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Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram to see pictures and videos from our events!
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in this issue:
November 11 - Veteran's Day
November 12- Career Day
November 13-14 - World Lange Credit Exam
November 13-15 - KJMS Fall Play
November 15 - Cross Country Championships @ Liberty MS
November 19 - PTA Meeting - 7:00 (Virtual)
November 24-25 - Digital Detox Days
November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break - FCPS Schools and Offices Closed
Dear KJMS Families,
As we begin the second quarter, we have a few important updates and reminders to share:
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National School Psychologist Week - Please join us in thanking our wonderful school psychologist, Mrs. Carrie Brown, for all she does to support our students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being. We are grateful for her care and expertise in helping make KJMS a supportive and welcoming place for all students.
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Morning Entry Reminder – Doors 3 and 8 - Beginning Monday, students will enter the building only through Doors 3 and 8 each morning. This change helps us prepare for the upcoming security screening process and ensures a smooth and safe arrival for all. Thank you for reminding your child of this new routine.
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Cross Country Congratulations - Congratulations to our boys and girls cross country teams for their excellent effort throughout the season! They will wrap up their season this Saturday at Carson Middle School, with the first race starting at 8:10 a.m.. We are so proud of our runners and coaches for their dedication and teamwork!
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Join the KJMS PTA - Our PTA plays a vital role in supporting our students, staff, and school community. If you haven’t already, please consider joining the PTA—your involvement makes a difference! You can find membership information on the KJMS website or reach out to our PTA directly.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-934-2400 or contact me directly at cmsmith@fcps.edu.
Enjoy your weekend!
Chris Smith
Principal - Katherine Johnson MS
Use FCPS Cares to recognize any of our staff members
November 24th and 25th
To promote healthy technology habits and encourage meaningful learning experiences, we will be holding two "Digital Detox Days" on November 24th and 25th. 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:
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Inspire good Digital Citizenship: By stepping away from screens, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the balance between technology and offline activities.
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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)
COMPOST YOUR PUMPKINS
You can drop off your pumpkins anytime after Halloween at the 24 hour Composting Center, which is located at City Hall (10455 Armstrong St.).
Items Accepted for Composting:
- Pumpkins
- Gourds
- Jack-O'-Lanterns
- Painted Pumpkins
- Other Food Décor
We Need Your Feedback!
Help shape the future of recycling and waste reduction in Fairfax City—share your experiences and ideas with us today!
Take 10 minutes to complete the survey to help shape the future of trash, recycling, and waste reduction in the City of Fairfax.
- Residents who complete the survey will be eligible to win a prize valued at $50.
Public Meeting Details
Survey Information
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now that will help them graduate on time and help them with time management. Parents and families can play a big role in helping kick-start good attendance habits.
Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to our school. Visit our Attendance webpage for more information.
Thank you, Fairfax citizens, for supporting the 2025 Bond Referendum. Roughly 7 out of 10 of those voting in the election yesterday supported the $460 million bond referendum.
This continues a long history of supporting FCPS through critical investments championed by the community. The impact of this bond referendum will be felt by students and the Fairfax County community for decades to come. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s message to the community.
Stay engaged as we build our future. Keep up to date on construction and capital improvements across FCPS by visiting our Capital Improvement Project webpage.
The Virginia Board of Education and the General Assembly are planning significant changes to SOL assessments. These changes will have a significant and potentially detrimental impact on schools and students.
FCPS is a model of excellence: home to 7 of Virginia’s top 10 high schools and 262 National Merit Semifinalists this year. But with these upcoming changes, many schools and students across the state could be unfairly labeled as failing.
Learn more about these changes by the state of Virginia. Watch Dr. Reid's message about the changes.
The Virginia Board of Education will be taking action on the plan to implement the changes on November 13.
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Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. Families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant as a resource for families.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
Families can expect first quarter report cards to be available next week. FCPS has revised the way teachers provide feedback on report cards, so you may notice some new comments when viewing your child’s report card. Comments have been revised to provide more detailed feedback.
Also, teachers will now include a Work Habits mark each quarter for each student. This scale provides feedback on students’ time management, organization, assignment completion, and overall effort. It is meant to serve as feedback to families and will not appear on a student’s transcript. View the Middle and High School Grading and Reporting page for more information.
Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced-Price
Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.
If your income changes — for example, due to a furlough, layoff, or job loss — you may become newly eligible. Once approved, your benefits stay active for the rest of the school year and for the first 30 days of the next school year.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. It’s a great way to make your food budget go further and save time from packing meals. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition.
Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local Community
Fairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. Its Federal Workforce Resource Hub is intended to help navigate current and future issues for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits and businesses who may be affected by actions, changes, or disruptions to federal services or employment.
Community Resources for Families in Need
Through partnerships with community-based organizations and other Fairfax County agencies, Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) provides information, referrals, and advocacy to help individuals connect with services, including: basic needs (food, shelter, clothing), financial assistance, health care services, and referrals to services and resources.
Visit the CSP website or call 703-222-0880 for assistance.
How to Access or Donate Food to Those in Need
View the Emergency Food Access Providers webpage to see where to access food or donate to your local food bank.
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Participation is voluntary. Additional Immunization Resources are available. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student.
At FCPS, this important work is guided by the steady leadership of Donna Desaulniers, senior manager of School Psychology Services, who oversees more than 200 school psychologists divisionwide. Donna’s leadership exemplifies the spirit of Finding Your Path by helping others chart purposeful routes toward success and wellness. Read more about how Donna has made a difference at FCPS and likely at your child’s school.
Helping Children Find Their Path
As parents, one of our greatest hopes is to see our children grow into confident, capable individuals who know who they are and where they’re going. That’s why National School Psychology Week (celebrated this week) is a meaningful time to recognize the professionals who help our children navigate the many paths of growing up.
Read more about how to help your child find their path. Learn about resources to promote student safety and wellness.
💻 Hazel Health: Virtual Therapy for High School Students
Teletherapy services are available for all FCPS high school students at no cost. Sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hazel Health’s highly qualified therapists specialize in working with teens. Learn more on FCPS’ teletherapy webpage.
✨Student access to the necessary emotional, behavioral, and mental health services to support their successful engagement in school is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and Learning
The FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on a topic below to register to attend.
The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together
Thursday, November 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Herndon Middle School
Introduction to Career Pathways for Students
Tuesday, November 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Key Middle School
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
Veterans Day
Tuesday, November 11, is a holiday for Veterans Day. All schools and FCPS offices are closed.
See the complete school year calendar.
Katherine Johnson Middle School (KJMS)
Sign up today!
KJMS PTA Webpage
Sign up here to join the PTA: Givebacks
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- State Standards of Learning (SOL) Changes
- PSAT/SAT School Day Scores Available
- Resources for Families
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.
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
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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.
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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.
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