Dates to Note
May 2 - 6 - Teacher Appreciation Week - see below to support in PTA Notes
May 2 - Sixth Grade Panorama Picture link to purchase
May 19 - Longfellow Open House for Rising 7th graders
May 24 - Strings Concert 4th grade 5:30 p.m. and 5th/6th grade 6:30 p.m.)
May 26 - Band Concert 5th and 6th grade - 7 p.m. (at Longfellow MS)
June 2 - Chorus Concert - 7 p.m.
June 6 - Kinder, First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade Field Day - Sign Up to Support here!
June 7 - K-5 Field Day Rain Date
June 8 - Sixth Grade Field Day/Celebration and Promotion 6:00 p.m.
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 truly looking forward to appreciate our fabulous staff! We are so thankful for their hard work. Thanks to the PTA for also planning a fabulous week for them.
This week, we will also begin a five week challenge around #kgpride. We will focus on 'patience' this next week. We will recognize all acts of patience! We will celebrate with a school wide assembly. Last but not least, we will challenge students to create a #kgpride flag that we can use going forward!
Please do note that on Monday, May 2nd, the FCPS Transportation department is anticipating major bus delays for arrival and dismissal. If you have the ability to walk, carpool, or utilize Kiss and Ride on 5/2, it will help make sure your child gets to school on time and is returned home in a timely manner. If your child normally uses the bus, thank you for your consideration in using alternate transportation on this day.
Please make sure you health screen your child before sending them to school on May 2. We will not be offering the weekly COVID screening testing. 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
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.
Student Placement Input 2022-23
One of our important tasks is determining class placements for the next school year. The school staff works collaboratively to begin planning teacher and student assignments for next year. It is the task of the grade level teachers, specialists, and administration to determine distribution of teachers and students to optimally organize classroom assignments for next year. A variety of factors such as student personalities, friendships, and academic abilities are also considered as we create our new classes. Other factors impacting the decision-making process of student class assignments are new student enrollment and teachers moving to a new assignment.
Kent Gardens' families can assist us in determining class placement by sharing their insights about their child with respect to academic and behavioral information. Please note the following: We do not accept requests for specific teachers for the upcoming grade placement. This includes hints that reference specific teachers. We cannot guarantee multiple friend requests nor exceptions for other students whereby there may be a conflict. That said, we do our best to ensure one friend so that your child feels comfortable during the school year. Completion of the form is optional: however, the deadline for any correspondence is May 6, 2022. Complete one form per child.
Positivity Project: Leadership
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This week, we are focusing on Leadership. You value each member of your group and inspire other people to do their best.
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"Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and actions.”
~Harold S. Geneen
Questions you might enjoy talking about:
- What are some of the characteristics of a good leader?
- Do you consider yourself a leader? If not, what are some characteristics that might make that more possible? If so, what are the characteristics of leadership you need to build on to make stronger?
- How does it make you feel to think about yourself as a leader?
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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.
Thanks for joining us for the virtual Parent Orientation. If you missed it, here is the link to the slide deck.
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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
- Reading -Thursday, May 5
- Science - Tuesday, May 10
- Math - Tuesday, May 17
- Grade 6
- Reading - Monday, May 9
- Math - Monday, May 16
Parental Retake Permission Form
Parents please complete the SOL Retake Parent Permission form for the upcoming Spring 2022 Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests. This form should be completed for EACH child in grades 3- 6 if you believe your child would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on the SOL test. This retest option will be for students who score in the 375-399 range (400 is passing). See the notification of the testing letter at https://www.fcps.edu/node/42716 and for more information about the SOL tests given in grades 3-8.
Student Tutoring Available
We are excited to share a new resource that is available to all Kent Gardens' students by mid April to support learning. All FCPS students will have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost. Tutoring services may be accessed before, during, or after school hours and/or on weekends through a link in Schoology. For more information, see the FCPS website. Check out the frequently asked questions for more information.
Longfellow Open House
Longfellow is excited welcome our newest Lancers to our Rising 7th Grade Open House on May 19 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm! Visitors will be able to walk the halls of Longfellow and see how our classrooms are set up, check out the cafeteria, hear from some of our student organizations and more! Longfellow administrators and counselors will be on hand to answer questions. There will not be a large-group presentation; this is an ‘Open House’ style event in which students may come with their family at any time during the evening.
If you have any questions, please contact Katie Madigan, Director of Student Services, at kemadigan@fcps.edu.
Sixth Grade Panorama Picture
The sixth grade will have their picture taken on Monday, May 2nd. Use this link to purchase. https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000917780#login
All orders placed before photo day will be shipped home with no shipping charge.
PTA News and Updates
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!
Teacher Appreciation Week recognizes our dedicated educators that play a critical role in educating our children and guide them in positive directions. Teachers change the lives of millions of children every day and their immense work and impact have provided a much-needed sense of community and connection. It's time to show them our love and appreciation so let's give the teachers in our lives a special thanks for all that they do!
Please join the Kent Gardens PTA as we #ThankATeacher during Kent Gardens' Teacher Appreciation Week, May 1-6, 2022.
Calling all volunteers to make this a wonderful week for our teachers. Each day we need either items or volunteers to make sure the meals run smoothly. We are also hosting an International Cuisine Potluck on Friday, May 6th with international food brought in from our parents! Please check out the sign-up sheet for various volunteer opportunities and consider volunteering your time. Thank you for your support! VOLUNTEER HERE!
We are also collecting donations to put towards providing meals and treats to all of our teachers during this special week. Donations in any amount are welcome and greatly appreciated. If you would like to participate to support these meals, please send funds via the PayPal Link.
(Please note - the donation link above differs from the donations set up from some of your room parents for your specific teacher and specialist. Should you still wish to donate for your teacher present, please reach out to your room parent).
Teacher Appreciation Week Events:
Sunday, May 1: Join us in the afternoon for a Chalk-In event. We will provide the chalk while you provide the artists. The kids can decorate the school ground with notes and pictures for their favorite teachers. The chalk will be available outside of the front door at noon until early evening. Students can also hang posters on the Kiss & Ride fence during this time.
Monday, May 2: Flower Walk. Please have your child bring in 2 flowers (one for their homeroom teacher and one for another staff member) to create beautiful flower arrangements. These flowers will be collected at the front of the school in the morning and handed out during the day.
Tuesday, May 3: Students should wear clothes in their teachers' favorite colors.
Wednesday, May 4: Please join us for our Bike/Walk to school day! This celebration encourages students to walk or bike to school while teaching them about the health, environmental and transportation benefits of walking and biking. There will be a banner for all participants to sign. Also, wear clothes in your teacher's favorite sports team, colors or mascots.
Thursday, May 5: Make a card for your teacher! New this year: "Dress Like Your Teacher" Day - Get creative, have fun, and dress like your homeroom teacher or any of our other fabulous KG teachers!
Friday, May 6: Spirit Wear Day - we encourage families to wear KG Spirit Wear to come together as a community and let our teachers know we support and appreciate all they do every single day! (See below for Spirit Wear links!)
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PTA BOARD POSITIONS
We have several PTA Board positions available next year as our current Officers are completing their terms: VP Enrichment, VP Special Programs, Secretary, Financial Secretary, and President-Elect.
If anyone is interested in being a part of the Board or learning more, please contact Andrea at KGPTAPresidentElect@gmail.com
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