Dates to Note
May 17 - Virtual Meeting/Introduction Dr. Michelle Reid (link below)
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 (sign up here)
June 8 - Sixth Grade Field Day (sign up )/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,
An amazing week - we appreciate all the love! The food and other gifts were simply AMAZING! Thanks for coordinating and planning daily lunches and other tokens of appreciation for our staff. It is our partnership that makes a difference.♥
This week, we began a five week challenge around #kgpride. We focused on 'patience' this week and recognized all acts of patience! This week, we will look for 'respect'. We are looking forward to building #kgpride and celebrating the end of the year with a school wide assembly.
In addition, we are initiating a #kgpride flag challenge. Ask your child to create their version of the #kgpride flag and we will choose one for the school going forward. It can include any of the #kgpride attributes as well as our lion! Students should turn into the office. Our deadline is 5/28/2022.
We are planning for the year end. To this end, please come out and support our school for Field Day! .
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Field Day Sign Up - Please sign up for Field Day! Here is the link to support!
- Sixth grade parents - use this link to purchase the panoramic sixth grade picture https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000917780#login
- Sixth Grade Parents - use this link to sign up for Field Day. See the note below from the PTA regarding the Celebration.
We have experienced an increase in student health issues. Please make sure you health screen your child before sending them to school on May 9th. The new quarantine is 5 days with a return after that time with masking and no symptoms. 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
A Huge Heartfelt Thank You to our families for your Appreciation Last Week!!
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.
Dr. Reid Virtual Town Hall May 17th 7:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, May 17 at 7 p.m., incoming superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will join staff, families, and students for a multilingual virtual town hall. Watch your email and upcoming issues of FCPS This Week for more details, including how to register. Dr. Reid will be hosting additional engagement sessions throughout the county after her official start date on July 1. Dr. Reid held an in-person town hall May 3 that can be viewed on the FCPS YouTube Channel.
Positivity Project: Other People Matter
Having an other people mindset means encompassing these 5 elements to help build positive relationships: identifying and appreciating the good in others, knowing my words and actions affect others, supporting others when they struggle, cheering others’ successes, and being present and giving others my attention. Our character is complex. It is a combination of our thoughts, feelings and actions. Just like other things in our life, we have strengths and weaknesses of character as well. As you spend time together at home, now and in the future - consider the following:
- Why are our strengths important?
- How can knowing our weaknesses in character help us grown?
- How can you challenge yourself to be the best possible version of yourself?
“We rise by lifting others.” ~Robert Ingersoll
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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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McLean HS Visits KG Kinders!
The Creative Writing students wrote their own stories for our kinders. What a wonderful moment and experience - thanks to our high school students.
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.
First Grade Field Trip - The ZOO!!
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.
FCPS Health Updates
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) continues to monitor cases and report COVID-19 outbreaks, as outlined by the Virginia Department of Health. Currently, Fairfax County's Community Level remains low as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our layered prevention strategies are being implemented based on our COVID-19 Community Level, as recommended by the CDC.
However, FCPS has seen a recent increase in COVID-19 cases and outbreaks and parents/legal guardians are reminded of the daily health screening requirement to check their students for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. Parents and guardians are advised to keep their students home if sick and get them tested to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
VaxUp
We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated or boosted as soon as they are eligible. COVID-19 vaccination keeps children safely in school and childcare settings, and also while participating in sports, playdates, extracurricular activities, and other group activities. Strong community vaccination rates help keep our schools safe for in-person learning. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, or to find a vaccine provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website.
Masking
As a reminder, students may return to school after five days of isolation if they are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are improving. As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) individuals should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for five additional days (day six through day 10) after the end of the five day isolation period. If individuals are unable to wear a mask when around others, they should continue to isolate for a full 10 days at home. While not required, wearing a mask while indoors is still considered an important way to protect yourself and others. Families are encouraged to discuss mask wearing as an additional layered prevention strategy.
PTA News and Updates
6TH GRADE REMINDERS
On June 8th from 11am-1pm, the 6th graders will be celebrating with a Hollywood-themed event! The event will include food, games, a DJ and much more!
- Please provide your child(ren)'s t-shirt size by Friday,May 6th (today!) by completing this Google Form.
- To ensure the day is memorable and we can do all that is planned, we are asking for parent donations. Any amount you are able to contribute will be appreciated, however we are recommending $40 per 6th grader. To donate, please click here to submit payment by Monday, May 16th.
3. Please complete this waiver for your child(ren) to participate in Bubble Ball and Hamster Ball activities no later than Monday, May 16th. If we don't have a waiver by this date, your child will not be able to participate in this activity.
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. PTA BOARD POSITIONS
If anyone is interested in being a part of the Board or learning more, please contact Andrea at KGPTAPresidentElect@gmail.com
RISING KINDERGARTENER PLAYDATES
The PTA and KG parents are hosting a series of events and programs to help kindergarten families to get to know each other and learn more about the school during the coming months and the first weeks of school. Information about the kinder playdates and other back to school events are listed below.
Kinder Playdates—Kinder playdates are informal get-togethers on the Kent Gardens playground and are hosted by the PTA and other Kindergarten parents. You are welcome at any or all playdates. Information about the PTA and school programs will be available during the playdates. Remember sunscreen—the playground is not shaded! Please note, bathrooms will not be available during the playdates.
- Saturday, May 21, 10:00am – 12:00 noon
- Sunday, June 26, 9:00am – 11:00am
- Wednesday, July 20, 6:00 – 8:00pm
- Saturday, August 6, 9:00am – 11:00am
- Wednesday, August 17, 6:00 – 8:00 (This is our Pre-Open House playdate, and class assignments may have been distributed. If so, students will be able to identify students in their class.)
You can confirm the status of the play dates on the Kent Gardens PTA Facebook page.
Back-to-School Events
- Wednesday, August 10, 2022: New Family Gathering - 5:00 – 6:00 (Tours available)
- Thursday, August 11, 2022 : New Family Gathering Rain date
- Thursday, August 18, 2022: Open House 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 31 or Thursday, September 1 (Date TBA): Back to School Night
Bethany Nguyen, Chair, Kindergarten Kick-off Program
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