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It has been a FANTASTIC first week of school!  It was a joy to welcome your children back into our Garfield nest. From the moment they arrived, students have been actively engaged - making new friends, learning classroom routines, and diving into meaningful academic learning.  We are deeply grateful to our wonderful teachers and staff for the care, energy, and dedication they have shown in creating a back-to-school environment centered on belonging, engagement, and learning.

We are also pleased to share that, aside from Monday’s delays, our buses were running mostly on time. Our Kiss & Ride procedures have gone smoothly as well. Thank you for your cooperation and partnership in helping us ensure a safe, smooth, and efficient arrival and dismissal process.

As we settle into the school year, we want to remind families that our instructional day begins promptly at 9:20 a.m. Students arriving after this time will be marked tardy. Please plan accordingly to ensure your child is in class and ready to learn at the start of the day.

We also want to address a growing concern regarding early student pick-ups. This week, many students were picked up between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m., which caused significant disruption in the front office just as dismissal procedures were beginning. To help us ensure a safe and orderly end-of-day process, we kindly ask that students not be picked up after 3:30 p.m. unless it is an absolute emergency.  Additionally, we are not able to pull students off the bus after the dismissal process is underway.

Homework

FCPS has homework guidelines for all grades. With this, you will notice your child bringing home weekly homework starting the week of September 7^th.

Why homework?

​​​​​​​Research shows that short, developmentally appropriate practice at home can:

• Reinforce classroom learning.
• Build responsibility, time management, and independent work habits.
• Support reading growth through consistent reading at home.
• Strengthen communication between school and home.

Classroom teachers will send home information about grade level specific homework. Homework should not feel stressful or overwhelming. It is meant to help your child grow. If you ever have concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher.

Newsletters

We will publish a GES community newsletter, The Eagle Express, almost every Friday. Personally crafted by your partner principals, this newsletter will help keep you connected to all things Garfield!

In addition, each grade level team will share a newsletter once a month featuring personalized information, important updates, and news about your child’s grade level. Monthly grade-level newsletters will also be posted on the GES website at: https://garfieldes.fcps.edu/announcements/garfield-monthly-newsletters.

We look forward to staying in touch!

NEW: No Personal Devices at School

Starting this school year, students must use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. This is in accordance with a new School Board requirement, approved on July 16, which states that students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices, including personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices.

If devices are brought to school, students will be prompted to turn off and put away in backpack until end of day. Families will also be reminded of expectations as needed.

Discipline protocols have been added to the FCPS Student Rights & Responsibilities: Handbook for Families 

Again, we’re so excited about this new school year!  Entrusting us with your children each day is a profound responsibility, and one we hold deeply. We are partners in this work, and we want you to feel comfortable reaching out, asking questions, sharing concerns, and celebrating successes with us.

There will be so many moments to celebrate in the year ahead, and we’re grateful we get to experience them together. It's going to be a great year!

Blessings and Joy,

Mrs. Peerman, Principal and Ms. Manning, Assistant Principal

Cafeteria Lunch Visits Welcomed Starting 10/1

Please note that, for now, parents and family members may not join students for lunch in the cafeteria. Family lunch visits will be paused through September 30 to give students time to adjust to our new cafeteria routines. We will welcome family lunch visits beginning October 1st. Thank you for your understanding and support as we begin the school year!

Important School Reminders

👍Helpful Numbers

• Main Office: 703-923-2900
• Health Room: 703-923-2910
• Cafeteria: 703-923-2921

⏰3-Hour Early Release Wednesdays   (Dismissal at 1:05 pm)

• October 21
• December 2
• February 10
• May 5

⏰2-Hour Early Release Days for End of Quarter

(ALL students are dismissed at 2:05 pm)

• Friday, October 30
• Thursday, January 28
• Friday, April 16

🍎Attendance

Report attendance using one of the methods below.

