This Week's Eagle Express

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 02/20/2026 03:40 PM EST
Eagle Express


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Last Friday, sixth graders sparked their curiosity with interactive STEAM activities at Nova Labs in Fairfax, VA! Huge thanks to Women in Technology for sponsoring this amazing opportunity for our students!

Feb. 25 is the next
Early Release Wednesday

Students will be dismissed at 1:05pm

ERW

Ramadan
(Feb. 18-March 19)

For Students Who are Fasting

 

For the month of Ramadan, Garfield ES will provide a comfortable and quiet space for students who are fasting during lunch as an alternative to the cafeteria.

Will Your Child Be Fasting During Ramadan?

We recognize that many in the Garfield community will be observing Ramadan, and parents may wish to have their children offered accommodations during lunch time if they are fasting. If your child will be fasting, please let us know by filling out this form. Please use the form to request that your student spend their lunch time in a designated quiet area. This space will allow them to pray, rest, read, or engage in quiet activities in an area that is supervised.

If your child will need to miss instructional time for prayer purposes, please contact Ms. Manning at eamanning1@fcps.edu

We are planning to offer this space from February 18 - March 19, 2026.

Fasting? Take a Meal Kit Home!

FCPS is offering take-home meal kits for students fasting for Ramadan between Feb. 18 - March 19.

Parents must fill out a form for each student every week, and students will pick up the kits at the end of each school day.

Meal kits are charged just like school meals and include the same healthy, fresh food from the school menu.

For more information and to fill out the forms, visit fcps.edu/food.

NEW VISITOR CHECK-IN
SYSTEM At GES

Raptor Safe App Setup

Raptor

Garfield ES has a NEW Visitor Check-in System beginning this week. Downloading and registering on the Raptor Safe App is not required, you can still use your driver’s license in the building, but this is faster:

Download the RaptorSafe App to your mobile phone so that you can quickly sign in as a visitor or volunteer to Sangster Elementary, or any FCPS school! 

How to Use: Download "Raptor Safe" from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Setup: Scan your driver’s license and take a selfie for verification.

Check-in: A new QR code is generated for each visit to be scanned at the school entrance.

Registration: No special code is needed during setup.

Privacy: The app stores only essential info (name, DOB, photo, last 4 digits of ID) and does not store the verification selfie.

The Mobile App is quick and easy - and the preferred method for most visitors. 

 

Quick Tips for Users

  • No Passwords to Memorize: The app uses your mobile phone number to log you in. You’ll receive a one-time code via text each time you need to access your account.
  • Manage Dismissals: You can use your profile to manage student dismissal preferences directly from your phone.
  • Need Help?: If you run into any technical snags, you can find troubleshooting guides at raptortech.com/raptorsafe-app/.

Raptor Safe FAQ Sheet

Special Ed. Family Conference

The 2026 Special Education Family Conference - Stronger Together: Connecting Families & Schools has been rescheduled from March 21 to April 18, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at George C. Marshall High School, 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043. 

The 2026 Special Education Family Conference is a no-cost, in-person event is hosted by Fairfax County Public Schools in collaboration with a host of community partners.  Keynote speaker is renowned educator and advocate, Dr. Shelley Moore.  Families will also have the opportunity to connect with resources and participate in afternoon sessions. 

Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage.

Register HERE.

Family Resource Center Summer Camps Guide

Summer is closer than you think ! The family resource center has a great Summer Camp Guide to get you started.

Lunar New Year

 

🐎 새해 복 많이 받으세요! 新年快乐! Chúc mừng Năm Mới!

Wishing good fortune to those in our community who celebrate Lunar New Year! For those in many East and Southeast Asian countries, including Pacific Islanders, the Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays of the year and is all about ushering in luck and prosperity with family. 

Ramadan graphic

 

Ramadan Mubarak to those in our community who observe! In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity, and good deeds. Muslims believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad.

ash wednesday

 

On Wednesday,  we recognize those in our community observing Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is observed as a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the beginning of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading up to Easter. Many Christians attend special Ash Wednesday church services, at which churchgoers receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of penance. 

YOUR PARTNERS IN EDUCATION

principals

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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