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Students getting books from the Assistance League of Northern Virginia.
Upcoming Dates 📆
November 18 – Curriculum Night - RSVP Here - 11/18/25
November 19 - 3-hour Early Release
November 20 – Thanksgiving Feast & Share - RSVP Here - 11/20/25
November 21 - Thanksgiving Luncheon (Information will be shared next week!)
November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break
December 22-January 2: FCPS Student Holidays
January 19: FCPS Student Holiday
January 28: Second Quarter Ends
January 29-30: FCPS Student Holidays
Early Release Wednesday:
November 19th
Students dismissed at 1:05pm
As we look ahead to our next early release Wednesday on 11/19, we wanted to share an important update. Our lists of students staying for childcare supervision have now been finalized. Because staffing has been scheduled based on the responses we received, we are no longer accepting new opt-ins for supervision.
Families may still choose to have their child dismissed at 1:05 p.m. instead. If you would like to make that change, please call the school before the next early release day. Please note: this change will apply to all remaining early release Wednesdays.
Students will be dismissed the same way they were during the last early release, following the dismissal plans previously provided by caregivers.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call the front office. We’re happy to help!
Save the Date for Curriculum Night!
Tuesday, November 18th
5:45pm – 7:00pm
Join us for A Thanksgiving
Feast and Share
Garfield’s Thanksgiving Luncheon &
Classroom Share - November 20th
- Families are invited to join their student for our Thanksgiving Luncheon in the cafeteria.
- Enjoy a festive FCPS meal and time together during your student’s scheduled lunchtime.
- Visit your student’s classroom before or after lunch for a special learning share.
- Celebrate the season of gratitude, connection, and community as we gather to enjoy food and learning together.
Adult lunch - $5.00 – Pay Exact Cash only or pay on My School Bucks
November Is National Family Engagement Month
Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and Learning The FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on a topic below to register to attend.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
Volunteer Registration Update
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
Finishing Up Uncovering Characters in Language Arts 📚
Benchmark Unit 2 in Language Arts is coming to a close! Over the last several weeks, our students have learned, read, and written about different characters in stories and their own personal sense of character.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: How does the way you act change the way you think about yourself?
- Activity: Draw a new cover for a favorite book featuring the main character in a key moment.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC)
The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members. The FRC provides access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. FRC offers a padlet (digital bulletin board), a lending library, webinars, and other resources for military-connected families.
Contact the FRC for more information:
FCPS Family Resource Center 2334 Gallows Road, Room 105 (Door 1) Dunn Loring, VA 22027 703-204-3941
Inspire Immunization & Flu Shot Clinics for All FCPS Students FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Participation is voluntary. Additional Immunization Resources are available. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student.
Fairfax County Park Authority
County Libraries and Parks
Fairfax County residents can take advantage of many of the free offerings the county provides to residents and students. Our incredible public libraries have a wide-selection of books and other activities that families can check out. All FCPS students also have a Library Equity Access Pass through Fairfax County Public Libraries, which allows them to check-out up to 3 items for 6 weeks. And Fairfax County’s many parks and recreation areas are open and free to residents as well.
ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others)
ECHO provides clothing, food, grade-appropriate school supplies packaged in backpacks, household items, computers and financial assistance to families that live in Burke and the greater Springfield area, including all addresses in the following zip codes: 22151, 22152, 22153 and 22015, and some addresses in 22150 and 22312.
Information for Military Families
November is Military Family Month
Celebrate Military Family Month -it’s our opportunity every year to honor the sacrifices and resilience of our military Families. See long list of unique opportunities to celebrate and support your military family.
Educational Supports for Military-Connected Students
Varsity Tutors provides tutoring and homework help at no cost to active-duty service members and their eligible dependents.
For in-person tutoring, please contact the Family Resource Center for a current list of FCPS employees available for tutoring services. Please visit In-Person Tutors and Tutoring for more information.
The Army Educational Outreach Program provides both students and teachers a collaborative, cohesive portfolio of Army-sponsored STEM programs that effectively engage, inspire, and attract the next generation of STEM talent through K through college programs and expose them to DoD STEM careers.
Employment Opportunities at Fort Belvoir MWR
Join the team that takes care of our Soldiers, Civilians and their Families. At Fort Belvoir Family and MWR, we have multiple positions available. Don't miss this opportunity to take care of those who protect our great nation. FB MWR Job Opportunities
Quick Links
YOUR PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
We are in this together!
We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with your family this year. Each day, our commitment is to provide your child with a safe, supportive, and joyful place to learn and grow. Open communication is important to us—please reach out anytime with questions, concerns, or celebrations.
Thank you for your trust, your support, and for being an essential part of the Garfield community.
With appreciation,
Your Garfield Partner Principals
Mrs. Peerman, Principal, Klpeerman@fcps.edu
Ms. Manning, Assistant Principal, eamanning1@fcps.edu
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