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9.11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET
A quick reminder to help your child head to school prepared and ready to do their best each day.
Please ensure your child brings their fully charged laptop/Chromebook. The charger should stay at home and charged each night.
Replacement chargers can be purchased in MySchoolBucks for $29 or by sending cash to the Main Office.
Limited Loaners: Our supply of spare devices is very limited, so having their assigned equipment ready to go is extra important!
Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our students prepared and ready to learn!
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In This Issue:
September 11-16 - MAP Testing (Math classes)
September 15 & 16 - Picture Day - During PE Classes
September 21 - School Holiday - building closed
September 23 - Rescheduled Parent Academy - Virtual - 7:00 PM
Dear KJMS Families,
We continue to think of the Frost Middle School community during this tragic time as they mourn the loss of a student. This week, we also marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 tragedy through a TA lesson and discussions in history classes. Please remember that our school counselors are available to support any KJMS student who may need assistance. We encourage our community to continue connecting with friends and loved ones and supporting one another.
All of our TA lessons can be reviewed by families in Schoology:
Log into Schoology (Schoology Log-In) with your ParentVUE username and password.
- Navigate to the All School course (All School Course Page)
- Click on the TA (Teacher Advisory) Lessons folder
- You will be able to see the TA Lessons organized by month (sample below)
Thank you for continuing to support our students and one another
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
As our students commute to and from school each day, keeping them safe is our top priority. We ask parents and guardians to help reinforce essential traffic and pedestrian safety habits with their middle schoolers:
- Crosswalk Safety: Always use designated crosswalks to cross the street. Look left, right, and left again before stepping into the road, and wait until traffic comes to a complete stop before crossing.
- Helmet Habits: Helmets are mandatory for students riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards. Make sure your child’s helmet fits properly—snug on the head and strapped securely under the chin.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our school community safe!
Please note that our new photography company, Jostens, does not accept pre-orders for pictures. Instead, they will send an email to parents/guardians about one week prior to Picture Day (September 15 & 16) with full details on how the process works and instructions for viewing and ordering your favorite photos online.
FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.
Can You Communicate in a Language Other Than English?
Earn Up to 3 High School Credits! FCPS celebrates your multilingual literacy. If you are fluent in a language other than English, you can take the World Languages Credit by Exam (WLCBE) to earn high school credits toward graduation and state recognition.
Why Take the Exam?
- Students who take the exam may earn up to three passing world language credits for levels one, two, and/or three for the language of the exam.
- WLCBE credits count toward the world languages requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma.
- The assessment used in FCPS is also an approved assessment for awarding the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) Seal of Biliteracy.
Who is Eligible for the Exam?
- This exam is designed for students in Grades 7 through 12 who possess well-developed literacy in their language -writing and speaking (except Latin & ASL).
- Students may participate in the exam a maximum of two times per language across your middle and high school career (limit of once per school year).
Registration, Testing Date, & Location:
- The WLCBE will be offered at KJMS during the school day, on November 17/18. (You will be informed by email before then about the specific day of your test.)
- Registration Dates: Registration opens Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 8 a.m. Registration closes on Friday, October 16, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.
- KJMS counselors can register you for the exam. You may download the Student Registration Form using this link. Permission sheets will also be available from KJMS school counselors at each lunch period beginning Sept. 8th. The registration form must be signed by a parent/guardian. Students must return the signed permission form to register (you can return the signed permission sheet to register during any lunch period until Oct. 16th!)
Learn more about the FCPS Credit by Exam Website:
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high/world-languages/credit-exam-world-languages Fairfax County Public Schools | Instructional Services | World Languages WLCreditExam@fcps.edu
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September 26 through October 4, 2026
Our community and FCPS are proud to participate in Blue Star Welcome Week, a special event dedicated to welcoming military-connected families to the area. From September 26 through October 4, 2026, various events and activities will be held throughout FCPS schools and the region to show support and appreciation for military-connected families.
Blue Star Welcome Week is an annual event hosted by Blue Star Families, a non-profit organization that empowers military-connected families and strives to help them integrate into civilian communities. This week-long celebration offers newcomers the opportunity to connect with local resources, meet other military-connected families, and engage with the community. Please visit the National Capital Region Chapter to learn more about the events Blue Star Families and their partners will be hosting.
FCPS wishes a warm welcome to our military-connected families! We are honored to have you as part of our community, and we thank you for your service.
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Attention families:
Looking for a flexible and part-time position? FCPS is hiring AVID tutors for the 2026-2027 school year.
AVID tutors work with small groups of approximately 5-7 students during the school day in an academic elective class called Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). These groups use questioning strategies to help students develop a variety of college preparatory skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. Tutors earn $21.77 per hour and should either be a college graduate or currently enrolled in college.
If interested, please email your resume to AVID@fcps.edu.
The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.
Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
- Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.
Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.
Cellphones and Personal Devices
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. Learn more about the student device requirement.
As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, the health and well-being of our students continues to be one of our priorities. Staying up to date with your child's flu vaccination helps:
- Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
- Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
- Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.
Upcoming Flu Shot Events
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will be taking place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
Applications Open Monday, October 5, for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available Monday, October 5, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, October 30. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information, including a schedule of upcoming information sessions at middle schools.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Review and Sign the SR&R
- Your Child Belongs at School
- What’s for Lunch? Check the FCPS App
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. They must notify parents and caregivers at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools do not have to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance. Preschool and kindergarten students do not participate in the first lockdown drill.
By law, the first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with them about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your student before and after school lockdown drills.
Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for students, families, and staff to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff.
Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.
Our school nurse at KJMS is Ms. Basile and our school health aide is Ms. Johnson. You can contact them at 703-934-2410 for health plans, medication drop-offs, or questions about chronic conditions. Visit our school health webpage for forms, illness policies, and tips to keep your student healthy!
You can contact our parent liaisons by phone or email: Ana Maxey (Mon.–Fri.) at 703-934-2454 or ajmaxey@fcps.edu, and Jennie Choi (Tues. & Wed.) at 703-934-2452 or jchoi4@fcps.edu.
To reach our social worker, Maria Marris, email msmarris@fcps.edu.
Please be sure to include your name, your student's name, and your contact phone number in your message.
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.
Family Information Line Available in Nine Languages
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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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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