Upcoming Dates
11/11 - Two Hour Early Release (1:35) for Students ~ Veterans' Day - see note below to join in honoring our KG veterans
Nov 9, 12, 13- Kindergarten Teacher Planning Days; Asynchronous work provided for kindergarten students for core classes and specials.
Nov 16, 23, 24 – 1st and 2nd Grades Teacher Planning Days; Asynchronous work will be provided for students for core classes. Specials will be held.
Nov 25, 26, 27 - Thanksgiving Holiday Break for Staff and Students
Note from Administration
Dear Parents,
We are working hard to ensure a safe return for our younger students. Students in kindergarten will receive a letter on Monday that details the return to school plans for their class. Note that as a rule of thumb, we are utilizing A-K for Tuesday, Wednesday and L-Z for Thursday, Friday placements. There will be exceptions and we will personally reach out to you to discuss the adjustments.
As we plan for each grade level, we will reach out with specifics to that grade level in order for you to understand the plan of instruction. For the most part, we are valuing the relationships and placements that were determined at the beginning of the year. Thus, for those students who have a teacher that has a medical need to work virtually, they will have the option to adjust to virtual instruction. That said, we will continue to have other teacher supports in the classroom for those who return to learn face to face when there is a virtual teacher. Once again, we will work through each grade with group grade level letters.
Students are scheduled to return 2 days a week as follows:
11/17 - Kindergarten - Tuesday/Wednesday (A-K) and (L-Z)
12/1 - 1st and 2nd Grade
1/4 - 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Grades
If FCPS were to make a change to return, students will remain with their current teacher if you have been individually notified. We are working to provide a safe opening of school and look forward to our kindergarteners joining us.
Here is a listing of links that may help support you with concerns as we prepare.
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan, Principal
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Veterans Day !
Please help us honor the Veterans in our community and school. We are collecting artwork, poetry, letters or pictures to share with the community. Please email your child's work or family memory to Gardenskent1717@gmail.com. Click here for the flyer!
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Yearbook - We Must Have a Yearbook for Memories!
In order to have a yearbook and share our memories, please do share your pictures at this email address, kgyearbook2021@gmail.com. We will work hard to compile into a 'memorable year!! Note we cannot have the 'live' feature. We have already compiled a collection from our other pictures that you have shared but we are sure that you have more!
Advanced Academic Updates
Advanced Academic Referrals - Parents may remit AAP referrals now. Please access the county website for the referral form and the parent questionnaire. Note that AAP referrals will not be accepted past December 1, 2020. If you have any questions regarding the referral process, please contact Debra Bulford at drbulford@fcps.edu
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Referral formsshould be emailed to Debra Bulford, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) at drbulford@fcps.edu. The email will count as a digital signature for the referral. You may also drop off a paper copy with the front office prior to the close of business on December 01, 2020.
- Please consider submitting your referral early to allow teachers time to gather multiple work samples. Parents may turn in the referral now and then submit the optional parent questionnaire and work samples by December 1st.
Virtual Book Fair!
Kent Gardens invites you to check out our Online Book Fair and support our school library! The Online Fair is going on now, and you can shop until Monday November 16th. All purchases will benefit our school directly (25% back in rewards!). Our teachers are completing a wish list - stay tuned for their wishes! Thanks for supporting our school! https://www.scholastic.com/bf/kentgardens
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Positivity Project: Bravery
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This week, we are focusing on Bravery. You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.
“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’ ”
~Mary Anne Radmacher
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Questions you might enjoy talking about:
- What are some situations that may call for bravery?
- What are the differences between moral, mental, and physical bravery?
- Why is it sometimes difficult to be brave?
FCPS Employee Outstanding Employee Awards
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Kent Gardens Elementary Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through this Google form link. The Award categories are: Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding New Teacher, Outstanding Principal, Outstanding Leader, Outstanding Professional Employee and Outstanding Operational Employee.
You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.) All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The Google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements. The deadline to submit a nomination is November 20.
School Monitors and Substitutes Needed at Kent Gardens
We will not be able to use volunteers in the school building, but we are looking to hire school monitors to support teachers and students during the school week on Tuesday through Friday once students return. Please email Holly McGuigan if you are thinking about these opportunities and we can discuss more details.
New employment opportunity in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)!
FCPS schools and centers will be hiring classroom monitors to provide in-person classroom assistance for students when a staff member remains virtual. If you would like more information about the position, please review the job description and qualifications online and apply if interested. Please feel free to share information about this opportunity with anyone else you think may be interested.
FCPS is seeking individuals to serve as substitute teachers!
Are you or somebody you know interested in substitute teaching with FCPS? Apply here or attend one of our Friday information sessions to learn more! To sign up for a session visit our substitute information page here. Say Yes 2 FCPS!
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