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in this issue:
August 18 - Parent Q and A - 5-7pm (Virtual)
August 20: Open House "Eagle Fest" - 2:00 PM - 6:15 PM
August 24: First Day of School Year 2026-27
September 2 - Back to School Night - 6-8pm
September 4 & 7 - Labor Break - Schools and Central Offices Closed
September 8 - PTA In-Person - 7:00 PM - Library
September 9 - Parent Academy - 7:00 PM - Virtual
September 15 & 16: Picture Day - During PE Classes
Dear KJMS Families,
As we prepare to welcome our students and staff back to KJMS, I want to begin with a heartfelt thank you to our incredible custodial team. They have been working tirelessly throughout the summer to clean, prepare, and ready our building for the new school year. Their hard work, care, and attention to detail help ensure that KJMS is a welcoming place for our entire community. We are incredibly grateful for all they do!
This week, we are excited to welcome our excellent teachers and staff back to the building as we prepare for the first day of school for students on Monday, August 24. There is a great deal of excitement as we get ready for another wonderful year of learning, growth, and connection at KJMS.
A few important reminders for families:
Parent Q&A – Tuesday, August 18 - Please join us for our final Parent Q&A session. This is another opportunity to hear important information and ask questions as we approach the start of the school year. Additional details are below.
EagleFest – Thursday, August 20 - We look forward to welcoming our families to our annual EagleFest! This is always a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with the KJMS community and get ready for the year ahead. Additional details are below.
Student Schedules Available Thursday - Student schedules will be available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 20.
We are looking forward to seeing our teachers and staff this week, our families at our upcoming events, and—most importantly—our students on August 24. The start of a new school year is always an exciting time, and we cannot wait to welcome our Eagles back to 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
We are excited for the start of the school year at Katherine Johnson Middle School (KJMS)! We are inviting your family to this year's EagleFest which will take place on Thursday, August 20th.
EagleFest is a chance for students and families to:
- Walk the building with your schedule - see your classrooms and take some time to figure out how to navigate the building on day 1!
- Meet other KJMS families or catch up with old friends!
- Celebrate the end of Summer and the start of a great school year at KJMS!
Sessions
We have 4 sessions for families to choose from on Thursday, August 20th:
- Session 1 - 2:00 - 2:45pm
- Session 2 - 3:00 - 3:45pm
- Session 3 - 4:00 - 4:45pm
- Session 4 - 5:30 - 6:15pm
Parking
Due to limited parking, we are asking families to sign-up for one session. When you sign up for your timeslot, please know you can arrive anytime during your session. You should plan for your walk around the building to take 30 minutes. We will ask that you depart at the end of your scheduled timeslot to free up parking for the next group.
Eagle Fest Sign-Up
The Back to School Q & A is a time for families to ask questions about the start of school. School administrators will be available to answer questions. A Google Meet link will be sent the day of the event. All sessions start at 5:00pm with a Spanish translation starting at 6:00pm. Sessions will be recorded, click on the date to access the recording and slideshow for that session.
Recordings of previous sessions can be found on our webpage
We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events!
The first day of school, Monday, August 24, is just around the corner! Check out these back-to-school tips to make sure your child gets off to a great start.
Also find out what will be new this school year.
Starting this school year, students may only use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. This is in accordance with a new School Board requirement, approved on July 16, which states that students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices, including personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices. All of these devices are expected to be stored in student backpacks from 7:25-2:15 each school day.
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device.
Families can help support this requirement by reminding students to bring their FCPS-issued device each day and use it for all school-related digital activities unless an approved exception applies.
Last fall FCPS instituted a weapon screening system across all middle schools. It’s important to note that this is not a traditional metal detector system. It is a weapons detection system, meaning that many common items containing metal, such as phones, keys and calculators, can pass through without issue. Laptops must be removed from bookbags and three-ring binders will set off the detection system due to the shape and volume of metal they contain in their spine. The same can be true of most metal water bottles, aluminum cans, metal thermoses and lunch boxes, metal eye glass or pencil cases, eyelash curlers and some instruments.
We advise students and families to choose non-metal accessories when possible to aid in the efficient entry to school. Students will be responsible for removing all of these items from their backpacks.
As you prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to make it easy for you to understand what changes are on the horizon and what families need to know! We’ll continue to update the list as we approach the first day of school on Monday, August 24.
Learn more about updates, apps, and policies.
A new Schoology Study and Support Hub is available for students in Schoology. This space was developed by the FCPS Educational Technology Team with input from students. It is designed to provide essential study tools and academic support resources directly to our learners.
Students can log in to Schoology and read their Schoology announcements or watch this video on the support hub for more information.
There are a lot of school and FCPS webpages to bookmark, but the FCPS mobile app serves as your central hub!
Check daily meal menus and calendars with no login required, or use one-tap quick links to launch SIS ParentVUE, Schoology, and MySchoolBucks.
Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store..
Middle school students enrolled in Math 6 through Algebra 2 will be using new textbooks this school year. A committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers reviewed materials and provided input on the selection. Schools should receive textbooks to distribute to students in September.
FCPS is launching a new bus navigation system, which includes student ID cards for students who ride the bus. Students will use the cards to tap on and off the bus, helping FCPS and families know exactly which students are riding which buses.
Learn more about the new system and how it will improve route efficiency, safety, and transparency with families. Check out the frequently asked questions for families.
The FCPS Family Academy is where families can learn and get support for their child’s school journey.
We know that parents and caregivers are critically important in their child’s education. The Family Academy lists classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. The Family Academy also includes information about resources available to help every family ensure their child has what they need to succeed.
Visit the Family Academy webpage. Check out its catalog for upcoming classes, workshops, and webinars to help families learn about FCPS, parenting, early literacy, and how to partner with schools.
Is WhatsApp one of the ways you stay connected with family, friends, and your community? Now you can use it to stay connected with FCPS, too.
Follow the new FCPS WhatsApp Channel for helpful information and reminders throughout the school year, including important announcements, upcoming dates, tips for families, and more.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- New Student Device Requirements
- Math Textbooks
- Football Game Safety Measures
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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.
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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.
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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.
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