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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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A pink-framed photo collage showing school staff enjoying a "Dolly Parton Day" snack cart event in a hallway.
Photo collage of school staff visiting a snack cart decorated in bright pink tinsel for "Dolly Parton Day." A sign on the cart reads "Pour Yourself a Cup of Ambition," with accompanying text thanking families for treating teachers on September 25th (9/25).
In This Issue:
September 26 - October 4 - Blue Star Welcome Week
October 3 - Cross Country Meet @ Carson MS 10:00 AM
October 8 - Parent/Caregiver Academy:Supporting Your Student’s Learning at Home: Schoology and SIS (Virtual) - 7:00 PM
October 12 - Teacher Workday - No School for Students
October 13 - PTA Meeting (Virtual) - 7:00 PM
October 15 - Multilingual Family Potluck - 6:00 PM - Cafeteria
October 16 - SEL Screener
October 20, 22, 23 & 26 - MWEE Field Trip (Different 7th Grade Teams Each Day)
October 22 & 23 - Picture Day Make-ups (during PE classes)
October 23 & 26 - Digital Detox Days
October 30 - End of 1st Quarter - Early Release - 12:15 PM
Dear KJMS Families,
We have concluded our beginning-of-the-year screening assessments in reading (i-Ready) and mathematics (MAP Growth). Students will take these assessments again in December to help us monitor their progress. More information about required FCPS and Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) assessments can be found on the FCPS website.
Thank you to the families who joined us this past week for our Parent/Caregiver Academy: Helping Your Child Thrive in Middle School. You can access the presentation slides and recording on our website. Our next Parent/Caregiver Academy will be held on October 8. The topic will be Supporting Your Student’s Learning at Home: Schoology and SIS.
Each school year, every FCPS school develops and updates its School Improvement and Innovation Plan (SIIP) to identify priorities and actions that support student success. Families are invited to learn more about our schoolwide goals and priorities by reviewing the 2026–27 KJMS SIIP on our website.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the Fairfax High School Homecoming Parade today!
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 - Ready to Launch!
Use FCPS Cares to recognize any of our staff members
Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate, and schools are a primary way they get integrated into their new location. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community.
Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. This 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.
Please help us welcome our military families during Blue Star Welcome Week, September 26 - October 4, 2026, and throughout the year!
#BlueStarWelcomeWeekFCPS
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We are excited to announce that this year’s Career Day will take place on November 11th from 8:15 AM to 10:40 AM, and we are looking for enthusiastic presenters to share their careers with our students!
If you are interested in participating as a presenter, please complete the registration form using the link below. The deadline to register is Oct 23.
Please see the FAQs and reach out to School Counselor Curtiss Barnes at crbarnes@fcps.edu if you have questions.
Your experiences and insights can have a lasting impact on our students as they explore various career paths. Thank you for your support in making this event a success. We look forward to showcasing the amazing careers within our KJMS community!
KJMS Career Day Presenter Registration
We understand that families may need to drive their children to school from time to time. If you need to, please familiarize yourself with our school’s kiss-and-ride procedures for the safety of all children and staff.
Please drop off or pick up your students in the designated areas. Students should not be dropped off or picked up on the Bevan side (neighbor behind the school) area. This can increase the number of students walking through busy intersections and create traffic hazards for other drivers and families trying to get to school.
Please follow all signs and directions posted at our school, on public roads, or provided by school staff or crossing guards, and avoid making U-turns. Most of all, always — ALWAYS — drive slowly near our school. The safety of all our students is one of our top priorities!!
The Fairfax County Police Department has additional safety tips for families, including ways to keep walkers safe and what to do about scooters, bicycles, and e-scooters.
The new ParentVUE mobile app is available in the Apple and Google App stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their ParentVUE account. The previous app will be deactivated at the end of 2026.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature. Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
Please help all our bus riders remember to tap on and tap off the school bus each day. We currently have about 70% of students on buses following this process correctly, which is a great start! Learn more about student IDs and bus navigation.
Families wishing to see where their child’s bus is should continue to use the Here Comes the Bus app.
Digital Literacy Resources for FamiliesAs part of FCPS’ continued support for digital literacy, families can access lesson materials that introduce the concepts students will explore throughout the school year. These resources include student lessons and supporting materials organized by grade level. Resources will be shared on a quarterly basis through Schoology.
The All Parent/Guardian Course is available in Schoology through a parent or guardian account. Schoology and ParentVUE use the same login credentials. Families who need assistance can review How Do I Log in to and Access Schoology? or watch the brief walkthrough on the Schoology Snippets page.
