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Dear Great Falls ES Families,

With colder-than-average temperatures expected in the coming months, we want students to enjoy outdoor recess whenever possible. While outdoor activities are limited when temperatures fall below 20°F or wind chill reaches -5 to -20°F, outdoor play remains essential for physical, mental, and social well-being.

Please complete this Google Form to grant permission for your child to participate in outdoor recess on colder days, even beyond standard guidance.  You are welcome to send additional warm weather clothing and accessories to keep in the classroom should you wish.  Please rest assured, we will monitor conditions and keep students indoors if it becomes unsafe.

Remember to send students with warm coats and outdoor accessories in the coming months as ALL STUDENTS will be going outside to recess whenever temperatures allow.

Thank you for your support,
Sara Harper

Upcoming Dates

Jan 20: School Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
Jan 23: Dual Language Immersion Information Night (kinder parents only)
Jan 24: PTA Bingo Night
Jan 28: End of Second Quarter
Jan 28: Winter Band and Strings Concert
Jan 29: No School - Teacher Work Day
Feb 1:  Rise Against Hunger Langley Pyramid Food Packing Event
Feb 10: - 3 hour Release Monday
Feb 17:  President's Day Holiday

Click here for the most recent GFES PTA Updates
Click here for our GFES  SOL testing calendar.
Click here for the FCPS school year calendar.

Cafeteria Courtesy

We kindly ask all visiting parents to refrain from using cell phones while in our cafeteria and classrooms. This includes taking pictures or texting during visits.

Protecting student privacy is a top priority, and many of our parents have opted their children out of being photographed or in videos. To respect these privacy preferences and maintain a safe, distraction-free environment, please keep cell phones away unless it is an emergency.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us create a welcoming and focused space for all students!

🏢Meet our new Office Assistant!

Tracey Leverett comes to Great Falls Elementary after working in various roles in business. She is a people-person who enjoys helping others and learning.

Born in Indiana, Tracey has lived in several states including New York, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida. She loves living in Virginia and has been here for 20 years. She earned her BBA from Angelo State University in Texas.

Tracey serves on the Board of Directors of Loudoun Cares, a nonprofit connecting volunteers and those in need. She has two grown children and is a new grandmother. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering in the community and church, reading and cycling. 

📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our (703) 404-6000.

Update On Potential Middle School Start Time Changes!

I think it is important that all of you are informed about the discussion on Middle School Start Times, which don’t just affect Middle School! At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent. Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

📆2025 SOL Testing Calendar Join Us in Supporting the Langley Pyramid Rise Against Hunger Event!

We invite you to support your student(s) in collaborating with the Langley Pyramid community for our annual Rise Against Hunger event, a service-learning tradition benefiting schools and orphanages worldwide.

Event Highlights:

• 1,000,000 Meals Milestone: We aim to package our one-millionth meal this year by preparing 82,080 meals on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Colvin Run Elementary School.
• Fundraising Goal: To reach this milestone, we need to raise $34,475 by January 31. Every 42 cents funds a meal!

How You Can Help:

1. 1. Loose Change Drive: Students can bring cash donations to school from January 10 to January 31.
   2. Online Donations: Make tax-deductible contributions at Langley Pyramid Rise Against Hunger 2025. Company-matched donations are welcome!
   3. Volunteer:
      • Sign up to volunteer on Feb. 1 by clicking here.
      • Children aged 4-12 must attend with an adult. Volunteer slots are tied to the funds raised, so donations are encouraged.

Each meal impacts 5-6 individuals, with this year’s efforts potentially benefiting over 500,000 people worldwide. Let’s come together to make a difference and achieve this monumental milestone.

🧮 FCPS Family Math Week

Join FCPS as we enjoy games and stories that delight all ages - all from the comfort of home - as we go for 3,000,000 family math minutes!

Come together as a community for students in K-8 with delightful math games and stories - all on your own time and from the comfort of your own home. All content will be available for free directly to all families in English and Spanish. 

All content will be available completely free on the website. To access the games, families will be able to simply click on the day of the week and find their child's grade and language. View the website at anytime for explanations and videos.

🏫 School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue! 

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures. 

📅 Chronic Absenteeism

A student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of their enrolled days in the school year for any reason (that’s excused or unexcused) – that’s only two days a month. Being in school at any grade level is critical to continuity of learning. A school’s chronic absenteeism rate is measured by calculating the percentage of students chronically absent out of all enrolled students in each school. I think that it is important for our community to know that chronic absenteeism is one of only two areas of the School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF) common across elementary, middle, and high schools. Louise Archer’s overall performance is measured in part by the chronic absenteeism rate at our school. Please remember this fact when scheduling trips, doctor’s appointments, and other events with your families. Please expect to see an email in the near future outlining the absenteeism rate for your student/s at Louise Archer. If you have any questions, please let us know in the office. Thank you for your support and help!

🤧 Flu and Cold Season

Please monitor the health of your children. Students should not come to school unless they have been fever-free for 24 hours or more without the use of fever-reducing medication. Students should not come to school if they have vomited within 24 hours. Sending your child to school when they’re sick spreads illnesses so that other families – and our staff – face the same difficulties.  Remember that students are working in small spaces together.  Students who are sick are not able to do their best work.  Please help us stop the spread of germs by keeping sick children home.