• ParentVUE
• Parents/legal guardians can submit full-day absences using ParentVUE. Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVUE.
• Email us at:  GarfieldElem.Attendance@fcps.edu
• Call the school attendance line:  703-923-2929

⏰School Hours, Late Arrival Policy, Early Pick Up

• School hours are 9:05 a.m. to 4:05p.m.
• Students who arrive after 9:20 a.m. must be walked into the main office and signed in by an adult.
• If you need to pick your student up early, come to the office with your ID, and we will call your student down.
• Early pick up cut-off time is 3:30 pm. 
• Whenever possible, keep your child’s transportation method the same each day.

❎No Glass Containers

Please do NOT send glass containers with students for lunch or snack. They are a safety hazard if they break.

❎No Fast Food – Please

FCPS discourages bringing commercial fast-food and soda lunches to school.

👍Label All Belongings

LABEL all sweatshirts, jackets, lunchboxes, water bottles with your student's name. If it ends up in the Lost and Found, we can easily return to students.

Please note that family lunch visits will be paused until October 1st to allow students to adjust to the new cafeteria routines. Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to a fantastic school year with all of you!

Changes to Your Child's Transportation

Teachers need to know how all students typically get to school.  Should you need to make alternate arrangements one day (i.e. you will pick up your child instead of sending him on the bus), let the office and teacher know that morning so they are aware of the change. The best way to make a change during the school day is to call the office, 703-313-4300. Teachers are instructing and not checking email.

I Need to Pick Up My Child Early

If you need to make a change to your child's regular transportation for the day, here are best practices:

For Same-Day Changes

• You must call the school office at 703-923-2900 to make a change.
• The call must be made by 3:30 PM.
• Do not email the teacher for same-day changes, as they may not see the message in time.
• If you're picking up your child, you'll need to sign them out in the front office with a valid ID.
• It's recommended that you sign your child out before 3:30 PM.
• Students cannot be taken off the bus once they are on it after school.

For Next-Day or Future Changes

• You can make transportation changes for a future date by emailing or texting your child's teacher.

In short, if you need to make a change for today, call the office. If you're planning ahead for tomorrow or later, you can email or text the teacher.

For Same-Day Transportation Changes

• You must please call the school office at 703-923-2900 to make a change.
• The call must be made by 3:30 PM.
• Please do not email the teacher for same-day changes, as they may not see the message in time.
• If you're picking up your child, you'll need to sign them out in the front office with a valid ID.
• we kindly ask that students not be picked up after 3:30 p.m. unless it is an absolute emergency. 
• Students cannot be taken off the bus once they are on it after school.

Digital Consent Forms

Vision and Hearing

Vision Screenings: Students Bring Eyeglasses

Garfield's Health Room will be conducting vision and hearing screenings in the month of September and October. We screen kinder, 3^rd graders, and all new-to-county students.

Please have your students bring any prescribed eyeglasses to school.

If there are questions, call the Health Room at 703-923-2910.

2026-2027 GES Parent Handbook

The   GES 2026-2027 Parent Handbook  is a guide to help families access important information and school operating procedures.  We hope it will serve as a resource as you navigate the 2025 -2026 school year. 

Here is a 2026-2027 Mini Version of the GES Parent Handbook for a quick reference.

Birthdays at GES

We love celebrating birthdays! Families are welcome to drop off one packaged store-bought item that is allergy friendly. Please communicate with your child's teacher as early as possible if you would like to drop off a item to share. Items should be dropped off in the front office of the school.

Celebrations take place in coordination with the classroom teacher.

While we love our families, birthday celebrations are for students only.

