Vision Statement

Believe you can: Be brave, Be kind, Be you!

Mission Statement

We cultivate lifelong learners by developing 21 ^st century skills, establishing relationships with students, staff, and families, empowering passions and strengths, and engaging students academically, socially, and emotionally. 

Motto

In the nest, we do our best to connect, protect and respect.

Principal

Mrs. Kerry Peerman

@email 

Assistant Principal

Ms. Liz Manning

@email

Administrative Assistant to Principal

Ms. Neda Samuels

703-923-2903

Administrative Assistant 

Mrs. Darlene Deese

703-923-2901

Student Information Assistant

Mrs. Sarah Rothman

703-923-2902

Health Room 

Mrs. Dawn Rihaly 

703-923-2910

Cafeteria Manager

Mr. Anthony Kirby

703-923-2921

School Counselor  

Mrs. Janet Dougherty

703-923-2969

Family Liaison  

Mrs. Melody Wheatley

703-923-2904

Absences: You can report your child's absence in  one of the following ways:

• Call the attendance line at  703-923-2929
• Send an email to  [email protected]
• Online Attendance Form (It is also located at the very bottom of the home page on this website).
• Submission via ParentVue

All options are available 24 hours a day. This is a critical safety precaution for your child.

If we do not hear of an absence or late arrival by 9:25 a.m. you will be contacted by an automated system using the information from your child’s emergency care sheet.

Excused Absence & Tardy: Illness of the student, death in the family, medical or dental appointment, observance of religious holiday

Unexcused Absence & Tardy:Family trips and vacations, childcare situation, oversleeping, non-school activity, traffic, missing the bus 

Any student who has ten (10) unexcused absences will be referred to the School Attendance Officer. 

We track attendance on a regular basis and reach out to families to help resolve any attendance issues. If you need help and/or have questions, do not hesitate to contact our main office to speak with an administrator, our counselor or social worker. We’re here to help.

Release of Students During the School Day

If a student needs to leave school during the day for a doctor's appointment, etc., please send a note to the school or call the main office. When you arrive at the school to pick up your child, please come to the main office where your child will be called from the classroom. All students must be signed out in the main office. Parents will be asked to show a government issued ID confirming their identity before releasing their child to them for an early dismissal. We will not release a student to anyone except a parent/guardian or someone listed on the emergency care form unless there is a note of permission signed by the parent/guardian. To help minimize classroom interruptions, please ensure your child knows the time he/she is to report to the office for dismissal.

Emergency Care Forms

It is of utmost importance that we have correct phone numbers and addresses for parents/guardians. Please keep the office informed of any changes with home, work, or emergency contact information. The main purpose for this information is to help us locate a parent/guardian in the event of illness or emergency involving your child. Enrolling parents may update information on the Emergency Care Form through  SIS ParentVue .

The safety and security of our students is our number one priority at Garfield  Elementary. We regularly review our security procedures in order to ensure a safe learning environment for our students.  We appreciate your assistance in helping us keep our students safe by following these procedures.

Our school security plan requires that all exterior doors to the main building be locked. Office staff provide parents and school visitors access through the main entrance (Door 1) via the video entry security system.  All visitors must then go directly to the office to sign in with their driver’s license and receive a visitor’s tag.Please make sure that your visitor tag is secured to your shirt.  Visitors can expect to be questioned by school personnel if they are not displaying the visitors tag issued at the office.

We maintain a safety plan that requires we hold various drills throughout the year to make sure we are ready in the event of an emergency. Fire drills are held once a week during the first four weeks of school and then again each month. Lockdown drills are practiced twice a year, and tornado drills are practiced in the spring. 

These recommended procedures have been adopted to protect  the safety of our students.  We appreciate your support in ensuring a caring, happy and most importantly safe, learning environment.

