Welcome to Great Falls Elementary School

Class of 2027!

2020-2021 Kindergarten OrientationSlideshow

INTRODUCTIONS

Great Falls Elementary School Staff

Our staff creates a collaborative culture that is committed to providing an outstanding educational environment. Our teachers and support staff work together to provide a

positive, supportive, and caring atmosphere. We work together as a team to foster our 21st century learners and assure that every child reaches their potential.

Great Falls Elementary School is part of Region 1 and the Langley High Pyramid

Principal, Mrs. Sara Harper Assistant Principal, Dr. Christopher Litz

ADMINISTRATION

Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, all FCPS schools and offices are closed through the end of this academic school year. Our current students continue to engage in their academics through various learning resources and virtual activities.

At this point in time we do not have a date staff will be returning to school, however, processes are in place for parents to register their child(ren) at GFES for the upcoming school year. Please see our school website for online forms!

We would like to offer parents unfamiliar with our school an opportunity to learn about Great Falls Elementary and to address some of the questions parents/guardians may have about our school and the student registration process.

REGISTRATION BASICSChildren who reach their 5th birthday on or before September 30 of school year are eligible

for kindergarten enrollment. Children must be living with a parent and residing in Fairfax

County. School assignment is determined by residence address. Enter your street address in

the FCPS boundary locator to confirm Great Falls Elementary is the school your student

should attend.

Our GFES kindergarten registration enrollment site is located here: https://greatfallses.fcps.edu/new-student-registration-2020-21

The following are documents required to register:

• Proof of Residence (original document) • Child’s Birth Certificate (original document) • Drivers License or Passport of enrolling parent• FCPS Registration Forms• GFES Student Information Form

Emergency Care Information formIt is important to keep all parent contact information

updated with changes or new home phone/cell phone

numbers and email.

Local

T

OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION:

Parents/guardians will be called first. If we are

unable to contact the parent or guardian, we will call

the individuals listed under the ‘Other Contact

Information.’ Only those listed on this form will be

permitted to pick your child up from school. List

local residents only.

A copy of your child’s Emergency Care form is given to our School Health Aide. If your child becomes sick or needs medical attention during the school day, he/she will be cared for by our School Health Aide.

Role of the School Health Aide – NOT a nurse, but trained to provide basic first aid and take care of health issues—present during regular school hours.

The Health Aide is supported by a Public Health Nurse (PHN) The PHN will review your child’s Health Care form before school begins and contact you to discuss any medical issues.

School Health Aides and Public Health Nurses are Health Department employees.

Health Room

Transportation to and from SchoolFCPS School Bus

FCPS bus transportation is provided for children who live within our school boundaries.

• Routes are decided by the Office of Transportation based on residency

• Notification of assigned bus # and bus stop will be received before the start of school. Student picked up at stop closest to his/her home

• Kindergarten students escorted to their assigned bus by teachers/safety patrols prior to dismissal of other students

• Kindergarten students sit in front section of school bus

• A parent, designated adult, or sibling in middle school or older, must be present at the assigned bus stop to receive the kindergartner

Riding the school bus helps to build sense of independence

Safety First! Kindergarten students are identified

by colored tape on backpack shoulder

KISS & RIDE

Private transportation. There is a dedicated drop off and pick up location.

• Students escorted to the cafeteria by IA

• Parents remain in the car. Meet student at door #4

• Students last name clearly noted on front windshield

• We encourage our families to take advantage of FCPS school bus transportation

SACC

is a Fairfax County Office for Children program for elementary school age children whose parents are working, attending school, or disabled. Early morning and after school child care is available.

• Students will be met at the classroom at dismissal, and escorted to the SACC room by a SACC employee.

• For SACC information and registration, click here or call the SACC registration office: 703-449-8989.

• A student transportation card will be provided by GFES in the Open House packet. Information provided will let teacher know how your child will be going home.

A Typical Day in Kindergarten

Classroom Schedule

8:50-9:00 School starts, Attendance

9:00-10:30 Literacy Block/ Daily Five

10:30-10:50 Recess

10:50-11:20 Lunch/ Bathroom

11:30-11:50 Quiet Time

12:00 – 1:00 Math

1:00-1:20 Recess

1:30 – 2:15 Writing Workshop

2:15-2:45 Specials: P.E./ Music /Art/ Library

2:45-3:30 Snack/Science /Social Studies

3:35 School is Dismissed

This is what a typical day in a

classroom looks like.

The School Day Begins

Morning Meeting

Pledge of Allegiance and Morning News Show

Curriculum• The kindergarten curriculum is based on the instructional

framework that allows for differentiated instruction. This is to foster independence in literacy skills.

• The teacher works with small groups for guided reading instruction.

• Students are actively engaged in one of the five components: Read to Self, Word Work, Work on Writing, Read to Someone, Small Group for Guided Reading

• To explore the Kindergarten curriculum further please visit FCPS Kindergarten Information page

Read to Self

Word Work

Work on Writing

Read to Someone

Whew! We worked hard, it’s time for lunch!

Students may bring their own lunch

or

Purchase a lunch in the cafeteria

o Parents can open an account for their

student to purchase lunch online: My

School Bucks

o Cash

o Check

Menus and purchasing details are

located here and will be sent home at

beginning of school year.Recess

Mindfulness

It’s Math TimeProblem solving is integrated throughout the

content strands. Develop the concept of number by

counting; combining, sorting, and comparing sets of

objects; recognizing, describing, and creating

simple repeating patterns; and recognizing shapes

and sizes of figures and objects. Students will

investigate measurement through direct

comparisons, collect data, and create graphs.

