Gator Bytes: News and General Information for Kings Glen ES
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A Message from Principal Ritter
Dear Kings Glen Families –
As we reach the final days of 2025, we want to take a moment to wish each of you a joyful, restful, and heart-warming holiday season. This time of year reminds us of the strength of our community and the wonderful partnerships that make Kings Glen such a special place for our students to grow.
I want to extend a special thank you to everyone who supported our recent Book Fair and all our Musical Moments: 6th Grade Band, 5th/6th Grade Chorus, 5th/6th Grade Strings, and our upcoming 4th Grade Strings concert tomorrow evening. Seeing our students share their talents and hard work was a true highlight. Your presence, encouragement and applause from the audience mean the world to our young performers and our dedicated music department.
Whether you are traveling or staying home, we hope this winter break provides your family with ample time to recharge and create lasting memories. We look forward to welcoming our Gators back, refreshed, and ready for a brand-new year of learning on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year!
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Positivity Project at Kings Glen
Kings Glen is partnering with The Positivity Project (P2) 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 December 15-19: Self-Control
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4th Grade Strings Concert
Thursday, December 18
We are excited to present our 4th Grade Strings Concert on Thursday, December 18th. Student performers arrive by 5:45 p.m. for call time, and the concert begins at 6:30 p.m. See you there!
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Yearbook Cover Design Contest
Deadline Friday, December 19
There's still time to submit your yearbook cover design! This year’s theme is EXPLORE! Students must submit designs by Friday, December 19th to Ms. Fitzgerald. Front Cover Winner gets a FREE Yearbook! See details below (also on printable flyer):
Design a cover for the yearbook that includes:
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School name: Kings Glen Elementary (check your spelling)
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Year: 2025-2026
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School mascot: The Gator
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Theme: Explore! (Think: exploring new ideas? New skills? New friendships? New books? New places?)
- Write your FIRST/LAST NAME and HOMEROOM TEACHER on the BACK of your DESIGN
Materials Needed:
- 8 ½ x 11 in white paper (printer paper)
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils. Entries MUST be colorful.
- Make sure pencil lines are erased or outlined in black.
Once completed, turn your submission in to the GREEN FOLDER on the ART ROOM DOOR.
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Save the Date: Student-Led STEAM Night at Kings Glen!!
Friday, March 6, 6-7:30 p.m.
We are excited to announce the date for Kings Glen’s Student-Led STEAM Night -- Friday, March 6th, 2026 from 6-7:30 p.m. This event will showcase the incredible creativity and innovation of our students as they run interactive stations for their peers and share their STEAM projects. If you are interested in participating in this event, please complete the STEAM Night Project Plan form. Please reach out to Mrs. Rode if you have any questions.
Learning about Government and Citizenship in Language Arts
We are in the midst of our Unit 3 in Language Arts! Students have explored how the government works, why it's important, and how laws change.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: What’s one rule at home or school you wish you could change and why?
- Activity: Play a short game (like musical chairs or Simon Says) but change one rule. Discuss how rules help things run smoothly.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
Please Check Lost and Found Before Winter Break!
The lost and found has many warm winter coats and jackets as well as many water bottles. If your child is missing an item, please ask them to look in the lost and found located in the cafeteria. Labeling all outerwear, water bottles and lunch boxes with first and last names ensures things will be returned.
All unlabeled and unclaimed items will be donated over winter break.
Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. Learn how to help and discover the many resources available to support those who need food assistance or shelter. View the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
Read for the Gold Over Winter Break!
Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Saturday, January 31, 2026. Visit your local FCPL branch or their Winter Reading Adventure website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes.
Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about gingerbread house making, crafting sessions, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
FCPS Cares
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of our Kings Glen staff members.
Parent Information Line Available in 8 Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
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KP/KG PTA News |
Mark your calendars! Our free Summer Camp Fair is coming up on January 15th at 6PM at Kings Park. Come meet with local vendors and explore their summer camp offerings for 2026!
We are looking for volunteers to help with our Care to Share program. Care To Share is a program that takes uneaten food from the cafeteria/SACC to Food For Others so that families can benefit from this food that would otherwise end up in a landfill. But we need drivers! Please see details in the Sign Up and let us know if you can help!
The KP/KG PTA Board wishes the community a wonderful holiday season. We are looking forward to an exciting calendar year ahead. Please reach out to board@kpkgpta.org if you are interested in volunteering or being involved in any way with the PTA.
Dec. 18: 4th Grade Strings Concert (Call Time 5:45 p.m.; Concert 6:30 p.m.)
Dec. 19: Deadline to Submit Yearbook Cover Design (See Above)
Dec. 22-Jan. 2: Winter Break (Schools Closed)
Jan. 5: Students Return to School
Jan. 15: PTA Summer Camp Fair (6:00 p.m. at Kings Park ES)
Jan. 19: Martin Luther King day (Schools Closed)
Jan. 28: End of 2nd Quarter (2-Hour Early Release at 1:25 p.m.)
Jan. 29: Staff Development Day (No School for Students)
Jan. 30: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
Feb. 16: Presidents Day (Schools Closed)
Feb. 17: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
Feb. 18: 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday (Students Dismiss at 12:25 p.m.)
Mar. 6: STEAM Night at Kings Glen (See Above)
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