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,
As a reminder, our next 3-hour Early Release Day is Monday, November 18th. Kings Glen Elementary School students will be dismissed at 12:25 p.m. or stay for supervision if required. Those students who previously opted-in to the extended childcare option will be dismissed at 3:50 p.m. The dedicated time provided to teachers and staff to engage in professional learning, planning, and collaboration benefits your children, our students, in a timely and meaningful way. We will continue our practice of providing fun and engaging learning experiences during the school day for students coupled with an opportunity for the adults at home to engage in learning.
On Monday November 18th, students will participate in Science Day and will have an opportunity to dive deeper into weather with a special visit from meteorologist Brian van de Graaff. Parents and guardians are invited to join Ms. Rode and Ms. McAdoo from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. to learn more about the basics of computational thinking and get hands-on with micro:bits by learning how to program these micro-controllers. Registration is not required, but encouraged to support us in planning. Please sign up here. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lisa Rode. Thank you!
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Monday, November 18th: 3-Hour Early Release
Our next 3-hour Early Release Day is Monday, November 18th. Kings Glen students will be dismissed at 12:26 p.m. or stay for supervision if required. Those students who were previously opted-in to the extended childcare option will be dismissed at 3:26 p.m. Each family was sent an email via eNotify on October 15th confirming the dismissal time you selected for the previous early release days. If you have a change to your dismissal plan for this early release, please email KGNotes@fcps.edu no later than Friday, November 15th by 12 noon.
Computer Science Parent/Guardian Meeting
Monday, November 18, 11 AM - 12 PM
Join us for a Parent Meeting on November 18 from 11 a.m.-12 noon in Mrs. Rode’s room to learn about the power of computational thinking. Discover how coding and problem-solving skills can enhance their creativity and critical thinking. You'll have the opportunity to:
- Understand the basics of computational thinking
- Get hands-on with micro:bits by learning how to program these micro-controllers
Registration is not required but is encouraged to support us in planning. Please sign up here. Please reach out to Lisa Rode with any questions. Thank you!
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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Scholastic Book Fair
November 18 through November 22
The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to the KGES Library from Monday, November 18th through Friday, November 22nd!
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November 18: Family After-School Shopping (3:00-6:00 PM)
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November 19: Family After-School Shopping (4:00-5:30 PM)
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November 20-22: Family Before-School Shopping (8:00-8:40 AM)
Class shopping times will be sent home the week of November 11th. Please contact Carolyn Dean with any questions.
Scholastic Book Fair – Volunteers Needed
During the book fair, volunteers are needed to help with fair set up, class previews, sales, and pack-up for the Scholastic Book Fair, as well as to help with library book reshelving. If you are interested, please contact Carolyn Dean, Librarian. We appreciate any time that you can give!
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Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Kings Glen
Our school has been selected to participate in a pilot program for the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
A limited number of classes in grades 3-6 will be selected to participate. However, all students in participating grades, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email. We will administer the survey in selected classes during the school day between Monday, December 2, and Friday, December 13. Any student may take the survey at home, if preferred. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose.
We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.
Upcoming AAP Referral Deadline
Read the November AAP Newsletter
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 PM on the following dates:
- November 26, 2024
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December 3, 2024
Family Life Education
Students in grades K-6 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their classroom teacher. Students in Grades 4-6 receive instruction in a human growth and development unit and an emotional and social health unit. For more information about the FCPS Family Life Education program, please see the detailed grade-level program descriptions at: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary/family-life-education
In addition, grade level-specific curriculum lessons are available for review.
- Online in Schoology - includes lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for. Any additional media or book titles that are not streamed are available at your child’s school library. Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account. (Parent/Guardian Access to FLE Materials in Schoology)
Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, contact KGNotes@fcps.edu. If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons by using the link in Parent Vue, you do not need to contact anyone.
You are invited to learn more about the Family Life Education media and lessons and to talk with school staff about the program. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 26 at 6:30 p.m. virtually. A link will be sent in a future communication.
Supporting Children in Politically Charged Times
Political events can generate strong reactions, emotions, and differences of opinion. Educators and families play a crucial role in helping students feel safe and learn how to engage with others with differing perspectives in a peaceful and respectful manner. The National Association of School Psychologists has published this guidance to help teachers and families support students in politically charged times.
Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair
Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School.
The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.
Lost and Found
Please remember to label clothing items, lunchboxes, water bottles, and whatever else you think your child may leave behind somewhere. If there's a name in it or on it, Kings Glen Staff will do their best to get it back to the owner. If not, it will go into the Lost and Found pile. Items not picked up by November 26th will be collected and donated. Please encourage your child to check the Lost and Found frequently, especially as the seasons change. Thanks for your help in making sure all items return home to where they belong!
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.
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.
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.
KP/KG PTA News
Family Photo Shoot: November 16-17
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.
Treats for Troops: November 16-17
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! Please consider signing up for a shift to collect the candy!
The PTA Spiritwear Store Is Now Open!
Place your orders today! Note that delivery will be in early January. Please email spiritwear@kpgkpta.org with any questions.
Spirit Night at Spartan's: December 3-4
Mark your calendars for our next Spirit Night coming up on December 3-4 at Spartan’s. More information is coming soon!
Keep in Touch with the PTA
A great way to keep in touch with the PTA isto 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!
Nov. 16-17: PTA Family Photo Shoot/Treats for Troops (See Above)
Nov. 18: 3-Hour Early Release Monday (Students Dismissed at 12:25 p.m.)
Nov. 18: Computer Science Parent/Guardian Meeting (11 a.m.-12 p.m.)
Nov. 18-22: Fall Book Fair (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. 26: Family Life Education Information Session (Link to Come)
Nov. 27-29: Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 3: AAP Office Hours (11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; See Above)
Dec. 3-4: PTA Spirit Night at Spartans
Dec. 5: Lexia Core5 & PowerUp Parent Information Night (See Above)
Dec. 15: Full-Time AAP Referral Deadline (See Above)
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