Gator Bytes: News and General Information for Kings Glen ES
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A Message from Principal Ritter
Dear Kings Glen Families,
We’re excited to welcome our new and returning students on Monday, August 18, for the start of the 2025–2026 school year! Our staff have been busy getting classrooms set up for the new year, and our building is clean and shiny to usher in the new school year.
Here are a few tips to help the first day (and every day!) run smoothly:
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Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Students are not to arrive prior to 8:30 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult. There is no staff available to supervise prior to 8:30 a.m.
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The school day begins at 8:40 a.m. All students should be in their classrooms and ready to learn by then. Arrival after 8:40 a.m. is considered tardy, and an adult must walk their child to Entrance 1 and sign their child in.
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On the first day of school, there will be plenty of Kings Glen staff available to ensure your child(ren) are able to find their classrooms and are ready to learn. Families are not permitted to walk their child(ren) to class.
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Dismissal will start at 3:20 p.m. Kiss & Ride, followed by walkers, are among the first to dismiss. Our Kiss & Ride line goes quickly due to having older students. If you are picking up children from both Kings Glen and Kings Park, it is best to go through Kings Glen's Kiss & Ride line first, and then head to Kings Park.
- To establish school routines and to help keep things running smoothly, we kindly ask that students arrive and depart school on the first day the same way they will be arriving/dismissing from Kings Glen each day.
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Kings Glen Open House
Friday, August 15th, 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Join us on Friday, August 15 from 9:30-10:15 a.m. for the Kings Glen Open House. Open House is a time for students and families to informally meet the teacher, reconnect with friends, visit with new classmates, and to explore the school. Staff members will be on hand to give extra assistance during the open house to help you find your child’s classroom. Families are welcome to drop off school supplies during the visit. Stay tuned for more details!
Kings Glen Back To School Night
Wednesday, August 20th, 6-8 p.m.
Join us for this important event where classroom teachers and school staff will share key information about the year ahead. Parents and guardians will learn about grade-level curriculum updates—including state and division-wide changes—what students will be learning this year.
You'll also hear about school-wide, grade-level, and classroom expectations and the strategies teachers will use to support your child’s success. This is a valuable opportunity to begin building a strong partnership with your child’s homeroom teacher, meet the specialists, and connect with other families.
We strongly encourage all families to attend. Our home-school partnership is invaluable, and your presence makes a difference!
Cell Phones: Off and Away – All Day!
Please remind your child that cell phones and personal devices (airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell). Cell phones are also not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.
Phone accessories are also to be silenced and away when phone use is prohibited. Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
If you need to contact your child during the school day, call our front office at 703-239-4000 or email KGNotes@fcps.edu. The office staff will relay the message to your child. Learn more about FCPS’ cell phone policy, which helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school.
School Supplies for Students in Need
We are in search of brand-new school supplies for students in need for the school year. We are asking the community for donations. You can view a list of needed supplies by viewing the Kings Glen school supply lists here.
If you have new school supplies to donate, please drop them off or send to school with your child and place in the collection box located by the main office. Thanks for your support!
Elementary Schools Limited Early Release Days
Consent Form Due Monday, August 25
Limited early release days for elementary schools will shift to Wednesdays for the 2025-26 school year. Kings Glen will dismiss 3 hours early at 12:25 p.m. on the following Wednesdays:
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September 10
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October 29
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November 12
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December 10
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February 18
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March 18
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April 22
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May 13
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Read more about early release Wednesdays on the FCPS website.
We encourage all parents/caregivers to have their child take their normal route home (bus, walk, kiss and ride) on early dismissal days. While these are designated as early release days — where necessary, we will ensure that every child has supervision and returns home at the regular time if that is what works best for your family.
The Early Release Wednesday consent form can be found in the BOY Digital Consent App under "Early Release Wednesday Childcare" and needs to be completed by August 25.
