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Upcoming Events
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October 3 - Rosh Hashanah (Holiday)
October 4 - Teacher Workday (No School)
October 14 - Staff Development
October 16 – Parent Coffee
October 21 - 3 Hour Early Release
October 24 – Picture Day
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Please bookmark the FCPS School Calendar to stay informed about school holidays, breaks, and observances.
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Sign and Return Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Document
The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses.
Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage.
This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30.
Meet Garfield’s Student Services/Wellness Team!
 Janet Dougherty – School Counselor - jrdougherty@fcps.edu
Cindy Diaz – Social Worker - chdiaz@fcps.edu
Dana Mattioli – School Psychologist - dmmattioli@fcps.edu
It’s been a great start to the school year! As we continue forward, we want to share ways how our Garfield Student Services/Wellness Team can be a resource for you! Contact our amazing team with any questions or concerns!
School Counselors help set the foundation for students to become confident, successful learners by working closely with teachers, parents, and the community. Counselors focus on education, prevention, and early intervention, addressing social and emotional issues to help students succeed academically, explore career possibilities, and develop essential life skills. We support student through: Classroom Lessons, Group Counseling, Individual Counseling, Collaboration, Consultation, etc.
School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic, and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling. School social workers help to meet academic potential, competence and confidence especially where home, school and community collaboration is the key to achieving student success.
School psychologists help support the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health needs of students. They utilize a range of evidence-based assessment, intervention, and consultation strategies to help students overcome challenges, develop their strengths, and achieve success in the classroom and beyond. As members of various student support teams, they collaborate with staff and families to facilitate access to learning, support positive behaviors, and enhance mental health and wellness.
Behavior Resource Teacher helps students by working with teachers to support positive behavior in the classroom. They collaborate with teachers to create and use effective strategies for student needs, help with behavior plans, and provide support during challenging situations. Additionally, they work directly with students when they struggle with behavior, helping them find positive ways to manage their emotions and actions. They also assist in building strong student-teacher relationships and ensure that behavior programs work well for everyone.
Blue Star Welcome Week
Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging to their school communities. Fairfax County Public Schools will intentionally celebrate and acknowledge Blue Star Welcome Week.
Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community.
Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Throughout the week, FCPS helped ease their transition through events, messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections.
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At Garfield, we proudly display our Blue Star tree in the main office window, showcasing the names of our active-duty military students. We've also prepared goodie bags and sent warm welcoming messages to these families. On Friday, September 27, we invite all staff and students to wear blue and gold to show their support for our military students.
A special thank you goes to Mrs. Wheatley, our dedicated parent liaison, for her incredible efforts in coordinating our events. Your hard work makes a difference—thank you, Mrs. Wheatley!
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Upcoming Immunization Clinics
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Upcoming Immunization Clinics
Does your child need school-required immunizations? If so, please check out the options below.
Free Immunizations for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:
- Tuesday, October 8, 3-7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Elementary School Clinics
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.
Middle and High School Clinics
FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.
Clinics are being scheduled beginning Tuesday, October 1. Visit the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.
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🗓️ Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events
Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.
When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence.
Watch this video with tips on understanding our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage
Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.
In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit.
The FCPS website has gun safety resources as well as detailed information about safety and security practices at schools. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources.
Safely Store Firearms and Medications
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more.
Quick Links
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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