GBW News - Friday, June 11, 2021 - Message from the Principal

Principal's Message

Dear GBW Community,

We are so proud and honored to celebrate the completion of this historic Pandemic School Year!  We want to acknowledge and recognize that this was a very hard school year for many of our students, families, and staff members.  At times like these, it is helpful to reflect on this significant time period in our history when many of us have either lost loved ones due to COVID-19 or were significantly impacted by the Global Pandemic.  It was not easy, but our community pulled together as One GBW Family to collectively thrive during a Global Pandemic while many communities were struggling to survive.  Our GBW teachers and staff feel so blessed to have the strong support of our community and families this year as we were challenged to first teach virtually, transition to concurrent instruction, and now prepare to welcome all students back for in-person instruction.  We could not have been successful this year without our families, and we will never forget the love, kindness, and support our families gave us this year. 

Students, you worked hard this year and it was not an easy task.  Sitting in front of a computer for hours staying focused for virtual instruction was extremely challenging. Being isolated in our homes for weeks and months at a time was also a big struggle.  It has been such a pleasure seeing many of you in person these past few months, and we long to celebrate joyfully as our entire GBW student body reconnects next year for 5 days of in-person instruction.  We have so many fun and exciting learning adventures to look forward to and we can’t wait to start this new journey with you!

Sincerely,

Mr. Blount & Mr. Cook

P.S. Parents, I will be taking a two week vacation in June, from June 16th through June 30th, and will be back at work on July 1.  If you would like to meet with me this summer to discuss this past school year or your hopes and dreams for next year, I would love to meet with you.  Please email me at asblount@fcps.edu to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting. 

Summer Office Hours: 

Effective Monday, June 14 - Friday, August 13, school office hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. 

The school and office will be closed on Friday, June 18 and Monday, July 5.


New Beginnings for GBW Staff

McKinley

Jeanne McKinley (counselor) retiring:

Mrs. McKinley will be retiring this year after serving GBW for 13 years, 14 years with FCPS!  Mrs. McKinley, thank you for loving and protecting our students these past 14 years!  Mrs. McKinley shared that one of her favorite memories was supporting students through spending therapeutic time gardening with students to grow tomatoes and squash in the courtyard.  They later had the chance to deliver these products to the local homeless shelter.

 

Belasik

Kate Belasik (Strings Teacher) moving to VA Beach to teach in Chesapeake Public Schools as a Middle School Orchestra Teacher:

Ms. Belasik has been teaching in FCPS for 14 years and here at GBW for 9 years.  Our strings program has flourished under her care as she has taught countless students the joy of music.  Ms. Belasik - we wish you well in your next chapter in life in VA Beach!  Ms. Belasik shared a few of her favorite memories: I will miss the fun strings concerts and extra performances I had with my students-especially playing in the hallways during the week before Winter Break! I will also miss Field Day! I always made sure to request the water station and LOVED soaking as many students (and teachers) as possible!! Of course-I was always soaked too!

 

Cerny

Chelsea Cerny (Special Education Teacher) transferring to Floris ES:

Thank you Ms. Cerny for your hard work and dedication to our students these past 4 years!  Ms. Cerny- you will be missed. Ms. Cerny’s advice to our GBW community: Embrace change and be yourself. 

 

 

 

Davis

Erin Davis (3rd Grade Teacher) changing to ESOL Teacher at Dogwood ES:

Thank you Ms. Davis for all the hard work supporting our 3rd grade students this last year.  You were an amazing concurrent teacher and you will be missed.  Mrs. Davis shared her favorite memory: My favorite memory was meeting ½ my class for the first time this year and seeing their excited faces after not being in school for over a year.

 

Otchy

Jaclyn Otchy (6th Grade AAP Teacher):

Thank you to Mrs. Otchy who was able to fill in for a one year only position as our 6th Grade AAP teacher!  We are so grateful for you stepping into a 6th Grade Class in the middle of a Pandemic School Year to save the day!  Your students loved you, our staff will miss you, and we all wish you the best!  Mrs. Otchy shared her favorite memory at GBW: My favorite memory was having recess with my students while it was lightly raining. They had the biggest smiles on their faces and were fully embracing the joy of the moment.

 

VanVeldhuisen

Kristen VanVeldhuisen (5th Grade Teacher) transferring to Mantua ES:

Thank you Ms. VanVeldhuisen for joining us in the middle of the year to help teach our 5th Graders!  We were so lucky to find such a qualified candidate in the middle of a school year. You helped to ensure that instruction stayed strong throughout this pandemic while making school fun.  Ms. VanVeldhuisen shared her favorite memory: During state testing, getting to meet all my virtual students for the first time!  So surreal!


Please welcome our newest GBW Family Members!

McAndrew

Megan McAndrew (Counselor):  

Ms. McAndrew was born and raised in Northern VA. She’s recently worked at McNair and Virginia Run Elementary Schools where she loved making connections with students and staff. Megan’s family and dog bring her great joy! We can’t wait for Megan to officially join the GBW Family in August!

 

Sims

Michelle Sims (Kindergarten Teacher):

Mrs.Sims will be joining GBW as a Kindergarten Teacher in August. She has many years of FCPS experience in a variety of roles, including instructional assistant and student teacher intern at Centreville ES. Michelle loves traveling and spending quality time with her family. Welcome to the GBW Family Michelle!