Reading and Writing Workshop

Children learn about reading and writing from hearing stories read aloud; seeing others read and write; reading and writing with the teacher; and having opportunities to interact with books, writing materials, and other forms of print.

SpecialsMusic, Art, Library

Health and Physical Education

Art: Students begin to develop skills working with a variety of art materials and tools. They are introduced to recognized artists and artwork.

Library curriculum includes objectives that support the development of students' skills in inquiry, problem-solving, and literacy development.

Health: Students learn to understand how to make good decisions about simple health issues, to respect others, follow school safety rules, and be responsible.

P.E.: Students learn the skills necessary for performing a variety of physical activities and understand the benefits of achieving and maintaining a physically active lifestyle.

Music builds basic music skills, engaging in vocal exploration and singing a variety of songs.

Science and Technology

Technology in the classroom and tech lab provides

opportunities to think critically, communicate

effectively, collaborate with others, create original

works, develop innovative products, and evaluate

and select information sources and digital tools.

Science time provides students the ability to think

and perform like a scientist. They are designed to

encourage children to investigate the nature of the

world around them through participation in

scientific investigations and develop ways to be

environmental stewards.

Social StudiesAn introduction to selected

Americans in history whose lives

demonstrated patriotism, courage,

and kindness. During their first year

in school, students learn basic

concepts related to history,

patriotism, national symbols, good

citizenship, geographic location,

economics, and the importance of

following rules and respecting the

rights and property of other people.

Special Visitors Field TripsReading Buddies

Classroom Activities and Celebrations

KINDERGARTEN STUDENT SUPPLIES

Will be listed on GFES website prior to the start of school

CLASSROOM PLACEMENT

Parents will be notified of Classroom Teacher assignment prior to the start of school via ParentVue.

COMMUNICATION

• Weekly Teacher and School Communicator Envelope sent home in backpack

• School Website

• SIS Parent Account provides up to date parent and guardian access to their child’s student

information, including attendance, report cards, class schedules, gradebook, course history, discipline,

health, and school information

• ENotify FCPS Text Messaging for Parents: when our school or district office needs to notify you in

an emergency, attendance, and essential communications related to your student(s) education.

• News You Choose Message: email subscription service to communicate GFES newsletters, events,

news updates, etc.

• Social Media: Facebook and Twitter (@Gr8FallsES)

Is my child ready?

• Consider social, emotional, behavioral, academic and

physical factors

• Consider kindergarten expectations

• Consider preschool teacher assessments and

recommendations

• When in doubt, ask us!

What can I do to prepare them?

• Read to your child every day

• Discuss books, ask questions, make connections and

predictions together, reflect and summarize text

• Help your child practice opening containers, writing their

name, zipping, buttoning, hygiene

*Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the following information/dates are tentative and may change.

SCHOOL HOURS: Monday–Friday: 8:50 a.m. – 3:35 p.m. May change for new school year. Decided by the Office of Transportation

2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR: FCPS 20-21 School Calendar

o FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL- Tentative: *Tuesday, August 26, 2019

o New Family Playdate- *Wednesday, August 21st, 9:30-10:30 a.m. A meet and greet on our school playground, sponsored by our PTA

o OPEN HOUSE- *Thursday, August 22nd, 9:30-10:30 a.m. This is an opportunity for our students to find their assigned classroom, meet their teacher and classmates. School supplies can be brought to classroom this day. Students will receive a packet with information to start the school year

o BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT- Dates to be determined. Parent/Guardian will meet as group with their child’s teacher to discuss grade level curriculum, class guidelines, procedures, and expectations

PTA

Advocate, enrich and strengthen! The Great Falls Elementary School (GFES) PTA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN #541149142) consisting of parents, teachers and administrators all partnering with a common vision of building the best school possible. Our primary objective is to enrich our children’s educational experience by providing the school with programming and resources that our children otherwise would not receive through tax dollars.

Join PTA & Support Roadrunner Giving Campaign

Visit our New Family page on PTA Website: gfespta.com

• Volunteer Opportunities

• Events & Community Outreach Programs Managed by PTA

• Most importantly you become an ADVOCATE for our children!

2020-2021 President, Sue Kimpresident@gfespta.com

Art Enrichment

School Spirit Wear

Skate Night

Community Outreach

PAPERWORK COMPLETED AND READY TO REGISTER?

• Scan all registration forms and documentation to our GFES school registrar,

Abeer El Gharib: amelgharib@fcps.edu Mrs. El Gharib will verify your

documents and contact you with confirmation of receipt. Keep all the

signed forms and original documents. All original forms and documents

will need to be turned in to Mrs. El Gharib when school opens. Please

understand your child’s enrollment will not be complete until all original

documentation is received and verified.

• This will be the enrollment process for all students until school resumes.

• Please remember to complete this form to help us get to know your child as

we place students into class groupings for next year!

Contact information

Principal, Sara Harper: skharper@fcps.edu

Assistant Principal, Chris Litz: cblitz@fcps.edu

Registrar, Abeer El Gharib: amelgharib@fcps.edu

Special Education questions: kacampion@fcps.edu

Questions?