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Upcoming Events
- Friday, 9/18 - Student Individual Pictures
- Monday, 9/21 - Student Holiday, No School
- Thursday, 10/2 – PTA Family Event. Stay tuned for details!
September 11
National Day of Service
With the 25th anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
As part of our National Day of Service observance, Leashes of Valor will visit Cardinal Forest on September 11. There will be an assembly for Kindergarten - 6th Grade students. Service dogs and their handlers will share how service dogs support veterans and others in need. The assembly will launch a weeklong school service project in which students and families will collect items to donate to the Leashes of Valor facility. More information about requested donation items will be shared soon. We invite all students to wear red, white, and blue this Friday.
FCPS Back to School 2026 Welcome Messages
Even though we recently celebrated our Back-to-School Nest Fest, we wanted to share a few additional words of welcome with our families. Please click the link below to hear a message from Dr. Reid, FCPS Superintendent. We have also included a warm welcome from Marcia St. John-Cunning, School Board Representative for the Franconia District.
We are grateful for their support of our students, families, and school community as we begin a wonderful new school year together.
Dr. Michelle C. Reid
Division Superintendent
Marcia St.John-Cunning for Franconia District Schools
🔐Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-2027
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. The number has been reduced from eight to four days.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with their peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students. Please view the dates for Garfield’s early release Wednesdays below:
- October 21
- December 2
- February 10
- May 5
Visit the FCPS website for more information about early release Wednesdays.
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!
Advanced Academic
Programs Information
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K to 12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3 to 7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2 to 7 may be referred by December 15.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services:
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Test (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Mrs. Geck, school testing coordinator, at kageck@fcps.edu by September 30
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings led our Advanced Academics teacher, Mrs. Heather Jenkins.
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AAP Continuum of Services: September 24 from 9:15am – 10:15am
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Full-Time AAP Identification: November 12th from 3:00pm – 4:00pm
For more information, please contact Heather Jenkins, AART, at hkjenkins@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Save the Date:
Community Conversations
with Superintendent Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
- Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Your Child’s Presence
at School Matters
The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success by helping them build good habits.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Reporting Discrimination or Harassment
Reporting Discrimination or Harassment
FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.
Spanish: Cómo reportar discriminación o acoso
FCPS está comprometido a brindar un entorno seguro, acogedor e inclusivo para personas de todas las razas, orígenes nacionales y etnias. Las personas que sean víctimas de acoso o discriminación deben reportar el incidente lo antes posible.
Digital Resource Consent
Online verification update. It must be completed each year. When you open this page, you need to click on packets. You will need to verify several pieces of information. This is where you will indicate if you have a hardship for Early Release Wednesdays.
In order to make sure your child has access to digital FCPS resources that a teacher may choose to use in class, please take a moment to review the Digital Resource Consent Form. If you have any questions about how a program might be used in your child’s classroom, please reach out to their teacher. More information about FCPS vision for intentional technology use can be found on the Educational Technology in FCPS website.
Special Education Family Conference
The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.
Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
In case you missed it in https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-week-september-2-2026, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
- Weather Safety
- Attendance Resources for Families
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
The Importance of the
Flu Vaccine
As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, the health and well-being of our students continues to be one of our priorities. Staying up to date with your child's flu vaccination helps:
- Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
- Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
- Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.
Upcoming Flu Shot Events
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
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
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