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Dear Kent Gardens Community,
October is off to a wonderful start! The weather has been beautiful, the leaves are beginning to change, and we are enjoying all that fall has to offer. It really is a great time of year!
It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through the first quarter! We are in full swing, and so much wonderful learning is happening throughout the building. Thank you to all the families who have signed up to meet with their child's teacher for parent-teacher conferences. These conversations are such a meaningful opportunity to celebrate student growth, discuss progress, and continue strengthening the partnership between home and school. We truly value the opportunity to work together to support each child's success!
We love welcoming families into Kent Gardens! Whether you are visiting for a classroom celebration, volunteering, or attending a school event, we are always happy to see you. To help make the visitor check-in process smoother and more efficient, we encourage all families to pre-register using the Raptor app. Once registered, you will be able to simply scan in when you arrive at school, making the check-in process quicker and easier.
All visitors are required to check in when entering our building, and during larger school-day events, this can sometimes lead to longer lines. By registering ahead of time, you can help us reduce wait times while continuing to keep our school safe and welcoming for everyone. Please take a moment to scan the QR code below to register. Thank you for helping us make this process easier for our entire community!
This is a reminder that Monday, October 12, is a Student Holiday. We look forward to welcoming students back to KG on Tuesday, October 13.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership and for all you do to make Kent Gardens such a special place.We hope you have a fantastic week ahead and enjoy the beautiful fall weather!
Warmly,
Kelly Cabezas, Tia Hawkins and Sarah Talley
Upcoming Important Dates
- October 12: Student Holiday
- October 15-23: Book Fair
- October 30-End of Quarter 1 (2 hour Early release)
- November 2 & 3: Student Holidays
FCPS School Year Calendar 2026-27
ATTENTION SACC Parents
On Wednesday, November 11, SACC will be closed for Veterans Day. Kent Gardens is not closed that day. Please make note of this and ensure your child knows how they are going to get home from school at dismissal (3:35 pm).
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Author Visit-Aaron Reynolds
Aaron Reynolds, #1 New York Time bestselling author of Creepy Carrots, Creepy Pair of Underwear, Creepy Crayon, the Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales, and many other books, will be visiting Kent Gardens on November 9th. He has a passion for children’s books and is excited to present to our students. Aaron will be signing books for Kent Garden’s students. If you would like to purchase a book for Aaron to sign, you may use this form from Child’s Play to do so. Aaron Reynolds Order Form Child’s Play is providing a 20% discount to Kent Gardens’ students. All orders are due to Ms. Hershey by October 16th. Aaron Reynolds’s books will also be available to purchase at our upcoming fall book fair.
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The Book Fair is coming October 15-23. Mark your calendars!
Donuts and Grownups: October 20 from 8:00-8:45 AM
Family Night: October 21 from 4:00-7:00 PM
Kent Gardens is “Wandering into New Adventures” with a new book fair vendor, Bookworm Central. Bookworm Central is a Virginia book fair company used by many other local schools. A successful book fair relies on a strong volunteer force, and we would love to have you onboard. Parent volunteers are appreciated for setup, class previews, class shopping, and breakdown of the fair. It’s a fun event, and the kids love it. Please access the signup genius at FALL BOOK FAIR SIGNUP to sign up for a volunteer slot. If you’d like to sign up for a slot during your child’s preview or shopping time, you may access the schedule at FALL BOOK FAIR CLASS SCHEDULE
Prior to the book fair, don’t forget to setup your eWallet and perhaps purchase a gift card. You may sign up for an eWallet and find more info about the book fair at Kent Gardens Fall 2026 Book Fair
Early check-out (students)
This is a reminder that all parent/caregivers will be required to show proper identification each time you pick up your child. Please plan ahead and bring your ID in to the school. Thank you for working with us to keep your children safe!
Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place.
A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.
Safe Routes to School Parent and Caregiver Survey
As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School (note date change)
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Kent Gardens Families: Explore SafeWalkr!
FCPS Safe Routes to School is excited to invite families to try SafeWalkr, a new interactive walking map tool developed by Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students in collaboration with our team!
