A message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
Just when we thought we were out of the weather-impacting-school window, we were surprised again on Monday. Thanks for your flexibility when we had to adjust to a shortened day. As a reminder, tomorrow, Friday, March 20 is a student holiday. We look forward to seeing everyone back at Kilmer on Monday to finish the Third Quarter strong.
CrossTown Hoops tickets are on sale, if you haven’t already, you can purchase them HERE. Tickets are going fast so buy them while supplies last. Also, if you’d like to buy a CrossTown Hoops fan shirt use THIS link. Finally, the PTA is looking for a few volunteers to help check students/families in before the game starts. If you’re available, please email president@kilmerpta.org to sign up.
If you haven’t already, please take the family engagement survey. Parents/caregivers should have received an email invitation with a unique survey link from FCPS. The subject line is: FCPS Family Engagement Survey. Or, use this link to take the Family Engagement Survey before it closes on March 23: https://bit.ly/FESURVEY2026
Have a wonderful weekend, and as always, reach out with 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!
Abasin Z. - Thank you for helping another student in our English class when you saw that he dropped his pencil box. You hopped up to help him pick everything up without question, and that was so helpful and friendly!
Josiah J. - Josiah, thank you for being so kind and respectful to others in class. You are incredibly patient, you are generous with letting other people borrow your belongings, and you always do your best in class. I am so glad you are a part of our 5th period. It is better because you are there!
Carmen L. - Carmen, I was really impressed at how you took feedback on your CER outline, incorporated it into your writing without getting discouraged, and kept refining until you were really happy with your work (even though it took a few Learning Seminar blocks!). I am impressed that you focused on improving your writing skills and not just about the points it adds to your grade.
McKenna L. - McKenna, you did a great job working on and participating with your ideas during our Economy of the 1920's lesson. I like how you were thinking critically with your partner through some tough economic concepts!
 Upcoming Dates
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March 9-23 - FCPS Family Engagement Survey Open (see more details below)
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March 18-19 - Chorus Spring Assessment
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April 9 - Crosstown Hoops at Madison HS
- Tip-off: 6:00 PM
- Doors open: 5:30 PM
- Location: Madison High School Gym
- Upcoming - SOLs
- May 6th - Reading
- May 15th - Math
- May 20th - 8th Grade Science
- FCPS School Calendar 2025-26
Congratulations to our Orchestra Program and Mr. Katz! Last weekend, four of our orchestra groups participated in their Assessment Concert. The Symphonic Orchestra (pictured) and Chamber Orchestra earned Superior ratings, and the Concert Orchestra and String Ensemble earned Excellent ratings.
Congratulations to our Band Program, Ms. Bonneau, and Ms. Thomas! The Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble competed in Assessment last weekend, and both groups earned Superior ratings. Great job!
Congratulations to our Chorus Program and Mr. Sapp! This week, the Kilmer chorus groups competed in their Assessment concert. Each of the groups earned an Excellent rating on their performances for prepared songs and sight-reading pieces.
Parent Acknowledgment - Course Selection 2026-2027
Course Selection for the 2026-2027 school year has come to a close. This spring parents/guardians are able to review and acknowledge their child’s course request for SY 2026-27 by using a new feature in SIS ParentVUE. Instructions for reviewing and acknowledging course requests are available here: NEW: Parent Acknowledgment - Course Requests for Next School Year. Families can review and acknowledge course requests from March 16, 2026 - March 27, 2026 using this new feature.
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7th Grade: If you have questions about your child’s course requests, please contact your child’s school counselor.
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8th Grade: If you have questions or concerns about your child’s course selections for next year, please reach out to the high school that your child will attend for the 2026-27 school year.
3rd Quarter Grades
The 3rd quarter ends Friday, March 27. Gradebook and Report Card Modules in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable to Parents and Students from Friday, March 27 at 4PM through Monday, April 14 at 6AM. On April 14, 3rd quarter report cards will be visible in SIS. A printed copy of 3rd quarter report cards will be sent home the week of April 23.
FCPS Family Engagement Survey
Starting on March 9, share your feedback on our school's welcoming environment, communication, volunteer opportunities, and more. Parents/caregivers should receive an email invitation with a unique survey link from FCPS on March 9. The subject line is: FCPS Family Engagement Survey. Or, use this link to take the Family Engagement Survey before it closes on March 23: https://bit.ly/FESURVEY2026
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
- 2:30-3:30 PM 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)
Madison HS Winter Guard Friends & Family Showcase
See what the sport and artistry of color guard is all about at a free performance of the Madison HS 2026 show, Gravity.
Thursday, March 26 at 8:00 pm, Madison HS Gym
Want to Make a Difference at Kilmer? Join the PTA Board!
The Kilmer Middle School PTA is looking for parents to join our board for next school year (2026-2027). We have openings for President, Secretary, and Treasurer — no prior PTA experience required. Interested? Reach out to us at KilmerPTA@gmail.com!
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.
Free Math Tutoring every Monday Morning:
Every week, TJ students come to Kilmer to offer free math tutoring. This is typically on Mondays (or the first day of the week if Monday is a holiday). Join us in F123 from 7-7:30am.
Save the Dates - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremonies!
- Guardians: June 10, 2026 - 8-9:30 AM
- Pegasus: June 10, 2026 - 12:30-2:00 PM
- Constellations: June 11, 2026 - 8-9:30 AM
- Voyagers: June 11, 2026 - 12:30-2:00 PM
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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