Hello Great Falls Families,
It was wonderful to see all of our bright and well-rested students back to school this week after spring break.
With only 9 weeks left of the 20-21 school year, the updated CDC guidance brings many exciting opportunities as well as new teaching and learning challenges.
As you're aware, Dr. Brabrand sent out a communication regarding the impact of the updated CDC guidance on school operations. The letter can be found here in its entirety.
At GFES, we are committed to returning as many students as we can to in-person learning. We have already invited some students back for 4 days of in-person instruction to begin next week (4/13). We will look at inviting a subsequent group of students back beginning April 20th as space allows. Please understand that this process is time consuming, and schedules need to be reviewed to determine if space allows additional students in each classroom setting.
Currently our school is estimated at 65% of our students accessing 2 day, in-person learning which is a higher percentage than most FCPS schools. We cannot bring in all 65% and still maintain 3 feet of social distancing; it is physically impossible based on our available class capacity. There are some schools in FCPS with just 20% of students attending in person. Therefore, you may notice other schools better able to accommodate students attending in person four days a week.
Per Dr. Brabrand’s letter, if we have space to increase the instructional days for your student(s), we will be in contact with you. We are not able to honor individual requests from families at this time, and it does not benefit you to email to myself or Dr. Litz individually to request that your child return.
Thank you for your understanding and continued partnership during this transition.
Sincerely,
Sara Harper
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Calendar Reminders
4/11- 4/24 - PTA Read-a-thon
4/12 - PTA Virtual Talent Show Video Submission Deadline
4/16 - Yearbook Photo Submission Deadline
4/19 - Kindergarten Orientation
4/25 - SOL Testing Begins
4/29 - Yearbook Orders Due
Grades 3-6 SOL Testing Reminder
You should have received an email from Dr. Litz this week notifying you of when your child will be taking the SOL tests. If you did not receive this email, please contact cblitz@fcps.edu or your child’s teacher for this information. Listed below are a few key points pertaining to SOL testing this school year.
- All SOL tests are taken in-person at school. SOL tests are not available for remote delivery from home.
- For any SOL assessments this spring, you have the right to refuse testing for your student. The Right to Refuse Assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/34277) offers information and considerations as you make this decision. We are asking for ALL PARENTS to please complete this online Google form to indicate your testing preference for your child. This form needs to be completed by April 16th. Contact Christopher Litz (cblitz@fcps.edu) at our school if you need help accessing or completing the form.
- Parents of children who are receiving virtual instruction should have received an additional email with more information pertaining to SOL testing.
Thank you for your continued efforts as we work together to make this school year a success for our students.
Dr. Litz
Kindergarten Orientation (incoming K families)
Children who are five by September 30,2021 and Parents are invited to attend a virtual Kindergarten Orientation Meeting on Monday, April 19, 2021, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Parents will receive registration information, as well as required health information such as immunizations and physical examinations. A classroom teacher will also present information on the kindergarten curriculum and the daily schedule. Please fill out this Google form to receive an email with the link to the virtual orientation session.
Registrations for the 2021-2022 school year are now being accepted, and we encourage parents to register their children for the new school year before June 12th. Visit the Kindergarten Registration page on the FCPS Kindergarten Registration website for required registration packets.
Please share the kindergarten orientation information with any neighbors who may have kindergarten-aged children!
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Important TDAP Information for Parents of a Current Sixth Grade Student (6th Grade)
Virginia Law requires that all students entering seventh grade receive a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine prior to the beginning of school. The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) and is usually given around the age of eleven.
For your child to begin 7th grade you will need to submit one of the following documents before the first day of school. It is recommended that all paperwork be submitted to the school office by July 31, 2021.
Acceptable documentation can be one of the following:
- A copy of your child’s immunization record showing the Tdap vaccine.