• School Hours:  Our expectation is that students will be in their classrooms, ready to learn, by 9:20 AM.  Students cannot be dropped off prior to 9:05 AM as we do not have staff to supervise them before then.  School ends at 4:05 PM.
• Change of phone number(s), email and/or address:  If you change your phone number, or anyone on your child’s emergency care form changes their phone number, please let us know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  It is critical that we be able to reach you quickly in case of an emergency.  If you change your address, we need to know that as well.
• Release of children:  We can only release students to those adults listed on the emergency care form.
• Sending money from home:  Funds for fundraisers, field trips, etc. should be sent in a sealed envelope with your child’s name, teacher and the activity on the envelope.  Please send the exact amount needed as we cannot make change.
• Don't forget to label your child's items, especially coats, backpacks, lunch boxes, and water bottles. We have a lost and found; unclaimed items are donated to a local charity quarterly.

All FCPS schools have crisis management and emergency preparedness plans in place.  These plans are designed with the help of our school system’s security planning staff, local law enforcement, and emergency management officials. Plans are regularly reviewed and updated. 

Throughout the school year, all Fairfax County Public Schools are required to conduct the following safety drills for student and staff understanding and fluency in applying these procedures in the most efficient and effective manner possible, in order to ensure safety and security for all.

1. Fire Drills- once per week through September, then monthly for the remainder of the school year
2. Lockdown Drills- one in September and one in January
3. Tornado Drills- one in March
4. Bus Emergency Drills- one at the beginning of the school year and one at the beginning of the second semester (February)

Our teachers prepare and practice with our students to make these drills and experiences as orderly and effective as possible. They will be teaching the foundational understanding that these practices are precautionary to keep us all safe if a dangerous situation presents itself. If you have any questions about these safety drills, please don’t hesitate to contact administration.   Parents are encouraged to become familiar with emergency response terminology: 

Lockdown– Lockdown is used to describe enhanced security measures taken to protect against potentially violent intruders who have entered the school.  No one is permitted to enter or exit the school until public safety officials give the “all clear.” 

Secure the Building - Used if the threat is outside the building (example, a robbery near the school). Outside activities are canceled; all exterior doors are secured while staff members and students are free to move about inside the building. No one is permitted to enter the school until public safety officials give the “all clear.”  

Shelter-in-Place–Procedures used to temporarily separate people from hazardous outdoor atmosphere, such as a hazmat incident. No one is allowed to enter the school until public safety officials give the “all clear.” 

Stay Put, Stay Tuned– Implemented at the request of public safety officials to limit the impact on the transportation infrastructure. Normal end-of-day release will not occur until authorized by public safety officials. Parents are allowed to “check out” their students from school. 

Parents are asked not to call the school in emergency situations so phone lines can remain accessible for handling the specific situation. Communication will be sent via the FCPS emergency messaging system.   

Please visit the Fairfax County Public Schools website: Emergency Preparedness and Support Frequently Asked Questions:   http://www.fcps.edu/emergencyplan/faq.shtml

To ensure safety for our students, we ask parents to remember the following:

Students may not be dropped off before 9:05a.m. There is NO supervision. 

Students arriving prior to 9:05 a.m. are to remain with their parent(s). 

•  Doors will open at 9:05 a.m. students may enter the building and walk to their classroom.
• For the first days of school, multiple staff members are assigned to assist children in finding their classrooms.
• As a safety measure, we ask that all Kiss & Ride students be dropped off at the Kiss & Ride line along the side of the building. You will need a Kiss & Ride tag in your car window. Please do not drop off students in the parking lot or in front of the building.
• If you arrive after 9:20 am and the Kiss & Ride has closed, please park your car and walk your students through door #1.
• Students arriving after 9:20 am will need to be signed in as tardy.
• During arrival, please refrain from walking your students to class in order to prevent disruptions to classroom routines.

