Gator Bytes: News and General Information for Kings Glen ES
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
A Message from Principal Ritter
Dear Kings Glen Families -
As we settle into the beautiful colors and crisp air of mid-October, we are settling into the wonderful rhythm we've established here at Kings Glen. This time of year is often when the real, deep work of learning happens. It's the moment our students truly dig in, our teachers are at their most creative, and the routine of the school day becomes a powerful force for growth.
We see amazing things every day: students and staff collaborating on challenging projects, the moments when the difficult concepts finally click, and acts of kindness shared in each classroom and throughout the hallways. These are the many daily victories that truly define our success.
|
School Picture Day Is Coming!
Thursday, October 16th
Fall Picture Day at Kings Glen will be held on Thursday, October 16th. Stay tuned for more details!
We need 2-3 Parent Volunteers to make Picture Day go smoothly! As a thank you,parent volunteers will receive a $25 discount code via email after Picture Day. If interested, please email KGNotes@fcps.edu with your availability that day.
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001271136
📧 Questions about Ordering? Email underclass@vosphoto.com
📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day
|
REMINDER: Diwali Holiday
Monday, October 20th (Schools Closed)
Positivity Project at Kings Glen
Kings Glen is partnering with The Positivity Project (P2) to empower students to build positive relationships and become their best selves. During our classroom Morning Meetings, short videos, class discussions and activities focus on one of the 24 character strengths that are the foundation of Positive Psychology. Gators explore their strengths and how to have positive relationships. P2 also offers short lessons for families at home.
Week of October 13-October 17: Integrity
|
Finishing Up Our Learning About Life Science in Language Arts
Benchmark Unit 1 in Language Arts is coming to a close! Over the last several weeks, our students have learned, read, and written about the natural world around us.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
-
Question: How do living things change? How have you changed since last year? How do you think you’ll change in the next five years?
-
Activity: Go outside and try to spot three different plants or animals. Discuss how they get food, water, and shelter.
Don’t forget to connect with your child about their Literacy Notebook! The Literacy Notebook should be coming home each day. Students are practicing the skills they are learning during the school day by applying lessons to books they are reading independently, as well as digging deeper into learning interesting or new vocabulary words.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
Advanced Academics Spotlight
Check out the KP-KG AAP October newsletter for information about upcoming AAP deadlines, Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) lessons, and upcoming meetings.
FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards Nominations
Due Friday, November 14
Nominations are now open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Kings Glen Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through this Google form.
Consider nominating an outstanding member of the Kings Glen staff so that they may be recognized for their day-to-day efforts in supporting our students, staff and FCPS initiatives. All that is required is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work. Nominations are due by November 14th.
Impact Aid - Available Electronically Beginning Friday, October 17
The Impact Aid Program is a federal program designed to directly compensate local school districts that have been financially impacted by federal activities. The program’s mission is to reimburse local school districts for local revenues lost due to the presence of federally owned (therefore tax exempt) property.
FCPS is pleased to announce that the Federal Impact Aid Survey will once again be available electronically through your ParentVUE account. Only the enrolling parent will be able to file this out through ParentVUE. It will be available October 17, 2025.
Please Label Clothing / Lost and Found
Now that the weather has become more seasonable, it is not unusual for our students to need a jacket in the morning but not in the afternoon. If your child has come home without their outerwear, please remind them to check the Lost & Found located inside the cafeteria. It is also helpful if you label items so that we can return them when found!
Cafeteria Reminder: Pack the Necessities
Please make sure your child(ren) have everything they need in their lunch bags. Glass containers and bottles should not be sent in with students for lunch as they are a safety hazard if they break. The cafeteria does not provide condiments or utensils for students who bring packed lunches. For children who have school lunches, students go through the lunch line only one time and are reminded to pick up all lunch supplies at that time.
Boundary Review
Monday, October 27
October Community Boundary Review Meetings FCPS’ October community boundary review meetings will begin on Monday, October 13th. Each of the 12 meetings will focus on two pyramids. Our pyramid will be covered at the meeting on Monday, October 27 at Irving Middle School, (Lake Braddock and West Springfield Pyramids) in person or virtual. Register by clicking “in person” or “virtual,” based on how you would like to participate.
At the meeting, the consultant will present the latest draft boundary map (Scenario 4) and potential changes specific to our pyramid and the West Springfield pyramid. Participants will also be invited to ask questions.
If you are unable to attend the meeting for our pyramid, you are welcome to attend any meeting that is convenient. View the full list of October boundary meetings.
Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.
