Planning Ahead - Calendar Dates!
March 25 - Parent Coffee 8:45 a.m.
March 26 - Virtual Kindergarten Orientation Meeting by Zoom (8 - 8:45 a.m. link to follow to those signed up in google form below - we will remit link this week)
March 27 - Two Hour Early Release and End of Quarter
March 30 - Yearbook Ordering Opportunity Closes - Code 21772 Order Now!
March 30 - April 3 - Spring Break and April 6 - Teacher Workday
April 10 - Kindergarten Tours/Orientation 9 - 10 a.m. and Teacher Workday
April 14 - Class Group Pictures
April 15 - Purple Up Day -FCPS will recognize our military families on this day!
April 18 - Heritage Night (rescheduled)
April 24 - Bingo Night!
2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
Trash Pick Up and Waste Collection!
Thanks to our students for supporting trash pick up - keeping our school grounds clean! Also, we have taken a mini steps toward a new waste collection to recycle some of our waste - stay tuned as we begin this new work! #kgpride #StrongerTogether
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Yearbook Orders Close 3/30!
We will send one final reminder regarding the ordering of yearbooks. Our final orders will be on March 30th. Order your yearbook now! www.yearbookordercenter.com with code 21772
Or scan the QR code !
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Administration Note
Dear Parents,
As indicated by the pictures, we had a busy week! First and foremost, we appreciate your flexiiblity and support for the unexpected three hour early release on Monday. We appreciate the early pick ups and coordination.
We do have a Parent Coffee on Wednesday 8:45 - 9:30 a.m. We will be discussing upcoming testing and other future events!
Last reminder to purchase your yearbook prior to the the 30th of March. We will send a final note to families.
Last but not least, as we approach spring break, remember that we have a 2 hour early release on Friday, March 27th. All students are released on that day at 1:35 p.m. Happy Spring Break!
See you soon!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Fresh Baguette - Fundraiser!
Join us for a delicious way to give back! We’re hosting a school fundraiser at Fresh Baguette in McLean, and we’d love for our entire school community to participate. From Monday, March 16 to Monday, March 23 at the Fresh Baguette – McLean location. You can order online or in-person and use the code BonjourKG26 and a portion of the proceeds will go directly toward supporting our French program.
Bring your friends, family, and neighbors, enjoy amazing pastries, bread, and coffee, and help make a difference for our students. Every croissant counts! Thank you for support. Merci!
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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!
Parent Input Opportunity for Class Placement for 2026-27 School Year
Every year, we work collectively to determine class placements for the next school year for each student. A variety of factors such as student personalities, friendships, and academic abilities are also considered as we create our new classes. Other factors impacting the decision-making process of student class assignments are new student enrollment and teachers moving to a new assignment. Please provide your input if desired through this google formif you feel the need. Thanks for partnering with us!
Spring Picture Day - Photos Available Online!
Check your emails for e-proofs - check your spam if you cannot find the email. All orders for spring pictures completed prior to March 27th will have free shipping. If you have any questions prior to that date, please email Victor O'Neill Studios.
Family Engagement Survey to Open March 9
FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open through Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools. Survey topics include: welcoming environment; communication; student success; advocacy, family and school partnerships, community partnerships. The survey will be available in multiple languages. Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school.
Kindergarten Registration
If you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 30, they are eligible to attend Kindergarten for the upcoming year. You can now choose to use online registration tool. With the online option, you will then have to come into the office with the child’s original birth certificate, your proof of residence (deed/lease) and your ID. You can contact Annie Joseph to coordinate a convenient time.
Rising Kindergarten Student Intention 2026-27
Please complete this form if you have a rising kindergartner and plan on attending Kent Gardens. If you are hopeful to attend, you may complete but please note your status in the form below. We are not using this data for evaluative purposes nor for placement purposes but merely to collect information for the beginning of the school year. All students come in at various levels academically and socially. Here is the link for online registration. We are excited for our 2026-27 kindergarten students!
Kindergarten Parent Information Meeting will be through Zoom (link to follow) on March 26th at 8 a.m. Sign up here to receive the link.
The Parent Tour and Kindergarten Student Orientation is on Friday, April 10 at 9 a.m. (Parents and students attend together) Link is here to reserve your tour time.
Highlighting a Few Random Pics
We collected almost $400 for Best Buddies Friendship Walk! The Kindness grams will be delivered this week! Thanks to ALL who supported. Below, is a random collection of students pics and having fun!
Positivity Project Focus
This week, we will extend our focus on kindness and respect towards all as we approach spring break!
First Grade Field Trip Fun at the Zoo!!
2026 Special Education Family Conference - 4/18
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School. Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.
