|
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:
-
March 3 - Digital Detox Day (EVEN Day)
-
March 12 - Orchestra Performance - 6:30 PM - KJMS Auditorium
-
March 18 - Spring Picture Day - Pre-orders only (ODD Day)
-
March 19 - Spring Picture Day - Pre-orders only (EVEN Day)
-
March 19 - PTA Meeting - Virtual - 7:00 PM
- 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 Families,
We were able to celebrate 72 students last week at our Student of the Quarter celebration. Thank you to our families who were able to attend and Mr. Burts for organizing the event. In addition, we had 290 students earn the “All A Honor Roll”, 344 students earn the “A/B Honor Roll” and 398 students improved a letter grade in at least one class. Congratulations to our students for all their hard work, as well as our teachers and families for supporting their academic success.
We held a Parent Academy this past Wednesday and the topic was navigating social media. You can view the recording and presentation on our website.
Please limit any absences during the month of May as students will be taking the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests as well end of the year assessments in iReady (reading) and MAP (math). Please mark your calendars for our SOL dates:
- May 7 - Reading
- May 14 - Math
- May 21 - Science (8th grade only)
-
Enjoy the weekend,
Chris Smith
Principal - Katherine Johnson MS
Use FCPS Cares to recognize any of our staff members
Ramadan
Ramadan begins at sundown on Friday, February 28. This day is an evening-only observance day. There is school on these days, but certain activities that cannot be made up can not take place after school. See the complete school year calendar.Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact KJMS regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
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
|
Pre-order at mylifetouch.com using your child's student ID or
Picture day ID: EVT3BTMKG.
Deadline to pre-order pictures will be Monday, March 17 at 2:00 PM
 Students who enrolled after October 25, 2024, will have an opportunity on theses days to have their picture taken for the yearbook.
Join the PTA
KJMS PTA webpage
Contact KJMS PTA (email)
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.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a healthcare provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.
Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.
Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Summer Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps.
IFTA is a two- or three-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, Health and Physical Education 9 (graduation requirement), music, and theater.
Earn Credit Toward Graduation This Summer
Take advantage of the opportunity to earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, June 6. Mathematics, health and physical education, career and technical education, English, science, social studies, and world language courses are available to eligible middle and high school students.
Summer is a great time for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement. This is a self-directed course where students work independently. The course is available between Monday, June 23, and Friday, July 25. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, May 23. For more information, visit this Summer Learning page.
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Across FCPS, teachers, staff, parents, and even older students are invested in helping our youngest learners grow their love of reading from a strong foundation.
The goal is for students to move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by the end of the third grade. Reading on grade level is connected to other Strategic Plan goals, including completing advanced coursework and graduating on time.
Last fall, FCPS introduced a new reading curriculum that emphasized the science of reading. Between fall and winter, reading screener results show more than a 4% increase in the number of students in kindergarten to third grade approaching or meeting expectations. Similarly, 3.4% more third graders demonstrate strong foundations of reading and 8.4% more third graders are mastering grade-level standards.
Discover how an elementary school employs a science-based approach, including phonics, to supercharge students' reading.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date.
Join the National Education Association (NEA) for an unforgettable afternoon as it celebrates the power of literature, education, and music.
You Are Cordially Invited To a Read Across America Celebration
Honoring Kwame Alexander's "The Crossover": A Jazz-Infused Event!
Featuring Special Guests, Food, Fun, Music, Giveaways, and Books
Date: Sunday, March 2nd
Time: Starts at 2:30 PM
Location: Langston Hughes Middle School,
11401 Ridge Heights Rd., Reston, VA 20191
Middle School Transition Fair
Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education
For families, caregivers, and educators of students receiving special education services.
March 12, 2025 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Luther Jackson Middle School 3020 Gallows Road Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school!
This event also includes two speakers who will discuss IEP transition planning, special education services, and postsecondary options for younger students as they navigate FCPS and plan for their future. A questions/answer session will follow.
Click here to register: http://bit.ly/3Cjke4b
Families, educators, and community members are invited to the 2025 FCPS Family Summit: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging. Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting the free, in-person event in collaboration with valued community partners.
The summit will be held:
Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.
This event will feature:
- Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
- Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.
- Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
- Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.
Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You may sign up for childcare during the registration process.
Learn more about this event and register today! Contact FamilySummit@fcps.edu for more information.
Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. How do you connect with your children and really know what's going on in their lives? How can you become “unskippable”?
Effective communication can build trust and understanding, but it takes thought, planning, and effort.
The latest Healthy Minds Blog offers practical strategies to improve communication and build strong, lasting relationships:
-
Ditch distractions and create a safe space where your child feels comfortable opening up.
-
Listen actively and validate their feelings, even if you don't agree.
-
Ask "how" questions instead of "what" questions to get them talking about their experiences.
For more tips and techniques, read the full article on the Healthy Minds Blog, which shares information related to youth mental health and wellness.
For support on talking with your teen about difficult subjects like fentanyl, discover how to Become Unskippable.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Summer Camps and Learning Opportunities
- Supporting Academic Growth
- Preparing for Tough Conversations With Your Child
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.
|
