The Chameleon Connection: RISE

Annual honoring of March to the Tomb of Judge John Handley for his endowment to the city of Winchester's students. This group looked sharp! Thank you, Ms. Shoemaker, Ms. Brewster, Ms. Anna, and Mr. Slezak for chaperoning these great grade 4 students!

Ms. Johnstone encourages students to think creatively and critically while collaborating with each other. Wow! This was indeed a cool structure!

Shout out to Dr. Daraban, Ms. Williamson, Ms. Luden, and Ms. Covarrubias for putting an information session for our newcomer families! We had 13 out of 15 families come to one of the two sessions last week! Great job, all!

Please call our main office at 540-662-3575 if these items belong to your child. We recommend labeling your child's clothing for easy retrieval.

Chameleons RISE: Raising Intentionality Strengthening Expectations for students, teachers, administration, and families.

Week: 37: 4/29/24-5/3/24

Dear GQES Families,

Happy Apple Blossom Week!

It's time for our Annual GQES Apple Blossom Parade to be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 9:00am. GQES families are invited to sit along the sidewalks around our school and to be seated at 8:45am. We are grateful for the City of Winchester and the Winchester Police Department for their support of our parade!

If you wish to sign out your child after the parade on 5/2/24, please plan to be patient. Always have your identification (driver's license) with you for the dismissal. We will follow our regular dismissal procedures and maintain safety. Thank you in advance for cooperating and following our procedures. Remember, there is no school on Friday, 5/3/24.

We will have our last mandated drill before school is out this year. Thank you for understanding we must follow all emergency protocols. We want everyone to be safe always!

If you have questions or concerns about your child's learning or progress, please contact your child's teacher to be able to partner with your child's teacher to help them learn, grow, and thrive!!!

A few upcoming dates include:

• 5/9/24: SOL Testing for grades 3 and 4
• 5/14/24: SOL Testing for grade 4
• 5/16/24: SOL Testing for grades 3 and 4
• 5/20/24-5/24/24: Make Up SOL Testing will occur for any student missing an SOL, as it is a mandatory requirement at the local, state, and federal level
• 5/23/24: Annual Chameleons Got Talent Show at JHHS Patsy Cline Auditorium: 5:00-6:30 pm
• 5/30/24: Last Day of School: early dismissal at 11:15am

• 6/10/24-6/27/24: WPS District-wide Elementary Summer School 8:00-1:00. More information to come.
  

If you have questions or concerns, always feel free to contact us at 540-662-3575. Thank you for partnering with us to help your child thrive!

Sincerely,

Joanie Hovatter

Principal, Garland R. Quarles Elementary School

(540) 662-3575 (Phone)

(540) 662-8449 (Fax)

Recent article on recesses

These fourth graders were very creative with solving math on real pizza boxes! Well done!!!

Every parent can help every child when they must take the state mandated Standards of Learning tests by providing a good night's rest, reassuring the child they will do their best, giving them a good breakfast, and being supportive of their work! We have been in school for nearly 40 weeks. Our students are ready and can do well!!!

How Can You Help Your Child Prepare for Standardized Tests?

1. Optimize brain power. ...
2. Encourage good study habits and challenge critical-thinking skills. ...
3. Know what to expect. ...
4. Look at your child's past performance. ...
5. Provide practice opportunities. ...
6. Relax and remain positive.

Do you have a child who will be 4 or 5 by September 30? Everything you need to know about registration is on our registration website: bit.ly/WPSregistration2024

-Registration and eligibility events start soon! Physicals and vaccinations will be offered as listed on the registration website.

-You must bring your required documents, including birth certificate, TWO proofs of residency, physical exam, immunization record, and income verification for PreK only

-We will be using a new system for online registration and an email address is required to register

We can't wait to welcome your student and family to Winchester Public Schools!

• Keep Your Child Healthy and in School Handout from Attendance Works: English, Spanish;

• From J. Buckley:

  • COVID-19 Parent Flyer - English, COVID-19 Parent Flyer - Spanish; VDH has updated their guidance for schools on the K-12 Education and Child Care - Coronavirus (virginia.gov)webpage.

    "An individual can return to work in 24 hours IF their symptoms are improving and they are fever free without fever reducing medication."

  
  

  • Keep Your Child Healthy and in School Handout from Attendance Works: English, Spanish;
  • From our WPS Public Relations Officer: https://www.smore.com/n/re6ph
  • Planning ahead: Save the Date flyer in English and Spanish for the Readiness Fair!

  
  

  From M. McCampbell-Lien:

  • Now that the museum is installed and other aspects are being finalized, we can't wait to welcome you to the Douglas School Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on Saturday, June 8 at 10:00 a.m. Families are welcome. Feel free to share!
  • Free Online Tutoring with Varsity Tutors: WPS students in grades 1-12 can now use Varsity Tutors at NO COST! Features include 24/7 On-Demand Tutor Chat; Live Group Classes in Academics, SAT & ACT Test Prep, Career Readiness and Celebrity-Led StarCourse Classes; On-Demand Essay Review and Practice Tests & Personalized Learning Plans. To access Varsity Tutors, simply log into Classlink, select “Varsity Tutors” and enter the Varsity Tutors portal. Students can explore the Learning Lab and search for activities and support they want to use.Instructions & Info: https://bit.ly/ALLINWIN

  • Preschool Eligibility Night

    We know our March Pre-K eligibility days were BUSY, so we are offering an additional night with extra staff to ensure all of our families are able to get registered if eligible. Preschool Eligibility Night will be Wednesday, May 8 from 3-7 p.m. at the Douglas School (598 N Kent St). We would love to meet your student; bring them and receive a free children’s book! *Please review the Registration Website for everything you need to know: bit.ly/WPSregistration2024 *

  
  

Information:

From Ms. Jennifer Buckley, Director of Student Services

• COVID-19 Parent Flyer - English,
• COVID-19 Parent Flyer - Spanish;

• From Ms. Maggie McCampbell Lien, PR for the division
• : Opt-In to School Texts

• Info: Not receiving school-related text messages? You must OPT-IN to receive messages. Text "Subscribe" to 67587. You should receive confirmation that you are registered. Don't forget to ensure all of your contact information is correct at your student's school, too!

  
  

ELA (Reading) and Math Supports for Parents to Help Students