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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:
January 28 - End of 2nd Quarter - 2 Hour Early Release; 12:15 Dismissal
January 29 and 30 - No School For Students
Dear KJMS Families,
We want to share an important update regarding student attendance at Katherine Johnson Middle School. In Virginia, a student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences.
At this time, our chronic absenteeism rate is 15%. While we are encouraged by many students attending regularly, our schoolwide goal is to reduce this rate to 10% or lower by the end of the year. Regular attendance is essential to student learning, engagement, and overall success, and every day of instruction matters.
We appreciate your continued partnership in ensuring students arrive at school on time and are present whenever possible. If your family is experiencing challenges related to attendance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our counseling or administrative team—we are here to support you.
As we look ahead to a potential snowstorm, I want to remind families that FCPS will share any information about closures or delays through the FCPS website and by email. Please rely on these official communications for updates next week. Resources for students and information for families can be found on the Winter Weather Resources page
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
It’s time to secure your keepsake for the school year! We are partnering with Jostens for all yearbook sales this year.
By now, you should have received emails directly from Jostens containing your personalized ordering link and special early-bird discount coupons. To ensure your student receives a copy, please place your order directly through their website.
- How to Order: Follow the link in your Jostens email or visit Jostens.com and search for our school name or click:Katherine Johnson Middle School.
- Don’t Miss Out: Ordering early ensures the best price and guarantees availability!
Note: All transactions are handled directly through the Jostens portal; the school office cannot accept payments for yearbooks.
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Semester 2 Class Changes
January 28 is the last day of quarter 2 and the 1st semester. Many students will see new semester electives, a change in their Health and PE class, or a yearlong class in a new period. Semester 2 classes are available in SIS Student and ParentVUE on Thursday, January 29, at 4:00pm. A few students may see a change to their schedule on Friday, Jan 30.
All students should double check their schedules Sunday evening before the semester begins on Monday, Feb 2. If you believe there is an error in your schedule – wrong grade level, two or no classes for a period – please email your counselor. A change in your Health and PE class or an elective you did not select is not an error.
Course Selections for the 2026/27 SY
January is course selection month! Last week and this week, we held Course Selection lessons and other events to help student select class for the next school year. This week in Teacher Advisory, 8th graders entered course selections into SIS; 7th grader will enter theirs next week. Parents can see selected courses in Student or Parent VUE. Please note that changes can only be made in StudentVUE under “Course Request.” We ask that all families have selections finalized in February. The deadline for 8th graders is February 6, the deadline for 7th graders is February 13. Some adjustments can be made after that deadline by contacting your KJMS or FHS Counselor.
Throughout January and February, KJMS Counselors will meet with all students to review courses. Questions should be saved for that one-on-one conversation. Other deadlines and additional information about the Rising 9th grade February Parent Coffee, Fairfax Academy Open House, and Robinson IB program can be found on the KJMS Course Selection Webpage.
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
Visit our Weather Cancellation Procedures webpage for additional ways to get updates regarding school closures and delays. If we need to make any changes to the school day because of weather, we will share that information with you via email, text message, the FCPS Social Media pages, our FCPS App, and through local media outlets.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter weather. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during snow or inclement weather days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
"Let her play, let her lead."
Join us for our inaugural season - spring 2026
 This activity is not sponsored by FCPS
BRYC is thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new girls flag football league. Is is a dynamic, inclusive, and empowering league that provides opportunities for girls to get active build skills, and have fun on the field.
BRYCE Girls Flag Football
Interested in volunteering to help launch this league, please contact one of the names listed bellow:
Audra Gibson: audra.gibson7812@gmail.com
Sharon Bickmore: smi0466@gmail.com
Rupali Limaye: rjlimaye@gmail.com
More News and Updates — on the go — With the FCPS App
Gone are the days of digging through emails or hunting for bookmarks. The FCPS app provides a custom experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Here is how it makes life easier:
- Customized for Your Family: Do you have students at two (or more!) different schools? You can "follow" multiple schools to get a feed of news, notices, and events specific to your family.
- No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly — no password to remember, no login required.
- Real-Time Notifications: Get push notifications for urgent updates — including weather announcements! — ensuring you never miss an important announcement from the district or your school.
- Everything in One Place: From bell schedules and staff directories to athletic event locations and school menus, the app is a central hub for all things FCPS.
To ensure every family stays informed, the app supports automatic translation for more than 100 languages. Learn more about the app, or download it today in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Help your student succeed in school by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. Visit the FCPS website for helpful insights regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school to minimize impacts on learning.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to let us know so we can provide assistance, if needed.
Schoology is the learning management system used in FCPS. Parents and students can use Schoology to view assignments and messages from teachers. Learn more about how to access and navigate Schoology.
Visit the Schoology Snippets YouTube playlist to watch short tutorials that walk you through how to use Schoology.
Need help logging in or accessing Tech Support? Visit this webpage for Schoology for Parents.
Virginia’s Standards of Quality require all school divisions to notify the public annually of the availability of the school system’s policies. A continuous review process ensures ongoing examination and revision of each policy, regulation, and notice as needed. View Fairfax County Public Schools policies.
Any citizen who requests a hard copy of a directive has a right to receive it and should be provided the most current version printed from the website. The School Board office, at Gatehouse Administration Center, maintains the historical records of all directives.
Please call 571-423-1075 for more information.
Quarter End (Early Release)
Wednesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter and an 2- hour early release for students. (This could change due to the pending inclement weather)
Schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 29, for a staff development day, and Friday, January 30, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
SIS ParentVUE
SIS ParentVUE will be unavailable for students and parents during end-of-quarter updates from Wednesday, January 28, at 4 p.m. until Thursday, February 5, at 6 a.m.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- 📱 More News and Updates — on the go — With the FCPS App
- Special Education Family Conference: Registration Open, Volunteers Needed
- Connect With Your Kids: Simple Steps to Stronger Communication
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.
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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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