Dates to Note
March 16 - Virtual Family Engagement Night - 5:30 p.m. Link and more info below!
March 25 - Kindergarten Virtual Parent Orientation 8:00 - 8:30
March 26 - Special Education Conference
March 31 - Kindergarten Parent Tour and Student Meet and Greet 2:15 - 3:00 p.m. (SIGN UP is required for the student meet and greet- see the info below)
March 31 - End of Third Quarter - 2 hour Early Release
April 23 - Save the Date for KG Fun Run ~ Spring Celebration! Register link below!
School Calendar: 2021-22
The 2022-23 school calendar was approved by the school board recently. To find out more about next year’s school calendar, visit the FCPS website.
Dear Kent Gardens' Families,
We are looking forward to the Book Fair - thanks to the PTA and our fabulous parents for supporting it! See the information below to support your child.
Next week, FCPS will launch a Family Engagement Survey on March 13th to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community. When schools build strong partnerships with families, respond to their concerns, and honor their contributions, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, better social skills and behavior, and increased likelihood of high school graduation. By participating in the Family Engagement Survey, parents/caregivers are making their voices heard around important topics impacting their students’ success. Please check out the special section below for more information and plan to participate when the survey becomes available next week.
Some highlights to note for the upcoming weeks:
- Mark your calendar for the Virtual Parent Engagement Night on March 16th at 5:30 p.m. We will have select grade level teachers and specialists with us. Parents will be able to join breakout groups to learn about uploaded instructional videos that were created by our staff. See below.
- Note the kindergarten virtual orientation for parents on 3/25 and the in person parent tour and student 'Meet and Greet' on 3/31. Parents must sign up your rising kindergarten student for the meet and greet. See the links in the blurb below. We will remit the Zoom invite for the virtual parent orientation closer to the date.
Please make sure you health screen your child before sending them to school on March 7th. If your child does not feel well or presents with any COVID-like symptoms, please keep them at home and seek medical advice. We appreciate your support in keeping our Kent Gardens community healthy! For parent convenience, click here for the Daily Health Questionnaire.
Thanks for your continued support!
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
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Spring Pictures NOW Available Online!
Spring Portraits are now available to view and order online! All orders will include free shipping for the next two weeks. Here is the link for you to access. Please remember, the online code is your child's Student ID number. Please direct parent questions/concerns regarding picture day to underclass@vosphoto.com
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Virtual Family Engagement Night 3/16/2022
We are excited to offer our first virtual Parent Engagement Night on March 16th at 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Our teachers prepared short videos for parents to support learning at home. Many parents have inquired how to support reading and math. We will introduce these instructional supports during the virtual Parent Engagement Night. Some insight to our offerings are shown below:
- Place Value - Building Models and Playing Games to Solidify Understanding of Place Value
- Fluency in Math - Using Calendar Math to Practice Skills
- High Frequency Works - Games to Play to Reinforce
- Phonological Awareness - Spelling Strategies
- Reading Comprehension - Supporting Focus on Main Idea or Theme
- Fractions - Supporting Understanding of Fractions and Decimals
- Specialists - Resources and fun activities at home (P.E., Art, Music, FLES, STEAM and Counselor)
These will be placed in Schoology for access to all parents as needed. We look forward to seeing you virtually on March 16th. We will record if you are unable to attend. The link is here: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/92526279590?pwd=S1VyV1ZEUVg2QUVDOFNZKzFjYVdVQT09
Attendance Updates
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.
Arrival time is 8:50 a.m. at the latest for our kiss and ride and walkers. Note that staff is not available at kiss and ride beyond that time. Please have your child arrive on time! It is essential for them to start the day in a calm manner.
Student Intentions....2022-23
We are already planning for the next school year! Let us know if your child(ren) might not return the next school year. This feedback is not binding but for planning purposes. Please use this link to indicate IF you are considering or planning to move.
Positivity Project: Love of Learning
Those with a love of learning are intrinsically motivated and engaged in a topic regardless of achieving an external standard. They enjoy learning simply for the sake of learning. They don’t need a prize or a high grade as a reward. Their reward is the process of doing the work and improving.
