A Note From Administration
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We have included new items to gain parent input regarding student placement and gather student intentions (focused on notifying the school if you are moving or attending another school) for the next school year 2024-25.
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Student Placements - we welcome parent input for placements for the upcoming year 2024-25. Here is a link for you to include your thoughts and responses. Note that we cannot make guarantees but will consider your feedback. This form should be completed by March 31, 2024.
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Student Intentions - If you plan on moving or attend a different school for the 2024-25 school year, please complete this form. Note that students who are affected by the boundary change do not need to remit this form. It is to capture students who are moving out of state or otherwise.
Below, we have included information with respect to the upcoming Kindergarten Information Session (virtual) on March 20th and the In Person Student/Parent Orientation/Tour on April 2nd. The rising Kindergarten Intention Form helps us gather information regarding your child(ren). By completing this form, it gives us the opportunity to gain insight regarding your child. We look forward to meeting all of our new kindergarteners! Sixth graders may sign up to support the tours on April 2nd here.
As we look forward, we have many events to note! We do have Literacy Night on March 13th which will be held 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. The week of March 11 - 15, we also have the Spring Book Fair sponsored by the PTA.
We are looking forward to our Cultural Heritage Night (aka International Night) on March 16th 4 - 6:30 p.m. Below the PTA has shared more detailed information regarding the evening. The sign up to participate is here. The evening will be a slightly different format in order to accommodate all of our cultures and volume of students! Plan on fabulous food, an opportunity to share your culture with an activity and/or through song or dance (limited time frame) culminated by a parade of countries. The activities will have a classroom assigned similar to Math/Steam Night and Literacy Night. We look forward to seeing everyone!
Note our school starts at 8:50 a.m. Many students are arriving late and not able to fully participate in the morning work. This time is essential for a calm start of the day. If you child has had a fever, please have them stay home for 24 hours to fully recuperate.
Note that students should be supervised after school. They should not be on the playground at dismissal - we have had numerous incidents whereby students are unsupervised.
Note that March 5th, schools are closed for the Presidential Primary. SACC is open. Thanks for all of your continued support!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Spelling Bee - !
Congrats to ALL of students finalists who participated in the Spelling Bee. We don't have all of the students pictured but want to recognize all of the them through this message. We learned many words and enjoyed the challenge!
Dates, Attendance and Office Reminders
March 5 - School Closed - Virginia Presidential Primary
March 6 - Spring Picture Day - See info. below
March 11 - 15 - Spring Book Fair
- March 12 - Parents and Pastries 8 a.m. - 8: 45 a.m.
- March 13 - Parent Night ~ 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
March 13 - Literacy Night - Google form for volunteer students! Parents should attend with your child(ren)
March 16 - Heritage Cultural Night (International Night) 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. See PTA info below for sign up) Parents should attend with your child(ren)
March 20 - Virtual Parent Kindergarten Information Session 8:00 a.m. (Link to follow - see blurb below)
April 2 - In Person - Parent/Child Kindergarten Orientation 2:00 p.m. (See detailed blurb below)
April 6 - Fun Run is Back!!
SAVE THE DATES
Sixth Grade Farewell - June 10
Sixth Grade Celebration - June 11
FCPS annual calendar is here. Attendance link is here. Please do use our links at the Kent Gardens website to notify of tardy, early pick up, absence or change in dismissal (temporary transportation change). Office Reminders are here for your review.
Early Check Out: If you must check out your student early, submit online request preferably before 9:30 am. Your notification helps your teachers and office to coordinate, prepare and locate your child. Sign out on the Office Sign out clipboard and wait in the lobby/office. We will call the student upon your arrival. Students will only be released to parents, guardians, and authorized emergency contacts. Please be prepared and have your drivers license or other identification ready. The latest checkout is 2:45pm.
Kent Gardens also posts pictures weekly on Facebook. Many new pictures are uploaded this week! Like our site to see pictures of our daily work and activities!
Kindergarten Updates 2024-25
We look forward to meeting our rising kindergarten students. We will hold two events to support the entry into Kent Gardens.
KG Talks
Thanks to Ms. Waters and Ms. Tuma for supporting the students in speaking and sharing their voice while building confidence. The students were well prepared and their hard work was evident! We are proud of all of the students and appreciate the parent support! We look forward to more of our students sharing their voice on March 13th at Literacy Night!
Order your KG Yearbook Now!
Use the QR code and order today! The code is 21772 accessible at Yearbookorddercenter.com
We had an amazing number of entries - stay tuned for the yearbook finalists!! Thanks to ALL who participated - we appreciate your participation and hard work! #kgpride
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Science Olympiad Div. B Qualifies for State Finals!