- A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Tdap vaccine was given.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available online at:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/certificate_religious_exemption.pdf
The Tdap booster is available from your child’s healthcare provider or the Fairfax County Health Department. The Health Department Clinic locations and hours are available online at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/clinics or by calling 703-246-2411. Please note that students receiving immunizations at the Health Department must be accompanied by an adult and should bring their immunization records with them.
Seventh grade students will not be allowed to begin school in August 2021 without submitting proper documentation.
GFES 2020-2021 Yearbook Photo Submission
If you were unable to bring your child(ren) to school for Picture Day, we would still like to include your child’s photo in the GFES Yearbook. Parents can use the following google form to submit their own photo: https://forms.gle/UZoUSisw12TA8aKYA
We would like to keep the photos similar to the school photos, so we will ask parents to take the headshot from shoulders up and keep a simple background. When completing your form, please make sure to include the name of the student as you would like it to appear in the yearbook, grade, and name of the homeroom teacher. If you need to submit multiple photos you will need to fill out the form for each child you would like included in the yearbook.
All photos must be received no later than Friday, April 16th.
Order Your GFES 2020-21 Yearbook: Link closes April 29th
Click here to order now! Please make sure to note your child’s homeroom teacher’s name on the order site. Only those who order by the April 29th deadline are guaranteed a copy so please order today!
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Virtual Students Vision/Hearing Screening Update
Kindergarten, 3rd Grade, & Students New to the County ONLY
UPDATE to February 25 Infogram: Vision and Hearing Screenings for Students Attending Virtually During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Virginia’s Superintendent of Public Instruction has granted a waiver of the statutory requirement § 22.1-273 allowing parents of students who attend school on an entirely virtual basis, to “opt-out” of hearing and vision screenings when all of the following criteria are met:
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Virtual Attendance Only. The student attends school on an entirely virtual basis during the 2020-2021 school year.
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Parental Opt-Out. A parent of a student (who attends school on an entirely virtual basis) declines vision and hearing screening services in writing and submits such writing to the student’s school.
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Notice of Screening Benefits. Prior to declining, the parent has been informed of the benefits of vision and hearing screenings for a student’s health and wellbeing.
Parents of students attending virtually may opt-out by completing and returning the Vision and Hearing Screening Opt-Out Form.
FCPS has developed a Vision and Hearing Screening Checklist to assist principals/designated staff to assist in the process of conducting vision and hearing screenings for students who are attending virtually whose parents/guardians who have not opted-out. Guidelines for Safely Conducting Vision and Hearing Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic have also been developed to assist screeners, including SHAs, PHNs, FCPS staff and volunteers, in using safe practices to complete Vision and Hearing Screenings.
Using the updated guidance above, principals/designated staff will identify all students attending on a virtual basis who will require vision and hearing screenings. Required hearing and vision screenings for students attending virtually who have not returned the “opt-out” form should be completed by May 1, 2021.
Virtual Talent Show - Register NOW, Submit Videos by April 12th
We want to see your talents, Roadrunners! Submit a video for our Virtual Talent Show by Monday April 12th.
1. Register your performer via the Google form https://forms.gle/gL63vDac2so6ZpaS6
2. Go to AtoZ Connect to pay the $10 entry fee (Click on: Store/Products/Events).
3. Instructions on how to upload your video will be sent to parents once registration/waivers and payment are all received.
Imagine you were LIVE on stage in front of your family and friends and show us your very best!
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Read-a-thon (April 11 - 24)
The GFES PTA is holding a Read-a-thon this year and we really want everyone to participate. If you have not already done so, please click on this link to activate your reader’s personal page:
https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/lMvFoh
You can do it all in a minute or two and really help us meet our financial needs while also encouraging your child to read. Our Grand Prize winners will take home a Kindle!!
Thanks so much for your support!
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PTA Meeting - Wednesday April 14th at 7:00 pm
Please join us for our Virtual PTA meeting on Wednesday, April 14th at 7:00 pm. After handling some PTA business, we will welcome Erika Deem from the Parent Resource Center as our speaker. She will share the various ways the PRC can support families and students.
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