Kings Park News Tuesday, July 28th

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Dear Kings Park Families,

We are excited to welcome you to the 2026-2027 school year! Whether you are a family of new or returning lions, we are so glad you are part of the Kings Park family.

As we prepare for the first day of school, there is a lot of important information to share. Please take a few minutes to review the contents of today's newsletter. Here you'll find details about back to school events, required forms, important dates, and other updates to help your family start the year smoothly. Throughout the school year, this weekly newsletter will be your primary source for school news, upcoming events, important reminders, and celebrations of student learning.

The excitement begins soon with our back to school events, and we hope you will make plans to join us as we reconnect, build new relationships, and launch another incredible year of learning.

Sincerely, Mrs. Dotty Lin, Mrs. Jenn Burke and Mrs. Anna Kaplan

In This Edition

• Kings Park Back to School Events
  • Meet and Mingle - Monday, August 17th, 2:45pm-3:30pm
  • Open House - Friday, August 21st, 8:45am-9:30am
  • First Day of School - Monday, August 24th, 8:40am-3:20pm
  • Back to School Night - Thursday, September 17th, 5:30pm-7:00pm
• The Online/Verification Update Packet - Due by August 14th!
  • Early Release Wednesdays Childcare Selection
• New Student ID Cards
• Free and Reduced-Price Meals/Summer Meals
• Pre-K Registration
• Preschool Community Peers - Apply Now
• Community Peers
• FCPS App
• NEW ParentVUE App
• Back-to-School Immunization Requirements
• Important Dates

Meet and Mingle - Monday, August 17th, 2:45pm-3:30pm

All Kings Park students and families are invited to join us for Meet and Mingle on Monday, August 17th, from 2:45pm–3:30pm. Students will meet their teachers and connect with classmates and Kings Park staff through a fun activity. 

Preschoolers will meet near the gym, K-1 on the playground, and 2-3 on the blacktop. Guardians must attend; building access will be unavailable. In case of inclement weather, this event will be cancelled.

1. Pick up an activity sheet at any Check-In Tent
2. Meet your teacher and mingle with classmates and Kings Park staff
3. Turn in a completed activity sheet to receive a prize

Open House - Friday, August 21st, 8:45am-9:30am

Join us this Friday, August 21st, from 8:45am-9:30am for our Kings Park Open House. Open House is a time for students and families (Preschool - 3rd grade) to informally meet their teacher and to explore the classroom. We encourage families to enter the building and practice walking to class the same way their students will each day. Please use the following coordinated entrances:

• Door 1 - All Bus Riders
• Door 2 - 1st and 2nd Grade Walkers
• Door 4 - Preschool, Kindergarten, and 3rd Grade Walkers
• Door 7 - Kindergarten and 3rd Grade Kiss and Ride
• Door 9 - 1st and 2nd Grade Kiss and Ride

First Day of School - Monday, August 24th 

We are excited to welcome our lions back to school on Monday, August 24th. Doors open at 8:30am. School begins at 8:40am and dismissal begins at 3:20pm. During the first week of school, guardians may walk students to their classroom door. 

Kings Park’s tradition of the Boo Hoo and Wahoo Welcome will continue in the cafeteria from 8:30am-9:00am on the first day of school. Guardians are invited to connect with each other and KPES administration.

Back to School Night - Thursday, September 17th, 5:30pm-7:00pm

Kings Park’s Back to School Night will be held on Thursday, September 17th, from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Come join us to learn more about your child's teachers, school day, and instructional programming (Preschool - 3rd grade). More details will be shared in future News You Choose newsletters.

The Online Verification/Update Packet - Due by August 14th!

As we prepare for the new school year, we are working toward 100% completion of student re-enrollment forms for every family before school begins. The annual re-enrollment packet, known as the Online Verification/Update (OVU) Packet, includes the early release Wednesdays childcare selection. 

