Gator Bytes: News and General Information for Kings Glen ES

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Dear Gators, It has been so nice this week enjoying a bit of fall weather! We hope that it remains this cool for our PTA sponsored Fun Run on Friday. Our students are getting super excited about the Fun Run, and we appreciate the donations that families have made. If you have not yet donated there is still time! See information below for details. September is Attendance Awareness Month. Our chronic absenteeism rate is 5.8% which is down 1.2% from last year but we need to continue to lower this number. Currently, our 4th grade students have the most absences, and our 5th graders have the least. Attendance is vital to student progress and growth. If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to KGNotes@fcps.edu. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies. We are still in need of a cafeteria host/hostess to help monitor student behavior, keep the lunch environment safe and clean, and assist students with the composting program at KG. If you are interested, please reach out to KNotes@fcps.edu. Our first PTA meeting of the year is tomorrow, September 17th at 5:00 pm. We will be meeting at Kings Park—hope to see you there! Dr. Ritter, Principal  •  Ms. Gibbs, Assistant Principal

FCPS | Welcome Back to School 2026

Click the link below for a message from Dr. Reid, FCPS Superintendent.

Tom Dannan - for Braddock District Schools

Sandy Anderson - for Springfield District Schools

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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 14 - Sept 18:  Open-Mindedness

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:

• Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
• Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.

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.

Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Lisa Rode, the Kings Glen Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) and Jamie Mucciolo (the AART at Kings Park).

• AAP Continuum of Services & Full-Time AAP Identification: Monday, September 28, 2026 at 8am at Kings Glen Elementary. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students and Full-Time AAP Identification.
• The first AAP Office Hour session is on Monday, September 14th 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.

Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30

The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.

Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.  

Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.

Cellphones and Personal Devices

Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more about the student device requirement. 

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.

Stay in the Know With 'Here Comes the Bus'

Even though FCPS has launched a new bus navigation system, some aspects like the new FCPS My Ride mobile app are still in development. Families should still use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to track the location of their child’s bus. This app is still compatible with the new system. 

FCPS will notify families and schools when the new app is ready to download and use. In the meantime, everyone should reinforce with students that they need to tap on and off the bus with their student ID cards.

Have you already downloaded the new app? That’s okay! The new app is in the final stage of testing, so some features are not yet fully functional. At this time, you should refer to Here Comes the Bus for the most accurate information.

The Importance of the Flu Vaccine

As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, the health and well-being of our students continues to be one of our priorities. Staying up to date with your child's flu vaccination helps:

• Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
• Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
• Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.

Upcoming Flu Shot Events

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.

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.

Importance of Strong Attendance Habits

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:

• Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
• Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
• Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
• Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
• Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.

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. 

Volunteering at Kings Glen 

If you are looking to volunteer for the 2026-2027 school year and have not already done so, complete your Volunteer FCPS registration this summer. This helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment here at Kings Park. We thank you for your support!  All volunteers must:

• Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS. 
• Complete a volunteer orientation and register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS. 
• Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk.  

Weather Happens - FCPS Is Ready!

Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?

Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.

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):

• Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
• Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
• Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
• Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
• Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
• Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School

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. 

Reporting Discrimination or Harassment

FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should