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Monday, December 9th - Three Hour Early Release
We have our next 3 hour early release on 12/9 at 12:35 p.m. We remitted an email to parents affirming your current dismissal plans. If you have a change, you should call the office.
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Administration Notes
Dear Parents,
As shared above, we look forward to Heritage Night in January. We have already seen a shift in participation and look forward to a wonderful evening. Thanks to our PTA for adjusting the date.
Please note that if you want your child to opt our of Family Life Education, it must be done by a hard paper copy turned into the office. You can obtain a paper Opt Out copy online within this FCPS portal.
This week, we begin our Ten Days Before Winter Break Spirit Fun! Students have the opportunity to participate in spirit days with the staff as well as other activities. See the blurb below for additional information.
Thanks as always for your support!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Plan Forward - Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
December 9: Three Hour Early Release - Email will be remitted to affirm your past decision - calls to change must be called into the office.
December 9: Chorus Concert - 5th and 6th Grade 5 p.m. Concert Time
December 9 - 13: Ten Days before Winter Break - Spirit Fun - see below!
- December 9 - Toe-Tally - Wear crazy socks, tights, leggings
- December 10 - Candy Cane Day - Wear Stripes of any kind
- December 11 - There's Nothing Ugly About Kindness - Wear a tacky sweater
- December 12 - Oh Deer! Spreading Cheer - Bring in canned goods for SHARE!
- December 13 - Grab a Buddy and Read - Bring a 'stuffie' to read - it must fit in your backpack!
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
Farewell to Mr. Banga
We are sad to say goodbye to Mr. Banga, our wonderful head custodian, but excited about his future! He has taken on new challenges in the cyberspace world. He has dedicated many years to KG and we wish him well!
Heritage Night 1/25
HERITAGE NIGHT has been adjusted and is now on 1/25. After receiving a great deal of feedback and listening to our community, the PTA decided to move Heritage Night to SATURDAY, JANUARY 25TH (original date this Saturday, December 7th).
We recognize this time of year is busy for many of our families. In the hustle and bustle, we have found it's hard to give this much loved event the proper showcase. By moving it to January, we hope to increase the participation in this event.
If you had previously signed up, we still look forward to your participation! We will be reaching out to confirm your interest. Please also help spread the word so we can fill our food hall and interactive displays. You can sign up for the event on 1/25 HERE!
We are proud of the rich diversity found within our families and community of Kent Gardens. We look forward to celebrating with everyone after the New Year!
If you have any questions, please contact KGHeritageNight@gmail.com.This annual KGES tradition is a wonderful way to experience all the great cultures that make up our school community! There's a parade, activities, music - and the incredibly popular World Cafe set up in the Kent Gardens cafeteria! Kids can also visit all the countries and get their "passport books" stamped. It's one of our most loved events at KGES!
Volunteers (high school and middle school welcome) are needed to make this event a success. Sign up here!
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Dear Families,
This week, our school community will focus on the Other People Mindset of Supporting Others When They Struggle. This means when other people are struggling, we do our best to help them out.
Supporting other people when they struggle is a critical part of being human. There are many different approaches to helping people who are struggling. These can include listening while they describe an event and their feelings about it, taking action to help people in need, or simply being there and sitting together in silence. Everyone faces tough days and needs support, and this support leads to a chain of prosocial behavior that makes us feel good about ourselves and our group.
To practice and encourage this Other People Mindset 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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Third Grade Field Trip!
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
GMU Center for Community Mental Health – Emotional Support Services The GMU Center for Community Mental Health provides psychotherapy services and comprehensive psychological assessments on a sliding scale for adults, teens and children. Families can access support from trained providers to offer help, teach evidence-based skills and to listen. Low-cost therapy sessions are also available upon request. Additional information here.
Coats for Kids - We have additional coats available for anyone who needs one. Please contact me at rlowinger@fcps.edu and a coat will be sent home with your child.
Fairfax County Park Authority - Winter class registration is going on now. Check out class offerings in the Parktakes catalog and find registration information here.
Family Resource Center (FRC) webinar for families - December 13, 2024 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation: Keeping Kids Safe Online
McLean Winterfest Parade - Who doesn’t love a parade? Friends and families are invited to the McLean Winterfest Parade on December 8 starting at 3:30 p.m. Learn more about this fun day here!
Parents in PE Days 12/16-18
Mr. Avery and Ms. Deemer are excited to welcome you to join your child during one of their PE classes on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday and experience the magic of PE at KGES! Register your attendance and get ready for 30 minutes of friendly competition, music, and so much FUN!
Second Grade Field Trip
⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times
At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.
The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.
Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.
📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break
Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.
Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!
The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.
Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.
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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Cookie Exchange - We Need Your Help!
We need your help to make a FANTASTIC Cookie Exchange happen for the hard-working staff at Kent Gardens on Monday, December 16, 2024, 8 AM to 3:30 PM. The creativity in the KGES community is outstanding! We have treated our teachers and staff to Harry Potter themed cookies, gingerbread-dressed cookies, and delectable family recipes that have been handed down over the years. We are so excited to treat our staff to the most creative and tasty Staff Cookie Exchange yet!!!!
Of course we need cookies, but we also need volunteers to collect donations at kiss and ride, to help keep the staff lounge tidy, the tables laden with delicious treats, and carafes flowing with hot chocolate!
Click here to sign up
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Make a Difference This Year! - Volunteer Opportunities
12/16 Staff Cookie Exchange Bring in fav cookies to share with teachers and staff members as they ready for the upcoming holiday! Sign up here!
12/20 Class Holiday Celebrations - Your room parent will be reaching out to coordinate!
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!
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