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The Chameleon Connection: RISE
News for Families: Week 7: 9/18/23-9/22/23
A Message from GQES Administration
Week 7: 9/18/23-9/22/23
Dear GQES Families,
We are moving right through the month of September! Students are learning expectations, routines, and procedures. Last week, we administered the state mandated Fall Growth Assessments (FGA) for students in grades three and four in Math and English/Language Arts. We will share information from those assessments when we have the State's released guidelines on how to interpret the FGA scores. Here is our school's accreditation report: GQES Results. We are laser focused on our school's mission---- Chameleons RISE: Raising Intentionality Strengthening Expectations for students, teachers, administration, and families.
When we analyze our students' progress from 2021-2022 to 2022-2023, we made significant gains as a school as evidenced by getting 'green' in all areas, except chronically absenteeism, where we are 'yellow'. We know we have more work to do, so we really appreciate you partnering with us by communicating regularly with your child's teacher, supporting your child's learning, and making sure your child is at school, every day, on time, and ready to learn.
More information:
- We welcome parents/guardians to come to school to eat lunch in our cafeteria. Please call the school, so we know you are coming on the day you desire to come. You will see the designated table for parents to sit with their child, in our cafeteria. As soon as lunch is over, your child will go back to class. We expect parents to exit the main hallway doors at the end of lunch. Thank you!!!
- Our students are learning what we expect at GQES. We expect every child to understand how to BE KIND. We teach SMILING faces, LISTENING ears, HELPFUL hands, and RESPECTING boundaries while DOING OUR BEST in all learning tasks. Please encourage your child to follow these strong habits for a successful elementary journey at GQES! Each teacher awards points in our Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) for each child. We love it when a classroom works toward a common goal!
- It is important for students to learn how to regulate their emotions, especially if they experience situations or conflicts. See the link below for more awareness on zones of regulation: Zones of Regulation. Ms. Sara Shoemaker (full time school counselor) and Ms. Karen King (who we share with Virginia Avenue Charlotte Dehart Elementary School) are excellent at helping students and families!
- Please always update your child's emergency contacts, addresses, custody and/or phone numbers as changes may arise.
- We had some amazing fun last week with DOT DAY. Make your mark!!!
- With your help, please help us achieve the Kona Ice Cream Truck for this upcoming week by sending your child to school, every day, on time, and ready to learn. We need to have the best attendance when compared to the other Winchester City elementary schools. Each of them have won, it's now our turn, so let's earn this reward!!!!
If you have any questions, please call our school's main office at 540-662-3575. Thank you for working with us to support your child's learning!
PS: Please see the slide below as one example of the State of Virginia's new accreditation system where school readiness indicators will be shared for the 2024-2025 school year.
Joanie Hovatter
Principal, Garland R. Quarles Elementary School
(540) 662-3575 (Phone)
(540) 662-8449 (Fax)
Active Supervision at Recess
Students enjoying chalk activities at recess with good supervision by Ms. Pugh, Ms. Kremmel's kindergarten teaching assistant.
Working with interventions
Thank you, Mr. Faint for giving help before school even starts! We make every minute count at GQES!!!
Small groups work!
A message from Transportation about Walk Zones
Currently, our Crossing Guards will be the primary staff remaining in the neighborhood and will be stationed at the following locations:
-Loudoun & Southwerk
-Loudoun & E Whitlock
-Loudoun & Bellview
Please email walkzones@wps.k12.va.us with any questions or concerns.
Upcoming Dates: GQES
End of first 9 weeks
The end of the first 9 weeks is 10/12/23.