A Message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
It’s hard to believe that we are almost finished with the first quarter of the 2026-2027 school year. We are so proud of our seventh graders who have made great strides in learning our middle school routines and are working hard to adjust to the academic pace of middle school. With the end of the quarter, next Friday is an early release (details below).
The SCA has been hard at work! They are selling Boo Grams during lunches next week as part of their annual fundraiser and have planned a fun spirit week for our Cougars (info below).
If you haven’t already, please consider taking the time to nominate one of your child’s teachers for an Outstanding Employee award. Nominations close on October 30 and can be submitted here: Kilmer Outstanding Employee Award Nominations Form. Nominations can be made by staff members, community members, parents, and students.
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!
Sufia M. - Sufia is a ray of sunshine and an ambassador of kindness at Kilmer. She has a generous spirit and greets all who cross her path with a smile.
Kriday A. - Kriday found ways to help several students in class today. He looks for ways to be a helpful member of our classroom community.
Ryan R. - Ryan worked diligently navigating the writing process and asking questions to hone his craft as a writer.
Axel V. - Axel is consistently taking the lead and making sure not only his job complete, but he also looks out for his friends to make sure they are on task. Way to go Axel!
  Upcoming Dates:
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October 23-27 - SGA Boo Grams on sale at lunches
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October 24 - Cross Country Meet @ Poe Middle School, 10 AM
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October 26-30 - Spirit Week
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Boo Gram Sales (October 23 – 27): Students can send a friendly note and a piece of candy to their peers! SGA will be selling Boo Grams during all lunch periods from Monday, October 26 through Wednesday, October 28. Boo grams are $0.50 each (cash only) and all Boo Grams will be delivered during 6th period on Friday, October 30.
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Spirit Week (October 26–30): Students and staff are invited to show their Kilmer spirit, dress up, and join in the daily themed fun all week long. Students are reminded that all outfits must be school appropriate – no masks or face paint.
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November 12 - Pre-VMEA Performance for Kilmer’s Symphonic Orchestra. Harris Theatre, GMU Fairfax Campus, 7:00 PM
On October 16, 7th grade Life Science students at Kilmer Middle School met virtually with Julie Sibbing, Vice President of Land Stewardship Programs at the National Wildlife Federation, to learn how conservation leaders work to protect the habitats and waterways we all depend on. Students had been studying watersheds, wetlands, and pollution, and had tested water quality at Burke Lake on our Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) field trip. Before the visit, students used a Google Form to sign up and submit questions, and many sent in more than one. The questions were shared with Ms. Sibbing ahead of time. She answered a selection of them during her presentation, and students asked follow-up questions of their own after she finished.
Federal Impact Aid Survey in ParentVUE
The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in ParentVUE. Your response helps FCPS receive funding for which it is eligible by identifying military and other federally connected families, including families living on a military base.
Please complete one survey for each child. Only the parent who enrolled the student with FCPS can submit the form. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
To complete the survey, sign in to ParentVUE and click on Online Registration. From there, scroll down to find the Federal Impact Aid Survey. If you are experiencing difficulty completing the survey, sign in to ParentVUE using Google Chrome, select Online Packets, then choose Federal Impact Aid Survey. If you need help accessing ParentVUE, contact your child’s school.
Paper forms will be sent home with students the week of November 16th for families who cannot access ParentVUE.
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.
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.
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.
Private School Application Requests
Private school applications are typically due between mid-October and mid-December. As a reminder, please review Kilmer’s Records Requests and Private School Application Process and submit all requests and required forms at least 10 school days before the application deadline to allow time for accurate processing. For questions or assistance, please contact Student Services at KMSStudentRegistration@fcps.edu.
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.26
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Afterschool Student Advisory Council 2:30-3:30 PM
- Student Voice focused on Afterschool programming and experiences
- Leadership Opportunity
- Service Hours
- Open to students even if they have not stayed after school before
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Quiz Bowl 2:30-4:30 PM
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Coding Club Meeting 3:30-4:30 PM
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Craft Club 3:30-4:30PM
- 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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Wednesday, Oct.28
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Math Support, 2:30-3:30 PM
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Thursday, Oct.29
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Volleyball Intramurals/Clinic
- Students with experience 2:30-3:30 PM
- Students with little/no experience 3:30-4:30 PM
- All Students are welcome
- Athletic Physical not required
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You’re invited to attend our special "Lights On" event next Thursday, October 29th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Glasgow Middle School (4101 Fairfax Pkwy, Lincolnia, VA 22312). This event will provide an excellent opportunity for current and prospective students from Holmes, Poe, Glasgow, Kilmer, Thoreau, and Jackson to learn more about the various after-school programs and community resources available. These include our school-based After-School Programs, Summer VIP Camp, Neighborhood and Community Services, as well as partnerships with organizations such as the Annandale Boys & Girls Club. Representatives from each school and community organization will be present to share information and answer any questions. Another goal of this event is to reunite Summer VIP campers & Teens in Action participants while providing more information about both programs and how to get your student involved this upcoming summer. There will be small games and activities for students to participate in while walking around and connecting with the community. Please complete the RSVP form below! We hope to see you there. RSVP HERE
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Friday, Oct.30
- Early Release - NO Afterschool Activities
QUESTIONS? Ask the After-School Program Specialist Ms. Kardelis (F107).
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. |
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.
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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