Gator Bytes: News and General Information for Kings Glen ES
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Dear Gators,
We are beyond thrilled to launch Walk to Read across Kings Glen! Our new reading groups kicked off on Tuesday, October 13th; be sure to ask your child who their Walk to Read teacher is!
Through Walk to Read, every student receives daily, targeted reading instruction tailored to their specific needs; whether that means intervention, extension, or enrichment. Based on our beginning-of-year data, students walk to their designated reading groups during their Language Arts block from Monday through Thursday. Groups will be reviewed every 6-8 weeks throughout the school year.
As our school day is filled with live, teacher-led instruction, in-class time for Lexia is limited. Lexia provides personalized, self-paced learning to reinforce key reading skills while alerting teachers if a student hits a roadblock. Students who consistently practice on Lexia make remarkable reading gains! We strongly encourage families to support Lexia practice at home (Fairfax County Public Schools Clever Portal), completing their weekly goal, to complement what we do in school. Thank you for your continued partnership and support in helping our students thrive!
Dr. Ritter, Principal • Ms. Gibbs, Assistant Principal
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Great News About Kings Glen!
We are excited to share that Kings Glen has been recognized as Distinguished under Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF). This rating, based on data from last school year, shows that our school is exceeding expectations set by the state for student performance. The below graphic shows more information. Way to go, Gators!
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 12 - Oct 16: Positivity Traits Review Week
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Thank You to our Amazing Families!
A huge thank you to all the families who came out on Monday, October 12th to give our Revitalize, Restore, Replant (R3) Garden a fresh start! Thanks to your incredible teamwork, we accomplished even more than we expected. Together, we pulled weeds, mulched, and re-planted native species like Christmas ferns and juncus, courtesy of Fairfax County Stormwater Management, to help keep the field’s drainage running smoothly. Your efforts completely transformed the garden, and we are so grateful for your time, energy, and community spirit.
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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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Do You Know an Amazing Employee? ✨
If you have worked with an outstanding employee at Kings Glen ES, FCPS wants your help recognizing them. Gator families are invited to nominate staff members for recognition!
🏆 NOMINATIONS FOR...
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding Principal
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding Professional Staff Leader
- Outstanding Educational Services Employee
- Outstanding Operational Services Employee
🗓️DEADLINE: The deadline to submit a nomination is Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
SUBMISSIONS: Submissions can be made by completing this form. Thank you for supporting our outstanding Gator Staff!
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). To view AAP Office Hours dates and request 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.
Share Your Feedback on Traveling To and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
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 15th.
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.
Celebrating the Power of School Lunches
Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers.
This National School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) reminds families that they are dedicated to providing delicious, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. New menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.
Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? View the Nutrition Services menus.
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.
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KP/KG PTA News |
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!
Save the date for our next Spirit Night at McDonald’s on October 28th from 5-7 pm in the Kings Park Shopping Center. The PTA will receive 15% back from all sales during this time; no flyer or code required!
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 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 28: PTA Spirit Night at McDonald's (5-7 p.m.; 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 4: Deadline to Submit Kings Glen Outstanding Employees (See Above)
Nov 4-11: Fall Book Fair (Details to Come)
Nov 11: Thanksgiving Lunch/Veterans Day Celebration (Details to Come)
Nov 14: Special Education Family Conference (See Above)
Nov 25-27: Thanksgiving Holiday (No School)
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