 |
|
To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔
|
This week at Garfield...
Our hallways are looking very festive this time of year. Teachers participated in Garfield's "Festival of Lights" decorating their doorways with colorful holiday themes. Be sure to stop by Ms. Lunasco's room to take an 'eflie'!
We look forward to hosting another parent coffee soon and connecting with our amazing families again!
Principals Corner
Dear Eagle families,
Thank you to all our wonderful families who attended this month’s Parent Coffee. We discussed the importance of attendance and how it relates to academic success. Ms. Chadbourn shared information about AAP and upcoming deadlines. Our Family Liaison, Ms. Melim and Counselor, Ms. Dougherty passed out conversation starter for parents to engage with their children about school and tips on dealing with sibling rivalry. Parents received tools to make calm down kits their student can utilize at home. We had such fun making them together! A special thanks to our PTA for sharing all that you do for Garfield! Links the join the PTA and get more information are included at the bottom of this newsletter. It was great being able to share our family engagement survey data with you. We were able to highlight some opportunities for growth and hear from you about what we can do to continue to partner with you at Garfield.
Warm Regards,
April L. Cage, NBCT, M.Ed.
Principal
Rachel Water
Assistant Principal
|
Winter Break December 19 - January 2
As a reminder, winter break will be held December 19 to January 2. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year. Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
|
Winter Weather Procedures
Winter weather will be here before you know it!
Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ inclement weather procedures will remain the same as last year. The first five inclement weather days will be traditional “snow days” with no school activities. After those five days, we will use the flexibility provided by the Virginia General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain the continuity of learning. Virtual learning on these days will be synchronous/live instruction, following the inclement weather virtual learning day schedule (includes a two-hour delay).
FCPS’ website is generally the first mode of communication during emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan ahead for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in weCare@school, bookmark the FCPS website, plan for childcare, if appropriate, and know what items your child may need to take home before a weather event.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
Your school’s principal will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call our Family Liaison, Carol Melim at 703-923-2900 or email clmelim@fcps.edu.
Reminder: Window for AAP Full-Time (level IV) Referrals Ends December 15, 2022
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs (level IV AAP services) may submit the AAP Level IV Referral Form to Sally Chadbourn at sechadbourn@fcps.edu, no later than December 15.
The window to submit an AAP Level IV Referral Form is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Level IV services can be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for AAP Level IV will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of professionals from various schools review materials to determine eligibility for level IV placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Sally Chadbourn at sechadbourn@fcps.edu.
Referrals for AAP Levels II-III (part-time services) are screened at the local school.
For more information, there are parent presentations available on the FCPS AAP website (under “Presentations”) that contain information similar to our fall parent information meetings here at Garfield.
Academic Matters
At the last School Board meeting, a new feature was introduced called Academic Matters. During this portion of the Board meeting, updates will be provided on important academic topics. At the November 3 meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid talked about some common misconceptions concerning the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessment. Watch the presentation on YouTube.
FCPS NEWS
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Outdoor Learning Spaces
- Job Opportunities for Bus Drivers and Food Services Workers
- Strategic Planning Community Forum
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
FREE Tutoring
Title I at Garfield ES
Title I is the nation’s largest assistance program for schools. It provides funding to supplement
educational opportunities for children who are most at risk and increasing student achievement
in schools selected on the basis of the economic level of families. The primary focus is to
ensure student access to provide all children significant opportunities to receive a fair,
equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps.
To learn more about the Title I program at Garfield ES, click here
|
Want to Work for FCPS? Subs, Monitors, and Others needed!
FCPS is seeking those interested in positions as substitute teachers, substitute instructional assistants, student monitors, instructional assistants, public health attendants (PHAs), and public health training assistants (PHTAs) positions. View current job openings.
Providing a Safe and Welcoming Space This School Year and Beyond
As a continued commitment to foster a caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families in Fairfax County Public Schools, School Board recently approved a Trust Policy. It aligns with Fairfax County Government’s Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy to ensure that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Additional information is available in multiple languages on FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage. If you have questions about the policy, please contact FCPS’ Office of Professional Learning and Equity at OPLFE@fcps.edu. FCPS has established an email address for staff, students, and families to report possible Trust Policy violations. If you feel someone has violated the Trust Policy, please email Trustviolations@fcps.edu.
|
School Safety and Security
We take the security of our students and our staff very seriously. All exterior doors are locked during the school day. Visitors are to ring the bell at Door 1 to gain access to the main office. Every visitor/adult who enters the building is monitored.
All visitors walking into Garfield ES must ring the doorbell, state their name and purpose of the visit, and come to the office with a valid driver’s license to sign in using the Visitor Management System (VMS). The VMS will issue each visitor a sticker that should always be worn when in the building.
To maintain the momentum of instruction, items brought to the office during school hours (lunch, supplies, homework, etc.) will be held in the office for students to pick up.
School Hours and General Information
 |
|
Our school hours are from 9:20 a.m. to 4:05 p.m. Monday through Friday. School doors open at 9:05 a.m. each day to begin receiving students.
Please call the attendance line at 703-923-2929 to report a tardy or absence.
|
Garfield Calendar
 |
|
- Dec 18 - 26 - Hanukkah
- Dec 19 - Jan 2 - No School, Winter Break
- Dec 25 - Christmas
- Jan 1 - New Years Day
- Jan 6 - Three Kings Day/Epiphany
- Jan 16 - MLK Day, No School
|
Garfield PTA
2022-23 School Calendar
View a printable version of the 2022-2023 calendar or find a list view of the calendar on the FCPS Calendar webpage.
Find us on Social Media!
Be Informed, Stay Involved!
• 2022-2023 School Year Calendar
• Visit the Garfield ES Website
• Report your Child's Absence
• Monitor your student's academics with a SIS Parent Account
• Join the Garfield PTA
• Recognize a FCPS Employee at FCPS CARES
|
