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
Greetings Gator Families,
We have seen many examples of friendship in our Kings Glen GATOR Attributes. These are essential building blocks for a positive school environment and for raising compassionate, well-rounded individuals. We are always exploring these attributes throughout the school day in various activities and discussions, and we know that the conversations you have at home are just as crucial. Here are some questions that may spark some conversation with your child:
- "What are some things you look for in a good friend?"
- "Tell me about someone you consider a good friend and why."
- "What are some ways you try to be a good friend to others?"
- "If someone new joined your class, what would you do to make them feel welcome?"
- "Have you noticed anyone at school who might need a friend? What could you do?"
- "Sometimes it's hard to make friends. Have you ever felt that way? What did you do? What can you do in the future?"
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Preorder Your 2024-25 Yearbook!!
Deadline to Preorder is Friday, April 11th
The 2024-25 Yearbook sales are open now! The price of a yearbook is $16. Secure your copy by placing your preorder through one of the following options:
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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.
Class Input for the 2025-2026 School Year
Deadline April 28
As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, our staff collaborates regarding student placements. A variety of factors such as student personalities, friendships, and academic abilities are considered as we create our new classes. Other factors impacting the decision-making process of student class assignments are new student enrollments and teachers moving to a new assignment.
Families may assist in this process by sharing insights in our optional Input Survey. Please note the following when providing information. We do not accept requests for specific teachers for the upcoming grade placement. We do our best to create a positive learning year for your child.
Please provide your input by submitting the Kings Glen Parent Input Form as it will ensure we have your request. Please do not email your child's teacher additional information.
Completion of the form is optional and the deadline for any correspondence is Monday, April 28th.
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28
Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day.
Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student.
To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
April Is Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to honor and celebrate the resilience, courage, and contributions of FCPS military-connected children.
To show our support, FCPS will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Please note that this date has been adjusted to align with our spring break schedule. On this day, school staff and students are encouraged to wear purple, symbolizing unity and support for military families across all service branches.
Purple-Up! Day T-Shirts Available for Purchase
FCPS Purple Up! t-shirts are available for purchase until Friday, March 7, 2025, through Custom Ink.
The shirts highlight our gratitude and appreciation for our over 13,500 military-connected students and their families. #PurpleUpFCPS!
For more information and/or to connect with FCPS resources, email us at militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
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SEL Screener
Learn More About How Your Child Feels at School
The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-12 in March. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop the skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who do not have a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Spring SOL Writing (IRW), Reading, Math, and Science Testing Dates
For your planning purposes and reference, please see the Spring 2025 Standards Of Learning (SOL) Testing Dates. When possible, please avoid scheduling appointments and/or activities that would prevent your child from arriving at school on time on the days your child(ren) are participating in an SOL Assessment.
Dates and Grade Level Schedule:
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Thursday, April 3: Grade 5 Integrated Reading/Writing SOL
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Tuesday, May 6: Grade 5 Reading SOL
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Wednesday, May 7: Grade 6 Reading SOL
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Thursday, May 8: Grade 4 Reading SOL
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Tuesday, May 13: Grade 5 Math SOL
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Wednesday, May 14: Grade 6 Math SOL
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Thursday, May 15: Grade 4 Math SOL
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Friday, May 16: Grade 5 Science SOL
Middle School Transition Fair
Wednesday, March 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Luther Jackson MS • 3020 Gallows Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042
Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education for families, caregivers, and educators of students receiving special education services.
Join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school! It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for your future. We want to help you start planning for a successful transition from school to life as a young adult. Ensuring postsecondary success of our students with disabilities is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.
You will have an opportunity to meet and ask questions of representatives from CTS programs and services for students with disabilities, as well as learn about short and long-term postsecondary supports, employment, post-secondary education considerations, Supported Decision Making, and student self-determination as an evidence-based predictor of post school success.
