Calendar Updates
June 15 - Field Day - Kinder - Fifth Grade
June 15 - Sixth Grade Promotion - McLean HS 6 p.m. There will be no tickets - all can enjoy.
June 16 - Sixth Grade Field Day 9:30 - 11 a.m. & Sixth Grade Celebration 1 - 3 p.m. Sign Up To Volunteer
June 16 - After School Celebration for our retirees: Jeff Shivnen, Mark Brock and Nasreen Shaikh - Please invite previous graduates - Cafeteria 4:00 - 5 pm.
June 17- Last Day of School - Two Hour Early Release
2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
Kindergarten is Ready for 1st Grade!
It was wonderful to see our kinders at the promotion. They are ready for first grade - a HUGE shout out to our teachers, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Diaconu, and Ms. Dalakis and Ms. Cortez, Ms. Prabhakar, and Ms. Weingast. Thanks as always to our fabulous parents!
Administration Note
Dear Parents,
We look forward to Field Day! Monday, is the rescheduled Field Day for Grades Kinder through Fifth Grade. The weather should be almost 'perfect'. Note that your child should bring a water bottle, wear sunscreen and also a shirt change as needed.
This past week, students returned their devices. If they forgot their charger, they should bring it to our Technology Specialist, Michael Parker. If you have questions about a laptop for summer use or otherwise, please email Michael Parker.
We enjoyed soooo many activities this past week. The 250 Block Party Celebration was a good time - despite the rain! Thanks to Hopkins Realty for the tasty ice cream from Ben & Jerry's. We also had wonderful chorus concerts and will be sharing the sign up links next week. Check out the pictures below - Best Buddies, Graduation Walk and more!
This coming week in addition to Field Day, we have Sixth Grade Promotion and Celebration, After School Celebration for our Teacher Retirees, and we have a two hour early release on Wednesday.
Note that we have the following updates with staffing: Ms.Dalakis will not return and we have strong candidates. Ms. Oreska announced that she will be moving - possibly to Paris! We have already identified her replacement. Ms. Lim is moving as well to be with family. We will shift Mr. Firebaugh into sixth grade. We are set for staffing for the next school year and know that it will be a great one!
Thanks as always for your support!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
250 Block Party Celebration
Despite the rain, we had a great time. We enjoyed the DJ, painted rocks and ice cream donated by Hopkins Realty. Thanks to our PTA - it was a fun event!
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!
Class Pictures Available!
Families who have not had a chance to order a group photo, it’s not too late!
For questions about ordering, please contact Victor O'Neill Studios: underclass@vosphoto.com
McLean HS Graduates Return
We had a wonderful clapout for the graduating seniors - while primarily from McLean and also had students that graduated from other high schools nearby! So wonderful for our student to see and enjoy! #kgpride
Student Medication Pick Up - Clinic Reminder
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school, June 17th. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. You can start picking medications up as soon as next week! Contact Kristina Brown with any questions/concerns.
Sixth Grade Chorus Rocks!
Thanks to Ms. Lee - the chorus truly rocked it during the end of year performance. #kgpride
Please Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance
It’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals - Families who earn less than 185% of the poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available this summer. If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2025-26 school year.
End of Year FUN!
Note from Parent Liaison, Shelley Lowinger
FCPS Food and Nutrition Services - FCPS will provide free summer meals to all children through the Summer Food Service Program. Meals are available on a first-come, first-served basis at designated locations, and children must remain onsite while eating. Educate Fairfax will fund meals for all adults at all FCPS open feeding sites, allowing families to dine together at participating locations. No meal service June 18–19, 2026, and July 3, 2026) Summer Food Service Program Information; Summer Meals Programflyer
FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE) – Adult ESOL Program Summer 2026 Classes: July 6–31, 2026 | New Student Testing: June 15–22, 2026 (varies by location) Classes are available at multiple Fairfax County locations, and all new students must complete a placement test and present one original identification document before registering. Contact ACE 703-658-2777, adultesol@fcps.edu, fcpsace.org - flyer
Summer Resources Help Students Stay Curious, Healthy, and Busy -The FCPS Summer Resource Guide has activities and tips on a variety of subjects and interests, from camps and activities to health and safety resources.
Learning Doesn’t Take a Vacation — and Neither Does Fun! - Summer is the perfect time to help your student explore new interests, reinforce concepts, and stay engaged! FCPS’ Summer Learning webpage offers ideas and strategies for families to keep students curious until August.
Third Annual FCPS Puzzle Hunt Encourages Active Family Fun - The Solving Fun Puzzle Pals have been busy getting ready for the 3rd Annual Fairfax County Public Schools Puzzle Hunt, and it kicks off in only three weeks!This free event is open to solvers of all ages and is a great way to keep students and families engaged in fun, creative problem-solving over the summer. It also teaches bike and pedestrian safety and encourages active transportation. Sign up for the Puzzle Hunt!
