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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.
이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.
.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى
Dear GFES Families,
📅Looking ahead to next week, we have another full calendar of activities! Monday is a full day of classes followed by a student holiday on Tuesday, March 5 - Virginia Primary Election Day. When we return on Wednesday, we have Spring Picture Day. On top of it all, we will celebrate Read Across America week with fun activities geared toward promoting strong literacy, encouraging a love for reading among children, and fostering lifelong learning habits. This year’s theme celebrates the diversity of literature and the joy of storytelling, enriching cultural understanding and empathy.
🏫Kindergarten Orientation is also coming up on April 12. Please share the word with any new neighbors or families of rising kindergarten students. Information about registration is also included in the message below. Early registration for all grade levels helps us plan for the upcoming year including hiring classroom teachers. Families with new students in any grade level (K-6) can contact our front office to begin the registration process.
🎵March is "Music in Our Schools" month, and all students at Great Falls ES will participate in March Music Madness with Mrs. Forrest. Each day, on the school news show, students will listen to two songs submitted by their teachers and vote on which song they like better. Mrs. Forrest will fill out a bracket outside the music room based on the classroom votes to see which song reigns supreme as the Champion of March Music Madness!
🌙 This year, the first full day of Ramadan is Monday, March 11. In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity and good deeds. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.
Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact Sara Harper regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
We are looking forward to another great month of learning with you,
Sara Harper
Calendar Updates:
March 4 - 8 Read Across America Week
March 4 - After School Program Registration Opens
March 5 - Presidential Primary - No School for Students
March 6 - Spring Pictures
March 10 - Daylight Savings Begins (Spring Forward)
March 13 - All Day Spirit Event at MOD Pizza - Reston
March 11-22 - Celebrate Great Falls Online Auction
March 15 - SCA Spirit Day
March 17 - Registration Closes for After School Program
March 21 - Diversity Showcase (World Fair and Art Show)
March 22 - 3rd Quarter Ends
March 25 - April 2 - Spring Break
April 12 - Kindergarten Orientation
Click here to view the 2023-2024 school year calendar.
Click here to view the 2024-2025 school year calendar.
Click here to read last week's GFES PTA newsletter updates.
Read Across America Week Is Coming
While you're celebrating Read Across America Week, you can also practice and model strong Portrait of a Graduate Communicator skills for your students. In next week's Tuesday folders, we're sending home fun ideas to practice communicating with your child around reading!
Kindergarten and New Student Registrations for 2024-25 Now Underway
We are now accepting kindergarten registrations! Students must be 5 years old by September 30th, 2024.
If you know anyone who has a rising kindergartener (or 1st-6th student who will attend Great Falls Elementary), please encourage them to begin registration as soon as possible. Notifying our office of your intent to register or complete registration helps our school secure staffing for the upcoming school year.
If you would like to register your child, begin your Kindergarten and New Student Registration today!
If you have any questions, please contact our Student Information Assistant (SIA), Abeer El Gharib, by calling the main office at 703-757-2100.
Save the Date! Kindergarten Orientation is April 12th
We will hold an in-person Kindergarten Orientation for rising Kindergarten students and their parents on Friday, April 12 at 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Please let us know of your intent to register for Kindergarten so we can send you all the information regarding Kindergarten Orientation and let us know if you'll be able to join us for Orientation!
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Spring Picture Day is Coming!
Spring and Class Pictures will be on Wednesday, March 6, 2024! You will be able to view and order your child’s photos in their online gallery approximately ten days after picture day. If you have any questions leading up to picture day, please reach out to Victor O’Neill Studios by emailing Underclass@vosphoto.com.
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Register for Spring After School PTA Programs!
Spring Session for our after school programs is almost here!
Registration OPENS: Monday, March 4th @ 8am
Registration CLOSES: Sunday, March 17th @ 11:59pm
More details and registration be found at this link:
http://bc-ffx-greatfalls.jumbula.com/
SCA Spirit Day
✅ Look for the FCPS Family Engagement Survey This Sunday
Parents/caregivers will receive the FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey Sunday, March 3, from independent research firm K12 Insight. Please participate — your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve practices to best support our students.
Taking this survey will also help strengthen the partnership between your family and our school. When that partnership is strong, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, better social skills and behavior, and an increased likelihood of graduating high school.
The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete and will be available in 10 languages. Please visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage for more information. Your voice matters!
💭 Share Your Thoughts on Schoology
FCPS will be conducting voluntary, anonymous surveys on the use of Schoology from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 22. Surveys will be delivered to:
- Elementary students (grades 3-6) through the Schoology App Center.
- Secondary students via email from Naviance.
Student feedback will inform the school division’s use of Schoology and help improve its processes, communication, and professional learning for staff. FCPS’ Instructional Services Department will also be reaching out to families through focus groups.
Please contact Schoology@fcps.edu if you have questions.
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