Dates To Note:
March 29 - April 2 - Spring Break - The office will be open intermittently during this break. Please leave a phone message with questions.
April 5 - Teacher Workday - No school for students
April 6 - 6:00 - 6:30 SOL Info. Session Q&A for Parents in Grades: 3-6
April 15 - Purple Up day - Month of Military Child
May - Optional Parent Class Placement Input Due
FCPS Approved 2021-22 Calendar The Fairfax County School Board voted to approve a calendar for the 2021-22 School Year that is designed to recognize, respect, and honor the plurality of religious and cultural observances in Fairfax County. The calendar recognizes 15 religious and cultural observances in the school year, decouples Good Friday from Spring Break and ensures students will not have to make choices between honoring their religious or cultural observance, or taking a test this coming school year.
Dear Parents,
Thanks for continued support as we continue with supporting our students with instruction in the building. We want to remind you of a few highlights that take place during the month of April.
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April is Autism Acceptance Month - This year the autism community formally shifting reference of Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance month. We will continue to share resources and the important discussion to bring acceptance of ALL of our students.
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April is the Month of the Military Child - Join us in celebrating the calendar events shown below! 'Purple Up' on the 15th of the month as it represents all of the colors of the services blended together.
As we return to school, we do continue to recommend that all families adhere to the driving information shared in previous News You Choose editions. In addition, dogs are NOT allowed on school property. Also playgrounds are not open to visitors during the school day which is 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Office Reminders:
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Communicate virtually whenever possible
- Please make an appointment with the office by calling ahead
- Scan the QR code on the front door to submit the form to sign in and enter the building. Please bring your ID with you.
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Early Check Out: Please do not check out your students early if possible.
- If necessary, submit an online request in the morning. Please do not come to school without an online request first.
- Scan the QR code on the front door to sign in. Sign in on the Office Sign out clipboard and wait in the lobby. Students will only be released to parents/guardians and authorized emergency contacts. All must show ID. Latest Checkout is 2:45pm.
Thanks as always for your support and we hope you enjoy your spring break!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Class Placements and Intentions for 2021-22
Every year, our staff collaborates regarding student placements for the next school year. This year, we had many factors that weighed into the decision making process. Please note that we continue to take into consideration many factors such as friendships, gender, academics and personalities. You may opt into providing input for the next school year, but please note that we cannot make guarantees but will take your information under consideration. Please heed the following:
- We do not accept requests for specific teachers.
- The deadline is May 7th. No late requests
- We do not guarantee friend requests. As shared above, we will take it under consideration but will defer to our staff.
The google form to provide input is here. It is due May 7th - thanks for your input.
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School Intentions for Next School Year 2021-22
Please share your intentions for the next school year here. Specifically, we are looking to collect data for those who might be moving for the school year or those who might return for the school year from another learning experience. Thanks in advance as this will ensure we are staffed and prepared for the 2021-22 school year.
Kindergarten Registration
We hosted a virtual kindergarten orientation and have included the recording here. You may register for kindergarten now by completing the FCPS registration forms and remitting your registration documents to Tracy Dean, tadean@fcps.edu . In order to collect additional information regarding your child, we request that you complete this form. Completion will help us with placement information and ensure that we have proper staffing based on enrollment. To ensure that you receive future communications, we encourage you to self-enroll and subscribe to News You Choose and select Kent Gardens. We look forward to seeing and meeting your child in 2021-2022.
Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments - Grades 3 - 6
This year, students will be taking the SOL tests in person in the spring. SOL assessments will proceed as usual. Please review this link to review the dates of the assessments for both students in person and virtually. Also, note that you have the right of refusal for the SOL assessments. Please complete your intention by clicking on the link. Any questions, please email Tia Hawkins at tnhawkins@fcps.edu.
Advanced Academic News
FCPS offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in grades K-8. For information on Kent Gardens school based Spring Screening, please click on the following link. For further information regarding AAP level of services, please visit the AAP website .
Positivity Project - Identify and Appreciating the Good In Others
Identifying and appreciating the good in other people helps you see the world through a more positive -- and less threatening -- lens. If you’re constantly seeing the negative traits of people, you’re going to think the world is comprised of bad people -- and you’re going to operate from a defensive posture. This isn’t to say that we should be naive or see the world, and its people, through “rose-colored glasses”. It’s just that we should strive to understand people’s intent. If you see the good in another, they are likely to see the good in you.
Month of the Military Child - April
Every April is designated Month of the Military Child. This is a time when we can recognize and applaud our military students and highlight the contributions they offer to our community. Here is a calendar of activities we have planned for April. Contact Elizabeth MacDonald, emacdonald@fcps.edu and Tyisha Williamson, tswilliamson@fcps.edu for more information about how your student and family can participate.
Other FCPS Resources
The PTSA Diversity Committee of the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will hold its next Diversity in STEM Talk in April! This series is especially for elementary and middle school students in grades 4-8.
Join us Monday, April 12, at 6 p.m. to hear from Julie Ann Sosa, MD, Leon Goldman MD Distinguished Professor of Surgery and Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Sosa was born in Montreal and raised in upstate New York. She received her AB at Princeton, MA at Oxford, and MD at Johns Hopkins, where she also completed the Halsted residency in general surgery and a fellowship. She previously practiced medicine and taught at Duke University Medical School and Yale University Medical School. She is published in numerous medical journals and books.
- What sparked her interest in medicine? - What does she enjoy most about practicing medicine? - What would she recommend to students who want to pursue a medical career? - What else would you like to know?
Parents, register at this Zoom link*: http://bit.ly/TJStemTalk4 *To ensure you receive the Zoom link, do not use an FCPS schools student email account! Submit questions in advance here: https://bit.ly/tjdiversitytalks
X-STEM: X-STEM All access is a virtual interactive speaker series designed to inspire students, teachers, and parents. There will be 4 daily live stream events to empower students about careers in STEM. April 20-23. More info and registration
FCPS Special Education Conference: Parents and educators can hear the latest research, strategies, and trends in the education of students with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities at this annual conference. April 17. More info and registration
Travel Restrictions - Spring Break
Currently, the CDC and VDH do not mandate quarantine after travel domestically or out of the country. FCPS link to review guidelines is here. FCPS is following this guidance.
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VDH urges all Virginians to avoid non-essential travel, especially if you are at higher risk of serious COVID-19 or if you will be visiting someone at higher risk of serious COVID-19. This recommendation applies to everyone, even if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have fully recovered from COVID-19.
- VDH recommends (but does not require) that all people get tested before and after travel and stay home or reduce non-essential activities for at least 7 days after travel.
- Students and staff are not required to quarantine or provide COVID 19 test results.
- Families may opt to keep their students at home for 14 days after they return from travel, however, it is not required.
- The daily monitoring of symptoms is required.
- For further information, please refer to the requirements for domestic and international travel:
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