|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Please remind your child to bring a fully charged laptop to school every day! We have limited loaners and students should use the laptop and charger assigned to them.
|
Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram to see pictures and videos from our events!
in this issue:
-
February 12 - 7th Grade Young Scholar Field Trip
-
February 12 - In-Person PTA Meeting- 7:00 PM - Library
-
February 13 - 7th Grade Young Scholar 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 26 - Parent Academy (see more details below)
-
February 27 - AVID Students Field Trip (7th & 8th)
-
February 28 - Digital Detox Day (ODD Day)
-
March 3 - Digital Detox Day (EVEN Day)
Dear KJMS Families,
A great week of learning and celebration this past week at KJMS! This past week was National School Counseling Week and we recognize the invaluable contributions of our school counselors who help our students thrive. Please join us in honoring our outstanding counseling team - Ms. Teague, Ms. Ranallo, Mr. Barnes, Ms. Williamson and Ms. Oeur and Ms. Kaniewski - for their dedication and commitment to our students' success.
A couple updates/reminders:
- PTA meeting - Join us Wednesday, February 12th in the KJMS library. We will have a representative from FHS here to talk about the transition to 9th grade.
- Parent Academy - save the date for Wednesday, February 26th for a presentation on social media use, more details below.
Congratulations to our students:
- 13 students participated in the District Honor Band last weekend!
- Our MathCounts team earned second place in their competition last weekend and will be moving on to the state competition!
- Our girls and boys futsal teams earned victories over Herndon MS last night!
Enjoy the weekend,
Chris Smith
Principal - Katherine Johnson MS
Use FCPS Cares to recognize any of our staff members
Officer Johns isn't just a badge in the hallway at Katherine Johnson Middle School (KJMS), she is also a track & field assistant coach. On Saturday, February, 15 will be Security Resources Officer (SRO) Day, and we celebrate Officer Johns for her unwavering commitment to our school community- thank you for making KJMS a safer, stronger place. for all!
|
Parent Academy: Social Media
February 26 at 7PM on Zoom
Is your family navigating the ever-changing world of social media? Join Katherine Johnson Middle School for a virtual family workshop focused on social media awareness. We'll explore the popular platforms kids are using today, discuss the potential challenges and benefits, and provide practical tips for fostering healthy online habits. Learn how to have meaningful conversations with your children about their digital lives and how to collaboratively set effective boundaries. This workshop is designed to empower families to navigate the digital landscape together.
For more information and the Zoom link – https://johnsonms.fcps.edu/event/parent-academy-social-media
 Monday
Social Media Day - Dress as your favorite app.
Tuesday
Dress Like Steve Jobs - wear jeans & a black shirt like the co-found of Apple
Wednesday
Party Like It's 1998 - Wear your 90s gear to remember the year Google was invented
Thursday
Gamer Day - Dress like a video game character
Friday
The Digital Divide: iPhone vs. Android - Team iPhone wear blue AND Team Android wear green.
Digital Detox days is 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)
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
|
Join the PTA
PTA Meeting Schedule
KJMS PTA webpage
Contact KJMS PTA (email)
KJMS next PTA Meeting is Wednesday, February 12 in the library at 7:00 PM.
The meeting will feature a report from our principal Mr. Smith, the Fairfax High School 9th grade transition team & KJMS PTA business.
RSVP Here
Visit the website
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. Send donations to the main office and address it to "Community Connection Night" event. Thank you.
|
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
Spanish Flyer/English Flyer
Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations. Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!
Starting Monday, May 19, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE.
Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!
|
The Fairfax County School Board discussed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at their work session on February 4. They discussed details regarding student enrollment and investments in students requiring additional support, market comparison data for surrounding school divisions, and an update on progress toward achieving the Baldrige Award for Performance Excellence. Baldrige is a framework used to assess and improve organizational performance across various sectors, including education.
The School Board also held a public hearing on the FY 2026 Proposed Budget on Tuesday, February 4, where they invited the community to share their feedback on the budget.
On Tuesday, February 18, the Fairfax County executive will present the county’s Advertised Budget, and the Fairfax County School Board will hold a work session on the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget. View FCPS’ Budget Development Calendar.
More than 85% of the budget is dedicated to instruction and reflects the needs of our community’s young people in response to the changing world around us. Budget priorities include providing competitive compensation for all employees, including a 7% salary increase for all staff. The majority of the budget increase is dedicated to that proposed 7% pay increase.
Our families want their children in high-quality schools with the best teachers who provide rigorous academic experiences. We must provide competitive compensation to attract and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students.
The proposed 7% salary increase would likely move FCPS to the highest starting salary for teachers with a master's degree among our neighboring counties and greatly improve our recruitment efforts amidst an ongoing teacher shortage. Visit the Budget webpage for more information.
|
The 2025 FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, March 15, at South Lakes High School. Visit the Family Summit webpage for more information.
At the event, FCPS students are invited to showcase projects and advocacy efforts around inclusivity in schools. This is a great resume-building opportunity, and students can earn service hours as well. Students may share their work in a share-fair environment using posters, essays, videos, songs, or art. They will interact with attendees through conversations about their work, ideas, and efforts to foster inclusivity in school communities.
Students must use this Google Form to participate by Monday, February 17. A list of possible projects is also on the form. More information will be provided after the student’s submission is received. Please contact Manuel Gomez Portillo with any questions.
✨ Centering student voice is part of FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
FCPS’ Chief Equity Office invites the community to an Inaugural Black History Month Kickoff Celebration on Wednesday, February 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event begins with a light reception followed by a formal program, From the Threads of Our Past to the Fabric of Our Future. The program will honor the enduring contributions of Black history and culture while envisioning a future rooted in equity and excellence. It will include inspiring performances, personal stories, reflections, and opportunities to connect and celebrate. The event is open to the entire community.
For more information, contact Nina Thomas, senior manager for Professional Learning and Cultural Responsiveness.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Proposed Budget Progress
- Apply for Dual Immersion and Magnet Lotteries
- Black History Month Event
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.
 |
|
| |
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.
|