Note from Parent Liaison, Shelley Lowinger
Month of Military Child Field Day - FCPS is excited to celebrate the Month of the Military Child with a good, old-fashioned field day! We invite all military-connected families with FCPS students to a special field day to honor our military-connected children. Join us for an afternoon of fun and community at Annandale High School (4700 Medford Dr, Annandale, VA 22003) on April 18, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. Enjoy field day games and crafts at the football and track stadium. Food and beverages will be available for purchase to support various FCPS school clubs and organizations. This is a great opportunity to connect with other military families across the division! To RSVP, please complete this Google form by March 27, 2026
Family Resource Center’s Countdown to Kindergarten - March 27, 10-11:30 a.m. - Is your preschooler heading to kindergarten this fall? Join us for Countdown to Kindergarten, a virtual event designed to help families prepare for this exciting transition! During this webinar, families will learn practical tips and essential information to support your child's smooth and successful start to kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools. Register here
Another Summer Camp Option - Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a dynamic summer enrichment program serving students currently in grades K–5. (Students currently in grade 6 are eligible for our secondary program, Institute for the Arts (IFTA).These programs offer students daily experiences in Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance in a fun, supportive environment designed to nurture creativity and confidence. There are 4 weekly sessions scheduled for July 2026 all to be held at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, from 8.30 - 2pm.To ensure access for all families, Tuition assistance, Transportation (from select FCPS schools), and After care options are available. E-IFTA Information. Email Program Director with ?? mnash@fcps.edu
Department of Family Services: Parent Support Line. Building Stronger Families Do you have questions about parenting or need someone to talk to? Parenting specialists with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services are available to support families. Specialists can help with child development questions, parenting strategies, reducing stress, and connecting families with community resources. Parent Support Line: 703-324-7720
Getting to Know FCPS: A Family Orientation (Ongoing Sessions) This interactive presentation introduces families to FCPS. Topics include understanding school staff roles, ways families can support student success, programs available to students, technology tips, and supports for families who are new to FCPS. Updated flyer with QR codes for registration. Sessions are offered in Arabic, English, Korean, Spanish, and for Military Families.
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Pop Tab Collecting - 6th Grade Community Service
The 6th grade community service group is participating in a Pop Tab Collection to benefit The Ronald McDonald House in Northern Virginia. We collected 8.5 pounds of pop tabs - which is a LOT of small tabs!! The money raised from the collection will go towards family programming and events at the Ronald McDonald House! #kgpride
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Some Green Fun!
Who knew the leprechaun would visit us and cause so much mischief! :)
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on: March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School ; April 13, at Belle View Elementary School; April 20, at Westgate Elementary School ; April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
2026 Recognizing Special Education Supporters
Nominations are open for the 2026 Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Awards, which recognize educators, staff, volunteers, and community members who go above and beyond to support students receiving special education services. The annual program celebrates individuals across Fairfax County Public Schools who demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusion, support, and student success.
Honorees may include teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, therapists, volunteers, and other community members who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families. Nominations are open through Friday, March 27, and can be submitted online.
Award recipients will be recognized at the SEPTA Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 2, where families, educators, and community members will gather to celebrate those helping build more inclusive and supportive school communities. Registration details for the ceremony will be announced at a later date.
Coding Fun! Engagement and Challenge!
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: March 27 8:45 - Cafeteria
Note from KG PTA - We cannot thank our Kent Gardens Community enough! You showed up for Restaurant Night and our Book Fair in droves! Your support means the world to us! Our Spring Book Fair surpassed $25,000 in revenue with over $3,000 of that coming from your support our teacher and staff wish lists! We netted $6,281.11 in profit for the PTA. Whether you showed up at Doughnuts with Grown-ups and Storybook Lagoon, purchased gift cards for your kiddos, or were one of 67 volunteers who showed up to count baggies of coins, point kinders in the right direction, or keep our shelves filled, we could NOT have done this without you! A SPECIAL shout-out to Mrs. Hershey who let us crash her library for an entire week!
And in the middle of book fair week, you came to the Silver Diner and showed everyone why Kent Gardens has the BEST community! Thank you for dining out and raising funds to make this community AMAZING!
Early Birds Club Offering with Ms. Smouse!
Ms. Smouse is offering a before school Early Birds Club for Grades 1-5 starting March 26th through May 7th on Thursdays from 7:45-8:45am. $200. Register here
EARLY BIRDS CLUB - Students will take part in: Quiet games (board games, cards, puzzles) Art and craft activities Drawing or journaling Reading Brain teasers and light academic challenges.
Collections for Givology
A student from TJHSST is collecting for Givology and is working to spread outreach and awareness about Givology’s mission in the community. Givology is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to quality education worldwide. The mission and initiative is to fund teacher training, provide scholarships for rural girls and refugees, and build vital WASH facilities in countries like Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Uganda. It was co-founded in 2008 by a TJ alumni, and since inception, we have raised $700,000 for 5,000+ students in 30+ countries. Their goal is to collect personal hygiene products (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant etc.) and school supplies (pencils, erasers, crayons, etc.) to support students in under-resourced communities. The specific organization we are hoping to uplift is Mission Mochila, which is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth in El-Salvador. We have a box in the lobby - drop off donations there! Informational Links: School supply/ hygiene wishlist; Mision Mochila Website; Givology Website
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