|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Dear Great Falls ES Families,
Believe it or not, there are only eight weeks left until school is out for the summer! Our team is beginning the thoughtful process of creating next year’s class lists, and we welcome your participation as we plan for next fall.
Our staff members spend significant time reflecting on the school year and discussing the students they have come to know so well. This work is careful and thorough, focused on building balanced, positive communities rather than simply assigning students to specific teachers.
We value social connections and encourage students to remain open to forming new friendships. Because we are a small school with only 2–3 teachers per grade level, our placement options are limited. If you choose to offer input, please focus on your top priority regarding your child’s unique needs or friendships.
If you have information to share, please complete the Parent Input for Class Placement Form by Friday, May 1, 2026. Your input is optional, and we ask that you do not request specific teachers or individual conferences for placement. Please submit a separate form for each child if you have multiple students. Any requests received after the deadline will not be considered. While we take your perspective into account, the final decision on class placement rests with our school team.
Thank you for your partnership and for respecting our process as we prepare for another wonderful year.
Sincerely,
Sara Harper
🚨 Important Dates
April 20 - 24: Earth Spirit Week
April 21: No School for Students: Statewide Election Day
April 21: BRX Oven PTA Spirit Event
April 22: GFES Montessori online preschool info session
April 27-May 4: Sister School Book Drive
May 4 - May 8: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7: 5th and 6th grade Reading SOL
May 8: PTA Moms and Muffins (Katie's Coffee) - 7:00 - 8:45 am
May 12: 4th and 5th grade Math SOL
May 14: 3rd-grade Reading SOL
May 19: 3rd, 6th grade Math and 4th grade Reading SOL
May 20: 5th-grade Science SOL
May 25: No School - Memorial Day
May 26: No School - Teacher Workday
May 27: No School - Eid al-Adha (begins sunset on May 26th)
June 5: PTA Dads and Donuts (Katie's Coffee) - 7:00 - 8:45 am
FCPS School Year Calendar for 2025-2026
Read the latest PTA newsletter
🌍Earth Week
Earth Week is coming up, April 20-24. Earth Week is a fun way to highlight the work happening in our school, foster new learning, and develop students as environmental stewards and ethical and global citizens. Use the resources on the FCPS website to engage your students in FCPS Earth Week!
♻️Get2Green Earth Week 2026 Themes
Students and Staff are invited to wear the color matching each day’s theme to show your Earth Week spirit. Look for the flyer to send home in the Tuesday folders this week. You will also have one to display in your classroom.
- Monday, April 20 – Wildlife Day - wear nature print
- Tuesday, April 21 – Zero Waste Day - (No school)
- Wednesday, April 22 – Earth Day - wear green
- Thursday, April 23 – Climate Change Day - wear red
- Friday, April 24 – Watershed Day - wear blue
📚 Get Ready To Donate!
Annual Sister School Book Drive: April 27 – May 4
Our annual Sister School Book Drive runs from April 27 to May 4. Now is an excellent time to check your bookshelves for gently used books you no longer read and consider donating. We are looking for book donations for preschool – sixth-grade readers.
Books open minds and opportunities! Share the gift of reading with a student from Glen Forest Elementary. Every donation makes a difference! Thank you for your generous support.
👕 Dress for Warm Weather Success
Warm weather seems here to stay!
As the weather is getting warmer, please be mindful of the clothing your children are wearing to school. Please ensure that clothing is well-fitting enough to allow them to run, play, and focus on schoolwork. As always, clothing should adhere to the FCPS dress code. Keep in mind that, as children may have grown since last summer, their clothing might now be too short or too tight-fitting to wear to school. Please reach out to your child’s teacher or our school counselors, Courtney Barber and Emma Litch, with any questions or concerns. `
We fully understand students’ self-expression through fashion, and we continue to support their exploration as long as it’s school-appropriate.
🧥 Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found is currently overflowing with sweatshirts, lunch boxes, and water bottles. Items have been placed in the front lobby, so please have your child check for any missing items this week. Parents are also welcome to stop by and take a look - especially during voting on April 21!
All unclaimed items will be donated to charity on Friday, May 1.
To help us return items to you in the future, please remember to label your child's belongings with their name. Thank you for your help!
25-26 SOL Testing Schedule
🛝FCPS Montessori Program at Great Falls
The FCPS Montessori Program is coming to Great Falls in the 2026-27 school year. Learn more about the FCPS Montessori Program by watching this video.
Eligibility
Montessori Early Childhood incorporates both PreK and Kindergarten students in mixed-age classrooms, utilizing a unique hands-on approach to learning.
-
Eligibility: Children ages 3 through Kindergarten age (age 5 by September 30, 2026).
-
Tuition: A sliding-scale tuition model applies to PreK students in the program.
Virtual Information Session Registration
Join us for a comprehensive overview of the Montessori approach and curriculum as well as the lottery process.
- Wednesday, April 22, 12:00 p.m.
-
Sign up here for the virtual information session. A Zoom link will be provided to registrants in advance of the meetings.
Application Lottery Open
The Great Falls Montessori lottery application is open.
-
How to Apply: The application link, which includes the sliding scale tuition model for preschool-age students, is available on the FCPS Montessori website
- Click Apply to Great Falls Lottery button
Key Reminders
-
Initial Window Deadline: Notification of application status for the initial window will be sent by May 1, 2026.
-
Rolling Basis: After the initial window, applications will remain open only until available seats are filled.
We look forward to connecting with families at the Virtual Information Session to share more about the Montessori Program coming to Great Falls ES.
FCPS Montessori Program: Montessori@fcps.edu.
|
📚 Finishing Up Journeys and Themes in Language Arts
Benchmark Unit 6 in Language Arts is coming to a close! Over the last several weeks, our students have learned, read, and written about the different lessons that stories across cultures can teach us.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: If you could go on an adventure like one of the characters you’ve read about in this unit, which one would it be and why?
- Activity: Ask your child to imagine that they’re going on an adventure. Ask them to draw the items they’ll need to take with them. Would their supplies be different if the adventure was underwater or somewhere very cold?
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.
💉 Required Immunizations for Rising 7th Graders
As required by the Code of VA, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend at a Virginia public school.
In addition, all students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older;
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older;
- A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents or guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider now to avoid the rush this summer. Immunization appointments are available. Inspire Health Alliance will be providing immunizations for currently enrolled FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Visit the Inspire Immunization Events Student Registration webpage to schedule an appointment.
Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet (PDF) for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.
Additional Immunization Resources are also available.
April Statewide Election: No School for Students
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled.
FCPS will offer lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on Tuesday, April 21, at participating schools. The meals must be eaten on site, and enrichment activities will be available for the children. For more information, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
Help FCPS Sustain Excellence: Make Your Voice Heard on the FY 2027 Budget
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. There are several upcoming opportunities to provide feedback to the county on its budget before final adoption in May. This includes public budget hearings (April 14-16) and an online survey. Learn how the FCPS budget helps us sustain our excellence.
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to 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 it 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.
|
