Good afternoon, Gladys West Families,
It's finally starting to feel like fall! The cooler mornings and evenings are a refreshing change, and I hope you are enjoying this season.
Bus Route Updates — Effective Monday, October 20
New bus routes begin Monday, October 20. Most student tags were updated on Friday; a few will be updated Monday morning. Bus drivers of the impacted routes handed out a letter to students on the afternoon routes on Friday.
With these adjustments, double-run buses have been eliminated, so buses should now run closer to their original pick-up and drop-off times. Please plan accordingly.
Route D Updates
The first three stops will now be part of GWE Route A:
Stop
Time
200 Adair St
8: 25 AM / 3:55 PM
1704 Raines Dr
8:26 AM / 3:56 PM
Rampart Dr @ Trestle Dr
8:29 AM / 3:59 PM
The remaining stops will stay on GWE Route D:
Stop
Time
City View @ Rampart Dr
8:24 AM / 3:57 PM
Kensington @ Kensington Cir
8:25 AM / 3:59 PM
120 Springwood Dr
8:30 AM / 4:02 PM
Lafayette Blvd @ Wilderness Ln
8:31 AM / 4:04 PM
Lafayette Blvd @ Arcade Ct
8:31 AM / 4:05 PM
Hillcrest Church
8:32 AM / 4:06 PM
Additional Route Updates:
GWE B will have a new driver and is expected to run on time.
GWE EV59 will become GWE H, with no route changes.
GWE P will become GWE M, with no route changes.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to make transportation smoother and more consistent for families.
Benchmark Testing This Week
We're wrapping up our fall benchmarks this week:
Tuesday, October 21: Math Benchmark
Thursday, October 23: 5th Grade Science Benchmark (covering 4th grade content)
These assessments help us measure student growth and guide instruction. Thank you for ensuring your child gets plenty of rest and arrives on time each day.
Digital Citizenship Spirit Week — Monday, October 20
Monday, October 20, is Wear Your Favorite Team Jersey/Shirt Day as part of Digital Citizenship Spirit Week. See the full flyer in the GWES newsletter (ParentSquare) for all activities planned this week.
FCPS Division-Wide Trunk or Treat
Join us for PreK-5 Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 24, at James Monroe High School from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Activities include candy-filled trunks, face-painting, and food trucks (food available for purchase).
Gator Games Recap
Last week, all students participated in our first Gator Games of the school year during special area classes.
Grade levels competed in friendly challenges to determine the 1st Nine Weeks Gator Games champions.
Classes created team names and colors.
Each event began with a conversation about citizenship and the National Anthem.
The focus of the Gator Games is on building foundational Gator skills—teamwork, respect, and good sportsmanship. Ask your student what their favorite part was!
Family Conversation Starters
1st Grade: Ask about the informational text "The Life of a Frog." What did they learn about a frog's life cycle?
2nd Grade: Practice skip counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, and 25s and backwards by 10s starting from 200.
4th Grade: Ask about the reasons for English colonization in America.
Staying Healthy This Fall
As cooler weather arrives, we often see an increase in seasonal illnesses. Please encourage students to:
Wash hands frequently
Cover their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing
Avoid sharing food or drinks
Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated
Please report absences using the Attendance Note Link: Attendance Notes | Gladys West Elementary School
Be sure to check out this week's GWES newsletter by clicking on the link for more updates and information: https://secure.smore.com/n/32gr4m
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. If you have any questions, please call us at (540) 372-1140.
Warmly,
Mrs. Wheeler