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In this News You Choose you will find:
- Principal's Message
- Virtual Town Hall Meeting
- Kindergarten VKRP Information
- FCPS Meals Information
- Positivity Project
- News From Advanced Academics
- Students Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)
- Curbside Checkout
- Parent Resources
- PTA Events & Announcements
- Important Events Coming Up
Principals’ Return to School Parent Meetings (Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 pm)
Dear Parents,
We are excited to announce that we are starting our plans to phase students back into school, and there is a lot of new information that will need to be shared for each cohort as we bring back new groups of students. To help keep up with these complex communications, Mr. Cook and I will be hosting weekly parent meetings to share updates and answer questions related to FCPS’ plans to return students.
Below is a quick schedule of our parent meetings (links will be sent via e-Notify)
Kindergarten Parent Meetings
- November 3, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
- November 10, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
***Tentative date for return: November 17
Grades 1-2 Parent Meetings
- November 17, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
- November 24, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
***Tentative date for return: December 1
Grades 3-6 Parent Meetings
- December 8, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
- December 15, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
***Tentative date for return: January 5 (pending School Board approval)
Principals' Papusa Challenge
Last week at our Dinner with Principals event, Mr. Cook and I challenged the GBW community to the Principals’ Papusa Challenge! If you and your family want to accept our challenge by making papusas, please check out these resources:
Our hope is that a few families will try something new as we explore a new food from the country of El Salvador (papusas). Is your family up for the challenge? If so, try the recipe and upload your results to our Flipgrid shown above!
Andrew Blount
Principal
Courageous Conversations about Race
Mark Your Calendars for our virtual GBW Equity Event!
What: "Courageous Conversations about Race”
Where: Link will be shared closer to the date via e-Notify email.
When: October 29, 2020 - 4:30-5:30 pm
Why: As a school we want to create a forum where we can have open and honest dialogue about race and equity with our GBW community members. It is a topic that affects us all and we want to know your thoughts!
We will be using the book “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds to fuel our discussions. We encourage you to read section 1 (pages 1-36), and join our discussion. However, you don’t have to read the book to be a part of the conversation. We can’t wait to see all of you there!
Book Details: “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You”
ISBN 978-0-316-45369-1
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9780316453691&i=amazon-devices&ref=nb_sb_noss
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The Virginia state government expects all schools to take part in the Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP). The VKRP assesses literacy, mathematics, self-regulation, and social skills.
Kindergarten students in Fairfax County Public Schools take the iReady universal screener reading test for VKRP literacy. Teachers interview students using the Early Mathematics Assessment System (EMAS) for VKRP mathematics. After observing the student for 3-4 weeks, teachers complete the Child Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS) for VKRP self-regulation and social skills.
VKRP assessments are given in the fall and spring of kindergarten. This fall students will not be taking the EMAS. Students will take the reading test in the fall, winter, and spring. Schools set specific testing dates for each class.
VKRP is designed to help state officials understand school readiness and student success across Virginia. VKRP results also help teachers, school leaders, and parents know how to support each child's learning and development.
More information can be found here. If you have questions about VKRP assessments, please contact your child's teacher.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is currently offering no-cost nutritious meals to ALL students through December 31, 2020. The goal is to provide every FCPS student daily access to nutritious meals. For more information, please visit the following FCPS website: https://www.fcps.edu/node/42238
FREE Meal Kits Available Every Wednesday at Greenbriar West Beginning November 11
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
We are excited to announce that FCPS will begin distributing FREE Fairfax Meal Kits, containing seven days of breakfast and lunches, every Wednesday at Greenbriar West, beginning November 11, 2020. Location for pickup will be the Kiss & Ride lane at door 8.
The kits will be available for pick up from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or until they run out. Meal kits will be available to ALL FCPS students and children 18 years of age and under at no cost. Each meal kit will contain breakfast and lunch for one person for a week. Parents and caregivers may pick up one meal kit for each child. Adults may purchase meal kits for $28.
Instructions on how to store the food and prepare it will be provided.
Don’t miss out! Stop by and pick up your no-cost Fairfax Meal Kit on Wednesday, November 11, from 8:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Please note that due to drop-off of K&R students in the morning, we recommend that you avoid picking up your meal kit between 8:30am and 9:20am.
Our goal is to provide every FCPS student daily access to a healthy breakfast and lunch.
