Katherine Johnson MS Weekly News - February 14, 2025

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Reminder: Charging Laptops Daily

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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:


KJMS Upcoming Events

  • February 15 - National School Resource Office (SRO) Appreciation Day
  • February 17 - School Holiday - Presidents Day (No School)
  • February 19 - PTA In-Person Meeting (snow date) - 7:00 PM - Library
  • February 20 - Community Connection Night - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Location:  KJMS (See flier below) (location correction)
  • February 22 -  School bus driver appreciation day
  • 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)
  • March 12 - Orchestra Performance - 6:30 PM - KJMS Auditorium
  • March 28 - End of 3rd Quarter
  • March 31 - No School, Eid-al-Fitr
  • April 1 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday 
  • April 14-18 - Spring Break 

     

     


KJMS Administration Team Message

Dear KJMS Families,

January and February have thrown us a few curve balls, but staff and students have been managing quite well. Even when there is an early release or early closing, attendance is still very important.  Teachers do an amazing job of adjusting plans so that they can make the most of a short day. Please send your student every day, even if there is a reduced schedule. With snow in the past, present, and possibly the future, we want to thank our amazing custodial staff (picture below) for all the work they do regularly and during inclement weather.

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Now that we are past the semester mark, it is wise to check in with your student to see if they need support meeting their academic goals. In the gradebook, if you see assignments or assessment in the “Summative” category that are missing or a retake is offered, make a plan with your student to get the work turned in. At KJMS, teacher and leadership teams meet regularly to support student growth and achievement. You may have received an email from one or more teachers if there are important assignments or assessment that need to be completed. Please support your student in completing the work at home or encourage them to stay after school with a teacher. A list of each teacher’s after school schedule can be found here. We look forward to partnering with you to help your student find success!

Enjoy the long weekend, 

KJMS Administration Team

Use FCPS Cares to recognize any of our staff members

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Community Connection Night at KJMS

Location correction: It will be held at KJMS and NOT Providence ES.

RSVP Here

Visit the website

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Free KJMS Thinkabit Summer Camp

Have you ever thought about how new technologies are invented? Do you want to build robotic crafts?

  • This FREE camp will run from July 8-11, 2025 – 9AM-1PM at Katherine Johnson Middle School
  • Rising 7th and 8th graders are invited to apply
  • All supplies are provided, they just need to bring a lunch
  • Students must have their own transportation to and from camp

Google Form to Apply: https://forms.gle/d3vbtVQXo4Vc9aeK6

If you have any questions, please email Kelsea Owens at kfowens@fcps.edu.


Young Scholars Field Trip

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On Thursday some of the 8th grade Young Scholars participated in a field trip  to the National Building Museum where they learned about the design principles. They worked in teams to create towers meant to withstand and earth quake.


Free Fairfax Wind Symphony Concert

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The Fairfax Wind Symphony will perform a free concert at KJMS on Sunday afternoon. 

This is a band made up largely of band directors, including our own band director, Mr. Burts.

No tickets are necessary- Free

Location:  KJMS Auditorium

Date: Sunday, February 16

Time:  3:00 PM


Parent Academy

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


Digital Detox Days

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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)


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


News from KJMS PTA

Join the PTA

PTA Meeting Schedule

KJMS PTA webpage

Contact KJMS PTA (email)

February 19th meeting will feature a report from our principal Mr. Smith, the Fairfax High School 9th grade transition team & KJMS PTA business. 


Protect Yourself and Your Community From the Flu

Handwashing

Fairfax County is experiencing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. The Fairfax County Health Department reports that visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings. Read a letter from the health department

Fairfax County is experiencing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. The Fairfax County Health Department reports that visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings. Read a letter from the health department

The health department suggests taking the following steps to reduce the spread of flu and other germs:    

  • Cover coughs and sneezes. If you must be around others while ill, wearing a mask can help reduce spread.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available (with supervision for younger children).
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces.

According to the health department, to help prevent or reduce the spread of illness it is important for individuals who are sick to stay home and away from others until symptoms improve and until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours. Visit this Attendance webpage for guidance on when your child should go to school. 


Breaking Down the Budget: Investing in Our Classrooms

92.5% of staff are school-based

Did you know that more than 85% of FCPS’ budget stays in our classrooms? Currently, 92.5% of FCPS staff are school-based, more than neighboring school districts. We are in the middle of FCPS’ annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback. Learn more about the proposed FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget and see the budget timeline. 


Learn More About How Your Child Feels at School

The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-12 in March. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop the skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who do not have a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. 


Student Fasting Meal Kits

 for February 28 - March 28

Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day.Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student.To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.


Families Invited to Review Potential Math Resources

FCPS will begin using new mathematics instructional resources for the 2025-26 (secondary) and 2026-27 (elementary) school years. A committee of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet to review materials submitted by vendors through a competitive request for proposals process. The community is also invited to review materials and provide comments.

Resources may be accessed on the FCPS Mathematics webpage starting Friday, February 14.

Hard copies of instructional materials will be accessible in person beginning Friday, February 14, as well. Members of the public can view them Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr., Suite 100. In-person public review will not be available on Tuesday, February 25; Thursday, February 27; Tuesday, March 11; and Wednesday, March 12. 

Feedback can be submitted through a digital form. All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and with the Fairfax County School Board members before the board votes in spring 2025.


Calendar Reminders

  • National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
  • Presidents Day (Holiday)
  • Public Schools Week
  • Ramadan

FCPS News

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

  • Flu Prevention
  • Students Spread Joy
  • Investing in our Classrooms

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


From Public Service to Public Education

Looking for job opportunities or a career path supporting education? Join us on Wednesday, February 19, from 6-7:30 p.m., for a job and career information fair.

FCPS offers a wealth of opportunities for professionals transitioning from federal and state government roles into the public education sector. A dedication to public service could make you a strong candidate for both educational and operational positions. By joining FCPS, you can continue making a meaningful impact while embarking on a new career in public education.

If you hold a bachelor’s degree, you can become provisionally licensed to teach in just a few weeks. Beyond teaching, FCPS offers a variety of operational roles in departments such as finance, human resources, safety and security, food service, transportation, and facilities.

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will open the information session. Chief Human Resources Officer William Solomon and other FCPS HR leaders will talk about all the exciting opportunities available at the school division. Attendees can visit tables where they can learn more about open positions, as well as salary, benefits, and retirement plans. 

Learn more about the job and career fair and employment opportunities with FCPS. A registration link and information on the location are coming soon.


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
 

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.