The Chameleon Connection

On Friday, 10/2/26, we recognized our AMAZING custodial team: Ms. Kelley, Mr. Rickey, Mr. Donnie and Ms. Claudia. We appreciate all they do to keep our school clean and safe!

On Monday, September 28, 2026, GQES staff and students had the opportunity to lead the School Board Showcase and share the many great things happening at Quarles! We were proud to highlight our Quarles Vision: Thriving Literacy Community and showcase the great things happening at Quarles!

A big thank you to all of our staff members, students, and families who joined us for this special presentation and helped us show and share There's no place like Quarles!

GQES Vision: Thriving Literacy Community in a STEM School

GQES Mission: We BELIEVE!

Week 9: Oct. 5-9, 2026

Dear GQES Chameleon Families,

We can't believe that this week is our last week of quarter 1! Our students have formed routines to support their literacy and math instruction at school. Thank you for also supporting learning at home by reading with your child daily, asking them about their school day, and talking to them about what they are learning. These conversations matter. We want our students to see the connection between their school and family. We are better together!

Thank you to all who came to the first GQES Virtual Reading Party! If you missed it, follow the link below to see a replay of the party. We will have another party in a few weeks, keep a lookout for more information soon! https://www.youtube.com/live/S8458dvbfQQ

Thank you for your support with our Domino's Fundraiser to support the GQES PTO! See below for more information.

After School Tutoring

Select students have been invited to join after school tutoring. Response forms are due back on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. After school tutoring will be held on the following Tuesdays and Thursdays:

• October: 20, 22, 27, 29
• November: 5, 10, 12, 17, 19

Questions? Contact the GQES front office. Point of contact: Lindsay Edwards.

📅 Save the Date: Parent Conferences: Parent Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 15th, from 3:00–7:00 p.m. Please work with your child's teachers to get your parent conference scheduled. If you need to schedule for multiple children, please communicate that so our teachers and staff can work together to accommodate multiple students and time slots.

Report Cards: Report cards will be shared electronically on Thursday, October 15th.

Standards Based Grading: Standards-based grading provides a clear picture of your child's learning by measuring their actual skill mastery rather than factors like behavior or homework submission. Report cards reflect where your child stands on each skill, using a 1–4 scale for Math, Science, and Social Studies (where 3 means fully meeting grade-level goals) and Proficient or Growing for English Language Arts. For more information, please review the following documents:

• WPS: Standards Based Grading (English Handout & Spanish Handout)

As always, thank you for being such an important part of our Quarles community! We value your partnership in your child's learning. If you have any questions, please contact the main office at 540-662-3575.

Jennifer DiMarco
Principal, Garland R. Quarles Elementary School

Erika Berry,

Assistant Principal, Garland R. Quarles Elementary School

Oct. 8: Crunch Heard Around the Commonwealth Day...enjoy a farm fresh apple!

Oct. 9: End of Quarter 1

Oct. 12: Teacher Work Day (NO SCHOOL)

Oct. 15: 3-7 p.m.: Parent Conferences at GQES

Nov. 3: Teacher Professional Development Day (NO SCHOOL)

Nov. 25-Nov. 27: Administrative Offices Closes (NO SCHOOL)

New school entry procedures are being implemented in Winchester Public Schools. Please allow extra time when you visit a school building to adjust to the new procedures.

• Have your photo ID out and ready when you arrive.

• Press the intercom and follow the directions from the office staff.

• Know the name of the person you are meeting with.

• Call ahead if you need to pick up your child unexpectedly so the office staff is aware.

We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we work together to keep our school community safe.

Mark your calendars for 10/02/2026, we will be partnering with the Domino's Pizza Slice the Price program for a fundraiser everyone will enjoy! The proceeds of this fundraiser will support PTO funds!

Below, you will see a picture and description of our SLICE THE PRICE card. See how the card works with this short VIDEO: https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/934xj66gkh

Slice the Price Card:

• With the card, every time you purchase a large pizza at Domino’s, you will receive another large pizza FREE!

• The cost of the card is just $20, and our school profits $10 for every card sold!

• Use the card as many times as you would like until the card expires 06/30/2027!

• Cards will be sold from 10/02/2026-10/16/2026.

• When a customer buys a card through your online store, it will be shipped directly to them! If they purchase one card, the shipping fee is only .99 cents.

• Every student that participates will receive a free prize!

Information packets and order forms will be distributed on 10/02/2026. See all the locations where the card is accepted here: https://slicethepricecard.com/map.

Ready to get a head start? Use the attached form to start brainstorming on your supporters!

Project Write will be offering Saturday Writing Workshops for grades 3 - 5 from 10-12 on the first Saturday of each month. We start this Saturday at the War Memorial Building at Jim Barnett Park. Space is limited but if you could share with your staff and students, we would appreciate it!.

Here is the link to registration:

Friends Who Write

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Kindergarten

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

• Bus Rider
• Chameleon Convoy (Walkers) with four (4) location
• A: Kent/Whitlock
• B: Whitlock/South Loudoun
• C: South Loudoun/Southwerk
• D: Southwerk/Kent
• Car Rider

VERY IMPORTANT DISMISSAL UPDATES FOR ALL STUDENTS:

• No transportation changes after 1:30 p.m. (If you need to make a change to your child's afternoon dismissal plan, please call the main office at 540-662-3575 before 1:30 p.m. and talk to a front office staff member.)
• No students being signed out after 2 p.m. (If you need to sign your child out early, you need to do this before 2 p.m.)
• For safety and emergency purposes, our GQES parking lot will be close daily at 2 p.m. and will reopen at 2:20 p.m. to begin our car rider dismissal procedures.

Please enter our parking lot by turning right into our parking lot off Southwerk Street. Thank you for your help and support to ensure the safety of our students.