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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۔
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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
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Principal's Corner
Dear Garfield Families,
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the midpoint of the academic year. It's with great joy and pride that I share with you the wonderful accomplishments of our school community as we celebrated the 100th day of school this week.
Throughout the week, our students participated in various activities centered around the theme of "100." It was heartwarming to see our classrooms buzzing with creativity as students arrived in outfits decked out with 100 items, showcasing their ingenuity and enthusiasm for learning.
Students embraced the spirit of the occasion by engaging in activities with 100 things, further reinforcing their numeracy skills and fostering a love for learning in a fun and interactive manner. From 100-piece puzzles to 100-word stories, the creativity and dedication displayed by our students were truly inspiring.
But the celebrations didn't stop there! As a school community, we set a goal to achieve 98% attendance for the entire school on this special day, and I am thrilled to announce that we succeeded! This remarkable feat speaks volumes about the commitment of our students, families, and staff to prioritize education and strive for excellence.
To commemorate this achievement and celebrate our students' hard work and dedication, we treated them to a special movie screening with popcorn in their classrooms at the end of the day. It was a delightful way to reward their efforts and create lasting memories together.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in nurturing the bright futures of our students. Here's to the next 100 days of adventure, discovery, and success!
All the best,
April L. Cage, NBCT, M.Ed.
Principal
Mr. Larry Jones
Interim Assistant Principal
Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read
FCPS funds the use of Lexia for all elementary and middle schools to use as part of their literacy instruction. Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. It also provides teachers with data to identify students who need additional support, and the ability to know which specific concepts and skills to prioritize.Attend an information night on Monday, February 12, at 6:30 p.m., at Thoreau Middle School. Parents/caregivers will learn more about Lexia, and how FCPS is integrating it into the classroom and supporting student growth in reading. Attendees will also get tips for supporting their students at home.
Register to attend or submit a question in advance. Unable to attend in person? Join on Zoom.
Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.
President's Day - Feb 19 (Holiday)
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!!
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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!
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Here Comes the Bus
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.
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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
🥁 Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps
Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.
Tech Adventure Camp is available for current grade K-5 students to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.
Tutor.com Teacher-Referred Tutoring
Through Schoology®, all FCPS students have 24/7 access to no-cost, year-round, on-demand, 1-to-1 tutoring services through Tutor.com.
A new Teacher-Referred Tutoring program feature provides targeted support and extends student learning. Teachers can now refer students for tutoring, with their specific needs already identified. Students can get extra support — on their own schedule — and reinforce their in-class learning.
Caregivers can guide students to access expert tutoring, homework help, and writing support by clicking on the Tutor.com icon in their Schoology portal—anytime, anywhere.
Plus, look for teachers’ tutoring session referrals on the Tutor.com homepage.
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
Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools
Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts.
If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School.
Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.
Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.
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
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.
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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 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
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School Hours and General Information
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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.
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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
Find us on Social Media!
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!
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