A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
There was a lot of good news at Kilmer this week. We began the week on Monday with PTA’s “Stocking the Fridge.” The staff enjoyed the treats and it’s a reminder of the strong partnership we have with our families. Thank you Kilmer PTA! Also, we were able to celebrate Ms. Paige Knisley, math teacher, on her well deserved selection as the Marshall Pyramid’s Most Outstanding New Secondary Teacher. Way to go Ms. Knisley! We’re all pulling for you in the next round. Finally, on Thursday evening our very own Dan Nguyen, special education history teacher, was interviewed on ABC 7. Dan is the varsity head wrestling coach at Marshall High School and ABC 7 aired a feature on girls wrestling in FCPS. Check out the article/clip HERE. We also enjoyed seeing many former Kilmer Cougars in the segment 🙂.
When the weather warms up, it’s time to start thinking about the fun activities scheduled for the Spring. At Kilmer, we work hard to walk a line between focusing on the here and now, while also previewing (and getting kids excited about) next year. An example of this is our current focus on motivating students to finish the last half of the 3rd quarter strong, while also preparing for Kilmer’s Spring Musical (The Addams Family School Edition), Cross Town Hoops, and our upcoming music department performances. Additionally, Kilmer Track & Field Registration is now open with a deadline of March 14th. Please see the Kilmer Athletics webpage for registration requirements. Each week I’ll highlight various programs, events, and information in this newsletter to ensure all the information is in one place.
Have a wonderful weekend and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns.
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!
Nathan M. - Nathan consistently looks for ways to challenge his learning and makes insightful connections to class lessons.
Edik A.P. - Edik has shown a positive attitude and tremendous effort in English class.
Eliza D. - Eliza helped a student who was absent understand how to write an introductory paragraph for a history essay assignment. Eliza regularly helps other students in class who are struggling to understand lessons or concepts. Her positivity helps create a positive classroom environment.
Evaleia T. - Evaleia was willing to go up to a new student who was sitting by themselves at lunch and asked her if she wanted to sit with her at her table. What a kind act, you are so considerate and thanks so much for helping this student feel welcome at Kilmer!
 Upcoming Dates:
- March 10 - Students will take the spring SEL Screener during Advisory
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Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) and Diagnostic Writing Activity
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March 19 - Student will have a flipped Bell Schedule and start the day in their 9th period class
- 8th grade students participating in the SOL Reading test will complete an integrated reading and writing (IRW) component. The IRW component of the SOL Reading test has one non-fiction reading passage followed by 4-6 of multiple-choice/technology-enhanced items and an “invitation to write” based on the passage.
- 7th grade students will participate in a Diagnostic Writing Activity to prepare for next year’s IRW assessment.
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Fine and Performing Arts Spring Dates:
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Orchestra
- Assessment Concert 3/7 and 3/8 @ Herndon MS
- Spring Music Department Trip 5/2 @ Hershey Park
- Spring Orchestra Concert 6/2 7 pm @ Marshall HS
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Band
- Pre-Assessment Concert 3/4 7 pm @ Marshall HS
- Assessment Concert 3/14 and 3/15 @ Madison HS
- Spring Music Department Trip 5/2 @ Hershey Park
- Spring Band Concert 5/28 7 pm @ Marshall HS
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Chorus
- Assessment Concert 3/21 @Kenmore MS
- Honors Choir 4/24 and 4/25 @ Richmond
- Spring Music Department Trip 5/2 @ Hershey Park
- Spring Chorus Concert 5/29 @ Marshall HS
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Theatre
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Spring Musical Performance Addams Family
- March 26th: Addams Family Student Show – 2:30 pm
- March 27th: Addams Family – 7:00 pm
- March 28th: Addams Family – 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
- May 30th: Broadway Desserts – 7:00 pm
- FCPS School Calendar 2024-25
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Thanks to the PTA for “Stocking the Fridge” for Kilmer staff this past Monday! As always, it’s a nice pick-me-up to start off the week.
The sun is shining, and temperatures are rising—outdoor lunch on the Kilmer patio is back!
Our Cross-Town Hoops teams are hard at work preparing for the big game against Thoreau! Join us on Thursday, April 3, from 6:00–9:00 PM at Marshall High School to cheer them on.
