Garfield ES - Summer Update! Eagle Express: School News & Announcements

Eagle Express

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۔


Happy Summer

 

Like a sunflower, always turn your face to the sunshine. Wishing our Garfield Eagles a summer filled with laughter, sunny skies, and beautiful memories!


A Special Welcome from Principal Peerman!

Principal Peerman

Hello Garfield Families! I am beyond overjoyed to introduce myself as your new Principal! Joining this incredible community of students, parents, teachers, and staff fills me with great excitement and enthusiasm.

My commitment is to cultivate an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to achieve their fullest potential and be their best selves. Together, we will uphold our school's cherished values of academic excellence and a strong sense of community.

I am eagerly looking forward to meeting each and every one of you and collaborating to ensure a positive and enriching school experience for our Garfield Eagles. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, ideas, or concerns you may have.

As we continue to enjoy our summer, I wish you all continued blessings and joy!

Mrs. Peerman


Newsletter Name Change!

We're excited to announce a small change: our community newsletter has a new name! As you can see, our newsletter is now called: Eagle Express!  Rest assured, though, that while the name has changed, you can still expect the same great information and good news from our school community. We look forward to keeping you informed and connected in the upcoming school year!


📅 IMPORTANT 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR DATES

Please draw your attention to the early release Monday dates since they are new this year. Garfield will release at 2:10 pm these days. Please note that not all schools will have the same dates, so if you happen to have another child attending a school outside of the Lewis Pyramid, these dates might differ. A full list of schools can be found HERE

We also wanted to share with you the FCPS 2024-25 school year calendar as this will be helpful for planning trips and appointments. With attendance in mind, please do your best to align vacations and appointments to days students already have off of school.

Early Release Monday – 2:10 PM dismissal 🕑

  • September 16
  • October 21
  • November 18
  • February 10
  • March 10
  • April 21
  • May 12

Beginning of Year Events  

  • Garfield Community Bus Tour - Wednesday, August 14th - Afternoon

*Specific bus stop times will be shared later. 

  • Garfield Open House – Thursday, August 15th from 3:30pm – 4:30pm
  • First Day of School - Monday, August 19th 
  • Labor Day Holiday - Friday, August 30th - Monday, September 2nd 
  • Back To School Night – Thursday, September 19th - Time TBD

 

New Principal Coffee (Meet and greet with Mrs. Peerman) ☕

·        Thursday, August 1st  at 3:00pm – 3:45pm

·        Wednesday, August 14th at 9:00am – 9:45am


📚 Garfield’s Book Mobile is back this summer!

Bookmobile

 

The Bookmobile will be in your neighborhood…

 Thursdays: July 18, July 25, Aug 1 and Aug 8.

Here are the times.

~ 4:30pm - Lee Valley

~ 4:50pm - Spring Gardens

~ 5:10pm - Brocton Ct. playground

~ 5:30pm - Franklin Commons.

We hope to see you!


Rising Kindergarten Playdate!

Kindergarten Playdate

 

Do you have a rising Kindergarten student starting at Garfield this fall? Please come join our Kindergarten teachers at the playground for a playdate. Your child will have an opportunity to meet some of their classmates and teachers!

We will be serving popsicles as well :) 

Friday, July 26 at 11:00am 
Friday, August 9 at 11:00am 


Summer Office Hours

Our Main Office will be open daily, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 703-923-2900 to leave a voicemail requesting an appointment. 


Garfield Summer Meal Program 😋

June 13 - August 1, 2024

Breakfast 9:00 AM - 10:00AM

Lunch 12 noon - 1:00PM 

As part of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) efforts to ensure children have access to healthy meals during the summer months, FCPS is pleased to announce it will be participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Starting on June 13, all children and teens 18 and under can receive meals free of charge at the sites and times listed in https://www.fcps.edu/summer-meal-service-program. The meals will be provided regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability or age.

Garfield Elementary School has been selected as a summer program site during Summer 2024. Meals will be provided, on a first come, first served basis.


Summer Reading Adventure

Fairfax County Library 📖

Our Summer Reading Adventure is for YOUTH and ADULTS and participating is as easy as 1-2-3!

Go to fairfaxcounty.beanstack.org and register for the Summer Reading Adventure appropriate for you or your children. 

Depending on your age, earn ten or fifteen virtual badges by reading or listening to books, reading for 20 or 30 minutes, completing activities or a combination of all three.

Once you have met the reading goals for your age/grade, visit your local library branch and receive prizes for finishing the program!

Summer Reading

🩺INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs

Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5 and older with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at summer health fairs for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. The clinics will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates:

  • Saturday, July 20, at ICC for Children - Herndon
  • Saturday, August 17, at ICC for Children - Falls Church

Appointments are required; no walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.


Calling all Key Middle School Rising

7th Grade Students!

Rising 7th Grade

 

Sign up for Jump Start 2024

Key Middle School  

August 8, 2024 

9:00AM-1:00PM

 

Contact 

Ms. Kanishea Spencer at 

kfspencer@fcps.edu

if you have questions.


☎️ Family Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.


Be Informed, Stay Involved!

• 2024-2025 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!