Garfield ES - 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۔


back to school

Dear Eagle Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year!

It is our sincere hope that you’ve had a wonderful summer as a family.  The new school year is just around the corner, and we are thrilled to see both new and returning students fill our halls with energy and enthusiasm. We know our Eagles are ready to soar to new heights, embracing our motto: "In the Nest, we do our best to Connect, Protect, and Respect."

We are looking forward to an incredible year of deepening connections with and among families, honoring student voice, and continuing to offer our students high quality, engaging learning experiences. We are inspired by the opportunities that lie ahead for our school family this year.

So, get ready to soar together, Garfield! Our teachers and staff are excited to see you soon and have planned lots of exciting opportunities for you to learn and grow in the 2024-2025 school year.

Blessings and Joy,

Mrs. Peerman, Principal
Ms. Manning, Assistant Principal


First Day of School

The first day of the 2024-25 school year is
Monday, August 19, 2024!

Doors open at 9:05 am and classes begin promptly at 9:20 am!


📅 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 1:05 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 – 1:05 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 soon

  • 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

back to school

 

Join us…

Thursday, August 15th 3:30 – 4:30

We are so excited to see our Eagles and welcome them back to school!

Please join us for a fun event where you will be able to meet your child's teacher, receive important information, and learn more about Garfield Elementary. 


SIS ParentVue Account

Access the FCPS secure solution for information about your child's attendance, class performance, demographic data, and more.  Activate your account or sign in by clicking here.


Important Back to School Forms!

The new Parent Digital Consent site is live!

Student consent forms previously available on ParentVue have been moved to the Parent Digital Consent System (PDC). Families can log into the PDC using their ParentVue credentials to complete consent forms assigned to their child.  If you have a new ParentVue account, you must wait 24 hours after it is created to use the PDC.

Forms available include:

  • School Counseling Opt-out
  • Digital Resources Consent
  • SEL Screener Opt-Out
  • Family Life Education Opt-out
  • SOL Retest Permission
  • Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public
  • Objection to Release of Information to Outside Organizations

Get The App and Save the Site!

Now would be a great time to download important FCPS apps and bookmark key pages to set you up for the school year. Below are our recommendations and their specific use. 

Apps: 

  • ParentVue - The SIS ParentVUE Account (Student Information System ParentVUE Account) is the FCPS secure solution for accessing information about your child's attendance, class performance, demographic data, and link to Schoology. It provides an additional conduit for communication with your child's school. 
  • Here Comes the Bus- Know when your bus is approaching your stop! Here Comes the Bus® app is a school bus tracking app that provides real-time bus location. This helps parents and students get to the bus stop on time. Here Comes the Bus® utilizes our GPS data and available on multiple devices. FCPS school district code 28982 and you will need your ParentVue app set up first.
  • Talking Points – Talking Points is an easy and safe way families can communicate in their home languages with their child’s teachers for free. We will be using this platform to communicate with you about your child’s education and progress.

Bookmarks: 

  • Nutrislice  - Find out what’s for lunch each day!
  • MySchoolBucks - Online payment for student fees, lunch accounts, and school store items are available through the MySchoolBucks School Store. This online payment service provides a quick and easy way to pay for school-related purchases. You will be able to pay for a variety of school fees using credit/debit cards or electronic checks.

Medication Drop Off:

If your child requires medication at school, either emergency or regularly used, our medication drop off will be on Thursday, August 15th during our Open House!


Immunizations

In Virginia, it's required by law for students to have certain immunizations to attend school. This is supported by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health, and FCPS Regulation 2101.

Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.

You can check your child’s immunization compliance by accessing ParentVUE

Families of students with incomplete immunization records need to provide acceptable proof of immunization to their child's school as soon as possible. You can find the list of required immunizations on the General Registration Immunizations webpage.

If your child’s immunizations are incomplete, here's what you need to do:

  1. Get your child’s immunization record from one of these places:
  • Request immunization records for free through the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS).
  • If your child was immunized outside Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
  • Request records from your healthcare provider. Some may charge for copies.
  • Submit your child’s immunization record to your child’s school.

Families should submit their child’s completed immunization records before September 30. 

Please visit FCPS’ website for more information. If you would like to speak with an FCPS staff member, please leave a message at one of the phone numbers below. Thank you for supporting our students' health and well-being.


FCPS School Year 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. 

Multilingual Parent Information Line

️ Parent Information Phone Line 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.

Spanish: ☎️ Línea Telefónica de Información para Padres Disponible en Ocho IdiomasPadres/cuidadores que hablan Amárico, Árabe, Chino, Farsi, Coreano, Español, Urdu o Vietnamita pueden llamar a una línea telefónica de información para obtener información general sobre FCPS. También pueden obtener apoyo para comunicarse con la escuela de su hijo. Vea la lista de números de teléfono.


Our Voices, Our Future

Multilingual Learners Summit

Photo
  • Thursday, August 8, 2024
  • Annandale High School
  • 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Keynote Speaker Dr. José Luis Zelaya

Dr. Zelaya’s story shows the strength of community and resilience. As a first-generation college student, he faced many challenges. Today, he inspires others to follow their dreams and believe in themselves.

Be inspired and get valuable information on how to achieve your dreams!


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!