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Dear Great Falls ES Families,
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students focus, learn, and engage. When students put their phones away, they have more face-to-face interactions with their peers and teachers and more opportunities to develop resilience and problem-solving skills. Please remind your child that:
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Cell phones and personal devices (earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
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Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call our front office at 703-757-2100.
❗Beyond the school day, we ask for your partnership in navigating the digital world. If your child has a cell phone or access to a device, please actively monitor their chats and apps. We strongly discourage "grade-level" group chats involving large numbers of students, as these can quickly become overwhelming or exclusionary.❗
Please also be mindful that students often use chat features within games and other websites. Being knowledgeable about what your child is accessing is the best way to ensure their online experiences remain safe and positive. Visit our cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Have a nice weekend,
Sara Harper
📅Important Dates
March 9 - 24: Celebrate Great Falls Auction
March 18: Early Release Wednesday (dismissal at 12:35 pm)
March 19: Last Day to Order Yearbook
March 19: 5th-grade Writing SOL
March 19 - April 6: Langley Pyramid Youth Art Show
March 20: Student Holiday - Eid Mubarak to our Islamic friends
March 27: End of third quarter
March 27- April 7: Spring Break
April 6: School Planning Day
April 10: Teacher Work Day
April 10: Last day to order yearbooks
April 14: Langley Pyramid Youth Tailgate - Langley HS
April 21: Teacher Planning Day
April 22: Early Release Wednesday (dismissal at 12:35 pm)
FCPS School Year Calendar for 2025-2026
Read the latest PTA newsletter
📸Spring Picture Ordering
It’s not too late to order your child’s Spring Pictures! Families can still purchase photo packages online through Strawbridge Studios.
Visit www.strawbridge.net and use Great Falls ES code: FM479446 to place your order.
📘 Yearbook Ordering
Yearbooks are available for order online at https://www.strawbridge.net/ using code YB33333. The cost is $20, and the deadline has been extended! Be sure to place your order by April 10, 2026!
So far, only 154 yearbooks have been purchased, and we’d love to make sure everyone who wants one has the chance to get it! We cannot guarantee that additional yearbooks will be available after April 10th, so order yours today!
🚗Change of Transportation (CoT) Reminders
Please remember that any changes to your child’s daily transportation must be submitted using the online Change of Transportation (CoT) Form on the GFES website. This includes riding the bus home with a friend, going home via Kiss & Ride instead of the bus, or pre-scheduled early dismissals. All requests must be submitted by 1:30 PM so our office staff has time to notify teachers and bus drivers.
If your child is going home with a friend, both parents/guardians must submit the form to confirm the arrangement. Please note that buses can accommodate a maximum of four additional guest riders per CoT, so requests may not be approved if that limit has been reached.
This form should not be used for 3-Hour Early Release Wednesdays. Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe and organized!
The Celebrate Great Falls Auction is LIVE!
The Celebrate Great Falls Silent Auction is LIVE!! Proceeds from the auction will directly benefit Great Falls Elementary, Colvin Run Elementary, and Forestville Elementary to support technology, arts, music, mindfulness, and more in the classrooms. The auction will go through March 23rd, and new items will continue to be added, so check back daily!
Also, be on the lookout for GFES-specific auction items, such as pizza parties, ice cream parties, and other special experiences just for GFES students with our beloved GFES teachers and staff! Want to experience what it is like to be Principal for a day, or be an anchor or a weather guest on the morning news? Or do you want to have peace of mind for 6th grade promotion and reserve front row seats or a parking spot? All of these items are sure to go fast, so don’t miss out! GFES will also be auctioning off limited spots to include a birthday message for your GFES student, teacher, or staff on the school's digital welcome sign! 100% of these school-donated items will benefit GFES and our students!
If you have a service or item you would be willing to donate to the auction, please donate here.
🎨Youth Art Show
A few of our very talented students are proud to have their artwork featured in the 2026 Youth Art Show at the McLean Project for the Arts. This exhibit highlights the creativity and hard work of students from across the Langley Pyramid, and we are excited to see our young artists represented. We hope all of Families are encouraged to stop by, enjoy the gallery, and celebrate the incredible artwork created by our students. It is a wonderful opportunity for a family outing while supporting and recognizing our students’ artistic achievements.
Join us for the Langley Pyramid Tailgate!
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
Connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
🩺Fairfax County Health Department Measles Update
Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects 9 out of 10 people exposed if unvaccinated or not immune. It has been in the news lately due to cases in Northern Virginia and among people who have traveled through local airports.
If your spring break or summer plans include traveling abroad or to an area in the United States with high measles activity, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages you to ensure your family is protected. Children 12 months and older should have 1 or 2 doses before traveling. Depending on your specific travel plans, your health care provider may also advise you to vaccinate infants 6 to 11 months old. Read more about these recommendations.
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