This Week's Eagle Express

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It has been a FANTASTIC first week of school! It was a joy to welcome your children back into our Garfield nest. From the moment they arrived, students have been actively engaged - making new friends, learning classroom routines, and diving into meaningful academic learning. We are deeply grateful to our wonderful teachers and staff for the care, energy, and dedication they have shown in creating a back-to-school environment centered on belonging, engagement, and learning.

We are also pleased to share that, aside from Monday’s delays, our buses were running mostly on time. Our Kiss & Ride procedures have gone smoothly as well. Thank you for your cooperation and partnership in helping us ensure a safe, smooth, and efficient arrival and dismissal process.

As we settle into the school year, we want to remind families that our instructional day begins promptly at 9:20 a.m. Students arriving after this time will be marked tardy. Please plan accordingly to ensure your child is in class and ready to learn at the start of the day.

We also want to address a growing concern regarding early student pick-ups. This week, many students were picked up between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m., which caused significant disruption in the front office just as dismissal procedures were beginning. To help us ensure a safe and orderly end-of-day process, we kindly ask that students not be picked up after 3:30 p.m. unless it is an absolute emergency. Additionally, we are not able to pull students off the bus after the dismissal process is underway.

Homework

FCPS has homework guidelines for all grades. With this, you will notice your child bringing home weekly homework starting the week of September 7^th.

Why homework?

Research shows that short, developmentally appropriate practice at home can:

Reinforce classroom learning.
Build responsibility, time management, and independent work habits.
Support reading growth through consistent reading at home.
Strengthen communication between school and home.

Classroom teachers will send home information about grade level specific homework. Homework should not feel stressful or overwhelming. It is meant to help your child grow. If you ever have concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher.

Newsletters

We will publish a GES community newsletter, The Eagle Express, almost every Friday. Personally crafted by your partner principals, this newsletter will help keep you connected to all things Garfield!

In addition, each grade level team will share a newsletter once a month featuring personalized information, important updates, and news about your child’s grade level. Monthly grade-level newsletters will also be posted on the GES website at: https://garfieldes.fcps.edu/announcements/garfield-monthly-newsletters.

We look forward to staying in touch!

NEW: No Personal Devices at School

Starting this school year, students must use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. This is in accordance with a new School Board requirement, approved on July 16, which states that students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices, including personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices.

If devices are brought to school, students will be prompted to turn off and put away in backpack until end of day. Families will also be reminded of expectations as needed.

Discipline protocols have been added to the FCPS Student Rights & Responsibilities: Handbook for Families

Again, we’re so excited about this new school year! Entrusting us with your children each day is a profound responsibility, and one we hold deeply. We are partners in this work, and we want you to feel comfortable reaching out, asking questions, sharing concerns, and celebrating successes with us.

There will be so many moments to celebrate in the year ahead, and we’re grateful we get to experience them together. It's going to be a great year!

Blessings and Joy,

Mrs. Peerman, Principal and Ms. Manning, Assistant Principal

Cafeteria Lunch Visits Welcomed Starting 10/1

Please note that, for now, parents and family members may not join students for lunch in the cafeteria. Family lunch visits will be paused through September 30 to give students time to adjust to our new cafeteria routines. We will welcome family lunch visits beginning October 1st. Thank you for your understanding and support as we begin the school year!

Important School Reminders