Kilmer MS Newsletter - February 27, 2026

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 02/27/2026 02:30 PM EST
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A message from Principal Steven McFarlane

Kilmer Community,

I am thrilled to announce that several of Kilmer’s Outstanding Employee nominees went on to win the Marshall Pyramid!  Congratulations to…

  • Claire O’Brien, Marshall Pyramid’s Outstanding New Teacher
  • Giau Ngo, Marshall Pyramid’s Outstanding Operational Employee
  • Erin Kestler, Marshall Pyramid’s Outstanding Leader
  • And, as previously announced, Kristen Mattix, Marshall Pyramid’s Outstanding Secondary Teacher

This recognition is well deserved and a testament to the amazing work happening at Kilmer each and every day. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and as always, reach out with any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Steven McFarlane

Principal

Positive Referrals

Here are just a few of the Positive Referrals received by our Kilmer Cougars from staff members this week!

Maryam A. - Maryam came to the library for a science lesson with her class. She was engaged, collaborative, and creative. Well done, Maryam!

Jack D. - Good job tutoring other students in math during Learning Seminar. Keep it up.

Hugo B. - Merci Hugo! You helped a student who came to our Learning Seminar with a computer problem that has been worrying them for weeks. Not only did you work through the problem, but you accepted suggestions from another student as you both talked it out. It was amazing to see such a mature sharing of ability and ideas to give your best to someone!

Simon S. - Had a positive attitude when trying something new or challenging

Nevaya H. - Nevaya! Punch card #2. You go girl. Thank you for always coming to class ready to learn, always trying your best on all assignments, and keeping everyone on task. :)

Kilmer at a Glance

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Upcoming Dates

  • March 5 - Chorus Pre-Assessment Concert, 7:00 pm at Marshall HS
  • March 13-14 - Orchestra & Band Spring Assessments
  • March 17 - Integrated Reading and Writing Assessment (IRW) for 8th grade students
  • March 18-19 - Chorus Spring Assessment
  • FCPS School Calendar 2025-26

Picture(s) of the Week

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Our Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band showcased their assessment music on Thursday evening. We wish them luck as they compete at the State Assessments on March 13-14!

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As the snow melts, we have been able to go outside for recess. Students are enjoying games of basketball and soccer, while some are spending the time talking with peers or playing board games.

Important Information

Marshall & Madison HS Rising 9th Grade Activities Fairs Field Trip

8th Grade Students attending Marshall & Madison will receive a permission form in HPE the week of March 2nd to attend an Activities Fair on Monday, April 13th.

Participants will receive information about athletics, fine arts, and extracurricular opportunities available to them next year. *Students not assigned to either may go on the Madison HS field trip. 

  • Students on the Marshall trip will have lunch at Marshall - $3.50 cash. They also have the option to bring a bagged lunch from home or order one from the Kilmer Cafeteria (back of permission slip) to take on the trip. Students on the Madison trip will eat when they return to Kilmer. 
  • Completed forms with Student and Guardian/Parent signatures should be turned in through HPE - the deadline is March 9th. (**Disregard directions printed on form to turn in through HPE in Nov.**)
  • If a student loses their pre-printed permission form, they may print another from Schoology > All Students Course > Materials > Rising 9th Grade Activities Fair or visit the Main Office or Student Services. 
  • It is very important that field trip participants arrive at school on time on April 13th for transportation groupings and departures. 

Dance Team Juniors Clinic

Marshall High School Dance Team is excited to announce their Spring Juniors Clinic! K-8th graders can meet the team, play games, and learn technique and fun dance team choreography.  No experience necessary!

  • Date: Saturday, March 14
  • Time: 12:00 - 3:00 PM
  • Location: Main Gym Marshall High School

The cost is $50 per dancer and includes a T-shirt!  Hurry! REGISTRATION CLOSES MARCH 7th!

Register HERE!! Email GCMDanceTeam@gmail.com with any questions!

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Fairfax County History Conference

Students, teachers, and community members are invited to participate in the Fairfax County History Conference. Participating students are eligible for service hours, while participating teachers are eligible for Continuing Education Credits.

🗓️ Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

⏰ Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

📍 Location: Fairfax County Government Center

Opportunities Include:

  • Volunteer (Greeter, registration, hospitality, wayfinding, etc.)
  • History Showcase Display: Create a display about Fairfax County history tied to your school or community. Individual and team projects are welcome.
  • Trivia Show Contestant *HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY* (High School Students vs. School Board Members — format subject to change)

Tell Us How You’d Like to Participate - REGISTER HERE

Join historians, educators, and community members for a day of exploration highlighting Fairfax County’s role in the American Revolution. As part of #Fairfax250, the conference examines the causes, conflict, and consequences of the Revolution—and how Fairfax both shaped and was shaped by this pivotal era. Don’t miss dynamic panels with George Mason University faculty and students, interactive activities, hands-on archaeology, genealogy sessions, digital research tools, student exhibits, and opportunities to connect with local history organizations.

Free Math Tutoring every Monday Morning:

Every week, TJ students come to Kilmer to offer free math tutoring. This is typically on Mondays (or the first day of the week if Monday is a holiday). Join us in F123 from 7-7:30am.

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Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST) - Techstravaganza

We represent the leadership of Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). Each year, we promote STEM through our annual flagship outreach event, Techstravaganza, and we would like to invite your school’s students to attend!

Techstravaganza is a free, public, hands-on STEM activity fair for elementary and middle school students in Northern Virginia. In previous years, we've hosted more than 4,500 students and 70 labs presenting STEM activities. Our exhibitors range from TJHSST clubs and our own TWIST volunteers to organizations like NASA SCaN, Art of Problem Solving, George Mason University, American Society of Naval Engineers, and the National Air and Space Museum. This year, we will be holding the 22nd annual Techstravaganza on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 10 AM to 4 PM at TJHSST.

Admission is free, and we hope that you can spread the word in your school. Here is our registration link: https://tinyurl.com/Techstravaganza26, and attached are flyers in English and Spanish that can be used to advertise this event. We would appreciate you sharing this with families in a newsletter or your school's social media. Please let us know if translating the flyer into other languages will help.

More information about the event can be found on our website at https://techstrav.org/index.html

or tjpartnershipfund.org/techstravaganza/. Thank you so much, and please let us know if you have any questions!

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Course Selection for 2026-2027: Academic Advising with School Counselors

Over the next month, each student will meet individually with their school counselor to review and finalize course selections in SIS StudentVUE for the 2026-2027 school year. 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. 

Families can access the Course Selection page on the Kilmer website to explore course options, review course selection information, and view academic advising timelines for all grade levels.

Save the Dates - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremonies!

Promotion ceremonies
  • Guardians: June 10, 2026 - 8-9:30 AM
  • Pegasus: June 10, 2026 - 12:30-2:00 PM
  • Constellations: June 11, 2026 - 8-9:30 AM
  • Voyagers: June 11, 2026 - 12:30-2:00 PM

Kilmer PTA

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 Program

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.

Resources & References

FCPS Cares

FCPS Cares

Want a quick way to recognize an employee or team? Share an FCPS CARES! Families, colleagues, and students are all invited to submit. The FCPS CARES is automatically sent to the recipient(s) and their supervisor, and is posted on fcps.edu. Additionally, each month one school in each region wins a staff celebration from HR. Consider submitting an FCPS Cares to show our staff that their hard work is appreciated!

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 StudentsFrom 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.

  • Cost: Meal kits follow your child’s school meal status (Free, Reduced-Price, or Paid). 
  • 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.

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. 

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):

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)