Calendar Updates
May 19 - Science SOL - Grade 5
May 19 - Strings Concert 5 p.m. (Beginning Strings and Adv Strings - see notes below)
May 25- Memorial Day - No School
May 26- Teacher Workday- No School for Students
May 27- Eid-al-Adha - No School
May 28 - Band Concert 5:30 p.m. Fifth Grade Band & 6:45 Adv. Band (See details below)
May 29 - Fourth Grade Field Trip - Jamestown
June 8 - McLean HS Clap Out - 3 p.m. (Arrive at 2:50 p.m.)
June 8 - Chorus Concert - 5 p.m.
June 9 - Kindergarten End of Year Promotion - 2 p.m.
June 10 - After School House Gathering - more to come! 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Parents and students invited!
June 11 - Parent Volunteer Breakfast - 8 a.m. and PTA meeting 8:45 a.m. This is a change to provide parents the opportunity to volunteer for the Field Day.
June 12 - Field Day - Kinder - Fifth Grade - Sign Up to Volunteer!
June 15 - Field Day Rain Date K-5 Sign Up to Volunteer!
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
Our Last House Gathering!
Our sixth grade students led the meetings and the students met with their buddy classes. We discussed our goals and take aways while working to meet our Portrait of a Graduate goals! #kgpride
Administration Note
Dear Parents,
The students took both the Reading and the Math SOLs during the last two weeks. Our scores are strong and students performed well. The reading SOL scores are posted in ParentVue and the math scores should be forthcoming (4th and 5th should be there). We still have the Science SOL for 5th grade on the 19th of may. We will invite designated students a retake opportunity. It does support our goals as a school and gives them the opportunity to show their academic growth. We have been reaching out to parents.
Please do take the time to review the upcoming calendar dates. We have the strings concert this week on Tuesday, May 19 - see the details below. We will adjust some of the after school activities setting in order to accommodate the strings concert at 5 p.m. We are also adjusting the PTA meeting and Parent Volunteer breakfast to the 11th of June to accommodate parents who are volunteering for Field Day.
Our retiring teachers, Mark Brock, Jeff Shivnen, and Nasreen Shaikh will be dearly missed. We invite past students and families to drop by on the 16th of June in the cafeteria at 4 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to say farewell and thank them for their hard work. Mr. Shivnen will continue to support MC2 and Science Olympiad. We have staffed appropriately with the departure of these teachers and will share additional information.
Thanks as always for your support!
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Tia Hawkins Sarah Talley
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
New Kindergarten Play Date
We are thrilled to welcome our new kinders and families! Our first playdate!
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!
End of Year Library Updates
May 22nd: Last day of checkout
June 3rd: All student library materials due
SOL Testing Dates
Positivity Project Focus - Review
This week, our school community will review the past character strengths.
Note from Parent Liaison, Shelley Lowinger
Ronald McDonald House Pop Tab Collection Continued By Demand – 2 more weeks - Due to popular demand and enthusiasm for our Ronald McDonald Pop Tab Collection, we will be extending this service project through the end of the school year. Support our efforts and help us collect pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House!
Fairfax County Summer Camps & Programs (FCPS Breaks) offers a variety of engaging, healthy, and affordable programs for students during school breaks. Free meals and snacks are provided. . Therapeutic Recreation Services for Preschool ages 2 to 5 ; Camp Fairfax - Rising 1st – 7th grade youth; VIP Camp for Middle Schoolers Begins May 14
Caring Without Neglecting Yourself: Emotional Support for Families With Children With Special Needs. presented in Spanish - May 29, 10 to 11:30 a.m. This Webinar is for parents and caregivers of children who receive academic support or have special needs. It will be an opportunity to receive useful information, resolve doubts, and strengthen family resources in an environment of respect and learning. Register here
May Sibshops and SibTeens – Family Resource Center - May 26 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Hunters Woods Community Center The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-5 enrolled in FCPS who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. . Register here
SibTeens is a community-building group for siblings of children with support needs in grades 6-9. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. Register here
Department of Social Services- Virginia SUN Bucks 2026 (Summer Grocery Assistance Program) helps eligible families pay for groceries during the summer months when schools are closed. In 2026, eligible school-age children will receive a one-time $120 grocery benefit. Available for families receiving SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Students approved for free/reduced-price school meals during the current school year. The SUN Bucks Call Center will be available June 15–August 31, 2026, from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. at 866-513-1414.
