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Upcoming Events
August 30 - Holiday
September 2 - Holiday
September 16 - 3 Hour Early Release
September 19 - Back to School Night
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Save the Date:
Back to School Night - Sept. 19th
 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.
NOTIFICATION OF TESTING
Elementary Academic Screening and Growth Tests
Grades 3-6
The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 3-6. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments under the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests) provides more information on these tests.
- iReady Math - all students scheduled to take the spring Standards of Learning (SOL)
- iReady Reading - all students scheduled to take the spring SOL
- Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) - only select grade 3 students
Elementary teachers assess all grade 3-6 students with iReady Math and iReady Reading in fall, winter, and spring. Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. Teachers set specific testing dates for each class. General timing for required screening and growth tests is available on the Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/student-tests-assessments/grade-level-tests).
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may require additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher or the school's test coordinator.
SIS ParentVUE
Want to get ahead of the back-to-school forms and checklists? Make sure you have a SIS ParentVUE account for your family and log in to find forms and updates.
If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, contact your child's school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
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 needed for updates and submit it to their child’s school.
Complete Permission Forms
Families can now easily grant 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 a variety 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 to the platform and click “Report Absence.” Note: Partial day absences and changes of transportation should still be reported directly to your school’s front office.
 Subscribe to Calendars
FCPS School Calendar
Subscribe to FCPS' calendars to keep up to date with all events and holidays. You can subscribe and have everything right on your phone or computer calendar, synced and ready to keep you on time and aware.
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: Early Release Monday Survey Form 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.
Safety Drills
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
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🎤 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:
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Monday, September 9, at Holmes Middle School
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Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
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Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
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Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary
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Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary
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Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle
Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Cell Phones Off, Learning On
Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact the school’s front office to reach your child during class time.
Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.
🙋 Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Solve the Puzzle Before It’s Gone!
Fairfax County's Puzzle Hunt will end on Sunday, September 15. Families have been solving puzzles and finding clues all summer in this unique community event that takes solvers on a journey to the wonderful parks in Fairfax County. There is still time to join before it ends!
Puzzles are filled with creative thinking, logic, and wordplay. They are designed to be completed with friends and family and are challenging and accessible for all skill levels. Solve the puzzles, then find clues at the parks for a final meta-puzzle. Visit our wonderful local parks with friends and family.
YOUR PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
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
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