Bus Riders

• Families should be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to the listed pick-up time.
• Transportation can be reached directly at 703-446-2150 .
• Daily bus delays are listed at  www.busdelay.fcps.edu .
• Families can sign up for the FCPS Here Comes the Bus App to receive real-time bus location information.  Details here:  https://www.fcps.edu/resources/safety-and-transportation/transportation-services/here-comes-bus-mobile-app (or search ‘’Here Comes the Bus’’ at FCPS.edu). 

Dismissal Changes:

Early Pick Ups: Early student pick-ups are allowed prior to 3:30 PM.  Please send a note to your child’s teacher to let them know of the early dismissal. If your child is being picked up during their specials time (music, PE, art, etc.), please be aware that they will need additional time to return to the classroom to pack up their belongings. Please remember to bring photo identification with you. 

Going home with another student: We require written notes from the parents/guardians of  BOTHchildren permitting this. 
Same Day Dismissal Changes:  Same day dismissal changes must be communicated to the front office prior to 3:30 PM  IN WRITINGso that we have enough time to make sure your child receives the information. A written note to the classroom teacher is also appreciated BUT, as classroom teachers may not have an opportunity to check their email before the end of the day, ALL dismissal changes MUST be communicated to the front office.

**If your child attends Garfield ES SACC please let them know your child will not be there. SACC operates independently of FCPS, and must be contacted directly.

For the safety and security of all students and staff,  all visitors must report directly to the school office upon entering the building. Visitors are required to:

• Sign in at the front office
• Present a valid government-issued photo ID
• Wear a visitor name tag at all times while on campus

Parents and guardians are always welcome and encouraged to visit. However, conversations regarding student concerns should be addressed through a scheduled parent conference rather than during an informal visit.

To maintain a secure learning environment,  staff are instructed to question any individual not wearing an FCPS identification badge or visitor tag, and escort them to the main office if necessary. This protocol helps us protect instructional time and ensure the safety of everyone in the building.

The following guidelines have been developed in order to maintain a safe and secure learning environment at Garfield Elementary School.   In the event a family would like to observe a student or have a clinician observe a student in their classroom environment, the following policy points must be followed: 

Parents/observers must contact the Principal and Assistant Principals in advance to arrange a mutually agreed upon date and time to observe in the school setting. Please provide specific reasons for the visit to assure the observation is productive and appropriate. Permission is required in order to arrange the observation. Parents/observers must sign a confidentiality release form before a visitor/observer is allowed an observation. 

• The school administrator will be present during all observations.
• Observations are set for a limited amount of time not to exceed 30 minutes (or time determined by administrator) in an individual classroom setting. This will assure a limited amount of disruption and distraction for the students and teachers. If the parent/guardian would like to complete more than one visit/observation, he/she must seek permission from the school administrator.
• If a parent wishes to bring another visitor/observer with him/her, permission must be sought from the school administrator. Other family members, consultants/advocates, therapists and/or other professionals visiting must be approved by the administrator.
• The school administrator reserves the right to refuse or decline an observation or visit if it is deemed inappropriate or if it is believed the observation may cause a disruption to the educational environment.
• No pictures, videotaping or electronic devices will be allowed during the observation.
• All visitors are required to check in at the main office. 

Regulation 3205 provides the guidelines for the expectation of assigning homework K-6.

Homework is a key point of contact between home and school. Parents should create a home environment that reinforces the school message that education is important and life is enriched by learning. Parents may do this by providing a time, place, and materials for students to complete homework each day. 

• Homework is assigned to reinforce skills taught in the classroom. 

• Please let your child’s teacher know if your child is taking significantly long time to complete homework on a regular basis.  

Student Progress Reports

The school year is divided into four nine-week grading periods. Shortly after each grading period, you will receive a printed progress report. 

Staying healthy: If your child does not feel well in the morning, especially if they vomit or have a fever, please keep him/her at home.  It is recommended that your child be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school.

