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October 25th: Fall Festival (1:00 - 5:00pm)
October 27th-31st: Bullying Prevention Week
October 29th: Early Release Wednesday - 3-hour early release (12:35pm)
October 31st: 1st Quarter Ends - 2-hour early release (1:35pm)
November 3rd-4th: No School - Teacher Workday/School Planning Day
November 11th: No School - Veterans Day
November 13th: General PTA Meeting - Guest Speaker: Ms. Keefer
November 17th-21st: PTA Food Drive
November 18th: Spirit Event with BRX Oven
November 21st Principal & PTA Pop-Up Chat
November 26th - 28th: No School - Thanksgiving Break
December 4th: Diversity Showcase
December 5th: Parents Night Out Fundraiser
December 9th and 11th: Two Day Spirit Event with Moby Dick
FCPS School Year Calendar for 2025-2026
Click HERE to catch up on the helpful and important information sent by the school on October 17th!
Join the PTA Today!
Joining the PTA isn’t just about meetings, it's about making a difference. Your membership and donations directly support classroom supplies, enrichment programs, teacher appreciation efforts, and the little things that make a big impact. PTA memberships only last for one year! So, even if you joined last year, you need to renew/join again this year!
Every dollar helps. Every voice matters. Every hand makes the load lighter.
Let’s show our kids—and our incredible staff—that we’re in this together. Please consider joining the PTA and donating to our Roadrunner Giving Campaign today. Together, we can fill the gaps and lift our school higher.
Join Now >> https://www.gfespta.com/membership
If we reach our first goal of 40%, students will get to have a pajama day at school! Right now 37% of families have joined! Let's get to the finish line together!
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!!
Fall Festival is TOMORROW Saturday, October 25th from 1-5pm!!
Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun – dunk tank, giant slide, skee-ball, face painting, food trucks, costume contest, cupcake decorating, cake walk, and more!
Tickets are $12 now (ticket sales end at 11:59 tonight) or $14 at the door — save and buy today!
We’ll also have an awesome raffle with prizes from L’Auberge Chez Francois, Moby Dick, BRX, and others.
Help us raise money for our students while having a blast!
If you can spare an hour or two, we’d love your help with stations, setup, cleanup, or cake walk treats. Volunteers will enjoy VIP parking and free lunch from Smoking Kow BBQ. Click here to sign up!
Thank you for supporting our school — we can’t wait to see you there!
If you have any questions, please email fallfestival@gfespta.com or president@gfespta.com
2025-2026 Reflections Contest
Calling student artists of all kinds! For the next two weeks, the Reflections contest is accepting submissions for the 2025-2026 competition in the categories of Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, 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, can be found here. The deadline to submit all entries to the GFES PTA is Friday November 7, 2025. See the website for program requirements, including entry format and the required entry form. If you have any questions, please contact our Reflections chair at reflections@gfespta.com. We look forward to seeing what our Roadrunners create!
Principal & PTA Pop-Up Chat!
Ditch the work calls, grab a quick snack, and join our next "Principal & PTA Pop-Up Chat"! This isn't your average formal meeting; think of it as a casual, welcoming conversation club where you can grab a few minutes with Mrs. Harper and PTA leaders to ask questions and share ideas. Mark your calendar for Friday, November 21st, from 2:30 – 3:30 PM. All families are encouraged and absolutely welcome - whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned Roadrunner. It's the perfect chance to meet with others, discuss the upcoming Diversity Showcase and the mission of the PTA Diversity Committee, and brainstorm creative ways our school can genuinely heighten awareness of all the wonderful cultures and various interest groups that make our community cohesive and special. Come connect, collaborate, and help us make Great Falls Elementary shine!
Cultural and Diversity Committee
Some current and upcoming events members of our diverse community celebrate include:
- Learning Disabilities Awareness Month (All of October)
- Disability History and Awareness Month (All of October)
- All Saints Day (November 1st)
- Dia de los Muertos (November 1st-2nd)
Interested in learning more about these events and holidays? Please visit the NEW Cultural and Diversity Committee page on the PTA website! The page will be updated throughout the year with information about important events and holidays as well as book recommendations related to each event and holiday!
As mentioned in last week's school newsletter, we love the enthusiasm shown by families wanting to share their unique holiday traditions, history, and cultural celebrations with our students. We would love for this wonderful energy to be channeled toward the Diversity Showcase! The theme this year is "Holidays From Around the World," and it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate our wonderfully diverse community. Please mark your calendars for the evening of December 4th. Please also note that during the following school day, the showcase will feature a fun and engaging, science fair-style atmosphere, where students can learn from various family-led displays. We will share more information next month! Thank you so much!
