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Tiger Tales
Tiger's Den
Families,
The warm weather is welcomed after a cold winter. Our custodian, Mr. Giau, is the Region 5 Most Outstanding Operational Employee and we applaud his well-deserved accomplishment. We are looking forward to more outdoor learning opportunities for our students as the weather improves. Currently, our adapted PE classes are using our outdoor spaces, and the students enjoy accessing the spaces. Our school community is also busy planning for ESY. As a reminder, the hours for ESY are 7:45-10:45am and the dates are July 6-July 30.
As always, we welcome your feedback and wish you a wonderful week.
Hoang and Laura
Jill's House/Kilmer Center
Parent Support Group
March Meeting
Please join us for a
Virtual Parent Support Group
March 12th, 7-8 pm EST
Topic: The "New Normal"
Did you ever feel like you finally had things figured out with your child with disabilities? You found a rhythm, you were starting to feel confident… and then everything changed.
Maybe it was a new diagnosis. Maybe a transition at school. Maybe a shift in behavior or needs that caught you off guard.
How did you acclimate to your “new normal”?
And how do you build resilience when you’re already feeling so spent?
Join other Jill’s House parents as we explore this part of the journey together. You’re not alone. Please contact Deonne Snare, Jill’s House Family Support, at Deonne.Snare@jillshouse.org if you would like to receive the link for this meeting--for security purposes, we send a new link for each month's meeting.
If you have any questions about the Parent Support Group, please contact Cara Fratta, Kilmer Center School Psychologist, at ccfratta@fcps.edu or Andrea Bylykbashi, Kilmer Center Social Worker, at avbylykbashi@fcps.edu.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
No School Friday March 20
Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz (evening only observance day, holiday)Thursday, March 19, is an evening only observance day for Eid al-Fitr, which begins at sundown. Friday, March 20, is a holiday and all schools and offices are closed for Eid and Nowruz. See the complete school year calendar.
Literacy Instruction for Students
with Significant Disabilities
Friday, April 24, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
In this session participants will explore the five components of literacy and corresponding instructional practices designed to support the literacy needs of students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Register here
2026 Special Education Family Conference: Rescheduled
FCPS’ 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marshall High School. Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event. If you registered before, please re-register for the new date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and appreciate your understanding.
Order Your Yearbook Today
2025-2026 Kilmer Center School Yearbooks are now for sale. The cost is $15 per yearbook and may be purchased through 5/4/2026. You can order your yearbooks here. A paper copy of the form was sent home with students as well. If you would like to purchase the yearbook but require support please contact Andrea Bylykbashi at avbylykbashi@fcps.edu .
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
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Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
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Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
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Monday, April 20, Westgate Elementary School.
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Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
 Resources From our Family Liaison
Family Engagement Survey to Opened March 9
FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9, to Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.
Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment.
- Communication.
- Student success.
- Advocacy.
- Family and school partnerships.
- Community partnerships.
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.
Join us for the Reading Opens the World Book Drive and Family Literacy Fair! This exciting event will take place on Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lorton Community Center, located at 9520 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA 22079. We are thrilled to offer 30,000 free books to families and educators on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents and guardians can select up to 10 free books per child (with a 30-book maximum per family), while educators and school staff are invited to choose up to 50 free books for their classrooms. Beyond the books, families can enjoy a fun-filled day featuring a DJ, free arts and crafts, and hundreds of LEGO brick boxes available while supplies last. For more information, please reach out to Jack Delaney at jdelaney@fcft.org .
April Sibshops and SibTeens:
Date - Friday, April 10, 2026
Location -Gum Springs Community Center,
8100 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, VA
The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Play games and have fun. Register here
SibTeens is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with support needs in grades 6-9 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences. Register here
Please contact FCPSSibshops@FCPS.edu for follow up questions about either program.
FCPS ACE Adult English Classes. Spring Semester Enrollment Open.
