A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
As a reminder, each week I’ll send out a newsletter on Friday afternoons sharing important updates and highlights from the week. If you received this message, you’re already signed up for our weekly newsletter. If you know someone who may want to receive Kilmer’s weekly newsletter, please share THIS link so they can sign up.
Our building came alive this week! Between Shifting Gears for rising 7th grade students, new-to-Kilmer teachers reporting on Thursday, and many veteran Kilmer staff members beginning to set up their classrooms on Friday, Kilmer was full of energy. We can’t wait to welcome students on Monday, August 24th.
Don’t forget about Kilmer’s Open House on Thursday, August 20th. Our Open House is a time for students and families to connect with staff, locate classrooms, and pick up Google Chromebooks. We are strongly encouraging 7th grade students to attend between 2:00-4:00 PM and 8th grade students to attend between 4:00-5:00 PM. We would like families to follow these timeframes to the greatest extent possible, but understand if you must come at a different time because of family schedules/commitments. More information can be found below.
Finally, joining the PTA is a fantastic way to support our students and teachers while having a voice in the activities and initiatives that make our school a great place for everyone. PTA memberships are only $20 per family per year. As a thank you for your support, everyone who joins before the first PTA meeting on September 23 is automatically entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card! You can purchase a PTA membership by clicking on this link.
Have a great weekend. As always, reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Steven McFarlane
Principal
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 Upcoming Dates:
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August 20 - Kilmer Open House
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September 4 - September 7 - Labor Day, 4-day weekend
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September 17 - Save the Date! Back-to-School Night at Kilmer MS, more details to come.
This week we welcomed many of our 7th graders during Shifting Gears. Students got to know future classmates, participated in a scavenger hunt to become familiar with our building, and engaged in team-building activities.
New ParentVUE Mobile App
In July, a new ParentVUE mobile app became available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
Parent Digital Consent - Forms
Beginning August 1, many of the parental consent and opt-out forms will be made available through a new Parent Digital Consent System. A parent or guardian will need to log-in using their SIS ParentVue username (email address) and password. If you have just registered your SIS ParentVUE account you will need to wait 24 hours before you can log in to the Digital Consent System. The SIS ParentVUE Account Overview page has information about registration and how to get support with your account.
Some forms in the system are required (such as the Digital Resource Consent), while others, like the Family Education Opt-out form, are optional. If you have more than one child in FCPS, you must fill out the forms for each.
Kilmer Cell Phone Policy Update
Cell phones and all smart devices must be off and personally stored in a student’s assigned cell phone pouch from 7:30 AM–2:15 PM. Smart devices include smartwatches, earbuds/headsets, smart glasses, and other internet-connected devices.
The “off and away” policy begins on the first day of school. On Wednesday, August 26, students will receive their assigned pouch and learn and practice the daily routine, including locating release magnet stations for dismissal. Students without a cell phone or with an approved medical accommodation may return their pouch; administrators will follow up with families to confirm. If a student’s cell phone status changes during the year, families should contact their child’s administrator.
Students with accommodations that require access to a cell phone or personally owned device will continue to have access.
Daily Cell Phone Pouch Routine
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By 7:30 AM: Students turn off their devices, lock them in their assigned pouch, and store the pouch in their backpack.
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1st or 2nd period: The teacher checks that each student has secured their phone in their assigned pouch.
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At 2:15 PM: Students unlock their pouch at a release magnet station, remove their device, and return the empty pouch to their backpack.
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Late arrival/early dismissal: Students secure or release their cell phone pouches in the front office.
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Forgotten pouch: During arrival, students report to the Forgotten Pouch station in the main hall next to the Cafeteria and complete a form. Staff will collect the phone and bring it to the front office, where it will remain locked until the student picks it up at dismissal
2026-2027 School Supplies
This list covers the general school supplies we recommend for the start of the year. During the first week of school, teachers will share any additional, course-specific requirements. Students will have until September 8 to bring in these extra items. If you need assistance obtaining school supplies or a backpack, please contact our Family Liaison, Mabel Morales, at mvmorales@fcps.edu.
- Backpack
- Reusable water bottle
- One 3-ring binder (3” or larger) or multiple 1-2” inch binders
- Lined loose-leaf paper
- Dividers
- Single-Subject Composition Notebook (8th grade only)
- Pens (blue, black)
- Sharpened #2 pencils with erasers
- Colored Pencils
- 2 packs of index cards
- 2 Highlighters
- 3 Large Unscented Glue Sticks
- 4 Black dry-erase markers
- 1 Dry erase eraser
- Compass kit (Geometry only)
- Calculator: Math teachers will communicate calculator information during the first week of school
Assistant Principal & School Counselor Caseloads
Assistant Principals support students across both grade levels by the student’s last name, while school counselors are assigned by grade level and the student’s last name. As students and families prepare for the transition back to school, parents and students are welcome to reach out to school counselors if additional support is needed. For contact information, please visit the Student Services page on the Kilmer Middle School website.
Medication Drop-off in the Clinic
The health room (clinic) will be open in August to receive medications for students. Medications must be dropped off by a parent or guardian, and they must be unopened and clearly labeled. The health room will be open at the following times:
- August 13-21 from 8:00-2:00 pm
Kilmer Open House and Class Schedules
Kilmer’s Open House sets an inviting atmosphere and welcoming tone for the school year. We will hold one Open House event for both grade levels on Thursday, August 20 from 2:00-5:00 pm. We encourage 7th grade students and families to attend the event between 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 8th grade students and families to attend between 4:00-5:00 pm. During our Open House event, students will locate their classes throughout the building and meet Kilmer staff. The clinic will also be open to drop off medications.
