Key MS - News You Choose - 04/25/25
Spring Sprouts, Cupcake Activity, Measles, Algebra 1 in Middle School, School Health Survey, Summer Opportunities, School Start Time

Key Middle School Families


Important Dates:

  • April:
    • Earth Month
    • National Poetry Month

Let's all be kind to one another.


Campbell's Corner

Greetings Key Families,

Many of you are aware of a recent act of violence at West Potomac HS. Our thoughts are with all members of the West Potomac HS community who were impacted by this senseless act of violence. Key Middle School has support staff available to address student concerns. If you would like someone to check in with your child, please reach out to the office at 703-313-3900 and they can connect you with a counselor. Here are some additional resources for you to help you to support your child at home.

Fairfax County Public Schools remain among the safest in the nation. We continually review and refine our layered security protocols. Our administrative teams meet with FCPS Safety and Security (OSS) and our School Resource Officers (SRO) regularly to review our procedures and to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to keep our students and staff safe while they are in our schools. Our security operations are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

In our latest effort to strengthen our safety and security programs, we started a pilot this week of a weapons screening system across all high schools. You can learn more by reading the Frequently Asked Questions on our website.

We have a safety tip line for community members, parents, and students to share their concerns. We were among the first in the nation to offer this as a “text to tip” option as well as online and by phone. We all have a responsibility in keeping our schools safe and this is one way to share any information that you or your child can share any information that you have about unsafe behavior.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions or needs.

Sincerely,

Drew Campbell

Principal | Key Middle School

703-313-3900

Follow me on Twitter!


SOL

SOL Testing Schedule

SOL testing will begin on May 7th. We have made some adjustments to our testing calendar. The updated dates are:

  • May 7: Reading 7 & 8
  • May 13: Science 8
  • May 16: Math (all levels)

Please talk to your students about their upcoming tests, help them study and prepare, and reach out to their teachers if you have any questions about the SOL exam.


Spring Sprouts

spring

Thank you to all of our students and staff who [articipated in the Spring Sprouts program over spring break. This was a great opportunity for students to stay engaged through creative real world learning activities.

We were interviewed for the FCPS website: https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-spring-break-programs-plant-seeds-success-students.

We were even on the news!


Peer to Peer Cupcake Decorating After-School

CC1

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FACS students from all classes showcased their baking skills by making delicious cupcakes for their peers to enjoy at our annual Peer-to-Peer Cupcake Decorating event. This lab and event highlighted and enhanced community connection, creativity, and hands-on learning


Measles

Protect Your Child from Measles: What You Need to Know

Measles cases continue to rise in the US. About 1 in 5 people who get measles end up in the hospital. Measles can cause severe complications like a lung infection (pneumonia), brain inflammation (encephalitis), and possibly death, even with medical care. Symptoms of measles typically include:

  • High fever (may spike up to 104°F)
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red, watery eyes
  • A rash that appears around 3-5 days after other symptoms begin. The rash typically starts on the face and spreads down the body.

The best way to protect a child from measles is by getting two doses of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

If you are unsure of your child's vaccination status or your personal vaccination status, talk to your health care provider. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your health care provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources.

  • Spanish: Proteja a su niño del sarampión. Lo que debe saberEl número de casos de sarampión continúa aumentando en el país. Alrededor de 1 de cada 5 personas con la enfermedad, termina en el hospital. El sarampión puede causar muchas complicaciones, como por ejemplo, una infección en los pulmones (neumonía), la inflamación del cerebro (encefalitis), y posiblemente, hasta la muerte, incluso bajo cuidados médicos. Los síntomas típicos del sarampión incluyen:
  • Fiebre alta (puede llegar hasta 104°F).
  • Tos.
  • Secreción nasal.
  • Ojos llorosos y enrojecidos.
  • Un salpullido que aparece entre los 3 o 5 días, luego de que hayan aparecido los síntomas. Éste típicamente aparece en la cara y luego se expande al resto del cuerpo. 

La mejor forma de proteger a un niño del sarampión es administrándole dos dosis de la vacuna combinada contra el sarampión, las paperas y la rubéola (MMR, por sus siglas en inglés).

Si no está seguro de cuáles vacunas necesita su niño, o usted mismo, hable con su médico. Si su niño necesita alguna inmunización, haga una cita con su médico para ello. Visite la página web de Fairfax County Health Department (Departamento de Salud del Condado de Fairfax) para que encuentre una lista de las clínicas de vacunación u otros recursos sobre la inmunización.  


Increasing Access: Middle School Algebra 1

Increasing Access to Middle School Algebra 1 

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence places a focus on successful completion of Algebra 1 by eighth grade. To increase access to Algebra 1 for middle school students, the school division has decided to streamline the criteria for taking Algebra 1 Honors in seventh grade

With the simplified criteria, Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT) scores are no longer a prerequisite when selecting either Mathematics 7 Honors or Algebra 1 Honors. Although it is not a requirement for advanced math, families may still use the test scores to help decide which level of mathematics their child signs up for. 

