Chilly Week - Lots of Learning and Fun!
#kgpride #StrongerTogether #WeAllBelong
Plan Forward - Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
February 24 - 28 - 'Love the Bus' ~ Appreciate our bus drivers!!
February 24 - Three Hour Early Release Monday
February 25 - Spelling Bee KG Library 2 p.m.
February 28 - PTA Meeting 9 a.m.
March 5 - Spring Picture Day - Student Individual Pictures!
March 10 - 14 - Spring Book Fair
March 12 - Literacy Night 5 - 6:30 p.m. Middle or high schooler volunteer? Here is a link - thanks for spreading the word!
March 21 - Yearbook Order Deadline - Have you ordered??
March 21 - Kent Gardens' Washington Wizards game - come watch with your friends - link below!
March 21 - Kindergarten Parent Virtual Orientation - 8 am. (Sign Up Here)
March 25 - Author Candace Fleming will join us! Order here!
March 27 - PTA Meeting with Guest Speaker - Mary Smith 7 p.m. (See info. below!)
April 1 - Rising Parent and Student Kindergarten Tours - 2 p.m. (Sign up here)
May 3 - Spring Spectacular Fun Run and 5K
2024-25 FCPS School Calendar
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February ~Love the Bus Month ♥
Join us in celebrating our wonderful bus drivers next week! Their work is instrumental to our school! Let's thank them in a special way this week!
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Administration Notes
Dear Parents,
We had a chilly week without any snow! Students and teachers are working hard together!
Please note the upcoming 3 hour early release for February 24th. Note that we have contacted some families personally to request attendance to regain days of absences and avoid 'Chronic Absenteeism'. As a reminder, Chronic Absenteeism is defined as being absent 10% or more of the school year. We will remit to every parent, your child's attendance report card in the coming week.
February is 'Love the Bus Month'! Let's celebrate our bus drivers who work so hard - every morning and afternoon!
Have you ordered your yearbook - our cutoff date is March 21st this year!
Thanks as always for your support!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Literacy Night! March 12th 5 - 6:30 p.m.
We are looking forward to Literacy Night on March 12th. We have the Book Fair, karaoke, book estimating, KG Ted Talks and more! Come enjoy the evening - our teachers will be there as well with fun activities!
Do you know a middle or high schooler that would like to volunteer? Here is a link - thanks for spreading the word!
Student Intentions - 2025-26 School Year
Please indicate your child(ren)'s intention for the next school year if you are moving or will attend another school. One form should be completed for each child ONLY if you are moving or will attend another school. This input will support our staffing and planning for the next school year. This information is non binding but will simply be used to plan. If you are returning, you do NOT need to complete this form. The link to the form is here.
Rising Kindergarten Student Intention 2025-26
Please complete this form if you have a rising kindergartner and plan on attending Kent Gardens. If you are hopeful to attend, you may complete but please note your status in the form below. We are not using this data for evaluative purposes nor for placement purposes but merely to collect information for the beginning of the school year. All students come in at various levels academically and socially. We are excited for our 2025-26 kindergarten students!
Kindergarten Parent Information Meeting will be through Zoom (link to follow) on March 21st at 8 a.m. Sign up here to receive the link.
The Parent Tour and Kindergarten Student Orientation is on Tuesday, April at 1st 2:00 p.m. (Parents and students attend together) Link is here to reserve your tour time.
Kindergarten Registration
If you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 30, they are eligible to attend Kindergarten for the upcoming year. Registration paperwork can be downloaded at this link. Once you have completed the paperwork and gathered the required documents, please come into the front office to meet with our registrar, Annie Joseph.
Alternatively, you can now choose to use online registration tool. If you choose the online option, you will then have to come into the office with the child’s original birth certificate, your proof of residence (deed/lease) and your ID. You can contact Annie Joseph to coordinate a convenient time.
Author Visit ~ Candace Fleming - 3/25
We are thrilled to have author, Candace Fleming, come to KG on March 25! She has written over 50 books with flair for creating stories that capture the hearts of readers of all ages! Ms. Fleming will sign copies of her books for KGES students. To order books in time for signing, use THIS order form and return it to Mrs. Hershey in the library by MARCH 11! Forms received AFTER March 11 cannot be ordered. So many wonderful books!
