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 many families (and all of our Gator students) are aware, Benchmark Advance is being implemented this year in every elementary school across our division. At Kings Glen, we believe that families are key to developing literacy. Here are two links that will help you learn more about elementary school language arts in FCPS. Please feel free toreach out if you have questions!
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Winter Break Spirit Week
December 16-20
Monday, Dec. 16: GATOR Together (wear a positive message)
Tuesday, Dec. 17: Twinkle Tuesday (wear some festive bling)
Wednesday, Dec. 18: White-Out Wednesday (think snow and wear white)
Thursday, Dec. 19: Go Gators (wear green or KG spiritwear)
Friday, Dec. 20: Flannel and Fuzzy Socks
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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.
Click here to view KP-KG AAP December Newsletter
Makeup/Retake Pictures Now Viewable Online
Please visit vosphoto.com/uc and use your student ID when prompted for the online code. For questions regarding school pictures, please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
Save the Date: Student-Led STEAM Night at Kings Glen!!
Wednesday, March 19, 6-7:30 p.m.
I am excited to announce Kings Glen will have a Student-Led STEAM Night on Wednesday, March 19th from 6-7:30 p.m. This event will showcase the incredible creativity and innovation of our students as they run interactive stations for their peers and share their STEAM projects. If you are interested in participating in this event, please complete the STEAM Night Project Plan form. Please reach out to Mrs. Rode if you have any questions.
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!
Formed Families Foward Workshop
December 16
Formed Families Forward is pleased to offer a new training for parents and caregivers to boost family safety and wellness as you prepare for all of the excitement and disruptions of your children’s break from school and their expectations for winter holiday celebrations. Join us for an interactive workshop and get new strategies for managing the winter break and for starting the new year strong! Simultaneous SPANISH interpretation is available upon request. (Register Here)
Date: December 16th, 11:45 am-1:00 pm (with a light lunch provided) OR 6:45 - 8:00 pm (with a light dinner provided):
Location: Charles Houston Recreation Center
Address: 901 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA 22314
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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.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ 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 a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, and families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.
FCPS also partners 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, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
Webinar on Overcoming School Resistance
Friday, January 10, 10-11:30 a.m.
During the winter, students can feel tired, cold, and at times want to stay home. Our teachers at Kings Glen work to ensure every classroom is a warm, welcoming environment for all students. It is important that students come to school every day to stay on pace with their learning.
Does your child resist going to school? If so, join the Family Resource Center’s School Resistance webinar on Friday, January 10th, 10-11:30 a.m. The webinar will explore how to take care of yourself and set supportive boundaries at home. Register in advance.
✨ Student attendance is one measure of Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
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 TODAY, December 11th. Place your orders today! Note that delivery will be in early January. Please email spiritwear@kpgkpta.org with any questions.
Our final event of the calendar year will be a FREE VIRTUAL Tiny Chefs class THIS FRIDAY 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.
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.
Mark your calendars - our free Summer Camp Fair is coming up on January 15th at 6PM at Kings Park. More information is coming soon!
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. 16: Formed Families Forward Parenting Workshop (See Above)
Dec. 16-20: Winter Break Spirit Week (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
Jan. 10: Overcoming School Resistance Webinar (10-11:30 a.m.; See Above)
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