Gator Bytes: News and General Information for Kings Glen ES
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Dear Gators,
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!
Dr. Ritter, Principal • Ms. Gibbs, Assistant Principal
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Reminder: Indigenous Peoples Day on October 12th is a School Planning Day
(No School for Students)
Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day
Wednesday, October 7
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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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 Oct 5 - Oct 9: Forgiveness
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School Picture Day is Coming!
Monday, October 19, 2026
Pictures will be available approximately two weeks after Picture Day.
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416965
📧 Questions about Ordering? www.vosphoto.com/contact-us
Parent Volunteer Support Needed! To help keep Picture Day running smoothly, we need 2-3 parent volunteers to assist with student flow and organization. As a special thank you for your time and support, VOS will provide volunteers with a voucher toward their student's picture package purchase. Please email KGNotes@fcps.edu if you are interested in helping!
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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.
FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers
FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.
Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
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Holmes Middle: Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
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Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.
Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.
Safe Routes to School Parent and Caregiver Survey
As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
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).
Our current absentee rate is 6.0% (down 1.6% from this time last year).
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 |
The October 2026 PTA Newsletter is now available!
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 are also looking for volunteers who can help before, during and after the event!
The 2026-2027 Kings Park/Kings Glen Student Directory is now available online for FREE to all KP/KG families. View our website for information on how to access it!
Are you looking for a way to get involved? We are in search of a volunteer to help coordinate the monthly staff appreciation events. Please reach out to Bethany at events@kpkgpta.org if you are interested or would like more information.
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.
Oct 7: Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day (See Above)
Oct 12: Indigenous Peoples Day/School Planning Day (No School for Students)
Oct 15: AAP Referral Deadline for Students New to FCPS (See Above)
Oct 15: Safe Routes to School Survey Deadline (See Above)
Oct. 19: Fall Picture Day
Oct 23: PTA International Night (6 p.m. at Kings Park ES; See Above)
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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