📴 SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey Coming Soon

All FCPS families and middle and high school students will be receiving an email invitation on Tuesday, January 21, to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available from January 21 to February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!

💻 Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter

Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps. 

Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.

Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVueLearn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.

701 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066  |  Phone: 703.757.2100

Attendance: 703.757.2111 or [email protected]

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Countdown to Winter Break

It's the last week before winter break and we're counting down with an SCA-sponsored spirit week! Today was holiday sweater day; here's a reminder for the rest of the week:

Tuesday: twin day; Wednesday: mismatch day; Thursday: holiday colors; Friday: pajama day!

701 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066  |  Phone: 703.757.2100

Attendance: 703.757.2111 or [email protected]

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Dear Great Falls ES Families,

As we embark on the most wonderful time of the year, we are excited to share all the festivities and learning opportunities that await our students. 

December is in full swing, and our calendar is packed with activities to celebrate the season and make lasting memories. From joyful choral concerts to spirited dress-up days during our SCA Spirit Week, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Classrooms are buzzing with excitement as students prepare for holiday-themed activities and parties, and we are busy celebrating our staff members nominated for FCPS Excellence awards. With so much to look forward to, we’re cherishing every moment as we count down to a well-deserved holiday break.

Last week, our PTA Diversity Showcase was an incredible celebration of our school community's rich cultures and traditions. Our families created vibrant booths highlighting their homes' and cultures' unique celebrations and customs. From traditional foods and music performances to colorful displays and interactive activities (the hot chocolate bar was also pretty amazing), the event offered an excellent opportunity for students and families to learn from one another and embrace the beauty of diversity.

We look forward to a joyous and productive December filled with holiday cheer, academic growth, and community spirit.

Warmly,

Sara Harper, Principal

Upcoming Dates

December 11 - Make Up Picture Day
December 12 - Winter Choral Concert
December 15 - Deadline to apply for full-time advanced academic services
December 16 - SCA Spirit Week
December 23 - Jan 3: Winter Break
Jan 6: School Resumes
Jan 20: School Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
Jan 28: End of Second Quarter
Jan 29: No School - Teacher Work Day

Click here for the FCPS school year calendar.

📅Great Falls ES Office Closed

The front office will be closed from December 23rd - January 3rd. Students and staff will return on January 6, 2024.

🎉GFES Employee Honors Nominees

We are grateful to everyone who took the time to nominate our staff members for FCPS Honors awards. We shared the wonderful comments left with our staff, who were so appreciative! Please help us in congratulating those listed below for being recognized:

• Alexis Baloy—"Ms. Alexis Baloy is an extraordinary educator whose unparalleled dedication transforms the lives of her students in profound ways.”
• Eileen Donohue—"My daughter told me, ‘Ms. Donohue is going over our work to see if we did mistakes and she doesn’t mind explaining it again, no matter how many times she has to, I’m not afraid to tell her that I did not understand; I never had a teacher like her.’”
• Colleen Murphy—” Colleen has the kindest soul and always has a smile on her face! She goes above and beyond in her role as the administrative assistant!”
• Allison Battaglia—"She truly goes above and beyond to help support not only my kids but all of the kids at the school! She is so welcoming and says I can always stop by her room or reach out to her and I know she truly means it and isn’t just saying it!”
• Ayaka Monheim—"She differentiates for students depending on their needs, she checks in on students during rotations/activities to make sure they are doing well, and so much more! She uses so many different means to teach the students not only Japanese but also math, science and health!”
• Laura Lee Couch—"She understands the individual needs of students, encourages their talents, and fosters their self-esteem by supporting each child on their unique path of development.”
• Sean Farnum—"He has an amazing way of making his students feel valued, no matter their differences, and gives each a way to 'shine' through projects, choices, and creativity.”
• Julia Day—"Julia is in her first year as a classroom teacher and has shown a remarkable level of poise. Her calm demeanor permeates the classroom.”
• Anne Poliquin—"Anne truly cares about her students and wants them all to succeed, working hard to collaborate with colleagues and parents to figure out the best way to support each child.”
• Kelly Schulman—"Kelly is always open to ideas and collaboration. No matter the challenges thrown at her, she figures out a way to make things work for her students.”
• Catherine Heflin—"Mrs Heflin strikes a perfect balance of seriousness and silliness, making learning fun for Kindergarten students, setting them up for long-term educational success.”
• Jen Roberts—"Jen consistently treats everyone with respect and always assumes the best.”

We are excited to put forth the following staff members to the region to represent Great Falls:

• Professional Employee: Allison Battaglia, Speech Language Pathologist

• Operational Employee: Colleen Murphy, School Finance Assistant

• Teacher of the Year: Alexis Baloy, 3rd grade teacher

• New Teacher of the Year: Julia Day, 3rd grade teacher

🚗Parking at GFES 

We kindly ask for your cooperation in making the most of our limited parking spaces. Please ensure you park within the marked lines to avoid taking up more than one space and refrain from blocking other vehicles or designated areas. If possible, consider carpooling whenever possible to help ease congestion.

Your attentiveness helps ensure everyone can find a spot, especially during this busy time of year. Thank you for your understanding and support in creating a considerate parking environment!