Medications: If medication is to be given in school, it must be in accordance with  Regulation 2102 . All medications must be delivered in person by the parent or guardian, including over the counter medications. Never send medication with your child. Here is the form your medical provider will need to complete if your child will need medication, which includes over the counter medicine such as Tylenol, administered at school:  https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se63.pdf   Please make arrangements with the school public health nurse to accept medications and discuss any concerns you may have.

Screenings:  Each year, students in kindergarten and Grade 3 as well as new students to FCPS will have a vision and hearing screening in our Health Room.

Students are issued a school device and school account at the beginning of the year. Pre-K/K students have an iPad, and 1st-6th are issued a school laptop. 

Students in PreK-2nd grade will leave their devices at school. Students in 3rd-6th grade may take their devices home occasionally, as directed by their teacher, for school assignments only.

These devices are  ONLY FOR TEACHER DIRECTED TASKS. THEY ARE NOT FOR PERSONAL USE (even at home).

The  FCPS Student Acceptable Use Policyis now part of the SR&R document. Some  key information to remember is:

It is the responsibility of the user to:

• Using or not using devices as directed by the teacher.
• Use the FCPS technology resources in a manner that is consistent with the educational mission of the school system.
• Help maintain a safe, positive, and trusting learning environment by not using offensive, obscene, or harassing language when on the FCPS network and/or FCPS devices.
• Students are prohibited from accessing any portion of the internet that is inconsistent with the educational mission of FCPS.
• Students may not take photographs or videos of others without consent during school hours while on school property, unless for academic use. School administration may allow limited nonacademic use of photography on a case-by-case basis.
• Parents and/or guardians should ensure that use of student assigned devices is limited to supporting the educational outcomes of the student at home and the device not be used by anyone else for non-educational purposes.

Cell Phone Guidelines Elementary school -  Kindergarten-sixth grade 

*taken from FCPS SR&R

Phones must be silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day.  Watches that serve a dual purpose (e.g., smart watch) may be worn; however, phone features (e.g., texting, Internet, calls, etc.) are to be off when phone use is prohibited. Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency. Teachers may allow usage of cell phones for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool, however one-to-one FCPS devices should meet most needs. Cell phones maybe used on campus only before and after school.  

If you would like to learn more, scroll down the the SR&R section of this document. 

Cell phones must be silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day. Cell phones may be used on campus before and after school. 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. Teachers may allow usage of cell phones or other personal devices for instructional purposes. FCPS is not responsible for loss or damage of students’ devices.

In order to ensure the greatest learning potential for all students, we recognize the critical importance of consistent school-home communication. 

Contacting your child’s teacher:  For most teachers, contact by email is preferred. Email addresses can be found on our website. Please note that teachers typically check email before and after school; please do not send time-sensitive information (such as a same-day change in dismissal) via email.

• Take-Home Thursday Folder
  • Friday has been designated as our “take home” day. Parents are encouraged to look for communication from school each day, but we will try to limit most correspondence to Thursday. Please sign up for our Eagle Express (News You Choose) to arrive weekly in your email on Fridays.
• News You Choose 
  • Stay updated with what is happening at Garfield Elementary!   Sign up for News You Choose emails with the Eagle Express Newsletter weekly
  • Read  News You Choose is on our Garfield Website
• Schoology 
  • Log in with your  ParentVue SIS  credentials on Schoology
  • Review each class or group where your child is enrolled
  • Look for information and announcements in the Parents Course 
• e-Notify
  • e-Notify is the automatic enrollment service for parents of FCPS students and employees of the system. It draws contact information from the student information system and the employee databases. FCPS central offices and schools use e-Notify for three types of messages: emergency, attendance and outreach. It is important that parents keep their child’s emergency contact information up to date with the school. 

At Garfield ES, the health and safety of our students is a top priority. Like many schools, we have a significant number of students with life-threatening allergies and other serious medical conditions. As a school community, we are committed to minimizing the risk of allergic reactions and ensuring a safe, inclusive environment where all students can fully participate in the school day and activities.

