Calendar Updates
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 - 5:15 p.m. Parents and students invited!
June 11 - Parent Volunteer Breakfast - 8 a.m. and PTA meeting 8:45 a.m. This is a change to provide parents the opportunity to volunteer for the Field Day.
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 Release
2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
Fourth Grade Strings
Our fourth grade students were simply amazing - so wonderful to see so many students participate in strings this year. We will be offering the same opportunity to our rising 4th graders for the next school year. Dr. Tai and Mr. Hodge were wonderful and supported their growth and learning! The current 4th graders will have the opportunity to sign up for advanced strings or band for the next school year. Thanks to our parents for supporting!
Administration Note
Dear Parents,
We had a busy, but productive week. We concluded our SOL testing and are preparing for some retakes. In addition, we have been working on our end of year testing for the iReady and Math MAP. We will be concluding this testing and working on additional end of year curriculum.
We were thrilled to have the strings concert this past week. Their performance was wonderful. We will be releasing our sign up link for the next school year. Note that we have Band upcoming next week on the 28th of May with additional details below.
We have no school on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We hope that your family will enjoy this time to relax and recharge! We will see everyone back on Thursday, May 28th for a short two day week.
Our retiring teachers, Mark Brock, Jeff Shivnen, and Nasreen Shaikh will be dearly missed. We invite past students and families to drop by on the 16th of June in the cafeteria at 4 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to say farewell and thank them for their hard work. Mr. Shivnen will continue to support MC2 and Science Olympiad. We have staffed appropriately with the departure of these teachers and will share additional information.
Thanks as always for your support!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Fifth and Sixth Grade Strings
We were excited to listen to the fifth and sixth grade strings students this past week. Dr. Tai and Mr. Hodge led a wonderful performance. Our students in the fourth and fifth grade will be able to sign up for strings for the next year soon! Thanks parents for your support!
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
Student Medication Pick Up - Clinic Reminder
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school, June 17th. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. You can start picking medications up as soon as next week! Contact Kristina Brown with any questions/concerns.
Student Device Pick Up
We are scheduling times for in school collection of student devices in early June. Note that we will also be collecting devices that are being used by students at home for various needs. Michael Parker will be contacting parents directly for setting up a time for those pick ups. Feel free to email him with any questions.
Positivity Project Focus - Other People's Mindset
This week, our school will review the 24 character strengths and the five elements of the Other People Mindset. Throughout the school year, we’ve explored these 24 strengths, learning how they help us build strong relationships and become the best versions of ourselves. Every 1–2 weeks, we focused on a different strength or element of the Other People Mindset.
The Other People Mindset involves five key practices:
- Identifying and appreciating the good in other people,
- Knowing our words and actions affect others,
- Supporting others when they struggle,
- Celebrating others when they succeed,
- Being fully present and giving others our attention.
This year, staff and students have learned that positive relationships are built on these principles. As a school community, we have experienced firsthand how these connections help us become happier, healthier, and more resilient. To practice and encourage the Other People Mindset 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.
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)
Art is FUN!!
Please Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance
It’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals - Families who earn less than 185% of the poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available this summer. If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2025-26 school year.
Note from Parent Liaison, Shelley Lowinger
Ronald McDonald House Pop Tab Collection Continued By Demand – 2 more weeks - 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. Support our efforts and help us collect pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House!
Fairfax County Health Department – continues to offer a wide range of public health services that include immunizations, maternal and child health care, HIV/STI testing and counseling, tuberculosis services, pregnancy testing, WIC nutrition support, vital records, and eye care assistance for eligible residents. Walk-ins and appointments are available Updated Public Health Center Services Flyer 703-246-7100 | fairfaxcounty.gov/health/clinics
Health Department Services & WIC Information is providing ongoing community health services including environmental health, communicable disease support, refugee services, maternity services, school immunizations, TB testing and treatment, and WIC nutrition assistance. Updated Fairfax County Health Department Flyer (English) (Spanish)Contact 703-246-2411 | WIC Information Line: 703-246-5599
Sibshops/SibTeen Summer Camp (Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23) Sibshops and SibTeen will hold a two-day summer camp for children who have a sibling with a disability. Each day participants will participate in a variety of fun recreation and art based community building activities and discussion related to their shared experience and access peer support. Lunch will be provided each day. Sibshops is open to children in grades 2 through 5. SibTeen is offered to children in grades 6 through 9. Timing - 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.at Fairfax Villa Elementary Register here
English Empowerment Center Summer 2026 English Classes is accepting registrations for Summer 2026 English classes for adult English learners. Site-specific flyers https://englishempowermentcenter.org/for-students/in-person-classes/Online Classes: link: https://form.jotform.com/251064922607152
Summer Class Schedule Flyer
Inova Cares Back-to-School Pediatric Health Fairs (Upcoming, Summer 2026) Free physicals and immunizations for children (ages 5+, Medicaid or uninsured only). June 27 – Inova Cares Manassas July 25 – Inova Cares Falls Church Call 703-698-2550 (appointments required; no walk-ins) Flyer
Student Bus Passes - Free Transportation - All FCPS middle/high school students can get a free SmarTrip card for the CUE buses from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bus Discount Program for Adults Fairfax Connector’s Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) provides 50% off fares for low-income residents ages 18-65. Learn more about the TRIP program and how to apply.
Child's Mental Wellness Matters - Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services. Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Tutoring for FCPS Families -The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. Families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families. FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services, at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resource.
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun! Registration is open for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students. Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
2026 CTE Summer Enrichment Programs - Tech Adventure Camp: Current Kindergarten - grade 5 students explore Business/Marketing, Family + Consumer Sciences, Health + Medical Sciences, STEAM, and Trades by rotating through daily classes. Visit the Tech Adventure Camp webpage here: bit.ly/FCPS_TAC, Please contact Beth Mehr at bgmehr@fcps.edu
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.
Fourth Grade Meets Northern Virginia Delegate
Students enjoyed listening to one our Fairfax delegates. She shared information on how laws are made and discussed her work. Students were engaged and asked wonderful questions!
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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: June 11 (Field Day is the 12th)
Parent Volunteer Breakfast is 8 am. on June 11th - KG welcomes all parents who have volunteered! We will transition to the PTA meeting.
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!
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