A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
We began this week as a staff celebrating Kilmer’s Most Outstanding Employees. Congratulations to our winners: Kimberly Gilmore, Most Outstanding Professional Employee; Silvia Angelova, Most Outstanding Teacher; Paige Knisley, Most Outstanding New Teacher; and Toni Pierce, Most Outstanding Operational Employee. Our winners truly embody the characteristics of outstanding professionals.
A reminder that the front office will be closed during Winter Break from December 23 - January 3. Students and staff will return on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Lastly, we’ve noticed an increase in misbehavior in the weeks leading up to Winter Break. As part of our return to school from Winter Break in January we will be reteaching and reemphasizing our school behavior expectations. We would appreciate your help in talking with your child about the importance of following rules and expectations at Kilmer. Through our collective efforts, we can ensure that Kilmer continues to be a fun and productive learning environment for our students and staff.
Wishing you and your families a wonderful holiday season.
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!
Sanjana S. - Sanjana is dedicated to improving and learning. She is a role model for other students.
Colton B. - Colton, I am impressed with your ability to focus on science and explore, in-depth, the content we're learning. Seeing you collaborate with your classmates to complete a lab to a high standard and really investigate what's going on behind the scenes so that you know the real science behind something is inspiring to me as your science teacher. Keep up the good work!
Rodeen N. - Thank you so much for being the new student ambassador for our new student today and being so responsible! You helped our new student feel so welcome and you are such a great leader! Thank you!
Oumaima M. - Always being so helpful, especially with stacking chairs at the end of the class.
Mason C. - Mason has worked really hard to improve his effort and his grade in English! You're a smart kid, and I'm glad you are putting in all the effort to succeed in class!
 Upcoming Dates:
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Course Registration Activities for the 2025-2026 school year begin in January! More information will be shared in the New Year! Visit the Course Registration page on the Kilmer Website to learn more about the academic advising timeline.
- Madison Counselors meet with 8th grade students attending Madison HS for 9th grade Friday, January 10 during Learning Seminar
- Madison High School’s Rising 9th Curriculum Night - Tuesday January 14, 6:30-8:00
- Marshall High School IB Information Night at Kilmer - Monday, January 27 at 5:00 pm
- Rising 8th Grade Algebra Night - Thursday, January 30 at 5:00 pm
- Marshall Counselors meet with 8th grade students attending Marshall HS for 9th grade Wednesday, February 5 during Learning Seminar
- Marshall High School’s Rising 9th Grade Orientation - Thursday, February 6
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Winter Testing
- iReady Testing January 15th during Learning Seminar Flipped Schedule (Snow Date: January 17th)
- MAP Testing January 22nd during Learning Seminar Flipped Schedule (Snow Date: January 24th). Students who don’t finish during Learning Seminar will continue to test and may miss class—more details to follow after the break.
- FCPS School Calendar 2024-25
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Last Friday, Dr. Mario Perez, an astrophysicist within the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters presented to our students. Approximately 100 students had the opportunity to explore space through pictures and videos. Dr. Perez also fielded questions from students.
This week SGA sold hot chocolate during lunch. Needless to say, it was a big hit 🙂!
Last Friday, Kilmer and hosted the Ha Ha Holiday Show. The show consisted of 5 or 6 person teams from middle schools participating in improv skits/games. It was a great night and a lot of fun was had!
Congratulations to Kilmer’s Most Outstanding Employees: Kimberly Gilmore, Most Outstanding Professional Employee (top left); Silvia Angelova, Most Outstanding Teacher (top right); Paige Knisley, Most Outstanding New Teacher (bottom left); and Toni Pierce, Most Outstanding Operational Employee (bottom right).
Office Closure
The front office will be closed during winter break from December 23 - January 3. Students and staff will return on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings
Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions.
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 among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.
Crosstown Hoops and Tryouts
Kilmer’s Annual Crosstown Hoops Basketball Game against Thoreau MS will be held on Thursday, April 3 at Marshall High School. All students are welcome to try out. We play the following games: 7th grade girls, 7th grade boys, 8th grade girls, 8th grade boys.
All tryouts will be held during our After School Program:
- 7th Grade Boys - Wed/Thurs, January 15th & 16th, 2nd block
- 7th Grade Girls - Tuesday, January 14th, 1st block
- 8th Grade Boys - Wed/Thurs, January 15th & 16th, 1st block
- 8th Grade Girls - Tuesday, January 14th, 2nd block
Health and Physical Education FLE Announcement
Instruction of the Human Growth and Development unit (gender separate) will take place from January 30 through February 5th during HPE class. Instruction of the Emotional and Social Health unit will take place during regular health class during the 3rd quarter.
A parent preview night will be held both in person and virtually on January 6, 2025 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. The in person option will be held in the Kilmer Library. The virtual option can be accessed at the link below:
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/9261213450
If you choose to opt your student out of any or all of these lessons, please print and fill out the opt out form for your student’s grade level and have your student return the form to Ms. Wood in student services. The opt out forms can be found at the following link: https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/department/health-physical-education
To view the lessons in both FLE units please login to schoology and click on the All Parents/Guardians course. On that page there is a folder called Parent Preview - FLE Instruction with the FLE lessons.
If you have any questions, please contact your student’s HPE teacher.
Crisis Resources for Students
Students have been reminded on Schoology about what to do during winter break if they or someone they know is in crisis.
- Get help from a parent/caregiver or trusted adult immediately.
- Do not message school staff or wait to tell someone at school.
- Text or call 988. Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in crisis 24/7.
- Call 911
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
Welcome Mohammad Baashshiti!
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Mohammad Bashshiti is Kilmer’s new Business & Information Technology Teacher. He grew up in the FCPS system, where he attended Fairhill ES, Luther Jackson MS, and Falls Church HS. He graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2012 with dual degrees in Accounting & Information Systems and Finance. He has over 11 years of progressive experience in the private sector as a licensed CPA. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball, reading, attending Wizards & Orioles games, and going to stand-up comedy shows. |
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.
Lightspeed Parent Report
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