Dear Families,
This week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Humility. Humility means not seeking attention and letting your actions speak for themselves. Humble people understand their abilities and achievements without underestimating them. They can admit mistakes, accept advice, and are open to new ideas. They don't show off their successes or possessions. Developing humility helps people reflect on how they can improve and work well with others. It allows them to grow and become valuable team members.
To practice and encourage the character strength of humility 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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News from Shelley Lowinger - Parent Liaison
Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service! - Ombuds staff engage with FCPS employees, families and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters. Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements between parents / caregivers and schools. Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.
Legal Services of Northern Virginia Low-Income Tax Clinic - List of Free Tax Preparation Providers ; Northern Virginia Tax Aide providers
Summer Camp Options - FCPS’s Institute for the Arts, Tech Adventure Camp, and the Career and Technical Education Summer Academy will all begin registering students soon. Students who qualify for Free and Reduced Meals can attend tuition-free! Visit the included links for more information and registration details.
Fairfax County Park Authority Spring Classes & Spring Break Camps - Various spring classes and camps offered through the Fairfax County Park Authority can be found here
📐 Breaking Down the Budget: Supporting Academic Growth and Algebra by Eighth Grade
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan. Since the 2023-24 school year, FCPS has seen a 9.5% increase in eighth graders taking Algebra I or more advanced math and a 6.8% increase in fifth graders in advanced math.
Studies show that students who complete algebra in middle school have more opportunities to take advanced math and science courses in high school. This can open up new academic paths for students! Watch a video that shows why eighth grade algebra matters.
 The QR code above and the link is here to purchase the yearbook. Use code 21772. We will close the purchase window March 21, 2025. Buy now to ensure you will have a yearbook for your child(ren)!
More KG Fun!
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about Black History month.
🥗Student Fasting Meal Kits for Feb 28 - Mar 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.
Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders
As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
- A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents/guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization. Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.
An Opportunity to Support!
Some of our past KG students have created this opportunity to 'give back'! We will have box in the lobby. Some ideas include the following: coloring books, crayons, markers, colored pencils, stickers and any crafts to keep the children occupied with some creativity mind!
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: February 28 at 9am
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 February 28 at 9am in the cafeteria!
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This year, our evening PTA Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 27th at 7pm. We will have a quick meeting, followed by our guest of honor, Mary Willcox Smith. Ms. Smith is a Parent Coach, Speaker, and Author of the book Small Moments, The MicroStep Method® for the Overwhelmed Parent. Join us while she speaks on The Power of Small: How simple shifts can turn overwhelm into connection and resilience.In this engaging presentation, filled with humor, real-life stories, and transformative insights, you’ll discover how to turn daily struggles into small shifts that spark lasting change—helping you parent with confidence and ease. Parents may submit questions prior to the evening here.
Make a Difference This Year! - Volunteer Opportunities
Book Fair Co-Chair If you love the book fair as much as we do, consider becoming a co-chair this year with Andrea Hagar. The Spring Book Fair is run by the PTA with support from our library staff. You'll learn alongside our seasoned book fair volunteers this spring! Contact Andrea at af_hager@yahoo.com to learn more!
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!
Come Watch the Wizards!
Please join us for Kent Gardens Elementary Night at the Wizards on Friday, March 21st! All purchasers through this special link will receive a discounted ticket price, with a portion of each ticket sold will go back to Kent Gardens Elementary PTA! After the game, join us for a concert by DJ Diesel AKA Shaquille O'Neal! https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Kent25
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Girls on the Run Starts March 3
Registration for Girls on the Run is now open through Feb. 23 at gotrnova.org. Practices begin March 3 and will take place either M/W or Tu/Th between 3:45-5 p.m. We are still looking for one adult coach or practice partner for the Tu/Th team. The kids of parent volunteers are guaranteed a spot in the program and coaches' kids get a registration discount. Please contact Danielle Newman at kges.gotr@gmail.com if you're interested in volunteering.
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