A Message from Principal Steven McFarlane
Kilmer Community,
I want to thank all of the volunteers who helped with yesterday’s PTA Fall Festival. The weather was perfect, and our kids had an amazing time playing sports, visiting the food trucks, and bouncing around on the inflatables. We had more than 500 students stay after school. This community event would not be possible without your help - thank you!
Also, a big thank you to our 7th grade Science team and the parent volunteers who made the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) possible. Our 7th graders took on the role of scientists, learning about our local ecosystem as they explored Burke Lake Park.
As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, October 12. Teachers will be collaborating that day as they plan upcoming units of study. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. As always, reach out if you have 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!
Victoria W. - Thank you for helping pass out fundraiser envelopes and setting up our music stand with handouts!
Amy M.V. - Thanks for throwing the trash on the floor away even though it wasn't yours!
Jeffrey W. - Jeffrey demonstrated exceptional time management skills and focus when he worked on his poem comparative analysis. Nice work!
Mohammed H. - Mohammed is so kind when it comes to helping his peers. When a new student came from another country, he explained to the student how to use the laptop properly and how to access the classroom materials.
  Upcoming Dates:
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October 10 - Cross Country Meet @ Twain Middle School, 10 AM
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October 20 - 22 - SOS Mental Health Program (7th Grade only) will take place during US History Classes.
- Tuesday, October 20: Periods 1, 3, and 5
- Wednesday, October 21: Periods 2 and 4
- Thursday, October 22: Period 7 - To allow time for same-day student follow-up after the SOS screening, Kilmer will follow a flipped bell schedule on this day: Periods 7, 3, 5, 1.
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October 17 - Cross Country Meet @ Stone Middle School, 7:30 AM
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October 24 - Cross Country Meet @ Poe Middle School, 10 AM
- FCPS School Calendar 2026-27
Congratulations to our Kilmer XC runners! This past Saturday, our team competed in their first meet of the season—and it was a wet one. Tomorrow, the team will be at Twain Middle School. Come on out and cheer on our Cougar runners!
This week, 7th graders went on the MWEE field trip to Burke Lake. Students investigated organisms and insects and made scientific observations based on their surroundings.
We had a great turnout and so much fun at the PTA Fall Festival this past Thursday!
Hearing & Vision Screening - 7th Grade Only
The Health Room will be conducting required 7th grade hearing and vision screening on Tuesday, Oct 13th and Wednesday, Oct 14th. Over the course of two days, 475 students will be assessed for vision and hearing, and your student's participation is crucial in making this a successful event. Please make sure your student is in school, and if your student wears glasses, please encourage them to wear their glasses next Tuesday and Wednesday.
SOS Mental Health Program - 7th Grade Only
As part of FCPS’s mental health education, all 7th grade students participate in the evidence-based Signs of Suicide (SOS) program, which teaches students how to recognize signs of depression, seek help, and ACT – Acknowledge, Care, Tell a trusted adult.
At Kilmer, the SOS lesson and mental health screening will take place during your child’s History classes on October 20–22. Families who do not want their child to participate must complete the opt-out form by Friday, October 9. No action is needed if you would like your child to participate. To learn more about SOS and resources for families, visit the SOS Parent Resource page. For additional details, 7th grade parents can refer to the Kilmer e-Notify email sent on September 23.
Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHSST) Application Opens Today!
The TJHSST freshman application opens today, October 9, at 4:00 p.m. Families of interested 8th grade students should note these important deadlines:
- October 28 at 4:00 p.m.: Last day to begin an application.
- October 30 at 4:00 p.m.: Deadline to submit an application.
Visit the TJHSST Freshman Application website for details and to apply.
Orchestra Students: Students applying to TJHSST who are also auditioning for DHO must request the January 14 alternate admissions testing date by October 30.
Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
FCPS Youth Survey - 8th Graders Only
On November 9, all 8th graders will complete the FCPS Youth Survey through their Health & PE class. The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. More information, including opt-out information, will be shared in an email to 8th grade families next week.
PTA Website
Stay up to date with news and information from the PTA by visiting the PTA website: https://kilmerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
PTA Executive Board Contact Information
Register for After School Program
Complete the required Afterschool Registration to register for Middle School After-School and Sports Programs. A complete schedule and club descriptions are available via Schoology. Parents > select view as student in top right corner when in Schoology
The Afterschool Program is structured into two session blocks, 2:30 – 3:30 PM and 3:30 – 4:30 PM following the 2:15-2:30 PM Afterschool transition/break in the cafeteria. Intramural Sports available Monday-Thursday.
Late Bus Transportation is only available after the second session block at approx. 4:45 PM (Afterschool Dismissal) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Middle School Athletics
As a part of the FCPS Middle School Athletics Program Kilmer will host Fall Cross Country (XC), Winter Volleyball and Spring Track & Field.
Steps to participate (including practice):
ALL forms for athletic competitions must now be submitted through FinalForms online registration portal (please do not email or submit paper copies). Families received verification links via the email address tied to ParentVUE Account from FinalForms.
Parents > Search email for “FinalForms” (it may have been routed to spam/junk).
Upcoming Dates
A complete schedule and club descriptions are available via Schoology. Parents > select view as student in top right corner when in Schoology
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Monday, Oct.12
- Fall Cross Country Registration Closes
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Wednesday, Oct.14
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Thursday, Oct.15
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Volleyball Intramurals/Clinic 2:30-4:30 PM
- No Experience necessary
- All Students are welcome
- Athletic Physical not required
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Friday, Oct.23
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Aviation Club 2:30-3:30 PM (meets bi-weekly)
- NO Late Bus Transportation
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Friday, Oct.30
- Early Release - NO Afterschool Activities
QUESTIONS? Ask the After-School Program Specialist Ms. Kardelis (F107).
Student Pickup
- A few reminders from Kilmer’s main office about procedures for picking up students early or checking them in late:
- A driver’s license or similar photo ID is required to check out a student during the day. Only parents, legal guardians, and people on the student’s emergency contact list may check out a student. If someone else is picking up your student, please send an email from your email address we have on file to KilmerMiddle.Attendance@fcps.edu that includes the full name of the person, the full name of your student, the reason for check-out, and the date of the early dismissal.
- When you arrive at the school, please ring the front entrance doorbell and let the front office know that you are checking your student in for late arrival or picking your student up for early dismissal. After entering the building, please sign your child out using the computer in the office.
- Students are not to contact their parents via cell phone or text messaging during school hours. If students need to contact you during the school day, they may use the phone in the main office.
Safe Routes to School Parent and Caregiver Survey
As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers
FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.
Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
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Holmes Middle: Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
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Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.
Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
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