SCA Winter Spirit Week 📸Make Up Picture Day 

Make Up Picture Day will be on Wednesday, December 11th! As a reminder, Make Up Picture Day is for students new to GFES since fall Picture Day on October 9th, students that were absent on Picture Day, or students that purchased a package and are returning the package for a retake. Students that are returning packages for retakes, must bring the full contents of the package to the camera.

If you still need to purchase a photo package, it’s not too late! Go to  www.strawbridge.net and enter the code: FM453628. You can also click here to sign up to receive updates via email regarding your child’s school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals, and the ability to order more pictures after picture day. When entering your student’s information, please be sure to enter it exactly as it is on file with GFES. 

🍞2024 Sister School Food Drive Thank You! 

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the 2024 Sister School Food Drive! Your generous donations helped make a positive difference for local families. We delivered ~2 carloads of non-perishable food to local food-insecure families from Glen Forest Elementary. Thank you for your support!

Special thanks to volunteers Lauren Vogel, Alice Lee, Ms. Murphy, Ms. Mizell, and the SCA students for helping support the food drive.  

🤝🏻Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School (Cafeteria).  If you are unable to attend on this date, please view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

📆Reminder:  Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Amy Keefer ([email protected]) no later than December 15, 2024. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted. 

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Amy Keefer ([email protected]).

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. 

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

🤝Handwashing

As we transition into the fall and winter seasons, we must remind our students, staff, and families about the importance of practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. These simple practices can significantly reduce the spread of germs, particularly during the upcoming holiday season when gatherings and travel increase.

Key Reminders:

• Wash Hands Frequently: Encourage students to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing.  
• Use Hand Sanitizer: When soap and water are not readily available, provide access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content.
• Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Remind students to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly in a wastebasket and wash their hands.
• Avoid Touching Face: Discourage students from touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 

701 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066  |  Phone: 703.757.2100

Attendance: 703.757.2111 or [email protected]

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🦃 Happy Thanksgiving,
Great Falls ES Families! 🍁

As Thanksgiving draws near, we want to take a moment to say how grateful we are for YOU!  Your partnership, support, and care make our school community truly special.

To spread a little joy, take a moment to watch this video of our outstanding students sharing what they’re thankful for today; it’s sure to bring a smile to your face!

📝This year, we’re making gratitude our homework! I’ve asked our staff to avoid assigning homework or projects explicitly due over the break. While long-term assignments may span the holiday, I’ve encouraged teachers to keep Thanksgiving a true break for students. This time is meant for families to connect, recharge, and create memories. I also want our teachers to rest, unplug, and enjoy a well-deserved pause from planning and grading.

🥧We hope you can take this holiday to breathe, relax, and return refreshed. No stress, no deadlines – just turkey, pie, and quality time with loved ones. 

From all of us at Great Falls ES, have a joyful, restful Thanksgiving. We are so thankful to partner with such a fantastic school community!

701 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066  |  Phone: 703.757.2100

Attendance: 703.757.2111 or [email protected]

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Great Falls ES Families,

We hope everyone had a wonderful Veterans’ Day on Monday. To all the Veterans who have served, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your service and the sacrifices you have made to keep us safe. To commemorate the day, we showcased this beautiful slideshow featuring community and family Veteran submissions on our morning news and in the front lobby.

Our students also read America’s White Table by Margot Theis Raven, and we set up a white table in the foyer as a solemn tribute. This symbolic table honors the courage and sacrifice of our Veterans, representing the absence of fallen heroes and our enduring hope for the safe return of those still missing.

Boundary Review Info:
As a reminder, FCPS has started reviewing school boundaries across the division. This vital work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is essential to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will host a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

Ms. Merna's New Adventure:
Today is Merna Shenouda's last day with us in our front office.  Ms. Merna has been a part of our office staff since 2022.  During her time, she has been a familiar and supportive staff member for our students, helping out our community in so many ways from support in the classroom to helping our kiddos in the nurse's office.  This past May, Merna graduated from GMU with a degree in social work, and it's time for her to start her career of choice🎉  We will miss her greatly we also want to congratulate her on her new role as a Fairfax County Government Employee in which she will be performing duties tied to her areas of study.

Have a lovely weekend,

Sara

📅Upcoming Dates

Nov. 27 - 29:  No School - Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 4:  Federal Impact Aid Surveys Due submit via SIS ParentVUE 
Dec. 5 - Diversity Showcase from 6-8pm, "Celebrating the World: A Tapestry of Holidays and Traditions"
Dec 9: 3-hour Early Release Monday
Dec 20 - Jan 6:  Winter Break

Click here to read GFES PTA newsletter updates.
Click here for the FCPS school year calendar.

⏲Early Release Monday on December 9

Our next 3-hour early release will take place on December 9. We are asking one final time this school year for you to please complete a survey to let us know if your child will dismiss at 12:30 the way they would normally leave (bus, kiss and ride/walker, or SACC) or if you have a need for childcare and they will remain with us until 3:30. 

