Gator Bytes: News and General Information for Kings Glen ES
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Dear Gators,
Today is our first early release Wednesday of the year! Thank you for helping us keep all students safe by letting us know when and how your child will be getting home on three-hour early release days. This enables us to plan for students that are staying and to account for each student in our building.
FCPS food services will be including some new breakfast and lunch items over the next several weeks. Take are look at their new September and October menu items which are packed with classic favorites and fresh global inspiration. Check our new online menu system to see when you can try new recipes based on student feedback, and developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts.
Menu items include:
- Breakfast items such as honey chicken biscuits, guava pastelitos (whole-grain pastries filled with tropical guava fruit), and roasted apple parfaits, made with vanilla yogurt and homemade granola.
- Lunch items such as crunchy beef or fiesta tacos, ramen bowl with diced chicken or hard-boiled egg, beef or vegan banh mi burger, and southwest fiesta soup with corn chips.
Stay up to date on FCPS menus and nutrition news by subscribing to the Food and Nutrition Services newsletter.
We hope that everyone has a wonderful week!
Dr. Ritter, Principal • Ms. Gibbs, Assistant Principal
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Positivity Project at Kings Glen
Kings Glen is partnering with The Positivity Project (P2) again this school year 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 Sept 28 - Oct 2: Perspective
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Pixel Can Art Food Drive
Deadline October 2nd
What: We are collecting 14-16 oz sized cans of vegetables and beans. Cans that “lock together” when stacked are best for the project.
When: Collection of cans starts NOW until October 2nd.
Where: Drop of your cans and other dry food goods in the boxes by the front office.
Why: We will donate the food to ECHO in Springfield. Before it is donated, students will create a superhero themed pixel can art sculpture to be displayed for the school.
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Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day
FCPS will participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 7, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools. Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work where safe to do so. Kings Glen will also participate in the annual walk, bike and roll day in the spring!
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Save The Date – Fall Picture Day is Monday, October 19th. |
Advanced Academic Programs
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.
- More information about the continuum of AAP services can be found on the FCPS AAP website.
Families are invited to attend AAP Office Hours led by Lisa Rode, the Kings Glen Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) and Jamie Mucciolo (the AART at Kings Park).
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The next AAP Office Hour session is on Monday, October 5th from 12-12:30 p.m. If you would like to join, please submit this form to get the Zoom link.
For more information, please contact Lisa Rode, AART, at LMRode@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Test (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal/ Co- School Testing Coordinator, at cegibbs@fcps.edu by September 30th (TODAY).
 Spirit Week Blue Star Welcome Week
Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging in their school communities. There are approximately 13,500 military-connected students enrolled in FCPS. Each year, one-third of our military families transition into or out of our district.
Kings Glen has been honoring our military families and celebrating all our military-connected Gators this week with a spirit week and a welcoming theme for each day:
Thursday – Go Team! Wear colors to highlight your favorite team
Friday – We are GATOR Together – wear Gator green
Celebrating our heritage/culture through videos
We are excited to start a special family-oriented way to teach about holidays and cultures this year! Here is a link for a sign up with a list of holidays and national days/months through the year. Please take a look to make sure we are covering the holidays that are important to your family and let us know if we may be missing some. We are hoping that you would be willing to record a short video (2-3 minutes) at home with your child to teach us about your holidays, traditions, heritage, and culture!
We want to be learning about all of the amazing traditions that make each family and student special, and believe it is vital to do so with authenticity. We need your help! Once you sign up, we will reach out with more details. Thank you in advance for helping us celebrate the diversity of our students and teach our students with authenticity!
Twice Exceptional Students
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.
Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.
New information, including printable flyers, has been added under the heading Supporting 2e Learners in FCPS.
For more information, please contact KGNotes@fcps.edu.
Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students
Saturday, November 14
Register now for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students. The free conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS in collaboration with community partners, the conference highlights the power of partnerships in supporting student success. Families, educators, and community members are invited to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall with local resources, and lunch for all participants.
Register for the conference and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
Not Feeling Well? When Your Child Can Come to School
School is better when your child is here! But we do understand that some days, they may feel unwell. Learn more about which symptoms are ok at school (like sneezing or sniffles), and when your child should stay home (if they have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, for example).
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify the school so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and, if possible, let them know how long you think they will be out.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
FCPS Strategic Plan: Our Focus on Academic Growth and Excellence
- The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
The third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful, including reading on level by third grade. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice.
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KP/KG PTA News |
Thank you to all those who came out to our Ice Cream Social & Community Resource Fair last Friday! We hope you all enjoyed a sweet treat and left with lots of useful information.
Save the Date! Join us on October 23rd at 6 pm at Kings Park for International Night! Sign up today to reserve a table so your family can share its culture, traditions, food, and more with our school community. We can’t wait to celebrate the many cultures that make our community so special!
Join the PTA. We hope all members of the KP/KG community will consider joining the PTA this school year. Membership is only good for one year, so make sure to join each school year! Being a PTA member has numerous benefits -- it's a great way to meet new friends and become more involved in your child's school and community. Join on our website!
Keep in Touch with the PTA. A great way to keep in touch with the PTA is to subscribe to our emails and/or join our Facebook group. An updated PTA events calendar can also be found here. Reach out to board@kpkgpta.org if you have any questions.
Sept 30: 3-Hr. Early Release Wednesday (Students Dismiss at 12:25 p.m.)
Oct 5: AAP Office Hour Session (12-12:30 p.m.; See Above)
Oct 12: School Planning Day (No School for Students)
Oct 15: AAP Referral Deadline for Students New to FCPS (See Above)
Oct. 19: Fall Picture Day
Oct 30: First Quarter Ends (2-Hr Early Dismissal at 1:25 p.m.)
Nov 2-3: Teacher Workday/School Planning Day (No School for Students)
Nov 14: Special Education Family Conference (See Above)
Nov 25-27: Thanksgiving Holiday (No School)
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