Dear GFES families,
I would like to highlight the following excerpt from an email from Dr. Brabrand today:
"The current health metrics for COVID-19 cases in our community now exceed the threshold to expand our in-person learning. The threshold to expand our in-person learning. Therefore, we are pressing “pause” and will delay expanding in-person instruction to Group 5, which includes Early Head Start, pre-K, kindergarten and select students who receive special education services, who were scheduled to return on Tuesday, November 17. Any new pilot programs/classes scheduled to start tomorrow, November 17, will also pause. We are monitoring health metrics daily, but Group 5 will remain virtual until at least November 30. We will communicate additional updates closer to that time."
This is a challenging school year for our students and staff; Dr. Litz, our staff, and I continue to appreciate your flexibility and partnership. These are trying times for our students and families, and we are committed to doing all we can to keep our students and staff safe while inside our building. Please know that we are ready, and when the outside health metrics allow, we have socially distant classrooms and procedures set up that follow FCPS, Virginia Department of Health, and the CDC child safety guidelines.
Thanks for your continued support!
Sara Harper
Calendar Updates:
November 18 - Walking Wednesday
November 25th-29th - Thanksgiving Break
December 8 - Tentative Date (based on health metrics) for First and Second Grade Students to return for in-person learning
December 19th-January 3rd - Winter Break
Walking Wednesday (all grades)
Many of you may have heard of Walking Wednesdays as a new initiative for FCPS Safe Routes to School. To normalize the school day, students and parents are invited to walk before their school day begins or after their school day ends. This can be a walk around the block, to the bus stop or anywhere within your neighborhood.
This Wednesday, November 18, Walking Wednesdays will celebrate Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day to honor the courage of Ruby Bridges’ historic walk as she was escorted by Federal Marshals to school each day starting on November 14, 1960. That makes this year the 60th anniversary of her integrating New Orleans Public Schools.
Our teachers will talk with students about Ruby Bridges during school to connect the historical events with our positivity project and MARK traits. You can support at home by asking questions and prompting students to reflect as they walk. Please feel free to send pictures to skharper@fcps.edu of your child participating and walking with Ruby Bridges in mind!
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Progress Report Quarter 1 Information (all grades)
This year’s virtual start to the school year has created some modifications to the way your child’s teacher marks the Qtr. 1 Elementary Progress Report. The information in this document serves as guidance for understanding the marks and any modifications that have been made due to our current environment.
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Family Guide for Return to School (all grades)
Fairfax County Public Schools is partnering with families to ensure we keep students and staff safe and healthy as we return to school buildings for learning. Working together, we will follow recommended health guidance that focuses on student and staff health, safety, and emotional well-being.
Please take the time to review the FCPS Family Guide for Return to School as it has a wealth of information on topics like concurrent instruction, lunch and recess, the mandatory mask policy, laptops, and health protocols.
Deadline for AAP Level IV Referrals - 12/1
(gr 2-6)
This is a friendly reminder that the deadline for referring students in Grades 2-7 for AAP full-time Level IV consideration is due no later than December 1, 2020. Parents are welcome to submit early, but no late referrals will be accepted.
If you would like more information about Level IV AAP services or the screening process, please visit: Identification and Placement for Level IV. Please email, AART, Sara Harper (lagingrich@fcps.edu) if you have any questions.
Remember: Please submit all referral materials in ONE email (parent referral form, up to 4 work samples from home, optional parent questionnaire, other materials) to lagingrich@fcps.edu. Please submit documents in PDF or jpg format.
Safe Community Coalition Managing the Moments Video Series
The Safe Community Coalition has launched a series of short videos for the community featuring the psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers of the SCC’s mental health committee.
The short segments, approximately 10 minutes each, touch on a wide variety of topics designed to help parents and students in dealing with a range of issues, from younger children’s challenges staying focused while distance learning to effective communication strategies when families feel the strain of too much togetherness.
The first six videos include:
- Deescalating Conflict
- Effective Communication
- How to Talk to Your Parents
- Brain Breaks During Distance Learning
- Self Care and Calming Techniques
- How Are You?
All videos and any accompanying tip sheets are free and available on the SCC website, mcleanscc.org.