Inova Cares Back-to-School Pediatric Health Fairs (Upcoming, Summer 2026) Free physicals and immunizations for children (ages 5+, Medicaid or uninsured only). June 27 – Inova Cares Manassas July 25 – Inova Cares Falls Church Call 703-698-2550 (appointments required; no walk-ins) Flyer
Summer Extravaganza - Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas.Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School. Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Summer Extravaganza webpage.
Tutoring Resources for Families -Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services, at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring.
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students - Registration is open for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5. Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create.
Fairfax County Public Schools Free Puzzle Hunt - Explore wonderful locations within Fairfax County by participating in this summer’s Solving Fun Puzzle Hunt, which kicks off June 1, 2026! The hunt is filled with bike and pedestrian safety-themed puzzles for you and your family and friends to solve together. Solve the puzzles to find a location within Fairfax County and go there to find clues for the final answers. 2026 Puzzle Hunt.
FCPS Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Guidance engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters. Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit the ombuds webpage, where you may submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Strings Concert End of Year
We will have a joint concert on May 19 for the beginners and advanced strings students. All students will arrive at 4:30 p.m. Fourth graders will unpack in the cafeteria and go to the gym to be tuned. Fifth and sixth grader students will unpack in the library and then go to the stage.
The concert will begin at 5 p.m. The fourth grade will perform first and then the fifth and sixth grade will perform. Regular concert attire - white top with black/dark pants or skirt.
Rehearsals - Beginners will practice prior to the May 19 concert. Advanced Strings will rehearse May 12 and the day of the concert. Please bring your instruments.
Band Concert End of Year Updates
Due to the large number of students enrolled in band we will be having separate concerts on May 28th for Beginning Band and Advanced Band. The Concerts will be brief but enjoyable - we look forward to sharing their growth in music!
Beginning Band Concert - Arrival time: 5:00 p.m. Students should report to the cafeteria to unpack instruments. Performance Time: 5:30 p.m. in the gym. Student attire: white top and black/dark pants or skirt.
Advanced Band Concert - Arrival time: 6:15 p.m. Students should report to the cafeteria to unpack instruments. Performance Time: 6:45 p.m. in the gym. Student attire: white top and black/dark pants or skirt.
Rehearsals will take place DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. Thursday, 5/14 – Advanced Band; Friday, 5/15 – Beginning Band; Thursday, 5/21 - Beginning Band; Friday, 5/22 - Advanced Band and In School Performance 5/28 (school attire).
Mr. Zimmerman highly recommends the Vienna Band Camp (VBC). The tentative dates for the camp are June 22 to July 16 at Longfellow Middle School. The camp meets weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Click this link to register. All instructors are professional musicians. Attendance policy: no requirement. It’s perfectly OK to miss days (or weeks) when needed. Students who attend the 4 weeks receive equivalent of 1 year of instruction on the instrument! 2 full band classes per day, 2 classes with instrumental specialists per day. Extremely popular with the kids! (450+ students attend each year)
Kindergarten Field Trip
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.
Girls On The Run!
Thanks to Patience Galvan and Marisa Allen and our GOTR volunteers, we had a great spring season. Looking forward to more fun! #kgpride
 
KG PTA News and Updates
Join the PTA Now!
The PTA at KGES is SUPER BUSY! 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 and you don't have to wait for the school year to start. You can join the PTA NOW!
OUR NEXT PTA MEETING WILL BE: June 11 (Field Day is the 12th)
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.
Lemons to Lemonade - Dates: July 20 - July 24 Time: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Grades: Rising 3rd and rising 4th Teachers: Sheri Emory and Amelia Emory Description: Students will learn about the life cycle of lemons, engage in hands-on activities involving lemons (including tasting lemons and lemon products), read books, write stories about their experiences, and make lemonade to share with families on the last day. Register here!
The Story of Chocolate - Dates: July 27 to July 31 Time: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Grades: Rising 2nd and rising 3rd Teachers: Sheri Emory and Amelia Emory Description: Students will learn about the life cycle of cocoa beans, engage in hands-on activities involving cocoa beans and chocolate (including tasting products), read books, write stories about their experiences, and make chocolate bars to share with families on the last day. 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. T | 