If you live within Kent Gardens' designated walking boundary, explore information about sidewalks, road crossings, and crossing guard locations to help plan your walk to school.
Go to the SafeWalkr tool, select Kent Gardens, and explore a route with your child. Review current conditions and consider your child’s abilities and supervision needs before walking. The tool does not change walking boundaries or transportation eligibility. Help us improve SafeWalkr by sharing your feedback during the pilot. Thank you for supporting safe, active trips to school!
Early Release Wednesdays
Kent Gardens Elementary School will release students at 12:35 pm on early release days. As we continue to focus on attendance at KGES, we hope you will consider making doctor and other appointments on these afternoons when possible. If you do not update your child's information, we will assume that your child will be leaving at the early release on these days.
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
FCPS has created this webpage to provide detailed information about the early release Wednesdays.
From Our Family Liaison
It’s Never Too Early to Start Thinking About Halloween
Extra Halloween Candy Collection for KGES Faculty & Staff! Got leftover or unwanted Halloween candy? Share the sweetness with our amazing KGES team. Bring in your extra candy and place it in the labeled collection box in the main office. Thank you for spreading a little pre and post-Halloween cheer! Candy collection has started
The Nuts and Bolts of the Special Education Process
Friday, October 16, 2026 from 10 - 11:30 AM
This webinar will guide participants through the special education identification process, including:
- An overview of the local screening process and the initial consideration of eligibility for special education
- An overview of the essential components of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) Register here
“Introduction to Dyslexia – what is it and what does it mean for my student?”
Friday, October 23, 2026 from 10- 11:30 AM
Participants will gain a clearer understanding of dyslexia and how it can impact a student’s learning. The session will explore the different types of dyslexia, common challenges students may experience, and the supports that can help them succeed. Participants will also leave with practical strategies, activities, and tips they can use at home to support their student’s learning and build confidence. Register here
Transition Planning: Decision-Making Alternatives for Families of Individuals with Disabilities
Friday, October 30, 2026 from 10 - 11:30 AM
As young adults with disabilities and their families prepare for life after high school, families may have questions about how to support decision-making while respecting their loved one’s rights and independence. This webinar will provide an overview of guardianship and conservatorship, powers of attorney (POA), and advance medical directives (AMD), including their purposes, differences, and potential impact. Participants will learn about these decision-making alternatives and considerations for choosing the option that best meets their loved one's needs. This presentation is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
Register here
Family and School Partnerships Parent Project: Arabic Language Program
This free, 10-week program helps Arabic-speaking families build positive relationships with their children and find practical ways to address parenting challenges. Sessions are held Saturdays from November 7, 2026, through January 30, 2027. Most sessions are virtual; the final session is in person.
Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students
Families, educators, and community members are invited to this free conference focused on partnerships that support student success. The event will include an opening session, breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch.
Therapeutic Recreation Services
TRS offers recreation programs for children, teens, and adults with disabilities, including sports, social clubs, dance, cooking, and activities that build leisure skills. Additional programs may be available.
PTA Updates
Fall Book Fair (October 16–23)
The KG Fall Book Fair is almost here! Students can start book shopping beginning October 20. Families can set up an eWallet and print their child's barcode ahead of time. Parents can shop with their children during Grownups & Donuts (October 20, 8:00–8:45 AM) or Family Night (October 21, 4:00–7:00 PM).
Book Fair Volunteers Needed
We still need volunteers to help with class previews, student shopping, and breakdown! Sign up here.
Coat Drive
Throughout October, KG is collecting gently used coats for families at Lemon Road Elementary School! Please drop off donations in the collection bin in the KG lobby.
Aaron Reynolds Book Orders
Families interested in purchasing a signed book for the upcoming Aaron Reynolds author visit should submit their orders by Friday, October 16.
PTA Meeting + Book Fair Family Night (October 21)
Join us Wednesday, October 21, for Book Fair Family Night from 4:00–7:00 PM and our in-person PTA meeting at 6:00 PM! Complimentary pizza will be provided by The Za Father, a KG family-owned business.
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