NEW - Lending Library!
📚 Help Us Build a Library That Reflects Us All!
We're creating a new lending library and need your help! We're seeking donations of culturally rich and diverse books that celebrate different backgrounds, voices, and experiences. Whether it's a beloved folktale, a story in another language, or a book that reflects your family's heritage—your contribution can help every person see themselves in the pages.
Drop off your books on the shelf in the school vestibule and help us grow a library as vibrant and inclusive as our community! Thank you so much!
October is Principals and Administrators Appreciation Month!
Let’s take a moment to celebrate the incredible leaders who guide our schools with vision, heart, and dedication. Principals are the anchors of our learning communities—supporting students, empowering teachers, and creating safe, inspiring spaces for all to thrive.
This month, join us in showing gratitude for Principal Harper and Mr. Diaz for their tireless work and unwavering commitment to education and for making Great Falls Elementary the best school around!. Their incredible support of all students and staff is unmatched!
October Service Learning Project - Onigiri Action!
On Wednesday, October 29th, students will partake in the Onigiri Action service project with their school families! Students will help feed children in need around the world by either making an Origami Onigiri (Japanese rice ball) or coloring an Onigiri design. Visit the Onigiri Action website (https://onigiri-action.com/en/) to learn more! Student photos from the activity will be posted, but if a student is opted out of photos, their picture will not be shared.
Winter Coat Drive for the Hunter Mill District Coat Closet - Thank You!
THANK YOU for the generous donations to our 2025 Winter Coat Drive! By working together, we donated over 100 coats to the Hunter Mill Coat Closet! The winter clothing we collected will help keep children and adults in need in our community warm this winter. Thank you for the generous donations and support!
BRX Oven Spirit Event - November 18th!
We are so excited for our next spirit event with BRX Oven on Tuesday November 18th! Mention Great Falls Elementary or GFES when you order lunch or dinner for take out or dine in and we will receive 10% back on all orders! We can't wait to see you there!
Whenever the PTA hosts a community spirit event with a local restaurant, we like to provide lunch for our wonderful GFES staff! It always puts a smile on the faces of our staff and it helps give money back to the PTA and school since we get a percentage of the meal back! If you are interesting in helping pay for these staff lunches, please click HERE! All money donated here will go directly to paying for the staff lunches! Thank you so much for your support!
Parents Night Out!
On Friday, December 5th the PTA will be offering its first Parents Night Out! Drop off the kids for a night of fun while you have an evening off. Parents Night out will be from 6-9pm at the school. $44 for the first child, $34 for each additional child. Register for the event HERE!
Help Stock The Teacher’s Lounge!
Thank you so much to all of the families who purchased items off our Amazon Wishlist! These items help keep the teacher’s lounge stocked with yummy treats for the teachers and staff!
If you are interested in helping provide snacks for the staff, please click HERE!
Thank you so much for your generosity and continued support of the school! The snacks always put a smile on the faces of our wonderful teachers and staff!
Community Offering: Ravel Dance Company Presents: The Nutcracker
Experience the Magic of the Season with Ravel Dance Company
This Thanksgiving weekend, ring in the holiday season and step into a world of wonder as Ravel Dance Company proudly presents its annual Nutcracker Ballet—a treasured tradition for families of all ages. Several GFES students are among the cast members!
Performance at Capital One Hall Main Stage (Tysons, Virginia)
Saturday, November 29th, 2025, at 2:00 pm
For Nutcracker tickets, visit:
https://www.capitalonehall.com/events/detail/ravel-dance-company-pres-the-nutcracker
Journey with Clara as she meets sparkling angels, swirling snowflakes, and the radiant Sugar Plum Fairy, who leads her to the enchanting Kingdom of Sweets. With exquisite costumes, elaborate sets, and the artistry of Ravel’s beautifully trained dancers, this timeless ballet will capture hearts and create memories to last a lifetime.
And the magic doesn’t end when the curtain falls! Join us for an elegant Nutcracker Tea, in the Capital One Hall Gallery at 4:30 pm (following the 2:00 pm performance). For Tea tickets, click here. Thank you for supporting your GFES classmates, and we look forward to seeing you at Capital One!
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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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2025-2026 Corporate Sponsors!
Roadrunner Pride Sponsors
World Insurance Associates LLC
Garai Orthodontics
Platinum Sponsor
Great Paws Veterinary Hospital
Gold Sponsor
Lucas and Clark Grounds Company
Thank you so much for your support!!
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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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