• NEW THIS TIME: To help ease the process of collecting and verifying this information, we have developed a new form and accompanying website where you can check your child’s information. Please complete one form per child–you will need your child’s student ID. We will message these out to make sure you have them at hand. Then, use this URL to check that your submission recorded properly: https://tinyurl.com/GFESEarlyMondays.
• MOVING FORWARD: For future early release dates, you will only need to submit a form if you need to make a change. We will send out a reminder to check your submission and make changes as needed.
• CLOSING DATE: As with last time, the last day to make changes will be the Wednesday before the early release (December 4). This allows us time to make staffing and scheduling plans. If there is an emergency that necessitates a change, please call the front office.

🌟M.A.R.K. Model Students

We are proud to share that the following students were nominated for recognition by staff members for being on their M.A.R.K.:

• Race H. is consistently on his M.A.R.K., following directions, working hard, and helping his peers!
• Rustam H was responsible when he cleaned up the classroom and helped his friends.
• Nathan L is consistently kind, working to make his MARK each day!
• Gus G was mindful and kind when he took the time to check in on another student, despite not feeling well himself.
• Sebastian G was responsible and kind when helped younger members of his Roadrunner Family formulate goals and engaged them in polite conversation 
• Annie B was also responsible and kind during Roadrunner Families, engaging a nervous kindergarten student and helping them feel comfortable!
• Isaac L is a responsible student, being a great listener and active participant in his Roadrunner Family
• Abby H was also responsible and kind, helping a kindergartener in her Roadrunner Family think about a good goal to become a better communicator.
• Anika A is a mindful and kind student; she’s always positive, shares her ideas, and helps younger students when they need it!

❗Community Reminder

For the safety and security of Great Falls Elementary School students, we ask that community members refrain from accessing school grounds during the school day for recreational use.  Additionally, pets are never permitted on school property. This includes areas such as playgrounds, sports fields, and parking lots. All visitors must check in at the front office and follow proper sign-in procedures. We also ask that you remind your neighbors of this policy to help ensure a secure environment for everyone.

School security or local law enforcement may be called if there are any concerns or non-compliance with this policy. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and secure campus for our students and staff. Thank you for your understanding and support!

🎭Cooper MS Elsewhere Performance 

Our local middle school is excited to present a special matinee performance of Elsewhere on Saturday, November 23rd from 2 PM - 4PM! This captivating production is perfect for the whole family, and elementary school students can attend for free with a pass! After the show, there’s a fun opportunity for students to join the cast and crew for a pizza party! It’s a great chance to meet the performers and celebrate the show together. If interested in attending, simply complete the Google Form by clicking here to claim your free pass.

Don’t miss out on this exciting event and the chance to support our talented middle school performers!

📍IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. 

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance. 

🎧Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

👨‍🏫Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.

701 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066  |  Phone: 703.757.2100

Attendance: 703.757.2111 or [email protected]

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We're proud to earn our Purple Star!

We’re thrilled to announce that Great Falls ES has been awarded the prestigious Purple Star designation! This honor recognizes our commitment to supporting military-connected students and families, ensuring they feel welcomed and valued in our school and community.

The Purple Star designation reflects our ongoing efforts to provide exceptional resources, programs, and guidance tailored to the needs of our military families. You can read more about this achievement and what it means for our school by visiting FCPS Distinguished Purple Star Schools.

Stay tuned over the next few weeks to hear about the fun and educational activities planned for our students to celebrate and learn more about this wonderful honor ⭐

701 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066  |  Phone: 703.757.2100

Attendance: 703.757.2111 or [email protected]

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Dear Great Falls ES Families,

Happy November! As we enter this month of gratitude, I want to express our thanks for the support of our PTA and school community.  Our fall festival continues to be one of the very best events the PTA hosts, and it was lovely to see everyone in their costumes enjoying fun, food, and togetherness. 

Over the past two days, our staff has been busy completing conferences and progress reports to communicate students’ first-quarter progress.

Reminders:

• Progress Reports will be available on ParentVue on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.
• Note: A progress report reflects learning at a point in time, not an average over the period.
• With our new Benchmark curriculum, skills are taught and reinforced each quarter, so language arts grades may look different than they have in the past. Students are not expected to have mastered skills by the first quarter, so you may not see “4s” yet.  A “4” represents a high level of achievement, showing a strong understanding of all skills taught for that standard during the quarter (please see visual example below). Teachers base grades on the most recent assessment data to reflect current learning.

• An 'nt' mark indicates a concept wasn’t taught that quarter, while 'na' means a standard wasn’t assessed summatively. All skills are expected to be taught and assessed over the year unless noted otherwise, except for students who join later or have extended absences.
• You can read more on the FCPS website.

As always, thank you for your support of all things Great Falls ES, and we look forward to seeing our students tomorrow!

Sincerely,
Sara Harper

Upcoming Dates

Nov. 4 & 5: Teacher Workdays (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
Nov. 6:  Last day to nominate a staff member for FCPS Awards
Nov. 8:  Impact Aid Forms Due 
Nov. 8: PTA Reflections Submission Deadline
Nov. 8: Spirit Day at Chick-Fil-A
Nov. 11: No School - Veterans' Day
Nov. 12:  Progress Reports accessible via ParentVue
Nov. 13: Orientation for Art Enrichment Session 2
Nov. 13: PTA General Meeting
Nov. 27 - 29:  No School - Thanksgiving Break  

Click here to read GFES PTA newsletter updates.
Click here for the FCPS school year calendar.

