Great Falls ES Families,
We are five weeks into the school year, and I am extremely proud of the way our students have returned to school with energy and confidence. We are settling into a new normal, and while some things might look and feel different, the enthusiasm and resiliency of our students continues to shine.
I am excited to announce that we will be begin to accept change of transportation (COT) requests for kiss and ride changes only starting October 4th. This week, in Tuesday folders you will receive a magnet with two QR codes - one linked to our attendance form and one linked to our COT form. Please look for these magnets as they should be helpful for you to efficiently scan and access the forms on our website.
Please note: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, students are unable to ride buses other than their own. Any submissions to ride a different bus will not be approved and will be returned.
Thank you,
Sara Harper
 We are excited about our new and improved outdoor learning space! We posted about it on our Facebook site; if you're not already following us, check it out!
Calendar Updates
October
1 - SCA Spirit Day: Mask Day
11 - Indigenous Peoples' Day - Teacher Work Day: No School for Students
16 - PTA Fall Festival
28 - 2 Hour Early Release (1:30 p.m.)
November
1 - Professional Development Day: No School for Students
2 - Teacher Work Day: No School for Students
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GFES and the Positivity Project
This year, we continue with our MARK and Positivity Project work during morning meetings. The Positivity Project (P2) is dedicated to empowering America’s youth to build positive relationships by recognizing the character strengths in themselves and others. The vision is to help schools and families cultivate citizens and leaders who will enhance our communities and our country.
For the month of October, our students will focus on the following traits:
October 3: Other People Matter -Being Present
October 10: Integrity
October 17: Forgiveness
October 24: Creativity
October 31: Perspective
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Update on our Inaugural STEAM Lab!
The over-arching approach for our STEAM Lab is to:
i) Introduce students to a major Scientific Concept;
ii) Relate it to the corresponding Scientist and/or Inventor/Invention, and
iii) Reinforce the concept with a Hands-On Learning Project.
While in our lab, our students are organized into STEAM Teams and given free rein to design their own prototypes. We conclude with an exchange of ideas between teams and examine samples of designs by cohorts.
Our September lab time was an Introduction to "What is STEAM?"
To begin, We defined each discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and its importance to improving quality of life. We had a primer on Simple Machines; relating it to the Invention of the Pencil and crayons/Crayola, utilizing pencils to build simple machine/lever catapults and demonstrate efficient designs.
Grades 3-6 learned about the three different types of levers and adopted basic principles of engineering design to build trebuchets/mangonels/ballistas. We concluded the session with a spirited face-off to put the machine designs to the test by knocking down styrofoam cup fortifications.
Grades k-2 made puzzles out of popsicle sticks, using their pencils and crayons to create art. Ask your children to share their "Puzzicles", talk about their "Pencipults", and tell you some amazing facts about pencils and crayons!
In October, we will explore the "Why and How of STEAM".
Students will gain a good understanding of "The Scientific Method/Engineering Design Process" and relate it to the 5Cs that grace the main entrance of our school!
The Scientist of the Month is Sir Isaac Newton. We will highlight his seminal contributions that marked the culmination of the Scientific Revolution with hands-on demonstrations of his Three Laws of Motion, Universal Gravitation, and types of Energy.
Grades 3-6 will design and build grade-level appropriate Cup Rockets to demonstrate the effect of Forces on Motion and Energy. Students will experiment with different densities of materials and test them to observe how it affects propulsion.
Grades k-2 grades will observe Singing Spoons and make Popsicle Stick Harmonicas as real-life applications of Sound Energy.
We will also discuss writing a petition to acquire a graft cutting of Newton's original apple tree, gifted by the Royal Society to MIT in 1977, to complement our one-of-a-kind Japanese Friendship Garden. Offshoots of the tree have since been grown on several college campuses in the country, and if our idea bears fruit, we will be the first elementary school to house Newton's legendary apple tree!
❤,
Mrs. Muralidhar
Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Fall Screening
For students in grades 3-6 NEW to FCPS since January 2021
Parents or guardians of third through sixth grade students may initiate the full-time AAP Level IV screening process by completing and submitting an Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form and any optional screening materials to Mrs. Gingrich no later than Thursday, October 7, 2021.
AAP Level IV services are available to students in grades 3-8. Students may be found eligible for full-time placement in AAP Level IV Center classes through a central selection process where multiple criteria are reviewed by a central selection committee to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. If you have any questions, you can contact your child’s AART, Lori Gingrich, at lagingrich@fcps.edu.
Tony Staton
My name is Tony Staton, and I am thrilled to be one of the awesome music teachers here at Great Falls Elementary School! I grew up in Danville, Virginia and received my Bachelor of Music Industry degree from James Madison University, where I served as Music Director for the JMU Contemporary Gospel Singers. Since graduation, I have served as a teacher, church music director, and continued coursework at UVA Wise. In my free time, I play the piano, compose music, watch sports, and code simple projects. Most of all, I love teaching music and am thrilled to begin my second year with FCPS! My goal for the school year is to help students use the concepts we discuss in class to think critically and creatively about music and various other subjects.
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Natacha Moore
Hello! My name is Natacha Moore, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Great Falls community! I have been with FCPS since 2001 when I started as a Kindergarten teacher. Since then, I have had the pleasure to teach 2nd and 3rd grades, and have also worked as a resource teacher and a special education instructional assistant. I love making connections and developing relationships with students. I will always strive to create a classroom environment that celebrates individuality, respect, teamwork, and responsibility.
