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 Glen is alive with the sound of music! Students in Band, Strings and Chorus are busy preparing for the upcoming winter concerts, while our Jesters cast and crew are busy learning their parts and music for the upcoming Shrek, Jr. Musical to be performed in April 2025. We can feel the excitement as we walk the halls!
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Dec. 18: 5th/6th Grade Strings/Chorus Evening Concert
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Dec. 19: 6th Grade Advanced Band Evening Concert
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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 9 and Tuesday, December 10.
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.
Band and Strings/Chorus Winter Concerts
Wednesday, Dec. 18: 5th/6th Grade Strings/Chorus Evening Concert (6:30 p.m.; students arrive 6 p.m.)
Thursday, Dec. 19: 5th/6th Grade Strings/Chorus and 6th Grade Advanced Band Daytime Assembly for Students (9:45 a.m.)
Thursday, Dec. 19: 6th Grade Advanced Band Evening Concert (6:30 p.m.; students arrive 6 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 12: 4th Grade Strings Evening Concert (6:30 p.m.; students arrive 6 p.m.)
Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Lisa Rode no later than December 15, 2024.
The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Lisa Rode.
Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
AAP Virtual Office Hours
Questions about the continuum of AAP services? Submit this form to join Mrs. Mucciolo and Mrs. Rode for AAP Virtual Office Hours on the following dates and times:
- December 3rd from 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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AND (newly added) December 10th from 5-6 p.m.
Click here to view KP-KG AAP December Newsletter
Yearbook Cover Contest
Due December 20th
We are looking for student-created artwork for the Kings Glen Yearbook Cover. Submissions are due by December 20th. Design a cover for the yearbook that includes:
Items to include in your cover design:
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School Name: Kings Glen Elementary School (check your spelling)
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Year: 2024-2025
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School Mascot: The Gator
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Theme: Gator Tales: Stories from the Glen
Materials Needed:
- 8½ x 11 inch white paper (printer paper)
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Be sure to write yourFIRST/LAST NAME and HOMEROOM TEACHER on the BACK of your DESIGN
Entries MUST be colorful. Make sure pencil lines are erased or outlined in black. Due date is Friday, December 20th. Turn in to the GREEN FOLDER on the ART ROOM DOOR. Front Cover Winner gets a FREE Yearbook!
(View Flyer Here)
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Empty Paper Towel Rolls Needed for Art Project
Ms. Fitzgerald (Kings Glen Art Teacher) is collecting empty paper towel roll/tubes for a recycled material artwork. Please send in your empty paper towel rolls to the office. Thank you!
Lake Braddock Band Children's Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 14 at 11 a.m.
Lake Braddock High School Band invites you to a special Holiday Concert and Open House designed for children and young band students on Saturday, December 14th at 11 a.m. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Kings Glen band students are encouraged to bring their instrument and join the high school band students for a Play-A-Long at the end of the concert. Mrs. VanValkenburg and Mrs. Holscher are looking forward to seeing many Kings Glen families at the wonderful event.
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.
At Kings Glen, all Human Growth and Development lessons at will be taught the week before Winter Break.
Preparing for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. Classes go outside for recess even when it is cold! See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
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 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.
KP/KG PTA News
The PTA spiritwear sale has been extended until NEXT WEDNESDAY, December 11th. Place your orders today! Note that delivery will be in early January. Please email spiritwear@kpgkpta.org with any questions.
Our next Spirit Night is happening TONIGHT December 4 at Spartan’s (9542 Burke Rd). Mention that you’re supporting KP/KG when ordering (both in-person and online) for proceeds to come back to the PTA.
Our next PTA General Membership Meeting will take place NEXT Monday, December 9th at 6:30PM at Kings Glen (and on zoom: Meeting ID: 258-233-8875; Passcode: KPKG2020!)). The KG strings will be performing as well! We look forward to seeing you there!
Our final event of the calendar year will be a FREE VIRTUAL Tiny Chefs class on December 13th at 6:30PM. We will be learning how to make melted snowman cupcakes! Register online today (password: VIRTUAL2024KPKG).
The PTA will be setting up hot cocoa bars for staff appreciation on Wednesday, December 18th at both schools. Please check out our sign-up and consider contributing! Please note there is both a Sign up and an Amazon Wishlist so make sure to look at both if you are interested in donating! Donations are due on Tuesday, December 17th.
Thank you so much to everyone who donated candy and cards for our annual Treats for Troops initiative - we collected over 120 lbs of candy!
Are you looking to say thank you to a teacher or staff member during the holiday season? All Kings Park and Kings Glen staff have been given the option to fill out a “Staff Tastes & Tidbits” form with information such as favorite stores and restaurants, classroom needs/wants, favorite authors and more. Staff responses can be viewed here.
Our latest PTA newsletter is out - check it out!
Dec. 4: PTA Spirit Night at Spartans
Dec. 5: Lexia Core5 & PowerUp Parent Information Night (See Above)
Dec. 9: PTA General Membership Meeting (6:30 p.m. at Kings Glen)
Dec. 10: AAP Virtual Office Hours (5-6 p.m.; See Above)
Dec. 11: PTA Spiritwear Order Deadline (See Above)
Dec. 13: PTA FREE Virtual Tiny Chefs (6:30 p.m.; See Above)
Dec. 14: LBSS Band Children's Holiday Concert (11 a.m. at LBSS)
Dec. 15: Full-Time AAP Referral Deadline (See Above)
Dec. 18: 5th/6th Grade Strings/Chorus Concert (6:30 p.m.; call time 6 p.m.)
Dec. 19: 6th Grade Advanced Band Concert (6:30 p.m.; call time 6 p.m.)
Dec. 20: Yearbook Cover Contest Submissions Due
Dec. 23-Jan. 3: Winter Break
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