🏆M.A.R.K. Model Students

The students below are the latest group to be recognized for exhibiting one or more of the four core tenets of M.A.R.K.: Mindful, Accountable, Responsible, and Kind. We are so proud of them and grateful to have them as part of our Roadrunner community!

• Fiona C was recognized for being kind and polite, always expressing gratitude!
• Ava L is always on her MARK, holding herself to high standards.
• Michael H is a responsible student, volunteering to help a teacher finish a special project
• Ella J is consistently on her MARK, a wonderful model for other students in the classroom!
• Taylor S is also always on her MARK, going above and beyond as a patrol for kindergarteners.
• Emily M demonstrates kindness to classmates and teachers. Her teacher doesn’t know what they’d do without her!
• Ethan E is on his MARK, helping his classmates feel welcome and invited at lunch and play time.
• Livy W was nominated for being kind, making sure a lost jacket made it back to its owner.
• Emma H was caught being mindful and kind; she noticed a classmate feeling left out and invited them to a special lunch bunch.
• Weijing Z is a model of responsibility, using his time wisely and often volunteering to help other students, especially with technology.

💜Heroes in Our Families - Honoring Our Veterans 

In honor of Veteran’s Day, we will host a Great Falls Elementary Heroes in Our Families series on our daily news show from November 12th - 15th.

This series will honor and remember our school community’s veterans and active military members. 

If you and your child wish to honor an immediate family member who is a veteran, we ask that you complete this Google form sharing specifics about them.

All submissions should be completed by Friday, November 8th. In addition to submitting the Google form, please email a digital copy of a photo of your veteran to Taleah Mizell at [email protected]. 

 📸Extra Fall Picture Ordering

Did you miss out on ordering your child's fall pictures? Strawbridge’s new Lookup Tool is here to help. Simply go to www.strawbridge.net/code-lookup/  and follow the instructions below.

1. Type "Great Falls Elementary" into the search box.
2. Select your state.
3. Click "Search."
4. Choose "Great Falls Elementary" from the list provided.
5. Select "Get Code" next to the picture day you need the code for.
6. Enter your child’s last name and Student ID number, then click "Search."
7. Click on the Student Code to access your student’s image gallery!

No need to contact Customer Service for an access code! However, if at any time you have questions about the Lookup Tool or are having difficulty navigating the site, you can still reach out to Strawbridge Customer Service team via the Live Chat on their website, www.strawbridge.net. Just have your student’s information ready for data security. Don’t miss this chance to capture those special moments!

Yearbook Ordering📸📚

Our 2024-2025 yearbook is now available for purchase! Don’t miss out on this opportunity — click here to buy your yearbook today and capture this year’s special moments for just $20! The deadline for ordering is March 21st, 2025, so be sure to secure your copy!

Reminder: Impact Aid Forms Due November 8

Thank you to all who have completed the Federal Impact Aid Survey.  If you have not already done so, please complete the form via ParentVUE, under "Online Packets". ** Note: only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form. 

Please note, if you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please fill out a form for each child. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you get to the final page and see a green check next to each of their names.

Advanced Academic Full-Time Referral Deadline

The winter referral deadline for full-time advanced academic referral forms is December 15, 2024.  More information and referral forms can be found here. Please contact Amy Keefer, AART, at [email protected] with  questions.

Family Learning Series Teen Series: Building Resilience: Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence

Join us for a series of insightful sessions focusing on the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of teen development. Learn strategies to support resilience, mental health, and healthy boundaries, fostering a nurturing environment for adolescents to thrive. Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

November 16, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.

Register online

 

Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families

Drugs and drug prevention have become increasingly important topics in recent years. Are you unsure about how to approach the topic of drugs with your child? Join us to learn how to navigate this importance discussion with confidence and ease! Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

November 22, 2024 10-11:30 a.m.

Register online

701 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066  |  Phone: 703.757.2100

Attendance: 703.757.2111 or [email protected]

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Dear Great Falls ES Families,

Hello families! October is in full swing, and we’re excited to share the latest news, events, and highlights from our school community.  

Our next three-hour early release Monday is October 28th at 12:25 pm, and we need your help.  We currently need dismissal information for 268 students.  Please take a second to complete this form to let us know your child's after-school plans.  Please also note that all students must have a completed form even if they go to SACC.

Additionally, we kindly ask that you refrain from submitting any early release Monday Change of Transportation requests.  We want to ensure all our students get home safely, as planned, on Monday. Your cooperation is needed so your family's plan is clear and consistent. 

Thank you for your support,

Sara Harper
Principal

Upcoming Dates

Oct. 21 - Oct. 25:  PTA winter coat drive
Oct. 25:  Purchase your child's yearbook!
Oct. 28: Early Release Monday
Oct 31:  Character Spirit Day (no scary costumes, masks or weapons)
Oct. 31: Quarter 1 Ends and 2 hour release (1:35)
Nov. 1:  No School - Diwali
Nov. 4 & 5: Teacher Workdays (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
Nov. 6:  Last day to nominate a staff member for FCPS Awards
Nov. 11: No School - Veterans' Day
Nov. 27 - 29:  No School - Thanksgiving Break  

🎓Language Arts Grading and Curriculum Updates

With the introduction of the new language arts curriculum, progress reports this year might look different than in the past. 

