Friday, February 6, 2015

Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, February 10^th – PTA meeting, Kilmer Library, 9:30am

Thursday, February 12 (Snow Date: Feb. 19) – Marshall High School Rising 9th Grade Orientation (For current eighth grade students and their parents)

Wednesday, February 13^th – No Afterschool activities

Monday, February 16 – President’s Day, No School

Wednesday, February 18 (Snow Date: Feb. 25) – Rising Seventh Grade Curriculum Night for Students and Parents, 6:00 pm KMS

Friday, February 20 – Choir Pyramid Concert, Marshall HS, 7pm

Wednesday, February 25 – Band Pre-assessment Concert, Marshall HS, 7pm

Thursday, February 26 - Orchestra Pre-assessment Concert, Marshall HS, 6pm

Wednesday, March 4 (Snow Date: March 12) – Rising Eighth Grade Curriculum Night, 6:30 pm KMS Cafeteria

Announcements
Morning Kiss and Ride
Parents who drop students off in the morning are encouraged to use both doors #15 and #16 (the door closest to the performing arts wing of the school). This is especially encouraged after 7:40 when the Kiss and Ride line is most heavily used.  Students who have an instrument can enter the building through door #15 and walk to the performing arts wing as well. This will allow the Kiss and Ride line to flow more smoothly and reduce the wait time.
March SOL Assessments
Eighth Grade Writing SOL
Eighth graders will take the Virginia Writing SOL State Assessment in March.   Please avoid any appointments that may interfere with testing.  Seventh grade students will not be affected by testing. The bell schedule will also not be impacted.   If you have questions or concerns, please contact Angela Stacy (adstacy@fcps.edu).   The testing schedule is as follows:
Last Name           A-K*      (Essay)                  8:00-10:30           Monday, March 9           
Last Name           L-Z*       (Essay)                  8:00-10:30           Tuesday, March 10                         
Last Name           A-K*      (M/C)                    8:00-10:30           Wednesday, March 11  
Last Name           L-Z*       (M/C)                    8:00-10:30           Thursday, March 12       
M/C – multiple-choice
*Students with accommodations and eligibility requirements may test on a different date. 
Our English teachers have worked diligently to prepare students for this two-part assessment.  To see sample test items, please visit the Virginia Department of Education website at this link http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/practice_items/

FCPS Special Education Conference Registration

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Bruce Wexler, Date: March 7, 2014 Time: 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Hayfield Secondary School, 7630 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 22315
Click here for more conference details: http://www.fcps.edu/dss/conference/
REMINDERS
Upcoming High School Orientations and Curriculum Night Events:
Please visit the student services page on the Kilmer MS website for more information. http://www.fcps.edu/KilmerMS/studentservices/index.html
February 9- March 6 - Kilmer Academic Advising – course selection process for eighth grade students
All eighth grade students had the opportunity to learn about high school course options for ninth grade on Wednesday, Feb 4^th when high school counselors visited Kilmer. The next step in the course selection process is to attend all curriculum and orientation events offered at each high school.  After the high school curriculum events, Kilmer school counselors will begin academic advising by meeting individually with all eighth grade students to select high school courses based on their strengths, current academic progress, and interests. Honors recommendations will be shared with each student during this time. After your child meets with their school counselor, course selections will be brought home for a parent signature. Students are expected to return the signed course selection sheet the following day to the folder located in their English classroom. Academic advising will continue throughout the month of February and into March. 
February 10 – Marshall High School Journalism Open house, 6:00-7:00 pm Room D211
Students and parents are invited to a Journalism Open House to learn about enrolling in Journalism 1 next year. Journalism (newspaper) and Photojournalism (yearbook) are full-year English electives that can help high schoolers fulfill their graduation requirements and increase their academic confidence.
February 12 (Snow Date: Feb 19) – Marshall High School Rising 9th Grade Orientation (For current eighth grade students and their parents)
Program focuses on course descriptions and graduation requirements
NEW start time
5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Visit Activity Exhibits for clubs, sports and activities
6:05 – 8:50 p.m. Orientation Program begins in the Auditorium
Yearbook
Kilmer Cougar Parents and Students: Order your 2015 yearbook online at Jostens.com!  They are only $40 from now until February 16^th.  After this date, the price increases to $45. If you would like to save money and make sure you have a beautiful record of your memories of Kilmer Middle School, order TODAY!

Order now at: https://jostens.fulcircle.com/jostens2015/Home.aspx?SchoolId=95871014&CID=221931&PFID=2013082604153688766&GID

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