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Tiger Tales
Tiger's Den
Families,
Our principal is on paternity leave until December 1, 2026. Annie and I are excited to lead Kilmer Center School while Hoang is on leave. Together we have over 50 years of educational and leadership experience in special education. At Kilmer Center School we will continue to prioritize student learning and family engagement.
Please let us know if you have any questions and as always, we wish you a wonderful week.
Laura and Annie
Save the Date: Back to School Night Oct 5
We will have our Back to School Night on Monday October 5 from 3:00-5:00. This is a time to learn more about your student's classroom schedule, curriculum and to see the awesome learning that has been happening here at Kilmer Center School. Watch this space for more information.
Required: Important Back to School Forms
We have printed your child’s forms and sent them home in their backpacks. Please review and complete the forms, make any necessary corrections, sign and return them to the school.
Keeping us informed about your child’s health allows us to consistently provide the best possible care and support for your child throughout the year.
Important Safety Drill
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for all of us. We have a crisis management and emergency preparedness plan for our school that is reviewed and updated regularly. Our plan includes procedures on how to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Students and staff regularly practice these drills every school year. We also practice lockdown drills.
Virginia Law (22.1-137.2) requires schools to notify parents at least 24 hours before a school practices a lockdown drill. However, we are not required to share the exact date and time of the drill. We are required to practice lockdown drills two times a year. FCPS lockdown drills do not include any type of active shooter scenario training, they are instruction and classroom based.
We will conduct a lockdown drill at our school soon. Our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are exempt from mandatory participation in lockdown drills during the first 60 days of the school year. They will participate in our second and final drill later this school year.
Additional information on our lockdown drill program to include parent tips and FAQs can be found on the Emergency Planning and Crisis Response web page. After reviewing this content, you should discuss the value of these safety drills with your child.
Keeping our school safe and secure for all students and staff involves the participation of the entire school community, and we thank you for your help to keep our school safe.
Stock the Fridge
We are excited to introduce our Staff Snack Fridge, which will provide staff members with snacks, drinks, and small treats throughout the school day.
Families and staff who would like to participate may purchase or donate items from our requested list(Click here for our requested items). This is a wonderful way to show appreciation and support the staff members who care for our students each day.
IFSP Funding Announcement
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1st, individuals on Virginia's Developmental Disability Waivers Waiting List (the Waitlist) will be able to access the IFSP-Funding Portal in WaMS to create and submit an application.
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IFSP-Funding Application Schedule (Fall 2026)
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First day to apply:
October 1 at 9 a.m.
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Last day to apply:
October 30 at 11:59 p.m.
Virtual Training Session for Individuals and Families
The IFSP staff is offering a online training to show you to apply for funding! The training will be held using Microsoft Teams.
You will:
· Learn how to log in and use the IFSP-Funding Portal,
· Learn how to fill out the funding application, and
· Be able to ask questions during the training.
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After you register, you will receive a confirmation email. This email will include the link you need to join the meeting.
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Can't make it? Watch the training video on the My Life, My Community IFSP-Funding page.
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The application portal will be open for one month. Determinations are not based on the date you apply—so please take your time! For more details on the Funding process and criteria, please review our Program Guidelines at mylifemycommunityvirginia.org/ifsp-funding.
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Before you begin, here are a few reminders:
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· To be eligible to apply, all applicants must be on the Developmental Disability Waivers Waiting List and be living in their own home, or in their family's home.
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· Please refer to the Program Guidelines for more information about how funding determinations are made.
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· Applicants with a priority 1 Waitlist status may apply for up to $1,000. Applicants with a priority 2 or priority 3 Waitlist status may apply for up to $500.
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· Helpful Tip: Please try logging into the Funding Portal in September to make sure your login information works! (Your login information is your last name, the last 6 digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth.) This will help you avoid any delays when the Portal opens in October. Please note, you will not be able to apply for funding while the Portal is closed.
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· IMPORTANT: Did you receive IFSP funds in December 2025? IFSP-Funding recipients must activate, use, and/or withdraw the funds from their Way2Go debit cards. Per Sections V and VII of the IFSP-Funding Guidelines, failure to activate these cards may impact an applicant's eligibility for future funding awards.
To activate a card, please call Conduent's automated customer service toll-free number at 800-961-8423.
If you still have trouble activating a card or ordering a replacement and you need to speak directly to someone, please call the My Life, My Community toll-free helpline at 844-603-9248.
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To apply for IFSP-Funding between October 1 and October 30, please visit this link:
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Parent Support Group
School Year 2026 - 2027
Hello Parents!
The Jill’s House / Kilmer Center School Parent Support Group is reconvening for the 2026-27 School Year! This will be our eleventh year holding the Parent Support Group with our partners at Jill’s House! Jill’s House is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing respite and support to families raising children with intellectual disabilities. Kilmer Center has partnered with Jill’s House for more than ten years to provide a weekday overnight respite program for our students, and we work closely together to meet the needs of our mutual families. Please note that your child does not need to be participating in the Jill’s House program to attend our Parent Support Group.
