Gator Bytes: News and General Information for Kings Glen ES
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A Message from Principal Ritter
Dear Kings Glen Families -
At both home and school some of the most profound learning often happens in the quiet, unscripted moments. Here are a few ways you can nurture that spark at home:
- Model "The Great Unknown": Let your children observe you learning something new or struggling with a task. Whether it’s a new recipe, a DIY project, or a language app, say it out loud: "I don't know how to do this yet, but I'm excited to figure it out."
- The "Question of the Day": Instead of asking "How was school?", try asking "What is one question you asked today?" or "What’s something that surprised you?" This shifts the focus from performance to curiosity.
- Follow the Rabbit Hole: If your child shows a sudden interest in space, bridges, or baking, lean into it. A trip to the library or a ten-minute documentary search shows them that their interests have value beyond a grade.
- Celebrate "Beautiful Mistakes": Learning is messy. When a project goes wrong or a math problem gets tripped up, treat it as a discovery.
At Kings Glen, students have been exposed to the acronym F.A.I.L. (First Attempt In Learning). We love the process of learning as much as the result.
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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 February 23-27: Humility
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STEAM Night at Kings Glen!!
Friday, March 6, 6-7:30 p.m.
Get ready to ignite your curiosity at our upcoming STEAM Night on Friday, March 6th from 6-7:30pm! We have everything from hands-on robotics and hovercraft to the fascinating discovery of owl pellet dissection, math estimation challenges, a showcase of our incredible student projects, and more! While you explore the stations, don't forget to stop by the STEAM Book Fair in the library to find your next favorite read and support our school.
To make this night a success, we are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us with the initial setup as well as running the various activity stations throughout the evening—no expert knowledge is required. Thank you! Please reach out to Lisa Rode with any questions.
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Kings Jesters 'Newsies, Jr.' Tickets On Sale Now!
Show Dates March 24th, 25th and 26th
The Kings Jesters will be performing Newsies, Jr. on Tuesday March 24th, Wednesday March 25th and Thursday, March 26th! Tickets are $7 each, and can be purchased via MySchoolBucks (Kings Glen students only), cash, or check payable to Kings Glen ES. If paying by cash/check, please place in envelope with your student's name and teacher. Seating is limited, so be sure to get your tickets soon!
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Spring Picture Day and 6th Grade Panoramic Picture at Kings Glen
Monday, March 23rd
Due to the need for rescheduling our Spring Pictures from this past Monday's snow day, Victor O'Neill Studios will be taking Spring Pictures/Class Pictures and the 6th Grade Panoramic Picture on Monday, March 23rd.
WE NEED 2-3 PARENT VOLUNTEERS! To help make Spring Picture Day run smoothly, we need 2-3 parent volunteers who will receive a voucher to apply towards the cost of purchasing pictures. If you would like to assist, please email KGNotes@fpcs.edu with your availability.
You will be able to view and order your child’s photos in their online gallery approximately ten days after picture day. If you have any questions leading up to picture day, please reach out to Victor O’Neill Studios by emailing underclass@vosphoto.com .
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Preorder Your 2025-26 Yearbook!!
Deadline to Preorder is Monday, April 13th
The 2025-26 Yearbook sales are open now and the price is $17. Secure your copy by placing your preorder through one of the following options:
Email KGNotes@fcps.edu with questions. Thank you!
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New Raptor Visitor Management System
We are excited to announce that our school is now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This upgrade is part of our school’s and FCPS’ ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our school. The VMS ensures that no visitor is on the sex offender registry.
For most visitors, the user experience will be the same when you check in at the front office. But now there is also an app, which can make check-ins even faster at school. Visitors who choose to download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport can pre-verify their information before they get to school. The app will give you a QR code you can use when you check in at school.
If you have questions or need assistance with the new system, please contact our front office at (703) 239-4000 or via KGNotes@fcps.edu. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!
Exploring Technology and Society in Language Arts
Language Arts Unit 5 is about technology and how it can help us solve problems at home, school, and work. Students in K-5 will be learning about technology and society. Grade six students will learn about technology in the 21st century.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: If you could invent anything, what would it be?
