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Tiger Tales
Tiger's Den
Families,
It is amazing that October is here. As the temperatures drop, please make sure your children wear a jacket or hoodie. Our students access the playground, and PE will often use our outdoor spaces, and we want them to stay warm.
Our school community continues to focus on school to home connections. Back to School Night is Monday, October 5 from 3:00-5:00pm. During Back to School Night, we will share FCPS and local resources, review academic instruction also share student work.
Please let us know if you have any questions and as always, we wish you a wonderful week.
Laura and Annie
 Blue Star Welcome Week- Pajama Day Tomorrow
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.
Spirit week:
Friday October 2nd: Pajama Day (Rest & Refresh)
Spirit Wear for Sale
We are selling Kilmer Center School Spirit Wear. All orders must be placed by Monday, October 5 at 1:00. Orders are due to arrive at Kilmer Center School by October 21. If you have any questions, contact Laura Mondragon lymondragon@fcps.edu.
Link to Shop or go to shop.burkesports.com and enter the group code Kilmer2026.
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.
Learn About Applied Behavior Analysis and Teaching New Skills at Home
All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.
Virtual trainings take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join the session. Upcoming topics include:
- Autism and ABA Overview on Wednesday, October 14. (It is highly recommended that you attend this session before any future sessions.)
- Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home on Wednesday, November 18.
- Toilet Training on Wednesday, December 9.
- Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home on Wednesday, January 13.
- Communication: a Foundation for Independence on Wednesday, February 10.
Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.
Jill's House/Kilmer Center
Parent Support Group
October Meeting
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Please join us for a
Virtual Parent Support Group
Thursday, October 15th, 7-8 pm EST
Topic: Rage
Caretaking is many things. These ‘things’ can span from extraordinary gifts to excruciating responsibilities and so much in-between. Naturally, this varied experience elicits a full range of emotions. One of those feelings that isn’t often discussed but is hard to ignore is rage.
Rage is real. But what is it really? What triggers your rage? How do you carry it, and what do we do with it when it surfaces? Join the meeting to discuss, share and support.
Click HERE to join
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Transition Planning: Decision-Making Alternatives for Families of Individuals with Disabilities
Register here - https://forms.gle/Hj7pV6SGXNb5w2SKA
Friday, October 30 at 10 a.m
As young adults with disabilities and their families prepare for life after high school, families may have questions about how to support decision-making while respecting their loved one’s rights and independence. This webinar will provide an overview of guardianship and conservatorship, powers of attorney (POA), and advance medical directives (AMD), including their purposes,
differences, and potential impact. Participants will learn about these decision-making alternatives and considerations for choosing the option that best meets
their loved one's needs. This presentation is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
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2026 Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair!
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Each fall, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB), the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), and The Arc of Northern Virginia sponsor:
Moving on to Life in the Community: A Resource Fair
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Who should attend: Students with developmental or intellectual disabilities and their families
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Purpose: Learn about adult services and supports available after transitioning from FCPS
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Representatives will provide information about:
- Adult service providers
- Employment and training programs
- Medicaid and Social Security
- Residential options
- Supported employment
- Day support programs
- Recreation and leisure activities
- Travel training
- Advocacy and funding
- And more
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: Fairfax High School cafeteria
Entry: Door 1
Register here
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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To apply for IFSP-Funding between October 1 and October 30, please visit this link:
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Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Sibshops and SibTeens: Upcoming Session
Join us for a morning of connection, activities, and conversation with peers who share similar family experiences.
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Sibshops is a community-building program for children in grades 2–5 who have a sibling with a disability. Participants can play games, enjoy art activities, and connect with other children.
Register here
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SibTeens is a community-building group for students in grades 6–8 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have a sibling with support needs. Through recreational and art-based activities and discussion, students can share about their lives and support one another.
Register here
Session details
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Date: Tuesday, November 3
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Time: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. (Sibshops and SibTeens)
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Location: Katherine Johnson Middle School
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Address: 3801 Jermantown Road, Fairfax, VA
Annual Special Education Family Conference: Registration Open, Call for Volunteers
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.
 Resources from our Family Liasion
Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) (Upcoming: October 1 to November 6, 2026)
Medicare 101 Workshops
VICAP offers in-person and virtual workshops for people who will soon be eligible for Medicare, people with Medicare, and their care partners. Registration is required; more information here.
Special Education Webinar Series
PEATC’s 2026 virtual webinar series will help families better understand the special education process, including eligibility, IEPs, 504 Plans, and family-school collaboration. Families may attend only the sessions that best meet their needs.
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Dates and Topics: October 7, Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings; October 21, Cracking the Code: 504s and IEPs
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Time: 6:30 p.m. Each session lasts approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
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Location: Virtual
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Registration: Register for the webinar series
Upcoming Dates
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 15: Kilmer Center/Jill's House Parent Support Group 7:00-8:00 PM
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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 5: Kilmer Center/Jill's House Parent Support Group 7:00-8:00 PM
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November 25 - 27: Holidays | Thanksgiving Break
December 2026
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December 21 - January 3, 2027: Holidays | Winter Break
2026-2027 School Year Calendar
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