Katherine Johnson MS Weekly News - January 31, 2025

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Pep Rally Fun

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Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram to see pictures and videos from our events!


in this issue:


KJMS Upcoming Events

 

  • February 3 - 4 - 8th Grade Field Trip
  • February 15 - National School Resource Office (SRO) Appreciation Day
  • February 17 - School Holiday - Presidents Day (No School)
  • February 20 - Community Connection Night - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Location:  Providence ES (See flier below)
  • February 28 - Digital Detox Day (ODD Day)
  • March 3 - Digital Detox Day (EVEN Day)

Principal's Message

Dear KJMS Families,

The KJMS school community extends our deepest condolences to all those impacted by the American Airlines accident earlier this week.  We dedicated our moment of silence today to the victims which includes FCPS students, families and staff. Feel free to contact one of our school counselors if your child needs additional support during this time.

Eighth grade students on the Panthers and Highlanders teams participated in our Power of Words assembly today.  If you have a student on one of those teams please take a few minutes to have your student explain intent vs.impact and what it means to be an upstander. 

Have a good weekend, 

Chris Smith

Principal - Katherine Johnson MS 

Use FCPS Cares to recognize any of our staff members


National School Counseling Week - 2/3-2/7

Give A Shout Out to Your School Counselor

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L to Right:  Ms. Holmes, Ms. Oeur, Mr. Barnes, Ms. Ranallo & Ms. Williamson

Thank you for all you do for our students, parents, staff and the entire KJMS school community!

February 3-7 is National School Counseling Week, and highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career. School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.


Friendly Reminder: Outside Food

Just a friendly reminder about our school's policy regarding outside food. To ensure the safety of all our students, we kindly ask that you please refrain from sending outside food to school with your child.

If outside food is brought to school, your child will be asked to eat it in the main office. This helps us manage potential allergens and maintain a safe environment for everyone.

We understand that sharing food is a kind gesture, but unfortunately, due to varying and sometimes unknown allergies, we cannot allow students to share food brought from home. This is a crucial step in protecting all our children.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our school a safe and healthy place for all!


Digital Detox Days

To promote healthy technology habits and encourage meaningful learning experiences, we will be holding two "Digital Detox Days" on February 28th and March 3rd. On these days, all classroom activities will be conducted without the use of student laptops. Students may still bring their laptops to school if they need to use it for after-school activities, but they will remain in their backpacks during the school day.

We recognize that our students spend a significant amount of time interacting with technology. These Digital Detox Days aim to:

  • Inspire good Digital Citizenship: By stepping away from screens, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the balance between technology and offline activities.
  • Reinforce offline learning: These days will remind us that technology is a tool, and meaningful learning can still be achieved through traditional methods like discussions, hands-on activities, and creative projects.

We believe these days will be a valuable opportunity for both students and teachers to explore alternative learning approaches and foster a deeper connection with their studies!

Questions – email Kelsea Owens (kfowens@fcps.edu)


Save the Date: Community Connection Night

RSVP Here

Visit the website

Community Connection Night Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025

Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Location: Katherine Johnson Middle School

We are planning on running a free raffle.  If you are able and willing, we would be incredibly grateful for any donation you might consider. Gift cards, vouchers, or any item from your favorite store or restaurant would be wonderful and truly appreciated. There's no amount too small – every contribution will help make our raffle a fun and engaging event.

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Order Your 2024-2025 KJMS Yearbook Now!

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Although the deadline is next year in April, why not order it now? One less thing to worry about, and you'll be guaranteed a copy. Plus, only a few extras will be ordered, so the earlier you order, the better your chances of getting one. 

Hardcover yearbook cost $25

Deadline: April 18, 2025

Yearbook Order Form

 


Family Literacy Fair - Free Books

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Family Literacy Fair with 30,000 free books

Saturday, February 8 - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Lorton Community Center

9520 Richmond Hwy. Lorton, VA 22079


SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey

All FCPS families and middle and high school students have received an invitation to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available through Monday, February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!


Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!

Ombuds staff engage with FCPS employees, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.  

Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements between parents/caregivers and schools. They do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.

Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.


Virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings

If you have not been able to attend a Community Boundary Review meeting yet, it’s not too late! There is one more virtual meeting.  It will have the same format and information available as the previous in-person meetings:

Click one the above link to register and receive your unique Zoom link. Please note that each virtual meeting will be capped at 400 participants to help provide a meaningful experience for all. Language interpretation will be available. Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.


Proposed Budget Presented to School Board

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Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 23. Watch a video of the presentation

As Dr. Reid noted in her January 24 letter to families, “The budget is fiscally responsible and invests in excellence — not just for FCPS, but for all of us in Fairfax County who want a strong community with successful young people, dedicated educators and support staff, and a thriving economy.” 

The proposed budget reflects the needs of and FCPS’ commitments to Fairfax County students, families, and community members. It focuses on competitive compensation, including a 7.0% salary increase for all staff to recruit and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students; investing in students who require additional support; and continuing multiyear initiatives such as inclusive preschool and safety and security updates.

Learn more on the Budget webpage


Advisory Committee for Students With Disabilities Seeks Nominations for First-Class Awards

First-Class Awards are presented each year to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2025 First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate the inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education. 

Nominees should model excellence in their role relative to special education, have a positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike, and be committed to creating an inclusive environment and mindset.

Nominate an administrator, staff member, student, or community partner who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close Wednesday, February 19.


FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

  • FY 2026 Proposed Budget
  • Student-Driven Lunch Menus
  • Inclusion Awards Nominations

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.


School Delays/Closings

Winter Weather

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. 


News from KJMS PTA

Join the PTA

PTA Meeting Schedule

KJMS PTA webpage

Contact KJMS PTA (email)

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KJMS Family Liaisons

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.


FCPS Cares

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition.  

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.


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.