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Now is the Time - Heritage Night is Approaching - 12/7
Heritage Night 12/7 - Sign Up by 11/23: Sign up by 11/22 to represent your heritage at Heritage Night! Families should indicate if they are contributing to a table or activity that represents their heritage and/or contributing food for the cultural food hall. Questions? Email KGESHeritageNight@gmail.com.
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A Snapshot of our Week!
From croissant celebrations to indoor recess and a snow flurry sighting, we had a pretty good week!!
Administration Notes
Dear Parents,
We had our first five day week in a while! It culminated with a shift of temperatures and some snow flurries. As indicated by the pictures, the staff surprised the students with an underground spirit day!! In addition, we also had the taping to the wall on Friday - thanks to ALL for supporting our school and PTA with the One & Done!! In addition, our first student spirit day was successful - Dress Like a Teacher! We also enjoyed Girls on the Run! See the pics below!
Gentle reminder that our next Three Hour Early Release is December 9th. This date is a change from the original published dates in November. We will remit an email for parents to confirm your past dismissal plans. If you have a change, you should call the office.
Heritage Night is quickly approaching. Please sign up to participate - see the blurb above! This evening is so wonderful as we collaborate and team to bring together a wonderfully magical evening around food and activities. The rooms will host crafts and other activities and possibly including music. The parade will go through the school and there will be an opportunity to highlight the participants. The food will set up in the cafeteria and the families can eat in the gym. Passports will be used to track your journey. We look forward to a wonderful evening!
Thanks as always for your support!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Girls On The Run!!
Always a favorite - a HUGE thanks to our volunteers and parents for supporting! We appreciate you all! We look forward to the spring event! Come join in!
Plan Forward - Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
November 26 - Pie-Palooza Pies are due to the Teacher's lounge by 9:30am on 11/26. Sign up using this link. Note the date change! This date will coincide with the Thanksgiving break!
November 26 - Third Grade - "Balloons Over Broadway" Parade 9 a.m. Cafeteria - Parents welcome to line the cafeteria to support! Based on the book, Balloons Over Broadway, students have created their own parade balloon. It will be a brief but quick celebration!
November 27 - 29: Thanksgiving Holiday
December 2 - Deadline for Yearbook Cover - Enter now! Read below!
December 3: Family Life Education (FLE) - Virtual 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Zoom link to be remitted)
December 3: Picture Make Up Day - This if for students who are NEW to KG or for those who were absent on our last picture day
December 7: Heritage Night - Sign up by 11/22 to represent your heritage at Heritage Night! 5 - 7 p.m.
December 9: Three Hour Early Release - Email will be remitted to confirm your past decision - calls to change must be called into the office.
December 9: Chorus Concert - 5th and 6th Grade 5 p.m.
December 16: Staff Cookie Exchange - More Info to come!
December 20: Homeroom Class Holiday Celebrations
December 23 - January 3 - Holiday Break - No School
2024-25 FCPS School Calendar
One & Done Celebration!
Thanks to all who supported our PTA and school with the One & Done donations. All of you have made a difference and the students were excited about the taping to the wall!! Thanks to our fabulous PTA for organizing and to Mme. Peeters class and others for supporting as well!
#kgpride #StrongerTogether #WeAllBelong #BeTheGold !!
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Underground Staff Spirit Day!
Students were wondering.....why is everyone dressed the same?? It led to great speculation :) Keeping the young minds engaged! Ninja Day!
Dear Families,
Over these next two weeks, our school community will focus on the character strength of Gratitude. Gratitude means being aware of and grateful for good things that happen. Gratitude is about feeling and showing thankfulness. It helps us see the good in others and in the world. People with gratitude are ready to appreciate and return kindness. Expert Robert Emmons says gratitude strengthens relationships because it makes us recognize how others support us.
Out of all 24 character strengths, gratitude is the single best predictor of individual well-being. It is linked to more energy, empathy, happiness, and optimism. The good news is that gratitude can be practiced and strengthened like a muscle. The more we practice it, the more benefits we get.
To practice and encourage this strength at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.
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Yearbook Cover Contest!!
We are excited about the 24-25 yearbook and are offering the students the opportunity to create the cover for this school year. Our theme is: #BeTheGold. The reference for this theme ties in with 'kintsugi' - whereby liquid gold is used to repair broken pottery; thus, nothing is truly broken and builds resilience and strength.
- Theme: #BeTheGold
- Include 'Kent Gardens Elementary 2024-25 in the design
- Use 8.5 x 11 or 9x12 paper in a portrait orientation
- Check your spelling!!!
- Deadline - Monday, December 2nd!
Turn in finished work to the office. Reminder - we choose on cover for each grade level for the back cover and one for the front cover. Remember #kgpride can be emphasized as well with the #BeTheGold! Thanks in advance for the creativity!!!
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Advanced Academic Referral Deadline ~ Dec 15
The deadline for all students in grades 2-6 to apply for full-time (formerly referred to as level IV) advanced academic services to begin at the start of the 25-26 school year is Sunday, December 15. This is a county provided date, there are no exceptions or extensions. Please plan ahead!
To initiate the screening process, please submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form through email to Debra Bulford at drbulford@fcps.edu or submit a hard copy to the front office by 4:00 pm on Friday, December 13th.
News from Shelley Lowinger - Parent Liaison
Services for Hearing Impaired and Visually Impaired Students - Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.
Tutoring Resource for Families - Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’s Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as tutors by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.
Fairfax County Health Care Services - I wanted to share information about available health care services in Fairfax Country. Please see the attached link for a complete list of access to health care programs and services (handout attached to this email).
Coats for Kids - As the weather turns colder, coats will soon be needed. If your child needs a coat, please reach out to me at rlowinger@fcps.edu, and I will send a coat home with your child.
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the SEL Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.
In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.
Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.
Register for ParentVUE - Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Preparing for Winter Weather
- SEL Screener Results
- Varsity Girls Wrestling Is New Winter Sport Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Student Spirit Day - Dress Like Your Teacher!
We thoroughly enjoyed the planning by students and the enjoyment around dressing like your teacher! #funtimes #kgpride
PTA News
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!
We are still searching for a President Elect to join our PTA board. Contact Jenny Gregory, PTA President for more information
Our Next PTA Meeting: January 17 at 9am
At this month's PTA meeting, we heard about all of the amazing things happening at KGES in the mad race to winter break! Our next general PTA meeting won't be until the new year!
We are still searching for a President Elect to join our PTA board. Contact Jenny Gregory, PTA President for more information!
Our next General Meeting will be January 17 at 9am in the cafeteria!
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Make a Difference This Year! - New Volunteer Opportunities This Year
Volunteer Opportunities
11/26 Pie-Palooza On Tuesday, November 26, staff names will be announced throughout the day to come choose a holiday pie donated by KGES families. Homemade AND store bought pies are welcome! Pies are due to the Teacher's lounge by 930am on 11/26. Sign up using this link!
12/16 Staff Cookie Exchange Bring in fav cookies to share with teachers and staff members as they ready for the upcoming holiday! More info to come!
12/20 Class Holiday Celebrations - Your room parent will be reaching out to coordinate!
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 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!
Cider and Bread Sharing!
It was so special to have the hot cider and spice breads delivered to our teachers and staff members! A shout out to the PTA for coordinating and supporting!
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