With our new Benchmark curriculum, rather than teach discreet skills each quarter, every skill is taught every quarter and continually reinforced and built upon. Students are not expected to have mastered any skill by the end of first quarter. Because it is the first quarter and most skills have just been introduced, you will likely not see any 4s on a first quarter report card in language arts. This does not necessarily mean your child needs extra support in that area, just that we have only begun to practice the skill.

Likewise, please also remember that a "progress report" is different than a traditional report card and progress is what students know at a point in time rather than an average of performance over an entire period.

You can read more on the FCPS website.

📢Students on their M.A.R.K.

We've started a new recognition program for students who model one or more of the four core tenets of M.A.R.K.: Mindful, Accountable, Responsible, and Kind. When we receive a nomination from a staff member, we send home a certificate and recognize students on the school news every other Friday. The following students have been nominated for their positive contributions to our school community:

• Zeina L.P. was recognized for being kind and responsible. She's always ready to work hard and help her classmates!
• Olivia S was recognized for being responsible and kind by helping a younger student who lost a tooth in the kiss and ride line.
• Livinia U. was recognized for being kind and always polite to her classmates.
• Ella J. was recognized for being consistently on her M.A.R.K.! Her teachers report using her as a model for classroom expectations.
• Michael H. was recognized for being kind and lending a helping hand whenever it is needed!
• Ava L. is consistently on her M.A.R.K., holding herself to high standards and always showing respect to her teachers and classmates.
• Fiona C. was recognized for modeling kindness by always showing gratitude to staff and students.
• Sullivan R. was recognized for being responsible and showing ownership of his learning.
• Quinn R. was recognized for sharing her big heart by checking on a kindergartener having a tough day at recess and extending an open-ended invitation to come by and play with her.

We are so proud of these Roadrunners and cannot wait to spotlight more students in the next newsletter!

Storybook Character Day 🏆FCPS Excellence Awards🏆

Do you know someone who goes above and beyond at our school?

Now’s your chance to celebrate them! Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, staff member, or part of our community, you can nominate an outstanding candidate. Just fill out the Google form linked HERE and recognize their incredible contributions!

You can nominate one exceptional employee per category or recognize multiple individuals across categories! We only need a paragraph or two explaining how the nominee exemplifies outstanding work based on the award criteria. The form provides more details about each award.

Award Categories & Eligibility

Outstanding Teacher
Has 3+ years of experience as a teacher (any school/district). Librarians are also eligible.

Outstanding New Teacher
Has up to 3 years of experience as a teacher (any school/district). Librarians are included.

Outstanding Principal
Has 3+ years of experience as a building principal (any school/district).

Outstanding Leader
At least 1 year of experience as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (excluding the principal). Examples: Assistant/Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities/Services.

Outstanding Professional Employee
At least 1 year of experience as a Schedule-B or non-instructional employee supporting school leadership. Examples: School-Based Technology Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor.

Outstanding Operational Employee
At least 1 year of experience as a Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee. Examples: Administrative/Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, Instructional Assistants.

🗓️ Deadline for submissions: Wednesday, November 6th, 2024. 

If you have any questions, contact Jennifer Roberts,
[email protected] for more information.

Let’s show some love for the incredible people who make Great Falls Elementary School shine! 🌟

🎨📚Yearbook Cover Contest 

Just a reminder - our annual Yearbook Cover Contest kicked off on Tuesday, October 1st! This is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their artistic talents and design a unique cover for this year’s yearbook, which our staff will vote on.

Each entry must be created on an 8½” x 11” piece of paper. Entries must also include the school name and year prominently featured, as well as the student’s and their teacher’s name written lightly on the back. 

Feel free to use any coloring medium you like — markers, colored pencils, paints, watercolors, or crayons. Remember, the brighter and bolder the design, the better! Keep in mind that only student artwork will be accepted. Once artwork is complete, please submit it to Mrs. Mizell by Friday, October 25th. 

📸📚Yearbook & Picture Purchasing 

Our 2024-2025 yearbook is now available for purchase! Don’t miss out on this opportunity — click here to buy your yearbook today and capture this year’s special moments for just $20! The deadline for ordering is March 21st, 2025, so be sure to secure your copy!

And if you haven’t ordered your Fall Pictures yet, there’s still time!  Head to www.strawbridge.net and enter the code: FM453631 to purchase your photo package. 

📖Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) Reports 

This fall, all students in grades K-2 and some students in grade 3 were assessed using a new screener, VALLSS. Be on the lookout for a report detailing information about the screener and your child’s score. 

• For families with SIS Parentvue accounts, this will be available October 25 in the documents section.
• If you have not yet set up your ParentVue, we will send home a paper copy of the score report the following week. If you need assistance setting up your account, please email Jen Roberts.

If you have questions about the contents of these reports, please reach out to your child’s teacher for further insight.

🧥🧤🧣 PTA Sponsored Winter Coat Drive:
October 21 – 25, 2024 

The GFES Winter Coat Drive starts next week! We are collecting new and gently used clean coats, as well as new hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves in all sizes for children and adults.  The greatest need this year is for children’s coats, newborn – teen sizes, and very large women’s and men’s coats 2XL+.  All donations will be distributed at the Embry Rucker Shelter and the Hunter Mill District Coat Closet.  Donations will be collected from Monday, October 21 – Friday, October 25.  The collection boxes will be located outside the main entrance to the school and in the main lobby.  Help those in need this winter by giving the gift of warmth.  Every donation makes a difference! Thank you for your generous support.  

