The Chameleon Connection: RISE

Ms. O'Barto's class made new goals for the second semester and the beginning of 2025! We are proud of our students' selection of their learning goals!!!

Our students, clad in boots and warm clothing are enjoying time outside for recess!

We shared pictures of the first two days when we were completely off last week due to the snow!

These first grade students are shining as they perform Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker!

Who doesn't like climbing in the snow? It's fun!!!

Returning to school means we need to remember routines, procedures, and EXPECTATIONS!!! Ms. OBarto is making sure her students know what they need to do!

When snow is plowed high, we like to tackle it! Well done!!!

We ask students to find games to play in the snow in addition to possibly building a snow piece of art outside like a snow castle, etc.

These students knew exactly what to do and were excited to join in the planned activity!

Focusing on her goals!!! Well done!!

GQES Vision: Thriving Literacy Community in a STEM School

GQES Mission: Chameleons RISE (Raising Intentionality by Strengthening Expectations)

GQES Belief: Chameleons Got HOPE!

Week 21: 1/13/25-1/17/25

Dear GQES Families,

Thank you for ensuring your children were present and ready to learn during last week's three days of 2-hour delays due to weather. We greatly appreciate your support. Your commitment highlights the strong collaboration between home and school that makes our community so special.

Thank you for helping us start the new year on the right foot. We look forward to a wonderful second half of the school year, filled with learning, growth, and opportunities for our students to shine. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need support as we continue this journey together.

At Garland R. Quarles Elementary, we prioritize our students' health and well-being, which is why we schedule four outdoor recesses daily and monitor the weather conditions daily. Fresh air and active play are vital for their physical and mental health, and being outside helps reduce the spread of germs that can linger indoors. We encourage all families to ensure their children are dressed appropriately for the weather, with coats, hats, gloves, and boots as needed. If your child requires any winter clothing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re committed to connecting families with resources that can help keep our students warm and comfortable.

As we work together to support your child’s growth and development, we want to emphasize the importance of balancing technology use at home. While technology can be a useful tool for learning, excessive screen time can limit students’ ability to engage in creative play, build social skills, and get the sleep they need to thrive. Setting clear limits on technology use and encouraging activities like reading, outdoor play, and family time can significantly benefit your child’s physical, emotional, and academic well-being.

We encourage you to establish routines that promote healthy habits and minimize unnecessary screen time. If you need ideas or resources to help your family strike the right balance, please let us know—we’re here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can create an environment where our students can grow, learn, and succeed!

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at 540-662-3575. Thank you!!!

Sincerely,

Joanie Hovatter, Principal

Jennifer DiMarco, Assistant Principal

Garland R. Quarles Elementary School

(540) 662-3575 (Phone)

(540) 662-8449 (Fax)

1/20/25: NO SCHOOL: MLK Jr. Day

1/21/25: Reading Winter Growth Assessment for 3rd & 4th Grade

1/23/25: Math Winter Growth Assessment for 3rd & 4th Grade

1/31/25: 1st Grade Field Trip to Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum

WPS Next Two Years: Approved Calendars

Upcoming approved WPS Calendars

• 2025-2026 School Calendar

• 2026-2027 School Calendar

https://secure.smore.com/n/0u84k-january-wps-family-newsletter?ref=email

See the 2024-2025 School Calendar

Parent/Student Handbook 2024-2025

If you wish to learn more about recesses, here you go:

The "Global Recess Alliance" is a group of experts in health, education, and research dedicated to advocating for the importance of recess in children's development, pushing for policies and practices that ensure all children have access to quality playtime during school hours; essentially, it's a coalition working to promote the value of recess on a global scale.

Learn More about Recesses Globally

Thank you!

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

Then, click on GQES's icon for the lunch menu. The menu is now interactive----you can discover hover your cursor over the food item and you will see nutrition information.

Sometimes, buses or routes can change. Always, verify with our front office for any transportation questions. Thank you!