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🗓️Upcoming Events
October 26: School Picture Day
October 26: Outstanding Employee Awards Nominations Due
October 28: Impact Aid Forms completed
October 30: End of First Quarter 2-hour Early Release – 2:05 p.m.
November 2 and 3: NO SCHOOL - Student Holidays
November 25-27: No School-Thanksgiving Holiday
Note: For the 2026–2027 school year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has designated Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, as a regular instructional school day, while the Fairfax County SACC Program will be closed. Please plan before and after school care for your children.
Hello Garfield Families!
Next week marks the end of the first quarter of school. We have an early release on Friday the 30th. School will dismiss at 1:25. Students have Monday, November 2nd and Tuesday, November 3rd off. If you have not scheduled a time for a conference with your child's teacher, please be sure to do that.
Also, please help us recognize our amazing Garfield staff by nominating an employee for an FCPS Outstanding Employee Award! Every year, Fairfax County Public Schools celebrates the remarkable efforts and accomplishments of both school-based and non-school-based employees across the district. The process starts at the school level, proceeds to the pyramid, and then to the region where one individual from each category is awarded an outstanding employee award.
You may nominate one employee per category by completing this Google Form
Award Categories are:
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding School-Based Professional Staff Leader
- Outstanding Educational Services Employee
- Outstanding Operational Services Employee
The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, October 30, 2026.
Questions about eligibility or nominations? Contact Mrs. Samuels @ nsamuels@fcps.edu
Thank you for your continued partnership, dedication, and trust. Garfield ES is an amazing learning community, and we’re grateful to work alongside you.
Kindly, Mrs. Peerman and Ms. Manning
Annual Book Character Day
Friday, October 30th
To celebrate our GES school-wide love of reading, students and staff are encouraged to dress up as a favorite book character, THIS Friday, October 30th!
Students are encouraged to bring a book that includes the character they are representing. During the school day, they may be asked to share more about the character they’ve chosen.
Guidelines for Book Character Costumes
- Characters must be age appropriate and from elementary or middle- grade level books.
- Costumes may not involve blood or other horror-type elements.
- No weapons of any kind or masks that cover the entire face.
Costumes must allow students to take care of personal needs, sit at desks, and participate in school and classroom activities throughout the day, including appropriate shoes for PE/recess!!
What Do You Think of Our 2026-2027 School Innovation and Improvement Plan?
Each year every school in FCPS is required to write a School Innovation and Improvement Plan, which we call the SIIP. The plan identifies the areas in which we want to grow and the steps to get there. As a Title 1 School, we publish a modified version of the plan on our website for families and community members to see, and this year we are asking for your feedback on the plan!
Join Us for Spirit Week!!!!
October 26 – October 30
Fall Spirit Week is next week! Garfield students can celebrate the season by dressing up for a different theme each day:
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Monday, October 26 — Sweater Weather: Wear a cozy sweater or sweatshirt.
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Tuesday, October 27 — Flannel Day: Wear plaid or flannel.
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Wednesday, October 28 — College Day: Wear a shirt or sweater from your favorite college.
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Thursday, October 29 — Twin Day: Match outfits with a friend.
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Friday, October 30 — Book Character Day: Dress as a character from a favorite book.
Return Your Federal
Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, October 28.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page or contact MariaPaz Garcia.
Please complete by Monday, December 14.
Maintain Access to Your Child’s Grades and Assignments:
Download the New ParentVUE App
New ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile apps launched in July. Be sure to download the new app before winter break. After that time, you will need to use the new mobile app or a web browser to access ParentVUE or StudentVUE.
For instructions on installing the new apps and learning more about the updated login process, visit ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile app resources. If you need assistance, please submit a Parent Support Request.
Immunization Events for
FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. 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. Additional immunization resources are available
New Literacy Webinar Series
Fairfax County Public Schools is presenting a literacy webinar series to help families understand reading assessments, reading plans, and how to support their child at home. The series and topics:
- October 20, 10 a.m.- Understanding Reading Assessments and Your Child
- December 15, 10 a.m.- What is a Reading Plan?
- February 19, 10 a.m.- How Do I Support My Child with a Reading Plan at Home?
- May 14, 10 a.m.- Continuing Reading Success Through the Summer.
Click here to see the flyer.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Transportation Survey
Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) at Home
Growing Together:
Talking About Social-Emotional Learning at Home
Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and other important skills that support their success in school and throughout life. Join a workshop for parents and caregivers to:
- Understand your child’s Fairfax County SEL Screener results.
- Use the results as a starting point for meaningful conversations at home.
- Support your child’s social and emotional development.
- Build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills together.
Learn practical ways to talk with your child about their social and emotional well-being and support their continued growth at home. Events will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at Skyview High School and Wednesday, October 21, at Kingstowne Regional Library. View additional dates on the FCPS Family Academy webpage.
Childcare will be available. Interpretation services are available upon request. For more information, contact the Family and School Partnerships office at 703-204-4300 or FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu.
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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