The Chameleon Connection: RISE

Ms. Libby is retiring at GQES this year! She has been a wonderful cafeteria manager for us for a decade! We wish her well!

We are so grateful for our English as Language Learners team of teachers: Dr Daraban, Ms. Luden, Ms. Williamson, and Ms. Covarrubias! They work exceptionally hard with our general education teachers to help our newcomers acquire and use English literacy skills!!!

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: 40: 5/20/24-5/24/24

Dear GQES Families,

We are on the final full five day week of the 2023-2024 school year!!! Wow!!!

Thank you to all of our GQES Chameleon families of students in grades 3 and 4 for helping them be ready for the mandated Standards of Learning tests last week by getting a good night's rest and being a positive mindset.

This week, we will be administering Standards of Learning retakes for grade 3 and grade 4 students who may have been absent last week and/or scored high enough for expedited retakes (375-400). All public schools across the state of Virginia work through the same accreditation process based on proficiency and growth.

Please plan to come to our Annual Chameleons Got Talent Show at John Handley High School's Patsy Cline Auditorium on 5/23/24 from 5:00-6:30pm. We think this will be a great evening for these youngsters who have practiced hard over the past few weeks!

A few upcoming dates include:

• 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.
  

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)

How important is recess? https://www.ssmhealth.com/newsroom/blogs/ssm-health-matters/july-2023/how-important-is-recess

We greet children in the front of our school (car riders and walkers) as well as on the back end of the school (bus riders). Here is what we try to achieve----smiles for everyone!!

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!

Please be aware that RAS will be offering extended Aftercare on Thursday, May 30th beginning at the 11:15am early dismissal until our regular out time of 6pm.

We will be sending out an announcement to all RAS families and we will post a flyer on our checkout table.

• 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