GBE Happenings - March 18, 2026
Book Fair, Spotlight on Learning, Yearbooks

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Student in STEAM lab working with recycled matierals to build a playground.

 

Student is hard at work in the STEAM lab, building a project that will be showcased at our Spotlight on Learning event on March 26.

Calendar Reminders

  • Friday, March 20 - Student Holiday - NO SCHOOL
  • Wednesday, March 25, 1:00 - Early Release Wednesday 
  • Thursday, March 26, 6:00 - Spotlight on Learning 
  • Friday, March 27, 2:00 - Early Release for ALL Students 
  • March 30 to April 6 - Spring Break - NO SCHOOL

Thursday, March 19, is an evening only observance day for Eid al-Fitr, which begins at sundown. Friday, March 20, is a holiday and all schools and offices are closed for Eid and Nowruz. See the complete school year calendar.

Early Release Wednesday - March 25

Thank you for another successful 3 Hour Early Release in February! Your student will keep the same dismissal time for the 3 Hour Early Release on Wednesday, March 25. 

If an emergency comes up and you need to request a change to your student’s dismissal time, please email Mr. Pietzman at djpietzman@fcps.edu as soon as possible. If approved, the new dismissal time will remain in place for the remaining early release dates listed above. If you would like to change it back later, you will need to email again before the next early release day.

Please be sure to submit any dismissal change requests to Mr. Pietzman by Friday, March 20. 

Spotlight on Learning - March 26

We are excited to invite our families to Spotlight on Student Learning on March 26 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30, so you can grab dinner from food trucks and shop at the book fair. The event will begin at 6:00.

This special evening will highlight how our students are developing as collaborators and resilient learners. Throughout the event, see student work samples and hear from students about how they have grown this school year.

Get ready to grab some dinner at Spotlight on Learning! We will have food trucks starting at 5:30 PM

Book Fair Returns to GBE Next Week

Scholastic Book Fair eWallet: The easy way for kids to pay! Red wallet icon with an e symbol.

 

We are excited to be partnering with Scholastic for our Spring Book Fair from March 23–27. Students will visit the Book Fair with their classes on March 23 and 24. There will be special family hours from 1:30–3:30 PM on Wednesday, March 25 following early dismissal, and from 5:30–7:30 PM on Thursday, March 26 during Spotlight on Learning.

Please note that cash sales will end Thursday night during Spotlight on Learning. On Friday morning, students will only be able to make purchases using funds remaining in their eWallets.

The Book Fair depends on volunteers, and we still have several open spots to fill. Please consider signing up!  Email Mr. Lotz at gblotz@fcps.edu or sign up at https://bit.ly/GBESpring26BookFair. We can't do it without you!

Yearbooks on Sale Now

Order Your Yearbook

Yearbooks can be purchased online through Barksdale now until April 30, 2026. Yearbook Cost: $20.00

Click here to order through www.barksdalephoto.com GBE Yearbook code: 0037259YB

You may send your payment in with your student via cash (exact change) or check (Made Payable to: Greenbriar East ES or GBE).

April Statewide Election: No School for Students

There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled. 

Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.

Phones Off, Learning On

FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students focus, learn, and engage. When students put their phones away, they have more face-to-face interactions with their peers and teachers and more opportunities to develop resilience and problem-solving skills. Please remind your child that:

  • Cell phones and personal devices (earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
  • Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.

If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call our front office at 703-633-6464. Visit our cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

County Seeking Budget Input

About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. They are currently reviewing the county’s 2027 Fiscal Year Advertised Budget and are considering possible adjustments before the final county budget is adopted in May. Provide the county with feedback on how you would like your tax dollars spent by completing this survey.

GBE PreK Family Meeting Child Safety

school crossing guard kids crosswalk cartoon

 

We invite PreK families to attend our fourth Family Center Meeting of the school year, where we will explore the important topic of Child Safety.

During this session, we will discuss:

  • Updates on what your child is learning and ways you can support their progress at home

  • Strategies for talking with your child about various safety topics

  • Available resources for support, after-school programs, and recreation classes

Date: March 24, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/93336874465

Meeting ID: 933 3687 4465

If you have any questions, please contact Mia Lee at 571-286-1724 or Melee1@fcps.edu

We look forward to connecting with you!

PTA News & Notes

Fundraiser at Sweet Frog TODAY - Wednesday March 18

GBE PTA Sweet Frog Fundraiser: Wednesday, March 18, 4:00–8:00 PM at Greenbriar Town Center. 25% of sales donated to GBE.

Surprise the family with a midweek sweet treat or have dessert for dinner! 

Head over to SweetFrog at Greenbriar Town Center between 4pm-8pm. Mention to the cashier GBE fundraiser----25% of your sales comes back to GBE!!

Join Team GBE in Feed Fairfax 5k/1k

Feed Fairfax on May 2nd: Join Team GBE! An illustration of the Greenbriar East roadrunner mascot racing on a track.
  • Race Date: May 2nd.
  • Race helps support under-resourced students in our area and at GBE with weekend meals.
  • Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-2044712?raceId=140131
    • IMPORTANT: When registering, make sure to select the team: “GBE RoadRunners 2026.”
    • If you have raced before, make sure to sign in as it will already have your details pre-loaded from the previous race!