KG 5.17.20 Update

Administration Update

Dear Parents,

Thanks again for your continued support during Distance Learning. Currently, all of our teachers are working collaboratively to share Best Practices in Distance Learning and also incorporate new learning around tools to use to engage students virtually. Some of our recent fun and successes include the following:

  • Second Graders and Third Graders are going on virtual field trips! Acknowledging that we missed spring break and all are getting a little anxious to travel, it is a wonderful opportunity to explore new places virtually!
  • Fifth Grade is exploring a new software tool, Go Formative, that provides engagement and the ability to edit student documents within the google document.
  • Fourth Grade and other grade levels have been exploring Pear Deck which gives the immediate ability to provide feedback.
  • First Grade has been using Number Sense routines to engage students and have upcoming animal research projects.
  • Kindergartners have been exploring community workers by interviewing a police officer and a mailman and more!  
  • Sixth Graders are building a 3D design using surface area and volume and created a flier to plan an alternate 6th grade farewell party and there is more to come!

This important learning and exploration will continue as we work to strengthen our virtual instruction.  In addition, we are continuing to reach out to small groups of students and ensure that all are connecting.  Please do reach out if your child needs additional support.  We are always open to your input.

We will host a virtual Kindergarten Orientation!  Please join us on March 22nd at 8 a.m.  You will have the opportunity to meet the teachers and enjoy learning about the curriculum. Join us at this link and note that if you have not joined a session prior you should use Google Chrome.  You should refresh your browser if you don’t have access on the first try. Also be sure and close VPN and other applications that might interfere with your microphone or audio.

As stated last week, we will continue with the Parent Coffees. If you have questions, please input your questions here.  If you wish to ask and share during the morning coffee that is fine as well.  The link to the Tuesday Parent Coffee is here.  It will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 8 a.m. which should avoid any conflicts with the virtual learning. 

Note that we are making plans for collection of student items and medicines.

  • Medicine pick up is scheduled for this upcoming week. Mrs. McGrath has reached out personally to parents for pick up.
  • Teachers are packing student items. We will distribute by family based on last name. Detailed information with dates will be forthcoming. Our possible start date is May 27, please stay tuned.
  • Library books will be collected. Library books should be placed in a plastic bag – we will not accept loose books. We will collect these on the date that the student belongings will be distributed - stay tuned. 
  • Instruments that are in your possession that belong to the FCPS, may be kept over the summer. Please do have your child continue to practice! If you have a sixth grader with a school owned instrument, please do contact either Art Pittman or Ted Frederick or Anita Su.
  • Student instruments – we have five left in our possession. Some are unmarked.  Please do reach out to one of the administrators so that we can coordinate pick up.

Sixth grade room parents remitted information to the students regarding the Virtual Farewell ceremony. Please have your child send in his/her video!

FCPS leadership developed and worked with the School Board to continue distance learning for students over the summer. This learning will continue virtually. There will be additional information shared going forth.  Plan on future communications that will support continued learning over the summer.

Warmly and virtually,

Holly McGuigan                Pier McGrath                                 Tia Hawkins

Principal                            Assistant Principal                         Assistant Principal


School News

Kindergarten Orientation: With our school building closed, we invite you to join us for a Kindergarten Orientation Parent Coffee on Friday, May 22nd at 8:00 a.m. in the virtual world!  We will have a presentation to share about how to prepare your child for Kindergarten, the opportunity to hear from our current Kindergarten teachers, the chance to ask questions of our Administrators, Counselors, and Reading Specialist, and a general introduction to the academics and specials offered to our youngest students.  Please use this link to join our session.  We look forward to “seeing” you!

Registration for Kindergarten If you have a rising kindergartner, please register by completing the FCPS registration forms and registering with Tracy Dean, Registrar, by emailing  tadean@fcps.edu. In order to collect additional information regarding your child, we request that you complete the following form.  

New Students to Kent Gardens – Registration:  We welcome all new students to Kent Gardens.  You may register by emailing Tracy Dean tadean@fcps.edu.  The registration forms are here.  Please complete the Home Language survey if you speak another language at home. We have also created a google document that will collect academic and other social/emotional behavior information to assist us in placing your child.  You should complete the form for each child.  Note that the kindergarten registration has a separate google form and can be found in our announcements and above in the kindergarten section.

Parent Coffee: Weekly Parent Coffees will be held through the month of May on Tuesday mornings at 8 a.m. Join us on Tuesday, May 19 by accessing here

Enrollment Intentions for 2020-21:  Are you leaving Kent Gardens?  We have reached out to many families who indicated that their family would be departing.  Due to Covid - 19, many families have decided to stay and will remain enrolled until their plans are confirmed/adjusted.  Please email Iveliz Charles at icharles@fcps.edu to let us know of your status.  We only need parents to email if your child(ren) will not be enrolled for the 2020-21 school year.

Positivity Character Strength: The character strength for the week of May 18th-22nd is Gratitude. People with the strength of gratitude have a readiness to show appreciation for kindness and also to return kindness.  Gratitude is the quality of feeling and expressing thankfulness and appreciation. It is an affirmation that there is goodness in other people and the world, and that we have received that goodness.

Counselor Support: The Kent Gardens’ Student Support Team would like to bring attention to the importance of maintaining a mentally healthy lifestyle during these unprecedented times. Please visit the Counselor’s Corner on your child’s Blackboard Specialist page in Blackboard Learning 24/7. We invite you to engage in wellness family challenges that will keep you upbeat and happy and encourage you to utilize any of the resources that may be helpful to you and your child. Other resources include the FCPS webpage for resources. Here is a link for free webinars that might support your family as well.

Yearbooks: The yearbooks look fabulous!  They will arrive in June. We will let you know when and how the distribution will take place soon! A special thanks to Heather Devlin for supporting the creation!


PTA News:

PTA Meeting: Please join us on Wednesday, May 20 at 7pm for our final PTA meeting of the 2019-2020 school year. Meeting information is posted in PTA Facebook and webpage