Kings Park Tuesday Message, Oct 26th

Kings Park Tuesday Message

These messages are also archived on our website. In addition, Kings Park also has a TWITTER feed; please follow us @kingsparklions. You can also access the FCPS Return to School webpage and FAQs webpage which are regularly updated with the latest return to school information.

book character

Reminder: Friday is Storybook Character Day and a 2 hour early release!

Help Kings Park ES celebrate our love of reading! Friday October 29 is Storybook Character Day. Dress up as your favorite storybook character and bring your favorite book along! Be creative, but no masks or weapons.

Home School Connection: Handle With Care

Sometimes children can feel overwhelmed; please help us to support your child. If your student is coming to school after a difficult night, morning or weekend, feel free to email your child’s teacher with a simple subject line such as:  handle with care, rough morning, sleepless night, etc.

You don’t have to provide any other details unless you want to. We will know to give your child a little extra attention and grace that day.

Mask Reminder

Our students have done a great job with their masks this year. Throughout the day, some students have had their masks break or become unusable. Please make sure to send your student to school with two masks, one they wear to school and a back-up/replacement mask for their backpack. If this is a financial hardship need, please let your teacher know so that we can provide support. 

Student–Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid

Beginning October 13, FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. We thank those of you who have already turned in your form.

Returning this form is important because FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3 million in unrestricted funds from the Impact Aid grant. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.  For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's homeroom teacher. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the boxes in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by November 5. All results are confidential

Additional information about the Impact Aid Survey can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/impact.

Mark your calendar!  Meet Me at the Library is back! And we are going virtual!

Kings Park is proud to partner with WETA to bring back the amazing Meet Me at the Library program. 

This program is a great opportunity for families to log in, listen to stories, play some games, and do a craft to promote literacy skills and explore some fun topics, like Names and Identities, Feelings, and Reading Skills with Super Why.  

On November 10th, families are invited access through Zoom at 5 PM for an hour-long session focusing on Names and Identities with some Kings Park teachers and staff. Every student that participates will receive a free book from WETA (which will be delivered within a week of the evening session).   We hope to see you online Nov. 10th at 5:00! Zoom link will be sent next week. 

Scholastic Online Book Fair: Nov 8 – 21

Find fantastic new books and experience the magic of a Scholastic Book Fair from the comfort of home.  From our Book Fair homepage, https://www.scholastic.com/bf/kingsparkelementaryschool1, shop the Scholastic Store and/or the Virtual Fair links from November 8th – 21st.  All orders ship home and book-only orders over $25 ship free.  Every purchase benefits our school and helps develop a love of reading.  Books make great gifts for families, friends, and teachers!  Contact our Librarian, Ms. Halloran, rhalloran@fcps.edu, with any questions.   

Referral Window for Spring Level 4 Screening

This screening cycle is for 2nd and 3rd grade families who are interested in having their child screened for full-time Level 4 Advanced Academic services (more information about Level 4 services can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics/full-time-advanced-academic-program)

Materials are due Wednesday, December 15, 2021 by 11:59pm. Hard-copy materials can be submitted to the KPES office, or digital copies can be submitted to Mrs. Keane (AART) at makeane@fcps.edu.  Start by visiting https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs and look for “Parent or Guardian Materials for Level IV Referrals”

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mary Keane at makeane@fcps.edu

Community Review of K – 8 Language Arts and Science Basal Instructional Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for school years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.  A review committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet in November and December to review the instructional materials under consideration and community feedback. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources.  

Elementary English Language Arts basal instructional resources may be accessed in person and online October 26 through November 26, 2021. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/node/36853. People reviewing the material online may complete an electronic comment sheet https://forms.gle/VKxcfabLedjYAZpS8. In addition, hard copies of instructional resources will be available in the lobby of Willow Oaks

Administrative Center. Willow Oaks is open each business day from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm and extended hours will be provided until 7:45 pm on October 26 and November 3, 2021. 

K - 8 science basal instructional resources may be accessed online until November 14, 2021. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/node/39027. People reviewing the material online may complete an electronic comment sheet https://forms.gle/g76TjGmewaN8Fgfb6

All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before the vote at the School Board regular meeting. To ensure your community members are aware of the opportunity to review materials please share this opportunity by Friday, October 29, 2021

FCPS Cares

FCPS CARES is an opportunity for staff, parents, students, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others. Every month, a nominated employee from each region and Central Offices will be recognized as an FCPS CARES of the Month recipient. We’ll share their names in Employee News, and they will also have access to a new FCPS CARES banner for their profile photo in Outlook. Watch this video to learn more about FCPS CARES. We also encourage you to acknowledge a staff member who has gone above and beyond!  We love our KPES staff members, let's tell them how we feel!


KP/KG PTA News

Kings Park/Kings Glen PTA Meeting 

Gorgeous Gourds Pumpkin Decorating Contest.   Show us your gorgeous gourds! The KP/KG PTA invites you to enter our pumpkin decorating contest.  Submissions due by Thursday, November 4. Take a look at our website for categories and submission information.

FREE Hidden Oaks Educational Event.   Join us on Saturday, November 6 to recognize and celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a FREE children’s educational program at Hidden Oaks Nature Center sponsored by the Kings Park/Kings Glen PTA. Take a look at our website for timing and to sign up for a slot -- move fast as space is limited!

FREE Tiny Chefs Cooking Event.  Please join us for a FREE Tiny Chef's cooking class on Tuesday, November 9 at 6pm! We will be making lasagna rolls.  Sign up before Friday, November 5 on our website.  

Board and Brush Spirit Night.   The PTA is excited to host a spirit night with Board and Brush!  Register to pick up a kit on November 16 from 4pm-7pm!  Each kit is $30 with proceeds coming back to the PTA.  See our website for more information and to register.

Treats for Troops on Veterans Day.  Bring your extra candy to the PTA on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11, and while you're there write a letter or draw a picture to thank our troops and veterans. We'll be delivering the candy and thank you notes to Soldiers Angels to give to our Service Members.  See our website for more information.

Native American Heritage Month Educational Program at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Nov 6

Join us to recognize and celebrate Native American Heritage Month with an children’s educational program at Hidden Oaks Nature Center sponsored by the Kings Park/Kings Glen PTA. Students will study the life of a young Powhatan child during the time of the first settlements, comparing a child's life today with a child's experience then. The program includes a presentation in the outdoor amphitheater, followed by Native American games and a trail walk, highlighting Native Americans’ uses of plants and animals, and their knowledge of survival in the woods. 

You must register for this event ahead of time. Space is limited. Please register children for only one of the two sessions. Parents do not need to register. If you register, and realize you can’t make it, please remove your registration so another family can participate. Once you register, the PTA will send additional information about parking and other details about the program.

Register Here by Wednesday, November 3: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CADAD2BA6FAC25-native

This is a FREE program sponsored by the PTA. The program will take place outside, rain or shine. Masks are not required outside, but are strongly recommended.

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Jones, VP of Education, at kpkgpta.vp.education@gmail.com

 

Calendar of Upcoming Events

  • Oct 29 2-hour early release. Dismissal will begin at 1:20pm
  • Nov 1-2 Teacher Workdays - no school for students
  • Nov 8-21 KP Online Scholastic Book Fair
  • Nov 11 2-hour early release. Dismissal will begin at 1:20pm 
  • Nov 24-26 Thanksgiving Break - no school for students
  • Dec 15 Level 4 AAP Screening Referral Deadline
    (for current 2nd and 3rd grade)

Sincerely,

Dotty Lin

Mrs. Dotty Lin
Principal
Kings Park ES