Dates and School Hours
School Hours as follows:
- 8:30 a.m. Kiss & Ride Accepted into Cafeteria
- 8:40 a.m. Walkers and all students released to classrooms. Walkers may post outside on a paw print.
- 8:55 a.m. Students will be considered tardy if not seated by 9:00 a.m.
September 3rd - 6th - Labor Day Break - no school
September 8th- Virtual Back to School Night for Grades K-3 - See below
September 17th - Celebrate McLean Event - 4:30- 6:30 - sponsored by McLean HS - More information to follow - Note McLean HS v. Fairfax HS is that evening
September 23rd - First PTA Meeting - more information to follow from PTA
School Calendar: 2021-22
A Note from Administration
Dear KG Families,
Thanks for all your support and patience with dismissal and weather! That said, we have definitely seen improvement ~ Thursday being a record day - all buses were cleared by 4:05 p.m.
As we continue to adjust and reflect, we would like to collect parents names if you utilize kiss and ride. Please complete this form even if you participate sporadically. We will assign numbers and give all parents a printed number for your car. Students will be given the number and we will use that to call out to students awaiting pick up. We are hopeful that this may streamline our busy dismissal. Here is the link to complete to obtain a number. We will continue to consider work arounds and support the most expeditious but safe dismissal.
We had successful Back to School Nights for grades 4, 5 and 6. Below, we have shared the recordings for you to refer to if you missed the meeting. We look forward to meeting our kindergarten - third grade parents on the 8th of September (previously cancelled due to weather). It will be virtual. We will remit the links in e - Notify. The times are shared in the details below.
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
hsmcguigan@fcps.edu tnhawkins@fcps.edu sjtalley@fcps.edu
Back to School Night Information
Fourth Grade Recording - The 4th grade team will remit as an attachment,
Fifth Grade Recording; Passcode: bC+DY2erC8
Sixth Grade Recording: Passcode: Cza7@&Hm21
BTSN for Kindergarten, grades 1, 2, and 3
We look forward to seeing all of our parents on September 8th! This date is the new rescheduled date. The links will be remitted by your classroom teachers and through e-Notify.
- Kindergarten 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.
- First 5:15 - 6:00 p.m.
- Second 6:00 - 6:45 p.m.
- Third 6:45 - 7:15 p.m.
Attendance Updates
Immersion Families and Transportation: If you desire to possibly car pool, we have created a voluntary google form whereby you can input your names and transportation need. We will share with those families only in order for you to coordinate your needs.
Attendance Links
If your child will be absent or late, please do use this link to notify the school. If your child has an early dismissal, please do notify the school utilizing this link.
Kiss and Ride Information
Reminder to train your child on entering and exiting the car without adult support. Parents/guardians should not be leaving the car to buckle them in. Please practice at home! Your child can do it!
Click on this link to receive a number for your family! We will soon be announcing the numbers. Complete if you if you use the kiss and ride sporadically.
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How to Enter/Exit Kent Gardens
- To enter Kent Gardens please enter via Dean Drive or Van Fleet Drive to Melbourne Drive.
- To exit turn right on Lumsden Street.
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Kiss and Ride Pattern
- Students must be able to independently enter and exit your car from the right hand side.
- Staff will help with backpack. Parents remain in the car. Child exits and enters unassisted.
- Students will meet you at your car following the flow of traffic in the line.
- To enter Kent Gardens, please use Dean Drive or Van Fleet to Melbourne Drive.
- To exit, turn right on Lumsden
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Work Opportunities! Hourly, Monitor and Substitutes
Kent Gardens is seeking individuals to serve as student monitors!
Enjoy working with students? FCPS is seeking individuals to serve as student monitors . Student monitors provide supervision support in the classroom, lunchroom, and outside. If you would like more information about the position, please review the job description and apply online.. Please feel free to share information about this opportunity with anyone else you think may be interested.
Kent Gardens 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 the FCPS Friday information sessions to learn more! To sign up for a session visit our substitute information page here. Say Yes to FCPS!
Schoology ~ How Do I Access?
We are excited for Schoology, FCPS' new learning management system. Schoology is a learning space that enhances communication, collaboration, and personalized learning for students, teachers, and families.
How do I create an account?
- First, register for a SIS/ParentVUE account.
How do I log in?
- Login to Schoology at lms.fcps.edu. Use your ParentVUE account log in and password
Have the students started using Schoology yet?
We are not quite there yet, but will be soon! When it is fully active, your teachers will let you know. However, you can start viewing information on the “All Parents: Kent Gardens Elementary School” course.
1. When you log in you will see the following image. |
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- Once you click in it, you will see that KGES has started to populate some information and will look like the image to the left. More information will be coming, as well as a parent technology night, in the next few weeks. Please contact Eva Townsend, if you have any specific questions.
