Katherine Johnson MS Weekly News - April 10, 2026

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Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram to see pictures and videos from our events!


Military Spirit Week - April 13-17

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4/13:  Wear red, white and blue

4/14:  Camouflage Day

4/15:  Purple Up!

4/16:  Favorite branch shirt

4/17:  Wear red


In this issue:


Upcoming Events @ KJMS

April 13 -17: Military Child/Purple UP Spirit Week

April 15:  Purple Up! Day

April 15:  Battle of the Books (BOTB) - KJMS Gym - 6:30 PM

April 16 & 17:  Digital Detox Days

April 17:  Military Breakfast - 8:00 AM - Library

April 21:  No School for Students (Statewide Elections)

April 20 - 24 & 27 - 28:  World Language Speaking PALS Test (selected levels)

  • Not on April 21 (Teacher Workday) - Make-up date is May 1

April 23 - 24:  KJMS Spring Musical, Moana, Jr.  - 7:00 PM

April 25:  Saturday Show - KJMS Spring Musical, Moana, Jr. - 2:00 PM

April 25:  City of Fairfax's 40th Arbor Day Celebration - 9:00 AM at Pat Rodio Park

April 30:  IReady Test (School Wide)


Principal's Message

Dear KJMS Families,

Welcome to the start of the 4th quarter! As we begin this final stretch of the school year, we are excited for all the learning, growth, and celebrations ahead.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our talented art teachers, Ms. Condley and Ms. Kennedy, for their outstanding work in organizing the Fairfax Pyramid Art Show. Their dedication to showcasing student creativity and fostering a love for the arts is truly commendable.

April is School Library Month, and we will celebrate National Library Week from April 19–25, 2026. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and thank our exceptional school librarians, Ms. Betten and Ms. Carmichael, for the vital role they play in supporting literacy, research, and a love of reading across our school community.

We also celebrated Assistant Principal Appreciation Week this past week. Please join us in recognizing our outstanding assistant principals—Ms. Johnson, Ms. Bousman-Stanczak, and Mr. McCaughan—for their leadership, dedication, and unwavering support of our students, staff, and families.

Finally, we look forward to celebrating Military Child Spirit Week next week as we honor the strength and resilience of our military-connected students.

Thank you for your continued support of KJMS!

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


No School April 21/Meals for Students

April Statewide Election: No School for Students

There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled. 

FCPS will offer lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on Tuesday, April 21, at participating schools. The meals must be eaten on site, and enrichment activities will be available for the children. For more information, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage


Reminder: Digital Detox Days – April 16th and 17th

To promote healthy technology habits and encourage meaningful learning experiences, we will be holding two "Digital Detox Days" on April 16th and 17th. On these days, all 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 after-school activities, but they will remain in their backpacks during the school day.

We recognize that our students spend a significant amount of time interacting with technology. These Digital Detox Days aim to:

  • Inspire good Digital Citizenship: By stepping away from screens, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the balance between technology and offline activities.
  • Reinforce offline learning: These days 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 these days will be a valuable opportunity for both students and teachers to explore alternative learning approaches and foster a deeper connection with their studies!

Questions – email Kelsea Owens (kfowens@fcps.edu)


📷Reminder: Order Your Yearbook!

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Reminder !  Only 30 yearbooks are left, so don't delay, order one today.  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.

Note: All transactions are handled directly through the Jostens portal; the school office cannot accept payments for yearbooks.


Free KJMS Thinkabit Summer Camp

Have you ever thought about how new technologies are invented? Do you want to build robotic crafts?

  • This FREE camp will run from June 22-25, 2026 – 9AM-1PM at Katherine Johnson Middle School
  • Rising 7th and 8th graders are invited to apply
  • All supplies are provided, they just need to bring a lunch
  • Students must have their own transportation to and from camp

Google Form to Apply: https://forms.gle/RrJmQthwwodnSfZh7


KJMS Military Families Breakfast - April 17

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We would like to invite you and your KJMS student(s) to a celebration breakfast on April 17th at 8:00 AM in the library.  Please fill out this form to RSVP by April 15.

Also, if you are currently serving in any of the branches of our military or have served in the past, we would like you to submit a picture of you and your family for our Purple Star wall.  You may send a hard copy with your student to drop off at the main office, or for your convenience, submit the picture electronically to either Maria Marris at msmarris@fcps.edu or Andrea Holmes at aholmes@fcps.edu.

Purple Up! Day - April 15

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To show our support for all our military-connected families, we are inviting our school community to “Purple Up!” on Wednesday, April 15, for military children.

Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue. 


KJMS Spring Musical

Moana, Jr.

When:  April 23 and 24 at 7:00 PM  or April 25 at 2:00 PM

Cost:  Adults - $10 and Students - $8

Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i and Mark Mancina

Book adapted by Susan Soon He Stanton

Music and Orchestrations arranged and adapted by Ian Weinberger

Based on the 2016 Disney Film Moana

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FY 2027 Budget: Sustaining Excellence

Help FCPS Sustain Excellence:

Make Your Voice Heard on the FY 2027 Budget.

About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. There are several upcoming opportunities to provide feedback to the county on its budget before final adoption in May. This includes public budget hearings (April 14-16) and an online survey. Learn how the FCPS budget helps us sustain our excellence


Event: Unclouding the Truth: A Community Discussion about Vaping

Event flyer for "Unclouding the Truth: A Community Discussion about Vaping." The flyer features a background of colorful e-liquid bottles and includes photos of six expert and student panelists. Hosted by the Fairfax County Council PTA at Jackson MS on April 13, 2026.

Event Details

Date: Monday, April 13, 2026

Location: Jackson Middle School, Falls Church, VA

Schedule:  

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Presentation and Discussion (Auditorium)

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Resources, Refreshments, and Gift Card Drawing (Cafeteria)

Registration: Link to Registration Form (Attendees are eligible for a gift card drawing!)

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FHS Co-Ed Junior Golf Camp

When:  July 13 - 16

Time:  8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Location:  Fairfax High School

Cost:  $90

For rising 2nd - rising 10th grade girls and boys

No equipment required & Train alongside fairfax coaches & players 

  • New Practice Bunker: A fantastic addition to our practice facility, joining our hitting nets, chipping areas, launch monitors, and simulator.
  • Bonus Day: We’ve added an extra day of fun, instruction, and play!
  • Team Mentorship: We are excited to have more counselors this year, including current and former members of the Fairfax Golf Team. It’s a great way to learn from experienced players and connect with the high school program. 

Registration is now open! Invite your friends, classmates, and neighbors to join the fun.

Link to registration

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TJHSST Bioinformatics Society

Is your high schooler and/or middle schooler interested in biology or computer science? Do they enjoy competing and working with other students? TJHSST Bioinformatics Society is hosting its annual BioCode competition, with hundreds in prizes, and a guest lecture from college professors!

Join them for a fun day of bioinformatics through a hackathon & coding problem solving competition.

To learn more and register, check out: https://tjbioinfo.netlify.app/biocode/ Reach out to tjbioinformatics@gmail.com with any questions, and we hope to see you there!"

Location:  TJHSST

Date:  April 11, 2026

Time:  10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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City of Fairfax's - 40th Arbor Day Celebration

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Arbor Day Celebration - Register and/or Volunteer

Pat Rodio Park

Saturday, April 25, 2026

9 a.m. to noon

Volunteer tree planting, youth poetry recital, and tree distribution event.


Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her 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. on: 

Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.


Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students

Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

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.


FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • Support Military Children
  • National Merit Finalists
  • School Board to Present Budget to Board of Supervisors

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
 

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.


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.