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Mark your Calendars!

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
• May 29 – Dining with Dependents – Month of the Military Child Event

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

Let’s make this a winning week—please encourage your student to show their teachers and staff some extra love and appreciation. Game on, Eagles!

Preorder your GES Yearbook Today!

• GES yearbooks are available to preorder!
• Please go to ybpay.lifetouch.com
• GES Yearbook code is 14463726.
• Cost for a yearbook is $23.

 Pre-ordered copies will be delivered to students the last week of school (June 15th-17th).

Parent Input for Class Placements 2026-2027

As we plan for the 2026-2027 school year, we are inviting your input. Creating class assignments require careful consideration and the involvement of many perspectives. We know a good teacher-student match and a productive mix of children are ingredients for success. Should you have additional information about your specific child that school staff may not know, particularly regarding learning style and classroom environment,  you have the option to complete the 2026-2027 Class Placement - Family Input Form   no later than Friday, May 15th.

Please understand that while we value and consider all feedback, specific teacher requests and/or requests to place your child (or not place your child) with certain students cannot always be honored.  Our primary goal is to create well-balanced classes that meet the diverse needs of all students.

🩷Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener:
Parent Reports Available

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener last month, providing reflection on skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions.

The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

Individual student SEL Screener reports are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, reports will be mailed directly to you.

For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school counselor Mrs. Doughtery at jrdougherty@fcps.edu  or your child’s teacher.

Garfield ES SOL Schedule 2026

April is the Month of the
Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child and at GES, we’ve been celebrating all month long!  In a recent event, our school library Received a Book Donation From Library of Congress and the Springfield Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Chapter.  Virginia Congressman James Walkinshaw spoke to an audience of mostly fifth and sixth graders about the importance of honoring veterans and supporting military families. 

We love our Military students and families!

Kindergarten Orientation
was a Success!

Our Kindergarten Orientation was held on April 10, 2026 at 10:00 am. We loved meeting the class of 2039 and their families.

If you have a child turning five years old before September 30, 2026, please call our Registrar, Sarah Rothman, by email sgrothman1@fcps.edu  or phone 703-923-2900 to schedule a registration appointment today!

Updates to 2026-27 School Year Calendar

The School Board voted to direct the superintendent to designate Veterans Day as a standard instructional day for the 2026-27 school year. Because this day was added, the 2026-27 school year will now end for students on Wednesday, June 16, 2027. Find additional information on BoardDocs. View the updated complete school year calendar on FCPS’ website.

The last day of school for the current school year — Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — has not changed.

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.

Resources to Help Infants and

Toddlers Meet Milestones

Are you concerned about your infant, toddler, or preschool-aged child’s development? Resources are available if your child exhibits difficulties in one or more of the following areas: communication, fine and/or gross motor skills, self-help skills, problem-solving, and attention skills. Learn more about typical developmental milestones.

The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (ITC) provides evaluations and services for children (0-36 months) who have developmental delays or medical conditions that may affect development. Parents are encouraged to contact ITC at 703-246-7121 to share their concerns.

Early Childhood Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs between the ages of 20 months and 5 years (children must be two by September 30). 

FCPS Early Childhood Identification and Services (ECID&S) offers a free referral process to identify potential developmental delays or disabilities. Special education services are provided for all children who are found eligible through the referral process. Parents are encouraged to call 571-423-4121 with questions.

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 
Attendance: 703-923-2929 | Web | Twitter