We are excited to start a new school year! Our staff at GBE has grown tremendously over the last two
years through the global pandemic. Last school year included many operational challenges as we
worked together to keep our community safe while returning to 100% in-person instruction after our
historic 2020-2021 school year. We are proud to lead this amazing school community and look forward
to brighter days this school year!

Many protocols were revised throughout the 2021-2022 school year by FCPS in partnership with the
Fairfax County Health Department. This significantly limited access to the building for visitors. We are
thrilled to start the school year open to visitors. We will be sure to communicate if there are any updates
required by FCPS to any protocol in this handbook. Our hope is any update to our protocols will be
temporary during this school year. It felt like the FCPS handbook was ever-changing during my first two
years as your principal!

This handbook will contain important information around school policies and expectations for students
and families. We hope this clear communication will help us strengthen our school operations. I
appreciate our community’s patience during this global pandemic and I hope this handbook sets us on
the right path for a successful family and school partnership!

Last year, we initiated a significant change to our Kiss-N-Ride procedures. We have reflected on
strategies to increase our efficiency and improve communication. We are excited to launch PickUp
Patrol to manage dismissal communication. Many large elementary schools in the county use this
system and they shared very positive experiences for families and staff with us! You will also see new
lines painted to help guide vehicles and buses during arrival and dismissal! More details around arrival
and dismissal are included in this handbook.

FCPS is implementing a Positive Behavior Approach (PBA) in all schools. Our teams will develop
systems to respond to student behavior to build a positive learning environment for students. Families
will receive additional information through Students Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) when behaviors
impact the learning environment. Our administrative team will communicate SR&R expectations directly
to students this school year. We will work closely with families when behaviors do require a response
through SR&R.

We can’t wait to start our 2022-2023 school year with your students! Our students showed so much
growth last school year and we will continue to celebrate their achievements in the new year! Thank you
for sending your amazing children to GBE. You make GBE a great school community!