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TONIGHT - Spirit Night at Deli Italiano
Join us for Spirit Night at Deli Italiano, TONIGHT, Monday, Nov. 16 from 4:00 - 9:00 pm. Mention "Great Falls Elementary" when ordering and the PTA will receive 20% of the sales! For online orders, please type "Great Falls Elementary" in the NOTES section.
Sister School Thanksgiving Food Drive - November 16 – 20, 2020
Help support families in need from our sister school Glen Forest Elementary School this holiday season by donating to our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Please donate canned or boxed non-perishable food items. The items in greatest demand included canned vegetables, canned fruits, canned beans, peanut butter, cooking oil, rice, pasta, and masa flour. Collection bins will be located outside the main entrance to Great Falls Elementary from November 16 – 20, 2020. The need for donations is very high this year. Every donation makes a difference! Thank you for your generous support!
Roadrunner Reel Movie Review Contest
Since we can’t gather for our traditional movie night at school, let’s have some family fun at home while also sharing the movies we love with our fellow Roadrunners! Here’s how it works - Anytime between November 1st - 21st, watch a family-friendly movie at home. After watching the movie, we want to know what you think about it. You have 2 choices for your movie review - you can fill out this google form OR record a quick video on our FlipGrid page giving a review of the movie. A winner will be chosen from grades K-3 and 4-6. Teachers and staff may submit a review but are not eligible for a prize.
What to include in your review:
- Your name and grade level
- Name of the movie and where we can find it - Netflix, Amazon Prime, DVD, etc.
- What is the movie about? Make sure you don't give away any surprise endings!
- Who is your favorite character and why?
- Would you recommend this movie to a fellow GFES Roadrunner and their family?
- On a scale of 0 - 5 Roadrunners, what score would you give the movie?
Art Enrichment Lesson #1
In case you missed the announcement last week, our first Art Enrichment lesson of the year is ready! Many thanks to GFES parent Mrs. Ambrosini for presenting this lesson for us. Art Enrichment lessons are designed to be enjoyed during available asynchronous time on Mondays but can also be watched anytime that is convenient for your family! We will share a new AE project each quarter. See below for the presentation link and supply list. Have fun learning and creating!
Student’s will learn about the culture and traditions of the Northwest Indian tribes and the meaning and significance of totem poles. Click HERE for the lesson plan, slides and lesson video link.
You’ll need to gather these supplies for the project - empty paper towel roll, assorted color construction paper, pencil, regular scissors, decoratively-edged scissors if you have them, black Sharpie marker, glue stick, liquid glue, tape.
Dutch Mill Bulbs Fundraiser
We have partnered with Dutch Mill Bulbs for a Fall bulb fundraiser! Order bulbs for planting before the weather turns too cold! Dutch Mill Bulbs ship nationwide, so be sure to contact out-of-town friends and relatives to request their participation in our fundraiser. Click HERE to access a variety of popular items to choose from - all guaranteed to grow & bloom! Online orders are shipped directly to the address specified - shipping fees apply. The fall bulb fundraiser ends on December 1st. Thank you for your support and happy planting!
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Holiday Fundraiser with AR Workshop
Let's Deck the Halls (and Trees!) with ornament kits from AR Workshop while raising money for Great Falls Elementary PTA! Bring the festivities home with a Holi-DIY To-Go Kit! Choose from a Set of 6 or 12 Wood Slice Ornaments, Set of 6 or 12 Classic Wood Ornaments, a Set of Mini Holiday Block Signs, Holiday Villages or Chunky Knit Blankets to go! Choose multiple collections to make your tree or home extra festive this year. These make the perfect gift for neighbors and grandparents as well! Or have your friends order a kit too and have a virtual holiday crafting party!
DIY kits include all the materials you’ll need - stencils, wood, a PrimARy Paint Essentials Kit, brushes and instructions.
Chunky Knit Blanket Kits come with an online tutorial. 5 Skeins will make a 40x50 blanket.
Click here to browse all of the amazing options and to order!
**Please type in the code GREATFALLS in the Promo Box at checkout!**
*Order Deadline: November 28th; Pick up will be at GFES on December 7th from 12-1pm
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