Kindergarten Orientation
We thoroughly enjoyed meeting our new kindergartners! Our fabulous sixth graders gave the tours to the parents - we can't thank them enough! We look forward to a new school year with the kinders! 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. Please complete this form if you have a rising kindergartner and plan on attending Kent Gardens. You can contact Annie Joseph with any questions regarding registration. Kindergarten Parent Information Meeting was through Zoom - Here is the link to view the slide deck.
Calendar Updates
April 14 - Class Group Pictures
April 14- Parent access to 3rd quarter grades in SIS ParentVUE
April 15 - Purple Up Day - Wear Purple!!! This a special day for communities to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth and theiries. Purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military. We have plans for the day to recognize our military students!
April 17 - Sixth Grade Field Trip to Calleva Challenge Course
April 18 - Heritage Night (rescheduled) - Come join the fun!!
April 20 - 24 - Get 2 Green Week - See Spirit Wear Below!
April 21 - No School - (Election Day) - Teacher Planning Day
April 22 - Full Day of School (3 Hour Early Release cancelled)
April 24 - Bingo Night! Sign Up Below!
April 29 - Sixth Grade Pano Picture
May 4 - 8 - Teacher Appreciation Week (see below to support)
May 5 - Reading SOL - Grade 4 and 5
May 5 - Second Grade Field Trip - Aesops Fable
May 6 - Reading SOL - Grade 3 and 6
May 7 - Sixth Grade Field Trip - Barnes, Kyaw, Lim and Peeters
May 11 - Kindergarten Field Trip
May 12 - Math SOL - Grade 4 and 5
May 13 - 3hr Early Release Wednesday
May 14 - Math SOL - Grade 3 and 6
May 19 - Science SOL - Grade 5
May 25- Memorial Day - No School
May 26- Teacher Workday- No School for Students
May 27- Eid-al-Adha - No School
2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
Administration Note
Dear Parents,
Despite a short week, it has been a meaningful and productive time for both our staff and students. Our teachers used planning days to collaborate and prepare engaging learning experiences, and it was wonderful to see students jump right back into their routines during our three days together.
As we move into Quarter 4, there will be a number of important assessments taking place as part of end-of-year learning. Your child’s grade level team will be sharing specific dates and details in their upcoming newsletters, so please be on the lookout.
This week, we celebrate our amazing Assistant Principals, Ms. Hawkins and Ms. Talley. We are so grateful for their dedication and care that they provide our staff, students, and parents every single day.
We also celebrate our wonderful librarian, Mrs. Hershey and our librarian assistant, Ms. Nabaki. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful and caring educators who keep the excitement of books alive for our students!
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. We hope you enjoy the weekend ahead and take some time to rest and recharge.
Don't forget to wear PURPLE on April 15th! Next week, we have have an eco spirit week!!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
End of Year Updates
Thursday, June 11 - Field Day - Kinder - 5th Grade - (We will post for volunteers soon)
Friday, June 12 - Field Day Rain Date K-5
Monday, June 15 - Sixth Grade Promotion - McLean HS
Tuesday, June 16 - Sixth Grade Field Day 9:30 - 11 a.m. and Sixth Grade Celebration 1 - 3 p.m. (More info to follow - we will need volunteers)
Educate Fairfax Student Bookmark Art Contest – “Today’s Reader, Tomorrow’s Leader”
Educate Fairfax, the 501(c)3 education foundation that partners with the community to support FCPS students and educators, is launching a divisionwide Student Bookmark Art Contest. FCPS students in grades K–12 are invited to design a 2” x 7” bookmark celebrating the power of learning and creativity under the theme “Today’s Reader, Tomorrow’s Leader.”
Artwork must be original, flat (no glitter or pop-ups), and include the student’s name, grade, and school on the back. Entries will be judged on creativity, connection to the theme, and overall effort. Four winners (K–2, 3–6, middle, and high) will each receive a $25 gift card, and winning designs will be printed and shared in school. This initiative supports FCPS Goal 3 by promoting literacy and student engagement. Entries are due April 17, 2026.
Submissions may be mailed to Educate Fairfax (8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031), emailed to info@educatefairfax.org, Please click this link for instructions: Educate Fairfax Bookmark Contest Flyer and Instructions.
Student Intentions for Next School Year 2026-27
As we plan forward for the next school year, please complete this google form if your child(ren) are NOT returning. It does NOT need to be completed if your child(ren) are returning to Kent Gardens. It is not binding, we are merely using this information to guide our thinking on numbers as we plan forward! Thanks in advance!
Sixth Graders Collaborating with the Kinders!
The sixth graders and kindergartners collaborated and built roller coasters together. It was great to watch them plan, think than build! #kgpride
SOL Testing Dates
- Third Grade SOL
- May 6th Reading
- May 14th Math
- 4th Grade SOL
- May 5th Reading
- May 12th Math
- 5th Grade SOL
- May 5th Reading
- May 12th Math
- May 19th Science
- 6th Grade SOL
- May 6th Reading
- May 14th Math
 Get 2 Green Week!
- Monday, April 20 – Wildlife Day – Dress up as your favorite animal
- Tuesday, April 21 – Zero Waste Day - School is CLOSED (Election Day)
- Wednesday, April 22 – Earth Day - Wear blue for our watershed
- Thursday, April 23 – Climate Change Day - wear something green or with a green message
- Friday, April 24 Wear spring colors or flowers - A SHOUT Out to Spring
Positivity Project Focus - Spiral Review
We will review the past character traits which includes fairness and humor amongst other traits.