Families can also learn more about FCPS guidance and practices on the Educational Technology in FCPS webpage.
FCPS’ new September and October menu items are packed with classic favorites and fresh global inspiration. Check our new online menu system to see when you can try new recipes based on student feedback, and developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts.
Menu items include:
- Breakfast items such as honey chicken biscuits, guava pastelitos (whole-grain pastries filled with tropical guava fruit), and roasted apple parfaits, made with vanilla yogurt and homemade granola.
- Lunch items such as crunchy beef or fiesta tacos, ramen bowl with diced chicken or hard-boiled egg, beef or vegan banh mi burger, and southwest fiesta soup with corn chips.
Stay up to date on FCPS menus and nutrition news by subscribing to the Food and Nutrition Services newsletter.
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):
- 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.
Join us for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
Families, educators, and community members are invited to this no-cost, in-person event to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants.
How to Get Involved
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
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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. We encourage families to discuss these expectations with their child(ren).
Families should review the SR&R and sign the acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or by signing and returning the Signature Sheet.
Cellphones and Personal Devices
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the student’s 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 on the FCPS website.
Understanding the Acceptable Use PolicyFCPS provides students with digital tools and devices to support their learning, encourage easy collaboration, and help students learn how to interact with technology safely. The FCPS Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) guides how these technologies are used both inside the classroom and at home. By following the AUP, students learn how to become not just users of technology, but responsible and ethical digital citizens with critical real-world skills such as:
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Responsible Communication and Conduct: Communicating respectfully and using technology appropriately.
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Digital Footprint Awareness: Understanding online actions can have lasting effects on a student’s reputation, future opportunities and relationships, career prospects, and safety.
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Data Privacy and Security: Learning how online safety can protect their digital work and personal information, and guard against cybersecurity risks.
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Self-Regulation: Learning to manage digital distractions to stay focused when needed.
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Accountability: Understanding that they are responsible for how they use FCPS technology and digital resources.
Learn more about digital citizenship at FCPS.
The free Lightspeed Parent Portal makes it easy for you to see and manage how your child uses their FCPS-issued device outside of school hours. New Lightspeed Parent Portal features for this school year include:
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Schedules: Pause or restrict internet access during specific times, such as during homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
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Web Rules: Block specific websites you don’t want your child accessing at home.
Be sure to check your email (subject line: “Filter Portal Weekly Report”) each Sunday for the Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report, a weekly summary of the websites your child has visited. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
Fairfax High School Theatre
Fall Drama Camp: NEVERLAND – BELIEVE IN DREAMS
Monday, October 12th, 2026 (Teacher Workday)
- When: Monday, Oct. 12th
- Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Check-in begins at 8:30 AM)
- Where: Fairfax High School, 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax, VA 22030
- Who: For any child in 1st – 8th Grade
- Cost: $65 per child and $45 for FCPS Employees
The Staff: Mr. Chris Whitney, FHS Theatre Director, is the Camp Director. The FX Players (high school theatre students) are the counselors. Theatre Boosters parents will chaperone. Campers are divided into groups by grade level (1st–8th).
The Schedule: Begins with an opening meeting. Groups rotate through activities like Acting, Improv, Musical Theatre, Props, Costumes, and Dance. Parents are invited to watch the final performance in the auditorium at 3:00 PM.
Lunch: Campers must bring their own lunch and drink to eat in the cafeteria with counselors.
Registration: Online registration at www.fxplayers.org by October 11th, 2026. Confirmation email sent upon receipt of registration and payment.
Note: A parent or caregiver must enter the school to sign campers in and out.
https://johnsonms.fcps.edu/announcements/fhs-drama-camp
Questions: Email fhsdramacamp@gmail.com
Sponsored by Fairfax High School Theatre Boosters (501(c)3 non-profit organization). Activities are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the FCPS School Board, the Superintendent, or this school.
The William & Mary Center for Gifted Education is excited to share their upcoming Fall 2026 Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) opportunities.
Our upcoming program dates are:
- October 17, 2026 – One-Day Enrichment Program
- November 7, 14, and 21, 2026 – Three-Saturday Enrichment Series
SEP offers engaging, academically challenging courses designed to encourage students to explore their interests, think creatively, and learn alongside other students who share their enthusiasm for learning.
Registration & Program Information
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Each one of us is unique. And every student matters and belongs in school. If a student is having a difficult time attending class, please tell a trusted adult at school. There are solutions.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
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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 take 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.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Traffic Safety Near Our Schools
- Sign and Return the SR&R
- Check Out New Menu Options
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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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Stay in Touch with Us
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