Author Visit - Truly Special!

The students thoroughly enjoyed engaging and interacting with the most recent author visit -  Carole and Jeffrey Weatherford.  A mother and son duo - they brought energy and engagement by bringing movement into their poetry.  The students asked great questions and were excited about their work. 

Planning Ahead - Calendar Dates!

March 9 - 13 Book Fair

• -March 10 - Donuts with Grownups 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. (Students come with and adult)
• March 11 - Storybook Lagoon and Family Buying 4 - 6:30 p.m. for read-alouds and family buying time. Students accompanied by an adult.

March 9 - Free Parent Event (no children) - Screenagers:  Elementary Edition Viewing at Franklin Sherman 7 p.m. Open to the McLean Pyramid schools

March 10 - Silver Diner - Restaurant Night for KG 5- 8 p.m.(20% from sales including DELIVERY from their website)  Come support KGES!

March 18 - Three Hour Early Release

March 20 - Eid al-Fitr School Holiday

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)

March 27 - Two Hour Early Release and End of Quarter

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 18 - Heritage Night (rescheduled)

April 22 - Three Hour Early Release

April 24 - Bingo Night!  

2025-26 FCPS School Calendar

Science Olympiad - Well Done!

A Shout out to our Science Olympiad team and Mr. Shivnen.  They placed and will proceed to the state finals.  Well done and we need to recognize their hard work in placing and working as a team. #kgpride #StrongerTogether 

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! 

Administration Note

Dear Parents, 

We welcomed warmer weather as we entered March.  It's been a busy week of learning and activities. 

Check out the new book fair sponsored by Literari and supported by our fabulous PTA.  It looks amazing - SOOO many books! Check out the links below to purchase gift cards for your children and support staff. We have Grownups and Donuts as well as the evening book fair purchase time - calendar above! 

Please note our reminder about watches and cell phone usage.  We have seen an increase with students utilizing in school.  Note the watches should be in 'School' mode all day and cell phones in their backpacks. 

A reminder to buy your yearbook now - we will be remitting emails to parents who have and haven't purchased!  

Have a wonderfully warm weekend! 

Warmly,

Holly McGuigan          Tia Hawkins                     Sarah Talley

Principal                      Assistant Principal           Assistant Principal

Book Fair New Vendor - Literati - How to Shop! 

On March 6th, our Book Fair opens at Kent Gardens. That's just a little more than a week away!!! We cannot WAIT to shop the fair with you! But until then, you can get a head-start by checking out our ONLINE Fair!

Get Book Fair Ready! Buy a gift card for your reader!  EVERY student who uses a Literati gift card instead of cash at our book fair will receive a FREE mini-poster. Using a gift card is EASY!  Visit our online store. Click "gift card" in the amount you want to send with your reader!  Enter your reader's information (first AND last name) and include their home room teacher. This is how we'll look their gift cards up at the fair!  You'll receive your unique code via email and you can print your reader's gift card as a back-up on the day they shop!  Share our online store link so other family members can send your readers gift cards for our fair!

Join the Literati Monthly Book Club! - Our Spring Book Fair is offering our Kent Gardens families the opportunity to sign up for their monthly book club! Each month, your child will receive books curated especially for them! There's something for EVERY reader in their very own, personalized book club and when kids have access to books they love, their love of reading grows! You don't have to wait for the physical fair to sign up! Visit our online book fair here and join a book club NOW! Choose "book club" from the menu! Want to REALLY make a difference? Buy a book club for your favorite teacher!

Support Teacher Wishlists Online! - Our physical book fair doesn't open until March 6, BUT you CAN start supporting our teachers NOW by granting their book wishes from their wishlists! Every order you place will be delivered to our teachers after our fair closes and the best part, they don't have to pay shipping ever! Your kiddos will get to watch their teachers and specialists unbox their book treasure knowing that it came from THEM! Find your teachers' wishlists here!

Volunteer to Help with Book Fair - To make our book fair a success, we rely on volunteers to help guide students as they set sail to find a treasure trove of tales that transport them across oceans, across time, across lives. When you volunteer, you make kindergarteners can fill in their wishlist, 6th graders can find the title they're REALLY looking for, and we have enough registers working to keep our line moving along. Consider donating an hour or two of your time to make sure our book fair is the absolute best! Volunteer here.

Yearbook Order Now Available! Order your yearbook now!  www.yearbookordercenter.com with code 21772 Or scan the QR code !

Smart Watch Usage and Cell Phone Reminder

Recently, we have had an uptick in usage of cell phones and smart watches during the school day in recent weeks.  As a reminder all phones and connected devices should be away in backpacks at school each day from 8:40-3:35. Smart watches may be worn but access to phone, texting and the internet needs to be turned off (known as school mode).  Students found not adhering to this state regulation will have their device confiscated and a parent or guardian will have to pick it up in the office.

Sixth Graders - Guides for the Rising Kindergarteners

We are looking for any interested 6th graders who can give school tours to the families of the rising kindergartners on April 10th 9 - 10 am. in the morning.  It is a professional workday for the staff and students are off school. Use this link to sign up! 

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.  

Family Engagement Survey to Open March 9

FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9, to 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. 