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Health Updates
Daily Symptom Check
Parents are asked to screen their children every morning before sending them to school. If you have any questions about whether your child is able to come to school based on symptoms or exposure, please call the office. Please review this link as you make decisions for school attendance. https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/HealthScreeningQuestionnaire.pdf
Please do not send your child to school if they have been identified as a close contact to COVID case. A negative COVID test does not clear your child to return to school.
Guidance for Families ~ Pause, Contact Tracing and Quarantine
Guidance for families regarding pause, quarantine, contact tracing and close contacts and the meaning and impact of each of these, please see the following resource: Pause, Contact Tracing, Quarantining
Lunch Updates
Cafeteria has plexiglass in place. Each class is given 4 tables. Two classes at each grade level either have lunch in the tent or the SACC room. This week, administration will reach out to the parent volunteers and create a schedule.
Classrooms and Social Distancing
Students and teachers/adults wear masks 100% of the time. Students are seated with as much social distancing as possible. Snacks are either outside or spread out 'picnic' style to ensure distancing.
Advanced Academic Program Parent Information Nights
AAP Information Session - September 28th - You only need one session:
8:00 a.m. Virtual Session - Zoom link to follow and the link is available in Kent Gardens Schoology.
6:00 p.m. In Person Session - Cafeteria
For students NEW to FCPS (since January 2021), fall referrals are due on October 7th. More information here. Questions, email Deb Bulford drbulford@fcps.edu
Beginning of Year Forms
All forms will remain electronic this school year as noted in the Open House section. There will be no large parent packet of forms.
Digital Consent Form Kent Gardens uses a variety of resources to support student learning. To provide your parental consent for each student in your family, please follow this link and follow the provided directions.
Emergency Care Form Complete Emergency Care Card now Electronically in weCare.
ParentVUE Access for New Families: FCPS video walks you through the process step-by-step: Creating a SIS ParentVUE Account. For tips on how to use your new account, FCPS has produced this short video to help you out: Navigating SIS ParentVUE. Please contact our registrar, Tracy Dean, tadean@fcps.edu if you need assistance obtaining a ParentVUE account.
Other Beginning of the Year Forms
If completing opt out forms, remit by email to Iveliz Charles at icharles@fcps.edu or drop off by the end of August to the school office.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for all of us. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill but are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Our first lockdown drill will be on September 15, 2021.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Here are some helpful tips for families to use to support their students before and after school lockdown drills.
Working together, we create a safe, secure environment for students to learn and grow in our schools.
Parent Resource Center Webinars for FCPS Families and Staff
How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments This School Year
September 9, 2021 6:30-8 p.m. and September 10, 2021 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments This School Year
Military-Connected Students and School Transition: A Family Webinar
September 17, 2021 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for Military-Connected Students and School Transition: A Family Webinar
5 Ways to Stop Anxiety, Power Struggles, & Behavior Issues: A Webinar for Families
September 23, 2021 6:30-8 p.m. and September 24, 2021 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for 5 Ways to Stop Anxiety, Power Struggles, & Behavior Issues: A Webinar for Families
Join the PTA and Support KG - One & Done!
The One & Done fundraising campaign is the main fundraiser at Kent Gardens Elementary, and it’s just like it sounds…you make one contribution and you’re done! To kick off the campaign, we will be raffling off a gift card to one lucky donor at the Kent Gardens Supporter level or above. Eligible donations must be made by Friday, September 10th. Thank you to the families who have contributed so far! We are halfway to our fundraising goal of $45,000. We can do it!
The suggested contribution is $150 per family but any amount is greatly appreciated. You can make your payment online and we will provide you with a tax receipt for your tax-deductible donation. Don’t forget to check if your employer matches your charitable donation! Donate today at this link Donate to One & Done Here We are also excited to bring back our class competition. Stay tuned for more information! Let's work together to achieve a great year filled with learning new things, working together, and having a lot of fun! #KGPride #StrongerTogether
Please also consider joining the PTA today! The PTA welcomes all parents, teachers and community members to join in the activities and provide suggestions for future actions. Your voice is important so make it count! General membership meetings are held monthly. Visit our website to obtain more information and become a member today. PTA Membership - Click Here
Want to volunteer? Kent Gardens will have some volunteer opportunities that welcomes all parents - working parents, stay-at-home parents, and everyone in between. Regardless of your availability, we will offer opportunities for you to get involved and help make a difference at our school. We are stronger when we work together - please sign up today here at this link! Volunteer Form - Click Here
#KG Pride Spirit Wear You can purchase items from our online store - Spirit Wear Online Store - Click Here
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