All Families Opted in to Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report
FCPS provides families with a free service that allows parents and caregivers a way to stay informed about their child's online activity on any FCPS device. Starting Sunday, October 12, all parents and caregivers who have access to student records in SIS ParentVUE will be automatically enrolled to receive a weekly Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report.
This report provides a summary of the websites your child visited during the previous week and is delivered every Sunday to your email directly from Lightspeed, our internet content filter.
Each weekly report also includes a link to register for the Lightspeed Parent Portal, which provides more detailed browsing information. This portal also gives you the ability to pause internet access on the FCPS laptop issued to your child during non-school hours, such as mealtime or bedtime.
Visit the Lightspeed Parent Report page for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Register for Volunteer FCPS
Kings Glen volunteers are a vital part of our school community. We deeply value the time and care they give to our students. Recent updates to FCPS' volunteer process focus on one primary goal: keeping students safe. These updates (such as checks against the sex offender registry and criminal background checks) are safety measures that will help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.
Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer to chaperone on field trips, work at book fairs, support Kings Jesters, library, and assist throughout the school. Volunteers who work unsupervised with students will also be required to undergo a background check (Level 3).
We encourage all of our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS, click “Learn More,” and then “Sign Up.” After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application. Please note that you will need to log into your volunteer account to check the status of your application and take care of any tasks needed to be completed by you.
As a reminder, all volunteers — and visitors to a school — are required to sign in by scanning their ID at our visitor kiosk. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Cell Phone Policy Reminder
When Cell Phones Are Down, Learning and Engagement Are Up: Help Keep Our Schools Phone-Free
Cell phones can significantly impact academic performance — research has shown that it takes students 10 minutes or more to shift their focus back to learning after being interrupted by a single cell phone notification! You can help keep our schools phone-free (and your child focused on learning) by:
- Reminding your child about FCPS’ cell phone policy and telling them why you support it.
- Contacting the front office by phone or by emailing KGNotes@FCPS.edu if there is an emergency during the school day.
- Contacting your child about non-urgent matters before or after the school day.
Learn more about FCPS’ cell phone and personal device policy. Also, view our Media Balance and Well-Being Toolkit for resources to help your child maintain a healthy and balanced relationship with technology at home.
Lake Braddock Choir Fundraiser
Thursday, October 23
The Lake Braddock Choir is hosting its annual fundraiser concert “Dessert on Broadway” on Thursday, October 23. The concert will be full of Broadway songs and the tickets include a dessert. There will also be a raffle and silent auction. For information, visit lbchorus.org.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
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.
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.
 |
|
KP/KG PTA News |
The Spirit Wear Store will be opening soon. Check our website for updates!
We are looking forward to seeing you at our FREE Nature Event at Hidden Pond on Wednesday, October 15th at 5 p.m. There are a few student spots left! Sign-up today!
Head to Chipotle (6230 Rolling Rd) from 4-8 p.m. on October 21st for our Spirit Night. Use code 8NK64CZ online or show the flyer and 25% of event sales will be donated to the KP/KG PTA.
We will be hosting a FREE Virtual Tiny Chefs Class on October 24 at 6:30 p.m. Students will be making Spider Web Sugar Cookies. Please register your student today! A complete list of ingredients will be emailed to you the week prior to the event.
Join the PTA. We hope all members of the KP/KG community will consider joining the PTA this school year. It is a wonderful way to stay connected and build a welcoming and supportive community. Join today 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. Our website also features an updated PTA events calendar.
Oct. 15: PTA FREE Hidden Pond Nature Event (5 p.m.; See Above)
Oct. 16: Fall Picture Day
Oct. 17: Federal Impact Aid Survey Opens (See Above)
Oct. 20: Diwali Holiday (Schools Closed)
Oct. 21: PTA Chipotle Spirit Night (4-8 p.m.; See Above)
Oct. 23: Lake Braddock Choir “Dessert on Broadway” (See Above)
Oct. 24: PTA Tiny Chefs FREE Virtual Class (6:30 p.m.; See Above)
Oct. 27: Boundary Review Meeting (Irving MS; See Above)
Oct 29: 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday (Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.)
Oct. 31: Quarter 1 Ends (2-Hr. Early Dismissal at 1:25 p.m.)
Nov. 3: School Planning Day (No School for Students)
Nov. 4: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
Nov. 11: Veterans Day (Schools Closed)
Nov. 12: 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday (Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.)
Nov. 14: Outstanding Employee Awards Nominations Due (See Above)
Nov. 26-28: Thanksgiving Holiday (Schools Closed)
|