The Parent Support Group offers a great opportunity to meet other parents, share your story and hear from others, as well as learn of or pass along useful information and resources. At each meeting, we will focus on a topic of interest, and you can participate in the discussion or just come to listen.
The group meetings are managed by Deonne Snare from the Family Support office at Jill’s House, and Cara Fratta, School Psychologist, and Andrea Bylykbashi, School Social Worker, at Kilmer Center School. Most meetings are facilitated by Dr. Liz Maury, a specialist in child development, and Reva Guimont, who works with families transitioning their special needs children to adulthood. We focus on parent issues, socio-emotional needs, self-care, and any specific topics requested by the group members.
Meetings are held virtually using the Microsoft Teams platform. All meetings will be on a monthly basis on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 8pm. The next meeting will be coming up on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Listed below are the meeting dates until the end of 2026 to put on your calendar and we will share 2027 dates soon. A reminder about the Parent Support Group Meeting will go out each month in a Kilmer Center Tiger Tales Newsletter.
2026 Schedule: Thursday, September 17 Thursday, October 15 Thursday, November 5 Thursday, December 10
2027 Schedule: Dates to be determined
We are happy to answer any questions and we look forward to seeing you at the Parent Support Group!
Andrea Bylykbashi, Kilmer Center Social Worker
(avbylykbashi@fcps.edu; 571-226-8489)
Cara Fratta, Kilmer Center School Psychologist
(ccfratta@fcps.edu; 571-226-8474)
Jill's House/Kilmer Center
Parent Support Group
September Meeting
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Please join us for a
Virtual Parent Support Group
Thursday, September 17th, 7-8 pm EST
Topic: Back to School--How's it Going?
How’s everyone doing with getting back into the school routine? Or if it's your first year or two out of the school routine, how is that working?
Join us for a casual Parent Support Group to chat about what’s working, what’s been challenging, and everything in between! From mornings and IEPs to after-school therapies and big feelings, come and share your experience so far, support each other, and remind ourselves that we’re all figuring it out together.
Click here to join
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 Come Visit Us in the Community!
The Arc of Northern Virginia's Special Needs Trust Program will be participating in the Special Needs Planning Convention 2026 on October 3 and will have a table with information and resources about our program!
The convention brings together families and resources covering many stages of special needs planning, from early intervention and education to Medicaid waivers, adulthood, and long-term planning.
If you're attending, we encourage you to stop by our exhibit table, ask questions, and learn more about our Pooled Special Needs Trust Program. Whether you're just beginning to explore special needs planning or already have a trust established with us, we'd love the opportunity to connect with you in person.
Save the date: October 3, 2026. We hope to see you there!
Register here!
 Resources From our Family Liaison
Learn more about the Fairfax County Special Education PTA
The Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) is a perfect way to support our students, families, and Kilmer Center school! SEPTA serves all special education students, families, and educators across FCPS. Membership is $20 and SEPTA is open to all parents, teachers, staff, and community members. It directly funds free educational workshops, community-building events, teacher mini-grants, and the annual Awards Ceremony.
For more information visit SEPTA website or the link provided.
Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should submit a new application as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Please let the School Family Liaison know if you need help filling out the form.
Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation
All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass and access the application, which can be returned to the front office.
Bus Discount Program for Adults
Fairfax Connector’s Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) provides 50% off fares for low-income residents ages 18-65. Learn more about the TRIP program and how to apply.
Contact the School Family Liaison to apply and receive your pass.
Parenting Programs (Fall 2026)
Free virtual and in-person parenting classes are available for Fairfax County parents and caregivers of children ages 0–18. Classes cover positive and effective parenting strategies for every age and stage. Dinner and childcare are provided.
Inova Free or Low-Cost Healthcare for Kids (Ongoing)
Inova offers health care services and support for children and families, including help applying for or renewing Medicaid and FAMIS, primary care for children with Medicaid or no insurance, free virtual cooking classes, and care coordination for children with special health care needs.
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Eligibility: Services and eligibility vary by program.
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Contact: application and renewal assistance, Partnership for Healthier Communities, PHC@inova.org , 703-698-2550
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Contact: Inova Cares for Children, 703-531-3100
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Contact: Care connection for children with special healthcare needs, CareConnectionforChildrenNOVA@inova.org , 703-698-2450
Upcoming Dates
September 2026
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September 17: Parent Support Group 7:00-8:00 PM
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September 21: Holiday | Yom Kippur
October 2026
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October 5: Back to School Night 3:00-5:00 PM
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October 12: Student Holiday Indigenous Peoples’ Day
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October 30: End of First Quarter | 2-hour Early Release
November 2026
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November 2: Student Holiday (Teacher Workday for Staff)
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November 3: Student Holiday (School Planning Day for Staff) | Election Day
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November 25 - 27: Holidays | Thanksgiving Break
2026-2027 School Year Calendar
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