GKES Knightly Notes Newsletter
FINAL Knightly Notes: Summer Edition
Message from Mr. Meyer
Hello Glenkirk Families,
The final day of the 2025-26 school year is upon us, and we could not be more proud of our Golden Knights for such a successful year. As we look ahead to the summer months, the staff at Glenkirk wishes all of our families a safe, relaxing, and fun-filled break. Whether you are staying local, traveling, or participating in camps around our community, summer is a wonderful time to enjoy being together and create lasting memories with family and friends.
The end of the school year brought so many exciting events and celebrations to our school. We invite you to take a few moments to view the photos capturing the joy and excitement on the Glenkirk Facebook page. From picnics and Field Day to our Wild About Kindergarten concert and 5th grade promotion, our students truly enjoyed some well-deserved fun.
This will be the final edition of Knightly Notes for the 2025-26 school year. Glenkirk’s front office will remain open this summer from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us at 703-753-1702. Our first edition of Knightly Notes for the 2026-27 school year will be shared in late July or early August with important information to help you prepare for the upcoming year.
To our 5th graders, we wish you the best of luck in middle school next year. Keep in touch and come back to visit. To students and families not returning in August, thank you for allowing Glenkirk to be part of your story. As we like to say, Once a Golden Knight, Always a Golden Knight.
Until then, have an amazing summer, and thank you for being such an important part of our Glenkirk community!
Sincerely,
Matthew Meyer
Principal
Upcoming Events
June 12
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - 11:50 a.m. Dismissal
June 18
Report Cards Posted in ParentVUE
June 22
1:30-3:00 p.m. - Summer School Open House @ Piney Branch Elementary
June 23-July 10
9:10 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - Summer School @ Piney Branch Elementary
June 12 - Last Day of School Information
The last day of school (June 12) has officially been announced as a half day for PWCS with Glenkirk dismissing at 11:50 a.m.
June 12 early dismissal times for all schools are posted on the Bell Schedule webpage.
There is no school for all preschool students (including Early Childhood Special Education, Head Start and Virginia Preschool Initiative) on June 12.
Lunch will be served in elementary and middle schools
SACC will open at dismissal for students enrolled in the after-school program and will remain open until 6:30 p.m.
ParentVUE & EZ A2B Changes
Effective June 30, 2026, two apps commonly used by PWCS families—ParentVUE and the EZ A2B bus tracking app—are being updated by their respective vendors. The current versions of both apps will no longer work after June 30.
ParentVUE
ParentVUE is transitioning to a new version of its app. Families should download the version labeled “ParentVUE (New)” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You can also download directly here.
EZArrival
The EZ A2B bus tracking app has been renamed EZArrival. Families should search for “EZArrival” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or download it directly here.
To be prepared for summer school and/or the 2026-27 school year, families are encouraged to download both new apps as soon as possible to ensure uninterrupted access to grades, attendance, and transportation information.
Free Summer Meals for Kids
Keep your children nourished and energized all summer long! PWCS is offering FREE breakfast and lunch for all kids and teens (18 and under).
Meals are available at select school locations on a first‑come, first‑served basis, and are enjoyed on-site.
📍 Find meal sites, dates, and times here:
🔗 PWCS Summer Meals Program
💙 Take advantage of this wonderful resource for your family this summer!
Summer School Open House
Attention students attending Summer School. Families will have the opportunity to join the Summer School Open House taking place on June 22, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Piney Branch Elementary School, located at 8301 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA 20136.
Summer School dates are June 23-July 10 from 9:10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Piney Branch. If you have any summer school questions, please contact your child's teacher.
2026-27 School Supply Lists
Students and families returning to Glenkirk in 2026-27 can preview our grade level school supply lists posted on the Glenkirk website. We will send reminders as we get closer to August, but wanted to share the information for planning purposes. Please visit the 2026-27 Glenkirk ES School Supply Lists website for details.
PTO Announcements
We Want YOUR Feedback! As we begin planning for next school year, Glenkirk PTO is asking all parents and staff to please take a few minutes to complete our community survey. Your feedback will help us prioritize funding, events, programs, and volunteer resources for the greatest impact on our students and school community.
While we are excited to have PTO Officers for all roles next year, we still need additional volunteers to continue offering many of the events and programs families enjoy. Your input will help guide important decisions as we plan for a sustainable and successful year ahead.
Take the survey now, it's only 14 questions: Glenkirk PTO Impact Survey (2026-2027 Planning) – Fill out form. Thank you!!!
🇺🇸 Stars, Stripes & Summer Fun! 🇺🇸 As a special end-of-year gift from Glenkirk PTO, next week students will receive a patriotic bracelet, ring, and a fun activity flyer celebrating America's 250th Anniversary! The flyer is packed with summer-themed activities, patriotic fun facts, jokes, puzzles, crafts, recipes, and a silly "Declaration of Summer" Mad Libs activity for the whole family to enjoy. We hope all of our Golden Knights have a safe, fun-filled summer as we celebrate this historic milestone together. Happy 250th Birthday, America!
