Heritage Night ~ February 7
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.
Would you like to volunteer or donate to support the Heritage Night? Does a middle or high schooler need volunteer hours - 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
Plan Forward - Dates to Mark on your Calendar
February 2 Strings Concert (Snow Date) 5 - 6 p.m. Note we will need ALL students to bring their instrument to the practice rehearsal on 2/5.
February 3 - End of Quarter Adjusted Date
February 5 - Immersion Information Night (Snow Date) - Cafeteria 5 p.m.
February 7 - Heritage Night 5 - 7 p.m. (See the Sign Up Above - volunteers needed)
February 9 - Second Quarter Grades in ParentVue
February 16 - Presidents Day - School Closed
February 17 - Teacher Workday - No School for Students
February 18 - Three Hour Early Release - new link forthcoming
February 26 - STEAM and Literacy Night - Combined!! Save the Date!
February 27 - PTA Meeting
March 3 - Author Visit
March 5 - Student Spring Pictures
March 6 - 13 - Spring Book Fair
March 18 - Three Hour Early Release
March 20 - School Holiday
March 21 - FCPS - Special Education Family Conference @ Marshall HS
March 27 - Two Hour Early Release and End of Quarter
March 30 - April 3 - Spring Break and April 6 - Teacher Workday
2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
Strings Concert - Snow Date is Monday, Feb.2nd
The strings concert to February 2nd at 5 p.m. All students will need to bring their instruments to school on Monday to practice prior to the concert.
Shout Out to Our Custodians!!
It took five days to remove the heavy snow/ice from our sidewalks. That said, there will be icy areas. Please do be mindful of the residual snow/ice as the cold temperatures simply refreeze any and it becomes very icy and slippery. The custodians deserve some love! Please do share some LOVE with them! They worked tirelessly in the cold and windy temps!!
Administration Notes
Dear Parents,
As we look towards Monday and reopening of our school, I need to share important arrival and dismissal information. There is extremely limited on street parking on Lumsden and neighborhood roads. It would be wise to walk (being mindful of snow covered sidewalks in some areas) or to use kiss and ride.
First and foremost, please use Dean Drive or Van Fleet to go to Melbourne and enter Kent Gardens. Please DO NOT use Lumsden to turn into KG as we will have vehicles exit out of the school on that road. Buses will also exit on Lumsden. Lumsden currently has a very narrow clearance and would be challenging for both incoming and outgoing vehicles. Please coordinate and come safely! Please build in extra travel time - it will be very cold as well.
If your child is in strings, please note the snow date of Monday, February 2nd for the concert and rehearsal. The students will need to bring their instrument on that day to practice prior to the concert. Also note the Immersion Information Night is now on February 5th. Last but not least, we have listed a new date, February 4th for the Spelling Bee Vocabulary assessment for registered students. We will accept Yearbook Cover entries on Monday and Tuesday of this week. We have had some amazing entries!!
Note that it is also Counselor Appreciation week! Share some love - they do much to support our students! Also any love to our custodians would be appreciated - they worked non stop outside to clear our sidewalks etc. We are lucky to have such a devoted staff.
We look forward to seeing all but stress the need to follow the traffic pattern detailed above. Thanks for your continued partnership and support.
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Immersion Information Night - February 5 (Snow Date)
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. via Zoom.
Kent Gardens will have the immersion program interest session on the snow date, February 5 at 5 p.m. 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.
Counselor Appreciation Week - February 2 - 6
Share some love to our fabulous counselors this week! They work tirelessly and offer so much support! ♥♥
Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter weather. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
Student Experience Survey
Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
All students in grades 3-6 will take the survey, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 23. Students should not take the survey until their homeroom administers the survey. Third grade - March 4th; Fourth Grade - February 24, Fifth Grade - March 2nd; Sixth Grade - February 25. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You should have already received a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.
We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which include a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.
🍌🥪Student Fasting Meal Kits
From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information: Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid). Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day. Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day. Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
-
February 11, 2026 for week of February 18, 2026
-
February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
-
February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
-
March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
-
March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
Kindergarten Registration
If you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 30, they are eligible to attend Kindergarten for the upcoming year. You can now choose to use online registration tool. With 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.
Rising Kindergarten Student Intention 2026-27
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. Here is the link for online registration. We are excited for our 2026-27 kindergarten students!
Kindergarten Parent Information Meeting will be through Zoom (link to follow) on March 26th at 8 a.m. Sign up here to receive the link.
The Parent Tour and Kindergarten Student Orientation is on Friday, April 10 at 9 a.m. (Parents and students attend together) Link is here to reserve your tour time.
Positivity Project Focus - Social Intelligence and Kindness
Since we missed last week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Social Intelligence and Kindness. Social intelligence means understanding other people's thoughts and feelings and why they act the way they do.
Social intelligence helps us build good relationships by being aware of others’ emotions and behaviors. It is different from "book smarts" and grows with experience. It also allows people to connect, form friendships, and protect themselves from being taken advantage of. It also helps us read facial expressions and understand what motivates others.
To practice and encourage the character strength of social intelligence 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). If we have snow dates, we will accept the day that we return.
