October 12th: No School - Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 13th: Moby Dick Spirit Event
October 16th: Family Movie Night - 6:45pm (Doors Open at 6:00pm)
October 20th: Virtual PTA Meeting (Guest Speaker: Sue Kim) - 10:30am
October 19th - 23rd: Book Fair Week
October 22nd: Book Fair Family Shopping Night (4:00 - 7:00pm)
October 30th: End of 1st Quarter - 2-Hour Early Release
November 1st - 2nd: No School - School Planning Day/Teacher Work Day
FCPS School Year Calendar for 2026-2027
Click HERE to catch up on the helpful and important information sent by the school on September 25th!
Fundraising Update
Building on Excellence
We already know how fortunate we are to be at Great Falls Elementary—one of the top-performing elementary schools in a pyramid that leads to Langley High School, one of the country’s top comprehensive public high schools. Our kids receive the kind of exceptional education families often seek from private schools, while benefiting from what makes public education so special: a diverse, connected community where every child belongs.
But why stop at excellent? With our community’s investment, imagine GFES with enhanced science and STEAM spaces, makerspaces and innovation labs, cutting-edge technology, expanded arts and music, outdoor learning spaces, and extraordinary enrichment opportunities. Public funding provides an incredible foundation; Roadrunner Giving is our opportunity to build on that excellence and take GFES to the next level.
Corporate Sponsor Spotlight: Garai Orthodontics
This week, we’re proud to spotlight Garai Orthodontics, one of our Roadrunner Pride Sponsors! Garai Orthodontics has been an incredibly generous supporter of GFES year after year, and we are so grateful for their continued commitment to our students and school community. Thank you, Garai Orthodontics!
Become a Corporate Sponsor!
If anyone - person, family, company - is interested in becoming a Corporate Sponsor, please click HERE to learn more about how our school can benefit from your sponsorship as well as how we can promote your business throughout the school year!
Questions about the Roadrunner Giving Campaign or becoming a Corporate Sponsor? Please reach out to fundraisingvp@gfespta.com and/or president@gfespta.com. Thank you so much!
Save the Date: Family Movie Night - Friday October 16th!
Please, join us for our Family Movie Night under the stars, on Friday, October 16th! Doors will open at 6:00pm and the movie will start at 6:45pm! We will be watching Hotel Transylvania! Halloween costumes and Halloween clothing are encourage! Just like at school, please NO MASKS, NO WEAPONS, and NO INFLATABLE COSTUMES! Thank you so much!
It will be a fun night with friends and family on the field behind the school! Don't forget to bring your blanket and chairs!
Reminder - this is NOT a drop off event! All students MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian! Thank you so much!!
Tickets can be pre-purchased online by clicking HERE or they can be purchased at the school prior to the start of the event!
Tickets cost $15 and all tickets includes popcorn, candy, and a drink!
There will be pizza available for purchase and there will be a fun Movie Night raffle with wonderful prizes!!
We can't wait to see you there!
Movie Night Volunteers Needed!
We are looking for some volunteers to help before, during, and after Movie Night! Please click HERE to sign up to volunteer! Thank you so much!
Moby Dick Spirit Event - Tuesday, October 13th!
Winter Coat Drive: October 14th - 23rd!
The GFES Winter Coat Drive will run October 14-23, 2026! We are collecting new and gently used clean coats for children - sizes newborn to teen! Donations of children's plastic hangers and reusable tote bags will also be collected.
All donations will be distributed at the Hunter Mill District Coat Drive for Kids events in November and December to local children in need. 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 so much for your generous support!!
Book Fair Week - Coming Soon!
Our Scholastic book fair will run from October 19-23 in our school library. Here's the scoop on helping us make it the Best. Week. Ever!
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E-Wallet: Visit our homepage to set-up your child's eWallet and preview books (and prices!) together. We highly encourage parents to set up eWallet accounts before book fair week so students don't miss out on shopping with their classes.
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Shopping: Students will shop during their regularly scheduled Library class time (with a few exceptions), and parents are invited to shop with their child during their designated buying time. However, siblings may not be pulled from other classes and parents may not visit classrooms or other parts of the school during their visit. Make-up shopping is available on Friday morning for students who miss their class shopping time.
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Volunteering: Any parents interested in helping classes shop can sign up here. All book fair volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS and should be sure to select the GFES Classroom Volunteer opportunity in the volunteer portal.
