Garfield ES - Talon Tales

talon Tales

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۔


Upcoming Events

 

  • Feb. 19 - President's Day, No School 
  • Feb. 28 - Parent Coffee, 10 am 
  • March 1 - Dance Assembly, 2pm
  • March 5 - No School, Planning Day 
  • March 25-29 - Spring Break, No School
  • April 1-2 - No School, Teacher Workday(s)
  • April 10 - Eid al Fitr, No School 

Principal's Corner 

Dear Garfield Families, 

This week, 3rd graders were leaders in their class by teaching multiplication strategies to their peers. The lesson kept their classmates engaged as they were building their communication skills through active listening! 

We took a take a trip back in time for the 90th day of school! We dusted off our flannel shirts, broke out the neon colors, and of course we couldn't forget the scrunchies and snap bracelets! We grooved to some throwback tunes, busted out our best 90's slang, and showed off our raddest 90's fashion. It was all that and a bag of chips! 

We will be celebrating the 100th day of school on Thursday, February 8th! Can you believe we've already reached this milestone? Let's celebrate all the hard work, learning, and fun we've had in these first 100 days. Here's to many more days of growth, discovery, and laughter ahead! Our teachers are planning a variety of engaging activities for the 100th day of school and we can't wait to see all the creative outfits from our Eagles and staff. 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

All the best, 

April L. Cage, NBCT, M.Ed.
Principal

Mr. Larry Jones 
Interim Assistant Principal 

Talon tales highlights

President's Day - Feb 19 (Holiday)

President's Day graphic

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, for the Presidents Day holiday. Learn more about Presidents Day in Britannica.com. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 20. See the complete school year calendar.


FY 2025 Proposed Budget

Superintendent to Present FY 2025 Proposed Budget

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will present the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Reid’s presentation, as well as other budget documents, will be available after she presents to the board. 

View the meeting on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, or the FCPS website. To watch School Board meetings dubbed in Spanish, please visit the FCPS en Español YouTube channel.

If you would like language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the board clerk. Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.

 


Pre-Order Yearbook Today!! 

Lifetouch Yearbooks

Garfield ES Yearbook Preorder Online

Visit https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/ and type in Yearbook ID Code: 14463724

Cost $20.00

We will have a limited amount of Yearbooks for sale at the end of the school year. Order ahead now to ensure your student receives their Yearbook for 2023-24! 


Here Comes the Bus

bus driver

Want to know if your child's bus is on schedule or where the bus is? Here Comes the Bus® is an easy-to-use website and app that enables parents to see the location of their child’s school bus — almost in real time — on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. 

Parents can track multiple buses if their children don’t all ride the same bus; know exactly when children arrive at school or the bus stop; and receive customized text and/or email notifications about bus locations, schedule changes, or delays.

To get started, download the app from the Apple iOS or Android app store. Check out the Here Comes the Bus and Frequently Asked Questions webpages for more information.

Already using the Here Comes the Bus app? Send your feedback to HCTB@fcps.edu.  

Note: eNotify text messaging will continue to be used for reporting bus delays and bus incidents.


Garfield Family/Parent Liaison Corner 

Ms. Melody Wheatley, our Family Liaison, will use this space to post updates relevant to all families at Garfield Elementary School. 

She can be reached via email at mdwheatley@fcps.edu 


Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter.


Black History Month 

Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about Black History month


Safe Students, Safe Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools believes that academic success is built on the foundation of a safe learning environment. This includes physical safety, and mental health and wellness. 

FCPS has a comprehensive approach to safety that involves physical security measures, online monitoring by security staff, and crisis intervention support. The division has created the Safe Students, Safe Schools Brochure (PDF) to enhance your awareness of potential hazards and to equip you with practical tips for how you can help. Visit the FCPS website for more information.


Garfield School Safety and Security

Safety and Security

We take the security of our students and our staff very seriously. All exterior doors are locked during the school day as well as the gates allowing access to the playground and blacktop. Visitors are required to ring the bell at Door #1 to gain access to the main office. Every visitor/adult who enters the building is monitored.

If you plan on entering the school building, you must bring with you a valid Driver’s License OR Photo ID/Passport 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. Visitors will need to check-out at the main office upon leaving and discard the sticker. We will not be able to allow visitors into the building without proper ID. FCPS Office of Safety and Security requires this procedure to keep all students and staff safe. 

Additionally, 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 during instructional breaks. 


What is ParentVue and How You Can Sign Up

If you do not already have a ParentVUE SIS account, sign up now to monitor and support your child’s academic success! Through ParentVUE, you are able to monitor your student’s attendance, grades, and assignments at any time. You can also access special reports for your student like progress reports and assessments score reports. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. SIS ParentVUE can be accessed using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVue account? This video walks you through the steps on how to do so. You can also find out more about SIS ParentVUE on our website.


Title I at Garfield ES

Title I

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


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 PTA

Help us build a stronger future together! 

The PTA is an integral part of our school. Your involvement in our PTA is not just a commitment to your child's education, but an investment in the future success of our school as a whole. 

The PTA is a vital link between parents and the school. By joining, you'll have the opportunity to actively participate in decision-making processes, share valuable insight, and contribute to the overall improvement of the school experience for our students. 

Joining the board, and attending meetings allows you to share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Your perspective is vital in shaping the direction of our school. 

We are small but mighty and need your support to continue enhancing extracurricular activities, school-wide events like Movie Nights or the Fall Festival, field trip opportunities, improving facilities, and updating technology.

 

Current BOARD MEMBER vacancies: 

PTA President 

Secretary 

 

Please contact our PTA Vice President, Sana Malik at msana667@gmail.com, if you are interested in one of these positions. They require only a small time commitment each month. 

If you would like to become a member and help by volunteering at events, please join/renew by clicking here. 

 


2023-24 School Calendar

Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.

  • Days marked with blue Hs are student holidays. 
  • Days marked with orange Os are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). 
  • Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and the start of each month coincides with the birth of a new moon. The date of Eid a- Fitr is regionally decided, which can lead to unexpected date changes. Eid al-Fitr is currently slated to begin at sunset on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, and last through sundown Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Tuesday is designated a half-O day, and Wednesday is a holiday, with all schools and offices being closed. If the day for Eid changes after the school year begins, the calendar may be adjusted

Calendar

Find us on Social Media!

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Be Informed, Stay Involved!

• 2023-2024 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 . The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Garfield Elementary School. We love our staff members; let's tell them how we feel!