Roadrunner Recap!

December 20th - January 4th: No School - Winter Break

January 13th: Spirit Event with Deli Italiano

January 16th: Bingo Night

January 19th: No School - Student Holiday

January 20th: Principal and PTA Pop Up Meeting - 2:00pm

January 28th: Quarter Ends - 2 Hour Early Release

January 29th - 30th: No School - School Planning/Teacher Workday

February 6th: Family Dance 

FCPS School Year Calendar for 2025-2026

Click HERE to catch up on the helpful and important information sent by the school on December 12th!

✨ Happy Holidays from GFES PTA! ✨

Dear Families,

As we wrap up another wonderful year together, we want to wish you and your loved ones joy, peace, and plenty of laughter this holiday season. Our school community shines brightest when we come together, and we are so grateful for the energy, kindness, and support you bring every day.

In the spirit of the holiday season, let’s not forget about the heart of it all—our school. Whether through volunteering, sharing your talents, or supporting ongoing initiatives, every contribution helps us continue building a vibrant, inclusive place where our children can thrive.

Some ways to support the PTA and the school are by joining the PTA, donating to the Roadrunner Giving Campaign and/or purchasing essential items, like toilet paper and paper towels, that the school is in desperate need of. You can find the school's Amazon wishlist HERE! Thank you so much for your endless support!

May your holidays be filled with warmth and cheer, and may the new year bring exciting opportunities for learning, growth, and community.

With gratitude,

The GFES PTA Executive Board

2025-2026 PTA Reflections Contest Update: Entries Advancing to Judging at the County Level!

This year’s PTA Reflections contest saw a record number of entries from GFES artists at all grade levels. We are pleased to announce that the following students’ entries will advance to judging at the Fairfax County PTA Level:

• Nishka Arya, Dance Choreography and Photography categories, Primary level;
• Amelia Lohrum, Visual Arts category, Primary level;
• Mario Rosser Castro, Music Composition and Photography categories, Intermediate level;
• Ingrid Kuo, Visual Arts category, Intermediate level;
• Saraa Bagade, Film Production, Middle School level;
• Eliana Cisz, Literature, Middle School level; and
• Covington Lukas, Photography, Middle School level.

Thank you to ALL the students who entered this year’s contest! We would also like to acknowledge our judges: our very own Ms. Roberts and Mr. McCready, as well as local business owners Maria Morgan from Luna Art Studio and Maureen Cryer from PaperKite Photography.

Luna Art is a Great Falls-based studio that tries to nurture curiosity by giving students the freedom to explore and create. Students learn about artists of the past and present, elements and principles of art, and various mediums, while learning the fundamentals of drawing and painting. They offer classes for children from age 5-18, and more information is available on the Luna Art Studio website.

PaperKite Photography is also located right here in Great Falls, and offers portrait services for children, families, pets, and more! Maureen creates timeless images that capture the love, laughter, and bonds shared within each client’s family. She collaborates closely with clients to craft a personalized experience that reflects their unique style and personality. Visit the PaperKite Photography website for additional details.

PTA BINGO NIGHT TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Join the PTA on Friday, January 16th in the Cafeteria for what promises to be a night of fun, prizes, and lots of winners!! There will be snacks and drinks available for purchase - cash only please!

Session 1: 6-7pm; doors open at 5:45pm

Session 2: 7:30-8:30pm; doors open at 7:15pm

• Tickets are $10, and EVERY person entering the cafeteria will need a ticket.
• Capacity is limited, so this event will sell out.
• Buy your tickets ASAP!  To purchase tickets click HERE

For more details, visit the PTA website HERE

Save The Date: Family Dance - Friday February 6th

You’re Totally Invited! Great Falls Elementary School PTA presents… Saved by the Fundraiser . A 90s-Themed Night of Fun for Roadrunners & Their Grown-Ups!

Bust out your windbreakers, scrunchies, and slap bracelets—because we’re taking it back to the 90s for a throwback night you won’t forget! Join us in the gym and cafeteria for a special fundraiser filled with:

• 90s dance jams
• Retro photo booths
• Classic snacks & treats
• Games, prizes & more!

 Date: Friday February 6th

 Time: 6:00pm (doors open at 5:45)

 Location: Great Falls Elementary School

Dress to impress in your best 90s gear and come ready to party like it’s 1995! All proceeds support PTA programs for our amazing Roadrunners! 

GFES Winter After-School Program Registration Is Now Open!

GFES PTA partners with Baroody Camps academies 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 winter session, we are offering a wind range of activities from fencing and cheerleading to mixed media art and potions to magic and chess. Click here to register!

Registration for our winter session opened Monday, December 15th at 10:00am and goes through Sunday, January 4th.  Enrollment is limited for each class.  If a class is full, please put your name on the waitlist, we will do our best to accommodate you.

Interested in Taking A More Active Role in the PTA?

The PTA is seeking parent volunteers who are interested in taking a more active role in supporting our school community. We invite you to shadow current board and committee chairs to gain insight into the responsibilities and impact of these positions. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about how the PTA operates, explore areas where your skills and interests may contribute, and prepare for future leadership roles. If you would like to participate, please reach out to president@gfespta.com! We look forward to welcoming you into this important work.

Cultural and Diversity Committee 

Some current and upcoming events members of our diverse community celebrate include:

• Bodhi Day - December 8th
• Chanukah - Sundown on December 14th - Sundown on December 22nd
• Christmas - December 25th
• Kwanzaa - December 26th - January 1st

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!

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! You can also visit our Lending Library Wishlist to purchase a book for the library! Thank you so much!

Celebrate Winter Traditions Together!

Our school community is beautifully diverse, and we want to showcase that in  one of the school display cases this season. We’re inviting families, students, and staff to contribute items that represent winter holidays, cultural traditions, and awareness months. These could include decorations, artifacts, books, photos, or symbols that highlight celebrations such as Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year, Korean or Japanese New Year, Winter Solstice, or other meaningful observances.
By sharing these items, we’ll create a vibrant display that honors the many ways our community comes together during the winter months. If you’d like to contribute, please reach out to Jane DelGiorno at jedelgiorno@gmail.com to arrange a drop off time!
Thank you for helping us celebrate the richness of our community and the traditions that make this season so special!

*All items will be returned to you when we update the display case for the spring! Thank you so much!

Moby Dick Spirit Event!

Thank you so much to all of the families who dined in or ordered food to go from Moby Dick last Tuesday and Thursday! All money raised will go directly to supporting the students and the school! We are so grateful for your continued support! Thank you so much!

Don't Forget to Join the PTA!

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 38% 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)! With so many budget cuts, the school needs our support more than ever! 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!! 

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!

MAMTS: Championship 2026

Mathletes of all levels are invited to participate in the upcoming in-person math tournament for students in Grades 3-5 (Division E) and Grades 6-8 (Division M).  Registration just opened and is limited to 80 teams on a first-come, first-served basis.  Don't miss out on this highly anticipated event!

Community Offering: Langley Girls Basketball Youth Night - January 5th!

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!

2025-2026 Corporate Sponsors!

Thank you so much for your support!!

Follow the PTA on Instagram account, please follow and share! We will duplicate what is shared on our Facebook page.

Follow the PTA on Facebook! Share with friends and new GFES families.

701 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066  |  president@gfespta.com

www.gfespta.com