☀️ Solar Eclipse on April 8
A rare and exciting astronomical phenomenon is happening on April 8: a solar eclipse. Students will have a chance to view the eclipse while at school; however, this requires important safety practices. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes. To ensure students can safely view the eclipse, we have approved eyewear (ISO 12312-2 approved glasses.
On April 8th, each class/grade level will have the opportunity to view the eclipse at a designated time. We will stagger times to ensure safety and structure. Your child's teacher should have communicated with you and provided a link to Opt your child out of the short viewing. Please contact your child's afternoon teacher if you need additional information or as always you can contact administration. You may check your child(ren) out early if you want to enjoy with your child. Note that our dismissal is at 3:30 p.m. which is very close to the full eclipse. Students will wear the glasses at dismissal. Please do talk with your child around the importance of wearing the glasses. A huge thanks to the PTA for supporting our school with the purchase of the glasses!
Here are some important reminders:
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Do not look at the sun without approved eyewear. We encourage you to reinforce this at home.
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Regular sunglasses are not good enough. We will be providing eyewear that has been approved for viewing.
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Eclipse timing: The eclipse starts around 2:04 p.m., peaks at 3:20 p.m., and ends around 4:32 p.m. If you have concerns about your child walking or riding the bus home, please arrange for alternative transportation.
For more details, visit the FCPS Solar Eclipse webpage.
Fun Run - A Wonderful Event!
Thanks to our PTA for organizing the Spring Spectacular Fun Run! Weather was perfect ♥
A Note From Administration
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are excited to be back at school and we have been busy! April is an action packed month of activities and learning. Note that you can expect 3rd quarter progress reports to be available in ParentVue on April 15.
This month is the Month of the Military Child! Kent Gardens is a Purple Star School. The designation is awarded to schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. We will enjoy celebrating our military through various activities. See the Spirit Week information for next week below and join us!
We look forward to seeing everyone at Cultural Heritage Night is April 20 - Sign up here to participate! The event will be from 4 - 6 p.m. Here is a new google form to complete. More info. below.
Finally, an early Eid Mubarak to our families who will be ending the season of Ramadan next week. Please see below for more information about this cultural observance and regarding the scheduling impacts in FCPS. Note that school is closed on April 10th in observance of this holiday.
April is also National Library Month and we are recognizing their work the week of April 7 - 13. We definitely want to take the time to give a huge shout out to Karen Hershey and Shahrzad Nabaki. They are consistently working to provide wonderful reading options for our students. Explore all that school library programs have to offer for student learning, and the important roles that school librarians play in the school community. Please take the time to recognize their hard work!
Last but not least, this week is National Assistant Principal Week! Thank you to Ms. Hawkins and Ms. Talley for their hard work and commitment!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Heritage Night - April 20 ~ 4 - 6 p.m.
We have rescheduled the Cultural Heritage Night in collaboration with our PTA. With the adjustment in the dates, the focus will be on building community and sharing through our food and the fabulous parade. We will have tables set up for various countries to share their culture/artifacts and the option of including a small activity for students. We will not have musical presentations on the gym stage nor in the classrooms, but you are welcome to play music at your table. We welcome all and hope that everyone is able to attend. The event will be from 4 - 6 p.m. Here is a new google form to complete. Please do complete again even if you signed up on the previous document. For the next school year, we will schedule a Heritage Night in the fall that is more expansive.
Order your KG Yearbook Now!
Use the QR code and order today! The code is 21772 accessible at Yearbookorddercenter.com
Our yearbook is nearing completion - buy your yearbook NOW!
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Student Intentions If Moving
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.
Eid al-Fitr ~ April 10th Holiday
In Islam, Eid-al-Fitr is a three day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Muslims dress in new clothes, give charity, and pray in congregation. Eid is celebrated with the exchange of presents and delicious food with family and friends. Read more at Britannica.com.
Tuesday, April 9, has been designated as a half-O day. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. Wednesday, April 10, is an FCPS holiday and all schools and offices will be closed. See the complete School Year Calendar.
