Gator Bytes: News and General Information for Kings Glen ES
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A Message from Principal Ritter
Dear Kings Glen Families,
What an incredible first few weeks of school! Your children have been so eager and enthusiastic and a pleasure to work with. Our staff has been enjoying getting to know your children and helping them get into their new routines for the school year. Interested in learning more about your child’s day at school? Try asking these questions:
- What’s something you learned about your teacher?
- How are you feeling about your new class?
- What was the most fun thing you did today or this week?
- Tell me about someone you sat next to at lunch or in class.
- What’s a new expectation you have to remember in your classroom?
- If you could describe your day in three words, what would they be?
I hope to see you at the PTA Ice Cream Social/Community Use Fair at Kings Glen on Friday, September 12th at 6:30 p.m. It's a great time to meet friends for a cool treat and also learn about extracurricular activities for your child.
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PTA Booster Begins Thursday, September 11th!
The Booster Fun Run is the PTA's largest fundraiser of the school year. We are excited to kick off this year's event this week on September 11 and the actual Fun Run will take place on Friday, September 19. Our school goal is to raise $50,000 to support student enrichment through family events, assemblies, peaceful spaces, updated specials materials and resources that connect learning between school and home.
In addition, if at least 70% of all students register, Kings Park staff will have an inflatable race and Kings Glen staff will have an inflatable race with "AL E Gator", and the KG principal will work from the roof for one day! Register for free today at mybooster.com! Every student who registers will receive a prize!
Welcome to Band and Strings!
We are excited for a new year for students to participate in either Band or Strings!
4th Grade students are eligible to enroll in Strings classes, while 5th and 6th Graders are eligible to enroll in either Band or Strings. Unfortunately, students cannot sign up for more than one instrument. Please reach out to Ms. Sharkey (Strings) or Ms. VanValkenburg (Band) if you need forms or additional information.
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Pixel Can Art Food Drive
What: We are collecting 14-16 oz sized cans of vegetables and beans. Cans that “lock together” when stacked are best for the project.
When: Collection of cans starts NOW until September 30th.
Where: Drop of your cans and other dry food goods in the boxes by the front office.
Why: We will donate the food to ECHO in Springfield. Before it is donated, students will create a pixel can art sculpture to be displayed for the school.
Advanced Academics Spotlight
Lisa Rode (Kings Glen AART) and Jamie Mucciolo (Kings Park AART) are excited to continue working together to bring you important updates on AAP from FCPS and our KP/KG community! You can access the September Newsletter here. Our monthly newsletters feature our office hours dates and times, CCT strategies to try at home, and happening in the community. We look forward to working with you this year!
Every Day Counts: Setting Your Child Up for Success
September is Attendance Awareness Month. There are many ways parents and caregivers can help their children create healthy routines and make a habit of getting to school on time every day. Some examples include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
Visit the FCPS website for more attendance tips and resources. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
New Math Screening and Growth Assessment for Elementary Students
At Kings Glen students took their MAP test today! FCPS elementary schools use the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math assessment to assess grade level mathematics skills in grades 1-6. The MAP Math test along with the iReady Reading test fulfill a state requirement to measure academic growth in grades 3-6 throughout the school year.
MAP Math tests are administered in the fall, winter, and spring. They help teachers identify students' strengths and areas where they may need more support.
Families can learn more about MAP Growth assessments by visiting the MAP Test Information webpage.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Family Life Education
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve.
Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program.
- If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, opt-out forms are available in Parent Digital Consent.
- Paper opt-out forms are available from your child’s school.
Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online and are divided into Elementary (K-6), Middle School (7-8), and High School (9-12).
Program questions may be addressed at your child’s school or by contacting Instructional Services at 571-423-4550 or by email to fle@fcps.edu
Family Academy
Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families
We know that as a parent or caregiver, you play a critical role in your child’s education. The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by the school division to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home.
The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help ensure your child has what they need to succeed. Check out some of the upcoming Family Academy sessions:
- Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes (available in English and Spanish)
- Loving Solutions
- Military-Connected Youth Family Advisory Council
- Parent Project
- Family Resource Center Webinars on topics including: How to Prepare for School; Building Collaborative Relationships Between Caregivers and Educators; Worried Parents, Anxious Kids; and What Families Need to Know About Drugs for Their Students with Disabilities.
Visit the Family Academy catalog for more information on these sessions and to register to attend.
Parent Information Line Available in 8 Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
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 Kings Glen staff members.
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KP/KG PTA News |
Our first meeting is coming up on September 10th at Kings Park at 5:00 pm right before Back to School Night. The school administration and PTA Board members will be providing updates and we will be voting on our 2025-26 school year budget.
Our next Spirit Night is coming up on September 10th! InCourage is offering a Back to School Night Event from 4:45-7:30 pm. Sign your student up, drop them off at InCourage, then join us for our PTA meeting at 5 pm and Kings Park’s Back to School Night at 5:30 pm! All proceeds come back to the PTA!
After School activities are open for registration! Check out our website for more information. Scholarships are available (please reach out to your school counselor).
Booster Fun Run. The Booster Fun Run is the PTA's largest fundraiser of the school year. We are excited to kick off this year's event this week on September 11 and the actual Fun Run will take place on Friday, September 19. Our school goal is to raise $50,000 to support student enrichment through family events, assemblies, peaceful spaces, updated specials materials and resources that connect learning between school and home. In addition, if 70% of students register at Kings Park school staff will participate in an inflatable race and at Kings Glen there will be an inflatable race between staff and Al E. Gator and the principal will work from the roof for one day! Register for free today at mybooster.com! Every student who registers will receive a prize!
Booster Volunteers Needed! The Booster campaign is a lot of work and we could use your help! We need volunteers daily to help sort and distribute prizes as well as volunteers the day of the run. Please sign up here if you can. All volunteers will also need to register as a PTA Volunteer on the FCPS Volunteer site.
Our popular FREE PTA Ice Cream Social and Community Resource Fair will be held at Kings Glen THIS FRIDAY September 12th at 6:30 pm. Come get a sweet treat with friends and learn about local after school vendors and community resources.
On September 18th, the PTA will host a "Bee Well" staff appreciation. We will be providing small wellness and self-care items to staff and would love your help with some healthy snack items. Please take a moment to review the Sign Up Genius and sign up to donate an item if you can!
Join the PTA. We hope all members of the KP/KG community will consider joining the PTA this school year. Join on our website! 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.
Sept. 10: Kings Park Back-to-School Night
Sept. 10: PTA Meeting at Kings Park (5:00 p.m.)
Sept. 10: PTA Spirit Night at InCourage Martial Arts (See Above)
Sept. 10: 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday (Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.)
Sept. 11: PTA Booster Fundraiser Kickoff
Sept. 12: PTA Ice Cream Social/Community Resource Fair (6:30 p.m.)
Sept. 18: PTA "Bee Well" Staff Appreciation
Sept. 19: PTA Booster Fun Run (See Above)
Sept. 23: Rosh Hashanah Holiday (Schools Closed)
Sept. 30: Pixel Art Canned Food Drive Deadline
Oct. 2: Yom Kippur Holiday (Schools Closed)
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