A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
Congratulations to Paige Knisely for being featured by FCPS News! Be sure to check out this segment on the FCPS website, highlighting Ms. Knisley’s work to support our students: An Equation for Success: Math Teacher Provides Students with Safety, Security, and Comfort. This is another great example of the work Kilmer teachers do each and every day to support our students.
Kilmer held our first Digital Detox Day on Monday. Student laptops were away for the day in an effort to promote healthy technology habits and encourage meaningful learning experiences. Also, our Kilmer counselors also have been hard at work this week, meeting with students one-on-one for academic advising. This is a crucial part of course selection, and they will be continuing these efforts in the coming weeks.
Congrats to our former Kilmer student, Ilia Malinin, and his teammates on winning Olympic gold last weekend in the team figure skating competition. Ilia is currently in first place in the individual men’s figure skating competition after Tuesday’s short program. He skates again this afternoon in the long program. Good luck Ilia -We are rooting for you!
We look forward to welcoming students back to Kilmer on Wednesday (after the President’s Day holiday and a Teacher workday). Have a great weekend, and as always, reach out with any questions or concerns.
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!
Mohammed M. - Thank you Mohammed for helping the custodian when she brought in the extra desks and chairs. I really appreciate you stepping up without being asked and helping.
Liam D. - Liam is so helpful in class. He is always willing to volunteer an answer and ready to lend a hand to help with lab clean up. Thank you, Liam!
Mobina K. - Mobina always comes to class ready to learn. She has worked so hard to catch up on the material that she missed before transferring to Kilmer. She asks great questions and takes advantage of reassessment options. She is also such a sweet, nice student who always brings a positive attitude to school with her.
Camden D. - Camden, Thank you for working well with your table group. Your commitment to your learning is a shining example for all!
 Upcoming Dates
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February 20 - Transportation Staff Appreciation Day - Wear Yellow to show your appreciation and support of our transportation staff.
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February 25 - Band Pre-Assessment Concert, 7:00 pm at Marshall HS
Congratulations to Kilmer’s TWENTY All-District Band students! The event was held at Oakton HS from 2/5-2/7. This is an amazing accomplishment, and we are SO PROUD of them!
Front Row left to right: Tristan Burger, Anika Kurlagunda, Lauren Clopper, Vivian Caldwell-Schlenker, Samantha Sutton, Claire Wang, Hannah Riedi, Madhavi Duvuru, Nolan Jacobs, Ian Britton, Ethan Harney
Back Row left to right: Chase Moore, Adrian Serban, Keshav Prasanna, Ramana Duvuru, Ryan Gulley, Aadith Eadhara, Lucas Gebhart, Eli Fraatz, Caleb Shin
Students in Ms. O’Brien’s Science 8 class collaborated on a lab this week.
Digital Detox Day in action this past week!
 Staff and students celebrated Twin Day in style during this week’s Spirit Week!
2nd Quarter Report Cards & Honor Roll Certificates
2nd quarter report cards are now visible in SIS ParentVUE. A printed version of 2nd quarter report cards will be sent home Thursday, February 26. Honor Roll certificates will also be included for students who earned all As or all As and Bs.
Save the Dates - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremonies!
Religious Accommodations in School for Students
In alignment with FCPS Regulation 1502, our school provides reasonable accommodations for students of all religious backgrounds, including access to meditation and silent reflection spaces throughout the school year. Families are asked to complete the Meditation & Silent Reflection Space Parent Permission Form if their child may need access to this space at any time.
- For students observing Ramadan (February 18–March 19), please complete the form by February 17 so accommodations can be arranged in advance, including support for students who are fasting during lunch.
- Students may also complete a brief form in Schoology to indicate if they need access to the space and/or will be fasting. Parents/guardians will be notified when students request to pray or fast.
- Students approved for accommodations will receive a pass with the designated time and location.
Meal Kits for Fasting StudentsFrom February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16.
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Cost: Meal kits follow your child’s school meal status (Free, Reduced-Price, or Paid).
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition website for forms, deadlines, and more information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
FCPS Cares
Want a quick way to recognize an employee or team? Share an FCPS CARES! Families, colleagues, and students are all invited to submit. The FCPS CARES is automatically sent to the recipient(s) and their supervisor, and is posted on fcps.edu. Additionally, each month one school in each region wins a staff celebration from HR. Consider submitting an FCPS Cares to show our staff that their hard work is appreciated!
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Congratulations Kilmer Students - National PTA Reflections Contest
For more than 50 years, the National PTA Reflections Contest has increased confidence and success in the arts by providing students with the opportunity to be recognized for creating original works of art. This year’s theme is “I belong!” The following Kilmer students placed at the Fairfax County level in this year’s Reflection Contest, congratulations to:
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Simon Smith, Visual Arts -- placed first across all Fairfax County PTA (FCCPTA) entries and will compete at the VA State level
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Rishaan Nityanand, Literature -- placed second at the FCCPTA level
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Naomi Rosner, Music Composition -- placed third at the FCCPTA level
PTA Website
Stay up to date with news and information from the PTA by visiting the PTA website: https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
Executive Board Contact Information
After School Activities News/Updates
Each week Ms. Kardelis will post a detailed overview of our After School Program to our website. Please visit Kilmer’s website at https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/afterschool_newsletter to find the weekly After School newsletter. If you have any questions regarding our After School Program please reach out to Kim Kardelis, After School Specialist, at kckardelis@fcps.edu.
Spring Track & Field
As a part of the FCPS Middle School Athletics Program Kilmer will host Spring Track & Field. Coaches and Volunteers Needed! If interested in volunteering, please contact Kim Kardelis @ kckardelis@fcps.edu
Returning Athletes from Cross Country or Crosstown Hoops:
Do Not Need to resubmit Athletic Physicals if PPE on file is dated after March 30,2025
Do Need to complete the Spring Track and Field Athletics Registration Form
Families new to MS Athletics must complete several required steps prior to participating (including practice):
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FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination (PPE) Form.
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The PPE Form must be completely filled in and properly signed (pages 1-3) attesting that you have been examined, found to be physically fit for athletic competition no more than 14 calendar months prior to the date on which report was signed (dated after 3/30/26)
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Proof of Medical/Accident Insurance Coverage (on PPE Form) Any student participating in voluntary Afterschool athletic programs, must have insurance.
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Hard/paper copies of PPE and ECC Forms to the Main Office for review, processing and approval. *Students may not be cleared for participation the same day they submit forms. **Blank copies are available in the Main Office.
- State-Mandated Concussion Education Program
Practice and Meet Details
- Practices Begin 4/07
- 2:30-3:30PM on Monday/Wednesday/Thursday
- Must participate in 4 practices for Meet Eligibility
- NO Tryouts - NO Experience Needed
- 8AM Saturday Meet Schedule:
- 4/25 Herndon HS
- 5/02 West Springfield HS
- 5/09 Marshall HS
- 5/16 Oakton HS
- 5/30 Robinson (MS T&F Champs Meet)
Upcoming Student Experience Survey (SXS): February 23, 2026
Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
All students in grades 3-6, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 23. We will administer the survey during 5th Period Advisory on Monday, February 23. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You have received a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.
FCPS believes it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which include a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.
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