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Excited to have Lisa Waters recognized as Teacher of the Year representing the McLean Pyramid. She will move onto Region! We wish her luck!
Parents can still recognize teachers through FCPS Cares throughout the year. The link is here! We have such a great staff!
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Important Upcoming Dates
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February 1: 5th/6th grade Strings Rehearsal
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February 2: 4th Grade Strings Rehearsal
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February 6: 5th/6th Grade Strings Rehearsal
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February 7: 4th Grade Strings Rehearsal
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February 7: Strings Concert - (Arrival 5:00 p.m.) Concert - 5:30 p.m. 4th Grade and (Arrival 6:00 p.m.) Concert - 6:30 p.m. 5th/6th Grade
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February 15: Lottery closes for Dual Language Immersion
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February 16: STEAM/Math Night - Save the Date!
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February 16: Beginning Band Rehearsal
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February 17: Adv. Band Rehearsal
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February 20: President's Day - no school
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February 23: Band Concert -Detailed Information to follow
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March 2: Two Hour - Early Release
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March 3: Teacher Workday
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March 9: Literacy Night - Save the Date!
FCPS School Year Calendar for 2022-23 https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar/2022-23-school-year-calendar
Reminders ~ Attendance/Dismissal
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Sick Children: If your child is sick or displaying signs of an illness, please keep them home. We have many students arriving at school not feeling well and subsequently going home in the morning from the clinic.
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Dismissal - if your child is attending an after school program, please remind them that morning. We do have the PTA Enrichment starting tomorrow and we want students to be prepared.
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Transportation Changes - If your child has a transportation change, please use this link. It is located on our website as well for future reference under Attendance and and then click on Transportation change. If it is a new routine, please insert accordingly. The teachers and office will be notified automatically.
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Absences or Known Tardy - Here is the link for for an absence or known delay to arrival.
Dear Parents,
We hope that all enjoyed the long weekend. Our teachers participated in professional development and collaborated on planning for the next quarter.
As we end the second quarter, note that the progress report card modules in ParentVUE will be closed Wednesday, January 25, at 4 p.m. until Monday, February 6, 2023. Progress reports will be available on February 6, 2023 by mid morning.
We will be reviewing the SR&R with the students in the third quarter. Given that FCPS cell phone expectations are new, we wanted to highlight that in kindergarten-sixth grade student’s phones must be silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day. Watches that serve a dual purpose (e.g., smart watch) may be worn; however, phone features (e.g., texting, Internet, calls, etc.) are to be off when phone use is prohibited. The full SR&R can be accessed online at: https://www.fcps.edu/srr
We are looking forward to STEAM/Math Night on February 16th from 5 - 7 p.m. We have many engaging activities that includes: estimation stations, Mad Scientist, Snapology to name a few. Math teachers will be offering engaging sessions to support student learning. Parents are expected to attend with their child. We need some middle and high school volunteers. Please complete this google form for your middle/high school child(ren) to volunteer.
We are also hosting Literacy Night on March 9th. We are collecting volunteers in the same google form. Volunteers can support both events or choose one event. We appreciate the support!
Provide your input for the calendar for 2023-24. Link is here.
Thanks for your support!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
KG 2023 Spelling Bee Registration Grades 3-6
Would your child (in grades 3 - 6) like to participate in the Kent Gardens Spelling Bee? To enroll, please complete this registration form. The enrollment deadline is Friday, February 10th. Vocabulary is a prerequisite/component of the spelling bee. The vocabulary assessment requires that students understand the meaning of each word.
The spelling bee will be organized as follows:
- 1. The paper/pencil Vocabulary Test will be conducted during school on Wednesday, February 15th at 9:00 a.m. (Snow date: Wednesday, February 22nd at 9:00 a.m.) Students will answer 25 multiple choice vocabulary questions. The twenty (20) participants with the highest scores on the Vocabulary Test will be invited to compete in the Oral Spelling Bee.
- 2. The Oral Spelling Bee will be conducted on Wednesday, March 1st at 2:00 p.m. in the Library. (Snow date: Monday, March 6th at 2:00.)
- 3. The winner of the Oral Spelling Bee will represent Kent Gardens at the 2023 Fairfax County Spelling Bee on Sunday, March 19th (2:00-6:00) at Lake Braddock Secondary School! (The competition will be in-person, local health regulations permitting.) Please contact Sheri Emory, Reading Specialist at saemory@fcps.edu if you have any questions or concerns.
Immersion Lottery
Thanks for joining us for Immersion Information Night this past Wednesday evening. The World Languages office will post the slide deck shortly. The lottery opens on January 23rd and closes on February 15th. More information is available at this link. There are no formal criteria for enrollment, but the program is only open to residents of Fairfax County. Online registration is available at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/dual-language-immersion-programs-registration.
A SIS parent account is required to complete the application. If a student is not currently enrolled in FCPS, registration at the base school for the upcoming school year will be required to obtain a SIS parent account. Contact Tracy Dean at tadean@fcps.edu. If parents are residing out of the country and returning - please reach out to the World Languages office for enrollment information. Contact Bryan Espichan at 571-423-4602.
Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15, for the first grade DLI program (French). Families will be notified regarding lottery outcomes via email on February 28 for the first-grade immersion programs. Transportation will not be provided for students residing outside the immersion school’s attendance area.
