Just a quick reminder to help your child head back to school prepared. Please ensure they bring their fully charged laptop when classes resume on Wednesday, February 18.
Since we have a very limited supply of loaners, it’s extra important that every student has their own assigned device and charger ready to go.
As a reminder, second quarter grades are now available in ParentVUE. Please take a few moments to review your child’s progress and reach out to teachers with any questions.
Students will not have school on Monday in observance of Presidents’ Day or on Tuesday due to a Teacher Workday. We look forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students.
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
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.
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.
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
Spotlight on the Arts Art Contest — Now Accepting Submissions
Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts is seeking to support local artists in Northern Virginia, enhance awareness of the visual arts, and encourage emerging artists in our community through an annual Art Contest.
Deadline: February 22
$3,500 in cash prizes, including a $500 Student Artist Award
Open to all artists in the Northern Virginia region (no age limitation)
Prize money will be awarded at the Spotlight on the Arts Festival Opening Reception on Friday, April 24, 2026. More information is available here.
Organized by: Fairfax City Environmental Sustainability Committee
Help Fairfax City celebrate its 40th Arbor Day by submitting an original poem!
Theme: "Protect the Environment Around You"
Topics: Poems should explore topics related to caring for our Earth, including air, water, soil, forests, and biodiversity.
Submission Deadline: March 8, 2026
Eligibility and Rules
Participants: The contest is open to all Fairfax City K-12 students at City of Fairfax Schools, The New School of Northern Virginia, and St. Leo's the Great Catholic School.
Originality: Poems must be the student's own work without the use of AI, such as ChatGPT.
Prizes and Recognition
Award: Contest winners will receive a $50 gift card.
Recitation: Winners will be invited to recite their poem at the city's Arbor Day celebration on April 25, 2026.
Comité de Sostenibilidad Ambiental de la Ciudad de Fairfax
Tema: "Protege el medio ambiente que te rodea".
Elegibilidad: Estudiantes de primaria y secundaria (K-12) de las escuelas de la Ciudad de Fairfax, The New School of Northern Virginia, y St. Leo's the Great Catholic School.
Premio: Los ganadores recibirán una tarjeta de regalo de $50 y podrán recitar su poema el 25 de abril de 2026.
On Monday, all FCPS parents/caregivers and middle and high school students received an email to participate in a voluntary and confidential survey. (Please check your spam folder if you have not received it.)
Questions refer to proposed changes to FCPS’ SR&R document for next year. This document outlines the rules that students are expected to follow, and guidelines for consequences if those expectations are not met. Possible changes include:
Universal Discipline: Charts will list consequences and supports for students. They will help ensure that two students of the same grade will be treated fairly and receive the same level of support.
Standards for In-School Suspensions of Students with Disabilities: Creating standards for how in-school suspensions are handled for students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
Accommodations for Multilingual Learner Student Statements: Providing translation accommodations when Multilingual Learner students provide statements about disciplinary incidents.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.
Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a two-week camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theater.Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well!
Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
The Rosendin Foundation Camp
The Rosendin Foundation is once again having there summer camp. This is a great opportunity for children to learn about construction and individual trades. They are accepting 24 campers this year. This is for students who will be in 6th,7th, and 8th grade in September. There is no charge for the camp.
FCPS is offering take-home meal kits from Wednesday, February 18 to Thursday, March 19, 2026 to support students who are fasting during the school day.
Thanks to a program from the Virginia Department of Education, students can now take healthy school meal kits home at the end of the day. These kits are designed to be eaten later that day and include both breakfast and lunch.
How to Sign Up:
Families must fill out a meal kit request form on the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) website for each student, every week. Because these meals are prepared fresh, we cannot accept late requests. Please check Important Dates and Forms below for weekly deadlines.
Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, for the Presidents Day holiday.
Teacher Workday and Observance Day
Tuesday, February 17, is a teacher workday. There will be no school for students.
Wednesday, February 18, is a religious and cultural observance day. There is school, however, specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on an observance day.
Ash Wednesday/First Full Day of Ramadan
Wednesday, February 18, is Ash Wednesday and the first full day of Ramadan. FCPS has designated this day as a religious and cultural observance day. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.
Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact the main office at 703-934-2400, regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
FCPS at the Olympics
Coaches Making History
Divisionwide Spirit Day
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
KJMS Family Liaisons
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.
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.
FCPS Cares: Share and submit your story about a Katherine Johnson staff member who has gone above and beyond for your child this year.
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS.
