In This Week's ROAR

Our Top Five for This Week!

#1 NEW FCPS VOLUNTEER PROCEDURES- Step-by-Step How-To WITH NEW PROCEDURES!!!

#2 The Annual Giving Campaign: We did it!!! 

#3 October's Calendar Outook: Busy, Busy, Busy

#4 Support the KGES Community
           Book Fair is Coming!
           KG Ted Talks Club      

#5 PTA News
           PTA Meeting Recap for September
           Join the PTA
           Volunteer with the PTA
               Library Volunteers
               Food Bus Food Rescue Volunteers 

Extra Credit
               Order Spirit Wear!

Extra Extra Credit: Community Events and Activities

Just some reminders for another very full week...

There will be NO SCHOOL TOMORROW, THURSDAY, October 2 (Yom Kippur for our observing friends).

#1 New FCPS Volunteer Procedures: Step-by-Step How-To

For the last month, the PTA has been encouraging our community to make the time to complete FCPS's NEW VOLUNTEER PROCEDURES. ALL Volunteers have to register with the FCPS database and all volunteers will undergo a background check at the school's check-in kiosk, and SOME volunteers will need a more comprehensive background check!

Here's the most important thing: if you want to chaperone ANY field trips for Kent Gardens, you MUST COMPLETE THE LEVEL 3 BACKGROUND CHECK! We mean ANY FIELD TRIPS. No exceptions!

It's important to know that THIS IS NOT AN INSTANT PROCESS!!!!

The process is not hard to do, but it does take some time to complete and we have encountered some backlog when it comes to processing applications. Here's what YOU need to do:

1) Register with Volunteer FCPS

2) Click "new volunteer"

3) Follow the steps! CHOOSE LEVEL 3. If, for some reason, you have already chosen Level 2 and you cannot get your account to switch to a Level 3, email FCPS Volunteer Services.

4) You will complete all of the forms for FCPS. It is easier to fill them out on a laptop or desktop than using a mobile device.

5) You will be asked to choose how to complete the volunteer verification process. CHOOSE IN PERSON. You must be fingerprinted and this will happen at the IN PERSON verification.

THERE IS CURRENTLY A BACKLOG OF APPLICATIONS SO YOU WILL COMPLETE FINGERPRINTING AT A FIELDPRINT OFFICE:

6) Utilize this link to access Fieldprint to create an account and schedule your in-person fingerprinting appointment at one of their convenient locations across the U.S. and its territories.

Once logged in to Fieldprint, you will be prompted to provide a Fieldprint Code.

Please use the following code: FPFCPSNonEmployeeRB 

After entering the Fieldprint code, you will be asked to provide consent for the criminal background check and a variety of information required by the Virginia State Police and FBI in order to conduct your background check and to enroll you in Rap Back, a continuous criminal monitoring program.

7) Select a location and a date/time convenient to you. MAKE SURE YOU ATTEND THIS APPOINTMENT!

8) It took 5 days after my verification appointment for me (Alyssa Densham) to receive my approval. Your mileage may vary depending on how much of a backlog they have to process, but know that this is NOT an instant process. 

#2 The Annual Giving Campaign- We DID IT!!!

With a flurry of donations in the last week, we have officially met our goal of $45,000! 

Our Class Competition was heating up and some classes might be separated by only one donation! We're tabulating the full results and will have them for you next week!

It's NOT too late to participate. We know that the costs of many things are rising and any extra help you can provide will help ensure that we can provide the same AWESOME school year! You can still make your donation here!

#3 Our October Calendar Outlook: Busy

#4 Support the KGES Community

Book Fair is Coming!

We are SOOOOOOOOO EXCITED for the Fall Book Fair which will run October 24-31!

We can't pull off the BEST BOOK FAIR EVER without your help! We'll have volunteer sign-ups NEXT WEEK so be on the look out to sign up and help every student at KGES chase that book fair magic!

Mark Your Calendar for these VERY Important Book Fair Dates!

Thursday 10/23 from 12-3pm is book fair set-up day. Help us turn the library into our very own book store!

Tuesday 10/28 (8:00-8:45 AM): Grownups and Donuts- Come peruse our shelves and maybe pick out a book or two that you really love!

Wednesday 10/29 29 (2:15-6:00 PM): Book Fair-Palooza...it's a 3-hour early release and you get to shop the fair! This is NOT a drop-off event, but we welcome kiddos with responsible adults!

Friday 10/31 (9:00-11:30 AM): Open Buy and after open buy ends, we'll be packing up the book fair from 1130am-130pm.

E-wallet information will be coming next week! Get pumped up for Book Fair!!!!