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Family Shopping: Bring the whole family and join us for a fun-filled Family Shopping evening on Thursday, October 22 from 4-7 pm. Look for more details in your Tuesday packets.
Go Club - Volunteers Needed
The PTA is looking for volunteers to help support the Great Falls Go Club! If you have played Go before and/or are interested in supporting the club during their meetings, please reach out to president@gfespta.com!
The Go Club will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 3:45-4:45 PM in room 218.
Thank you so much!
Math Olympiad
Math Olympiad is back for a second year! The Math Olympiad program is dedicated to developing advanced problem-solving skills and fostering a love for mathematics through participation in national competitions! If you are interested in being part of Math Olympiad, please fill out the Math Olympiad Interest Form by tonight, Friday, October 2nd! An information meeting will be held this month! If you have any questions, or if you are interested in helping coach, please reach out to matholympiad@gfespta.com
Thank you so much!
2026 - 2027 PTA Reflections Contest: Now Accepting Entries!
Calling all artists! The theme for the 2026-2027 PTA Reflections contest is “What My Culture Means to Me,” and you can submit your artwork now! All GFES students are invited to create an original piece to submit in any of the following categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photograph, and Visual Arts.
More information, including submission requirements and the entry form, can be found here. The deadline to submit all materials to the GFES PTA is Friday, November 6, 2026. See the website for program requirements, including entry format and the required entry form. If you have any questions, please contact our Reflections chair at reflections@gfespta.com. We look forward to seeing what our Roadrunners create!
Cultural and Diversity Committee
Some upcoming events members of our diverse community celebrate include:
- National Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15th - October 15th
- Learning Disabilities Awareness Month - All of October
- Disability History and Awareness Month - All of October
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Mark your calendars! We are excited to have two more events planned through our Cultural and Diversity committee this year! More details about each event will be shared as the dates gets closer!
- Diversity Showcase - December 3rd
- Playground Picnic - April 10th
Interested in helping out with our Cultural and Diversity Committee? Please reach out to president@gfespta.com to learn more!
Interested in sharing more about your family? Please click HERE to share what makes your family a unique member of our community!
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Lending Library!
Last year we created a new lending library!! Don't forget to visit it in the school vestibule and check out a book!
We are still seeking donations of culturally rich and diverse books that celebrate different backgrounds, voices, and experiences. Whether it's a beloved folktale, a story in another language, or a book that reflects your family's heritage—your contribution can help every person see themselves in the pages. Drop off your books on the shelf in the school vestibule and help us grow a library as vibrant and inclusive as our community! You can also visit our Lending Library Wishlist to purchase a book for the library! Thank you so much!
THANK YOU for an awesome Fall Festival!!
THANK YOU to everyone who joined in on the fun at this year's Fall Festival! Despite the rainy weather, it was a wonderful day and a great turnout! The Roadrunner even showed up to enjoy the fun!
From the giant slide to the dunk tank, manicures, face painting, and more, your energy and smiles made it a day to remember!
Special THANK YOU to all of our amazing volunteers! We truly couldn't have done it without you! An extra special THANK YOU to all of our DUNK TANK volunteers: Nate Morello, Aidan Skoyles, Brian Tarplay, Ramsey Elias, Alan Chung, and Mike Anderson!
We also want to thank our wonderful vendors: Smokin' Kow and Mr. Softee, as well as the businesses that provided us with donations: Rossen Landscaping, BRX Oven, and Great Falls Creamery! We are so grateful for your support!
GFES PTA Spirit Event with Chick-Fil-A
THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who enjoyed breakfast, lunch and/or dinner at Chick-Fil-A on Tuesday, September 29th, for our Spirit Event! We had a great turnout and it was wonderful to get to see our Great Falls community both inside Chick-Fil-A and in the drive-thru line!
We can't wait for our next spirit event! Thank you so much again!
Community Offering: Great Falls Basketball Winter League Registration
Community Offering: Great Falls Reston Soccer Half Day Soccer Camp!
Community Offering: Langley Girls Volleyball Youth Night - Tuesday, October 6th!
Community Offering: Langley Youth Volleyball Night - Thursday, October 8th!
Community Offering: Troop 1128 Adventure Day!
Join Troop 1128 on October 10th from 4:00 - 8:00pm for an adventure hunt, hot dogs, s'mores and a campfire! This event is Open to 5th - 8th Grade Boys and Girls!
2026-2027 Corporate Sponsors!
Thank you so much for your support!!
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