2026 Special Education Family Conference - 4/18
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School. Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.
Note from Parent Liaison, Shelley Lowinger
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April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community.o show our support, FCPS will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. On this day, school staff and students are encouraged to wear purple, symbolizing unity and support for military families across all service branches. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS resources for military families.
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Ronald McDonald House Pop Tab Collection Continues By Demand - Due to popular demand and enthusiasm for our Ronald McDonald Pop Tab Collection, we will be extending this service project through the end of the school year. There is a large box in the office where pop tabs can be dropped off. Going forward, this will be an all-school project and not a “house competition”. Support our efforts and help us collect pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House!
FCPS Family and School Partnerships FCPC Family and School Partnerships are hosting a Partnering with Your Child’s Middle School presentation for parents on April 14 and April 28. Register for this virtual offering via the Family Academy Catalog or with the registration link. Encourage rising middle school families to register and attend this introduction to family engagement in secondary education. Flyer attached.
Military Family Field Day for MOMC - On Saturday, April 18, 2026, FCPS will celebrate the Month of the Military Child with a good, old-fashioned field day! All military-connected families with FCPS students are invited to a special field day to honor our military-connected children at Annandale High School from 12 - 2 p.m. Flyer Attached Registration link for the Military Family Field Day
Military Family Outreach and FSP will be facilitating monthly workshops, webinars, or family engagement events for military families throughout the school year. Please CLICK HERE under "Military-Connected Families Offerings" for more information on these events as they are posted. For more information email militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
Department of Family Services Parents and caregivers can join the April “Stronger Foundations for Parenting” workshop series focused on building strong parent-child relationships, resilience, and overall child well-being. Sessions are offered both virtually and in person throughout April. Featured: Virtual Parent Café – “The Power of Play in Parenting” on April 14, 2026 (6:30–8 p.m.) More information and registration: See attached flyers (Stronger Foundations for Parenting Workshop Series& Power of Play in Parenting)
Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has created a platform to provide information about VA community resources. From affordable childcare to school supplies to healthcare support, use zip code to find information about services. Search this free resource to access over 466,000 local and state social care programs. Access here
Family Academy Classes, Workshops, Webinars and Programs - The Family Academy offers in-person and virtual classes, workshops, webinars, and programs for families. Follow the link to choose the opportunity and find information about dates, times, locations, and registration information.
Summer Camp Resources - Family Resource Center Summer Camps Guide as another resource. Fairfax County Park Authority Camp Guide as summer camp registration
Sixth Grade Field Trip
Three of our sixth grade classes went to the National Art Museum. Wonderful opportunity to learn more about art - the other classes will be participating soon!
Provide the County Government With Feedback on Its Budget
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is reviewing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget and considering possible adjustments before adoption in May. You can also provide your input during the county’s Budget public hearings on Tuesday, April 14, at 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m. at the Government Center Board Auditorium. Register in advance to speak. Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website to learn more about the county’s FY 2027 Budget.
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted April 13, at Belle View Elementary School; April 20, at Westgate Elementary School ; April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
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: April 24
Collections for Givology
A student from TJHSST is collecting for Givology and is working to spread outreach and awareness about Givology’s mission in the community. Givology is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to quality education worldwide. The mission and initiative is to fund teacher training, provide scholarships for rural girls and refugees, and build vital WASH facilities in countries like Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Uganda. It was co-founded in 2008 by a TJ alumni, and since inception, we have raised $700,000 for 5,000+ students in 30+ countries. Their goal is to collect personal hygiene products (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant etc.) and school supplies (pencils, erasers, crayons, etc.) to support students in under-resourced communities. The specific organization we are hoping to uplift is Mission Mochila, which is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth in El-Salvador. We have a box in the lobby - drop off donations there! Informational Links: School supply/ hygiene wishlist; Mision Mochila Website; Givology Website
Heritage Night - April 18th
We are looking forward to celebrating our annual Heritage Night on April 18th from 5:00-7:00pm. The evening will be filled with wonderful food, culture, and our Children's Parade of Nations. (Children do not need to sign up to be a part of the parade.) Please note, this is not a drop-off event!
Volunteer Link is here- Do you have a middle or high schooler who wants to help out?
Bingo Night on April 24th
Calling all Lions! Mark your calendars for Bingo Night, hosted by the PTA and the 6th Grade Class. Plan to come out for a fun-filled family night full of Bingo, pizza, and prizes! We are asking for donations of new or gently used items in good working order to be used as prizes on Bingo Night. Please bring donations to the bin outside of the main office by Monday, April 20. The more the prizes, the more the fun! Buy your tickets now!
Please note, this is not a drop-off event, and an adult must accompany all children for the entire event. If you have any questions, please email KGPTABingo@gmail.com
 Teacher Appreciation Week ~ May 4 - May 8!
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4th-8th! Here's how YOU can help!
Donate for Catering
Donate Drinks
Volunteer to help
Buy a Pizza from Timber Pizza
Now through the end of April, you can purchase a pizza online or in store at Timber Pizza (mention KG Community Heroes) to be donated for Teacher Appreciation Week. All donated pizzas will be delivered to KG on May 8th, and Timber Pizza will match every pizza purchased. We couldn't do this without you! Thank you for helping us soar!
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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Free Medical Clinic - April 18 - 19
Remote Area Medical provides free, quality healthcare to those in need for dental, vision, and medical needs. See additional information by using the QR code.
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