 💻Digital Citizenship Week

This week, we celebrated Digital Citizenship Week! Each morning on the news, we talked about ways to be safe and responsible when going online. Consider continuing the conversation at home using resources on our FCPS website or from Common Sense Media.

👀Lost and Found 

We have an overwhelming amount of lost and found items accumulating in our school! From jackets and lunchboxes to water bottles and hats, many belongings are waiting to be claimed.

From Monday, October 21st until Friday, October 25th, all the lost and found items will be in our school vestibule. Parents are welcome to come and browse the items to pick up anything that belongs to their child. Any unclaimed items on Friday, October 25th, will be donated to Embry Rucker with the items from our Winter Coat Drive or to The Closet in Herndon, so don’t miss your chance to recover lost treasures!

🍴Food Reminders at Lunch 

As we continue to foster a safe and inclusive environment at our school, we’d like to remind everyone of our policy regarding food sharing during lunch visits. While we love the spirit of celebration, especially for birthdays, we kindly ask that parents refrain from sharing any food items with students who are not their own.

This policy helps us maintain food safety standards and ensures that we respect all dietary restrictions and allergies. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in making lunchtime enjoyable and safe for all our students!

Celebrating Hindu Heritage Month  

October marks Hindu Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the rich cultural, spiritual, and historical contributions of Hindu communities around the world. This month is an opportunity for education, reflection, and appreciation of the diverse traditions that have shaped the lives of millions.

Hinduism is one of the oldest religions, with roots tracing back over 4,000 years. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices, and philosophies. Core concepts include Dharma (duty/righteousness), Karma (action and consequence), and Moksha (liberation). Festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Navratri showcase the vibrant traditions, celebrations, and community spirit within Hindu culture. Hindu heritage has significantly influenced art, music, dance, and literature. 

Hindu Heritage Month promotes inclusivity and understanding. To learn more, please visit this resource! It is a reminder of the importance of cultural diversity and the shared values that unite us. Let’s celebrate together, appreciating the beauty of Hindu traditions and the contributions of Hindu communities to our society.

The Fairfax County Youth Survey

The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people

Great Falls Elementary School will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey to the 6th grade students on November 14, 2024 at 10:00am.

While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete the form linked here and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 8, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.

701 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066  |  Phone: 703.757.2100

Attendance: 703.757.2111 or [email protected]

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Fall Community Flyer Distribution 

As outlined by FCPS Regulation 1367.2, school principals shall offer options to nonprofit organizations that want to make their materials available to students and parents. Please see the flyers we have collected below for our fall nonprofit flyer distribution.  

If you or your organization would like to participate in Great Falls ES’s fall community flier distribution, thru News You Choose, please send fliers to Sara Harper, [email protected]. 

Non-profit organizations are welcome to participate. All fliers must be approved by school representatives before they are distributed. Our spring community flier distribution will go out on March 17th.  All community fliers will need to be received by March 10th. 

701 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066  |  Phone: 703.757.2100

Attendance: 703.757.2111 or [email protected]

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Dear Great Falls Families,

Thank you for your support and patience during our first early release on Monday last week.  Please know that as we begin planning for our next Early Release Monday on October 28, we will adhere to the following protocols:

• We are asking everyone to please complete this updated form to indicate selections for your family. This is a new form created by Great Falls ES, so you only need to complete one form per family now unless your children will not be going home the same way or at the same time. You also have the opportunity to indicate if you would like them to go home with a friend that day or by a different means of transportation.
• New!  SACC will be open starting at 12:30 p.m. for those students who attend after-school SACC.  All students participating in after-school SACC will be dismissed directly to SACC at 12:30 p.m.
• No changes to your child's dismissal procedures will be allowed after Wednesday, October 23. This is strictly for student safety, as there were many same-day changes requested this past early-release Monday, which made it difficult to ensure that all students got home safely and correctly.    
• Many of you have asked that we publish/share what students who stay with us for the early release will be doing. Unfortunately, these specifics depend on how many students are staying with us until the 3:35 dismissal, and this is part of the reason last-minute changes are difficult to handle. We can tell you that students will continue to be supervised by a Great Falls ES staff member, likely one of our specialist teachers. The activities and groupings will need to be completed when we determine the specifics of who will be staying.

Thank you for understanding, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation in advance to make next month's Early Release Monday a success.  

As always, Mr. Diaz and I are here to answer any questions you may have.  Thank you for your support, and have a fantastic weekend!

Sara Harper

Calendar Updates:

Oct. 4 -No School (Teacher Work Day)
Oct. 9 - Fall Picture Day
Oct 10 -13 - Vision/Hearing Screening
Oct. 14 - No School (Indigenous Peoples' Day - Staff Development Day
Oct. 28  - 2nd Early Release Monday

Click here to read GFES PTA newsletter updates.
Click here for the FCPS school year calendar.

Fall Picture Day 📸 

We are excited to partner with Strawbridge Studios for our school portraits and yearbooks! 

