This Week's Eagle Express

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Mark Your Calendars!

May

May 13th - May 8^th – May 21^st – SOLs (see schedule below)
May 20^th - Wednesday Early Release - Dismissal 1:05 pm

May 25^th – Memorial Day Holiday – No School
May 26^th – Teacher Workday – No School
May 27^th – Eid al-Adha Holiday – No School

June

June 4^th – Band and Strings Concert – 3:00pm and 6:00pm
June 12^th – Field Day
June 16^th – 6^th Grade Promotion – 10:00am
June 17^th – Garfield’s Got Talent! (schoolwide talent show)
June 17^th – Last day of school

Order your Garfield Yearbook Today!

Please go to ybpay.lifetouch.com

GES Yearbook code is 14463726.

Pre-ordered copies will be delivered to students the last week of school

(June 15th-17th).

2026-2027 School Year: Looking Ahead

Moving?

Please Email Mrs. Peerman (Klpeerman@fcps.edu) and our registrar Sarah Rothman, sgrothman1@fcps.edu ASAP if your student will not be at Garfield next year.

Parent Input for Class Placements 2026-2027

As we plan for the 2026-2027 school year, we are inviting your input. Creating class assignments require careful consideration and the involvement of many perspectives. We know a good teacher-student match and a productive mix of children are ingredients for success. Should you have additional information about your specific child that school staff may not know, particularly regarding learning style and classroom environment, you have the option to complete the 2026-2027 Class Placement - Family Input Form no later than

Friday, May 15th. Please understand that while we value and consider all feedback, specific teacher requests and/or requests to place your child (or not place your child) with certain students cannot always be honored. Our primary goal is to create well-balanced classes that meet the diverse needs of all students.

Online Registration

To begin the process, visit fcps.edu/online-registration. Questions? Email Sarah Rothman, sgrothman1@fcps.edu,

Attention Parents of 6^th Grade Students:

Join us for our 6^th Grade Promotion

Tuesday, June 16th at 10:00am

We are excited to invite you to our 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony as we celebrate the hard work, growth, and achievements of our students.

We encourage all 6th grade students to dress up for this special occasion and enjoy their moment to shine.

We look forward to sharing this significant milestone with our students and their families. Let's come together to celebrate their accomplishments and the exciting adventures that lie ahead.

Therapy Dog at GES:

Welcome to Nitro!

Garfield Elementary School is excited to partner with Alliance Therapy Dogs to bring a special opportunity to our students. Beginning soon, we will host weekly visits from a certified therapy dog named Nitro! He is two years old and one of his specialties is helping humans stay calm.

Nitro will always be accompanied by a trained and certified handler to ensure a safe and positive experience for all students. With permission, students may have the opportunity to read to Nitro and spend time petting him in a calm, supervised setting.

Research shows that interactions with therapy dogs can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and support focus - creating an environment that enhances students’ overall learning and well-being. We are thrilled to offer this meaningful experience to our Garfield Elementary community.

Participation in engaging with Nitro completely optional. If your child prefers not to participate for any reason, they will not be asked or required to engage.

If you would like to opt your child out of this opportunity, please complete the following Google form: Therapy Dog Opt-Out Form - Garfield ES 2026

Third Grade:

Reading- May 15^th,

Math - May 21^st

Fourth Grade:

Reading - May 14,

Math – May 19^th

5^th Grade:

Reading – May 8^th,

Math – May 15^th,

Science – May 21^st

6^th Grade:

Reading – May 14^th,

Math – May 19^th

“BECAUSE YOU ASKED” SERIES

10–11 AM Thursdays

Because You Asked! We’ve had several families share interest in these important topics, so we’re excited to bring four learning sessions to our GES families.

We’re happy to extend these experiences and continue partnering with families to support learning together!

May 7

The FCPS Parent Center Available to You Ms. Amal Elsayed, FCPS Resource Center Liaison

May 14

GED Requirements and Components of a Resume Mr. Steve Williams, Springfield VFW 7327 Post Commander

May 21

Essentials for Employment with Fairfax County Government Mr. Marquis Simmons, SAAC Supervisor

May 28

How to use SNAP at the Farmers markets/ other food access programs Ms. Kristi Viray, Marketing Outreach Coordinator

For questions please contact: Melody Wheatley, Family Liaison mdwheatley@fcps.edu

Discover Exciting Summer

Learning Activities and Ideas

Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School.

Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family.

For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students

Registration is open for FCPS summer camps and learning opportunities.

Career and Technical Education camps, and Fine and Performing Arts camps, will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS schools.

Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.

Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theatre. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well.
Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive camp for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp. Read about last year’s camp.

New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.

FCPS Caters to Food Allergies

May is Food Allergy Awareness Month. The FCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) works to ensure every student has access to safe and nutritious school meals. Since 1 in 13 children in the U.S. has a food allergy, FNS works closely with families to provide reasonable meal accommodations for students whose medical needs affect what they can eat at school.

To support students appropriately and safely, families are asked to submit medical documentation to FNS from a U.S. licensed health care provider so we can tailor meals to each child’s needs.

Learn more about the documentation required and the steps to develop a safe menu for students.

Stay up to Date With the FCPS Mobile App!

The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep families connected and informed, directly from their smartphones. You can download the Fairfax County Public Schools mobile app by going to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and searching for “FCPS.”

With the app, you can:

Stay up to date: Get the latest news from FCPS.
View school calendars: See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
Check school menus: See what’s for lunch and breakfast today, tomorrow, or next week.
Tap to contact: Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
Access key links: Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.

Users can access updates and content without having to sign in, making it easy for everyone to stay informed.

Learn more about the new mobile app, including feedback from parents.

Parent presentation @ Lewis HS on May 28th, 2026

Conversations with parents and families about substance use

Target Audiences:
Including South County, Lewis, Hayfield, and Annandale pyramids

Date & Time:
Thursday, May 28, 2026
5:30pm – 7:00pm

Location:
John R. Lewis High School – Cafeteria
6540 Franconia Road
Springfield, VA 22150

Join us to learn about vaping devices, current trends, and how to talk with your teen.