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Kindergarten Registration and Interest 2023-24
We are excited to begin our thinking about 2023-24! 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. Here is a link to registration information. Forms must be brought 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 31st 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 April 13th we will hold 'in person' parent tours and a student 'meet and greet' with the teachers from 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. Note that April 13th is a student early release day. It is REQUIRED to sign up to attend with your child(ren) Please complete this google form to sign up. 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! We will have a bus to tour!
Buy Your Yearbook Now!
There will be no in person purchases - only online!
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Buy your yearbook now! Parents may use the code to the left or go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 21772. Yearbooks are ONLY available through online purchase and will be distributed directly to your home address. |
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Your feedback is important! FCPS is seeking community input on the draft calendar options for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years. Please share your thoughts with us by filling out this form before Tuesday, January 31, 1 p.m. The form will be available in other languages soon. |
SEL Survey Update - March Window
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) commits to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning (SEL). The School Board has approved a screener to review students’ skills and experiences in these areas. FCPS staff will use the screener to identify strengths and needs for students in grades 3-12. SEL skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The screener will review these skills, as well as students’ relationships, feelings of belonging, feelings about their school environment, and mood. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success.
To review what the screener looks like by grade level, please go to the FCPS SEL Screener webpage. The SEL Screener window for Winter is March 1-24, 2023. For more information, please connect with your child’s counselor, Katharine Altman, kaltman@fcps.edu or Elizabeth MacDonald, emacdonald@fcps.edu
Please respond no later than February 24th, if you would like your child to be opted out of the SEL Screener by completing this google form. The Opt Out is good through the calendar year. Please note if you have already opted your child from taking the SEL Screener, you do not need to resubmit an opt out.
KG Staff Rocks!
Taking a moment to 'thank one another' for the support that ALL give to each other daily! We are lucky to have such a great team!
FCPS Cares!
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Kent Gardens ES. We love our KGES staff members, let's tell them how we feel!
Resources and Information for Families
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McLean Pyramid - Preparing Families for Difficult Conversations about Alcohol & Drugs
The Office of Student Safety and Wellness is hosting a presentation on January 30th at McLean HS from 6-8:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall. The event is for adults only and will
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FCPS Tech Adventure Camp
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office of FPCS is planning a Tech Adventure Camp (TAC), a weekly exploratory camp designed to give students the opportunity to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, business, and marketing areas. The camp is open to students in grades K-6 during the 2022-23 school year.
Open to students in grades K-6 during the 2022-23 school year. Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come basis until seats are filled. All students are welcome: FCPS students, Students enrolled in private schools, Students who are homeschooled, Non-Fairfax County residents.
Summer Camps Registration
Summer Learning Programs Registration: Opening Soon!
FCPS’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps will open for registration on Wednesday, February 1.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to give current K-6 students an opportunity to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Visit the TAC webpage for more information.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 7-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Visit the CSA website for more information and registration.
Institute for the Arts Camps (IFTA)
IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA website for more information and registration.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging. Visit the E-IFTA website for more information and registration.
FCPS February Webinars
Don’t miss any of these new and informative webinars FCPS will be offering in February! All webinars are free and open to parents, educators, and community members. Interpreters are available by request.
- Meet the Author Series - All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum by Kathy Hoopmann: Thursday, February 9 from 7:00 – 8:00pm
- Neurodiversity at Elementary Schools - How families can partner with schools: Friday, February 10 at 10:00 am
- Special webinar presented in Arabic - Strategies to support children with emotional stress: February 3 at 10:00 am
- Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education: Wednesday, February at 6:30 pm
- Supporting Mental Health Through Play - Special 2-part interactive session: Friday, February 17 at 10:00 am (Session 1) and Friday, February 24 at 10:00 am (Session 2)
For more information about each webinar and to register, use this link: Webinar Information/Registration
PTA Updates
Help us meet our goal of raising $45,000 for our One & Done Fundraising Campaign. Upon reaching our goal, there will be a school-wide celebration!
THANK YOU to the families who have contributed so far! Thank you for your generosity and support! Let's work together to achieve a great year filled with learning new things, working together, and having a lot of fun! #kgpride #strongertogether #WeAllBelong
Donate to One & Done Here
Come Join PTA Sponsored Activities!
Speaker: Dr. Bonnie Zucker
We enjoyed having Dr. Bonnie Zucker speak on Thursday, January 19, 2023. Here is her slide deck if you missed it. It was an excellent meeting on social power and social media.
Dr. Bonnie Zucker is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Rockville, MD, where she specializes in childhood anxiety disorders, utilizing a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment approach. Dr. Zucker is the author of several books, including her most recent, How to Manage your Social Power in Middle School, part of the Kid Confident book series.
CHESS CLUB
Want to have fun and learn new strategic skills? Then Chess Club is for you! Any Kent Gardens student in 2nd through 6th grade may join the Chess Club. Chess Club will meet on Wednesdays from 3:45pm to 5:15pm in the cafeteria at Kent Gardens Elementary. The Spring session will start on Wednesday, February 1st, and continue through May 31st. Registration deadline is Monday, January 30th, or until we hit maximum capacity, whichever comes first. Cost is $140. Click here to register!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The PTA needs individuals to serve as points of contact for Girls On The Run as well as Spirit Wear. Both positions start immediately and run through the end of school year.
Please contact kgptapresident@gmail.com for more information or to volunteer!
AMAZON SMILE
Don't forget to shop through Amazon Smile and select Kent Gardens PTA as your organization to support.
Every amount helps give back to our school, our programming, and our PTA.
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