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 Creativity!
Thank you to our parents who attended one of our AAP information sessions this month. We will host one more session prior to the December 1st Level IV referral deadline for those who did not have a chance to attend a session but plan to pursue AAP Level IV screening this winter.
A recording from our meeting on 10/20/20 can be found here.
Information on AAP services and links to screening forms can be found on our GBW AAP website. You must be logged into your child’s FCPS Google account to view this site.
If you have not already completed the SR&R form, please do so by October 31.
Please review the Student Rights and Responsibilities and related resources at www.fcps.edu/srr. Translated options available. 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 is school specific and must be filled out one time per student.
For more information about Curbside Checkout click HERE.
Kindergarten and First Grade students also have the option of reserving a Mystery Bag of books for Curbside Checkout. If you are interested in this option, please fill out this Google Form.
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
October PTA Membership Meeting Recap
Thank you to the parents and staff who joined us after the successful Quesadillas with Principals event!
Thank you to Mr. Blount and Mr. Cook for sharing with our parents and staff, a comprehensive update on what Return to School will entail for all our Pandas.
PTA meetings are a great way to learn about what is happening at our school, and voice your opinion on how our funds should be used to support our school this year!
See you at our next virtual PTA membership meeting on November 19 at 7:30pm!
Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night
Mark your calendars on Nov 5 for our first Restaurant Spirit Night of the year. For mobile order information, click here.
GBW PTA Pumpkin Decorating Contest! New Deadline - October 28.
Since we can't have our annual contest together at Fall Festival this year, we would love to continue this tradition online!
- Carve/Decorate a pumpkin with your student!
- E-mail a picture to greenbriarwestpta@gmail.com by October 28 with your student's name and grade.
- On October 29, we will post all the contestants on our Facebook Page facebook.com/gbwpta
- On October 30 start voting for your favorite pumpkins. The top 3 pumpkins with the most "Likes" by October 31 at 5pm EDT will be announced on WGBW on Wednesday, November 4 and receive a prize from the GBW PTA!
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Author Virtual Visit November 9 - Ginjer Clarke
The GBW PTA is sponsoring an author event for all to enjoy! Renowned children's author, Ginjer Clarke, will be visiting our students virtually on Monday, November 9! Ms. Clarke is excited to share her love of reading, writing, and weird science with our students. To learn more about the author, please see this flyer.
More details to come. Thank you to our PTA Volunteer Chair, Stacy Hagen, for organizing this virtual event to enrich our school community!
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Virtual After-School Program; Grades 3-6
Savage Panda Productions is ready to make a new video. Would you like to help? Click here for more information about joining the crew.
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Yard Signs & Magnets for Sale!
Can’t hide that PANDA PRIDE! Want to show your support of your favorite GBW Panda? Buy a yard sign or a GBW magnet TODAY! 100% of proceeds go towards our school!
Yard signs are $6 and magnets are $5 and may be purchased here:https://gbwpta.ptboard.com/formvw/store?store=1784
Yard signs and magnets may be picked up during Library Book Pick Up on Monday, October 26 from 8:30 to 11:00 am or 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Everything must be prepaid on our web site since cash cannot be accepted curbside.
Want to purchase a yard sign or magnet but unable to pick up at the school? Please email us at greenbriarwestpta@gmail.com to make other arrangements.
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2020-21 GBW Yearbook Pictures Wanted!
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Even though GBW Pandas are not inside the classrooms, the GBW Yearbook Committee wants to document all the learning taking place at home!
Send your October virtual learning pictures (e.g., at home Fall activities or Digital Citizenship Week hats, crazy socks, etc.) to gbwpandayearbook@yahoo.com. Be sure to include the student’s name, grade, and teacher name in the email.
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Monday, October 26
GBW yard sign and magnet pickup - 8:30-11am or 2-4pm
Wednesday, October 28
Pumpkin decorating contest entries due
Thursday, October 29
Town Hall Meeting - Courageous Conversations about Race - 4:30- 5:30pm
Friday, October 30 - Saturday, October 31 @ 5:00pm
Online voting for GBW PTA Pumpkin Contest
Thursday, November 5
Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A (Fair Lakes) 4-7pm
(20% of the proceeds go to GBW)
Monday, November 9
Virtual author visit with Ginjer Clarke
Thursday, November 19
Dinner with Principals 6:30-7:15pm
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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