All Visitors/Volunteers MUST Have ID Valid ID Required Division-wide in FCPS, all visitors and volunteers must check in at the main office and present a valid government-issued ID. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver's license, DMV identification card, military ID, or passport. To pick up a student, office staff MUST see an ID to verify you are on the emergency care form and the student can be released to you. 📱For Visitors/Volunteers: Raptor Safe App For those who need to attend a meeting or event during the school day, or to volunteer in the library, cafe or classroom, we recommend downloading the Raptor Safe app to ensure a faster sign in process. Instead of using your driver's license, scanning both sides, and taking a selfie every time you come into the school, you set up your Raptor Safe app at home. Then when you get to school, you pull up a secure QR code, scan it, select the reason, and your badge will print out! This will work at any FCPS school. Search your app or play store for the Raptor Safe app. See instructions on how to set it up. Please remember: If you are signing out a student, you need to show your ID; the Raptor app is not sufficient. Interesting in Volunteering at Garfield? All prospective volunteers must be registered and approved through Volunteer FCPS. Complete the following steps:  Register in the Volunteer FCPS online volunteer management system to create a profile.  Complete our FCPS Volunteer Orientation  Submit an online volunteer application that includes your contact information, areas of interest, and availability.  Depending on the level of involvement, some volunteers may be required to undergo background checks.  For more information, visit the Volunteer FCPS FAQs page.

FCPS Transportation

If a bus is delayed, parents and caregivers may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to communicate significant bus delays. Visit the Transportation Services webpage to find out who to contact with specific questions. For emergencies after hours, contact the Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.

Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.

We ask for your patience! Bus drivers are checking in students and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.

Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.

To ensure a safe and successful start to the school year, please have your child follow their daily arrival and dismissal procedures on the very first day. Establishing this routine early helps them learn how to get to and from school safely.

Bus

Bus routes are posted to SIS ParentVUE accounts. Children with specialized transportation should have received a call from transportation with details.

Student ID Cards: Students who ride the bus will receive a student identification (ID) card, which will be provided by the first week of September (update), more information coming soon.

Students who ride the school bus will tap their student ID card when boarding and exiting the bus. This ensures that transportation team members can see which students are riding which school buses. Again this will begin early in September.

You can monitor your child's bus arrival. To know when your child's bus is approaching, get the Here Comes the Bus mobile app. It is a school bus tracking system that gives you real-time bus location and text or email notification. Click here for more information and the FCPS access code. Here Comes the Bus will be replaced with FCPS My Ride later this year.

Kindergarten, PreK and PAC

Kindergarten students, riding the afternoon school bus will be returned to school unless a parent, guardian, caregiver, or an older sibling (middle school age or above) meets them at the bus door and verbally confirms their name.

Pre-K and PAC students, riding the afternoon school bus will be returned to school unless met by a parent, guardian, or caregiver, 18 years or older meets them at the bus door and verbally confirms their name.

Kiss and Ride

• New families who are in need of a Kiss and Ride tag should come into the school office to get a tag. Tags are required for families whose students will be picked up every day from the Kiss and Ride line.
• Students will be let out of cars starting at 9:05 a.m. and will be dismissed to cars starting at 4:05 p.m.

Changes to Your Child's Transportation

Teachers need to know how all students typically get to school.  Should you need to make alternate arrangements one day (i.e. you will pick up your child instead of sending him on the bus), let the office and teacher know that morning so they are aware of the change. The best way to make a change during the school day is to call the office, 703-313-4300. Teachers are instructing and not checking email.

A Love of Learning Begins at Home with HIPPY!

Fairfax County Public Schools offers HIPPY—Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters—a free educational program for families with children ages 2, 3, or 4.

HIPPY helps prepare children for kindergarten through fun, age-appropriate activities focused on mathematics, reading, science, writing, motor skills, and language development. Families receive free books, supplies, and curriculum activity packets to use at home.

For more information or to enroll, please contact:

Sara Parada: 703-204-4350 | spparadacamp@fcps.edu
Deiby Brizuela Lazo: 703-204-4307 | debrizuelalazo@fcps.edu

Learn more at www.fcps.edu/departments/office-family-and-school-partnerships.

YOUR GES PRINCIPAL PARTNERS

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with your family this school year. Our goal is to provide every child with a safe, welcoming, and positive learning environment where they can grow and thrive.

Please know that we are always here to listen, answer questions, and address concerns. Thank you for your continued support and for being such an important part of our Garfield  team. Together, we can make this a wonderful year for every child!  Thank you!

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