KG Ted Talks Club

#5 News from Your PTA

Attend a PTA Meeting

The first PTA meeting of the year was on FRIDAY, September 26.

At our September meeting, we learned about:

KGES PTA Funds Teachers

The PTA gave a check for $185 to each teacher at Kent Gardens to help them buy any supplies that they need to make their classrooms great at the beginning of the year!

Crossing Guard Issues

Fairfax County (the county, NOT FCPS) has adjusted their police staffing and is not providing schools with officers to help manage traffic and ensure the school community can safely cross roads during busy times. A few weeks ago, we actually had one of our community members hit by a car. Luckily no one was badly injured, but this is a serious safety concern for our community because we have so many members who must use the kiss and ride because we're an immersion school. You can help us advocate for safer communities by

1) Reaching out to YOUR supervisor on the County Board of Supervisors. Find your supervisor here.

2) Call the police non-emergency line when traffic feels out-of-control during drop-off and dismissal times at (703) 691-2131.

3) Reach out to your school board member and our at-large members so that they know how much of a problem this really is for schools like Kent Gardens where transportation is not provided for out-of-boundary students. Find your board members' contact info here.

Upcoming Principal's Coffee

There will be another principal's coffee in October to go over how to interpret and use test rules from the Math MAPS, iReady, and more! Principal McGuigan will also offer a virtual option so everyone can learn!

OUR NEXT PTA MEETING WILL BE: October 24 at 845am in the Cafeteria. Mary Wilcox Smith, author, parenting coach, and speaker will join us at the end of the meeting for an opportunity to dig into what it means to be a parent right now.

Join the PTA

The PTA at KGES is SUPER BUSY! We do SO much...if you like the afterschool academies, chess club, Math Counts, Bingo Night, 5k, Bread and Cider, Christmas Cookie Exchange, Book Fairs, Heritage Night, Teacher Appreciation Week and just so, so, so MUCH MORE, that's because your KGES PTA has been working hard to bring enriching experiences to our community. 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 Join the PTA NOW!  

Volunteer with the PTA

Volunteers are the glue that helps keep Kent Gardens going and, at the beginning of the school year, have we got some opportunities for YOU!

Library Volunteers

Food Bus Volunteers- KGES's Food Rescue Program

Do you have 30 minutes to spare on a Friday afternoon? Help us make a difference by delivering rescued food to the SHARE of McLean Food Pantry at McLean Baptist Church. The KG PTA proudly supports the Food Bus program, which encourages students to place unopened, packaged food and whole fruits in a designated fridge instead of throwing them away after lunch. Each week, we collect 15–25 pounds of fresh, healthy food—saved by our students—that parent volunteers deliver to SHARE for weekend distribution to local families in need. It’s a simple act with a big impact—and we need your help to keep it going!  Sign up HERE  or email Rebecca (beccadw@gmail.com) or Lana (lanavu@gmail.com) Middle and high school students can earn service hours too!

Extra Credit: Order Spirit Wear

Extra Extra Credit: Community Events

Join a Girl Scout Troop of girls from Kent Gardens! Troops are kicking off their year and we'd love to have your scout!

For more information, contact:
Jeanne McElhaney, Sr. Membership Specialist GSCNC
jmcelhaney@gscnc.org 202-534-3791

Elementary-aged Cotillion
Three Thursdays: Sept. 18, 25 & Oct. 2
5–6:30pm 

Middle School-aged Cotillion
Three Thursdays: Oct. 23, 30 & Nov. 6
6:00–7:30pm

Ready to raise the bar on elegance and ease? This three-week cotillion series is a hands-on journey into the world of social grace.

From mastering introductions to navigating European and Continental dining styles, your child will gain confidence, charm, and composure—all with a touch of whimsy in a most delightful setting.

What is Included:
Communication Skills: Introductions, Salutations & Body Language (with hors d’oeuvres & beverages)
Dining Skills Part 1: European Style Dining (includes seated tea service)
Dining Skills Part 2: Continental Style Dining (includes seated tea service)

Dress Code:
Ladies: Dresses, skirts, or classy slacks with flats or low heels.
Gentlemen: Collared shirts and pressed shorts—or elevate with slacks and a tie.

Because good manners never go out of style—and confidence is always in fashion.

Investment: $250 per session

Join Our Rugby Family!

Looking for a fun, active way to get your kids involved in the community? Our local rugby club welcomes players of all ages and skill levels! Build confidence, make new friends, and be part of a supportive team environment. Come down, give it a try, and see why so many families love being part of our club!

NON-CONTACT Coed 4-10yrs
Tackle COED 10-14 yrs
Boys & Girls Tackle 14-18yrs

www.rugbyVA.com