KG Updates 11.15.2020

Upcoming Dates

Kindergarten Face to Face Return - Begins Tuesday, November 17 - 20

First and Second Grade Return - Cohort 6 - Week of December 8th

First and Second Planning Days - November 16, 20, 23, 24 – 1st and 2nd Grades Teacher Planning Days; Asynchronous work will be provided for students for core classes.  Specials will be held. Note that specialists had planning days with kindergarten.

Nov 25, 26, 27 - Thanksgiving Holiday Break for Staff and Students

Grades 3 - 6 Return - Cohort 7 - Week of January 14th

Grades Three through Six Planning Days - January 4, 7, 8 and 11. 


Note from Administration

Dear Parents,

We are excited to have some of our kindergarteners return in person on November 17th.  All parents were contacted and we will continue to ensure we have all necessary documents needed to ensure a safe experience. We have worked hard to ensure a safe return and strong instruction. Looking forward to seeing them and showing our #kgpride! 

We have shared the concurrent instructional video to give you an inside glimpse of one of the pilot schools.  We will be utilizing a similar instructional model and will continue to adjust and reflect.  Thanks in advance for your patience and flexibility this week! 

As a reminder, 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.  We value 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.

Note that FCPS remitted information regarding the metrics and decision making process for the return to school on Friday.  Here is the latest information for you to peruse as you consider your child(ren)s return.

For a group to BEGIN in-person instruction: 

  • The established thresholds for the group must be met for BOTH the number of cases per 100,000 persons and the percent positivity for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.

For a group to REMAIN in in-person instruction:

  • The number of cases per 100,000 persons or the percent positivity for may not exceed the established threshold for the group for seven (7) consecutive calendar days. 

Groups will transition back to DISTANCE LEARNING if:

  • The number of cases per 100,000 persons or the percent positivity exceeds the established threshold for the group for seven (7) consecutive calendar days. 

Thresholds for student Groups 1-6 can be found here.

Here is a listing of links that may help support you with concerns as we prepare. 

Warmly,

Holly McGuigan, Principal 


A Fond Farewell ~

This week, Mrs. Pier McGrath shared that she will be retiring effective 1/1/2021.  We all know that she will not be easily replaced.  A short note from Mrs. McGrath for you to enjoy!  We will be planning a safe and fun way to honor Mrs. McGrath for her years of service not just to Kent Gardens but to our educational system!  We are very lucky to have her with us! 

Dear Parents and Staff - There are many ways to say goodbye in French: “à demain” or “see you tomorrow,” “à ce soir” or “see you tonight,” “à bien tôt” or “see you soon,” “au revoir” or “until we see each other again,” and the most final of all farewells, “adieu” or “until God wills it!”  Soon, I will choose to say to you “au revoir” as I have decided to retire from FCPS, effective January 1, 2021, and cannot bear the thought of a final farewell.

Interestingly, the French word for “retirement” is “la retraite,” which can also mean “to retreat,” and I plan to retreat from the daily challenge of my job, a job I have truly loved, but which has recently changed.  The pandemic has given us all space and time to reflect on our priorities and I am ready to readjust my own.

The French word “courage” has a slightly different meaning than its English cognate “courage,” as the French term also encompasses the idea of “bravery,” “pluck,” or “spunk” and it will take all that and more for me to leave you.  “Bon courage” is an essential French expression for offering verbal support during a difficult task and I thank you in advance for your support.

Merci,

Pier S. McGrath


Kent Gardens Playground Reminder

We kindly ask that you do not bring your children to the Kent Gradens ES playground to play during school hours beginning Monday, November 16th. As we welcome more children and adults back to our buildings, they will utilize the outdoor spaces.

Mondays: 9:00am - 12:00pm

Tuesday - Friday: 8:20am - 3:40pm


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 should 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

  • Referral forms should 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!). Some of our teachers have completed a wish list - click here to view! Thanks for supporting our school!

jlk

Positivity Project: Gratitude

 

 

This week, we are focusing on Gratitude. You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

“The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become.”

                                         ~Robert Holden

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

  • What are the easiest things to be grateful for? What are the most difficult?
  • What are some benefits of gratitude?

How does it make you feel to think that others are grateful for you?


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.


Family Holiday Travel Plans

For families selecting in person instruction, we encourage you to follow guidance in accordance with the Virginia Department of Health Travel Guidelines around any travel quarantine requirements for people arriving in the Commonwealth of Virginia from other U.S. or international locations. 

In addition, we encourage families to practice the following measures to remain healthy when choosing to travel:

  • When around others, stay 6 feet apart (two arms’ length)
  • Wear a mask
  • Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol)
  • Watch your health. Look for symptoms of Covid-19, take your temperature if you feel sick use the Daily Health Screening Questionnaire

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!


Note from PTA and School - Ivankoff Memory Book

We have the reflection book to sign in the front lobby from the Candlelight Walk.  Feel free to write and reflect in the book for the Ivankoff family.  We will return to them for safekeeping and memories at the end of the week.  Also note that there is a star that has been named in Danny's memory. The GMU Observatory also offers Virtual Evening Under the Stars events via Zoom.  

The GMU Observatory staff have kindly offered to target Daniel's star for viewing at the next Virtual Evening Under the Stars on Thursday, November 19 at 8 p.m. Brief scientific talk (content appropriate for ages 5+) on astronomy by Dr. James Robert Parks followed by telescope viewing of Daniel Ivankoff's star in Ursa Minor/Little Dipper Constellation along with a guided telescope tour of the night’s sky.  Join Zoom Meeting


Veterans Day - Thanks for sharing your pictures! 

kl