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August 18th: First Day of School!
Tears and Cheers Coffee at Katies Coffee - 9:00am
August 25th: Back to School Night (K-3) - 5:30 - 6:45pm (parents/caregivers only)
August 27th: Back to School Night (4-6) - 5:30 - 6:45pm (parents/caregivers only)
** JIP classrooms will have different times sent by JIP teacher **
August 29th and September 1st: Labor Day Break - No School
September 9th: Special Election - No School
September 10th: Early Release Wednesday (Dismissal at 12:35pm)
September 12th: Chick Fil-A Spirit Event
September 17th: Principal's Coffee at 9:00am in Great Falls ES Cafeteria
September 19th: Movie Night!
FCPS School Year Calendar for 2025-2026
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Tears and Cheers Parent Coffee - MONDAY at Katie's Coffee at 9:00am
The first day of school is bittersweet! For kindergarten parents, it marks a major milestone that might bring on the tears. For 6th grade parents, it is usually cause for major celebration! No matter your place in the parenting cycle, join us for coffee at 9am at Katie's Coffee in the Village!
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Don't Delay, JOIN THE PTA TODAY!
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP REMINDER
Even if you joined last year, you'll need to renew/join each year to receive the great benefits year after year, along with supporting the amazing programs we provide our students and staff.
Membership is only $20 for families and $5 for faculty and supports PTA operations, gives you voting rights at all PTA general meetings and entry into raffles for tickets and parking for PTA events!
Join Now >> https://www.gfespta.com/membership
Roadrunner Giving Campaign
The Roadrunner Giving Campaign is our annual no-fuss direct donation fundraiser! 100% of RGC donations are reinvested into our school to benefit students and staff! ANY amount helps our school (and donations are fully tax-deductible)!
We have two wonderful raffle opportunities for families that donate! If you donate $250 or more by 10/31/25 you will be entered into the Assistant Principal for the Day raffle and if you donate $400 or more by 10/31/25 you will be entered into the Principal for the Day raffle!
Roadrunner Giving Campaign donations help with
- Software Licenses to Support Learning
- STEAM Lab
- Art Enrichment
- Cultural Arts Assemblies
- Before and After School Programs
- Professional Development for Staff
Plus, so much more!!
At our first general PTA meeting of the year, we will share what the PTA’s goals and how we will actively assist our students, teachers and families.
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Become a Corporate Sponsor!
If anyone - person, family, company - is interested in becoming a Corporate Sponsor, please click HERE to learn more on how our school can benefit from your sponsorship as well as promoting your business throughout the school year!
Questions about the Roadrunner Giving Campaign or becoming a Corporate Sponsor? Please reach out to fundraisingvp@gfespta.com and/or president@gfespta.com. Thank you so much!
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Principal's Coffee - Wednesday September 17th
Please join us on Wednesday, September 17th at 9:00am in the GFES Cafeteria for the opportunity to meet our wonderful administration, Principal Sara Harper, and Assistant Principal, Devin Diaz. They will be talking about the year ahead.
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Cultural and Diversity Committee
This school year, the GFES PTA introduced a new Cultural and Diversity Committee to celebrate and raise awareness of all of the different backgrounds represented in our school. The committee's goal is to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment by promoting understanding and appreciation of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to ensure that all individuals feel valued and respected.
We would love to learn more about the cultures and diverse backgrounds of the GFES community. Please click HERE to share more about your family and to volunteer to help the committee. Thank you so much!
Become a Room Parent!
Room Parents serve an important role in helping support the classroom teacher, organize classroom events and facilitate communication between the school and parents. If interested in serving in this role, please sign up HERE
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Seeking Art Enrichment Classroom Lead Parent Volunteers
Please sign up HERE to express interest in being the Art Enrichment lead for your child's class. The AE Committee will then select the lead for each class and notify you directly if you have been chosen. There are six sessions (six artists) that are presented each school year. The Lead is responsible for coordinating art enrichment parent volunteers for your child's homeroom teacher. Minimal prep required besides a one-hour orientation (generally held at 9:15am on Wednesdays) and 1-2 hours on the day of the session. No Art Experience Necessary! Being the AE lead is a fun way to be involved in your child's classroom.
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New Family Buddy Program
Is your family new to Great Falls Elementary? Could you use a friendly & trusted resource to ask questions and learn more about our community? Are you a veteran GFES family that wants to lend a helping hand to new families so they can learn more about Great Falls Elementary and our community?