Students can view their class schedules prior to Open House through SIS StudentVUE beginning at 9:00 AM on Thursday, August 20. StudentVUE can be accessed on students’ FCPS laptops or through the SIS StudentVUE mobile app. Class schedules will also be visible for parents in SIS ParentVUE. We encourage families to download the mobile apps before Open House to help students locate their classes. School maps will also be available at the event. If you are unable to attend the Open House, laptops will be given to your child during the first few days of school.
*If you have a laptop from a summer program, please return it to the school you checked it out from (Kilmer or your student’s elementary school)
New to Kilmer? Start Here!
Looking for a quick reference? View our one-page New Student Welcome Guide for important information including the bell schedule, how to report a student absent, parent communication tools, school contacts, and more. Click on an image for additional details
7th Grade Immunization Requirement
All students entering 7th grade will be required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
If you have not submitted immunization documentation to your child’s elementary school this past spring or to Kilmer Middle School this summer, please submit an updated immunization record showing that your child has received the missing immunization(s) to KMSImmunization@fcps.edu . If you have questions regarding your child’s immunization status, please contact Gail Wood, Student Services Assistant at gmwood@fcps.edu.
Student Buses - Plan Ahead!
Student bus information is available in SIS StudentVue. FCPS Transportation coordinates all information regarding bus routes, stops, and rider status. Kilmer MS cannot make exceptions to routes or stops, and we cannot provide bus passes for students to temporarily ride another bus.
If you have questions about your student’s bus information or need to inquire about exceptions such as dual custody, please contact FCPS Transportation at:
FCPS Update: Student Use of Personal Laptops/Computers
This summer, the FCPS School Board approved a new regulation regarding student use of personal laptops or computers:
“During the instructional day, students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices. Personal devices include, but are not limited to:
- Personal laptops
- Personal tablets
- Smartphones
- Smartwatches
- Other personal electronic communication or computing devices
Students must use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day.”
At Kilmer, students will receive their FCPS-issued laptops at Open House on August 20 or during the first week of school.
Lightspeed Parent Portal Allows Parents to Manage Student Screen Time
FCPS has introduced new parent controls in the Lightspeed Parent Portal to help families manage web access on FCPS-issued devices outside of school hours.
Through the Lightspeed Parent Portal, parents can now:
- Set Custom Schedules: Pause or restrict internet access during specific times and days (e.g., bedtime, homework, or family hours).
- Create Custom Web Rules: Add specific websites to a custom block list to restrict access on their child's device.
- Active Outside School Hours Only: Custom parent schedules and web rules are active exclusively at home, outside of school hours, and when off the FCPS network.
- No Impact on Instructional Day: Parent settings do not affect or override district web filtering policies during the instructional day.
- Parent Registration: Parents can sign up using the link found at the bottom of their weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email.
For additional details, please visit the Lightspeed Parent Portal page on the FCPS website or consult your school's Technology Support Specialist (TSSpec).
Updating Student information through SIS ParentVUE
The Online Verification Update (OVU) packet in SIS ParentVUE allows parents to review and update phone numbers, emergency contacts, and health information (such as health conditions and immunizations). The enrolling parent can access OVU through their SIS ParentVUE account. Parents/Guardians can continue to use traditional paper forms to submit changes to Kilmer Middle School. Paper forms can be submitted to the Kilmer Student Services Office.
Important:
Do not use the OVU packet if your address has changed or if you moved to another FCPS school. Please contact the Kilmer Student Services Office directly at (703) 846-8806 or email Gail Wood at gmwood@fcps.edu. She will assist you with the withdrawal process or completing any necessary address changes.
PTA Website
Stay up to date with news and information from the PTA by visiting the PTA website: https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
Join the PTA and Friends of Kilmer and Enter to Win $100 Amazon Gift Card!
Joining the PTA is a fantastic way to support our students and teachers while having a say in the activities and initiatives that make our school a great place for everyone. PTA memberships are only $20 per family per year. As a thank you for your support, everyone who joins prior to the first PTA meeting on 9/23 is automatically entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card! You can purchase a PTA membership by clicking on this link.
Volunteer with the PTA
Volunteer Interest Form: https://forms.gle/vTF2zhbjGzSKeF4r5
Kilmer Apparel
During Kilmer’s Open House on Thursday, August 20, from 2-5:00 PM, the PTA will have a booth set up and will be selling Kilmer apparel. $12 for Kilmer t-shirts, and $25 for Kilmer hoodies.
PTA Executive Board Contact Information
After School Activities News/Updates:
Afterschool activities at Kilmer will begin on Monday, September 14, and late buses begin at 4:45 pm on this day. Bus transportation is available 4 days a week (Monday-Thursday). Whether your student wants to play sports, get help with homework, or participate in clubs, there is something for everyone! Students must be registered to stay after school (including sports or academic support) - please complete the required After-School Registration.
The Afterschool Activities Fair will take place Thursday, September 10 in the Kilmer gym from 4-6 pm. During this time, students and families can learn about the various clubs and activities offered at Kilmer, meet sponsors, and submit forms. This is also an opportunity to see the various networks, services, and youth programs available to the Kilmer community.
This year, Kilmer will have Cross Country in the fall, Volleyball and Basketball opportunities in the winter, and Track in the spring. The Fall Cross Country season begins Monday, September 14th. There are a number of steps required and families can start completing them on the FCPS Student Athletics website.
Each week Ms. Kardelis will post a detailed overview of | 
