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If you would like to see this message in another language please click here to view from our FCPS webpage. Click on the Language button on the far left of the GBW website and choose the language you need. (see image below for reference)
Highlights This Week
- Principal's Message
- Returning After Quarantine
- PTA News
- Important Dates
No School December 20 - December 31
School office will be closed
School will resume on Monday, January 3, 2022
Teachers and students have been working hard all year so we could finish the 2021 year strong. This pandemic has placed many obstacles in the way of learning, and we are so proud of all of the wonderful in-person learning that we have accomplished this year! As we step into winter break, we hope all of you; students, families, and staff, find quality time to help make special memories with your families.
As we kick-off the 2022 portion of the school year, please know that Mr. Cook and I are determined to continue to build on the excellence that we have come to expect from GBW. As you are reflecting on the 2021 year, if you find any areas of our school that you would like to help us improve please let us know. We are constantly looking for ways to improve and we welcome your student / family feedback as we work collaboratively to better serve our GBW community.
Have a wonderful and relaxing winter break!
Sincerely,
Mr. Blount & Mr. Cook
Some Students May Now Return from Quarantine After Seven Days
CDC guidance allows for a reduction of the student quarantine period to seven days “when diagnostic testing resources are sufficient and available.” With FCPS now offering drive-through diagnostic testing at six sites across the county, in addition to the many alternative ways to access COVID-19 testing, FCPS is now providing the option for students who have been exposed to COVID-19 to return to school and in-person activities after seven days.
If your child is quarantined due to exposure at school, please keep them at home until one of the following quarantine periods is met:
- Seven days of quarantine, your child remains symptom-free AND you provide both: a negative COVID-19 test (Rapid Antigen or PCR) taken on day five of quarantine or later, as well as a copy of the FCPS pause letter indicating the return to school dates; or
- 10 days of quarantine, your child remains symptom-free AND you provide a copy of the FCPS pause letter indicating the return to school dates; or
- 14 days of quarantine and you provide a copy of the clearance letter (SARA-Alert) from the health department.
If your child is quarantined due to exposure outside of the school, please contact the school as soon as possible and you will receive a Return Letter for Exposures Outside of FCPS. The timeline for quarantine return begins when you alert the school. Keep your child at home until one of the following quarantine periods is met.
- Seven days of quarantine, your child remains symptom-free AND you provide both: a negative COVID-19 test (Rapid Antigen or PCR) taken on day five of quarantine or later, as well as a copy of the Return Letter for Exposures Outside of FCPS indicating the return to school dates; or
- 10 days of quarantine, your child remains symptom-free AND you provide a copy of the Return Letter for Exposures Outside of FCPS indicating the return to school dates (you must contact your school to request the letter at the beginning of the quarantine period); or
- 14 days of quarantine and you provide a copy of the clearance letter (SARA-Alert) from the health department.
The above options only apply to a student returning to in-person learning and school-sponsored activities. Other organizations, such as SACC, may have different requirements for return.
We continue to balance the need for students to have a high-quality in-person learning experience with student and staff safety. By adhering to our layered prevention strategies and increasing vaccination rates, we are all doing our part to keep schools safe. Please email our School Public Health/COVID Case Manager Kay Billman with any questions you may have at kbillman@fcps.edu.
 
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Spirit Night at Panda Express - TODAY!
Come to Panda Express in Greenbriar Town Center on Thursday, Dec. 16 (all day) to help raise money for GBW PTA! Panda Express will donate 20% of your meal purchase to GBW PTA! Offer is good for dine-in or carry-out as well as online orders. Please use code 331725 when ordering online or show the flyer on your phone.
https://www.pandaexpress.com/userlocation/3369/va/fairfax/13059-lee-jackson-memorial-hwy
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Reflections Winner
We are excited to share that Aarohi P. in Mrs. Wilbern's 3rd grade class won Outstanding Interpretation in the Fairfax County Council PTA (FCCPTA) Reflections art contest! She entered the dance choreography category for the intermediate level at GBW. Her entry will move on to the NoVA District PTA level for judging next month.
Senior Spelling Bee (4th - 6th)
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Description: The Scripps National Spelling Bee is an annual competition with the purpose of helping students improve their spelling, increase their vocabulary, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives. Each year, thousands of schools across the US participate in the Spelling Bee, competing for college scholarships and other prizes.
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Ages/Grade Team Requirements: Open to all GBW students in 4th, 5th and 6th grades.
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Competition Dates: School level (February), Local (March)
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GBW Coordinator: Vrushali Gosavi
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Teacher Sponsor: Mrs. Aanstoos
- Parent volunteers are required
Sign-up to indicate interest at –
https://forms.gle/ZKZQR4ggXyJPj1iW8
Please use this signup to indicate your child's interest in participating in the Spelling Bee. It is important that you evaluate your child's interests, abilities, and schedule to determine whether your child would be interested in participating in a competition.
Contact:
Coordinator for extracurricular Academic Competitions: Vrushali Gosavi
Email: GBWCompetitions@gmail.com
Updated Staff Wish Lists
Teachers and staff have shared some of their favorite things. If you are looking to give appreciation to them during this season, check out the list here:
https://gbwpta.ptboard.com/school/cm?mid=2544
Share School Event Pictures for the Yearbook
If you have pictures of GBW students from recent school events, please send those to: GBWPandaYearbook@yahoo.com.
Be sure to include the student’s name, grade, and teacher.
50th Anniversary- Volunteers Needed
Parents, please reach out to Laura Koscho at greenbriarwestpta@gmail.com if you are able to help us plan our birthday activities this year.
Holiday Shopping? Using Amazon Smile = Money for GBW!
When you do your holiday shopping at smile.amazon.com, did you know they donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to your favorite charitable organization—no fees, no extra cost? It is quick and easy to set it up. GBW PTA made $60.93 from July to September!
Go to this link to set up the process. (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?q=Greenbriar+West+PTA )
This will lead you to select “Greenbriar West Elem PTA.” From there, follow the instructions.
GBW PTA on Social Media
Don’t forget to check out the Greenbriar West PTA Facebook page and Instagram for updated information.
TODAY, December 16
Panda Express Spirit Night, All day
December 20 - 31
Winter Break, School & Office Closed
Monday, January 17
Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday Holiday, School & Office Closed
Thursday, January 20
Virtual PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 21 & Monday, January 24
Teacher workdays - No School for students
Thursday, February 17
Virtual PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, February 21
George Washington's Birthday Holiday, School & Office Closed
Friday, March 4
Teacher Workday - No school for students
Thursday, March 24
Virtual PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 1
Teacher Workday - No school for students
Monday, April 4 - Friday, April 8
Spring Break - School & Office Closed
Thursday, April 21
Virtual PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 19
Virtual PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, May 30
Memorial Day Holiday - School & Office Closed
Friday, June 10
Last Day of School
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