This Week's Eagle Express

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Hello Garfield Families,

We have just a few reminders to share this week:

Ramadan Observance forms - if you have not yet submitted your child's form, please send it as soon as possible. Click Here for Ramadan Form.
Monday, February 16^th - NO SCHOOL in observance of Presidents Day
Thursday, February 19^th, Ramadan Begins
Tuesday, February 17^th - NO SCHOOL for Teacher Workday
Wednesday, February 25^th – 3-hour Early Release – 1:05pm

As a reminder, second quarter report cards are now available in ParentVUE. We encourage you to log in and review your child’s progress. If you have any questions, your child’s teacher is always a great first point of contact.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support of Garfield ES. We are looking forward to a strong and productive third quarter together.

Blessings and Joy,

Mrs. Peerman and Ms. Manning

Feb. 25 is the next Early Release Wednesday

Wednesday, February 25th is our next early release Wednesday.

As shared, your previous early release preference will be the selection we use for every early release date for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year. Our staffing is based on these previous family preferences. If you choose to change your child’s transportation the day of our early release, you will need to come in person to make the change and pick your child from the front office.

Ramadan
(Feb. 18-March 19)

For Students Who are Fasting

For the month of Ramadan, Garfield ES will provide a comfortable and quiet space for students who are fasting during lunch as an alternative to the cafeteria.

Will Your Child Be Fasting During Ramadan?

We recognize that many in the Garfield community will be observing Ramadan, and parents may wish to have their children offered accommodations during lunch time if they are fasting. If your child will be fasting, please let us know by filling out this form. Please use the form to request that your student spend their lunch time in a designated quiet area. This space will allow them to pray, rest, read, or engage in quiet activities in an area that is supervised.

If your child will need to miss instructional time for prayer purposes, please contact Ms. Manning at eamanning1@fcps.edu

We are planning to offer this space from February 18 - March 19, 2026.

Fasting? Take a Meal Kit Home!

FCPS is offering take-home meal kits for students fasting for Ramadan between Feb. 18 - March 19.

Parents must fill out a form for each student every week, and students will pick up the kits at the end of each school day.

Meal kits are charged just like school meals and include the same healthy, fresh food from the school menu.

For more information and to fill out the forms, visit fcps.edu/food.

Student Transfer Renewal Applications Open February 15

A student registered in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is expected to attend the school assigned to the student’s home address. The local or base school can be identified by the FCPS Boundary Locator. However, an enrolling parent may request a student transfer for their child in grades kindergarten through 12 to attend a non-base school. Student transfers will be considered if the school capacity, grade-level capacity, and the school curricular program at the requested school will permit, as determined by FCPS.

February 15 - April 1: renewal applications open
March 1- June 1: initial/new applications open

Please visit https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/registration/student-transfer-information for more information about student transfers.

Kindergarten Registration:

It’s as Easy as 1-2-3

There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:

Determine eligibility. Identify your local school.
Gather documents.
Fill out forms.
Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation and any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process.

Also, please share with families you may know that have a child who will turn 5 on/before September 30, 2026!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Sarah Rothman at 703-923-2900.

Upcoming Student Experience Survey at GES

Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

All students in grades 3-6, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 23. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 23, and Friday, March 6. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which include a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.