work through holiday performances. Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the Marshall Pyramid Orchestra Concert hosted here at Kilmer. Kilmer students were joined by students from Marshall and our feeder schools. It was so fun to watch Kilmer students perform alongside Kilmer students of the past and future.
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!
Theodore S. - I love that Teddy has become much more participatory in English lately. He's sharing his thoughts a lot more and has really great things to contribute to our class discussions!
Ayodeji S. - Deji, thank you for not giving up when math seemed hard. Your perseverance is an amazing trait to have; keep up the great work!
Calvin P. - Earlier this week a peer was really upset with themselves for not performing well in volleyball. Anytime he would mess up he felt the need to apologize to his team. Today, that student made a good play and Calvin hyped him up afterwards. He got really excited for his peer clapping for him and dabbing him up. It showed great sportsmanship especially when you don't expect anyone to be watching.
Abdulla A. - Thank you for always coming to class with a smile, prepared and ready to learn. Thank you for being a role model and encouraging others to try their best!
CJ A. - Nice job having fun, and trying to use proper technique when playing volleyball. You are trying hard to win and still being respectful to your teammates and your opponents.
 Upcoming Dates:
Last Tuesday our November Student of the Month award recipients enjoyed snacks, games, and a movie to celebrate their achievement during their Learning Seminar period. Congratulations to Jayden Anez, Ali Beides, Saul Deighton, Zhanna Doak, Dexter Dulaney, Eli Fraatz, Anika Guerrero, Ellie Hawkins, Dalton Hughes, Nolan Jacobs, Pamela Lerma Canizales, Marissa Moore, Jo Oxendine, Jackie Pyatt, Shahshini Raviraj, and Muhammad Syed!
Last night Kilmer hosted the Marshall Pyramid orchestra concert, which included Kilmer’s Symphonic Orchestra, as well as past and future Kilmer students from Marshall and our feeder elementary schools. The music was fantastic, and a big thank you to Mr. Robert Katz, Kilmer’s orchestra director, for organizing this special event.
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.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Results
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
Individual student SEL Screener results are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.
For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.
Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times
At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc. presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.
The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultants’ analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.
Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.
Attendance Reminder
Getting your student into the habit of daily attendance helps reduce their stress and makes it easier to connect with friends and teachers. We understand each year may present extenuating circumstances that lead to missed days. However, we hope to increase timely communication regarding absences as they occur to prevent patterns that could impact your student’s well-being.
Please read the tips below to support regular school attendance and foster a positive attitude regarding school and education:
- Scheduling: Schedule family vacations, trips, appointments, and other out-of-school activities during school holidays. See the FCPS calendar.
- Engagement: Help your student stay engaged by asking open-ended questions about what is going on in school. Encourage those conversations, daily!
- Monitor Attendance: Monitor your student's attendance in ParentVue. By the end of the school year, if a student misses just two days each month, they may be considered chronically absent.
- Social-Emotional Health: If your student expresses anxiety about school, contact your student’s counselor.
Missing even a few days can negatively impact a child's academic achievement and we want to partner with you to work toward your child's success. If you have additional questions, please contact your child’s school counselor, we would be happy to speak with you further about how we can support your child’s attendance for the rest of the school year.
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
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.
Lightspeed Parent Report
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