This event also includes two speakers who will discuss IEP transition planning, special education services, and postsecondary options for younger students as they navigate FCPS and plan for their future. A questions/answer session will follow. Click here to register: http://bit.ly/3Cjke4b
Resources for Families
Fairfax County Public Schools believes that public education is the cornerstone of a successful community. We will continue to do all that we can to ensure access to safe and vibrant learning spaces for all of our students, families, and staff. While some things may be changing, what’s unwavering is our commitment to ensuring that all students benefit from a world-class education in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment. We encourage our students to come to school every day.
Parents/caregivers, students, and staff have asked what FCPS is doing to ensure a safe learning experience for our community. Please see resources below.
FCPS continues to monitor national policy decisions that impact our students, their families and some of our staff and their families. There are existing laws that govern our work as a public school system.
In accordance with federal law, FCPS does not require any student or family member to share their immigration status. Also, FCPS does not collect student or family member immigration status. For more information about FCPS resources, click here.
Information about Eating Disorders
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2023), Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. In the United States, 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives. There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Rather, it is a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that converge and set off an individual’s predisposed genetic vulnerability.
In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a web page with detailed information and resources to be provided to parents and guardians of Fairfax County Public Schools. This information may be found at Eating Disorders.
Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. 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.
7th Grader Immunization Requirements
Parents of rising 7th graders will receive an email child(ren)'s immunizations. The Code of Virginia, requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases. All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Additional information regarding compliance will be in the letter.
FCPS Cares
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of our amazing Kings Glen staff members.
KP/KG PTA News
This whole week is Spirit Week at Chick-Fil-A (5815 Burke Centre Pkwy) from February 24-28. Use code KPKG25 at breakfast, lunch, or dinner for 15% of the sales to be donated back to the schools.
The PTA has put together the slate of afterschool activities for the spring. Fliers with details and registration information are being distributed, and all the information is posted on our website, including links to register. Sign-up today!
Our annual Kings Glen PTA Glow Dance is coming back on Friday, March 7th from 6:30-8PM. Note that this event is for Kings Glen students only. Pre-registration is required and we need many volunteers to help before, during and after the dance!
Our annual Baskets & Bingo is coming up on Friday, March 21st at Lake Braddock SS. This family fun event will feature FREE bingo, and themed baskets that will be raffled off. If you have any questions, please email baskets@kpkgpta.org. Own a local business and want to donate to our event? Please reach out to Sarah at vpfund@kpkgpta.org.
InCourage will be hosting another Parents Night Out Spirit Night on Friday, March 14th from 6:30-8:30PM. Pizza will be provided; $35/child. Register at bit.ly/burkeevents.
We will be hosting our “Ready, Tech, Go!” Workshop on Thursday, April 3rd, from 6:30-8PM at KPES. This event is provided through funding from the National PTA, and will feature FREE childcare and a light dinner. Please pre-register so we know to expect you. The event, targeted at parents/caregivers of elementary aged students, will foster peer-to-peer discussion reflection on various aspects of screen readiness. More information is on our website.
Feb. 24-28: PTA Spirit Week at Chick-Fil-A (See Above)
Mar. 7: PTA Glow Dance (Kings Glen Students Only)
Mar. 7: Deadline to Order Purple Up! Tshirts (See Above)
Mar. 10: 3-Hour Early Release Monday (Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.)
Mar. 12: Middle School Transition Fair (6:30 p.m. at Luther Jackson MS)
Mar. 14: PTA InCourage Parents Night Out (See Above)
Mar. 19: STEAM Night at Kings Glen (6-7:30 p.m.)
Mar. 21: PTA Baskets & Bingo (at Lake Braddock SS)
Apr. 3: PTA "Ready, Tech, Go!" Workshop at Kings Park ES (See Above)
Apr. 21: 3-Hour Early Release Monday(Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.)
Apr. 28: Deadline for Parent Input Form for SY2025-26 (See Above)
May 12: 3-Hour Early Release Monday (Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.)
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