Great Virtual Week and Back to School Night!
Dear Parents,
Thanks for your support during our Back to School Nights. We truly appreciate your patience, flexibility and grace with your children during the virtual instructional times. We are still working/practicing on building structures for students during independent work (aka asynchronous times). During language arts and math live/synchronous instruction, our teachers are using the workshop model to ensure that they meet with students in small groups and when possible individually. Our counselors and other specialists are also connecting with students to encourage the opportunity to simply have fun~ albeit in a virtual setting. We will continue to provide options for students and will be communicating times that are available. If your child has a specific need or concern, we do encourage her/him to reach out to their grade level counselor. Elizabeth MacDonald, emacdonald@fcps.edu, supports 1,3,5, Griffin and Schneider. Tyisha Williamson,tswilliamson@fcps.edu, supports 2,4,6 and Ammirati/Crawford.
A gentle reminder that on Monday, we do take attendance during the morning meeting. The teacher will assign asynchronous work during the day. If your child will not be attending or will be late, please continue to complete the attendance updates here. You may also email KentGardensElem.Attendance@fcps.edu.
We will be focusing on i-Ready (Universal Screener) the next couple of weeks ~primarily on Mondays. The students in 1 – 6 will complete the screener for Reading and Math. Kindergarten students will complete the screener for reading only at a later date. Your teachers will communicate to you the timing of your child's testing date. Please note that the i-Ready should be accessed utilizing Chrome. In addition, the headphones should remain plugged in during testing (if using). Here is a link with additional information for support at home.
Band and Strings instruction will begin the week of September 21st during their regularly scheduled music specials block. Your child will receive a BBCU link invitation in their school gmail account from either Mr. Pittman, jpittman@fcps.edu, (band) or Anita Su, asu@fcps.edu, for Strings.
The Back to School Night recordings are listed below for you to view as need be.
Kindergarten BTSN
First Grade Immersion BTSN
First Grade Non-Immersion BTSN
Second Grade Immersion BTSN
Second Grade Non-Immersion BTSN
Third Grade BTSN
Fourth Grade BTSN
Fifth Grade BTSN
Sixth Grade BTSN
Send more pics of your child learning or completing an exciting asynchronous or synchronous activity - we want to share on KG Facebook or on Twitter. Send to gardenskent1717@gmail.com.
Thanks again for your support,
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Pier McGrath Tia Hawkins
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Advanced Academic Information Updates
The Advanced Academic Referral window for students NEW to FCPS in grades 3 through 6 is September 8 - October 8, 2020.
The referral window for ALL other students in grades 2 - 6 has been accelerated. It will begin on September 8 - December 1, 2020.
Our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) Debra Bulford has recorded two sessions for parents to review.
- AAP Overview - This video will provide you with information regarding the different levels of service available to all FCPS students.
- AAP Screening Process - This video will provide you with information on how to refer your child for Level III, or IV services.
We will host Question and Answer sessions for each topic above. You should only attend one session per topic as needed. To help us prepare, here is a google link to input your questions.
- AAP Overview: 9/30 from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. or 10/13 from 6 - 6:30 p.m. at this link.
- Referral Process: 10/2 from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. or 10/15 from 6 - 6:30 - p.m. at this link.
Additional information regarding AAP Screening and Identification can be found by visiting the county website.
Pick Up of Student Supplies
Some of our grade level teams are organizing pick up of student supplies. Your homeroom teacher will communicate with you regarding any supplies that should be picked up. The office will open the door (please wear your mask) during the following hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please email your homeroom teacher should you have any questions!
Technology Updates for Parent/Student
Digital Consent Form Required - Due by October 31st
Digital Consent: As we begin the year with virtual instruction, we do need parents to consent to certain applications that we will use during instruction. We still need many parents to ‘consent’ digitally. You can review the apps Kent Gardens plans on using HERE. Please respond as soon as possible so that teachers may plan instruction appropriately using approved tools. We appreciate your responses before the first day of school.