To support these efforts, we kindly ask that you  do not send food to school for your child to sharewith others.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support in helping us keep every student safe and included.

FCPS offers healthy and nutritious breakfast and lunch options for all students. A monthly menu is available online .

Students may bring lunch from home if they wish. We encourage students to bring healthy lunches and discourage students from bringing fast food, carbonated soft drinks, and glass bottles. A la carte items may be purchased in the cafeteria.

Students eat lunch by grade level and sit at their classroom teacher’s assigned tables. When the weather is nice and lunch monitors are available, classes may eat outside on the picnic tables in front of the school. Parents are welcome to join their child for lunch but must check-in at the main office first.

Parents are not permitted to drop off fast-food or order meal delivery for their child.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

The  2025-2026 Student Rights and Responsibilities document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable and supportive school environment. We ask that you use this document as a framework for discussing these expectations with your child or teen so that he or she is well prepared for success when the school year begins. You will also find that this publication includes information that you may need throughout the school year, including contact numbers and other resources. This document is available in the following languages on the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities page . 

Parent/Guardian Signature Sheet
Please log on to your  SIS ParentVue account and sign to acknowledge review of this document OR sign and return the  Signature Sheet to your child’s school by September 29, 2024.

Schoology is a learning management system used by FCPS. Teachers use Schoology to post their classroom materials; to provide a safe forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized and it keeps the class connected. Through Schoology, parents are able to view their child’s class, assignments and participation, calendar, and teacher comments, scores, and feedback. Students access Schoology through their FCPS account. Parents access Schoology through their SIS ParentVue account. For more information on Schoology and how to set-up a parent account, see  Schoology for Parents .

Student Identification System (SIS) is a secure, web-based system that manages information on a student’s attendance, grades, health, course materials, and more. SIS is accessed by staff, students, and parents. A SIS ParentVUE account allows parents to access information about their child’s attendance, report cards, health data, and also has the link to Schoology. SIS provides an additional conduit for communication with parents and their child’s school. 

Weather-related delays and cancellations:  You can find out about Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) weather-related delays and cancellations on  www.fcps.edu , as well as on the  FCPS Facebook page , via the automated News You Choose system, and on local television and radio stations. 

Inclement weather or other school emergencies may result in unexpected closing, delayed opening, or early dismissal for schools. FCPS will announce when school schedule decisions are made via FCPS “News You Choose” emails, text messages,  FCPS homepage and  FCPS social media sites . Television and radio stations will often announce this information as well ( Channel 21 is the official television channel for FCPS).

Throughout the school year, FCPS has scheduled two-hour early release days (typically at the end of each quarter). The dates of two-hour early release days can be found on the  FCPS Standard School Year Calendar .

Garfield (GES) school hours for delayed opening and early release:

• Two- Hour Delayed Opening: 11:10 a.m. – 4:05 p.m.

   Buses will pick up students two hours later than the regularly scheduled time

• Two-Hour Early Release: 9:10 a.m. – 2:05 p.m.

Additionally, for the 2025-26 school year, GES will have  eight 3-hour early release Wednesdays. Students will be dismissed at 1:05 on the following days:

September 17

October 15

November 19

December 17

February 25

March 25

April 29

May 20

FCPS respects students’ right to express themselves in the way they dress. It is important, however, that their appearance is tasteful and appropriate for a K-12 school setting. Discussion about dress code violations shall be held privately and maintain the dignity of the student.

Clothing and accessories should not include:

• Display vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene language or images
• Promote illegal or violent conduct
• Contain threats or gang symbols
• Promote the unlawful use of weapons, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or drug paraphernalia
• Expose private parts or show an excessive amount of bare skin
• Contain studs
• Include hats or other head coverings unless worn for significant religious, cultural, or medical purposes.

Parents of students requiring accommodation for religious beliefs, disabilities, or other good causes should contact the principal. Students not complying with the dress code will be asked to cover the non-complying clothing, change clothes, or go home.