A Message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
Congrats to Kimberly Gilmore, who recently received an FCPS Impact Award! You can read more here: Kimberly Gilmore - Safety & Security Assistant, Kilmer Middle School. Check out the write-up submitted by her nominator:
“Throughout her twenty-plus-year career, Kimberly has become the heart of the Kilmer Middle School building. She is a champion for all students, promoting their academic achievement and success. Kimberly actively engages students as a constant, supportive figure in their daily lives. She forms positive relationships with students and their families, working magic particularly with those with significant support needs. Her impact is visible in her office, where the bulletin boards are wallpapered with handwritten thank you notes from students and the community alike.
Please consider taking the time to nominate one of your child’s teachers for an Outstanding Employee award. Nominations close on October 31 and can be submitted here: Kilmer Outstanding Employee Award Nominations Form. Nominations can be made by staff members, community members, parents, and students.
Finally, I am thrilled to share that Kilmer has been recognized as a Distinguished school by the Virginia Department of Education under the School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF) based on data from the 2025-2026 school year. The Distinguished designation is the highest rating a school can receive from the Commonwealth and means that Kilmer exceeded state expectations in student achievement, growth, and readiness. This rating reflects the incredible dedication of our staff, who work tirelessly to ensure our students reach their full potential!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. As always, reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Steven McFarlane
Principal
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Here are just a few of the Positive Referrals received by our Kilmer Cougars from staff members this week!
Joel G. - Joel, Thank you for volunteering to be our line leader and sign holder for the fire drill. You made it easy to spot our class!
Brynlee W. - Brynlee, thank you for putting extra effort in math, trying hard, and not giving up! We are proud of you!
Maria G.M. - Maria, thank you for consistently being kind, respectful, and very patient. We see you always diligently working and also turning in work on time! Keep it up!
Evelyn G. - Evie, thank you so much for being helpful to the sub when I had to be out this week. She named you as a "helpful student" in her note to me. It means a lot to me that you were respectful to her.
  Upcoming Dates:
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October 20 - 22 - SOS Mental Health Program (7th Grade only) will take place during US History Classes.
- Tuesday, October 20: Periods 1, 3, and 5
- Wednesday, October 21: Periods 2 and 4
- Thursday, October 22: Period 7 - To allow time for same-day student follow-up after the SOS screening, Kilmer will follow a flipped bell schedule on this day: Periods 7, 3, 5, 1.
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October 17 - Cross Country Meet @ Stone Middle School, 7:30 AM
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October 24 - Cross Country Meet @ Poe Middle School, 10 AM
- FCPS School Calendar 2026-27
It was another great showing for our Kilmer runners this past Saturday. Tomorrow, Saturday, October 17, the team will compete at Stone Middle School.
Students in engineering designed and built planes using rubber bands to power the propellers.
SOS Mental Health Program - 7th Grade Only
As part of FCPS’s mental health education, all 7th grade students participate in the evidence-based Signs of Suicide (SOS) program, which teaches students how to recognize signs of depression, seek help, and ACT – Acknowledge, Care, Tell a trusted adult.
At Kilmer, the SOS lesson and mental health screening will take place next week, Oct 20, 21, and 22 during your child’s History classes. During this time, students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. To allow time for same-day student follow-up after the SOS screening, Kilmer will follow a flipped bell schedule on this day: Periods 7, 3, 5, 1.
To learn more about SOS and resources for families, visit the SOS Parent Resource page. For additional details, 7th grade parents can refer to the Kilmer e-Notify email sent on September 23.
Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHSST) Application Process
The TJHSST freshman application window is open. Families of interested 8th grade students should note these important deadlines:
- October 28 at 4:00 p.m.: Last day to begin an application.
- October 30 at 4:00 p.m.: Deadline to submit an application.
Visit the TJHSST Freshman Application website for details and to apply.
Orchestra Students: Students applying to TJHSST who are also auditioning for DHO must request the January 14 alternate admissions testing date by October 30.
Student Behavior
This week we’ve had an uptick in behavior issues in the hallways and during recess. Most of our students are doing the right thing, but we would really appreciate it if you could talk to your child about how to avoid engaging in bad behavior when they see their peers failing to meet school-wide expectations. Here is the message that I shared with students in Schoology yesterday:
Students,
I am reaching out to you about behavior during hallway transitions - between classes and to and from recess. If you see a student who is pushing, shoving, yelling loudly, and/or creating a disruption, it is your responsibility not to join in. When students are influenced by their peers to make bad decisions, it results in an unsafe environment for everyone in the building. Administrators will speak with all students who engaged in poor behavior during today’s transition. In the meantime, please do your part by following our R.O.A.R. matrix: “Respecting Others” and “Owning Your Own Actions.” Most of you are doing the right thing - keep it up! Together, we can and will do better as a school community.
Sincerely,
Principal McFarlane
Welcome new LPN, Tie’re "Tee" Mason!
