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Dates to Remember:
Friday, November 1: Diwali Holiday -- School Closed
November 4-5: Teacher Workdays -- Student Holiday
Friday, November 8: Veterans Day Luncheon and Parade
Monday November 11: Veteran's Day Holiday -- School Closed
Friday, November 15: Fall Picture Retake Day
Thursday, November 21: GBW Thanksgiving Lunch
November 27-29: Thanksgiving Holiday -- School Closed
Safety Reminders from the Principals
Dear Families,
We are constantly reviewing our safety protocols to see if we can improve any of our school practices to improve students safety. As such, we have a few safety reminders to share.
Safety Reminders:
- During arrival and dismissal, when approaching Greenbriar West on Poplar Tree Road from Stringfellow Road, do not turn left into the parking lot. Please drive past the school, turn left on Plaza Lane, and join the Kiss ‘n Ride (K&R) line. Follow the red directional arrows shown in image below.
- During arrival and dismissal, parents are not permitted to park in the bus loop. Instead, they must use the K&R line to drop off or pick up students. If you need to check into the building or check a student out early at times close to arrival / dismissal, park in our parking lot nearest door #8.
- When leaving the GBW K&R line during arrival / dismissal, there is no left turn allowed out of our parking lot from the K&R line as is reinforced by the traffic sign showing “Right Turn Only”. Follow the yellow directional arrows shown in image below.
- Please do not park in our handicapped parking spaces unless you have a VDOT issued handicapped parking pass. We have students with physical disabilities that require access to these spaces during arrival and dismissal.
- Parents & Guardians are reminded that they must ring the buzzer at Door #1 to enter our building with a valid government issued ID. Parents and Guardians are not permitted to enter our building through any other entrance.
Thank you again families for helping to keep our students safe and our Kiss N' Ride line moving efficiently.
Mr. Blount and Mrs. Odom
Nominations Now Open for 2024-25 FCPS Outstanding
Employee Awards!
To submit a nomination for a Greenbriar West Elementary School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google Form. You can only nominate one employee for each category, but you can submit multiple nominations! All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a short paragraph describing how the employee demonstrates exceptional work according to the criteria for that category.
If your nominee is selected to represent Greenbriar West ES, you will be asked to assist with completing the Nomination Packet. The Google Form contains detailed information about the criteria and eligibility for each category, listed below:
Award Categories
Outstanding Teacher
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Eligibility: At least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/district). Librarians are included in this category.
Outstanding New Teacher
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Eligibility: Up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/district). Librarians are included in this category.
Outstanding Professional Employee
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Eligibility: At least one year in their current role as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional position supporting school leadership.
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Examples: Technology Specialists, MTSS Coordinators, Psychologists, Social Workers, School Counselors, Resource Teachers in administrative roles, Special Education Department Chairs (teaching less than 50% of the time), Reading Specialists without a regular course load.
Outstanding Operational Employee
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Eligibility: At least one year in their current role as a Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support employee.
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Examples: Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, Instructional Assistants, Parent Liaisons.
Outstanding Leader
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Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current role as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator (excluding principals).
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Examples: Assistant Principals
Outstanding Principal
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Eligibility: Up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/district)
Deadline:
All nominations must be submitted by Friday, November 1st.
If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Wilbern at [email protected]
We look forward to celebrating the amazing work of our Greenbriar West staff!
Veterans Day Tribute
Military Families Invited to
GBW
Luncheon & Parade
ALL Active Duty, Reserve or Veteran family are invited to a special Veterans Day Luncheon & Parade as we honor you and your families and show you our appreciation for your service. Please join us on November 8, 2024 at 12:00-1:15pm in the Gym. Please RSVP by Noon on November 6 at this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUbcO5wIYfIJxD03hh04kPjHZcPyNbXMwGCxAltYgiVvRVhg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0
Special Tribute
To commemorate our military veterans for their service and sacrifice, we invite ALL GBW students and families to join us in a special tribute. Please email a digital photo of your family member(s) who has served in the Armed Forces to Kay Billman: [email protected] by November 6th. We will create a gallery of family photos featuring your loved ones & display them in our school to honor their dedication and courage. Let's come together to show our appreciation for the brave men and women who have protected our country.
