Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week Began with Flowers!
Such a special week - we totally appreciate the generosity of all of our parents! Shout out to Kelly Peterson-Chapman for organizing all of the activities and to the many other parents for supporting! #kgpride #StrongerTogether #kgpride #StrongerTogether
Calendar Updates
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 19 - Strings Concert 5 p.m. (Beginning Strings and Adv Strings - see notes below)
May 25- Memorial Day - No School
May 26- Teacher Workday- No School for Students
May 27- Eid-al-Adha - No School
May 28 - Band Concert 5:30 p.m. Fifth Grade Band & 6:45 Adv. Band (See details below)
May 29 - Fourth Grade Field Trip - Jamestown
June 8 - McLean HS Clap Out - 3 p.m. (Arrive at 2:50 p.m.)
June 8 - Chorus Concert - 5 p.m.
June 9 - Kindergarten End of Year Promotion - 2 p.m.
June 10 - After School House Gathering - more to come! 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. Parents and students invited!
June 12 - Field Day - Kinder - Fifth Grade - Sign Up to Volunteer!
June 15 - Field Day Rain Date K-5 Sign Up to Volunteer!
June 15 - Sixth Grade Promotion - McLean HS 6 p.m. There will be no tickets - all can enjoy.
June 16 - Sixth Grade Field Day 9:30 - 11 a.m. & Sixth Grade Celebration 1 - 3 p.m. Sign Up To Volunteer
June 16 - After School Celebration for our retirees: Jeff Shivnen, Mark Brock and Nasreen Shaikh - Please invite previous graduates - Cafeteria 4:00 - 5 pm.
June 17- Last Day of School -Two Hour Early Release2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
Teacher/Staff Appreciation ~ Five Fabulous Days of Wonderful Food!
Administration Note
Dear Parents,
Our first week with SOL testing. Our students performed well! We will be scheduling make ups and also some retakes. It does support our school profile for students to show improvement and retake with support. We will be in touch with parents as needed.
We also have our Math SOLs this week. Please do be mindful of sleep and coming into school on time.
We do have a 3 hour early release on Wednesday. Please do plan ahead and share your plans with your child and our office - earlier than Wednesday morning.
Thanks again to our PTA and parents for all of the love, wonderful food, and simply your support. It means a great deal to all of us!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Thank You Notes for Teacher/Staff!
Our students loved writing notes of appreciation for our staff #kgpride #StrongerTogether
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!
End of Year Library Updates
May 22nd: Last day of checkout
June 3rd: All student library materials due
Spring Testing Season is Here! 📅
Students will be participating in spring assessments based on their grade level and courses. This includes summative assessments like Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, which measure what a student knows, and progress assessments like Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests, which measure where they are in their learning.
FCPS encourages all families to support their students in taking these tests. Virginia requires schools to test at least 95% of students on SOLs, so when families choose not to participate in testing, it can impact a school’s accreditation, accountability ratings, and ability to measure student progress accurately.
Parents and caregivers can help their children perform their best on these tests by reminding them to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and the cell phone policy still applies during testing season. It is important that students attend school on scheduled testing dates. If you are aware of a conflict that may cause your student to miss a test, please notify us as soon as possible.
Learn more about how to support your child and why test participation matters.
SOL Testing Dates
- Third Grade SOL
- 4th Grade SOL
- 5th Grade SOL
- May 12th Math
- May 19th Science
- 6th Grade SOL
Positivity Project Focus - Leadership
This week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Leadership. Leadership means valuing each person in your group and encouraging everyone to do their best.
Leadership can be formal, like being a team captain, or informal, like helping others work together. It’s about getting things done while keeping the group’s spirit strong. Leadership isn’t just about telling people what to do — it’s about listening, understanding others, solving problems, and inspiring everyone to work toward a common goal.
As students learn more about leadership, they will see how working together with others can help them achieve more. Being a good leader helps build confidence and a strong sense of self.
To practice and encourage the character strength of leadership 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.
Students Support Learning for Positivity Project
Our fifth graders worked with our lower grades on Positivity Project. They make a difference and have huge impact.
