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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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Starting a new school can be scary, but our Eagles are always there for each other. So sweet to be able to capture this moment where one of our Eagles helped a new Eagle on the way to class. And helped make the first days not so intimidating. "In the Nest, we Connect, Protect, and Respect."
Important Dates & Reminders
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April 22: Earth Day!
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April 22-30: Passover
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April 24: Administrative Professionals Day, Theravada New Year
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April 26: Lewis Pyramid Soccer Night, 7:15PM Lewis HS Football Stadium
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April 29 - May 2: Garfield Staff Appreciation Week
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April 30: 6th Grade Reading SOL Administered (Standards of Learning Assessment)
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May 1: 5th Grade Reading SOL Administered (Standards of Learning Assessment)
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May 2: 1st Grade Field Trip - National History Museum
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May 2: Garfield Summer Program Registration Night, 5:00-7:00PM
- May 3: No School for Students/ Teacher Workday
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Principal's Corner
 We had a wonderful week at Garfield ES! Ms. Manning (pictured above), our new assistant principal, started on Monday! We welcomed her with breakfast, smiles and hugs and introduced her to students on Garfield Network News! Throughout the week Ms. Manning visited classrooms, met students, and had lots of fun getting to know everyone.
Earth Day is Monday, April 22, 2024. Congratulations to Mrs. Shanahan and the Get2Green Team who were awarded a grant and will recieve new plants for the school courtyard.
Administrative Professional Day is Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Please show your love for our front office team, Mrs. Deese and Mrs. Rothman, on this special day! They always have smiles on their face and a willing heart to help students, families, and staff.
Have a wonderful week.
Sincerely,
Linda Ferguson Liz Manning Larry Jones
Interim Principal Assistant Principal Interim Assistant Principal
Garfield's Standard of Learning (SOL) Assessments Dates
Students in grades 3-5 will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests between April 29 and May 17, 2024. Make up tests will occur through May 31. It is important that your child attend school on their test days. If possible, please avoid scheduling trips or appointments that would take your child out of school during their designated testing days. Also, you anticipate that your child will miss school during this window due to observed religious holidays, let your child’s teacher know and we will schedule your child’s tests accordingly.
It will help your child to perform at their best if they have had a good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast, and come to school with a positive attitude.
Testing Schedule:
- Tuesday, April 30 – 6th Grade Reading SOL
- Wednesday, May 1 – 5th Grade Reading SOL
- Thursday, May 2 – NO SOL Testing
- Friday, May 3 - NO School for Students/Teacher Workday
- Monday, May 6 - NO SOL Testing
- Tuesday, May 7 - 4th Grade Reading SOL
- Wednesday, May 8 - 5th Grade Mathematics SOL
- Thursday, May 9 - 3rd Grade Reading SOL
- Friday, May 10 - 6th & 7th Grade Mathematics SOL
- Monday, May 13 - No SOL Testing
- Tuesday, May 14 - 4th Grade Mathematics SOL
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Spotlight on Garfield!
 On Wednesday, April 17th, the Principal Coffee featured a presentation from the Fairfax Connector Service. Parents heard about the benefits of the bus service and how to ride for free. Students got to tour the brand new electric bus and recieved books and crayons. We thank Mrs. Melody Wheatley, our Family Liaison, for organizing this event.
Should you need assistance, Mrs. Wheatly can be reached via email at mdwheatley@fcps.edu
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon
FCPS students in grades 3-12 took the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener during March, providing updated information on skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported.
In late April, individual student SEL Screener results will be available for families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.
Get more information about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For support in understanding your individual student’s results or ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s [teacher or counselor].
Summer Arts Camp
Don’t miss out on this summer’s most exciting arts enrichment program! At Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA), students take art, music, theater, and dance classes daily. E-IFTA is for current second through fifth grade students. Learn more on the E-IFTA webpage. Email EIFTA@fcps.edu with any questions.
⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times
FCPS is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Register for an in-person forum by clicking on one of the following dates:
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Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
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Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
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Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
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Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.
A virtual forum will be held on Monday, May 13, 6:30-8 p.m. That registration link will be available soon.
While registration is not required, it does help with planning. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.
Passover and Half-O Days
Passover and Half-O DaysMany Jewish communities in the United States celebrate Passover, a recognition of the deliverance of Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Passover is also known as Pesah, Pesach, or the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Many Jewish families in the United States eat a ceremonial meal known as the Seder, which involves telling the story of the exodus from Egypt as well as eating various symbolic foods, such as meat of the paschal lamb and bitter herbs, recalling the harsh life of slavery. Learn more about Passover in NatGeo Kids.
Monday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 23, are designated half-O days in recognition of the first two days of Passover. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete school year calendar.
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Lewis High School is sponsoring a Soccer Night!
Friday, April 26, 2024
7:15PM
Lewis Football Stadium
Children get in free and recieve a free T-Shirt with a paying adult.
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Join us for Garfield ES Summer Program Registration Night!
Come and preregister for summer programs!
This is an annual special Garfield tradition. Representatives from different organizations are invited to come Garfield with hopes of making registration for summer programs more convenient for families.
Plus, Kona Ice has donated treats for the students.
See you Thursday, May 2nd, 5:00-7:00PM on the blacktop behind the school.
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LAST CALL! Pre-Order Yearbook Today! Deadline April 28!
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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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Nominations Open for the
Bussey Memorial Equity Award
The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families. Read more about Dr. Bussey.
This award recognizes staff or community members who have demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any FCPS employee, student, or community member can nominate an individual or group for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1. The winner will be recognized at the FCPS Equity Symposium on Tuesday, June 18.
Full details and the nomination information form are available on the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage. Click to edit this placeholder text.
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April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families.
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Muslim American Heritage Month
Muslim American Heritage Month is a time for celebrating the history, contributions, culture, and an enhanced understanding of the diverse population of Muslim Americans. View the Fairfax County School Board resolution honoring Muslim American Heritage Month.
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FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Spring Assessments
- Family Conference
- Community Forums on Middle School Start Times
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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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.
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.
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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