Rising 7th Graders - Longfellow - Jump Start
Come join us for one of these two sessions. It is an optional, non-academic program is designed to support a smooth transition by introducing students
to school staff, meeting new peers, exploring the school layout, and learning key policies before the year begins. In addition to informational sessions,
students will enjoy fun, community building activities. The two available dates are: August 11 - 8:30 - 12:30 OR August 12 8:30 - 12:30 pm.
Location: Longfellow Middle School
Registration: Opens on April 30th
Cost: $30.00 per student
Transportation will not be provided for this event. Parents/guardians are responsible for dropping off and picking up their students.
Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-27
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. The number of days has been reduced from eight to four.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with their peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students.
Please view the dates for our school’s early release Wednesdays below:
- September 30
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
Visit the FCPS website for more information about early release Wednesdays.
Student Testing Results Coming Soon
Through June, you will receive your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, you can view a list of tests by grade level on the FCPS website. Most scores are available in SIS ParentVUE. Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about how test results are reported to families. Websites for each test provide report translations and help with understanding test results. Please contact our front office with any testing questions or for additional information about how our school and teachers use test results to support student success
Fifth Grade Chorus - Amazing!
Expanding Learning Opportunities for All Students
At Kent Gardens, we're committed to providing every student with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive both during the school year and over the summer. This summer, all students will be allowed to check out a technology device that will support continued growth.
This will ensure continued access to tools such as ST Math and Benchmark Universe that allow students to work at their own pace and level. Programs like these adapt to each child's needs, providing extra support in areas where they're building skills and advancing them when they're ready for more challenges. This opportunity will allow students to continue their personalized learning at home, to develop digital literacies and important routines around managing their technology.
Please complete this Google form by 4:00p.m. Wednesday, June 17th if you would like your child to check out a laptop for the summer.
Summer Resources Help Students Stay Curious, Healthy, and Busy
The FCPS Summer Resource Guide has activities and tips on a variety of subjects and interests, from camps and activities to health and safety resources. Be sure to check back over the summer, as more resources may be added. Learning Doesn’t Take a Vacation and Neither Does Fun!The FCPS Summer Learning webpage offers ideas and strategies for families to keep students curious until August. Summer is the perfect time to help your student explore new interests, reinforce concepts, and stay engaged!
KG PTA News and Updates
Summer at KGES - Come Join!
Kindergarten Readiness Camp - Calling Rising Kinders! We are excited to offer a Kindergarten Readiness Camp July 13-17 AT Kent Gardens! This camp will help prepare your student for a successful start to school at Kent Gardens by building early academic skills, independence, and confidence in a supportive environment. Register here.
Basketball Summer Camp! Mr. Avery is hosting a basketball summer camp for rising 3-6th graders. July 27-31 from 1-4pm at Kent Gardens. $230 Register here.
Summer Art Camp - Ms. Kladler is hosting a Summer Art Camp at KG! Rising 1st-6th can sign up for the morning session (930am -1230pm); Rising 4th-7th can sign up for afternoon session (1-4pm), or both AM and PM!
Morning session complements Mr. Avery's basketball camp. Bring a lunch if you will be at camp all day. Camp will run July 27th-31st, and the price includes all supplies. Register here.
Everyday Economics! Fun with Benchmark Unit 9 - Dates: July 20 - July 24 Time: 9:30 - 12:30 p.m. Grades: Rising 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Teachers: Lamya Alany and IA. Our class will focus on the real-world topic of economics. Through hands-on activities and using the framework from Benchmark Express Unit 9, students will learn practical concepts like buying, selling, trading, and the difference between goods and services. As an English Language Development program, your child will also be actively improving their English. Every activity is designed to help them practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking, along with learning new vocabulary. The program will end with a special final project where students can proudly share everything they have learned. Register here: https://kentgardenspta.com/product/benchmarkcamp/.
Young Entrepreneurs: Summer Economics- Dates: July 27 - July 31. Time: 9:30 - 12:30 p.m. Grades Rising 4th, 5th and 6th graders. Teachers Lamya Alany and IA. Our upper Multi Lingual (ML) have the opportunity to dive into the world of economics utilizing Benchmark. Students will use real work business, learn advanced English skills, become more confident in writing and have fun with Creative Projects. Register here: https://kentgardenspta.com/product/econcamp/
Summer Coding with Ms. Nabaki - Dates July 13 - 17 Time; 9:30 - 12:30p.m. Grades 3 - 6. Students will learn the basics of coding in a fun and engaging way, using beginner-friendly tools such as Scratch. They will build simple games and animations while developing important skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity. Through guided, hands-on activities, they will learn how to break down ideas into steps, think like a programmer, and gain confidence using technology. Register here!
 |
|
Order School Supplies for Next Year
Order school supplies now! Don't wait! Place your order now and everything will arrive at your home before KG's open house! Pick by grade level, add on headphones, and rest this summer knowing you don't have to beat the crowds to find a Pink Pearl Eraser or pre-sharpened Ticonderogas.
Order now!
|
Lost and Found -
We will be donating the lost and found in the next week. Please drop by and take a look at the items. We have many sweatshirts and jackets!
Best Buddies - So. Much. Fun. !!
|
