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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 Great Falls ES Families,
A total solar eclipse will occur this Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m. The maximum eclipse will occur around 3:20 p.m. during our GFES dismissal time; therefore, our classrooms will stream the eclipse live from the NASA website.
Streaming through the NASA website will allow our students to view the eclipse in the most optimal format with commentary and models provided by experts within the astronomy community. Because the eclipse timing overlaps with dismissal, students must understand the importance of safe viewing practices while transitioning home. Our teachers and staff will reinforce the following guidelines as students exit the building and ride the bus:
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Don't look at the sun without approved eyewear. This applies to students and staff; we encourage you to reinforce this at home.
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Regular sunglasses are not good enough. The NASA website has more information about eye safety.
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We will not be providing school issued eclipse glasses for students. We understand some parents have purchased them for their children, and we will allow them to be worn outside and on the bus rides home.
- PM recess will be indoors.
Should you wish to take your children out of school to view the eclipse from outside as a family, please feel free to do so. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information, and support our efforts for safe viewing by reminding children about eclipse safe viewing practices.
Thank you!
Sara Harper
Calendar Updates:
April 10 - Eid (School Holiday)
April 12 - Kindergarten Orientation
April 12 - Spirit Day
April 15 - 19 - Scholastic Book Fair/Sister School Book Drive
April 17 - Spirit Day - Wear purple to support our military families!
April 18 - Diversity Showcase (World Fair and Art Show)
April 30 - 6th Grade Reading SOL
May 2 - 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Reading SOL
May 3 - Orthodox Good Friday (Student Holiday)
Click here to read last week's GFES PTA newsletter updates.
Click here to view the 2023-2024 school year calendar.
Click here to view the 2024-2025 school year calendar
📸Spring Pictures Available Now
Head over to vosphoto.com/uc and enter your student's ID number to view. Free shipping is available for a limited time!
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🔎Lost and Found
Please take a moment to check through our lost and found items in the front vestibule. All unclaimed items will be donatd on April 12!
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Kindergarten Orientation
🧸 Can't attend orientation this Friday?
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process.
💻 Try Online Registration
Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process.
When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account. Please note that passwords should be more than 12 characters long. If you have an existing account and your password is shorter, please update it when you log in.
📅Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize children from military families for their contributions and sacrifices. We recognize that children serve too! Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth in our student body.
GFES will help Celebrate the Month of the Military Child with weekly activities for April 2024. Show your support by dressing up on these days!
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RED Friday - Wear RED every Friday to “Remember Everyone Deployed”
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Purple Up! Day, Wednesday, April 17th - Wear Purple to show your support for military-connected youth! Purple represents military youth because purple combines all the colors of the military branches!
SCA Spirit Day
⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times
Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. Prismatic Services, Inc., an educational consulting firm, will lead the forums. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule:
Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.
Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.
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