A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
It was another busy week at Kilmer. Thank you to the PTA for “Stocking the Fridge” on Thursday! A little bit goes a long way, and we’re grateful for the continued support from families.
We’re three weeks into the third quarter, which makes this the perfect time to sit down with your child to check SIS. Consider using this as an opportunity to talk with them about how they are doing academically, their goals, and how they might improve by the quarter’s end. This academic quarter is only eight weeks long and passes by very quickly. As a reminder, students may visit teachers during Learning Seminar for extra help.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars. Orchestra, Band, and Chorus have upcoming performances and shows throughout February and March. See below under “Kilmer at a Glance” for specific events, dates, and locations.
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!
Eden S. - Thanks for sitting with a student who was by themselves at lunch. You are so kind & brave!
Ismael R. - Ismael is prepared for class and gets to work right away. When we transition to new activities, he moves quickly to his new activity and gets started. He sets a good example for the whole class.
Ariana D. - Ariana works consistently toward academic goals, and she keeps pace with her peers even in her absence.
Callan G. - You did a fantastic job working with your group to build models of cells in the library. I appreciate how you worked to include everyone, even the quietest person. You truly went above and beyond throughout the activity!
Ishti J. - Thank you for gathering your group and working so well with classmates you don't usually work with. Your group did so well on the challenging Algebra and I attribute that to your leadership and encouragement.
 Upcoming Dates
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February 25 - Band Pre-Assessment Concert, 7:00 pm at Marshall HS
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February 26 - Orchestra Pre-Assessment Concert, 6:30 pm at Marshall HS
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March 5 - Chorus Pre-Assessment Concert, 7:00 pm at Marshall HS
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March 13-14 - Orchestra & Band Spring Assessments
- FCPS School Calendar 2025-26
January Students of the Month - Goal Directed and Resilient
Congratulations to our January Student of the Month award recipients! Each student earned a positive referral, a $10 gift card, and a chance to win a celebration with friends at the end of the quarter.
Alfie Julian Bin Adrian, Benjamin Berry, Abigail Center, Alex Collins, Camden Dean, Lucia Gillotte, Krystal Hwang, Peach Kitchrayotin, Gabriel Lin, Idris Manalai, Jada Nevels, Leonela Oxendine, Fernanda Pineda, Valeria Salazar Galvez, Warren San Luis, Charlie Williamson
Thanks to the PTA for “Stocking the Fridge” on Thursday!
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.
Course Selection for 2026-2027: Academic Advising with School Counselors
Over the next month, each student will meet individually with their school counselor to review and finalize course selections in SIS StudentVUE for the 2026-2027 school year. Students will reflect on their choices, consider honors options aligned to their strengths and interests, and balance coursework with extracurricular commitments. After these meetings, students and parents can view course selections in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school counselor.
Families can access the Course Selection page on the Kilmer website to explore course options, review course selection information, and view academic advising timelines for all grade levels.
Save the Dates - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremonies!
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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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.
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.
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)
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