Three Hour Early Release Update
As we plan forward for October 28th, we will remit an email indicating what we have on file for your child(ren) based on the September three hour early release. If you have a change, please indicate by using this google form. Note we have a regular two hour early release on Oct 31st. Dismissal will take place as usual. There will be no child care option.
The dates for the Three Hour Early Release are as follows: 10/28, 12/9 (change from 11/25), 2/24, 3/17, 4/28 and 5/19. Note the change in the November 25th date - it is now December 9th. We will use the current spreadsheet from 9/23 and parents should notify us with changes for 10/28.
Picture Day:)
We wore out best with a smile!
Administration Notes
Dear Parents,
We are looking forward to Book Fair next week. We have Parents and Pastries as well as Family Night. We do apologize for the issues with links in the News You Choose and are working to ensure the integrity of the links. For this mailing, we have updated all links. We will continue to work on this end!
Note that we have amended the Fall Celebration date to October 31st. Students will be permitted to wear costumes (book character emphasis) but remember, no weapons nor masks and students should be prepared to learn that day. The kindergarteners will parade for us and their parents that morning.
Please check out the dates below. We have Monday, October 14th as a student holiday as it is reserved for Staff Professional Learning. In addition, we have also committed to holding November 4th open for parent conferences.
Last but note least, we are celebrating Digital Citizenship Week - we have included the opportunity to wear Spirit Wear in honor of the week. There are also resources available to parents in the blurb below.
Thanks as always for your support!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Plan Forward - Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
October 14: Holiday - No School for Students
October 15 - 18: Digital Citizenship Week - see the Spirit Days below!
October 20: KG Opp to Buy Commander Tickets! Playing the Carolina Panthers! See below!
October 21 - 25: School Book Fair
- October 18 - 21 - Set Up and Class Previews
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Tuesday, Oct 21: Parents and Pastries (8:00 AM- 8:45 AM)
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Wednesday, Oct 22: Class Buying (During the Day) and Family Night (4:00 PM-7:00 PM)
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Thursday, Oct 23: Class Buying
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Friday, Oct 24: Open Buy and Pack up
October 25: Next PTA Meeting 8:45 a.m.
October 28: Three Hour Early Release - If you have changes from the last early release in September, please complete this google form.
October 31: Fall Class Celebration - Kindergarten Parade 9:15 a.m. - TWO HOUR Early Release 1:35 p.m. - End of Quarter
November 7: Parent Engagement Night - 6 pm. Come learn about the new Reading Platform ~ Benchmark, the FCPS Math focus as well as Portrait of a Graduate (POG) Presentations of Learning. (Parents Only ~) (We will host Math/STEAM Night and Literacy Night later in 2025.)
2024-25 FCPS School Calendar
Third Graders - They Love a Photo Opp!
Second Grade Cognitive Ability Testing Notification
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered the mornings of October 15, 16 and 17. The CogAT measures students’ reasoning abilities in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal areas. Note that this assessment is not a test that requires any preparation, as it is designed to assess a child’s natural thinking and problem-solving skills. Please ensure your child is well-rested and arrives on time to school.
Focus on Integrity
This week, our school will focus on the character strength of Integrity. Integrity means being honest, truthful, and genuine. Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. People with integrity tell the truth and align their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They have the courage to stick to their beliefs, even if it means not following the crowd. Integrity is closely related to honesty and authenticity.
Integrity is essential for personal growth and well-being. When your thoughts, feelings, and actions are in harmony, you can grow and achieve your goals. Being authentic and genuine makes you more likable and trusted by others, improving your relationships.
To practice and encourage the character strength of integrity at home, please visit the Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families. There, you can watch a video, read a quote, and discuss three questions together. Thank you for your continued support!
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Digital Citizenship Week
While it coincides with Book Fair Week - it offers an opportunity to come together around the technology that surrounds us daily. Join us by wearing Spirit Wear for the week! There are also opportunities for families to explore digital connectivity and digital literacy learning. On the Digital Equity and Inclusion website, families can learn how to:
- Find Free WiFi
- Borrow a Computer
- Visit Fairfax Access Locations
- Take Free Tech Classes
- Sign up for an ACP Internet Discount
As a reminder, families can access the Media Balance and Wellbeing Toolkit to support the healthy use of technology. FCPS will continue leading efforts to promote a positive culture of media and technology use, supporting both students and their families.
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Heritage Planning Night
Heritage Night will be held on December 7th this year and we need your help to make this event a night to remember! The Heritage Night Planning Meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct 16th at 8:45am in the cafeteria. Unable to join the meeting but still want to help? Email Jenny at kgptapresident@gmail.com
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Our Fall Book Fair will run October 18-25 and we're SO excited! Did you know that Mrs. Hershey uses funds that we raise from our book fairs to bring in amazing authors like Stuart Gibbs last year and Joanna Ho this year! When you buy books from our book fair you not only support our developing readers and our amazing library, you make learning exciting! But we can't host these fairs without volunteers. Please consider picking up a shift or two! It's really LOADS of fun!