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Note from Parent Liaison, Shelley Lowinger
McLean Day Community Festival - Join the fun on Friday, May 15th and Saturday, May 16th at Lewinsville Park located at 1659 Chain Bridge Road. McLean’s biggest and best annual festival is back? Live music, carnival rides, food, games, petting zoo and more! Information and ticket details here.
Getting to Know FCPS: A Military Family Orientation - Military families new to FCPS or moving to FCPS soon may attend this interactive presentation. This virtual presentation will be held via Zoom on May 12 from 6 to 7 p.m., and May 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please fill out this Google form to register and receive the Zoom link.
Beyond High School: Preparing Twice- exceptional Students for College, Career, and Adult Life Through Executive Functioning and Essential Life Skills - May 15 10 to 11:30 a.m. Families will learn strategies to support 2e students in developing executive functioning skills and essential life skills while empowering them to navigate college, career, and independent life successfully. Register here
Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas - Join FCPS for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family. Summer Extravaganza webpage.
Preparing for Kindergarten - Check out this resource from Fairfax County, Stepping into Kindergarten, a helpful guide with tips on how to prepare your child and what to expect when school begins.
Fairfax County Summer Camps & Programs (FCPS Breaks) Fairfax County offers a variety of engaging, healthy, and affordable programs for students during school breaks. Free meals and snacks are provided.Therapeutic Recreation Services for Preschool ages 2 to 5 ; Camp Fairfax - Rising 1st – 7th grade youth; VIP Camp for Middle Schoolers Begins May 14
Fairfax County Park Authority- SNAP at Farmers Markets - Families can use SNAP/EBT benefits at select county farmers markets and receive up to $40 in free fruits and vegetables, with tokens that can be used like cash at participating markets www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/snap or call 571-340-3322; to apply for SNAP call 1-833-522-5582 . Available Flyer
Fairfax County Art Contest - Fairfax County students aged 5-18 are invited to celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month by participating in the "Where We Belong" student art contest by drawing inspiration from their families and communities to portray the colorful, diverse county we share! Students may choose one of the following prompts for their art: this is my family’s journey; my cultural treasure box; home means... and many cultures, one community. The contest runs May 15-June 15 with winners featured in an art exhibition at the Fairfax County Government Center. bit.ly/FCPL_WhereWeBelong.
FCPS Teletherapy - Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost.Students can be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
Strings Concert End of Year
We will have a joint concert on May 19 for the beginners and advanced strings students. All students will arrive at 4:30 p.m. Fourth graders will unpack in the cafeteria and go to the gym to be tuned. Fifth and sixth grader students will unpack in the library and then go to the stage.
The concert will begin at 5 p.m. The fourth grade will perform first and then the fifth and sixth grade will perform. Regular concert attire - white top with black/dark pants or skirt.
Rehearsals - Beginners will practice prior to the May 19 concert. Advanced Strings will rehearse May 12 and the day of the concert. Please bring your instruments.
Band Concert End of Year Updates
Due to the large number of students enrolled in band we will be having separate concerts on May 28th for Beginning Band and Advanced Band. The Concerts will be brief but enjoyable - we look forward to sharing their growth in music!
Beginning Band Concert - Arrival time: 5:00 p.m. Students should report to the cafeteria to unpack instruments. Performance Time: 5:30 p.m. in the gym. Student attire: white top and black/dark pants or skirt.
Advanced Band Concert - Arrival time: 6:15 p.m. Students should report to the cafeteria to unpack instruments. Performance Time: 6:45 p.m. in the gym. Student attire: white top and black/dark pants or skirt.
Rehearsals will take place DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. Thursday, 5/14 – Advanced Band; Friday, 5/15 – Beginning Band; Thursday, 5/21 - Beginning Band; Friday, 5/22 - Advanced Band and In School Performance 5/28 (school attire).
