Strings Concert!
Thanks to Dr. Tai, Mr. Funderburk and Ms. Paik - we had a fabulous strings concert. The students came ready to play! Our link will be up soon for strings sign up for the next school year. Most rising 4th graders participate as shown by the pics. Rising 5th and 6th graders can choose between band or strings.
Plan Forward - Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
May 26 - School Closed - Memorial Day
May 30 - McLean HS Clap Out (our returning students from any high school can join us at 2:45 - we will have the clap out at 3 p.m.)
June 3 - Chorus Concert 5:30 p.m.
June 5 - Field Day Grades K-5
June 6 - Volunteer Breakfast (8:00 a.m. More info to follow)
June 6 - Last PTA Meeting 9 a.m.
June 9 - Kindergarten Class Celebrations
June 9 - Sixth Grade Promotion - McLean High School 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
June 10 - 6th Grade Field Day 9:15 - 11:00 and Celebration 1:00 p.m.
June 11 - Last Day of School - 2 Hour Early Release
2024-25 FCPS School Calendar
2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
Administration Notes
Dear Parents,
We look forward to seeing our parent volunteers on June 6th. We will have the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast in the library at 8 a.m. and the last PTA meeting on June 6th. No need to sign up for the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, room parents and our many other volunteers should join us!!
As we wind up the school year, there are always a few changes in our staffing. The staffing adjustments are as follows: Mr. Bencherif will join Holmes Middle School as a French Teacher, Ms. Pfeiffer is pursuing other work outside of education; Ms. Schuetz and Ms. Gilani will transfer to other schools closer to their respective new homes. We are fully staffed and are looking forward to a wonderful school year for 2025-26.
Sixth Grade parents note that Jump Start is open for sign up now at Longfellow. See the information below in the sixth grade blurb. Sixth Grade Promotion is Monday, June 9th at 6 - 7 pm at McLean HS. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thanks again for a wonderful week and your continued support!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
SOL and Other End of Year Testing Updates
Testing Results: Throughout May and June, you will receive your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, there is a list of tests by grade level on the FCPS website.
How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be delivered in SIS ParentVUE or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about how test results are reported to families. Individual test websites provide report translations and help for interpreting test results. Please contact us with any testing questions or for additional information about how we use test results to support student success.
SOL Updates: If you child is retaking an SOL, the schedule is as follows: Reading, May 28th, Science May 29th and Math May 30th. Parents have been notified for these retakes with the exception of the Science. You should be able to access your child's Reading, Math and Science scores. If there are not viewable, it should be in the next few days.
Overall, our results have been strong. Note that the state will give a final accountability based on our pass scores, pass advanced and those that did not pass or when there is a needed opt out. We will disclose our numbers soon. We are very proud of our students and teachers for their hard work this school year!
Budget Update - 2025-26
The Fairfax County School Board unanimously adopted the FCPS Fiscal Year 2025-26 Approved Budget. Facing years of chronic underfunding, the final budget required $121 million in reductions to the needs-based budget that was carefully developed with the FCPS community’s high expectations in mind. While some adjustments were made, the school division will continue to do what is necessary to provide a world-class education for every student. Read more about the budget in this news release.
Dismissal Schedule and Attendance ~ June 11
On the last day of school, Wednesday, June 11, school will be dismissed at 1:35 pm. Please note that on the last day of school, June 11, 2025, morning attendance calls, texts, and e-mails will not be suspended. All schools must follow standard attendance procedures and record student attendance to ensure all students are accounted for and enable timely communication with families regarding any absences.
Field Day - Dress Appropriately!
We look forward to field day for our students. Note that students should wear sunscreen and appropriate shoes. A change of clothing if needed (sometimes it is a hot day!) We have enough volunteers! Thanks for your support!
Field Day: June 5, 2024 (Thursday) Grades K-5
Rain Date: June 6, 2024 (Friday) Grades K-5
Schedule - June 5th (June 6th rain date)
Grades 2-3: 9:05 - 10:30 a.m.
Grades K-1: 10:45 - 12:15 p.m.
Grades 4-5: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Grade 6: June 10 - 9:15 - 10:45 a.m. (Note that 6th grade celebration is after - The PTA will possibly need additional help and support for the Sixth Grade Celebration)
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.
Kindergarten Registration and Intention
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.
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 took place on March 21st. Here is the link to review the slide deck.
Limited Early Release Days Continue Next Year
During a report to the School Board this month, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid announced plans to continue limited early release days in elementary schools and shift them to Wednesdays for the 2025-26 school year. This plan is based on recommendations from the Early Release Steering Committee. The committee includes parents, caregivers, school-based staff, and central office personnel. Read more about the reasons for early release and the proposed early release dates.
Strings Concert Fun!
🥗 Don’t Forget to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance! As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to remember to check your students’ MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.
