Dear GFES Families,
It's been another great week at Great Falls ES as our students learn, grow, and play together.
I am always in awe of the excitement and love our students have for school, and nothing brings out those happy feelings more than spring weather, spirit days, picture days, and Read Across America week. Please be sure to mark your calendar for all the fun dates we have planned!
As a reminder, Monday, February 21 is a student and staff holiday.
Thank you for your continued support of all things Great Falls ES, and I hope you have a wonderful long weekend ahead.
All my best,
Sara Harper
SCA Spirit Day
Read Across America Week
Club and Candid Photo Day
Club and candid picture day will take place on February 22nd. We understand this is the same day as our spirit day; please dress your child in spirit wear (tutus and ties) that are capable of being removed for photos should students wish to remove them.
The following groups will have their pictures taken:
- SCA
2. News Team
3. Patrols
4. Chorus, Band, and Strings
5. Immersion classes
6. Girls on the Run
Spring Picture Day & Class Photo Save the Date
Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Start time: 9:30 am
Ordering information for spring and class photo day will be coming soon.
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Understanding ESSER III Funding’s Impact on Student Success
We encourage you to participate in a public engagement opportunity related to how FCPS is meeting ESSER III requirements for ensuring a safe return to in-person instruction and providing continuity of learning. As a reminder, last fall, FCPS received $188.8 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding to address the impacts of COVID-19 on students.
ESSER III focus areas include:
- Prevention and mitigation strategies to help keep schools open and safe for students and staff.
- Academic intervention services, such as tutoring, after-school programs, and summer learning programs.
- Professional development to ensure our schools are welcoming and culturally responsive to all students and families.
- Multilingual engagement to ensure information is accessible to all families.
- Additional support for students’ social emotional needs.
All of these areas impact student success! Please provide input today via our online feedback form. For more information on the ESSER III grant, please watch this video and visit the FCPS website.
FCPS Career and Technical Summer Enrichment Programs
Learn more about the FCPS Tech Adventure Camp! Students in grades 2 - 6 explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and computer science by rotating through daily classes. More information can be found here.
World Engineering Feats:
Return to school in January was marked by taking a sneak peek at some engineering feats of the world’s tallest towers and skyscrapers. One of these towers was the site of a powerful show of augmented reality, computer generated images, and drones - a perfect way to lay the groundwork for a promising year and set the stage for an introduction to computer literacy and develop our computational thinking skills.
Our budding engineers learned about some ingenious, sustainable building designs including:
- Japanese architect Shigeru Ban’s Pritzker prize-winning cardboard cathedral in New Zealand
- Finnish-American designer Eero Saarinen’s Tulip Chair
- the Missouri Gateway Arch
- and our very own Dulles airport
We learned the origin of the word “chair” and tried our hand at building our own chairs. Check out these cool, innovative, modern, even futuristic designs…
Elementary Language Arts Resource Review
Participate in our elementary language arts resource review. You can review digital resources and leave feedback online. Physical resources for elementary language arts are being reviewed throughout the month at the Willow Oaks Administration Center from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday-Friday. In-person review hours will be extended to 7 p.m. February 17 and 24.
Learn more on our website.
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COVID Protocols for FCPS-Sponsored Activities
Current FCPS COVID mitigation strategies are to be followed for all FCPS-sponsored activities, whether the activity occurs at an FCPS facility or off-site. When FCPS-sponsored activities are held off-site, participants will follow the more rigorous COVID protocols. If the venue requires more strict protocols, all participants will adhere to the venue’s requirements. When activities are held at venues with less stringent COVID mitigation protocols, participants will follow current FCPS practices.
Show Our Staff Some Love ❤
Fairfax County Public Schools wants to recognize employees who go above and beyond to ensure the students, teachers, parents, and community have an extraordinary experience throughout the school year. To support these efforts by nominating a GFES staff member click here.
The acronym “CARES” clearly defines our GFES approach to meeting the learning needs of our students on a daily basis; A Responsive Culture, with a focus on Excellence in Academics, through Positive Relationships, with Enriching Experiences, for all students.
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Join the PTA Executive Board for 2022-2023
Do you want to become more involved in the PTA? We are working on building a strong team of PTA leaders for the 2022-2023 school year and need your help! Our nominating committee would love to hear from anyone interested in taking on any of the PTA Executive Board positions listed below. Serving on the PTA board is a great way to meet other GFES parents and give your input on events, activities and fundraising opportunities. Please reach out to president@gfespta.com or presidentelect@gfespta.com for details about job responsibilities and time commitments.
Executive Board Positions:
- President-Elect/VP of Communications (transitions to President position for 2023-2024)
- Financial Secretary (transitions to Treasurer position for 2023-2024)
- Recording Secretary
- VP of Fundraising
- VP of Programs
- VP of School Spirit
NOVA District PTA Student Essay Program
NOVA District PTA is pleased to announce the 2022 NOVA District PTA Student Essay Program (previously called Citizenship Essay). This year's District theme is, "Tell Us Your Story" - a look at how the past couple of years during the pandemic has had an impact on your life (i.e. education, family, community, after school activities).
Click here to submit application before March 15, 2022.
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