Thanks to the leadership of Mr. Shivnen and our parent mentors/volunteers! The team will work together for the State Finals at UVA on April 6th. Well done!
Kent Gardens Boundary Update ~ Google Form
This resource is ONLY for families for those affected by the boundary change. Note the link below to check if you are affected. Families NOT affected do not need to respond. To prepare for the 2024-25 school year and provide a smooth transition to the new elementary school boundaries in the McLean area, Fairfax County Public Schools requests impacted families to complete a brief information form by February 29, 2024.
Complete the McLean Area Elementary Boundary Adjustment Information Form. The form asks the current school your child attends, the school your child will be attending next school year (2024-25), and your transportation needs. Additional information will be collected regarding AAP, special education, and immersion program participation.
All affected families should complete the form, even if you are choosing to attend your newly assigned school. Please understand that families who do NOT respond to the form by the February 29 deadline will NOT be able to access school bus transportation to or from school for school year 2024-25.
The following resources are available to assist you:
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School Picture Day is coming Wednesday, March 6, 2024! Images will be available to view and purchase approximately 10 days following our school's picture day. Victor O’Neill Studios is pleased to offer free shipping during a two week period once images are online. Please feel free to direct questions regarding picture day or online ordering to: Underclass@vosphoto.com
We will need volunteers - stay tuned!
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PTA News
Come volunteer this year! Fill out the PTA's volunteer interest form and let us know if you'd like to be matched with an opportunity to give back to this amazing community! Find the form here!
Ways to Get Involved at Kent Gardens
Spring Book Fair Needs Volunteers
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Our Book Fair will run March 11- 15 and coincide with literacy night. Let us know if you are interested in supporting this year.
Cultural Heritage Night will be on March 16. We look forward to getting many parent volunteers to make this a wonderful experience. More news to share.
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KGES Food Bus Food Rescue Program Volunteers Needed on FRIDAYS
Do you have a half-hour to spare on Friday afternoons to deliver food to SHARE of McLean Food Pantry at McLean Baptist Church? Interested in getting involved in this program? Please sign up here and/or email lanavu@gmail.com or beccadw@gmail.com with questions. Service hours available for middle/high school students! Thank you for your ongoing support. We could not do this amazing program without you.
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Teacher Love Days on Wednesdays
Sign-up to provide treats for our KG staff on Wednesday! Are you a blue-ribbon award winning baker? No. That's okay. Our teachers appreciate ALL treats that we deliver to the teacher's lounge every Wednesday. You can create little bags of candy, stop by your favorite bakery, or whip up great-grandma's kugel or simply bring some coffee to share. The only limit is your imagination. Sign-up to provide treats here!
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Girls On The Run
Registration for the spring Girls on the Run program takes place Feb. 5-27, and the program will run from March 4 through May 19. By using a curriculum that creatively integrates physical activity with life lessons, GOTR empowers girls in grades 3-6 to develop the confidence and character they need to become strong and healthy young adults. The standard program fee is $185. GOTR offers military and sibling discounts, as well as financial assistance. Register now. If the link appears broken, it's not! Just redirect your browser to gotrnova.com.Contact site liaison Danielle Newman at kges.gotr@gmail.com with any questions.
Cultural Heritage Night - March 16th - Saturday
Mark your calendars and join us for one of our most popular events of the year – CULTURAL HERITAGE NIGHT! MARCH 16TH, 4:00-6:30 p.m. Come and celebrate the lands we love, the countries we’re from and ALL the places we want to go. Our school will be transformed so that it feels like you’re taking a trip around the world! You can:
- Carry your native flag and march in our annual parade!
- Visit classrooms which will be set up to represent various countries, and enjoy entertainment, arts and crafts, and more! Make sure to stop in every country to get your “passport” stamped!
- Sample delicious food in our World Café!
- So much more!
We need YOUR help to make this event a success! If you would like to participate by donating your native food, talent and cultural pride – please fill out THIS FORM. We are asking families to designate which part of the event they would like to participate in. Once we have collected all of the responses, we will connect families with a similar culture or heritage.
Volunteers and donations are also needed (we will be sending a separate Signup Genius for this). There will also be volunteer opportunities for middle and high school students. If you have any questions, please contact KGHeritageNight@gmail.com. A reminder that this event is open to EVERYONE! However, children must be accompanied by an adult – no drop-offs. Again, please fill out THIS FORM if you are interested in taking part. We can’t wait to see everyone there!
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