This year, our Fall Picture Day will be on Wednesday, October 9th! Go to www.strawbridge.net and enter the code: FM453631 to purchase your picture package now!

You can also click here to sign up to receive updates via email regarding your child’s school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals, and the ability to order more pictures after picture day. When entering your student’s information, please be sure to enter it exactly as it is on file with GFES. 

💗 Custodian Appreciation Day!

Tuesday, October 2nd was Custodian Appreciation Day!  We celebrate the Great Falls ES custodial team for their commitment to our students, staff, and community. Not only do they support the maintenance of the school and grounds but they also work outside of school hours to open the building to the community for practices, meetings and events. GFES has the best custodial staff around and we are so thankful for all they do! 🎉🥳

STEAM Updates🧪

Welcome back to STEAM Lab!!!  We have already been very busy in STEAM this year.  Read below to find out more about what we are doing.  

Kindergarten has been exploring STEAM subjects with activities related to each letter of the alphabet.  Activities have varied from using air cannons to move pom poms, building bridges, and an introduction to coding.  This week, they explored the concept of friction and what can create more or less.  

First Grade started with Teambuilder STEM bins.  These bins provided students with different challenges and allowed them to practice and reflect on essential character traits.  We will also be exploring STEM subjects with activities related to each letter of the alphabet.  So far they have explored static electricity and Forensic Scientists.  Next week, they will learn about different geometric shapes.  

Second-grade built color spinners to “mix” colors and then created a container to hold them.  They have also learned about the Upstairs and Downstairs brain.  Next week, the students will work on Fall STEM Bins Teambuilders. They will work with partners and rotate through stations to complete eight different challenges.  

Third grade has embarked on a Mission to Mars.  These missions are designed to engage in hands-on activities that integrate standards-based science concepts with the engineering design process.  Each mission will focus on a different topic related to STEM, such as robotics, space, and chemistry, and include a real-world career connection.  Last week, we completed Mission 2: Astronaut Training. Students learned basic facts about Mars. Apply the engineering design process to create an astronaut boot.  Mission 3: Get to Mars; students will practice using the engineering design process to design, build, and test a straw rocket.  

Fourth grade used the engineering design process to create a balloon-powered car that could travel 5 feet in a straight line.  Next week, students will learn about bird beaks, bird-eating, and bird home preferences. Then students will research local birds and brainstorm how to create a bird feeder for local birds.

Fifth grade is embarking on a Mission to the Moon through Space Club.  The main goal of Space Club is to connect academic subjects to a real-world engineering problem through engaging, hands-on learning. We have wrapped up Mission 1: Meet the Crew.  In Mission 2:  Astronaut Training, students will use the engineering design process to create a roller coaster.  It will connect to Mission to Moon with the vomit comet that uses changes in acceleration to prepare humans for space travel.

The sixth graders just finished their Zipline challenge.  Students used the engineering design process to design a zipline to transport groceries from a store to a customer while maintaining appropriate social distance during a pandemic. Now, they are also learning about the Upstairs and Downstairs brain.  However, they will take it a step further than second grade.  They will design and build a paper circuit “brain house” paper circuit house that has lights to light up which floor is being used.

✅Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office. 

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Yearbook Cover Contest🎨📚

Our annual Yearbook Cover Contest kicked off on Tuesday, October 1st! This is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their artistic talents and design a unique cover for this year’s yearbook, which our staff will vote on.

Each entry must be created on an 8½” x 11” piece of paper. Entries must also include the school name and year prominently featured, as well as the student’s and their teacher’s name written lightly on the back. 

Feel free to use any coloring medium you like — markers, colored pencils, paints, watercolors, or crayons. Remember, the brighter and bolder the design, the better! Keep in mind that only student artwork will be accepted. Once artwork is complete, please submit it to Mrs. Mizell by Friday, October 25th. 

🗓️ Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence. 

Watch this video with tips on understanding the FCPS school year calendar and visit the Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

📚 Social Studies Basal Resources Review

FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person. 

All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

🧠Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:

• Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
• Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
• Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
• Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
• A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
• Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness. 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.

FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture

Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Government's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages.

Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage

Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.

In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit. 

The FCPS website has gun safety resources as well as information about safety and security practices at schools. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources. 

Safely Store Firearms and Medications

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more. 

Theater Workshop for 6th Grade Students 🎭

We are excited to announce a special opportunity for our 6th grade students! The Cooper Middle School Theatre Department will be hosting a one-day workshop on Saturday, October 26th, from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. This engaging workshop will not only teach students the fundamentals of stage combat but also provide a chance to meet and interact with fellow cast members from our upcoming fall show, Elsewhere, as well as students from Langley High School’s production of Beauty and the Beast.

To register, please complete the Google form. Once registered, you will receive an email with additional details and payment information. Participation is limited to 30 students so sign up soon! 

Workshop Details:

• Instructor: Arlen Hancock (Learn more about him here)
• Date and Time: Saturday, October 26th, from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
• Eligibility: 6th grade students (Limited to 30 participants)
• Cost: $10 (Payable via MySchoolBucks once registered)
• Lunch: A pizza lunch will be provided!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. Baber, Cooper Middle School’s Theater Arts Teacher, at [email protected]. 

✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

Our final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.

701 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066  |  Phone: 703.757.2100

Attendance: 703.757.2111 or [email protected]

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