A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
Next week, we’ll begin using the Open Gate Weapons Detection System. We’re continuing with our phased-in approach. While we will have the system set up on Monday, we’ll be “going live” (meaning turning on the system) on Wednesday. Please note that the adoption of the Open Gate System does not change our cell phone storage pouch policy.
As we prepare our students for the implementation of Open Gate, an important detail to ensure an efficient arrival process is for students to identify common items that set off the detection system. They should remove these items from their bag and hand them to the designated staff member before proceeding through the system. If any of these items are not necessary for your student to have at school, we encourage leaving these items at home.
Items to be removed include:
- Three-ring binders
- Laptops
- Collapsible umbrellas
- Metal lunch boxes
- Metal pencil cases
- Metal glasses cases
Please note that these common items typically do not set off the system, and can remain in a student’s bags:
- Non-metal lunch boxes
- Books
- Planners
- Spiral notebooks and folders
- Cell phones
- Keys
- Non-metal pencil cases
Once the items are removed, students will walk through one of two lines and proceed between the towers. If the light turns red, they will be directed to a secondary screening to determine what may have alerted the system. Students who enter school late and all non-staff visitors to our school will also enter through the Open Gate system upon arrival. Experience shows that the process becomes easier and more efficient every day. You can learn more about the system by watching this video and reading the Frequently Asked Questions on FCPS’ website. If you have additional questions, you can submit them online to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support in our shared commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment for us all.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. As always, reach out if you have any questions.
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!
Desmond M. - Desmond is an intentional and active learner. He is always asking questions and advocates for himself. I love that he keeps me updated on his progress in class.
Nijani R. - Nijani always has a positive attitude in class. She works very well with her peers and extends empathy to those around her.
Bailly S. - Bailly LOVES to participate in class. He is always asking questions, participating in class lessons, and is super engaged in the activities.
Ashar K. - Ashar, you were ready to go and had already begun Lexia when the bell rang. Thank you for always being prepared and enthusiastic about your learning!
Lauren C. - Lauren, you come to Science class everyday ready to learn and it is paying off! You are a great collaborator with your classmates, and you make excellent contributions to class discussions. Keep up the good work!
 Upcoming Dates
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November 17 - School Pictures - Makeup Picture Day in the GIR
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November 24 & 25 - No afterschool activities/club or late bus transportation the week of Thanksgiving Break
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November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break
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December 1-5 - Finance Park 8th Grade field trip
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December 2 - Band Winter Concert, 7:00 pm at Marshall HS
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December 3 - Chorus Winter Concert, 7:00 pm at Marshall HS
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December 4 - Orchestra Pyramid Snow Show Concert, 7:00 pm at Kilmer MS
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December 5 - SGA Winter Dance, 6-8 pm
Happy Veterans Day to all our Veterans in the Kilmer Community. A special thank you to our Kilmer staff veterans (top left: Mr. Kevin Sapp, top right: Mr. Mark Wease, bottom left: Dr. Cecilia Garin, and bottom right: Ms. Sharon Bonneau)
On Monday, Becky Baenig, Region 5 Assistant Superintendent, and Jay Pearson, Region 5 Executive Principal, stopped by Kilmer to visit math classrooms. We loved being able to host them and show off our amazing students and teachers in action.
On Wednesday, Supervisor Dalia Palchik stopped by to visit Kilmer’s After School Program. At Kilmer, we have a robust After School Program and in the 1st quarter alone, ⅔ of Kilmer's students stayed after at least once to participate in one of our clubs.
New Parent Controls in the Lightspeed Parent Portal
- FCPS has enabled new parent controls within the Lightspeed Parent Portal to support families in managing screentime on FCPS devices at home. Parents can now manage their child's access to YouTube and pause web browsing on district-issued devices, during designated "After School Hours" while students are off the FCPS network.
- These parental controls are only active Monday-Friday from 3:30 PM to 6:00 AM, and all day on weekends and student holidays when students are off the FCPS network. Parental controls do not interfere with district filtering policies during the instructional day. Parents can register for the Parent Portal using the link provided in their weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email.
- For more information on Parent Portal, please visit the Lightspeed Parent Portal page on the FCPS website.
Special November Kilmer Food Pantry Distribution
Recognizing the challenges many are facing during the government shutdown, the Kilmer Food Pantry will hold a special distribution on November 19th from 3:30–5:30 p.m. We will provide free pantry items to any Kilmer families in need. Please follow the outdoor signs to the drive-up distribution point at Kilmer Door #6.