Families of students who took the IAAT this winter will receive their score report by the end of this month. Students who were scheduled for the IAAT but did not get to complete the test will have the chance to opt-in for a makeup test at the end of the year. Parents/caregivers will receive information about this makeup testing opportunity. 

Additional information and copies of upcoming family communication can be found on the IAAT webpage

  • Spanish: 

Ampliando el Acceso al Álgebra 1 en la Escuela MediaLa Meta 3 del Plan Estratégico 2023-2030 de FCPS, Crecimiento y Excelencia Académica se enfoca en que los estudiantes completen exitosamente álgebra 1 antes de terminar el 8vo grado. Para expandir el acceso a álgebra 1 para los estudiantes de escuela media, la división ha decidido agilizar los criterios para tomar las clases “Honors” de Álgebra 1 en 7mo. Grado.

Con estos criterios simplificados, el Test “Iowa Algebra Aptitude” (IAAT, por sus siglas en inglés), las notas obtenidas ya no son un prerrequisito para tomar Matemáticas 7, ni Álgebra 1 “Honors”. A pesar de no ser ya un requisito para tomar matemáticas avanzadas, las familias ún pueden utilizar las notas de los exámenes para decidir cuál nivel de matemáticas tomará su hijo.

Las familias de aquellos estudiantes que hayan tomado el IAAT en el invierno, recibirán sus reportes de notas al final de este mes. Los estudiantes que tenían programado tomarlo, pero no completaron la prueba, tendrán la oportunidad de inscribirse para terminarlo en una fecha hacia finales del año. Los padres y cuidadores recibirán información sobre esta fecha alternativa para completar el test.

Puede encontrar información adicional y copias de las comunicaciones enviadas a las familias en la página del IAAT.


School Health Survey

✅ Share Feedback With County Health Department on School Health ServicesThe Fairfax County Health Department and Fairfax County Public Schools School Health Services invite parents/caregivers of FCPS students to participate in a survey on satisfaction with school health room services. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and will be open until Monday, May 5.

School health rooms (clinics) are managed by public health nurses and school health aides. Those staff provide care for students who become sick or injured during the school day, who require medications during the school day, and/or who have a chronic health condition that requires management during the school day.

Additionally, the school health room staff:

  • Provide health education, communicable disease prevention, and health screenings.
  • Work with schools to help address the root causes of population health disparities so that all students have equitable access to educational and health opportunities.
  • Ensure that students have care for minor injuries and illnesses, and chronic health conditions, thus helping to minimize health barriers to learning. 

Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of school health room services as well as inform future planning for schools. 

  • Spanish:

Comparta su Opinión con el Departamento de Salud del Condado acerca de los Servicios de Salud de la Escuela

El Fairfax County Health Department, FCHD (Departamento de Salud del Condado de Fairfax) y los Servicios de Salud de Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) invitan a los padres y cuidadores de los estudiantes a participar en una encuesta acerca de su nivel de satisfacción con los servicios de salud ofrecidos en las enfermerías de las escuelas. La encuesta toma alrededor de cinco minutos en completarse y estará disponible hasta el lunes 5 de mayo.

Las enfermeras (clínicas) son manejadas por enfermeras y ayudantes médicos de la salud pública. Este personal ofrece cuidados a estudiantes que se enfermen o se lesionen, que requieran medicación durante el día escolar, y/o sufran de alguna enfermedad crónica que exija atención durante el horario escolar.

Adicionalmente, el personal de la enfermería escolar también:

  • Ofrecen educación sobre la salud, promueven la prevención de enfermedades y hacen evaluaciones de salud.
  • Trabajan con las escuelas para abordar las causas originales de las disparidades de salud observadas, para que todos los estudiantes tengan acceso equitativo a oportunidades de salud y educativas.
  • Se aseguran de que los estudiantes tengan la atención que necesiten con lesiones o enfermedades menores y con aquellas que sean crónicas, ayudando a minimizar las barreras al aprendizaje. 

Los resultados de la encuesta ofrecerán las bases para hacer mejoras cualitativas a los servicios de las enfermerías escolares, así como para informar la futura planificación del sistema de escuelas. 


Summer Extravaganza

☀️ Save the Date for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza

Discover summer learning and activities available in Fairfax County! 

Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning. At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth. 

Activities will include student performances, story time, a moon bounce, and face painting. For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage

 

☀️ Anote en su calendario nuestra “Summer Extravaganza” de las FCPS

¡Descubra cuáles cursos y actividades de verano están disponibles en el Condado de Fairfax!

Acompáñenos en nuestro evento “Summer Extravaganza” o Fiesta de Verano, el sábado 10 de mayo de 10 a.m. a 2:30 p.m., en la Escuela Secundaria Woodson, y salte adelante de las clases de verano. Este evento es gratuito y los asistentes podrán participar en actividades educacionales y enriquecedoras, diseñadas para despertar la curiosidad y propiciar el crecimiento personal.

Entre las actividades planeadas están presentaciones de propios estudiantes, cuentacuentos, castillos inflables y pintacaritas. Para encontrar más información, visite la página web de la Summer Extravaganza


Superintendent Conversations

Dr. Reid values the community and employee input and looks forward to their participation in these events.

Employee Conversations

 

Community Conversations: