Dear GBW Families,
There have been countless successes to celebrate in the first two weeks of virtual learning, and I wanted to highlight a few of them. For the first week of school we had over 98% attendance on most days and we can now say, with confidence, that 100% of our students have connected with us virtually. Mr. Cook and I have been so thrilled with the creative lessons that teachers have been teaching to make good use of our new software platforms: Google Classroom tools, BBCU tools, Pear Deck, Flip Grid, and various other software applications to supplement our instruction. I even witnessed a few teachers think quick on their feet to help transition an entire class from BBCU to Google Meets in under 5 minutes when BBCU was not working properly.
While we are extremely happy about these successes we also don’t want to gloss over the fact that virtual learning is very hard. I want to take a moment to recognize that virtual learning has been very hard for some families. Managing schedules, organizing links, monitoring classwork, and providing tech support to children at home is very stressful and challenging. This is especially hard for families that are also trying to balance family and work responsibilities. We appreciate families sharing these concerns with us, and we do acknowledge that distance learning has many challenges and many of these hardships are being placed on families.
Parents, we understand that this is hard, and we are so appreciative of our parental support because we know that we could not teach virtually without the full support of our parent community. So parents, thank you for all you are doing at home. We hear you that it is hard and challenging, and we are constantly brainstorming ways to make this easier and more manageable for families.
Only together can we make this a successful year, and we are committed to continuing our partnership with you.
Sincerely,
Andrew Blount
#GBWInThisTogether
 Please come join Mr. Cook and me as we make Chocolate Chip Pancakes together in a virtual setting using Blackboard Collaborate on Thursday, September 17, from 6:30-7:15 pm! Feel free to watch and enjoy, or try following along with us as we will make this an interactive cooking show! Our hope is to make this simple and easy so that students (with adult supervision) can follow along with us and try making their own chocolate chip pancakes!
***The link for Principals with Pancakes will be provided separately via email from "e-Notify"
If you want to follow along with us and make your own pancakes, here are some ingredients / tools you will need:
- Krusteaz Pancake Mix – we will be using Krusteaz brand pancake mix, but feel free to use another brand- just know that our measurements will be different from your measurements.
- Chocolate Chips
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups (1 cup size and 1/3 cup size)
- Whisk (if you don’t have a whisk a large fork can work too)
- Griddle or Non-stick pan
- Pam or any non-stick cooking spray
- Spatula for flipping pancakes
- Syrup to use as a topping
We hope you can make it to our virtual Pancakes with Principals event tonight. Following the Pancakes with Principals event we will transition into the PTA meeting using the same link.
Please join the PTA meeting scheduled for tonight- Thursday, September 17 at 7:30 pm.
***The link will be provided separately via email from "e-Notify"
Just like in-person school procedures, we ask that parents contact the school whenever their child is not able to participate in class, or is going to be late joining the class, due to an appointment for example.
If your child needs to participate in their academic day asynchronously, please contact the school and provide the reason. Asynchronous participation will require principal approval to count towards attendance.
There are two ways to report your child’s absence, late arrival to class, or the need for Asynchronous participation:
- (Preferred method) Visit the GBW website and click on “Attendance”. Complete the information requested. https://greenbriarwestes.fcps.edu/
- Call the attendance line at 703-633-6767 and leave the information requested. Reporting must be done by 9:00am. Both on line and phone reporting are available 24/7.
For students who are marked absent and no notification is received from the parent, attendance is considered “unverified”. The FCPS attendance system will perform an automated “call out” to parents of unverified students sometime after 5:00pm. Should you receive the call, please report the reason for absence using one of the methods above. Should you have any questions, please feel to contact the main office at 703-633-6700.
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Be sure to visit our new Team pages on our GBW website. You can view our grade level teams, specialists and support staff as well as access information about curriculum.
Visit our Teams Page!
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Positivity Project (P2) now has an online parent component called P2 for Families 1-1-3. There is 1 quote, 1 video, and 3 questions to help you and your children discuss the character trait of the week. Using the password P2, log into this link to explore all the character traits with your children. Next week’s trait is CURIOUSITY!
If you have not already done so, please be sure to review the forms and return those requested in the instructions. The Emergency Care Form and the Health Information Form must be returned.
The Military Connected Form, Homeless Student Referral Form and FLE Opt-out form are to be returned ONLY if applicable.
There are three options for returning the forms:
- Scan (no pictures please) and email the forms to Sally Bippert at:
sabippert@fcps.edu
- Mail the forms back to the school:
13300 Poplar Tree Rd, Fairfax, VA 22033
- Drop the forms off at the school office. Call-ahead is required.
Should you have any questions regarding the forms, please contact the school office at 703-633-6700 and we will be glad to assist you. Forms were due 9/11/20, so if you have not returned the forms please do so as soon as possible..
Parents and guardians, please review the Student Rights and Responsibilities and related resources at www.fcps.edu/srr. After reviewing the information, fill out the SR&R Parent Acknowledgement Form using the following link:
SR&R Parent Acknowledgement Form (All links should be opened in Google Chrome.) The form must be filled out one time per student.
As the school year begins with virtual learning, FCPS has developed resources that can help with basic technology issues. FCPS’ YouTube channel has videos on basic technology topics that highlight some of the key FCPS tools, such as Google and Blackboard. These videos are designed to provide solutions for quick, simple questions.
Additionally, there are tip sheets available on the FCPS Parent Technology Resource page in multiple languages that provide answers to basic questions about FCPS technologies. These resources will continue to be updated throughout the year; we encourage you to check that page first.
If you can’t find answers in FCPS’ online resources, there are several places to seek help. Below is a guide to help you get information quickly:
- For a child’s schedule or classes, school events, or programs, checking out an FCPS laptop, or updating your information, contact your child’s school directly.
- Broader inquiries about FCPS programs or resources for families may be directed to the Parent Resource Center at 703-204-3941, or use one of our eight Parent Information Phone Lines for information in multiple languages.
- Technical support questions about your online parent accounts, your student’s FCPS laptop, or your student’s online applications, contact the Parent Technology Help Desk (toll free) at 833-921-3277 or enter a support request ticket via the Parent and Student IT Portal.
Universal screening gives teachers information about strengths and needs in students’ basic reading and mathematics skills. Gaps in basic skills are the root of many later learning difficulties. Early detection and intervention in these gaps can help students reach their potential. In FCPS, we use i-Ready as our Universal Screener. All students will participate in this screener. More information and tips can be found here: https://www.fcps.edu/us
Does your child want a break from screens and some fresh books to read? Curbside checkout will take place every Monday, beginning September 21. For all of the details and directions on how to reserve books, click here.
Please join us for our Back to School Night event where we will be sharing important information about the virtual school year.
Here's the schedule:
PRINCIPAL'S SESSION:
- 6:00-6:20 Opening message from principals, PTA, and school board members
- The link for this will be provided separately via email from "e-Notify"
TEACHER SESSIONS:
- 6:20-7:10 pm Session 1 with teachers
- 7:10-8:00 pm Session 2 with teachers (repeat of session 1)
***Links for teacher sessions will be sent out by teachers
- Video message from Principal & School Board
- Overview of curriculum
- Attendance guidelines, schedules, procedures, and routines
- Review grading practices and assessments
- Communication Plan for families (how will teacher communicate with parents); weekly email/newsletters, videos, office hours, Remind, Talking Points
Level IV Referral Deadline for New FCPS Students- October 8, 2020
- Students in grades 3-6, new to FCPS this year may apply for Level IV placement to begin during the third quarter. To have your child screened, please submit a Level IV Referral Form, Parent/Guardian Questionnaire, and a copy of ability test scores to Sara Balcanoff at sebalcanoff@fcps.edu by this deadline. Students must have these items in order to be screened.
Level IV Referral Deadline- December 1, 2020
- Students in grades 2-6 interested in being screened for Level IV placement for the 21-22 school year should submit a Level IV Referral Form, Parent/Guardian Questionnaire, and up to 4 single-sided pages of work samples to Sara Balcanoff at sebalcanoff@fcps.edu by December 1st.
FCPS offers many valuable resources and webinars for parents and students. Click the link below for information on the October webinars.
Free October Webinars Presented by the Parent Resource Center
Fifth graders - it is not too late to join the band program! Please email Mr. Hill at DMHill2@fcps.edu for more information.
Click on the following link from Fairfax County's Office for Children for information on child care and school support for families.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zJpYy5jz8LTJiaznntRD83u-OHXpC4xv/view
Thank you to the 90+ parents and staff who have purchased a PTA Membership! Can we reach 100 members this week?
Renew your membership or get a new one at https://gbwpta.ptboard.com
Parent/Gaurdian: 15$
Family: 20$
Teacher/Admin/Staff: 10$
 Parents - please plan to stay on after the Pancakes with Principals event for our monthly PTA membership meeting. For a recap of what was discussed at the August meeting, the minutes may be found here.
Hear important updates and give YOUR feedback on how the PTA should be supporting our school during this time!
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Even though GBW Pandas are not inside the classrooms, the GBW PTA Yearbook Committee wants to document all the learning taking place at home! Send your virtual learning pictures (e.g., first day of school, student’s learning space, fun recess activities, etc.) to gbwpandayearbook@yahoo.com. Be sure to include the student’s name, grade, and teacher name in the email.
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Please support our school today - here’s how:
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REGISTER your student(s) on funrun.com today. It takes 30 seconds!
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SHARE with 5 family/friends using the SHARE tools on funrun.com (Facebook, Text Message or Email) Students will earn rewards just for sharing from funrun.com.
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GIVE a donation if you are able to give.
- Every share and donation makes a difference! If we can get a donation from each of the 50 states, Mr. Blount and Mr. Cook will work from the roof of GBW! If we reach our $6,000 goal (for outdoor enhancements at GBW and technology needs), Mr. Blount and Mr. Cook will get slimed!
- This fundraiser comes with an incredible character development program for students where they’ll be learning about the importance of teamwork, care, courage, grit, and celebration.
- All students get to participate in the Dance Fit event on September 28, regardless of financial participation.
Thank you for supporting our school - we are grateful for our amazing school community!
Donating - Open Now!
Register on FUNRUN.COM, SHARE, & GIVE!Fundraiser Kick Off - 9/16
DANCE FIT EVENT DATE - 9/28
For information on this year's Virtual Chess Club, click here.
You are invited to join our first virtual PTA Panda Parent Article Club meeting! Meet new parents in this social distance setting, catch up with old friends, and discuss a variety of topics!
Thank you to our PTA Volunteer Chair Angie Taggart for leading this activity for our parents!
How do I sign up?
GBW Article Club Sign Up
Thursday, September 17
Pancakes with Principals - 6:30 pm
PTA Virtual Meeting - 7:30 pm
September 16-28
Boosterthon
Thursday, September 24
Back to School Night
6:00-6:20 pm Admin Session (Principal Message, PTA Message, & FCPS School board Message)
6:20-7:10 pm Teacher Session 1:
7:10-8:00 pm Teacher Session 2: (repeat of session 1)
Monday, September 28
Boosterthon's Dance Fit Event - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Friday, October 2
PTA Panda Parent Article Club - 7:00 pm
Monday, October 12
Student Holiday - Indigenous People's Day
Thursday, October 15
PTA Virtual Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
Thursday, November 5
Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A (Fair Lakes)
Thursday, November 19
PTA Virtual Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
Thursday, January 14
PTA Virtual Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
Thursday, February 18
PTA Virtual Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
Thursday, March 18
PTA Virtual Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
Thursday, April 15
PTA Virtual Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
Thursday, May 20
PTA Virtual Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
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