Plan Forward - Dates to Mark on your Calendar
January 12 - 16 - FCPS ST Math Week (see below)
January 13 - Sixth Grade Promotion Parent Planning Meeting 8:50 a.m.
January 14 - Longfellow Information Session 6 - 8 p.m. (see below)
January 15 - Parent Coffee 8:45 a.m. (Complete the google form if you have a topic of interest that you would like to discuss.)
January 15 - Band Concert 5:30 - Beginners Band and 6:45 Advanced Band
January 19 - Registration Deadline for Spelling Bee (see below)
January 19 - Martin Luther King Holiday - No School
January 23 - PTA Meeting 8:45 a.m. Cafeteria
January 26 - Strings Concert 5 - 6 p.m.
January 27 - Immersion Information Night 5 - 6 p.m. Cafeteria
January 28 - 2nd Quarter Ends and Two Hour Early Release
January 29 and 30 - Teachers Professional Development and Teacher Workday - No School for Students
February 7 - Heritage Night 5 - 7 p.m. (See the Sign Up Below)
2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
Administration Notes
Dear Parents,
We had a great first week back. It was very busy as we worked to get back into our routines. We will have the mid year assessments for many classrooms this week. It is important that your child come prepared with headphones. See the information below on the dates.
A few reminders about upcoming events and sign ups. There are NEW sign ups for an Art class (SPARK) hosted by McLean HS students, Tech Class with WIZE, Chess Club, GOTR, and After School Academies. Sign up now!
We also have the Spelling Bee registration that is due by January 19th. Please do check out the details below. Mark your calendars for Kindergarten Zoom Orientation on March 26th and the in person meeting on April 10th at 9 a.m. More information to follow!
There are two opportunities to give to others as well - we are collecting crayons for the 100th day of school for NIH Children's Inn and also for Homeward Trails (looking for items to support dogs) - check out the details below! We love sharing our #kgpride with the community!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
KGES Spelling Bee Registration
Does your child want to participate in the KGES Spelling Bee? It is open to all students in grades 3 - 6. The timeline is as follows:
- Registration is here - Registration closes on January 19th (Note this is a tight deadline)
- Note that Vocabulary Test will be given on January 28th at 9 a.m. only to the registered students. The top 15 students with highest scores will compete in the Spelling Bee on Friday, February 20th.
Questions - Holly McGuigan, Sarah Talley or Tia Hawkins
Immersion Information Night - January 27
FCPS offers DLI programs in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Online lottery application open on January 12 for rising kindergarten and first graders dependent upon the school. The online, countywide lottery is open to Fairfax County residents. Families must have a SIS ParentVUE account. Students not currently enrolled in FCPS should register at their base school before applying for the immersion program. Please contact Annie Joseph, if you need to create an account and live in our boundary. FCPS does not provide transportation for students who live outside the attendance area of the DLI school. A one-time fee of $100 must be paid upon acceptance of an out-of-boundary placement (see Notice 5922).
Program Sites and Informational Meetings - The dates for various schools are in this link. Click on the specific languages for the specific details. These schools offer county-wide DLI program enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year. Parents are encouraged to attend one of the informational meetings. Meetings will be held at the elementary school listed except for the virtual event on February 4th at 6 p.m.
Kent Gardens will have the immersion program interest session on January 27 at 5:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. We will be joined by Beatrix Preusse from the World Languages office. Click the link for additional registration information.
Kent Gardens immersion program will continue to begin in first grade. We will continue to explore options to begin in kindergarten. On January 12, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. the registration system will open and parents may submit DLI program applications. On February 12, 2026 at 4 p.m. the registration system will close. On February 27, 2026 at 8:30 a.m., parents will be notified regarding 1st grade lottery registrations. All parents responses are due by March 13, 2026 at 4 p.m. Late applications will be accepted and students will be added to the bottom of the generated waitlist. If you have questions, please contact Brigid Williams at 571-423-4600.
