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Dear Garfield Families,

As we head into Spring Break (March 30 – April 3), I just want to take a moment to wish each of our Eagle families a truly restful and joyful break. You’ve all been working hard, and I hope this time gives you a chance to slow down, recharge, and enjoy being together.

When we return, we’ll be heading into the final quarter of the school year, and we’re excited to finish strong together.

Our incredible Garfield teachers and staff have also put together a Spring Break 2026 Book Recommendation List to help keep our Eagles inspired. While we absolutely want students to relax and have fun, we hope they’ll also find a little time to read and keep their minds growing.

Thank you, as always, for the trust and support you give our school. It truly means a lot. Garfield is a special place because of the families we serve, and we are grateful to partner with you every day.

Wishing you a safe, relaxing, and meaningful Spring Break.  We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, April 7^th!  See below for other important dates!

Your proud, principal partners, Mrs. Peerman and Ms. Manning

Mark your Calendars!

March

• March 30 – April 3 – 🌸Spring Break🌸

April

• April 6th - Teacher Workday Student Holiday (No School)
• April 9^th – DessARTs Night – 5:45pm – 7:00pm
• April 10th - Kindergarten Orientation 10 am
• April 10th - School Planning Day Student Holiday (No School)
• April 13^th – School visit from Congressman Walkinshaw
• April 13^th – April 17^th – Scholastic Book Fair
• April 15th - Purple Up! Day Military Connection
• April 17^th - 1st Grade Clemyjontri Park Field Trip
• April 18th - Garden Day (Rain Date 4/25)
• April 20^th – 6^th Grade George Mason University Field Trip
• April 21st - Election Day (No School for Students)
• April 22nd – Early Release Wednesday is Canceled.  April 22^nd will be a full day of school.
• April 23rd - 5th Grade Field Trip to Natural History Museum
• April 24^th - PreK Clemyjontri Park Field Trip

May

• May 4th - May 8th - Staff Appreciation Week
• May 13th - Wednesday Early Release (3 hours) 
• Dismissal 1:05 pm   

• May 8^th – May 21^st – SOLs (see schedule below)
• May-TBD – Student Success Day – Showcase of Learning
• May 25^th – Memorial Day Holiday – No School
• May 26^th – Teacher Workday – No School
• May 27^th – Eid al-Adha Holiday – No School

June

• June 4^th – Band and Strings Concert – 3:00pm and 6:00pm
• June 12^th – Field Day
• June 16^th – 6^th Grade Promotion – 10:00am
• June 17^th – Garfield’s Got Talent! (schoolwide talent show)
• June 17^th – Last day of school

Elementary Early Release Wednesday Update for April

Tuesday, April 21, is now a teacher workday and staff development day because of a recently announced special election that will impact all FCPS schools.

Students will now have a traditional full day of instruction and be released at the regular dismissal time on April 22 and April 29, which were previously early release Wednesdays for elementary schools.

This adjustment allows our staff to still have dedicated time for planning, collaboration, and professional learning without reducing instructional time on other school days.

Read Dr. Reid’s letter to elementary parents for more details. 

Spring Break🌷

Schools and school offices will be closed March 30 to April 3 for spring break. Monday, April 6, is a teacher work day and there will be no school for students. We wish our students and teachers a happy and restful Spring Break! See the complete school year calendar. 

Eagle Express Taking A Spring Break

Our school's NYC weekly family newsletter will be taking a break over Spring Break. The next NYC will be scheduled to go out on Friday, April 10th. Have a fantastic break!

SOL Schedule

Specialist Newsletter March Edition 

Read Our Specialist Newsletter Here

DessARTS Night is Almost Here!

Thursday, April 9 - 5:45 PM

 RSVP HERE

Join us for
Kindergarten Orientation

April 10^th @ 10:00am

Join us for Kindergarten Orientation to meet our team, tour classrooms, explore our curriculum, and get tips and resources to help your child start strong.

The Book Fair is Coming!

Join us for our Book Fair Family Night!

Wednesday, April 9 - 4:05pm – 6:30pm

Book Fair Hours:

• Tuesday, April 13 - 9:45 AM – 3:40 PM
• Wednesday, April 14 - 9:45 AM – 3:40 PM
• Wednesday, April 15 – 9:45 – 3:40 and

- 4:05pm – 6:30pm - **Book Fair Family Night

• Thursday, April 16 - 9:45 AM – 3:40 PM
• Friday, April 17 – 9:45 – 11:30AM

Questions? Do you want to volunteer?  Email Mrs. McKeon at mtmckeon@fcps.edu.

April is the Month of the Military Child and Purple Up Day!

April is the Month of the Military Child, and at Fairhill, we are proud to celebrate the incredible strength, resilience, and spirit of our military-connected students.

Join us on Purple Up Day, April 15th, by wearing purple to show your support and appreciation. As a Purple Star School, this day is especially meaningful to our community. It is a chance for all of us to stand together and recognize the sacrifices our military families make, especially the children who walk our halls each day.

Let’s turn Fairhill purple and show our students just how much they are seen, valued, and celebrated!

Come one, Come All … Join Us!

🌿 Garfield Area Neighborhood Cleanup Day! 🌿

Join us in helping keep our community clean and beautiful!

📍 Where: Springvale Park (6508 Spring Rd) + nearby roads & streams
📅 When: April 18
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM

🗓 Schedule:
• 8:30–9:00 — Pick up supplies
• 9:00–10:30 — Cleanup around roads & streams
• 10:30 — Drop off collected trash
• 10:45 — Return to the park for snacks & community time

✅ We’ll provide: Trash bags, gloves, snacks & drinks
🎒 Bring: Comfortable clothes, water bottle, and friends/family!

👉 Let us know you’re coming: https://bit.ly/47dqKpl

Let’s make a difference together! 💚

Spring AAP Newsletter

FCPS is now screening students for Subject-Specific and Part-Time advanced services for the next school year. These programs provide specialized challenges for students who need instruction beyond the standard curriculum.

• How to Apply: Parents may submit an AAP Referral Form to the GES AART, Heather Jenkins, hkjenkins@fcps.edu by April 15.
• Next Steps: At GES, our school committee will be screening students at the end of May to determine the best fit for services.
• Notification: Families will be notified of eligibility status by early June.

Please see the full AAP Spring Newsletter for more specifics on the levels of service and the holistic review process.

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

7101 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703-923-2900 
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