Things to do before the Fair kicks off:
1) Check out the book fair website here! You can ALWAYS order books online and you can order them before the book fair even kicks off!
2) Fund your child's e-wallet to make book fair shopping easy! Click the picture below to go directly to the site! Teachers e-Wallet is here
3) Sign-up to help out at the fair!
4) Check out when your class is previewing and shopping!
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A Note from Shelley Lowinger - Parent Liaison
Did you know that FCPS phone lines are available in many different languages to help families? For parents who do not speak English as their first language, support is available through our Parent Information Phone Lines. If you would like assistance navigating FCPS and need support, I encourage you to contact the Family Information Phone Line. A school system employee will respond to your call in your preferred language, answer any questions, help you speak with the appropriate school employee, and / or connect you with the appropriate referral.
Would you like to read FCPS messages in a language other than English? There are several ways you can receive or view communications in a different language. FCPS This Week is distributed in other languages to parents / guardians who have filled out the Home Language Survey form and selected a language supported by FCPS as their preferred language for communication. Home Language Survey forms are available in the following languages: Amharic | Arabic (العربية) | Chinese (中文) | Farsi (فارسی) | Korean (한국어) | Spanish (español) | Urdu (اردو) | Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) You can learn more about other translated communications here.
FCPS CARES Program
The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:
- A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s).
- All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
- Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
- Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.
PTA Highlights
Join the PTA for SY 24-25
We met our goal for the One & Done!! A HUGE thanks to all!! In addition, to donating to One & Done - we need you and your voice to count - please join the PTA!
PTA membership for the school year costs $20 and is about more than monthly meetings and the odd event here and there. The PTA supports schools and that means staff, teachers, students and their families in ways that go beyond what any one group would be capable of on their own. Make joining the PTA at Kent Gardens a priority. We can't be the PTA we are without parents and other caring adults like YOU!
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Next PTA Meeting: Friday 10/25 @ 8:45 am
We currently have open positions! Do you feel called to take a leadership role? Consider serving as: President Elect VP of Events
Contact Jenny Gregory, PTA President for more information!
Thanks for attending the meeting on September 27th!
Washington Commanders - KG Tickets! October 20th
On Sunday, October 20th at 4pm the Washington Commanders will play the Carolina Panthers, and the Commanders have invited KG to cheer them on! At the end of the game, our school is invited to take a picture ON THE FIELD! CLICK HERE for discounted tickets/group seating. This is a fundraiser where KGES will receive $5 of every ticket sold through this link!
Run or pass or score — We want a lot more! Beat ’em, swamp ’em Touchdown! — Let the points soar!
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Ways to Make a Difference This Year! - New Volunteer Opportunities This Year
Directory Chair Many people have asked us if KGES has a student directory and right now, we don't! Help us bring back this awesome resource as we launch it ONLINE!
KGES Movie Night Who doesn't love a good movie? Volunteers are needed to organize a KGES movie night for the entire school community to enjoy together!
Interested in helping with either of these new roles? Contact kgptapresident@gmail.com if interested!
Teacher and Staff Love Wednesdays
The KGES Wellness Committee has shared that teachers and staff LOVE when there is coffee/tea available for them in the lounge...and they REALLY love treats! Help us shower our teachers and staff with love every Wednesday this year by bringing in coffee/tea, snacks, bags of mini candies, or whatever goodies you think might help sweeten their day. You can also help stack the staff lounge with paper plates/cups/napkins...etc. Please choose a slot to volunteer and drop off in the Staff Lounge by 8am on Wednesdays to show some love and support for our fabulous teachers and staff.
KGES Food Bus Food Rescue Program Volunteers Needed
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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 beccadw@gmail.com or lanavu@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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Science Olympiad
Grades 3-4 has ONE SPOT!
Grades 5-6 have just a few spots remaining! Don't get relegated to the waitlist, join now! Register for Grades 5-6 ($150)
We can't wait to celebrate our students' successes!
Math Counts Sign Up
3rd Grade has started, but you can still join! The 3rd grade MC2 will meet once a week at Kent Gardens 7:45 – 8:35 AM. Students will attend one of two sessions on Wednesday or Thursday. The program will run from September 18th through April 10th. Instruction will be provided by long-time MC2 coach Jeff Shivnen. 3rd grade Math Club will use Virginia Math League and MATH COUNTS Competition level resources. Students who are interested in extending their math appreciation are invited to sign up. Cost: $295 for the year. Register your 3rd grader for Math Competition Club!
4th-6th Grade starts October 7th! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from an incredible teacher how to apply advanced math concept while competing against other schools AND having fun! MC2 is for 4th-6th Graders. Classes run from the fall into March (exact dates will be sent out). We offer a hybrid program, with one class in person from 4-5pm, and the second class online from 445-545pm. The Intermediate Class will be held on Monday/Wednesday and Advanced Class will be held on Tuesday/Thursday. See our website for more information! Program price is $850 for the year. Register 4th-6th graders for MC2!
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