Early Release Wednesday Childcare Selection

This year, we will have a total of four early release Wednesdays, where students in grades K-3 dismiss at 12:25pm. Please view the dates for Kings Park’s 2026-2027 early release Wednesdays below:

• September 30
• November 18
• January 13
• April 7

While we anticipate that most students will be dismissed at 12:25pm on limited early release Wednesdays, we recognize that some families may require childcare. These students will be supervised by school-based staff. No new instruction will take place as after-school care is strictly supervision.

The early release Wednesday childcare selection serves as a yearlong commitment for all four early release Wednesdays.

Families may complete the Online Verification/Update (OVU) Packet electronically through ParentVUE, or by downloading the paper forms from the FCPS website and returning them to the school office. All re-enrollment forms must be completed by August 14th. Teacher assignments will be released only after your child's re-enrollment forms have been completed.  

Steps to Complete Early Release Wednesday Childcare Selection (due by August 21st):

1. Log in to ParentVUE or the ParentVUE app
2. Click “Online Packets” or “Online Registration” in the app  
3. Scroll down and select “Online Verification/Update”
4. Make Your Early Release Wednesday Childcare selection. This is a yearlong commitment for all four Early Release Wednesdays.
5. Click to submit the packet

New Student ID Cards Coming This Fall 

This fall, every FCPS student will receive a student identification (ID) card as part of a divisionwide effort to modernize school transportation, improve communication with families, and strengthen student safety while traveling to and from school. 

Every student who rides the school bus will need to tap on and tap off the bus every day using their new student ID card. Families can help by reinforcing this new habit with their child.

All students at our school will need to wear their student ID cards throughout the school day. We will be handing out the new student ID cards the first few weeks of school. More details will be shared soon.

Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.

Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals

According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals. 

Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. 

The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.

Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.

Meals for Students Available Through August 21

No-cost meals will be provided to students on a first-come, first-served basis through Friday, August 21, at the sites and times listed on the FCPS Summer Food Service Program webpage. Students must remain on site while eating their meals.

Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs 

FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County with economic and educational risk factors. 

• The pre-K program prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30. 

• Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and parents/guardians of children 6 weeks to 2 years old.

Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. However, space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first come, first served basis. Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail (printable application), or in person at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).

Preschool Community Peers - Apply Now

Kings Park’s preschool program is seeking community peers to learn alongside preschool students with disabilities in a nurturing, high-quality environment. Families with children in our community, ages 3-5, who meet program criteria, can apply now. If selected, community peers will begin attending preschool at Kings Park at a date to be determined.

Complete the Interest Form if you would like to have your child considered to be a community peer. 

Download the FCPS App Today

The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 

With the app, you can:

• View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
• Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
• Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
• Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
• Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.

No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app.

New ParentVUE Mobile App 

A new ParentVUE mobile app will is now available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.

In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.

Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.

Back-to-School Immunization Requirements

Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing. You can:

1. Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
2. If your child was immunized outside of Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
3. Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.

Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date. 

Where to Receive Immunizations

If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s healthcare provider or one of the following immunization events. 

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.

If you do not have a healthcare provider, visit a Health Department clinic. Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) clinics offer immunizations to all Fairfax County students, as well as those who are behind on their scheduled immunizations or need a booster. 

Summer back-to-school immunization clinics are also available. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome. FCHD offers limited walk-in hours for immunization services on a first-come, first-served basis. Immunizations are also available by appointment.

Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekend clinics are available in July and August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.

Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.

Important  Dates See the complete school year calendar August 17th: Meet and Mingle, 2:45pm-3:30pm August 21st: Open House  Kings Park (Grades K-3): 8:45am-9:30am Kings Glen (Grade 4-6): 9:30am-10:15am August 24th:  First Day of School, 8:40am-3:20pm Boo Hoo and Wahoo Welcome, 8:30am-9:00am September 3rd: Kings Glen’s Back to School Night September 4th-September 7th: NO SCHOOL, Labor Day Weekend September 17th: Kings Park’s Back to School Night, 5:30pm-7:00pm September 30th: 3-hour Early Release Wednesday (Grades K-3)

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