Gator Bytes: News and General Information for Kings Glen ES
National School Counseling Week
February 7-11
National School Counseling Week 2022 (#NSCW22) is February 7-11, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February. Kings Glen thanks our school counselor, Mrs. Elaine Stottlemyer. She is an invaluable resource to our school and full community.
Health and Safety Measures Update
While the Virginia Department of Health shifted the expectation for contact tracing in schools to only on outbreaks, the CDC continues to indicate that contact tracing, in combination with testing, wearing a well-fitting mask, and quarantine and isolation, are effective strategies to identify people with COVID-19 (cases) and to reduce transmission.
FCPS has and continues to implement CDC recommendations, to the greatest extent practicable, to prevent or reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools and to foster the continuation of in-person learning for students and staff. As a result, FCPS will continue contact tracing until further notice.
The following changes became effective 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 4:
- FCPS Pause (Close Contact) Letter includes quarantine guidance and replaces the FCHD quarantine email to families
- FCPS Student Quarantine Exemption and Attestation Form replaces the FCHD Vaccine Verification Survey (Will be embedded in the FCPS Pause Letter and available on the FCPS webpage, physical copies will be available if needed)
Monitoring COVID-19 cases is critical to maintaining a safe in-person learning environment for all students. Please continue to let us know if your child has tested positive for COVID-19 or may be a close contact. We will work with you through the process to return your child to the classroom as quickly as possible.
Fourth Grade Strings Debut
The week of February 21st (Ms. Skeen’s class will record on Monday February 28th), all 4th Grade Strings students will record a musical selection during their Strings class time. These recordings will be put together in a recording (link to be shared with parents), that will be shown at the end of the day the week of March 7. Concert dress for the recording will be Kings Glen spirit wear if your child has, or green or white tops.
Parents of 4th Grade Strings Students – your assistance is greatly appreciated in making sure your child has their materials the week of February 21st. Dr. Keenan thanks you in advance!
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Submit COVID Vaccination Status
You may wish to voluntarily share your child’s COVID-19 vaccination information with Kings Glen Elementary School. However, we do not require your child’s vaccination information and no school employee will ask for your child’s vaccination status.
If you would like to provide us with your child’s vaccination status, please bring your child’s COVID-19 vaccination card or a photocopy of the card to the front office. COVID-19 vaccination documentation contains Protected Health Information and should not be emailed.
Pop Tabs!
Kings Glen is collecting pop tabs again this year to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Northern Virginia. Collect pop tabs from aluminum cans (ex. soda, fizzy water, soup cans) and turn them into the bin by Mrs. Rode’s room or in your classroom. Even though one pop tab is not worth much, they can add up quickly! By “pulling” together we can help support families with sick or injured children.
Kings Glen just donated over 60 pounds of pop tabs that were collected the past two years. Our challenge this year is to collect at least 50 pounds!
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Kings Glen Wants Your Plastic Bags!
Please continue sending in plastic bags for our Trex recycling program! We are over half way to meeting our 500-pound goal and getting a Trex bench. Our bench will be a “Buddy Bench.” What is a Buddy Bench? It’s a place for a child to go if they feel lonely. When other kids see someone on the bench, they know that child needs a friend! All About Plastic Recycling | NexTrex
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Health and Safety Reminders
KGES Character Strengths: The Positivity Project
Kings Glen ES is a Partner School in the Positivity Project (P2), where one "character strength" is featured each week.
P2 for Families 1-1-3 is an easy and effective way for families to discuss the importance of character strengths and positive relationships. Click on any character strength to learn more. You’ll find 1 quote, 1 video, and 3 questions to help you and your children discuss The Positivity Project’s character strength of the week. Please see below to access P2 resources:
Enjoy discussing this week's Character Strength with your children at home!
Feb 7 - Feb 11 ~ "Humility" Character Strength
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KP/KG PTA News
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2022-2023 Kings Park/Kings Glen PTA Board
At our February 3 PTA meeting, we elected a nominating committee to put together a 2022-2023 PTA board. Jennifer Kirby, Amy Johnson, and Emily St. Onge will serve on this year's nominating committee.
The Kings Park/Kings Glen PTA is looking for board members for the 2022-2023 school year PTA board. We are looking for a new president, secretary, and at least one vice president role! Are you interested in learning more about this? Please contact PTA president, Emily St. Onge.
Black History Month Virtual Speaker
In honor of Black History Month, please join us for a conversation with Michelle Cottrell-Williams, FCPS Educational Specialist for Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, regarding race, diversity, and inclusion, and how to talk with our children about these topics Wednesday, February 23rd at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Mrs. Cottrell-Williams was the 2018 Virginia Teacher of the Year and the 2017 Arlington Public Schools Teacher of the Year. She taught high school Social Studies in Arlington Public Schools for 14 years, and joined FCPS as the Educational Specialist for Equity and Cultural Responsiveness last year.
Here is the call-in/Zoom information: Go to join.zoom.us in your internet browser Meeting ID: 258 233 8875 Passcode: KPKG2020!
PTA After School Activities
The PTA is excited to bring after-school activities back to our schools this Spring! While definite plans are still being established, we are tentatively bringing back some old favorites and new faces. Look for more information on options, sign ups, costs, and more in mid-January in our newsletter, on our Facebook group, via Kings Park and Kings Glen News You Choose emails.
FREE Code Ninjas Event
Friday, February 11
Join the Kings Park/King Glen PTA and Code Ninjas for a FREE IN PERSON event on Friday, February 11! Register Here. Please note that in order control possible crowds, only those who RSVP may attend this event.
Nothing Bundt Cake PTA Spirit Night
Monday, February 21
Join us on Monday, February 21 from 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. at Nothing Bundt Cakes (7000D Brookfield Plaza, Springfield) for a KP/KG PTA spirit event! Place your order online and pick it up in the store OR head right to the store. All orders must be picked up on Monday, February 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Online orders may be placed prior to February 21 but they must be picked up on February 21 to be given spirit night credit.
Baskets Bonanza - Coming March 3-17!
Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to be Classroom Basket Parents. Please consider donating to your student's basket. The classroom baskets are the core of this fun event. (More Information)
Are you Crafty? Own a Small Business?
We would love to showcase your items and talent during the two weeks of Basket Bonanza. This year, we are asking community members if they would like to donate an item for the basket raffle. The item will be a stand-alone entry into the basket raffle. Possibilities include handmade quilts, blankets, hats, hair accessories, and more. (More Ideas / How to Donate).
De-Cluttering your House? Need to slim down a gift stash or make space on your bookshelves?
Consider donating items (new or gently used/like new book) for use in Baskets Bonanza classroom baskets. We are collecting items until February 18. (Complete List of Basket Themes /Donation Drop-Off Locations).
February 7-11: National School Counseling Week (See Above)
February 11: PTA-Sponsored Code Ninjas Event (See Above)
February 21: Presidents Day (No School)
February 21: Nothing Bundt Cakes PTA Spirit Night (See Above)
February 23: PTA Black History Month Virtual Speaker (7 p.m., See Above)
March 3: 2-Hour Early Release (Students Dismiss at 1:25 p.m.)
March 4: Staff Development Day (No School for Students)
March 3-17: PTA Baskets Bonanza (See Above)
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