Mid Year Assessments
Students will be taking mid year assessments in January. These will include the iReady in Reading and Math MAP for grades 3 - 6. Students in grades 1 and 2 will take the math MAP and in K-3 teachers will give the Virginia Language and Literacy Assessments. Parents will be notified if additional supports will be needed based on the outcomes. Parents please ensure that your child(ren) have headphones - these are essential for the assessments. Below is the schedule:
- January 13 - Grade 6 Math MAP
- January 14 - Grades 1 and 5 - Math MAP; Grades 3 and 4 - iReady Reading
- January 21 - Grade 2 and 3 - Math MAP; Grades 5 and 6 - iReady Reading
Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night Jan. 14, 2026
Longfellow Middle School will be hosting a Curriculum Night for rising 7th grade families (current 6th grade students) at Longfellow MS on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This evening session aims to provide parents with information that will help their incoming 7th grade student with the transition to middle school. Families will have the opportunity to explore elective course offerings and hear from a variety of Longfellow staff about the courses and programs offered to 7th grade students. Students and staff will also be available to answer questions. If inclement weather occurs, the event will be rescheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. We look forward to welcoming you to Longfellow!
💻 Action Required! Update Your Permission for Google Tools
Google recently made changes to how educational applications are managed and accessed on the Chrome Browser and Chromebooks. Many applications are moving from the Chrome Web Store to the Google Play Store.
To ensure your student(s) can continue accessing all approved instructional tools, FCPS has updated its digital consent platform to include both the Chrome Web Store and the Google Play Store. Please review and provide your consent for these two new options through our easy-to-use Parent Digital Consent system:
- Additional Google Services – Chrome Web Store
- Additional Google Services – Google Play Store
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting safe and effective digital learning experiences for all students. For questions or support, please visit FCPS’ Family Technology Resources page or open a ticket with our Technical Support desk.
Positivity Project Weekly Focus - Prudence
This week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Prudence. Prudence means you plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.
Prudence is about doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. It's a way of thinking ahead, setting goals, making plans, and having the discipline to follow through. It’s more about using your head than your heart.
Prudence helps with managing yourself effectively. Whether aiming for a sports record, getting good grades, or saving for something special, you need to plan ahead and stay focused. Even with a plan, you must resist temptations that might distract you. Prudence gives you the wisdom to use the right strengths at the right time to achieve your goals.
To practice and encourage the character strength of prudence 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.
 Yearbook Contest 2026!
The Annual Yearbook Cover Contest is here! This year’s theme is comic books. Feel free to include references to #KG Pride and our houses!
Finished artwork should be turned into the main office or to Ms. Kladler (room 132) by January 28 (end of the 2nd quarter).
All entries must - 1. Be fully made by students (sorry parents!) 2. Relate to this year’s theme: comics 3. Include the words “Kent Gardens Yearbook 2025-2026" 4. Be in portrait orientation on either 9x12” or 8.5x11” paper 5. Be hand drawn, collaged, or painted. Sorry, no digital or AI artwork 6. Include the student’s name and grade level on the back.
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Yearbook Order Now Available!
Order your yearbook now! www.yearbookordercenter.com with code 21772
Or scan the QR code !
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⛄ ST Math Week
MIND Research, the organization behind ST Math, is hosting Family Math Week from January 12–16, 2026. During this week, students are encouraged to log in to the ST Math FCPS Family Math website (link coming out soon!) to participate in fun math activities with their families at home.
Family Math Week features engaging activities including stories with mathematical concepts connected to a variety of different math games from around the world! . All activities are available in English and Spanish, making it easy for families to learn and play together. We encourage all families to join in as FCPS works toward a community goal of three million minutes of math engagement.
Heritage Night is Coming
Heritage Night is coming on February 7th, so get ready to grab a KG Passport and travel the world! What better way to show your #KGPride than to join us for an evening celebrating the many cultures that make up our school?
Join us Saturday, February 7th, from 5-7pm for an evening of food, learning, and fun. The evening will be capped of with our Parade of Nations, where children can dress in traditional clothing that best represents their heritage.
Want to represent your culture in our World Café or Heritage Room or volunteer in another way? Sign up here.
All students are welcome to be a part of the parade, no signup is necessary. Please note, this is not a drop off event, but one for the WHOLE family to enjoy! For more information, please email kgesheritagenight@gmail.com
Help us celebrate the 100th Day of School - February 6
Support by donating new boxes of crayons to benefit the NIH Children’s Inn!
