A Message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
Happy End of Quarter 1. It is hard to believe that we are already here. As a reminder, Monday and Tuesday are Student Holidays. We look forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday, November 4.
A friendly reminder for those families who use morning kiss-n-ride: please get your students to school on time. We have dozens of students who are regularly arriving late (or right as the bell is ringing). This means students are missing valuable class time. We begin welcoming students into the building at 7:00 AM and encourage parents to drop their students off early so we can start the day off strong.
Finally, today is the last day to nominate a Kilmer staff member for an Outstanding Employee award. This is a great way to recognize the amazing work of our educators. You can fill it out 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!
Amelia S. - Amelia, Thank you for volunteering to read your creative writing aloud to the class! Your enthusiasm is an example to others!
Kalel V. - Worked very hard during class and helped another student.
Ellory P. - Being a positive role model in class and always helping classmates when they need to borrow a charger or missed directions!
Anneliese M. - Anneliese, Even after the bell had rung, and I announced I would stack everyone's chair, you still took time to stack your chair and those near you. Thank you for your help!
 Upcoming Dates:
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November 2 and 3 - Student Holidays
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November 9 - Youth Survey (8th Grade Only) through HPE classes
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November 12 - Pre-VMEA Performance for Kilmer’s Symphonic Orchestra. Harris Theatre, GMU Fairfax Campus, 7:00 PM
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November 16 - School Picture Day makeups, all day in the GIR
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November 20-21 - School Musical in the Cafeteria
- November 20 at 7:00 PM
- November 21 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 PM
- FCPS School Calendar 2026-27
Spirit Week, this week! Monday was “Pajama Day”
Tuesday was “Jersey Day.” While there were too many Brewers jerseys for my liking (considering they swept the Dodgers in the NLCS), I figured I’d recognize their World Series victory 🙂.
Wednesday was “Decades Day.” Could have been twin day when they realized they both wore a poodle skirt.
Thursday was “Swap Day.” Students dressed like teachers and teachers dressed like students…but I think the staff may have had more fun with this one 😀.
We finished the week with “Character Day.” Students went all out, and it was a fun way to end the 1st quarter.
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.
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.
School Musical: November 18-21
We’re All in This Together! Get ready to Get’cha Head in the Game as Kilmer Middle School presents Disney’s High School Musical Jr.! Join us for an energetic, music-filled production featuring our talented student cast as they bring this beloved story to life!
Performance Dates & Times:
- Friday, November 20 at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, November 21 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
General Admission: $10 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased using this link or at the door: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15622/kilmer-middle-school-theatre
Special Student Performance: Join us on Wednesday, November 18 at 2:30 PM for a special student showing! Tickets are just $5, and students attending this performance will be able to take the late bus home afterward.
TJ Investigative Science Outreach
The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, is hosting the 14th annual Invitational Science Fair in mid-April, and would like to invite 5th-8th graders to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free.
Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present it in person at the fair in April. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important STEM skills, including brainstorming, building an experimental design diagram, data collection and analysis, scientific writing, and presentation.
The first interest/information session for prospective students and their parents is November 11th, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. They will be holding this session virtually through Zoom. During this session, they will go over the goals and guidelines of the fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://tinyurl.com/TJISOinterest2627 (OR) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRLUYEP9rndkQTy2Vkc9n9mymuQSp8yNDkegdZC0vpQEE6Cw/viewform
If you have any questions or concerns, check out their website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email them at tjhsstsciencefair@gmail.com.
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.
Join Us for our Annual Skate Night! ⛸️
Grab your KMS friends, lace up your skates, and join us for a private night of Skating fun, exclusive for the Kilmer community! This fun night out brings together an evening of friends and family for some fun on the ice. No minimum skating ability required! ❄️
- Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026
- Time: 6:45 pm – 8:15 pm; Doors open at 6:15 pm
- Where: Fairfax Ice Arena, 3779 Pickett Road, Fairfax, VA 22031
- Who: Open to all Kilmer students, siblings, family, and staff
- Cost: $15/person for advance tickets purchased online before Friday, November 6th at 9 pm; $18/person for tickets purchased at the door.
Each ticket includes admission, skate rental, and unlimited hot chocolate! Don’t miss out on the fun! 🎉 We can’t wait to see you there!
PURCHASE YOUR SKATE NIGHT TICKETS
If the cost of attending Skate Night presents a financial challenge, please reach out to our Family Liaison, Ms. Mabel Morales at mvmorales@fcps.edu.
Volunteers Needed - To make Skate Night run smoothly, the PTA is looking for a few parent volunteers to help with the night. Volunteers will help with check-in, ticket sales, and keeping an eye on things around the arena to make sure kids are representing Kilmer well! No ticket purchase needed and no need to put on skates!!
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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Wednesday, Nov. 4 3:30-4:30 PM
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Thursday, Nov.5
- Volleyball Intramurals/Clinic
- Students with experience 2:30-3:30 PM
- Students with little/no experience 3:30-4:30 PM
- All Students welcome
- Athletic Physical not required
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Monday, Nov. 9th
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After School Student Advisory Council Interest Meeting 2:30-3:30 PM
- Student Voice focused on After school programming and experiences
- Leadership Opportunity and Service Hours
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Coding Club Meeting 3:30-4:30 PM
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Craft Club 3:30-4:30 PM
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Tuesday, Nov. 10 6:00-8:30 PM
- The Kilmer Winterguard is so excited to dance, spin, and toss our way through our third season this year! If you’ve ever wanted to try out colorguard and learn how to toss a flag or spin a rifle at our first Spin Clinic. No experience necessary; we’re so excited to see you!
- Kilmer Center Gym (next door to Kilmer Middle at 8102 Wolftrap Rd)
- Students cannot stay at Kilmer until 6 PM - they must go home at the end of School/Afterschool and return with a Parent
- Sponsored by Marshall HS
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Friday, Nov. 13
- CyberPatriot Competition in GIR (during school)
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Saturday, Nov. 14
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Wednesday, Nov. 18
- Student Matinee Performance of High School Musical
- NO Clubs/Activities/Sports (excluding SO & TSA)
- Late Bus Transportation available
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Thursday, Nov. 19
- XC End of Season Ice Cream Social
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Monday, Nov. 23 - Tuesday Nov. 24
- NO After school activities
- NO Late Bus Transportation
QUESTIONS? Ask the After-School Program Specialist Ms. Kardelis (F107).
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.
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.
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:
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
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