Please sign up HERE to be matched with another family to kick off this school year on a positive note!
If you have any questions, please reach out to familyliason@gfespta.com or president@gfespta.com
PTA Sponsored Fall After School Programs - 9/30 - 12/11
GFES PTA partners with Baroody Camps academics to provide three sessions of a wide variety of quality, safe after-school activities for students of all ages. Classes take place at GFES for an hour directly after school.
For our Fall Session (9/30-12/11), we are offering a wide range of kid favorite activities! From lego robotics and hungry science to pottery and pop star acting to pickleball and tumbling. There is something for everyone! Click here to see the full schedule and class descriptions.
Registration for the Fall Session opens Monday, August 25th at 10:00am and goes through Sunday, September 21st. Enrollment is limited for each class. If a class is full, please put your name on the waitlist and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Let Me Run Coaches Needed
Coaches Needed!! Let Me Run is looking for additional coaches to help inspire our boys for the fall season! You don't need to be a runner to help out.
What we are looking for:
-Availability to coach before school (7:30 - 8:30am) on Monday and Wednesday mornings for 7 weeks starting September 10th (school holidays off)!
-Help the boys train for an end-of-season 5k race on November 9th, 2025.
Learn more at letmerun.org/coaches or reach out to Heidi at Lheidibrown@gmail.com.
Let Me Run is a nonprofit wellness program that inspires boys to be themselves, be active, and belong. Coaches follow a unique curriculum that uses the power of running to encourage boys to develop their emotional, social, and physical health. Coaches lead an elementary or middle school team through practices designed to amplify confidence, self-expression, and respect for peers. Let Me Run provides all of the tools volunteers need to be successful, from live trainings to guided curriculums!
Sign Up for Girls on the Run!
Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a fun, evidence-based running program for girls in grades 3rd through 6th, which inspires girls to build their confidence, kindness, and decision making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health. The GOTR season begins on September 25th and goes through November 22nd. Practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the GFES track from 7:30AM to 8:30 AM.
Registration opens Monday, August 25th and will remain open through Monday September 15th. Please click HERE to register!
Are you interested in being an assistant coach this season with Girls on the Run (GOTR)? If interested, click HERE to fill out the interest form. Thank you so much!
BEFORE SCHOOL Spanish Language
Program 2025-2026
The Children’s Center for Language and Culture, Inc. (ChiCeLaCu!) in partnership with the GFES PTA is pleased to offer the Spanish Program for its 13th consecutive year. ChiCeLaCu’s goal is to cement a strong language foundation, ultimately enabling students to become proficient Spanish speakers.
The program combines the arts with dynamic and interactive teaching approaches to make this a truly fun and effective experience. As a long-term program, children are expected to achieve language proficiency in 4-5 years of participation in the program. Students begin at Beginner Levels 1 and 2 and move to the intermediate and advanced levels as they progress through their school years.
The class is held from 7:45 AM to 8:35 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning on September 15th, 2025 and ending on May 6th, 2026. ChiCeLaCu! follows the FCPS calendar with respect to teacher workdays, holidays, and school cancellations.
To register, follow this link.
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Back-To-School Spirit Wear SALE - Happening NOW!
The Back-To-School Spirit Wear Sale is happening now until 9/9/2025! There is 25% off all merchandise as well as free shipping on orders over $100! Use the code SCHOOL25 at checkout. Visit the spirit wear store HERE!
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2025 - 2026 Reflections Contest
Calling student artists of all kinds! The Reflections contest will soon be accepting submissions for the 2025-2026 competition in the categories of Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photograph, and Visual Arts. This year’s theme is “I Belong!” and all GFES students are invited to create an original piece to submit through this 50+ year-old program that promotes creativity and artistic literacy.
More information, including submission requirements and the entry form, will be available soon, so be on the lookout! Submissions will be due in early November. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact our Reflections chair at reflections@gfespta.com.
Community Offering: Great Falls Little League
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Community Offering: Great Falls Field Hockey
Great Falls Field Hockey is BACK this fall! Registration is now open.
Games for the fall league will start on September 6th and end on October 25th with no game on October 11th (Columbus Day weekend).
Practices begin the week of August 18th.
$175 per player
Teams aged: 2nd-4th, 5th-6th, and 7th-9th
Register Here
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Follow the PTA on Instagram account, please follow and share! We will duplicate what is shared on our Facebook page. |
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Follow the PTA on Facebook! Share with friends and new GFES families.
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