Our spring musical production, The Addams Family School Edition, is just one month away! Kilmer students have been dedicated to their after-school rehearsals, and their hard work is paying off. Mark your calendars for Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29—Tickets are already on sale! They can be bought at this website: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15622/kilmer-middle-school-theatre
Track & Field Sign Ups
Kilmer Track & Field Registration is now open with a deadline of March 14th. Please see the Kilmer Athletics webpage for registration requirements!
Important Note from the PTA about Crosstown Hoops Tickets
This year's Crosstown Hoops Game between Kilmer and Thoreau will take place at Marshall High School on Thursday, April 3rd at 6PM. Doors will open at 5:30. Both Kilmer and Thoreau have a set amount of tickets to sell and Kilmer's tickets will go on sale THIS SUNDAY at 7PM. Here's what you need to know:
- Kilmer tickets can be purchased from the Kilmer PTA website starting at 7PM on Sunday, 3/2. These tickets are only for Kilmer families and any non-Kilmer tickets will be voided. Any Kilmer staff wishing to attend should contact Ms. Lena Zein (lzein@fcps.edu).
- Each ticket purchaser may purchase up to 3 tickets for Kilmer students and/or Kilmer families. As this event is primarily for students and sells out every year, we strongly recommend just purchasing tickets for students unless your child is playing in the game. Drop-off is highly encouraged.
- If you are unable to purchase tickets online for any reason, please email president@kilmerpta.org before ticket sales open this Sunday night.
- Tickets are $5 each. When purchasing tickets, please be prepared to list the first name and last name of each person you are buying tickets for. We will use these names to check in individuals the day of the game -- no physical ticket will be issued. You may only purchase tickets for specific individuals.
Thank you for your cooperation! Go Cougars!
Conversation Topic for Home
If you’re looking for a topic to discuss with your middle schooler, ask them about their response to this week’s Advisory lesson. On Monday, students took part in a follow-up lesson on Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) for the second semester. They reviewed school expectations, with a focus on cell phone use and appropriate behavior in hallways, restrooms, and the cafeteria. To conclude the lesson, students reflected on how these expectations support a positive learning environment.
SEL Screener Participation Social and Emotional Learning Screening
Students in grades 3-12 use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported.
Students will participate in the Spring SEL screener during Advisory on Monday, March10. You can opt-out child from participating in the SEL Screener. The opt-out applies to the current school year and must be completed annually. For more information about the SEL Screener, access to its content, and the opt-out form, please click on the following link: Social Emotional Learning Screener (SEL).
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28, 2025
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has issued a new, first-time waiver allowing students fasting during the school day from February 28 to March 28, 2025, to request take-home breakfast and lunch meal kits. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) will provide meal kits reflecting the school menu. Meals will be kept cold and must be heated at home.Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day. If a student purchases breakfast or lunch at school, they cannot pick up a kit that day. Meal kits must be picked up by students at the end of the school day—adults cannot collect them.Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
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February 24, 2025, for February 28 and the week of March 3, 2025
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March 3, 2025, for the week of March 10, 2025
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March 10, 2025, for the week of March 17, 2025
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March 17, 2025, for the week of March 24, 2025
Attendance Reminder
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.
TJHSST BioCode 2025
Are you interested in biology or computer science? Do you enjoy competing and working with other students? TJHSST Bioinformatics Society is hosting its annual BioCode competition, with $100s in prizes, and workshops from college professors! To learn more and register, check out: https://tjbioinfo.netlify.app/biocode/. Reach out to tjbioinformatics@gmail.com with any questions, and we hope to see you there!"
Eating Disorder Parent Information
The Code of Virginia, 22.1-273.2 requires schools provide, on an annual basis, parents/guardians educational information regarding eating disorders for students in grades five through twelve.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2023), Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. In the United States, 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives. There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Rather, it is a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that converge and set off an individual’s predisposed genetic vulnerability.
In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a web page with detailed information and resources to be provided to parents and guardians of Fairfax County Public Schools. This information may be found at Eating Disorders.
After School Activities News/Updates
Each week Ms. Kardelis 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 Kim Kardelis, After School Specialist, at kckardelis@fcps.edu.
Executive Board Contact Information
Course Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year
Course registration for the 2025-2026 school year will continue over the next two months.
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February - March: One-on-One Academic Advising
- To guide students in selecting courses, teachers will provide feedback, and each student will meet with their school counselor to finalize course selections in SIS StudentVUE. During these academic advising sessions, students will reflect on their choices and consider enrolling in honors courses that match their strengths and interests while balancing their workload and extracurricular activities. After meeting with their counselor, students and parents can view course selections in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE.
Lightspeed Parent Report
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