- Activity: Talk to your child about what daily life was like before today’s advances in technology. Where would you go to find information? How did you stay in touch with friends and family? Ask your child if they think they would like to live without modern technology.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit 5 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.
As a friendly reminder, all students at Kings Glen should be reading each night. Each week, students are to read and respond to the guiding questions in their literacy notebooks. Writing about what you have read (or listened to) enhances comprehension and critical thinking. Knowing evenings are different for all our families, students have a week to complete the written reflections.
Did you know: Writing about text is better than just reading the text, than reading and rereading the text, and then reading and talking about the text. Setting aside the time and encouraging your child to complete the written reflection will have a strong impact on the success of your child!
Purple Up FCPS
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is gearing up to honor and celebrate its military-connected youth in April, the Month of the Military Child, and on Purple Up! Day!
Purple Up! Day ~ Wednesday, April 15th
This year, Virginia will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Purple Up! Day is a special day for communities to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth and their families. Purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military.
Did you know, Kings Glen has been as recognized with their Purple Star Designation since 2022, and this year was the recipient of the Purple Star 2nd Award?
FCPS Purple Up! T-shirts and other items are available for purchase now through Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in our Custom Ink online store. These items highlight our gratitude and appreciation for our 14,500 military-connected students and their families. #PurpleUpFCPS! For more information and/or to connect with FCPS resources, email us at militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
Black History Month: Echoes of Excellence
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25 at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education
Wednesday, March 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Luther Jackson MS
For families, caregivers, and educators of students receiving special education services. Join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school! Click here to register for the event.
Winter Family Score Reports for Screening/ Growth Assessments
Family score reports for elementary winter screening and growth assessments will be centrally distributed to families through SIS ParentVUE (PVUE) Documents. Families in grades PreK-6 will receive up to three (3) reports based on the assessments their student took this winter. Students in Grades 3-6 will receive: iReady Reading and MAP Math for most students, plus VALLSS for identified students.
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KP/KG PTA News |
The PTA is excited to present a brand new event this year! Book Bingo will be held during Read Across America week on March 4th from 5:30 - 8 pm at Kings Park in the cafeteria. At this free event, every student who attends will leave with a free book and everyone will have a chance to win fun reading themed door prizes! Please note: In accordance with fire codes, entrance will be limited once capacity is reached.
Want to help show our staff how much they are appreciated? We need people to help plan and organize a week full of fun treats for Staff Appreciation Week from May 3-8. 2026. Planning begins now, so join our 2026 Staff Appreciation Week Committee today! Please reach out to Bethany at events@kpkgpta.org if you have any questions.
The PTA is busy putting together afterschool activities for the spring and information will be coming soon! In order to make these classes possible, parent volunteers are required for every class. We are looking for someone to serve as our After School Volunteer Coordinator for the spring session. This person will make sure each after school class has a parent volunteer in attendance every week and can be done from home on your own time. Please see our website for more information and reach out to Jen Argenta at president@kpkgpta.org if you are interested or have any questions.
Feb. 25: Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence (6 p.m. at Woodson HS; See Above)
Mar. 4: PTA Book Bingo Night (See Above)
Mar. 4: Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education (6:30-8:30 p.m. at Luther Jackson MS; See Above)
Mar. 6: STEAM Night at Kings Glen (See Above)
Mar. 18: 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday (Students Dismiss at 12:25 p.m.)
Mar. 20: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
Mar. 23: Spring Picture/6th Grade Panoramic Picture Day (See Above)
Mar. 24-26: Kings Jesters 'Newsies, Jr.' Musical Performance Nights
Mar. 30-Apr. 3: Spring Break (School Closed)
Apr. 6: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
Apr. 10: School Planning Day (No School for Students)
Apr. 15: Purple Up! Day for Month of the Military Child (See Above)
Apr. 22: 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday (Students Dismiss at 12:25 p.m.)
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