Mr. Zimmerman highly recommends the Vienna Band Camp (VBC). The tentative dates for the camp are June 22 to July 16 at Longfellow Middle School. The camp meets weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Click this link to register. All instructors are professional musicians. Attendance policy: no requirement. It’s perfectly OK to miss days (or weeks) when needed. Students who attend the 4 weeks receive equivalent of 1 year of instruction on the instrument! 2 full band classes per day, 2 classes with instrumental specialists per day. Extremely popular with the kids! (450+ students attend each year)
Second Grade Field Trip
Rising 7th Graders - Longfellow - Jump Start
Come join us for one of these two sessions. It is an optional, non-academic program is designed to support a smooth transition by introducing students
to school staff, meeting new peers, exploring the school layout, and learning key policies before the year begins. In addition to informational sessions,
students will enjoy fun, community building activities. The two available dates are: August 11 - 8:30 - 12:30 OR August 12 8:30 - 12:30 pm.
Location: Longfellow Middle School
Registration: Opens on April 30th
Cost: $30.00 per student
Transportation will not be provided for this event. Parents/guardians are responsible for dropping off and picking up their students.
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: May 15
Summer at KGES - Come Join!
Kindergarten Readiness Camp - Calling Rising Kinders! We are excited to offer a Kindergarten Readiness Camp July 13-17 AT Kent Gardens! This camp will help prepare your student for a successful start to school at Kent Gardens by building early academic skills, independence, and confidence in a supportive environment. Register here.
Basketball Summer Camp! Mr. Avery is hosting a basketball summer camp for rising 3-6th graders. July 27-31 from 1-4pm at Kent Gardens. $230 Register here.
Summer Art Camp - Ms. Kladler is hosting a Summer Art Camp at KG! Rising 1st-6th can sign up for the morning session (930am -1230pm); Rising 4th-7th can sign up for afternoon session (1-4pm), or both AM and PM!
Morning session complements Mr. Avery's basketball camp. Bring a lunch if you will be at camp all day. Camp will run July 27th-31st, and the price includes all supplies. Register here.
Lemons to Lemonade - Dates: July 20 - July 24 Time: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Grades: Rising 3rd and rising 4th Teachers: Sheri Emory and Amelia Emory Description: Students will learn about the life cycle of lemons, engage in hands-on activities involving lemons (including tasting lemons and lemon products), read books, write stories about their experiences, and make lemonade to share with families on the last day. Register here!
The Story of Chocolate - Dates: July 27 to July 31 Time: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Grades: Rising 2nd and rising 3rd Teachers: Sheri Emory and Amelia Emory Description: Students will learn about the life cycle of cocoa beans, engage in hands-on activities involving cocoa beans and chocolate (including tasting products), read books, write stories about their experiences, and make chocolate bars to share with families on the last day. Register here!
Everyday Economics! Fun with Benchmark Unit 9 - Dates: July 20 - July 24 Time: 9:30 - 12:30 p.m. Grades: Rising 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Teachers: Lamya Alany and IA. Our class will focus on the real-world topic of economics. Through hands-on activities and using the framework from Benchmark Express Unit 9, students will learn practical concepts like buying, selling, trading, and the difference between goods and services. As an English Language Development program, your child will also be actively improving their English. Every activity is designed to help them practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking, along with learning new vocabulary. The program will end with a special final project where students can proudly share everything they have learned. Register here: https://kentgardenspta.com/product/benchmarkcamp/.
Young Entrepreneurs: Summer Economics- Dates: July 27 - July 31. Time: 9:30 - 12:30 p.m. Grades Rising 4th, 5th and 6th graders. Teachers Lamya Alany and IA. Our upper Multi Lingual (ML) have the opportunity to dive into the world of economics utilizing Benchmark. Students will use real work business, learn advanced English skills, become more confident in writing and have fun with Creative Projects. Register here: https://kentgardenspta.com/product/econcamp/
Summer Coding with Ms. Nabaki - Dates July 13 - 17 Time; 9:30 - 12:30p.m. Grades 3 - 6. Students will learn the basics of coding in a fun and engaging way, using beginner-friendly tools such as Scratch. They will build simple games and animations while developing important skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity. Through guided, hands-on activities, they will learn how to break down ideas into steps, think like a programmer, and gain confidence using technology. Register here!
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!
Sixth Grade Field Trip
The last four classes ended the year with a trip to the National Gallery.
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