The Kilmer Food Pantry is here to support our regular customers, SNAP recipients, furloughed government employees, and any Kilmer families in need ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Please contact the Kilmer Family Liaison, Ms. Mabel Morales, at mvmorales@fcps.edu to confirm your pick up.
Thank you so much to the Kilmer PTA and all of our generous donors who have made this distribution possible! For more information on the Kilmer Food Pantry please visit https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/foodpantry.
Complete your Federal Impact Aid Survey in SIS ParentVUE
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE on Thursday, November 20.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
1st Quarter Report Cards
Report cards are now posted to SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE and will be mailed directly to families without ParentVUE accounts. A copy of your child’s report card will be sent home the week of November 17. Honor Roll certificates will also be included for students who earned all As or all As and Bs.
Makeup Picture Day - November 17
Students who were absent on picture day or would like to retake their picture will have an opportunity on Monday, November 17 in the GIR. Students who missed picture day will receive a pass to remind them to take their picture. Students who would like to retake will have the option to take their photo during their lunch block. Please note these retake guidelines:
- Students who are retaking their photo will not receive a new ID card.
- The new portrait will replace their original yearbook portrait and then be available for purchase.
- Students who previously purchased a photo package and would like to retake their photo MUST return their original photo package to the photographer in order to receive a new package.
Volunteer Opportunity - Empower Our 8th Graders at JA Finance Park
We need your help to bring the 8th grade field trip to JA Finance Park to life! This essential experiential program, designed to prepare our students for life and work in the real world, allows them to practice crucial financial capability by simulating real-world budgeting, spending, and bill payment decisions. As a JA Volunteer, your 4.5-hour commitment (including a brief morning training) is invaluable; you will guide a small group of students through this simulation, sharing your personal life experiences to make their financial future tangible and relatable. Your expertise and commitment are key to ensuring our students leave 100% inspired and prepared for financial success. Please review the information on our webpage to sign up.
Volunteer Opportunity - Lemon Road Elementary School
Lemon Road is hosting Family Night on Thursday, November 20 at 5:30 PM and is requesting any interested Kilmer students to come and volunteer and earn service hours. Students can sign up here: Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848A5AD2DABFA7-60389017-lemon
Fall Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Results
The Fall SEL Screener for students in grades 3–12 helps schools better understand students’ social and emotional well-being so we can provide the right support to help them thrive. Student results will be available to families in ParentVUE during the week of November 17, 2025. Families without an active ParentVUE account will receive a copy mailed home with their student's report card. You can find more information about how to understand and respond to your student’s SEL Screener results here. Families are also welcome to contact their child’s school counselor with questions about the SEL Screener or their student’s results.
Youth Survey (8th grade only):
The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people. We will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Wednesday, November 19th during Learning Seminar.
While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please contact your child's school counselor no later than November 17, 2025. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.
PTA Meeting - Wednesday, November 19
Please join us for our next PTA board meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 9:30am. The meeting will be held in person, with a Zoom option provided — details to follow from Kilmer administration. Check out the link for more information on all PTA Meetings, PTA agendas, financials, and minutes: https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/pta_meetings
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PTA Meeting Guest Speaker: Lucy Sgroi, LCSW, Director of Clinical Programs & Partnerships at Family & Child Therapy. Ms. Sgroi will lead a session titled “Raising Resilient Teens: Validation, Confidence, and Critical Thinking in the Middle School Years.” She’ll share practical ways caregivers can support their children through the social, emotional, and academic transitions of middle school.
PTA Website
Stay up to date with news and information from the PTA by visiting the PTA website: https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
Executive Board Contact Information
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.
Support Kilmer’s Food Pantry
We are grateful for the continued support of the Kilmer family supporting our Food Pantry—Thank you! Also, a thank you to Wegmans for their donation to help stock our shelves.
Our Amazon wishlist is here and any donations are greatly appreciated. Like many other food banks in our area and across the country, we are bracing for an increase in need with SNAP and other food aid no longer being distributed beginning Nov. 1st.
Also, if you need assistance, please reach out to our new parent liaison, Mable Morales at mvmorales@fcps.edu or 703-846-8890.
Math Tutoring Supports
Starting next week, Kilmer students can access free peer math tutoring from student volunteers at Thomas Jefferson High School. This program is open to all students seeking extra support with assignments and concepts. Join us every Monday morning (or Tuesday if there is no school Monday) from 7:00–7:25 AM in Room F122/123. Additionally, look out for another peer tutoring program launching soon, run by Kilmer students during Learning Seminar in the Math Modular.
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