A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
It was a busy week at Kilmer! Students and teachers wrapped up the second quarter. We also took yearbook club photos, 7th graders attended the Electives Fair during Learning Seminar today, and students began the initial course selection process for next year. Students will meet one-on-one with their counselor for academic advising in the coming weeks.
A friendly reminder that Monday, February 9, is Digital Detox Day. This day is designed to promote healthy technology habits and encourage meaningful learning experiences. When possible, classroom activities will be conducted without the use of student laptops. Students who need their laptops for accommodations may use them. All other laptops should be brought to school, but remain in student backpacks (more info can be found below).
Finally, some of you are already aware that a former Kilmer student, Ilia Malinin, is competing in the Winter Olympics beginning this weekend. Ilia attended Kilmer from 2016-2018, and many current Kilmer teachers had Ilia as a student. Ilia is currently considered the favorite to win Olympic gold in men’s figure skating, having won four consecutive US Figure Skating National titles as the first and only athlete to land a quadruple axel in competition. You can find his skating schedule here. We are cheering him on in Milan!
Have a great rest of your 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!
Ibrahim B. - It was great to see you helping your Civics classmate get ready for his retake of the Unit test. You did a great job of explaining the material and cheering him on. I just want to let you know it was noticed!
Noah C. - Thank you for your careful work on your building projects. Also, thank you for your encouraging words to other students this semester.
Nusaiybah K. - Thank you for your enthusiasm for engineering and your helpfulness in class to me and a substitute earlier this semester. You are a positive student leader.
Melissa L. U. - Good Job being on task in Civics and getting your work done! Keep working hard!
 Upcoming Dates
- SGA Spirit Week: Feb. 9-13
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February 25 - Band Pre-Assessment Concert, 7:00 pm at Marshall HS
History 7 students presented their “Current Events Project” this week. Students picked a current event article, summarized it, connected it to issues/themes they are studying in class, highlighted its significance, and analyzed it for bias.
Congratulations to 7th grader Jonathan Meng! His Doodle Project, entitled “Childhood” was selected for the ARTiFAX art show.
Rising 8th graders were able to explore elective options for next year at Kilmer’s Electives Fair.
Electives on Display 📚 Exploring New Possibilities 🌟 7th grade students attended the Elective Fair to learn about the many exciting 8th grade elective options available. From exploring new interests to diving deeper into existing passions, students had plenty of opportunities to find classes that match their strengths and spark curiosity. So many great choices ahead! ✨📚 #ElectiveFair #KilmerChoices #StudentInterests
🎓 Planning for What’s Next!
8th grade students met with Marshall counselors during Learning Seminar today to learn about 9th grade course options and start planning for high school. A great step toward the next chapter! 📘✨ #HighSchoolReady #FuturePlans
2nd Quarter Grades
The 2nd quarter ended on Wednesday, February 3. Gradebook and Report Card Modules in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE will be unavailable from Wednesday, February 3 at 4:00 PM through Monday, February 9 at 6:00 AM. On February 9, 2nd quarter report cards will be visible in SIS ParentVUE. A printed version of 2nd quarter report cards will be sent home Thursday, February 26.
Learning Seminar Class Changes
A significant number of students will have changes to their 8th and/or 9th period Learning Seminar classes beginning Wednesday, February 11. Updated schedules will be visible in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE on February 10. Students will remain with one of their current teachers. As a reminder, learning Seminar periods are flexible and may change throughout the school year to ensure students receive subject-specific support, allow teachers to work with different groups of students based on current data and instructional needs, and offer teacher-sponsored enrichment activities for some students.
Academic Advising with School Counselors
Over the next two months, each student will meet individually with their school counselor to review and finalize course selections in SIS StudentVUE. Students will reflect on their choices, consider honors options aligned to their strengths and interests, and balance coursework with extracurricular commitments. After these meetings, students and parents can view course selections in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school counselor.
SGA Candy Grams
Valentine’s Day Candy Grams will be on sale during all lunches from Friday, February 6 through Thursday, February 12. Each candy gram costs $0.50 and includes a Jolly Rancher lollipop and a note written by a friend. Candy Grams will be delivered on Friday, February 13.
Religious Accommodations in School for Students
In alignment with FCPS Regulation 1502, our school provides reasonable accommodations for students of all religious backgrounds, including access to meditation and silent reflection spaces throughout the school year. Families are asked to complete the Meditation & Silent Reflection Space Parent Permission Form if their child may need access to this space at any time.
- For students observing Ramadan (February 18–March 19), please complete the form by February 17 so accommodations can be arranged in advance, including support for students who are fasting during lunch.
- Students may also complete a brief form in Schoology to indicate if they need access to the space and/or will be fasting. Parents/guardians will be notified when students request to pray or fast.
- Students approved for accommodations will receive a pass with the designated time and location.
Meal Kits for Fasting Students
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16.
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Cost: Meal kits follow your child’s school meal status (Free, Reduced-Price, or Paid).
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition website for forms, deadlines, and more information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
Digital Detox Day - February 9th
To promote healthy technology habits and encourage meaningful learning experiences, we will be holding a "Digital Detox Day" on February 9. On this day, 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 their accommodations or after-school activities, but otherwise they will remain in their backpacks during the school day.
We recognize that our students spend a significant amount of time interacting with technology. The Digital Detox Day aims 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: This day 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 this event will be a valuable opportunity for both students and teachers to explore alternative learning approaches and foster a deeper connection with their studies!
Spring Track & Field
As a part of the FCPS Middle School Athletics Program Kilmer will host Spring Track & Field. Coaches and Volunteers Needed! If interested in volunteering, please contact Kim Kardelis @ kckardelis@fcps.edu
Returning Athletes from Cross Country or Crosstown Hoops:
Do Not Need to resubmit Athletic Physicals if PPE on file is dated after March 30,2025
Do Need to complete the Spring Track and Field Athletics Registration Form
Families new to MS Athletics must complete several required steps prior to participating (including practice):
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FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination (PPE) Form.
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The PPE Form must be completely filled in and properly signed (pages 1-3) attesting that you have been examined, found to be physically fit for athletic competition no more than 14 calendar months prior to the date on which report was signed (dated after 3/30/26)
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Proof of Medical/Accident Insurance Coverage (on PPE Form) Any student participating in voluntary Afterschool athletic programs, must have insurance.
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Hard/paper copies of PPE and ECC Forms to the Main Office for review, processing and approval. *Students may not be cleared for participation the same day they submit forms. **Blank copies are available in the Main Office.
- State-Mandated Concussion Education Program
Practice and Meet Details
- Practices Begin 4/07
- 2:30-3:30PM on Monday/Wednesday/Thursday
- Must participate in 4 practices for Meet Eligibility
- NO Tryouts - NO Experience Needed
- 8AM Saturday Meet Schedule:
- 4/25 Herndon HS
- 5/02 West Springfield HS
- 5/09 Marshall HS
- 5/16 Oakton HS
- 5/30 Robinson (MS T&F Champs Meet)
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.
Upcoming Student Experience Survey (SXS): February 23, 2026
Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
All students in grades 3-6, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 23. We will administer the survey during 5th Period Advisory on Monday, February 23. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You have received a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.
FCPS believes it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which include a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.
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