Families that earn less than 185% of poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals. However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2025-26 school year will be available this summer.
If families have a current balance and think they may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2024-25 school year. Get more information about free and reduced-price meals.
6th Grader Updates
THINGS ALL 6th Grade Families NEED TO DO THIS WEEK!
1) Sign the waiver for laser tag! ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE A SIGNED WAIVER
2) Contribute toward the fun! A $40 suggested contribution will go toward food and fun! If you are unable to contribute for any reason, please email your students preferred name for the t-shirt and t-shirt size (youth or adult s/m/l) to kg6thgraders@gmail.com
3) Upload photos (8 max per student) before May 11th for our slide show that will be played during the party!
4) Yard signs are here! If you ordered, please email Jenny to arrange pick up
And Don't Forget to Join the Longfellow Middle School PTA - The Longfellow Middle School PTA invites and encourages rising 7th grade parents to get involved in the LMS PTA. It’s a great way to get to know the faculty and staff of the school in the two short (and formative) years your student will be at LMS. You can learn more on the Longfellow PTA website. If you're interested in serving or would like more information, email Beth Coyne.
Save the Date! Jump Start is an opportunity for students to learn more about middle school and meet other students before the school year begins. Jump Start registration is now open on MySchoolbucks. Choose between Session 1 – August 4 – 5 or Session 2 – August 6 – 7. Hours are 8:30a.m. – 12:00p.m. Look forward to learning about Longfellow with school tours, ice breakers, scavenger hunts, team building and more. If you have any questions, contact Lavina Gangwani-Colaco at lkgangwanico@fcps.edu
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News from Shelley Lowinger - Parent Liaison
FCPS and Safe Routes to School Puzzle Hunt FCPS and Safe Routes to School return with an engaging activity to help get families outside this summer. The Fairfax County Puzzle Hunt, which begins Sunday, June 1, will offer online puzzles that lead to a location in Fairfax County and additional clues toward the final puzzle. Participants who submit the final answer will be entered into a chance to win a prize. They are designed to be challenging and accessible for all skill levels, as well as teaching about bicycle and pedestrian safety. Plan ahead and think creatively: Last year, some folks created solving teams and scheduled meet-ups to solve together. How will you participate? For more information, visit the hunt’s How to Play page.
Fairfax County Summer Camps - Registration closes Friday, June 6 for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps.
IFTA is a two- or three-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9 (which fulfills a graduation requirement), music, and theater. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.
Family Resource Summer Camp Guide - The Family Resource Center has compiled a list of local summer camps. To receive a copy of this list and any additional questions, contact the Family Resource Center at 703-204-3941 or frc@fcps.edu
varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support - FCPS is partnering 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; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
Helpful Resource Link to Stay in Touch with FCPS this Summer - Be informed and stay in touch with FCPS communications and news this summer. Review this link for more information.
Sixth Grade ~ Art/Weaving :)
School Clinic Medicine Reminder
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medications stored in the health room must be picked up no later than 12pm on the last day of school June 11th. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student.
If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program.
Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online. If you have any questions, please contact your school health room aide, Ramita Rana at 703-394-5610, or your school public health nurse, Kristina Brown, at 571-460-8931. Thank you for your cooperation and have a good summer!
🎨 Support The Crayon Initiative – Recycle for a Cause! 🖍️
Do you have old, broken, or unwanted crayons lying around? Don’t toss them—donate them!
Our school is collecting used crayons to support The Crayon Initiative, a nonprofit that recycles crayons into new ones and donates them to children’s hospitals across the country. This program not only helps reduce landfill waste but also brings color, creativity, and joy to kids in need.
📦 Collection Dates: May19 - June 12 📍 Drop-Off Location: Outside of the office in the designated box.
Let’s work together to make a big impact with something as small as a crayon! For more information, visit www.thecrayoninitiative.org
Pre-K Program Accepting Applications for Fall
The FCPS PreK Program serves 3 and 4 year old students with a high quality, full-day preschool program with no cost to families at 78 Fairfax County elementary schools. Students may qualify with a variety of economic or educational risk factors. Learn more about the Pre-K and Early Head Start Program by watching this video (English) or video (Spanish). Spaces fill quickly, so complete an application online now or call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish) for more information.
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 last meeting is June 6 at 9 am. in the cafeteria. We look forward to seeing you there! The Parent Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast will be held prior to our meeting! Come join us!
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Rising Kinder Playdates
We are looking for parents of current kindergarteners to help host our Kinder Playdates this Spring and Summer! Bring your kinder to the KG playground and help answer questions and meet new families. If interested, please email kgptapresident@gmail.com
Kinder Playdates will be held on: Saturday June 21st 9-11am Wednesday, August 13th 6-7pm
Check out our first playdate pictures below!
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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Family Arts and Craft Opportunity
Support a local high school student in bringing awareness surrounding lupus. Family activities provided to all1
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