Parent/Student Support with Technology
FCPS has created a new Parent Technology Help Desk. If you need support with technology, you should reach out to the Parent Technology Help Desk. The number is 1-833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). It will be answered by staff 7 a.m.to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If the help desk is unable to solve the issue on the phone with the parent or guardian, they will enter a ticket on the parent’s behalf and the request for help will be transferred to the appropriate FCPS team. FCPS also has existing parent information phone lines, available in eight different languages, that can assist with general questions about FCPS. An online portal to allow older students and parents and guardians to request technology help directly.
Helpful Tech Links
Below are several links that will help to answer many of your technology-related questions:
Parent and Student IT Support Portal homepage
Self Help Hub
Password Management
Tips for Online Learning Success
Required Parent Forms
Please make sure you have completed and submitted these forms as soon as possible.
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Emergency Care Card Form - If possible, please review and make any changes using weCare@School via your FCPS 24/7 Parent View account.
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Health Information Form - While you are updating your Emergency Care Card Infomation using weCare@School , make sure to fill out the “Current Health Conditions” and/or “Current Medical Care Details on the ECC form.
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Digital Consent: As we begin the year with virtual instruction, we do need parents to consent to certain applications that we will use during instruction. We still need many parents to ‘consent’ digitally. You can review the apps Kent Gardens plans on using HERE. Please respond as soon as possible so that teachers may plan instruction appropriately using approved tools.
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Students Rights & Responsibilities - Review the SR&R here and complete this form to acknowledge receipt of SR&R information.
Optional Forms (Return ONLY if applicable):
Library Books Curbside Pick Up - Coming Soon!
Your child will be able to soon check out books through our library catalog, Destiny Discover. Ms. Hershey is working diligently to have this option ready by the end of September! Stay tuned for more information.
Positivity Character Strength of the Week ~ Curiosity
We will begin to incorporate the character strength of the week of the week in this communication. Parents can then support your child at home with discussions and questions they may have! This week we are focusing on Curiosity. If you are curious, you like exploration and discovery. You ask many questions because you want to learn more! Here is an example of curiosity with Dr. Kathy Sullivan who was the first woman to walk in space.
You might ask your child:
~ How curiosity is the opposite of judgment?
~How do you feel when you discover something new or learn something new?
~What are things you fear and could you replace curiosity with that feeling of fear?
Food Distributions and Lunch Applications
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Please use this link to access the most up to date locations and times for food distribution.
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Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year. Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year. The application is available HERE.
PTA News and Updates
Are You Ready to be ONE and DONE!
One donation to the school, and you’re done for the year. Please support our school!
This year, we’re working with the teachers to provide the resources they need to enhance our children’s school year whether online or in the classroom. The suggested contribution is $150 per family, but any amount is greatly appreciated!
There will be options for donors to enter into gift card raffles, and we’re working on a school-wide virtual celebration for when our goal is met. We are also looking for a chair for the campaign, so if you or someone you know would be interested, please have them contact the PTA Board.
Virtual After School Academies
The PTA & Enrichment Matters have partnered with several local, small businesses to provide virtual academies after school and on Mondays. Class choices include:
Social Skills with KGES' Ms. Oakley (K-2)
Book Club with KGES' Ms. Townsend (4-6)
Others include: Pottery, Financial Literacy, Art, Music, STEM, and Game Show Vocabulary.
Classes will meet once or twice per week for 4 weeks.
Registration for the first session begins September 28 @ 8:00 am. Classes run from October 12-November.
Detailed information coming in Friday's ROAR from the PTA. Questions: jtiffs@gmail.com or info@enrichmentmatters.com
Virtual Chess Club
Registration for Kent Garden’s most popular after-school club is now open. Sign up for two classes per week, opportunities to play daily and participation in the Elementary Team League including a weekly online KG club meeting with a nationally certified chess coach from the U.S. Chess Center. 15-week session starts on September 30. Open to student in Grades 2 - 6, with or without prior chess experience.
More details and to register now at: http://kentgardenspta.3dcartstores.com/Chess-Club-Registration_p_52.html
Questions: Cam Domelson at donelsoncambra@yahoo.com .
PTA Meeting Next Month!
Thanks for joining us at the last PTA meeting!! We will have our next meeting in October. Join the PTA here !
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