Dates, Attendance and Office Reminders
April - Month of the Military Child
April 10 - School Holiday - Eid al-Fitr- No school for Students/Staff
April 12 - Homeroom Class Picture Day
April 13- Spring Grounds Clean-up
April 15- Quarter 3 grades available in SIS ParentVUE
April 17 - Purple Up Day - Let's Celebrate our Military and wear purple!!
April 19 - PTA Meeting 8:45 a.m.
April 20 - Cultural Heritage Night 4 - 6 p.m.
May 3- Teacher Workday/Student Holiday
May 9th and 10th - Second Grade CRIT
May 6 - 10 - Teacher Appreciation
May 8 - Bike & Walk to School Day
May 20th and 21st - Sixth Grade CRIT
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!
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Spring Photos Are Online!
Hello Kent Gardens Elementary School Families! Victor O'Neill Studios recently held Spring Portrait Day at our schools and Spring pictures are available online at the link below. We've become aware that the recently shared link may not have worked for everyone, so please follow the instructions below to access the photos if you're having any trouble.
If this link does not direct you to the Victor O'Neill Studios website, please copy the text and paste it into your browser search bar to visit the page.
Please remember, the online code is the Student ID Number. For questions about orders, please email underclass@vosphoto.com
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Save the Date - Longfellow MS Jump Start 2024
Jump Start is an opportunity for rising 7th grade students to learn more about middle school and meet other students before the school year begins. Jump Start dates are August 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. Students choose to attend during Session 1 (Monday & Tuesday) or Session 2 (Wednesday & Thursday) from 8:30 - 12:00 each day. Further details forthcoming regarding the registration process! If you have any questions feel free to contact our After-School Specialist, Lavina Gangwani-Colaco - lkgangwanico@fcps.edu.
Standards of Learning Dates
Parents please mark your calendars for these dates to plan ahead!
- May 7- Fourth and Fifth Grade Reading SOL
- May 8 - Third and Sixth Grade Reading SOL
- May 14 - Fourth and Fifth Grade Math SOL
- May 15 - Third and Sixth Grade Math SOL
- May 17- Fifth Grade Science SOL
Autism Acceptance Month
April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.
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Sixth Grade Field Trip!
Kindergarten Updates 2024-25
We look forward to meeting our rising kindergarten students. Our virtual parent information session is Available here. To register your child, use this link. Please share information about your rising kindergartener here. It will help us ensure that we have staffing and also support placement needs.
Thanks to our sixth graders for supporting the parent tours - they are the best!
Purple Up! Day - April 17, 2024
Throughout the month of April, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will be honoring the invaluable contributions of military-connected youth with the Month of the Military Child and Purple Up! Day.
FCPS would like to express its gratitude to these unsung heroes. With approximately 14,000 military-connected students, FCPS recognizes the extraordinary strength military-connected students possess in order to navigate the military lifestyle. The resilience and courage of our military-connected youth does not go unnoticed, and their commitment to supporting their service member parents and guardians deserves the utmost admiration and respect.
As part of this month-long recognition, FCPS will celebrate Purple Up! Day on April 17, 2024. Schools and community members are encouraged to wear purple as a visible gesture of their appreciation and support for military-connected youth. In addition to Purple Up! Day, FCPS school communities are coming together to honor their military-connected students in meaningful and creative ways. To connect with more FCPS resources, please email militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
What we will do at Kent Gardens?
Check out our spirit week plan. We will also be doing other activities throughout the month at school.
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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
Volunteer to Host a Kinder Playdate
Kinder Playdates are informal gatherings on the KGES playground so our rising kindergarteners and their families can meet each other. We are looking for hosts, preferably current kinder or 1st grade families who can help answer questions. We need hosts for:
Saturday, May 18, 10:00am - 12:00noon Saturday, June 23, 9:00am – 11:00am Wednesday, July 17, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
It's an easy and fun volunteer opportunity. If you're interested, email Andrea!
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
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. The only limit is your imagination. Sign-up to provide treats here!
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.
Teacher Appreciation Week Coming May 6-10
The KGES PTA will be celebrating Teacher Appreciating Week May 6-10. Look out for more information and our sign-up genius links for grade level themes after Spring Break! We can't wait to show our staff how much we LOVE them!!!
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