People who love learning experience positive feelings in the process of acquiring skills, building on existing knowledge, or learning something completely new. Over time, individuals with this strength may develop deep and wide knowledge. Their knowledge enables them to make significant contributions to others’ understanding.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
-MAHATMA GANDHI
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Kindergarten Registration and Interest 2022-23
We are excited to begin our thinking about 2022-23! Do you have a child at home who will be five by September 30th? Please start your registration now by filling out this google form. If you have any neighbors with little ones, please send this information to them as well. This form simply collects information in order to help us plan for staffing for the next school year.
If you are ready to register, please email Tracy Dean, tadean@fcps.edu to set up a convenient time to come into the office.
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Kindergarten Orientation and Tour!
Thanks for completing the google form above! We will host a Zoom Parent Orientation meeting on March 25th from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. We will post the Zoom link as we approach the date. There is no sign up needed for this session.
On March 31st, we will hold parent tours and a student 'meet and greet' with the teachers from 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. Note that March 31st is a student early release day. It is REQUIRED to sign up for one of the two sessions. Please sign up here for one of the two sessions. Parents will drop off your child(ren) in a designated kindergarten classroom and our School Student Ambassadors will conduct the parent tours. Students will meet their parents on the playground after the tour. We look forward to seeing you!
Family Engagement Survey Coming Soon!
FCPS is partnering with independent firm K12 Insight to administer the Family Engagement Survey to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community. The survey will be open March 13th - April 3rd. It will be available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, Chinese, Korean, Farsi, Urdu, and Vietnamese. All responses will be confidential.
With parent/caregiver input, the school division will be better suited to develop policies and practices that incorporate their ideas, and help focus everyone on their role in improving student achievement.
Survey results will be used to develop a plan to improve family and school partnerships throughout the division.
For more information, please check out the survey webpage. On March 13th, the link will be sent to your email and will also go live here: Family Engagement Survey Link. If you need a paper copy of the survey, please reach out to our front office and we can provide one for you. Please find translated information below.
English - Spanish - Arabic - Chinese - Korean - Vietnamese
Technology Support - ParentVue
If you or your child is experiencing issues with technology, a Student Portal is available for parents, guardians, or students to submit a request directly for technology help. For parent support with SIS or Schoology, submit a request for help through the Parent Portal. Progress reports will be available in ParentVue. Note that you can also seek additional information regarding ParentVue in this link. As noted above, progress reports are available online on January 29th.
SOL Dates for 3rd- 6th Grade Students
State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards. The format for state assessments vary by grade level and content area. These include:
- Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science; More information can be found on the SOL assessments webpage;
- Local alternative assessments (LAAs) including performance-based assessments (PBAs) completed as part of classroom instruction throughout the school year for science, writing, and social studies; More information can be found on the LAA and PBA webpage.
- Calendar dates are detailed below. Please plan around these scheduled dates so that your child is available during testing time:
- Grade 3
- Reading - Thursday, May 12
- Math - Thursday, May 19
- Grade 4
- Reading - Wednesday, May 11
- Math - Wednesday, May 18
- Grade 5
- Science -Thursday, May 5
- Reading - Tuesday, May 10
- Math - Tuesday, May 17
- Grade 6
- Reading - Monday, May 9
- Math - Monday, May 16
Student Screening Testing
FCPS will move to a dynamic testing plan. Screening testing will be available during moderate, substantial and high community transmission to the greatest extent practicable in alignment with CDC guidance. Screening testing for students will not be offered during low transmission.
At this time, we will still have student testing until notified that transmission rates are consistently lower. Despite low transmission, there will be testing on Monday, March 14th. Please note it is a random selection. We will continue to test until we receive further guidance.
One-time parent/legal guardian consent is required to begin COVID screening testing for a student to be tested at school. You may withdraw your consent for testing at any time. If you want your child to begin participating in COVID-19 screening testing, you must pre-register your child(ren) and provide consent using the LTS secure online portal. If you do not want your child to participate in COVID-19 screening testing, no action is required. You will have the option each week to update your child’s vaccination and consent for testing.