Want extra copies or access to all of the summer activity ideas? View and print the flyer here: https://canva.link/3a80od85ngdym7v
Previously Shared Information
Gainesville HS Boys Basketball Youth Camp
Gainesville HS Boys Basketball Youth Camp
📅 July 13–17
⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily
💲 Cost: $225
📍 Gainesville High School
This camp focuses on basketball fundamentals and skill development through skill stations, drills and game play. It is perfect for all ability levels.
You must register by July 3rd to guarantee a T-shirt.
Registration Link: Gainesville Boys Basketball Youth Camp
If families have any questions, they can contact Coach Powers at powersjm@pwcs.edu.
Not Returning in 2026-27?
As we are nearing the end of the school year, it is time for us to start planning for the 2026-27 school year. Please take a few minutes to fill out a withdrawal packet through ParentVUE and the form that is linked below if your child will NOT be returning to Glenkirk ES for the 2026-27 school year. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Angulo at 703-753-1702 or AnguloAM@pwcs.edu.
Summer Reading Program @ Haymarket Gaineville Library
Summer Music Classes
Fit 5 Runners - Running Club
Showcase Dance Studio
Attendance Procedures: Please Use ParentVue
A a reminder please use ParentVUE on the day of an absence or in advance of a planned absence. Using ParentVUE will help expedite your student's attendance to update quickly and help reduce those attendance office-generated alerts.
For dismissal changes please continue to use the attendance email: gkes-attendance@pwcs.edu
Be sure to include the student's name, dates, as well as the contact telephone numbers. Please reference the word DISMISSAL CHANGES in the subject line of your email message.
For additional information regarding PWCS attendance requirements, please visit PWCS Attendance Guidelines.
Attendance Letters
Attendance letters are automatically generated by PWCS and mailed to families when their student reaches certain attendance thresholds. These letters are meant to raise awareness or, in some cases, remind the parent/guardian to contact the school if no reason was provided for an absence or to notify them of required next steps. Letters are sent at the thresholds below:
Truancy letter 1: Generates after 3 unexcused absences
Truancy letter 2: Generates after 5 unexcused absences; informs that an attendance conference is required per regulation 724-1
Truancy letter 3: Generates after 9 unexcused absences; informs parents that an Attendance Officer may contact Juvenile Court Services Unit to file a complaint
Excused absence letter: Generates after 5 excused absences
Excessive excused absence letter: Generates after 10 excused absences; a doctor's note is required for absences to be excused moving forward
Chronic absenteeism letter: Generates after a student has been absent 10% of the school year and has a minimum of 9 total days absent
*Please note that school administration does not have discretion to excuse absences for family trips or for travel. Please review regulation 724-1.
Boxes of Basics
Car Riders/Kiss & Ride Expectations
If your child will be arriving/dismissing as a car rider, please take a few moments to review the Kiss & Ride expectations to ensure staff and student safety. Drivers are reminded to drive slowly and follow all traffic laws in our school zone and be aware of your surroundings. Please yield to all walkers/pedestrians in the crosswalks and adhere to our Kiss & Ride procedures listed below in the morning and afternoon:
- The first bell rings at 8:35 a.m. Car riders should remain in vehicles until the bell rings to avoid congestion with student walkers at the front door.
- Please have your kiss & ride number tag visible for arrival and dismissal along with your valid ID. Car rider staff may ask to verify both the tag number and ID at any time. All families utilizing the kiss & ride lanes should have a Glenkirk number tag hanging from your mirror. Please contact the front office if you need a number tag.
- Drivers should not exit their vehicle as this causes traffic to back up. Drivers that need to help their child out or into their vehicle should pull up past the playground.
- Students should exit the vehicle on the right (curb) side of the vehicle. No students should be dropped off from a vehicle in the left lane.
- No students should be dropped off from a parking spot/middle parking lot unless escorted into the building by a parent/guardian.
- Drivers should remain in the right lane to drop off. Please DO NOT drive in the left lane unless you are exiting the parking lot after you have dropped your child.
- AM arrival - The final bell rings at 8:45 a.m. Students arriving after 8:45 a.m. will need to be signed in by an adult in the front office.
- Please refrain from cell phone use (calls and texting) while in the kiss & ride line.
We thank all families for your attention to these procedures to keep our students and staff safe.
Front Office Reminders
Bell Schedule:
Students may enter school on our first bell at 8:35 a.m. and will be tardy after our second bell at 8:45 a.m. Dismissal begins at 3:25 p.m.
Attendance & Dismissal Procedures
- All students are expected to attend the entire school day when school is in session.
- If your child is unable to attend school, please send a message through ParentVue
- Students are marked unexcused if parents do not inform the school their child is out.
- PWCS is increasing the amount of parent letters to be mailed regarding your child’s attendance. Letters will be generated after a certain amount of absences/tardies are accrued.
- All dismissal changes need to be submitted in writing/email no later than 3:00 p.m. Please send dismissal changes to gkes-attendance@pwcs.edu and your child's teacher.
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