Dear Great Falls ES Families,
We've had a wonderful first week back from Spring Break as we dive right in to the fourth quarter. Our students and staff have been hard at work as they prepare for the final two months of the school year, and the beautiful weather this week has allowed many of our students and teachers to extend their learning environments to outdoor spaces on our school campus. Looking ahead, we have so much to celebrate. We've listed just a few below:
Ramadan: This year, Ramadan began at sunset the evening of April 2 and will end at sunset the evening of May 1. During this time, many of our Muslim students may be fasting and it is important for those students to have a quiet, alternative location to go to during lunchtime or recess. If you would like your student to go to the library during lunch rather than the cafeteria, please let their teacher know.
Autism Acceptance Month: One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students. This coming Monday, April 18, our SCA has asked our students and staff to wear blue to heighten awareness and support students diagnosed with autism.
Month of the Military Child: April is a time to recognize and thank children from military families for their contributions and sacrifices. To show our support, we are inviting all Great Falls ES students and staff to “Purple Up!” by wearing purple, on Wednesday, April 20 for military children.
School Library Month: We have a very active library at Great Falls ES and a wonderful librarian, Mrs. Botha. She has created a diverse learning space for students to explore, create, and collaborate. We are so thankful to have her as part of our amazing Great Falls ES team.
In addition to these fantastic events, we are working with our PTA to host a book drive for our sister school, Glen Forest ES, and showing our support for these events through our Spirit Week (planned by our Student Council Association). Please be sure to check our Facebook and Twitter account for pictures of students dressing up and celebrating over the next week.
Take care,
Sara Harper
Principal
Last Chance to Order A Yearbook
Monday, March 18th is the final day to order yearbooks! Click here and enter our school order number, 21845, to order yours today. We will not have any yearbooks to purchase after the deadline so don’t miss out!
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Spring Pictures are Now Available
We had a super successful spring picture day!
Student spring pictures are now available to view/purchase online! It's not too late to order or re-order pictures. Please visit: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000910695
Use your child's students' ID when prompted for the online code.
Parent questions/concerns regarding portraits can be directed to underclass@vosphoto.com.
April Spirit Week
New Student Registration
We are now accepting new student registrations, K-6! Students must be 5 years old by September 30th, 2022 to register for kindergarten. Please contact Abeer ElGharib, amelgharib@fcps.edu, with any registration questions.
You can register your child by beginning the registration process online. Mrs. ElGharib will contact you with the next steps to get your child(ren) enrolled quickly and efficiently!
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Tutor.com Available to All Students
We are pleased to announce that students now have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Tutor.com is available 24/7, through online voice or text chat, and in your student’s preferred language. Student participation is optional and parents/guardians can opt their students out of accessing the service. You can learn more about Tutor.com on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website.
Students will be able to access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following instructional videos:
elementary video and secondary video. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
This new service will help many [SCHOOL] students complete assignments, better understand classroom lessons, and be successful.
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DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers
Supporting Early Learners: Growing the Caregiver’s Toolbox: A Webinar for PreK-2 Families
4/22/22: Supporting Healthy Habits & Routines in Early Learners
5/20/22: Growing through Tough Moments in Early Learners
There are so many ways children learn and develop throughout early childhood. Relationships, habits, and even challenges can become rich opportunities to teach and foster lifelong learning and skills for our children. Learn more about how self-regulation, executive functioning, and routines can help your children learn and develop.
Laura Thieman, LCSW, MPH, RPT- FCPS Social Worker Supervisor, Region 3
Amy Sheldon, MEd, MSW, LCSW - FCPS Preschool Mental Health Clinician, Early Childhood Assessment Team
Lori Kraden, FCPS Educational Specialist, Behavior Intervention Services
Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for Supporting Early Learners: Growing the Caregiver’s Toolbox: A Webinar for PreK-2 Families
Julie Lythcott-Haims,
NYT Best-Selling Author of How to Raise an Adult returns to McLean on April 26th!
Gather your friends and attend as a group!
Former Stanford dean and New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult Julie Lythcott-Haims explains why our culture of over-parenting is hurting our children and making them ill-equipped for college and adulthood.
Relevant to parents of toddlers as well as of twentysomethings, How to Raise an Adult is a rallying cry for those who wish to ensure that the next generation can take charge of their own lives with competence and confidence.
This FREE program takes place April 26th from 7-9pm at Temple Rodef Shalom. It’s open to all, but registration is required. Visit the Safe Community Coalition website for more information and registration: http://mcleanscc.org/.
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Optional Covid Testing Ending
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has been providing a COVID-19 screening and diagnostic testing program to students and staff as part of its layered prevention strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the community level for Fairfax County is currently classified as low; this classification has continued for the past month. In addition, Fairfax Health District COVID-19 Vaccination Status information indicates that more than 70% of all Fairfax Health Districts residents have been fully vaccinated (defined by receiving two of a two-dose vaccine or one of a single-dose vaccine). More than 80% of residents have received one COVID-19 vaccine dose. Vaccination rates by age group indicates that more than 50% of students ages 5-11 and more than 90% of students ages 12-17 have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 Vaccinations are free and available at various locations in our community.
Based on these metrics and CDC guidance, FCPS will discontinue the following prevention strategies on April 22, 2022:
- Optional weekly screening testing for all schools
- Diagnostic testing for symptomatic students and staff at FCPS drive-through sites
Our last day for screening testing here at Wolftrap Elementary will be April 20.
If students or employees have symptoms and need to get tested, the following options are available:
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COVID-19 Testing - Fairfax County Health Department offers COVID-19 testing at various sites throughout the county.
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At-Home Test Kits - Students leaving the school CARE Room with symptoms of illness are provided an at-home test kit.
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Test-To-Stay Program - In partnership with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), FCPS is providing access to the Test-To-Stay program for students who have been identified as a close contact when an outbreak has been declared. This program is available to any student who meets eligibility criteria and whose parent/legal guardian has provided consent for their participation.
While we are encouraged by the continued decline in COVID-19 cases in our community, we are also committed to keeping our schools safe for all to learn and work in person. Please continue to do your part to maintain a healthy learning environment by using prevention strategies including hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, monitoring for illness, and staying home when sick.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we navigate through the end stages of the pandemic.
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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Get more involved - chair a PTA committee!
Did you know that the GFES PTA has over 20 committees? If you are looking to get involved with the PTA, but are not ready to take on an executive role, we need enthusiastic parents to lead one of our many committees. This is an awesome way to meet other parents and families, and have fun while doing it!
Do you enjoy planning events? Help us lead Movie Night or the GFES Fun Run & 5K. Do you have digital marketing experience? Help us with the PTA website and social media. Are you great at sales? Spirit Wear is right up your alley. Have a green thumb? Grounds & Gardens could use your skills. We also have tasks that are easy to do on your own, like Reflections or School Supplies.
Please reach out to presidentelect@gfespta.com to learn about these and other open positions.
Book Drive
Grand Opening Online Spirit Wear Store!
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