Thank you for your participation.
***Reminder: If attending please, follow all Parent/Visitor Check-in Protocol in the Front Office. Thank you! ***
GBW School Safety Reminders for Parent Visitors:
Dear Parents,
As part of our staff collaboration with families, we are excited to invite you in for parent teacher conferences this quarter. If you haven’t already received an invitation to schedule a parent teacher conference from your teacher, you should be expecting an invitation sometime soon. Our hope is to schedule a teacher conference with all our families so we can continue to build on our strong collaboration to better support student learning. As you schedule and attend these teacher conferences, please note the reminders below for checking in at the main office.
GBW School Safety Reminders for Parent Visitors:
- All visitors must check in at the main office using a government issued photo ID and sign in on our Visitor Management System.
- Please ensure you are wearing the “visitor” sticker throughout the duration of your visit.
- After signing in, please go directly to your assigned meeting location.
- We ask that you only attend the classrooms that you are scheduled for a conference / meeting for that day. If you have multiple student conferences, please go directly to and from each classroom.
- If you prefer to visit another one of your student’s teachers or former teachers, please schedule a meeting with that teacher.
- After your conference, please return to the Main Office to check-out using your sticker.
- ***Please note we will be using these same visitor safety check-in procedures for all workdays including (school days, teacher workdays, school planning days, and staff development days).
Full-Time AAP Referrals
Due 12/15/24
If you're planning to submit a full-time AAP referral for your child, we are currently accepting packets. You can submit your packet anytime between now and the firm FCPS deadline of Sunday, December 15, 2024. If your packet is ready, we encourage early submission so that Michelle Wilbern, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), can begin processing it.
All packets received on or prior to the December 15 deadline will be processed. If you have any questions about the referral process, please reach out to Mrs. Wilbern soon, as she will be on leave from November 20, 2024, to January 6, 2025.
For questions or support, please contact Michelle Wilbern (AART) at [email protected] before November 20th.
Immunization Clinics
Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Elementary School Clinics
The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.
Federal Impact Aid
The Federal Impact Aid Survey will be available to complete in ParentVue starting on Monday, October 21st. The Federal Impact Aid program provides money to districts that enroll federally connected students. Help FCPS secure funding from the Impact Aid Program by helping us identify:
- Military families.
- Federally connected families.
- Families living on a military base.
Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form. For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Your support will ensure that we receive the resources for which we are eligible.
November Webinars at the Family Resource Center
Interpretation available
SIBTEEN: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!
Attention FCPS parents!!! From the same people who brought you Sibshops, we are excited to introduce SibTeen for grades 7-9!
SibTeen is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with disabilities. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences. SibTeen is a place where participants will feel validated and understood and can build upon their community of support. And…. there will be food!
November 5, 2024, 1-4 p.m.
Pulley Center 6500 Quander Rd, Alexandria, VA 22307
Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services
Register Online
Register for this Month's Webinars and Workshops
Interpretation available
5 Ways to De-Escalate a Nuclear Meltdown & Stop the Shame Cycle: A Webinar for Families
Plans go awry, your child gets disappointed or doesn’t get their way. They begin getting upset. Rational talk doesn’t work. Nothing does. Now your child is in full meltdown mode and doesn’t hold back. What do you do?
Calm Parenting Podcast founder, Kirk Martin will show you:
- How to calm kids with big emotions.
- Exactly what to say in the moment and how.
- Why intensity is critical and why to avoid eye contact.
- How to stop the cycle of shame and embarrassment.
November 11, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.
Register online
Language Arts and Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Accessing an Adapted Curriculum
Join us for an information session on the K-6 language arts and literacy curriculum for students with significant cognitive disabilities who access an adapted curriculum. This will include an overview of programming available to ensure evidence-based literacy instruction for all K-6 students.