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.
 |
|
Yearbook Order Now Available!
Order your yearbook now! www.yearbookordercenter.com with code 21772
Or scan the QR code !
|
KGES Spelling Bee Vocabulary Test
Registration is CLOSED. Note that Vocabulary Test will be given on February 4th at 9 am. only to the registered students. Please ensure your child is at school on time. We will not delay the testing for late 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
Help us celebrate the 100th Day of School
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
|
Note from Parent Liaison, Shelley Lowinger
Free Upcoming FCPS family webinar - Early Childhood Identification Services: Supporting Young Children and Families, Feb 6 For more information or to register: CLICK HERE!
Virginia Energy Assistance Program (DSS) - Eligible households may receive help with heating, cooling, or energy emergencies through Fuel, Crisis, and Cooling Assistance programs. Support can include help paying utility bills, heating fuel, deposits, or repairing/replacing heating or cooling equipment. Applications are accepted online via CommonHelp, by phone, or through local DSS offices during program-specific application periods. Benefits are based on availability of funds. EAP Fact Sheet-(English) (Spanish); EAP Information Sheet(English)(Spanish) EAP Flyer (English)(Spanish)
Tax Assistance - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - (income limits apply): If you or your family earned less than $69,000 in 2025, you may qualify for this free service!
Fairfax County Public Libraries offer Social Work Intern Drop-In every week. MSW interns can assist with: Public benefits assistance; Housing and emergency shelters; Food and basic needs assistance; Resources for older adults and caregivers; Childcare, summer camps, and after-school programs; Parenting resources; Low-cost or no-cost transportation options, legal services; health care and dental services; Health and wellness programs; Employment services and coaching; Emergency preparedness information; Programs for English learners; Volunteering opportunities; Vital records and ID requests. Whether you have a quick question or need more in-depth support, MSW interns are ready to help! Stop by or make an appointment to connect with them and explore how they can assist you or guide you to the resources you need. For more information,email this contact
FCPS Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Guidance - The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters. Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit the ombuds webpage, where you may submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Author Visit - March 3rd - Carole Weatherford and Son Jeffery Boston Weatherford
EVERY grade will have the opportunity to meet author Carole Weatherford and her son, illustrator Jeffery Boston Weatherford! The Weatherfords have written and illustrated such incredible books like Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom and How Do You Spell “Unfair”?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee. And now YOUR FAMILY can bring home these amazing books signed by this award-winning duo. Use this order form, print it out, and return it to Mrs. Hershey by February 13. Late orders cannot be accepted!
Family Special Education Conference
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, March 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Marshall High School. Families will have the opportunity to hear from internationally renowned educator and advocate, Dr. Shelley Moore, connect to resources and other families, and participate in afternoon sessions.
FCPS families are invited to register to attend this year’s conference. Childcare, accommodations, and language interpretation are available.
Families are also invited to register to serve as event volunteers by Friday, February 20. Volunteer hours will be awarded to student volunteers.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for updates and more details.
📱 FCPS News App
Gone are the days of digging through emails or hunting for bookmarks. The FCPS app provides a custom experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Here is how it makes life easier:
- Customized for Your Family: Do you have students at two (or more!) different schools? You can "follow" multiple schools to get a feed of news, notices, and events specific to your family.
- No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly — no password to remember, no login required.
- Real-Time Notifications: Get push notifications for urgent updates — including weather announcements! — ensuring you never miss an important announcement from the district or your school.
- Everything in One Place: From bell schedules and staff directories to athletic event locations and school menus, the app is a central hub for all things FCPS.
To ensure every family stays informed, the app supports automatic translation for more than 100 languages. Learn more about the app, or download it today in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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: February 27 8:45 - Cafeteria
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.
Registration for Girls on the Run will take place Feb. 2-Feb. 23 at gotrnova.org. The program is open to girls in grades 3-6. Practices begin March 2 on Mondays and Wednesdays between 3:45-5 p.m. We, unfortunately, are not planning a Tuesday/Thursday team this spring because our usual enrollment numbers aren't large enough to support two teams. Please contact Danielle Newman at kges.gotr@gmail.com with any questions.
Book Fair is Coming March 6 - 13! Shop the Online Fair beginning February 5!
Our Spring Book Fair will be held March 6-13, but our ONLINE FAIR opens February 5. That gives you a WHOLE MONTH to look over the online fair and find those books that get us through the grey, wintry days and celebrate the month of February!
This Spring, the PTA is excited to offer Kent Gardens A NEW way to chase that book fair joy! We'll be setting sail for to find Treasured Tales with Literati!
Literati offers us MORE of what we love at Kent Gardens! More books for advanced readers, more curated titles, more ways to shop, and REALLY EXCITING Book Clubs! In addition to single titles, you can join Literati's book club and receive a personalized monthly box of books that deliver a choice of beautiful books, curated for YOUR reader. We're incredibly excited about all of these opportunities and we'll be sharing more about the fair in upcoming ROARs! You don't have to wait until March 6 to join a book club or check out our online store! You can access our online shop beginning February 5 here!
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!
|
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!
|