Fairfax County Health Dept Measles Update

Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects 9 out of 10 people who are exposed, if unvaccinated or not immune. It has been in the news lately due to cases in Northern Virginia and among people who have traveled through local airports. If your spring break or summer plans include traveling abroad or to an area in the U.S. with high measles activity, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages you to ensure your family is protected. Children 12 months and older should have 1 or 2 doses before traveling. Depending on your specific travel plans, your health care provider may also advise you to vaccinate infants 6 to 11 months old. Read more about these recommendations.

Positivity Project Focus - Review Week

This week, we will review our past work with positivity project.  

Spring Picture Day!

Students rose to the occasion and looked amazing for the spring picture.  The pictures will be available approximately one week from March 5, 2026.  If you have any questions prior to that date, please email Victor O'Neill Studios.

Middle School Transition Fair - Special Education Focus

Families are invited to FCPS' Middle School Transition Fair, an evening for families of elementary and middle school students receiving special education services to learn about planning for the future.  At this event, families can meet Career and Transition Services (CTS) representatives and other support staff, learn about postsecondary education, employment, and community supports, and hear from a student and parent panel sharing real transition experiences.

The fair will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School. Language support will be available. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, connect with resources, and feel more confident about your child’s next steps. We hope to see you there!  Event Flyer and Translations; Event registration link

2026 Special Education Family Conference - Date Change - Now 4/18

The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, date has been rescheduled to April 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Marshall High School. Update information is available on the FCPS Conference webpage.

Note from Parent Liaison, Shelley Lowinger

Learn to Ride a Bicycle at Dolley Madison Library - Fairfax County Department of Transportation and Dolley Madison Library offer a children's bike education class to teach the beginner skills to incorporate bicycling into your daily routine–whether that’s for fitness, fun, or transportation.  Adult participation is expected and required  - April 1 at 10 am. registration is required and opens on March 11th at 10 a.m.  Bring the bicycle and helmet for your child. If you are in need of a helmet or bicycle, please reach out to Andrew Sheldon the Active Transportation Planner. Intended for ages 4 - 12. 

The Safe Community Coalition presents:  Grief & Growth: Tools for Navigating Loss with Mental Health Experts - This free monthly parent discussion group will be facilitated by Dr. Melissa Sporn and Sarah Tyler, LCSW.   Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the grief process, learn to identify common emotional and physical responses to loss, explore ways to honor loved ones, foster self-care, and build resilience. McLean Community Center on Mar 12, 2026 7:00 PM - 8:30 p.m. RSVP HERE.

CPS Updates & Resources - FCPS ACE Adult English Classes. Spring Semester Enrollment Open. (Upcoming) Adults in our community can enroll in comprehensive ESOL classes through FCPS Adult and Community Education. Classes are offered at multiple proficiency levels with morning and evening options at locations across the county. Tuition is significantly lower than most college or private language programs. More information and registration: FCPS Adult and Community Education ESOL Classes

Fairfax County Government Programs & Services -Department of Family Services Parenting Classes - Topic: The Role of Values and Morals in Shaping Positive Discipline - Families will explore how core beliefs can guide positive and consistent discipline practices that build self-control, empathy, and respect. Open to Fairfax County parents and guardians with children ages 0 to 18. Register: https://bit.ly/DFS-Parent-Cafe-2026 Questions: DFSParentCafe@fairfaxcounty.gov 

Neighborhood and Community Servies Summer 2026 Enrollment Opens Camp Fairfax serves rising 1st through 7th graders and is held in public schools and community centers throughout Fairfax County. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided. A sliding fee scale is available.    Registration information: Camp Fairfax Summer Flyer attached.

Family Resource Center’s Why Smart Kids Struggle - March 11, 10-11:30 a.m. Many students struggle not because of ability, but because of executive function. This session helps parents recognize these challenges and learn simple strategies to reduce overwhelm and help kids get unstuck—without nagging or doing it for them.  Register here

BIS Part 3: How to Develop Emotional Regulation with Your Child - March 13, 10-11:30 a.m. Join us to explore how to move beyond stopping challenging behavior and instead focus on teaching the core skills of recognizing, understanding, and responding to emotions in healthy ways. Walk away with tools leading to a calmer family life.   Register here

Countdown to Kindergarten - Friday, March 27, 10-11:30 a.m. - Is your preschooler heading to kindergarten this fall? A virtual event designed to help families prepare for this exciting transition! During this webinar, families will learn practical tips and essential information.. Register for Countdown to Kindergarten

Family Academy Offers Support to Parents and Guardians - There will also be Family Resource Center webinars on topics including reducing parent stress and anxiety, parenting neurodivergent kids, why smart kids struggle, and a countdown to kindergarten. Visit the Family Academy Catalog 

Purple Up! Store Now Open - Fairfax County Public Schools will celebrate Purple Up! Day on April 15, 2026 in honor of the Month of the Military Child.  Purple Up! spirit wear is now available through our Custom Ink pop-up store. Items include T-shirts, hoodies, pajama pants, key chains, and yard signs. Spirit Wear Store (families): https://www.customink.com/s/fcps-purple-up-spirit-wear-store

Pop Tab Collecting - 6th Grade Community Service Group

The 6th grade community service group is participating in a Pop Tab Collection to benefit The Ronald McDonald House in Northern Virginia.  We would love the entire KGES community help by collecting the little tabs you pull to open soda, soup, or other aluminum cans.  Although the Pop Tabs are small and easily disca