🖍 Drop-off: Main Office (labeled box) 📅 Donation Dates: January 12 – February 5 🎨 Any size new crayon boxes welcome! Crayons will be delivered on Friday, February 6.Thank you for your support KGES community! Questions - Shelley Lowinger
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Note from Parent Liaison, Shelley Lowinger
January 12 – 16th is FCPS Math Week - FCPS invites you to experience a full week of family time with FREE stories, games and math activities - all from the comfort of your home. Math Week offers families an opportunity to experience math, literacy, history, and geography in a fun and positive way. All content will be available for families in English and Spanish beginning Monday, January 12. Visit the Math Week website for games, stories, and other interactive activities for the whole family.
Learn @ Light Pollution as a Family...at the Dark Skies Presentation & Astronomy Night held by the McLean Pyramid Get2Green teams -Thursday, January 15, 2026, 7:00-8:30 pm. Longfellow Lecture Hall & PE Field - Come learn how the natural world thrives in darkness. Students and guest speakers will discuss light pollution and ways to be better stewards of our night skies. After the presentations, a local astronomer will lead stargazing on the Longfellow PE field with telescopes and binoculars available (or bring your own!) Dress warmly for the outdoor portion! This event is open to the Haycock, Longfellow and McLean community as well as our greater community.
FCPS Family Café Free Series - The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together - January 22 - Join FCPS Intervention and Prevention Services to learn how your family can build healthy and secure, and positive habits online together. This family workshop provides hands-on learning about internet safety to inform families. For more information and to register, please visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjGudUM_IZ8ZjMXnS-hauTyFAvEVWmkApkpuii8QC3ATBXuw/viewform
MLK Jr. 2026 Events - Volunteer opportunities abound! In Fairfax County, Volunteer Fairfax is organizing a major event at NVCC Annandale. More information may be found here: MLK 2026. Additionally, Fairfax County Parks will host activities at Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA, 20171), with opportunities for families and all ages to serve local nonprofits. To register, visit Frying Pan Park MLK Service Learning Day.
Proposed Boundary Changes
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid recommended proposed boundary changes to the School Board at its January 8 board meeting. Meeting materials include:
The School Board will hold a public hearing on the Proposed FY 2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) on Tuesday, January 13, at 6 p.m., in the Jackson Middle School auditorium. If you would like to testify regarding the school boundary, you may arrive 45 minutes before the hearing begins (5:15 p.m.) to sign up to speak in person in a queue. The School Board will vote on the superintendent’s recommendation on Thursday, January 22. Learn more here - comprehensive boundary review.
💰Follow Our Budget Process
Encourage your neighbors, friends, and community members to follow the FCPS budget process and look for opportunities to share your ideas about funding public education. Key decision dates and engagement opportunities are coming up in the next few weeks:
- The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2026 session on Saturday, January 10, at 9 a.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Fairfax County residents can sign up in advance to speak at the hearing online or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151, TTY 711, by Thursday, January 8, at noon.
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Thursday, January 22, Dr. Reid will present the proposed budget to the School Board. Visit our budget webpage for more information.
Survey of Preschool Children
Please complete the Survey of Preschool Children form if you have a child who will be 5 years of age as of September 30, 2026. You can access the form in multiple languages at this link: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/it112.pdf
Please complete and return the form to your local elementary school by March 31, 2026. This will allow for FCPS to estimate the number of incoming kindergartners to plan for staffing and resource needs.
KG PTA News and Updates
Join the PTA Now!
The PTA at KGES is SUPER BUSY! When you join the PTA, you help support the work we do at our school AND the advocacy work that the PTA does at all levels of the government! Membership in the KGES PTA needs to be renewed every year and you don't have to wait for the school year to start. You can join the PTA NOW!
OUR NEXT PTA MEETING WILL BE: January 23 at 8:45 am in the cafe. Mary Wilcox Smith, author, parenting coach, and speaker will join us at the end of the meeting for an opportunity to dig into what it means to be a parent right now.