You can find more information about digital consent here: Digital Consent Directions for Families
Lunch and Food Services Information
If your child will be buying lunch or breakfast, please use http://www.myschoolbucks.com to add money to (or create) their account. This year, breakfast is $1.75 and lunch $3.75.
Student ID Numbers Needed for School Meals (New This Year) Starting this school year, students will enter their student ID number — not their current cafeteria PIN — at the cash register to receive school meals. Please remind your child of their student ID number, which you can find in SIS ParentVUE. View more updates and reminders for school meals this year, including 20 new menu items!
Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost.
Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. Access the application and view criteria on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage
Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Please review this checklist to make sure your child is ready!
Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE: Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at [email/phone number] if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Update Your Contact Information: Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.
Update Immunizations and Records: Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy. When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
Learn About School Meals: Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meal benefits.
Bookmark the School Year Calendar: Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
New! Volunteer Management System
Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
A new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, will allow students, parents/caregivers, and community members to register and search volunteer opportunities within the school division.
All volunteers (new or returning) will need to register in Volunteer FCPS, complete a volunteer orientation, and be required to sign in using the visitor kiosk. Some volunteers will also be required to undergo a background check. Visit the Volunteer FCPS website for details.
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KP/KG PTA News |
Join the PTA. We hope all members of the KP/KG community will consider joining the PTA this school year. Being a PTA member has numerous benefits -- it's a great way to meet new friends and become more involved in your child's school and community. Join on our website!
Sweet Frog Spirit Day (9564 Old Keene Mill Rd). Grab a sweet treat after Open House on Friday, August 15th anytime from 12-9 p.m. and support the PTA. No flier necessary. Twenty percent of all sales during this time will be donated back to the PTA.
Popsicles on the Playground - Sunday, August 17th. Come enjoy a cool treat the night before the first day of school! We have scheduled times for each grade to come reunite with old friends and meet new ones.
Want to help with KP/KG PTA’s biggest fundraiser of the year? It’ll be coming up quick and we are looking for sponsors - reach out if you have connections or are interested! The Booster program starts on September 11th and finishes on September 19, 2025 with the Fun Run. Mark your calendars and reach out to Sarah Maccubbin-Tremper at vpfund@kpkgpta.org if you want to be involved!
Mark your calendars! Our popular PTA Ice Cream Social and Community Resource Fair will be held at Kings Glen on September 12th at 6:30 p.m. More information is coming soon!
Keep in Touch with the PTA. A great way to keep in touch with the PTA is to subscribe to our emails and/or join our Facebook group. An updated PTA events calendar can also be found here. We will be starting our monthly newsletter in September, which is a great resource to find out more about the PTA. Reach out to board@kpkgpta.org if you have any questions.
Volunteer with the PTA. Volunteering is certainly not a requirement of joining the PTA, but we are always looking for more help! We are looking for some volunteer leads for various positions throughout the year. Check out our openings here.
Information on after school activities will be coming out soon. Please sign up to our mailing list for updates.
Aug. 13: Military Families-Welcome BBQ Event (4-6 p.m., Mount Vernon HS)
Aug. 15: Open House at Kings Park and Kings Glen
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Kings Park (Grades K-3): 8:45-9:30 a.m.
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Kings Glen (Grades 4-6): 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Aug. 15: PTA Fundraiser at Sweet Frog (12-9 p.m.; See Above)
Aug. 17: PTA Popsicles on the Playground (3:30-4:00 p.m. at Kings Glen)
Aug. 18: First Day of School
Aug. 20: Kings Glen Back-to-School Night (6:00 p.m.)
Aug. 29-Sept. 1: Labor Day Holiday (Schools Closed)
Sept. 4: Family Vision Group Kickoff Meeting (See Above)
Sept. 10: Kings Park Back-to-School Night
Sept. 10: 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday (Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.)
Sept. 12: PTA Ice Cream Social/Community Resource Fair (6:30 p.m.)
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