Webinar Highlights:
- Virginia Literacy Act updates
- Components of evidence-based literacy instruction for students with significant cognitive disabilities
- Language arts and literacy programming for students who are accessing an adapted curriculum
Join the FCPS Office of Special Education Instruction, Adapted Curriculum Team for this important webinar.
November 12, 2024 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Register online
مهارات التنظيم والاداره (الوظائف التنفيذيه). Executive Functioning Skills
*presented in Arabic
اذا كنت تواجه صعوبات مع الأبناء فيما يتعلق بتنظيم الوقت وترتيب الأولويات ويتأثر بذلك أدائهم الدراسي والأنشطه اليوميه و سلوكياتهم أو اذا كنت ترغب في تنميه مهارات التنظيم والاداره لديهم فأنت مدعو لحضور
ندوه مقدمه باللغه العربيه عبر الزووم للتعرف علي مهارات الوظائف التنفيذيه ومراحل تطورها حسب كل مرحله عمريه وتأثيرها علي التعلم والسلوكيات والعلاقات الاجتماعيه بالاضافه الي كيفيه تنميتها وتحديد اي قصور لمعالجته من أجل أداء أكاديمي أفضل و مهارات سلوكيه واجتماعيه متطوره
Are your children having difficulty with organizing time and setting priorities? Does it effect their academic performance, daily activities, and behaviors? Do you want to develop their organization and management skills?
You are invited to attend a Webinar presented in Arabic via Zoom to learn about executive function skills and their stages of development according to each age group. In addition we will examine each skill’s impact on learning, behavior and social relationships You will learn how to develop the skills for better academic performance and advanced behavioral and social skills.
الأربعاء الثالت عشر من شهر نوفمبر (تشرين الثاني) 11/13/2024 من الساعه العاشره الي الحاديه عشر ونصف صباحا
November 13, 2024 10-11:30 a.m.
Register online
Teen Series: Building Resilience: Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence
Join us for a series of insightful sessions focusing on the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of teen development. Learn strategies to support resilience, mental health, and healthy boundaries, fostering a nurturing environment for adolescents to thrive.
Webinar Highlights:
- Learn resilience-building techniques.
- Develop emotional intelligence.
- Strengthen support networks.
November 16, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.
Register online
Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families
Drugs and drug prevention have become increasingly important topics in recent years.
Are you unsure about how to approach the topic of drugs with your child? Join us to learn how to navigate this importance discussion with confidence and ease!
Webinar Highlights
- Tips to start the conversation about drugs, as early as 4 years old
- Practical advice and real-world examples
- Strategies to prevent drug abuse
Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
November 22, 2024 10-11:30 a.m.
Register online
Register for this Month's Webinars and Workshops
Interpretation available
FCPS Family Resource Center Web | Email: [email protected] | Phone: 703-204-3941
Snack Donations Needed
Please review the sign-up link below for Snack Donation Opportunities:
Greenbriar West ES: GBW Snack Donations
Picture Retake Day
Friday, November 15
Your student is eligible to have a picture taken on retake day if:
· Your student was absent for the first picture day (9/19)
· Your student was new to GBW after 9/19
· You paid for a picture package and wish to have the picture retaken. **
**Original package must be returned and given to the photographer on retake day.
Rocky Run Middle School Invites you to join us for a Q&A with
Dr. Michelle Reid
Superintendent of
Fairfax County Public Schools
Where: Rocky Run Middle School
When: Thursday, November 7, 2024
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Address: 4400 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, VA 20151
Questions? Please contact Rachel Sweeney at
[email protected]
FAIRFAX COUNTY YOUTH SURVEY
6th GRADE STUDENTS
November 14, 2024
The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people
Greenbriar West ES will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 9:30am.
While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete the form linked here and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 1, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parent Digital Consent (fcps.edu) you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.
13300 Poplar Tree Road, Fairfax, VA 22033 | Main Office: 703.633.6700
Attendance: 703.633.6767 | Web | Twitter | Facebook
