Garfield ES - Eagle Express: School News & Announcements

Eagle Express

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Come Soar with Us

Garfield Families: 

We want to extend our deepest gratitude for the incredible start to this new school year!  The energy, enthusiasm, and positivity that filled our hallways and classrooms during the first week have been nothing short of amazing.

The dedication of our teachers, staff, and students has created a warm and welcoming environment, setting the stage for a year of maximizing student potential. We’re especially impressed by how effortlessly our Eagles have settled into their new routines, eagerly and resiliently embracing every new moment back at school.

A special thank you goes out to our amazing community for your unwavering support. Your commitment to your children’s success is truly remarkable, and it’s an honor to serve our students and families.

As we move forward, our excitement is boundless as we anticipate the remarkable achievements our students will undoubtedly accomplish. Together, we’re going to make this year a standout—brimming with learning, growth, and everything that makes Garfield truly exceptional!

Blessings and Joy,

Mrs. Peerman, Principal
Ms. Manning, Assistant Principal


Save the Date:

Back to School Night - Sept. 19th 

Back to School Night

Important Reminders

  • Doors open at 9:05 a.m. for students.
  • Students should be in their classrooms by 9:20 a.m.
  • School ends at 4:05 p.m.

Please Read Our

Garfield Caregiver/Parent Handbook

2024-2025 Garfield Caregiver Handbook


Family Responses Needed ASAP!

Early Release Mondays

The Early Release Mondays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development.  Students will be dismissed 3 hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route.  However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship because of the early release Mondays for many of our families.  To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who need it.  The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

 

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

 

To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/UKVwYV17mYiGXXf87 for each of your children who are enrolled at Garfield Elementary.

The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 16, 2024 and October 21, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after-school supervision plan for each student.


Everything You Can Do Through SIS ParentVUE

Want to easily access back-to-school forms and checklists? Log in to your SIS ParentVUE account to find forms and make updates.

Update Contact Information

Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in SIS ParentVUE. To update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon. 

Parents/caregivers who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account should print and complete the Emergency Care Information Form (PDF) and submit it to their child’s school.

Complete Permission Forms

Families can now easily give permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.

Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool

Submit Absences

Parents can submit daylong absences through SIS ParentVUE. Log in and click “Report Absence.” Note: Partial day absences and changes of transportation should still be reported directly to the school front office. 

Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?Contact your school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage


Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. 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 and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. 

If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. 

Find more information on immunizations on the FCPS website. 


✨ Our Commitment to Excellence, Equity, and Opportunity for Each and Every Student

Strategic plan

As we begin a new school year, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid reminds us of the goals of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which guides us in delivering excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every one of our students. Watch Dr. Reid’s message.


Transportation Patience and Safety

Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your children’s buses. 

If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150 with any additional questions. For any concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000. 

To make sure you receive email messages about bus delays, update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE.


🔍 Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.


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.


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!


SIS ParentVue Account 

QR Code SIS Account

Access the FCPS secure solution for information about your child's attendance, class performance, demographic data, and more.

https://www.fcps.edu/services/technology/student-information-system-sis/sis-parent-account-registration


Here comes the Bus Mobile App 

QR Code Here comes the bus

Know when your bus is approaching your stop. You will need the FCPS school district code 28982 and a Student Information System (SIS) Parent Account.

fcps.edu/resources/safety-and-transportation/transportation-services/here-comes-bus- mobile-app


News You Choose 

News you choose

Subscribe to Garfield’s weekly email newsletter, The Eagle Express.  It has important information, dates, events to stay connected during the year.

fcps.edu/node/47432


FCPS Calendar 

FCPS Calendar

Calendar of holidays, observances breaks, and early release days for the current and upcoming school years.

fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar


YOUR PARTNERS IN EDUCATION

Principal Picture

 

We are in this together!!  We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with your family this year and will work every day to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. Please contact us when there is a question or concern. Thank you for your support and being part of our team!

Your Garfield Partner Principals,

Mrs. Peerman, Principal,  Klpeerman@fcps.edu
Ms. Manning, Assistant Principal, eamanning1@fcps.edu