Adults in our community can enroll in comprehensive ESOL classes through FCPS Adult and Community Education. Classes are offered at multiple proficiency levels with morning and evening options at locations across the county. Tuition is significantly lower than most college or private language programs. More information and registration: FCPS Adult and Community Education ESOL Classes
Camp Fairfax Summer 2026 Registration Opens
(March 17, 2026, Upcoming) Camp Fairfax serves rising 1st through 7th graders and is held at public schools and community centers throughout Fairfax County. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided. A sliding fee scale is available. More information: Camp Fairfax Summer
Department of Family Services: Parent Support Line. Building Stronger Families
Do you have questions about parenting or need someone to talk to? Parenting specialists with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services are available to support families. Specialists can help with child development questions, parenting strategies, reducing stress, and connecting families with community resources. Call the Parent Support Line: 703-324-7720
Upcoming Career and Transition Events
Get Organized This Spring With the Dani Plan
Spring is coming, a perfect time to get organized with the Dani Plan. This tool helps you manage care information for a disabled loved one. Easily build, update, and share care plans, store documents securely, set reminders, and stay prepared for the unexpected.
Join families nationwide using the Dani Plan to stay informed and supported every day.
Join The Free Webinar, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Register Here
Gabriel Homes - All Abilities Block Party
Come celebrate all abilities in our community and learn more about inclusive resources and ways to get involved. Free admission and food. All are welcome.
Saturday, April 11 - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Lake Anne Plaza, Reston, Va
Details:
§ Free admission
§ Free food and drink provided
§ Resource fair
§ Talent and art showcases
Other family fun:
§ Caricatures
§ Face painter and glitter tattoo artist
§ 360-degree photo booth
To learn more and register, click here.
Supporting the Whole Family: Disability Through the Adult Sibling Lens
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Join us for a sibling-focused video podcast featuring adult siblings of individuals with disabilities sharing their lived experiences. This conversation will explore the joys, challenges, and unique roles siblings often hold over the lifespan, along with practical supports that help families thrive.
Moderated by Tammy Burns, PEATC’s Executive Director, the discussion will also highlight resources for siblings and the broader family system. Speaker bios
To learn more and register, click here.
Understanding Informed Consent
This session explains what informed consent really means—understanding information, asking questions, and agreeing before decisions are made. Learn the basic principles behind informed consent, why it matters in all services and supports, and how it is used in Vocational Rehabilitation to help your child make confident, informed choices about their future.
Sessions to choose from:
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Presented by PEATC in partnership with DARS
This webinar will be presented on Zoom. It will not be recorded.
Developmental Disabilities and the Sibling Journey: Info Session
Siblings are often the longest-lasting relationships in the lives of people with developmental disabilities, evolving from childhood playmates into lifelong advocates and, sometimes, future caregivers. The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) Regional Councils, in partnership with the Virginia Dept of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), are hosting a session on "Developmental Disabilities and the Sibling Journey: Growing Together Through Life’s Transitions" on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:15 p.m. ET. This free virtual session features presentations by Brianna TenBrink from the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities and Kaitlin McNamara from The Sibling Leadership Network. After these presentations, a panel of siblings will also share their perspectives so everyone can understand what sibling support can look and feel like at different stages of life. Registration to join the free session.
For more information and to register, click here.
Upcoming Dates
March
March 20: Eid-Al-Fitr - No School
March 27: 2 Hour Early Dismissal
March 30-April 3: Spring Break- No School
April
April 6: No School for Students
April 10: No School for Students
April 21: No School for Students: Special Election
May
May 25: Memorial Day - No school
May 26: No school for Students
May 27: Eid al-Adha- No School
2025-2026 School Year Calendar
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Kilmer Center Learning Space Donations
We have a vision to create a vibrant outdoor learning space for all students to access at Kilmer Center School. This learning space will be constructed directly beside our school building with a designated walkway directly leading to the learning space. The learning space will be a large area consisting of beautiful pavers and brick. Scan the included QR code or click here to make your contribution today.
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FCPS Cares
Do you know a Kilmer Center School 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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Kilmer Center School Amazon Wishlist
Click here for our Amazon Wishlist. This list was created to provide needed supplies to support our students at Kilmer Center School. Please feel free to share this list with family and friends.
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