Outside of school, you can find me on the sidelines of one of my kids' games. I am married to my high school sweetheart and am a mom of 4 awesome kids who are 16, 15, 12, and 7. I love CrossFit, and my happy place is at the beach with a book, and my toes in the sand. I genuinely look forward to this school year and being part of the Great Falls Elementary School family!
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Courtney Bradshaw
Hello! My name is Courtney Bradshaw, and I’m excited to be teaching 2nd grade this year at Great Falls ES. After several years teaching 2nd grade at Woodley Hills ES in Alexandria, I’m excited to now call Reston home and explore the western part of Fairfax County. I was raised in FCPS and graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary, so I know firsthand that Fairfax County schools provide an excellent educational experience for all students. I received my B.S. and M.A.T. from James Madison University, and I am currently pursuing my M.Ed in Counseling and Development at George Mason University. Go Dukes and Patriots! I have a deep passion for social and emotional learning, integrating play into the classroom, and building a school family where students feel safe and welcome. I feel grateful to join a fantastic community of students, families, and staff.
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Students Keep Learning in Pause, Quarantine with StreamIN/CheckIN
FCPS students being paused, quarantined, or isolated due to COVID-19 will soon have a way to stay connected with their classes until they return to in-person learning.
StreamIN/CheckIN provides meaningful instructional support for students who are paused, quarantined, or isolated due to COVID-19. Participating in StreamIN/CheckIN offers these students the opportunity to stay engaged with their classes so when they return, they haven’t missed a beat.
Learn more about StreamIN/CheckIN on our website.
New Health Department Process to Expedite Communications for Students Awaiting Covid-19 Contact Interviews
The Fairfax County Health Department announced a change in their communication process for students waiting for COVID-19 contact interviews. You may read about these changes on the FCHD website. You may also wish you review the FCHD FAQs for parents of school-aged children. We appreciate the continued partnership between FCPS, FCHD and our Forestville community.
Updated COVID-19 Response Flowchart for Families
When a positive COVID-19 case is reported in Great Falls Elementary, a collaborative effort to investigate close contacts and determine the appropriate next steps for affected students begins. To help families know what to expect, the process is outlined on the FCPS website.
Health Department COVID-19 Testing Updates
Health Department to Deploy Mobile COVID-19 Testing Lab - Fairfax County Emergency Information (wpcomstaging.com) - The Fairfax County Health Department is deploying its mobile laboratory to provide COVID-19 testing in several locations starting Tuesday, Sept. 21.
Why does FCPS Use the 14-day Quarantine Period?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to recommend 14 days as the safest length for quarantine to decrease the risk of the spread of COVID-19 to others. (Overview of COVID-19 Quarantine for K-12 Schools | CDC). Based on local conditions and needs, local public health authorities may recommend shorter quarantines (after day 10 without testing, or after day 7 after receiving a negative test), but during this time of high community transmission, the Fairfax County Health Department continues to follow the 14-day recommended quarantine length. The CDC estimates an up to 12% risk of becoming positive for COVID-19 after these shortened quarantine periods. These recommendations may be subject to change based on public health guidance.
Masks and Water Bottle Reminders
Please remember to send your children to school with a mask every day. We do have masks available in our front office for students should they need one. Water bottles (please no glass) are also very important to send in with your child each day. Please write your child's name in permanent marker on their water bottle.
PTA Membership & Donations
Join the PTA! For just $20 per family, you can support our day to day operations and maintain our standing with the Virginia & National PTA organizations. Membership grants you access to the PTA directory, voting rights at all general PTA meetings, and discounted entry to certain PTA sponsored events.
And while you’re at it - donate, too! With a suggested donation of $250 per family, we can reach our fundraising goals for the year! 100% of donations will be reinvested in our school to benefit students and staff!
Don’t forget - if 60% of families join or donate to the PTA, BOTH Mrs. Harper and Dr. Litz will take a pie to the face! What fun!
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Art Enrichment Volunteers Needed
We are still in need of parent volunteers to assist with our Art Enrichment program! We have particular need in Mrs. Lord's class, Ms. Zilberman's class, Ms. O'Brien's class and in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.
Once a quarter, parents lead students in a lesson on a new artist, followed by an art project where students create their own work using the style and technique examined in the lesson. This fun, rewarding program supplements our students’ art education and is a great way to interact with your child, their teacher, their classmates, and learn something too! For more information, contact EnrichmentVP@gfespta.com
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Fall Festival Volunteers Needed
Planning is underway for this year’s Fall Festival, and we need your help! If you are interested in volunteering on the committee that helps put together this important GFES community event and fundraiser, please send an email to: fallfestival@gfespta.com
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Reflections Art Contest
Calling all GFES artists! The 2021 Reflections program is looking for entries based on the theme "I Will Change the World By..." Students should submit entries with their interpretation of the theme in any of the 6 categories - Dance, Film, Literature, Music, Photography and Visual Arts. All entries will be submitted electronically HERE. Entry deadline is October 8th. For more information on this program, click HERE, go to www.vapta.org or reach out to our Reflections Chair at reflections@gfespta.com.
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Visit our NEW A to Z Site Today!
If you haven't already done so, please visit our NEW A to Z Connect site - http://gfespta.membershiptoolkit.com - to either verify your existing information or create a new account. All families, both returning and new, need to login to the new site. You can purchase PTA membership and donate to the Roadrunner Giving Campaign online.
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