Afterschool Academies- Registration Opens 1/6
Your KGES PTA is so excited to offer Afterschool Academies for Winter 2026! Registration opens Tuesday 1/6 and will continue through Sunday 1/25 but don't wait around! Popular classes will fill up fast!
This winter, we're thrilled to offer classes with Mr. Avery, Ms. D'Amico, Ms. Klader, and Ms. Nabaki. Our teachers are AMAZING so register early and avoid being waitlisted! Register link here.
New After School Art Opportunity ~ SPARK
Students from Mclean High School will be hosting a new after school program called SPARK (Sharing Projects, Art, and Real-world Knowledge), and will be supported by Ms. Kladler as an advisor. SPARK is open to all students in grades 1-4 and will meet once a month (the last Thursday). Students will have the opportunity to complete a variety of collaborative arts and crafts projects and will work with mediums such as clay, felt, paper, string, paint, etc. Sessions will be held monthly, and each session will involve a different craft. Many high school student volunteers will be present along with Ms. Kladler. The high schoolers will be teaching the lesson/craft of the session as well as assist every student along the way. Students will be encouraged to approach everyday life with creativity and curiosity through artistic self-expression. Students will also be taught valuable life skills such as communication, problem solving, and resilience through these hands-on activities. Students will ultimately be inspired to see the world from new perspectives and reignite their spark!
Students will meet the last Thursday of every month in the art room from 3:45 pm. - 4:45 p.m. First meeting will be on February 5th (2 meetings in February). Please sign up by January 19. Sign up here!
New Before School Technology Club starts 1/13
- Registration Open Now! Wize Technology Club I (1st-3rd Grade) Tuesdays 7:45-8:45am; 14 Weeks Jan 13 - May 19 2026; $525 + $70 One Time Supply Fee - Wize Tech Club brings STEAM classroom learning to life through hands-on robotics, coding, and design—all grounded in grade-level STEAM standards. Every lesson starts with a STEAM concept tied to grade level standards, moves forward with a project, and ends with presentations inspiring young learners to be the leaders of tomorrow. This isn't your average coding and robotics class. Wize educators follow rich lesson plans created with grade level SOL standards where each project is built around an academic topic: students might model pollination in science then program a butterfly robot, or explore how light interacts with objects using color sensors. With minimal screen time and maximum engagement, kids build critical thinking skills while deepening what they learn in school. Wize is a maker lab transforming children from technology users to creators of tomorrow. Children of KGPTA members will receive a 5% discount. Email PTA President, Jenny Gregory, for the code.
Register now! Note: A sibling discount of 10% per sibling is offered which cannot be combined with any other offer.
Spring Chess Registration
Winter Chess ends on 1/21, but that just means that Spring Chess Registration is open NOW through January 31 for the session that will start 2/4 and run through 6/3. Chess club is an afterschool activity on Wednesdays from 345-515pm in the KG cafeteria taught by renowned chess experts. Registration is $185 for the entire semester. Spots fill quickly so register today so you don't end up waitlisted for this beloved KGES program!
Girls On The Run Spring Session!
Sign up now for the spring session. A Monday/Wednesday group will meet beginning on 3/2 - 5/13. This group will not meet on the 3 hour early release days. Participant registration will open on GOTR website (www.gotrnova.org) on Monday, February 2, 2026.
Another Tuesday/Thursday group is likely to be added - stay tuned for additional sign up information. It will be forthcoming in the next News You Choose and/or Roar.
Pet Supplies Drive for Homeward Trails Animal Rescue - Calling ALL Animal Lovers♥♥
One of our 6th graders is organizing a pet supply drive as part of a service project. Help us support Homeward Trails Animal Rescue by donating essential supplies for pets in need! From cozy beds to squeaky toys, every contribution makes a difference in the lives of dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes. You can donate the following: unopened and unexpired pet food, new or gently used cat and dog toys, leashes, bowls, blankets, and any other pet supplies. Drop off your donations in the box by the front office between today and Tuesday, March 10th. Together, we can give these furry friends the care they deserve while they wait to find loving families. Every item counts—let's make tails wag and hearts full!
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Lost and Found - Mark Your Child's Names!
Be sure to label all clothing items and please consider purchasing from Mabel's Labels to ensure that your items makes it home again!
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