For all the details about optional COVID-19 screening testing, visit the FCPS website and review the FCPS COVID-19 Screening Testing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. Screening testing is a recommended layered prevention strategy that keeps Kent Gardens safe for in-person learning. Thank you for considering enrolling your child.
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Order Your Yearbook Now!
Yearbooks are sold ONLY online; Purchase one by scanning the QR code - the cost is $20. Yearbooks and order options will be delivered to the school at the end of the school year. We will close yearbook sales very soon! Buy one now!
We are working on selection of the cover! We have many, many fabulous entries with over 85 entries. We have shown a few of the entries below. Amazing artwork! The back cover of the yearbook will have other entries - one per grade level. Stay tuned! THANKS to ALL! #kgpride #strongertogether #WeAllBelong
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Special Education Conference on March 26
FCPS’s 17th Annual Special Education Conference will be held virtually on Saturday, March 26, with a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions. Registration for this free conference will begin in March. More information on the Special Education Conference is available online.
KG PTA Book Fair is Here!
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The KG PTA is excited to host the Spring Book Fair! This year's Book Fair will take place during school hours from March 14-18. Additional online shopping may take place between March 11-24.
We highly encourage families to check out our homepage where you may create an e-Wallet for your students. If you have remaining funds from the Fall Fair, you will need to create a new e-Wallet but will be given an option to roll those funds into the Spring e-Wallet. Click here, scroll down, and look for "Get Started" in the e-wallet section. We've asked Teachers to create e-Wallets as well, so please feel free to contribute to theirs so they may purchase books for the classroom. For your convenience, you can also order books online.
KG's Scholastic Homepage may be found here - Click Here
Want to volunteer? We also encourage parents to sign up to volunteer for our Fair to make this a successful event for our kids! As we will not be having before/after school events, this is a great way to be a part of the fun. The class schedules are found on the SignUp Genius at: PTA Spring Book Fair 2022 - Volunteer Sign Up.
As always, we appreciate your support for our students and teachers. Thank you for being a part of the Spring Book Fair!
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PTA News and Updates
SPRING SPECTACULAR!
Our Spring Spectacular 5k and 1K is back!!!! Join us on Saturday, April 23 for a run or walk with your Kent Gardens friends. Stay for a while after the race to enjoy treats from the Kona Ice Food truck and Cafe Kindred coffee & pastries. The 5K will kick off at 9:00 am and the 1K fun run at 9:45.
Registration Fees: 5K: $30 through April 11, $35 April 12 – Race Day Fun Run $20 through April 11, $35 April 12 – Race Day
Online Registration will close on Thursday, April 21 at 8pm. *Please note: Any runner registered after April 8 will not be guaranteed a Spring Spectacular T-shirt. We hope to see you at the finish line!!! Register using this link
BOYS Running Group
There have been requests for a running group for boys at Kent Gardens, and there is an organization in Northern Virginia called Let us Run! If anyone is interested in supporting and leading this project as the leader/coach, please reach out to Let Me Run contact, and the PTA will help spread the word to get things rolling!
ANIMAL SHELTER COLLECTION
The 6th grade community service team is collecting donations for a local animal shelter called The Animal Welfare League of Arlington. They are collecting items like wet and dry cat/dog food, blankets, new animal toys, leashes, collars, etc. Donations will be collected in a labeled box outside the front office until March 18th. Thank you for your support!
SPIRIT WEAR & CLASS SHIRTS: While we offer many styles in our current in-stock shop Spirit Wear, we have also launched an on-demand spirit wear store: kgpride.itemorder.com Families can find a wide range of items for both kids & adults with merchandise options previously not offered. All items ship directly from the manufacturer to the customer, and new styles and colors will be added shortly. Class Shirts for each grade level are still available to buy - Click here!
DONATION DRIVE FOR REFUGEES:As a KG Family, we have been supporting the Fresh Start Refugee Assistance Center, a 501(c)3 organization that provides resettlement services to newly arrived refugees. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far. You can drop off items at Mariam Afzal's home - please email mmasheeb@gmail.com for the address. If you would like to make a monetary donation, click here. Thank you so much for your support!
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