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We are happy to announce that we have a new, full-time Licensed Practical Nurse in the clinic. Please welcome Tie're "Tee" Mason. She has been a nurse for over 10 years and has had the opportunity to work in pediatric clinics, private duty, and long-term care. You can contact her at tmason@fcps.edu. |
End of 1st Quarter & Report Card Information
Friday, October 30th marks the end of the 1st quarter. The Gradebook and Report Card Modules in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE will be unavailable from Friday, October 30th at 4:00 p.m. through Monday, November 9th at 9:00 a.m. On Monday, November 9th, 1st quarter report cards will be visible in SIS. A printed version of 1st quarter report cards will be sent home the week of November 16th.
The Gradebook and Report Card Modules in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE will be unavailable from Friday, October 30th at 4:00 p.m. through Monday, November 9th at 9:00 a.m. On Monday, November 9th, 1st quarter report cards will be visible in SIS. A printed version of 1st quarter report cards will be sent home the week of November 16th.
Family Life Education (FLE) Lessons Opt-Out: Closes October 31
Students will participate in FLE lessons in their Health & PE classes later this school year. Parents or guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, please complete the opt-out form available in Parent Digital Consent (PDC) at Parent Digital Consent. You may change your opt-out status until October 31st.
If you are unable to access PDC, a paper opt-out form may be requested from the main office. Opt-out for students accessing the modified FLE curriculum is only available by using a paper form that will be provided to you or may be accessed online at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/curriculum/subject-area/family-life-education-fle/fle-opt-out-request-forms. All FLE lessons and materials are available online in Schoology in the Kilmer All Parents/Guardians Course. Parents or guardians log in to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account.
FCPS Youth Survey - 8th Graders Only
On November 9, all 8th graders will complete the FCPS Youth Survey through their Health & PE class. The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. More information, including opt-out information, will be shared in an email to 8th grade families next week.
iReady and MAP Fall Score Reporting
Family score reports for iReady and MAP screening and growth assessments will be centrally distributed to families through SIS ParentVue Documents. The reports will be available by Monday, October 19. iReady: More information on tested skills and how to understand iReady growth family reports can be found on the iReady Test Information webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35282). If you have questions about your student's reading strengths and needs, please contact their teacher. MAP: More information on tested skills and how to understand MAP family growth reports can be found on the MAP Test Information webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/50123). If you have questions about your student's academic strengths and needs, please contact their math teacher.
PTA Website
Stay up to date with news and information from the PTA by visiting the PTA website: https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
PTA Executive Board Contact Information
Register for After School Program
Complete the required Afterschool Registration to register for Middle School After-School and Sports Programs. A complete schedule and club descriptions are available via Schoology. Parents > select view as student in top right corner when in Schoology
The Afterschool Program is structured into two session blocks, 2:30 – 3:30 PM and 3:30 – 4:30 PM following the 2:15-2:30 PM Afterschool transition/break in the cafeteria. Intramural Sports available Monday-Thursday. Late Bus Transportation is only available after the second session block at approx. 4:45 PM (Afterschool Dismissal) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Middle School Athletics
As a part of the FCPS Middle School Athletics Program Kilmer will host Interscholastic Winter Volleyball.
Steps to participate (including practice):
- FinalForms Registration opens Dec.1
ALL forms for athletic competitions must now be submitted through FinalForms online registration portal (please do not email or submit paper copies). Families received verification links via the email address tied to ParentVUE Account from FinalForms.
Parents > Search email for “FinalForms” (it may have been routed to spam/junk).
Upcoming Dates
A complete schedule and club descriptions are available via Schoology. Parents > select view as student in top right corner when in Schoology
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Monday, Oct.19
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Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) 2:30-3:30 PM
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Quiz Bowl 2:30-4:30 PM
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Coding Club Interest Meeting 3:30-4:30 PM
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Afterschool Student Advisory Council 2:30-3:30 PM
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Wednesday, Oct.23
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Math Support 2:30-3:30 PM
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Thursday, Oct.22
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Volleyball Intramurals/Clinic 2:30-4:30 PM
- No Experience necessary
- All Students are welcome
- Athletic Physical not required
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Friday, Oct.23
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Aviation Club 2:30-3:30 PM (meets bi-weekly)
- NO Late Bus Transportation
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Monday, Oct.26
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Afterschool Student Advisory Council 2:30-3:30 PM
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Craft Club 3:30-4:30 PM
- No Experience required
- You can bring your own materials to crochet or knit
- You can bring your sketchbook to draw with friends
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Tuesday, Oct.27
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) 2:30-3:30 PM
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Friday, Oct.30
- Early Release - NO Afterschool Activities
QUESTIONS? Ask the After-School Program Specialist Ms. Kardelis (F107).
Student Pickup
- A few reminders from Kilmer’s main office about procedures for picking up students early or checking them in late:
- A driver’s license or similar photo ID is required to check out a student during the day. Only parents, legal guardians, and people on the student’s emergency contact list may check out a student. If someone else is picking up your student, please send an email from your email address we have on file to KilmerMiddle.Attendance@fcps.edu that includes the full name of the person, the full name of your student, the reason for check-out, and the date of the early dismissal.
- When you arrive at the school, please ring the front entrance doorbell and let the front office know that you are checking your student in for late arrival or picking your student up for early dismissal. After entering the building, please sign your child out using the computer in the office.
- Students are not to contact their parents via cell phone or text messaging during school hours. If students need to contact you during the school day, they may use the phone in the main office.
Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
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.
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