Gator Bytes: News and General Information for Kings Glen ES
To view this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletin en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
A Message from Principal Ritter
Dear Kings Glen Families,
The end of October also brings the end of the first quarter. The last day of the 1st quarter is on Thursday, October 31 and will also be a 2-hour early release. All students will be released at 1:25 p.m. Thursday is also Halloween. While we love this fun day and celebrate it in a variety of ways, we do not allow students to wear Halloween costumes to school. While some costumes are fun, others can be scary and we do not want to disrupt instruction.
As a reminder, Friday, November 1st is a School Holiday (Diwali as well as All Saints Day); Monday, November 4th and Tuesday, November 5th are Student Holidays. We are looking forward to a strong start to the second quarter which begins on Wednesday, November 6th.
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Complete Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
Attention Kings Glen Families!
Have you logged into your Parent Vue account to complete the Federal Impact Aid Survey?
The Federal Impact Aid program provides money to districts that enroll federally connected students. Help FCPS by completing yours today!
https://sisparent.fcps.edu/
Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember, only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Questions or help needed- contact the KGES office at 703-239-4000.
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November 6-8
Wednesday, Nov. 6: Wear camo or something to represent one of our U.S. military branches
Thursday, Nov. 7: Wear RED (Remember Everyone Deployed)
Friday, Nov. 8: Wear purple to support our military kids
Quarter End, Early Release, Diwali/Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day, Student Holidays
Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Kings Glen will dismiss at 1:25 pm on October 31st.
As a reminder, Friday, November 1, is a holiday this year for Diwali, Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.
Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday.
Veterans Day Bulletin Board
Help us honor our Kings Glen community veterans by sending in a copy of a picture of United States military veterans in your family to be featured on a bulletin board. Pictures will not be returned and can be sent to school to the attention of Ms. Stottlemyer, School Counselor, or emailed to etstottlemy1@fcps.edu.
WANTED: Candid Photos for Kings Glen Yearbook
We are looking for candid photos for the Kings Glen Yearbook. If you have some great photos of your student at school or PTA events, please consider sharing them with the yearbook this year. Please click on the following link: https://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=kingsglen
Outstanding Employee Awards
Help us recognize the outstanding employees at Kings Glen Elementary School!
Outstanding Employee Awards nominations will be open beginning October 18th and end on November 12th. Nominations are accepted for the following roles:
You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees.
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category.
Outstanding New Teacher Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category.
Outstanding Principal Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district).
Outstanding Leader Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location. Common positions in this category: Assistant Principals.
Outstanding Professional Employee Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location. Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Resource Teachers, Special Education Department Chair, and Reading Specialists.
Outstanding Operational Employee Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location.
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, Parent Liaisons
The deadline to submit a nomination is November 12th, 2024.
If you have any questions, please contact Claudia Alvarado at KGNotes@fcps.edu
Tutoring Information
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
Student Attendance and Engagement
During the Academic Matters segment of the November 9 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed student attendance and engagement. Attendance and absenteeism rates are one measure for Goal 2 of our 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Chronic absenteeism — which is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school for any reason — is a concern across Virginia school districts. Although FCPS continues to outperform the state average in attendance rates, we are tracking chronic absenteeism closely.
Data shows that:
- Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
- Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance.
- Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school.
- By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
Attendance is critical for academic success!
Missing School Over the Holidays
Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is truly unavoidable, families are to complete a Request for a Prearranged Absence Form. The Prearranged Absence form does not necessarily mean the absence is excused. Schoolwork “packets” cannot make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom, and cannot be provided to families in advance of vacations. Visit the FCPS website for more attendance resources.
Upcoming AAP Referral Deadlines
Sunday, December 15: Advanced Academic Programs Full-Time Referral Form and optional materials due to Lisa Rode, AART.
Kings Park/Kings Glen AAP Office Hours
Questions about the continuum of AAP services? Submit this form to join Mrs. Mucciolo and Mrs. Rode for AAP Virtual Office Hours from 11:30 AM-12:00 PM on the following dates:
- November 12, 2024
- November 26, 2024
- December 3, 2024
We Are Hiring!!
Dining Room Assistant
Hourly, $12.63 per Hour/3 hours per day.
Description: Assists students during lunch time. Supervises student clean-up, keeps order, and dismisses students to their teachers.
Qualifications: Friendly, energetic, and assertive in maintaining expectations of cafeteria behavior, and loves working with children.
To Apply: Interested applicants should send their resumes to KGNotes@fcps.edu.
Family Liaison Resource Highlights
Tutoring: Do you have a child that could benefit from additional academic support? Check out the following tutoring options:
Fuel Assistance: Need assistance heating your household? The application period for Fuel Assistance 2025 runs October 8 through November 8. Eligible households can receive assistance to help with the costs of heating. Heating Crisis Assistance is also available starting November 1. Details and applications available at: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/.
Winter Camps: It’s never too early to start thinking about camp! Fairfax County Park Authority Winter Camp Registration Opens on October 22. To check out offerings and register, click HERE.
Free Workshops for Families: Build new skills & connect with resources through the workshops and webinars from the Family Resource Center. Upcoming Workshops – Click HERE for details and registration:
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SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! - November 5 9am-noon
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5 Ways to De-Escalate a Nuclear Meltdown & Stop the Shame Cycle: A Webinar for Families - November 8th 10-11:30am
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Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families - November 22nd 10-11:30am
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Recorded Workshops and Webinars in YouTube – Click HERE for details and access
Social Studies Basal Resources Review
FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person.
All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.
KP/KG PTA News
Thanks to Lisley and everyone that attended our FREE Nature Event last Monday - we hope you enjoyed it and learned something! Stay tuned for more information about an upcoming FREE virtual Tiny Chefs cooking class coming later this year!
Sign Up for our upcoming Family Photo Shoot. Like previous years, Susan Johnson will be taking pictures outside of Kings Park on November 16 & 17, from 1:30-4PM. $40 per 2 digital images; 20% of the proceeds go to the PTA.
Our very popular Treats for Troops initiative is coming back again! Stop by the KPES entrance on November 16 & 17, from 1:30-4PM (yes, same time-frame as the Family Photo Shoot!), to drop off thank you cards and your leftover Halloween candy to be sent to the troops!
Keep in Touch with the PTA. A great way to keep in touch with the PTA is to subscribe to our emails and/or join our Facebook group. Our website also features an updated PTA events calendar. Join the PTA. We hope all members of the KP/KG community will consider joining the PTA this school year. Join on our website!
Oct. 18-31: Socktober (See Above)
Oct. 31: 1st Quarter Ends (2-Hr. Early Release at 1:25 p.m.)
Nov. 1: Diwali (Schools Closed)
Nov. 4-5: Teacher Workdays (No School for Students)
Nov. 6-8: Spirit Week (See Above)
Nov. 12: Deadline for Employee Award Nominations (See Above)
Nov. 12: AAP Office Hours (11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; See Above)
Nov. 16-17: PTA Family Photo Shoot/Treats for Troops (See Above)
Nov. 19: Lexia Core5 & PowerUp Parent Information Night
Nov. 26: AAP Office Hours (11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; See Above)
Nov. 27-29: Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 3: AAP Office Hours (11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; See Above)
Dec. 5: Lexia Core5 & PowerUp Parent Information Night (See Above)
Dec. 15: Full-Time AAP Referral Deadline (See Above)
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